First semester has concluded, and I am happy enough with the results that I have obtained. I took classes that changed the destiny of my college exploration, courses that challenged me (but made me realize that I am not as good as I thought I would in Germanic languages), courses that developed and enhanced my writing skills, such as the University Writing Seminar, which was a complex, but rewarding course, and courses, which I somehow enjoyed, but taught me that English is not predestinated to become one of my majors.
Just when I finished writing my last essays for the semester it occurred to me, am I getting better at this. My UWS’s instructor told me that he liked my first draft of my research essay–this was the first compliment I had received from my instructor throughout the entire semester. It turns out that I am better writing research papers than I am writing close-readings–or lens essays, which I seem them as totally pointless and abstract in some way. I am sure there is a logic to it, another form of thinking, mostly with the point to intertextuality, however, it is a bit dull the whole matter. Although, I would give the benefit of the doubt to the close-reading essays due that I particularly had great fun writing about Cloud 9 for my last English 1A assignment. If you are acquainted with the play, you will understand why (my libs are sealed).
The last day at Brandeis University was on the 16th of Dec. I sent my last assignment thirty minutes before my uber arrived. I made my suitcase, I wore my sunglasses, my fluffy coat, and waved dramatically good-bye to everyone on my floor. Honestly, I love education, but finals’ week just wore me down so much. I spent countless hours at the library, which for this season, they opened 24/7. There were days I spent twelve, thirteen, fourteen straight hours. There were moments when my body would just say, “No, you can’t continue like this, please go to bed.” Whenever you hear that sign from your body, please just put anything that you are doing down, and go to sleep.
In addition, I have taken a very difficult decision, but I believe it is for the best. Next semester, I will leave two clubs because they are simply not fulfilling to me at all. I took a leadership position, as you may recall, at my LGBTQ+ club, nonetheless, I found the club not as exciting as I thought it would be. To be honest, the lack of excitement from the club just disappointed me, and I wish I could stay and try to improve that particular aspect, but my heart is calling me for another kind of endeavors–clue? Well, the debate club, also known as, BADASS. I want to join them so badly and try how it goes. I am also saying good-bye to the Jaded magazine. I thought putting a magazine together would be fun, but I do not feel this connection among members that I see in other clubs, thus, I am leaving it all behind me. It was fun to try it for a semester, but I realized I did not like it in the end, as I thought I would.
In other news, I have been avoiding telling all of you that I am going to Haiti on a volunteer trip in January with a couple of pals from Brandeis as well as students from other universities. Why did I avoid it? Well, I just wanted to be sure that I was going to go on the trip, any contingency could have happened. The true is that I had to go a week before finals to the consul of Haiti because they told me, on three distinct occasions that I needed a visa to go to Haiti. So, I actually had to miss class. The morning was gray, a traffic lady yelled at me, I missed the 8:21 am commuter train: I waited an hour for the following. I got to the consul in Boston, they made me take $10 dollar worth passport pictures, I also had to buy a $5o dollar money order. The people who worked at the consul were ready to make the visa, when they noticed that apparently a person who holds a green card and is only planning on staying for eight days does not need a visa. My day, my money, my time was all worthless and futile–on the bright side… there is no bright side. Okay. Fine. There is a bright side and that is that I do not need to worry when I enter immigration to Haiti. But that day it could not have been worse, and guess what? It turns out I did not get to keep the pictures they took of me, I looked “Hella good!” (Not really).
So, the year has ended and so did the semester. I will be home for a few days before actually departing for Haiti on an exciting experience. What will await me? Only destiny knows–wow, sounds kind of deep, but it is true. The first year of college has been just fine. If you maintain your goals aligned and in mind, there is little that could fail. Although, remember to leave time to explore and see what you like and what you do not. Trust your gut and do what your heart dictates, not what anybody else tells you to do. It is your life and only yours.
I wish you the best holidays and a happy New Year. Stay safe, there may be terrible events happening around the world as of now, but remember to stay strong, remain connected to your family and/or people you love, and let us be thankful for the fortune, blessing, and happiness not many people around the world have.
Best,
Santiago