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I think this picture epitomizes how I feel about college right now because I really did not expect what I ultimately got. There have been nights that I have not slept at all to get a grade in return that I did not deem worthy for all the hours that I have studied. And, I am just ready to go on my one week vacation after finals because I decided I’m actually going to take winter classes (lol).

One thing that I learned about myself in Baruch is that, I should be competitive and take risks. I have heard so many stories of people applying to places that they were not qualified for, and truly faking it till they make it. And then succeeding. I feel like that’s such an inspiration that I get here at Baruch, to be surrounded by so many people who just want something so bad and believe in themselves so much that they can make other people believe in them. I want to become one of these people, instead of just being happy with what I have, I want to greed to always want something more.

One thing that I look forward to next semester is being able to meet different people in my classes. (I love you block). But, I think college is a time to create networks and it’s hard if you’re stuck in the same circle all the time. I’m also excited because I got to choose my own classes and professors, (the process of making your own schedule is equally as stressful as the classes themselves). Other than that, I’m excited because I’ll have club hours both Tuesday and Thursdays so that’ll give me more opportunity to open myself up and introduce myself to a larger group of people! 🙂

Life at Baruch is really a game of juggling. Starting out as a freshmen at Baruch, I feel like I came in walking freely with no weight. Though I haven’t been here for long, I feel as though weight is starting to pile on me. The first jug was thrown on me: Workload. For me, I see Baruch as a relatively small college compared to others. But smaller classes means the teacher is more attentive to individuals and actually have time to give out meaningful work unlike all tests on scantrons and etc. The amount of work that you have to do may vary for different classes, but ultimately it’s a scary thought knowing that professors don’t really care about your well-being and can potentially overload you with work, since that is in their power. The second jug is work. I started a new job shortly upon entering Baruch, in an environment that I’m not familiar with. There were and still are many things that I don’t know how to do, and dedicating time to learn and work at this job was initially a challenge. How am I suppose to balance workload and work at the same time? Could I continually throw both up, without fail of catching them? Eventually, I did get the hang out it and was able to balance them both without too much of a struggle. As I stand before you today, I am balancing the third but not final jug that has been thrown to me, as of late: social life. It’s great that I had friends coming into Baruch, but there are also many other unique individuals to meet at this great institution. There are clubs that people join to mutually express interest, “sisterhoods” and “brotherhoods” that you can become a part of, so how really do you lose sight of people you use to know with people that you will know? This jug seems to be making things difficult for me, but worse, it seems to be taking balance away from my other jugs too.

New York City is the place that I am born and raised. NYC to me, is not simply a location– but a lifestyle. There is no where else in the entire country where you will see stores open as late as they do in NYC, you will never see a skyline as bright and bold as the one outside your window. Everyone who lives in this city ultimately embodies what this city is, busy and hustling. Everyday when I take the train, I realize that there are thousands of other people on the same train rushing to get to work, to get to school, and I have never through all my travels been so inspired to thrive and completely fulfill my life as when I am in NYC.

Everyone meet my dog, Coconut! She is a full breed maltese and I got her three years ago. I know that this is probably not the best photo to portray her since she looks really sad in this photo, but I promise you that she is the happiest dog that you’ll ever meet. Unfortunately, she is a little aggressive to strangers and tends to bark– but she does not bite! Coconut is such an important aspect of my life, she greets me every time I come home from school or work and it feels very nice to be able to come home to someone since my parents are often working late. Anyways, she’s also my first dog. My parents actually did not want to get her, but my sister brought her home one day and — what were they gonna do? Return a dog? Nah.

Have any of you guys ever seen this show? This is literally my favorite show of all time. I have no words really to describe how much I love this show, so I guess I’ll just leave this here and add the fact that they’re opening the cafe they used in the show in NY for their anniversary. (IF SOMEONE IS AS IN LOVE WITH THIS SHOW AS I AM, PLEASE COME WITH ME TO VISIT THE CAFE.)

The girl in blue is going to be my maid of honor someday, and I think she really deserves a spot in this eight photo challenge. My life would be depressing without her, honestly. She is such a fun person to be around, literally down to do anything. I could call her up at 12 in the morning for ice cream and she’d be fine with it. If I got locked out of my house, she would pick me up and let me stay at her place. I mean I really don’t feel like there is anything we haven’t been through together.

It’s easy to say that my sister and my brother are an important part of my life. I’m sorry, I don’t know why they never make pretty faces in photos.. especially my brother. In short, our relationship has never been the best. In fact, most of my memories of them involve ignoring each other or verbal quarrels. In the recent years, we’ve all grown and made more of an effort to stand united as a family. I guess it’s going okay. This is a photo of when we use to work out together, but then we all got really lazy and.. yeah, we don’t do that anymore.

In my high school, there was a program called JROTC where students basically get a military discipline and it was nothing too crazy so don’t worry. Anyways, I joined this program as a freshmen in high school and I was immediately accepted as one of their own. The army instructors all expected me to hold a high rank by the time I was a senior, and I remember the conversations that they would have with me at the end of the class day telling me how much potential I had to be a great leader. Needless to say, I didn’t make it to senior year because people just get lazy over time. This program has given me some of the greatest memories of my life, the best friends I could’ve never met, and yet I have failed them. This picture serves as a reminder to me that I will never again disappoint anyone who has put so much trust and hope into me.

The result of the “fall term” of my junior year in high school. I guess the picture pretty much sums up itself. Most of us recognize junior year to be one of the most important years in high school, and you are required to work twice as hard because you  have to impress your dream college with your grades. When I took this photo, I was actually thinking how much I hated my teachers for giving me so much work, but at the same time impressed that I actually worked so hard for only half a year. But, now when I see this picture it reminds me that no matter how rigorous the workload may be, it is never impossible.

I saved the best for last, of course! Many of us are uncertain of what we want from ourselves, what we want from life, and what we want from other people. (Actually, a lot of you seem to know exactly what you want to be which I find strange!) However for me, nothing is certain. I know that I want to do well in school so that I can keep my options open– but I have no specific goal at this point in my life. What I do know is that I will definitely travel the country one day. I love to travel, I love to explore, I love to see new things– and I have to see it with my own eyes. Traveling and exploring will give me a greater happiness than any six, seven, eight figure salary ever will.