This is all so surreal. Having to say goodbye to everyone, having to say goodbye to everything, I don’t know if I’m ready. Being born and raised in Elk Grove, I’ve surely watched the town grow. I’ve watched as weedy fields turned into shopping centers, and I’ve seen homes pop up all throughout. I’ve learned how small of a town we live in because practically everyone knows everyone. I’ve grown to love Elk Grove from the bottom of my heart, despite how “boring” it is here. Attending Laguna Creek, I couldn’t have asked for a better high school experience. A lot of people hate it there, and a lot of people think we’re “ghetto” and a campus full of awful, stupid people. As cliche as it sounds, high school’s what you make of it. Joining clubs, joining sports, partaking in rigorous courses—all of these things added to my experience, and it’s been a blast. Plus, I’ve made life-long friendships and countless memories at Laguna. We may not have the prettiest campus, we may not have the best sports teams, we may not have dances with over a thousand people, but I’m proud to be a Cardinal.
As I’m quickly reaching the end of my high school career, I’ve come to realize that high school is probably one of the best times you’ll ever have—so cherish it. There’s nothing to worry about as compared to future years. Your parents feed and shelter you. Education’s free. Sure, having to learn the 5th Amendment or the derivative of a cosine might seem useless, but keep in mind that education’s important. Don’t screw it up now—work hard now, play later. All the work you put into school will be worth it in the end (well, that’s what I believe).
Everyone questions why I waited ‘til now to submit my SIR. Honestly, I don’t know. I’m bummed I didn’t get into my dream school, UCLA, but I’m sure there’s a reason for that. I believe whatever path I take will lead me the right way. I didn’t appeal to UCLA because I don’t want to be accepted into somewhere that initially rejected me. All or nothing. Plus, looking more into UCSD, I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. The campus is different and beautiful. The surrounding city is absolutely breath-taking. The atmosphere is so relaxing, and being right next to the beach counts for a bunch of plus points in my book. I guess I didn’t want to submit my SIR because I was scared. Scared of being unable to make friends. Scared of hating it there. Scared of not even knowing what the heck I’m doing there. Scared of being thrown into something completely new. Scared of being out of my comfort zone. But y’know, I can’t let this fear overrule me. I can’t live in the comforts of my home forever, and I can’t expect to grow if I’m constantly clinging on to the same groups of people. I can see the sadness and hesitation in my parents’ eyes as I ask about college and mention attending UCSD. Being my parents, they’d never hold me back. My Dad constantly bribes me with a new BMW and weekly home-cooked meals in order for me to go to Davis, but they both know I’m all for San Diego. I s’pose it’s natural—parents not wanting their baby to leave the nest. It’ll get lonely in the house, but I promise I’ll always come back to visit. I need to adventure new places, and I need to experience new things. I need to make stupid mistakes, and I need to grow into a better person. I need to meet new people, and I need to get involved in new clubs. I’ve always said how I want to experience life down in SoCal—so here I am, ready (hopefully) to take on new challenges.
It’s bittersweet having to say goodbye. I’ve already had to say goodbye to Key Club, and I’ll have to say goodbye to high school in two and a half weeks. I’m nowhere near ready to say goodbye to all the wonderful people I’ve met in Elk Grove, but with everyone going their separate ways and doing their own thing, I can’t wait to meet back up with them next year.
Time goes by way too fast.
/endramble.
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tsukisuki said:
Congrats on UCSD :D . College really is what you make of it and you end up loving where every you go because college in itself is such an adventure. Plus, UCSD has an AMAAAAZING Circle K ;D
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mzjamiie posted this
