Pack Rats and a Bag of Memories

Alright, I wouldn't classify myself as an extreme pack rat to the point of compulsively hoarding every thing I ever owned. But I do like to hold on to random items that serve no purpose whatsoever.

I'm sure everyone is familiar with looking for one particular item and stumbling upon a treasure of past memories. Well, that's just what happened to me. I found some helpful items (like a pack of AAA batteries for my alarm clock) and some trash that I can't believe I ever got (like some figures of NBA stars that I bought out of a whim at a sale). I kept going through everything hoping to find what I was looking for until I stumbled upon a packet of papers. They were from some assignments I had in the beginning of senior year of high school.

I just get straight into the writing if it's an in-class writing assignment that serve no homework purposes. So I am assuming I am reading a class assignment about where I was in the college process. For those who do not know, I only applied to Syracuse University (early decision'ed). I'm reading through this and I see all the schools that I was going to apply to: Temple University, Seton Hall University, Ithaca College, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Albany, and Marist College. I don't even know where Marist College is. I think my guidance counselor was urging me to apply there. There was an "update" at the bottom of the page noting that I decided to early decision for Syracuse.

There was also a "letter" we were to write to a classmate about a topic we were to choose from. I can't even read this letter without feeling embarrassed I ever wrote it. It's not that the content is bad, it's just the writing style. Then again, it was an in-class assignment. The topic I chose was my opinion of the world. I'm glad to say I still hold this view three years later. 90% of what I wrote was unnecessary rambling so I could make the letter seem long. Two sentences basically covered everything up: "People are too dependent on technology" and "Technology is the very essence that powers humanity". I don't even know what I meant by "the very essence" but it sounds smart for a high school assignment.

Up next is a "life list" I wrote (technically typed up). "See a real hippopotamus up close". That was 3rd on my list. It's true that hippos are my favorite animals, but I still can't believe that landed as the 3rd best thing I could think of for what I wanted to do in my life. Number 9 was a lot better in terms of achievements. I wanted/still want to be featured in a film. One of my regrets of high school was not being a part of any of the school plays. Every year I went to watch the plays my school performed and every year I thought how fun it would be to be on that stage.

The rest of the papers included in this package were completely random considering most of them are English assignments. SAT scores, Syracuse tuition, AP scores, etc.

...and I just realized I never found my item.

Fun and Maturity

I should be sleeping, but my eyes won't close. Perhaps a drawback from napping earlier. Hopefully by the time I finish this post, I'll be tired enough to knock out until my 9:30 AM class.

I think I'll grow up to be the fun dad/uncle. I love kids. Well, not so much once their age hits a double digit number. Wow, I sound like a pedophile don't I? I've worked as a teacher's assistance for half of the summers I spent in high school. Both times, the kids voted me their favorite TA.

But a friend told me he thinks I'll grow up to be more serious. I shudder thinking about being the stern adult. I've always told myself that I'd never be like that. But, only time will tell how I'll progress. I adamantly wish to believe that I will remain the carefree guy racing friends to the train station after school. But, deep inside...I know I've changed.

I don't waltz around trying to put a smile on everyone's face anymore. I don't crack jokes left and right anymore. I don't do stupid things just so everyone can look back at it and laugh as much anymore.

When did I start to become such a bore? I looked through my old blog and stumbled upon a quote I came up with a while back.

I'm stupid. I'm immature. I'm reckless. But that's what makes me keep trying to be a better person.

In the process of becoming a better person, I resolved to shed my immaturity. I can see I've achieved some levels of maturity since I made this quote in my senior year of high school. I remember I was tired of being seen as the clown. I was tired of being a stupid little kid.

I was gonna make a list of pet peeves and tie it into what I was saying, but it didn't flow well. Pet peeve list will be on the list of things to blog about.

In Gratitude and Thanksgiving

We honestly don't need a single day to remember what we're thankful for. Especially if it's a day created in memories of the Native Americans who helped the pilgrims at Plymouth survive, only to be betrayed and kicked off their homes. Anyways, every day should be a day of Thanksgiving.

My list of things to be thankful for:

1. God
   

   Without Him, I'd be nothing.

2. My family
   

   As much as I get annoyed by them, they are still here for me until the end.

3. The Family Pan
   

   I've known most of these guys for pretty much my entire non-Canadian life. I can tell them anything. Any holiday vacations and it would be with them. 4th of July BBQ's and Thanksgiving meals? With the Family Pan.

   

   Dang, 2006...miss these carefree days.

4. KCS: The Grove
   

   I appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart. You guys are my life at Syracuse. Who knows? I might have left SU already if not for all of you. Thank you!
   Special shout out to the "Hungry Hippos"!

5. OCM
   

   As much as I say I want to find a new church at home, everyone at OCM who I've met and talked to has shaped me into the person I am today. You guys were there for me as I rediscovered myself with Christ. You guys watched as I took my baby steps as a Christian. Hopefully, when I'm a stronger, better Christian...I can come back and be the change I want to see.

6. High School Friends
   

   Because of you guys, I didn't want to join any club activities for three years in high school. I just wanted to hang out with you guys after school. I look at our Senior Poster Day poster and see our "Gorilla" sign. Man, were we unorganized for that. Look at the spacing between the letters. But it's all good. Balling at Broadway and eating pho afterwards. Playing DoTA until our brains died. Hope I get to see you all soon.

   

Man, we ugly.

7. The New York Jets
   

   Thank you for giving me a reason to look forward to the Super Bowl. Jets for Super Bowl Champs!