Looking Ahead

I have been looking more into my options and finalizing graduation requirements and post graduation plans.

I previously had planned on graduating after taking an extra quarter in the fall. Then, working somewhere while living in Seattle during the winter and in the spring participate in a NOLS program in East Africa. However, I have been looking in more detail at my degree audit and the classes offered in the next several quarters. I will not be able to take all classes that I will necessarily want to take but regardless they will count towards my major and a sooner graduation which saves money on tuition.

I am hoping to take spring and summer quarter and finish off with a study abroad trip in Jordan. I applied for two study abroad trips one engineering program in Jordan and the other a biology program in Peru. My top choice is the Jordan program but it depends on if I get accepted... so now I wait... While I wait, I am trying to figure out classes to work so that I can make this plan a reality. If I can figure everything out and be able to have my last quarter be studying abroad I would want to travel around the Middle East, maybe Africa, and Europe for a while afterwards. After this, I suppose return to Seattle and find work. Maybe find work in some other state or look into living in another country but Seattle would be what I would consider returning home. I am leaving these options open and although it is a bit unsettling not having a concrete plan it is also exciting to venture into the unknown.

As I approach this time of transition I reflect on my past and what has brought me to where I am today. This includes my interests, studies, ambitions and goals. Not all of which I can trace to their root, however, several things I can or look at key events that have lead me to my current being. I don't feel like I have had many life transitions that while in the moment I have been able to appreciate the change. The largest transitions that I have experienced thus far have included moving to California from North Carolina and graduating high school and moving to Washington for college. When I moved to California from North Carolina I was going into the fifth grade and didn't have any say about the matter. Needless to say I was unhappy with my parents for forcing me to leave my home, my friends, and my school. I was born a tar heel and did not want to leave for California which I knew only one thing about. The one thing I knew about California was that they had strange looking roofs for their houses from watching Rugrats on Nickelodeon. I eventually learned that they were spanish style roof tops that dominated most areas of Southern California but not all of it. As for my move to Seattle for college, that was complete my choice; however, college to me was an expectation. The transitions that I will soon face have no expectations attached to them; I only need to be able to financially support myself.

Throughout my college experience I have become more independent and realize that all the choices that I make wether I realize it or not have a huge affect on the outcome of my life. I am looking at the transitions that are quickly approaching in a new way. I acknowledge that I have control over my decisions, however, the outcome might not be what is completely anticipated. I look at this with optimism because as long as I am making decisions that make me happy I feel that I will end up in a good place.

In general I want to live an honorably life, make a difference, be happy and able to live with all the choices I make, and satisfied with the outcome of whatever work it is that I do. Currently I can not say that I am at a point where I can say this is entirely the case. Yes, I love UW, Seattle, and in general the life I have created for myself here. However, I am at a point where I am craving the transition that is approaching and want a change that takes me out of my comfort zone, challenges me, and takes me into not only the unknown but the extraordinary.

It has become a tad bit mundane after four years of basically the same thing and because of this I am ready for something new. The main enjoyment for me has been taking classes which allow me to explore and challenge myself on an academic and personal level.

There are so many senieros that my future holds and I am unbelievebly lucky and privileged to have had the opportunities that I have that have lead me to today and cant wait to turn the page to see what tomorrow brings.

From my Trip to Thailand