Something unpredictable. . .

". . .In the end it's right. I hope you have the time of your life."

How many times have we heard those words--played at graduations, goodbye parties and just in general? But in all honesty, Greenday could not have said it any better. Life is unpredictable, but through all the obstacles, the failures, surprises and successes, what happens is meant to happen. I know that we make choices every single day that affect our life, but sometimes things are literally random and out of our control. I think of it as entropy, sort of.

My whole 1st year college experience can be described by that Greenday song & entropy. I hated the school before applying, got in, fell in love with it after visiting for a second time and still love it here every single day, no matter what happens. Sometimes, I walk by the Rotunda or anywhere pretty on grounds and think to myself, "How did I end up on such a beautiful campus? I'm so blessed to be in Mr. Jefferson's university and to be in such a happy place and point in my life." And to think I almost didn't apply.

And then there's CSA, another opportunity I almost missed out on because I thought it'd be lame. But by deciding to go to a meeting on a whim and filling out a form to be placed in a family, I ended up finding a 2nd family, which came with a set of brothers that I never had, but sometimes wish I did. And ever since that random decision, I have made lasting friendships and tried new things that I never thought I would--HIP HOP!?!?!

So basically order and "the time of my life" came out of random acts and what were initially perceived to be disorderly or negative activities. But more importantly, I think I've learned the importance of embracing the natural tendency for unpredictability in life. I've been fighting unpredictable events for a long time. . .but I think I'm finally starting to embrace it (a little). That doesn't mean I'm gonna go all Dao & just let life run it's course. It simply means that I will be more appreciative of the random occurrences of life, especially since some of the best things that have happened to me were by mostly by random occurrences or chance, whatever you'd like to call it.

Anyway, I should get back to reading so I'm not completely screwed for all the finals that I have to get As on! Can't wait until this semester is over :) So ready for summer & Fall2010!

@ Mr. Jefferson's School

There was a wriggly caterpillar or silkworm-type bug dangling from a thin thread right above my head. It danced up and down, threatening to fall onto my lap at any moment. While I glanced precariously at the jitter bug every few seconds, the president of UVA was talking about safe sex.

"Gentlemen, remember that 'No' means 'No'."

Was there a point to all the statistics that Mr. Casteen had just recited to us about the incoming freshman class? Was there a point to this feeble attempt at preventing sexual harassment on grounds?

"And now, may the person closest to the 7th lawn room will please look under the welcome mat and bring me the letter hiding beneath it?"

What? There was a secret letter hiding under a welcome mat? My eyes averted from the dancing caterpillar to Mr. Casteen, who was now receiving a letter from a young lady who clearly felt that she had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. In the distance, the bell tower stuck 7.

"We, the society of the sevens, would like to welcome the class of 2013," read Mr. Casteen.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was experiencing an encounter with one of the oldest secret societies of UVA! OK, so it wasn't a direct encounter but still, as a part of the class of 2013, I think that I should count myself welcomed by the Sevens. It was all so surreal: the letter under the 7th lawn dorm, being read at 7PM sharp, and the donation of $1,777.77 to our class council. I chuckled as I thought back upon the sex talk our president had tried to give. Perhaps he was just trying to buy some time so that this strange but exciting tradition would be played out perfectly.

I felt extremely lucky to be sitting on the very lawn that Thomas Jefferson designed, in the very seats that the late Senator Kennedy, Katie Couric and many others before me had sat. The experience was overwhelming to say the least. I was actually in college. I would be starting classes soon, trying new activities, trying to make new friends all while trying to keep in touch with the people whom I've already grown so close to over the past 12 years of my life. Would I be able to do everything that I want to do? Would I be able to create a new life from a clean slate? I hope so.

Thinking about my previous entry, I realized that it could not be more relevant to my life, especially now that I'm starting my 1st year of college. I don't want to be defined just by my skin color or race, or by a single activity that I'm involved in. It's the compilation of all of these things that make up who I am, so I will not be afraid to try the Fencing club or the Ballroom Dancing club or any other activity that isn't typically "me". I will try everything that my heart desires.