A little more reflection: The Journey of a Year
January: Jose was activated. I started tutoring at the MATCH School. Formally changed from Course VI to Course V.
Lesson learned: I like tutoring.
February: My last semester at MIT began. I began enjoying Organic Chemistry I. The HCOC caused an amusing ruckus. I became moody. Unhappiness occurred.
Lesson learned: I can actually complete work that I set out to do. Don't bring about own unhappiness.
March: I surprised Jose by visiting on the 15th. Watched the President speak on TV with Thetans gathered in Left Front on the 17th. The nation went to war two days later; my brother flew to Kuwait on the same day.
Lesson learned: War sucks. It's possible to fly from Boston to New York on extremely short notice.
April: I got sick and subsequently bombed an Organic Chemistry exam. Made plans to work at the MATCH School for the summer. Went home for Easter.
Lesson learned: I should make sure I find out what the lectures are about when I can't go to them.
May: Completed my last assignments and exams at MIT. My work had been sub-par, even in classes with enjoyable content. Went to the InterVarsity Chapter Camp, after a trip home, to begin becoming involved in UCF leadership.
Lesson learned: I'm academically hopeless.
June: After some craziness resulting from miscommunication, my lack of another job, and a big change in MIT's self-help policy, I went home. I began working where my dad does, a trip of 150 miles a day.
Lesson learned: Life can make you leave things you like. Westchester County is far.
July: Work. Work. Work. I went to a triennial Christian super-conference for teenagers as a leader. Mel Gibson showed up. Work. Got recruited to go to my church youth group's Summer Camp as a leader.
Lesson learned: Commuting sucks. Strange occurrences can change one's direction.
August: Work. Wrestled with angels and demons and ended up deciding to stay on Long Island. I transfered to Dowling College days before my expected return to MIT. Few people were forewarned of my imminent departure. Went to MIT to withdraw and gather my belongings.
Lesson learned: Uprooting one's life and leaving behind good friends is like the tearing of flesh.
September: Began classes at Dowling and was shocked by the non-scientific nature of the world. I met my cool chemistry professor. I turned 21. I became a youth worker at my old youth group. I was still torn in two.
Lesson learned: Most people are not science/engineering minded.
October: I was informed that I left a coat at ET. Subsequently made a trip to Boston. Finally got a job. Aced three tests. Angela passed away.
Lesson learned: Seeing friends is good. Lives cut short are not.
November: I voted at home for the first time since 2000. Thanksgiving happened, with a stunt by the President. I chose classes for the winter and spring.
Lesson learned: Learning to live here again.
December: Jose was home on a ten day leave. He arrived and left in true winter weather. In a flurry of activity that has let up only a few times since, I took my first final exams at Dowling, started and finished final papers, pulled an all-nighter and quick run to Dowling to drop off one last paper, then headed to Boston for the RotK and the people who were there. The day after returning to New York, I woke up early to go give out gifts. I worked many hours, and ran about trying to find Christmas presents. Saddam captured. Final grades came in. Family came for New Year's.
Lesson learned: End and post-term can be busier than mid-term. It's easier on one's sleep to have papers done before finals.