2010

I feel there is no better way to start this blog than with a new decade. Here, I simply hope to chronicle perspectives on our changing world. With this decade coming to a close, everyone is either naturally looking backwards or forwards. No time is as uninteresting as right now, everyone would much rather hear about what will the technology of the 2010s be and what were the the top ten artists of the 2000s.

In looking back at 2009 alone, it has been marked for me with one singular experience, college. 2009 was about applying to schools, picking a school, graduating, and attending. Even from the beginning of middle school, our computer usernames ended in '09', a benchmark that seemed eons away. But even then it set the target in sight. Especially in our world of uber competitive academics. I, myself, was obsessed with the college process. It became a method of justification and reward for all the years of work I had done, culminating in my senior year. Although I am not where I had hoped, I am very happy at Johns Hopkins. I thought this next article was particularly interesting, considering I myself wrote a "Why UChicago" essay, I almost decided to attend the school, and I was one of thousands of high school seniors posting on the infamously neurotic College Confidential.

UChicago

To outside readers, the responses of students and parents probably seems like an overreaction. I am in no way surprised. I know that if this was posted last year, at the peak of my obsession, I would have been all over that thread. Chicago's a quirky school (check out their essay prompts), and once I was accepted they always did treat me well. In retrospect, they always did seem to convey a great deal of care for their applicants...well, the ones who were accepted. Maybe it's because they knew how neurotic we all were. Maybe when I realized how neurotic I am, that's why I didn't go there. It hasn't cured me, but I think I've made a step in the right direction.

I was talking about this with my mom last night. While this was such a difficult year for so many people, it as an incredibly enriching and transformative one for me. I got to enjoy my last months as a high school senior, and begin my college experience. Anyone who has gone through this time period understands how exciting this is. I am not surprised to see my friends lament the passing of a great '09, while most parents seems ready to move on. My case proven...

However, it is good to know that the American people remain resilient. Most people agree that 2009 was terrible, and that 2010 will be better.

Lastly, I realized this decades ends my childhood. More so than any decisions I've made, how much I've grown, or the fact that I can be legally tried as an adult. 2000 - 2010. I went from 8 to 18. I started it as a "big boy" but now I'm supposed to be an adult. I'm not complaining, but it's just intimidating! Of any decade, this will be the one where I have grown the most. And now, this next decade is where I have to specialize my studies, pursue a graduate degree, and get a job in that field? I have to begin to clearly define my political, social, philosophical, and religious beliefs, no more bs-ing around opinions. It's like you're actually an adult by 18, but they give you another ten years to do it. By the time you are 28, you really have no excuses. If you haven't set your life in order by then, society pretty much labels you as a failure. I also can't help but feel that while the last decade was defined by learning at home, I will define this next decade by the places I go and the experiences I gain. On that note, my flight to Japan leaves January 7th.