‘“Who are YOU?” said the Caterpillar. This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, ‘I — I hardly know, sir, just at present — at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then. ‘‘What do you mean by that?’ said the Caterpillar sternly. ‘Explain yourself!’ “I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, sir’ said Alice, ‘because I’m not myself, you see.”‘
Have you ever been face to face with death, lured into its eyes, searching for the courage to contest the fate before you? I have.
One January morning, I found myself in a one-on-one duel with my conflicting fate, where roads were snow-white, and I could see my breath sprawl out before me… my life, and the way I perceived it was immediately changed forever. I recall each instant as a separate frame, a slow motion recap of my experience. For a minute the catalog of details present in my mind is beyond belief, until I realize the impact this encounter with death has had upon me as an individual.
In a very real way, this incident served as a crucible in my growth and helped to create an epithet for my identity: “Vires, Artes, Mores.” These Latin words, meaning “strength,” “artistry or intellectualism,” and “character,” respectively, allude to the profound impact this incident has had upon my life. That is, the car accident helped to reveal my strength, which in turn has helped me to focus on developing both my intellect and my character.
Anything art related intrigues me…yes, anything! I’m a creative soul, to say the least, and I try and find the good in everything. There’s beauty around every corner and I’m the type of person to stop and appreciate that.
I think that in this day and age, it’s an extremely important attribute to know who you are, what you stand for, and what exactly you hope to accomplish in life. Now, granted there will be variations as you grow physically, mentally and spiritually…but it’s never a good idea to let anyone or anything influence what makes you, you.
Concerns about freshman year at Baruch College? Procrastination, procrastination and let me see, oh, procrastination! I may seem like the type to have everything organized but truth is, I have a million and one things constantly running through my mind and it’s extremely hard for me to prioritize and make sense of all the clutter.
My experience here the past couple of weeks is almost an unexpected pleasure. Leaving high school, although glad to finally do so, meant taking a step into the unknown. Even though college is just a continued education after senior year, it’s already worlds apart. The course work, the professors, my fellow classmates…it’s all undiscovered territory. To take this journey as an independent adult is, well, different. We already hold so much responsibility as students here at Baruch and I’m inclined to make of the best of it!
I believe college will only expand the traits I already posses, sharpening and recycling them for more than they’re currently worth.
