It’s lovely here at school today: the air is crisp and tingles with finals intensity, the sun is shining, and everywhere sings the promise of the holidays. Even the trees are getting into the spirit, dancing back and forth in a light breeze. I feel so incredibly inspired and gratified to be a student here, to have had the opportunities I have had to learn and to succeed. I would never do anything to jeopardize what I have found here.

Yesterday, I spent over five hours in various states of conversation with my roommates Akiko and Kathy. We started with queer literature, relationships, and interrupted our talk to plug our Playstation into our flat-screen TV (which was up until that point, unusable). We talked about family, school, organizations, and then dove into a rather hostile discussion on capitalism, the American dream, opportunities, and immigration. We all engaged in Midnight Yell, the great finals tradition, and then I finally fell into my bed exhausted, hoarse, and trying to fit Japanese into my head for my final at 9:00 am today.

As I am on the cusp of graduation, I have asked myself what I would have done differently if I were to enter school again as a freshman. What organizations would I have joined? What would I have majored in? Would I have rushed my business fraternity?

I look back at all the opportunities I’ve found in the past 3+ years and realize I would never go back to redo anything. It sounds cliche, but I see how every piece of my life has contributed to the happiness of my present. Cutting out sadness or fear or stress would not have allowed me to become the person I am now.

I am so grateful to have faith in my future and my ability to shape it. I am so grateful to be surrounded by my supportive parents and friends who don’t mind my rants on capitalism and life. I feel very lucky.