An alumna? Say what? Yeah. This girl just graduated
college and it feels like a lot of things- exciting, weird, and invigorating
all in one. All in all, I am really happy.
At the same time, a lot of things will be the same
for me. I am not moving away after college- I am staying in the greatest city
on earth (NYC, duh). My friends are still around (and many are still in
school). Some have moved away or went away for the summer, but I know I will
see them again because for myself and many other people, NYC is the center of
the universe. (Side note: It is funny how small we make our worlds; how we
focus on only three blocks and consider it the whole world or always walk the
same way and get blindsided to everything around us). New York is my city and I
am here to stay (at least for now). I may have left school, but campus is just
a few avenues away and now, I don't have to write any more papers. A friend
said to me that graduating NYU feels anti-climactic, and in a lot of ways, that
is very true. Everything is still here for me and that will never change.
"No more pencils, no more
books, no more teachers' dirty looks" -Childhood rhyme, Alice Cooper
If you were wondering about my grades, I made
Dean's List, Honors Scholar, and some sort of something cum laude (still still
waiting on one grade, but I think I got a 4.0 GPA this semester). I survived my
finals and finished my final papers early because I just wanted to be
done.
To answer your lingering questions:
1) Did you graduate early? You are kind of
young...
Yes to both. I did not take any summer classes and
did not enroll in a special program. My AP classes from high school actually
counted for credit, so I didn't need to take a lot of required classes and got
to concentrate on classes that actually interested me.
2) Where was your graduation? How was it?
I actually had 2 graduations because NYU likes to
go big, then make everyone go home.
a) The first was my school graduation (Steinhardt
School of Culture, Education, and Human Development), which was held this past
Monday at Radio City Music Hall. There was a lot of singing and dancing,
which was surprising given that no one told us what was happening. My name was
called at the Steinhardt graduation and I walked across the flat surface of the
stage. It was magical and I blocked out the moment in an effort to not trip. I
shook some hands and got a torch pin, which I lost.
b) The second was the all-university graduation
(NYU), which was held this past Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. There were a lot
of people there and it was definitely an experience. I arrived with my freshman
year roommate and good friend, Cristina. We had to hold onto each other's hands
for dear life like we were fighting our way through a packed club the entire
subway ride over because everyone graduating from NYU, their mother, father,
and cousin's dog decided to also take the 4 uptown. We survived. The featured
speaker, David Boies (semi-famous, hot-shot lawyer), tried to deliver a
nice speech. He focused a little bit too much on gay marriage, which is an
important topic, but never tied his argument fully back to the actual
graduation. On the other hand, the student speaker (who happened to be MCC)
kicked ass at the whole being inspirational thing. Good job.
c) I also went to other graduation events,
including the MCC Graduation Party, Grad Alley (they shut down streets on
campus to have a whole bunch of carnival-type booths with free food), and
grageuation at Pranna (unofficial, went with friends). Also made my first
venture to 13th Step. Oh, lordy.
3) What are you going to do now?
Go to Disney Land! Not really. Planning on doing
the whole job thing. Have been actively interviewing, so will keep you posted.
I still want to teach English in Thailand for a year and probably get my MBA in
the very near future. Maybe I will write that book I keep saying I will write.
I will keep writing and coaching skating, for sure. TBC...
4) Where are you living?
The East Village, y'all! My friends all live a
few blocks away, which is very ideal. Oh, and I finally moved into my new
apartment. It was a long, arduous process. My parents and friends helped a lot.
Steps included borrowing cars and visiting Ikea in Brooklyn. Thank you to
everyone who helped! Amusingly, I had my apartment housewarming before I was
officially moved in. I guess that is how I do.
5) What have you eaten lately?
Middle Eastern Eggs at Cafe Mogador; Blue Lemonade
Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich at Macaron Parlour; Veggie Dumplings, Papaya
Salad, Curry Vegetable Broth Soup at Republic; Frozen Matcha, Matcha
Chocolate Lava Cake at Spot; Grilled Cactus, Chicken Mole, Kahlua Flan at La
Palapa; Homemade pasta with clams at Tommy Lasanga; Butterscotch pudding at
Puddin'; Chicken, Beef, and Shrimp Dumplings at Dumpling Man; Grilled Kangaroo
and Fries with Hot Chili Sauce at The Australian; Cajun Chicken for brunch at
Yaffa Cafe; Fish Tacos, Berry Waffels at Max Brenner's; Chicken Everything but
the Kitchen Sink Salad with Mushroom Gravy at Meatball Shop. #ilikefood
6) What did you do for Memorial Day weekend?
Went home to hang out with the fam bam. Unfortunately, I have been sick the
whole time. Lloraba y lloraba. I have been enjoying my parents' food and
partaking in a very intense Netflix binge since the 'rents nixed cable. I also
visited my great aunt and saw The Great Gatsby in theaters.
---
Other thoughts...
I met with a friend who graduated from my major a
few years ago, and his words have been haunting me:
"Just think: You can be
rich! You can be famous! You can change the world!"
Everything he said to me was shocking because it is
really true. I could be all of those things if I worked hard enough and strived
to achieve them. The world is my oyster and New York is the true land of milk
and honey. Yet, I decided long ago I didn't need to be rich or famous. At the
same time, maybe I do want to change the world. I am just not sure how I will
impact it yet. I know a lot of people believe in these lofty platitudes for
themselves, but it has a whole different meaning when someone looks you in the
eye and says they truly believe you will achieve greatness. I truly don't want
to be ordinary- I want to be great.
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