October 27th, 2011
THE PAST: The past remains a shadow that follows me to this present day. Both my strengths and insecurities come from deep events in the past that have ultimately defined who I am today. I remember my parents neglecting me for work when I was a kid. I remember getting bullied by Mexicans at Robert M. Pyles elementary school. I remember a long string of rejections both from people personally as well as jobs/career paths professionally. Though I try not to let those said factors interfere with how I move forward into the future, they will always presently be with me. With the downside of all the countless rejections I have suffered throughout the years, come to the amount of acceptances I have achieved. Hallmarking events include being president of the Volunteers of Orange County, which really gave me a perspective as to my desire to do something in the world. Though it may not necessarily be community service, working for something I essentially believe in will drive me to what I want to be for the rest of my life. The feeling of getting Winter Formal King and being around friends both in high school and college helps me get over the overwhelming reality of my insecurities. And though there will always be people in reality impeding my ability to accomplish pure happiness (Jorge, Lauren, etc.), those dominating factors will in the end always be overcome.
THE PRESENT: With today’s events being insignificant in the grand scheme of my life, I can contexualize several key things in the examination of today in particular that stand out to me. Education. With vietnamese class being the first and only class of the day, I want to change my framework of thinking about the world. Honestly, learning a new language induces a sense of culture in you – seeing things from an alternative perspective will not only allow me to broaden my horizons of thinking about the world, but will give me the ability to effectively communicate with my parents to the extent that they acknowledge my existence more so than they already do. To get to know them before they eventually pass away will be one of my missions in life, because I can honestly say I have no recollection of how they met, or what they stand for, even though they are essentially my parents. The importance of work. Going to EHS in the morning and allowing myself to remain busy gives me a perspective as to realizing the grand value of hard work. Though I may not see it from time to time, I know in the long run, that paycheck at the end of the road will provide opportunities for me that I might otherwise not have. Though my parents struggled in the long run to get money when I was growing up, knowing that I’ve been allowed the opportunity to do so by myself gives me a sense of accomplishment. Going to Geisel afterwards allowed me to finish my Polisci essay, freeing me up so I could hang out with Geetha. Love. The ability to be able to care about something so much that it essentially makes me happy deep down inside. Though this happiness may not always be exemplified on a day-to-day basis, the essential recipe for happiness is there, triggered by deep emotional connections. Eating at Round Table gave us time to talk, and gave me time to reconsider every possible fiber of the present. With Yogurt Land being our next trip, the realization that has already hit me proves apparent: spending time with friends and loved ones creates a sense of rational self-worth. It gives you a reason to live essentially apart from the consumption of education and money otherwise reiterated by other parts of the day. Finally, with UCSD Students for Ron Paul being the last event of the day marks a necessity for a cause in life. What I found so pertinent and powerful about V.O.C. in high school parallels what I value about the Ron Paul organization at UCSD. It brings people together of a common cause to do something they believe in. With all of us essentially believing in Ron Paul’s message of liberty inspires us all to ultimately make a change in the world. Regardless of whether or not Ron Paul gets elected as the next President remains uncertain, but our ability to construct a common collective identity around the understanding of liberty unites us all in a sense that nothing else could. The ability to work for something you believe in, in this case the cause of liberty, through our meetings, our tabling, our postering, and our chalking (sample picture above), not only unites us, but gives a sense of accomplishment in the world. We are constantly striving for something, and this remains the main cause we will always propel forward to ultimately change the world forever.
THE FUTURE: I don’t know what the future holds. With TeachforAmerica already rejecting me, it’s uncertain which career path I want to go for. The possibility of Grad School remains slim, while the possibility of attempting to attain a teaching credential remains slightly more of an optimistic goal. But, truth be told, it shouldn’t matter. As long as I retain all the values I’ve gained over the past and the present, the future should be a great one. The value of education. The value of hard work. The power of love. And to always strive for a better future, to take up a cause you believe in, will ultimately make you a happier person in the end.
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| My mommy went to the delivery room. |
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