I REALLY love even numbers. Odd numbers give me that uncomfortable feeling of unbalance, so I naturally welcome the safety of an even number when choosing things. My alarm is set at 8:02 a.m., my favorite number is 32 and if I play the lottery I wouldn't hesitate to choose a number divisible by two. And yes, it excites me immensely that my graduation year is 2000. Not that I had much choice, but God, thank you for allowing my timing into the real world to be accompanied by a nice, round, even number.
So now it's time to stop school. For 15 years life was school. Well it still is, yeah, yeah you never stop learning and all that jazz but the daily "class" regimen is all we've known since we became aware of ourselves as people. No matter what people say, you just can't go from all you've ever known safe and tucked away behind an adult and a chalkboard to the nine to five grind and in bed by 10 routine that easily. So to prepare me as I climb out of this glass encasement, I will pack a few survival items as I head towards adulthood. Here are eight (nice even number) gifts that U.Va. has presented me with that I know will always stay with me as I move forward.
1. Be satisfied (and remain humble). It takes fewer neck muscles to look down than to look up. There is always something better, greener, more inviting out there. If you constantly are chasing after the unattainable, you will never be satisfied. Life is relative to whatever you happen to be standing next to at that moment. Look down to those less fortunate and be thankful. There is always a reason to feel blessed.
2. There is nothing like a hot bath. I would not have made it through U.Va. without a bathtub in my apartment. The ultimate stress reliever is the feeling of sliding into a hot tub filled with bubbles ... floating as you literally feel your muscles melt away from you.
3. You can pick your friends. One of my favorite quotations says "If you can look back at the end of your life and honestly say you've made five close friends, you've lived a very good life." So many of us pursue friendships simply out of convenience, often not holding high standards for those we befriend. Friendships do not have to come and go. If you are lucky enough to find an unspoken understanding with a person, do not let them go, for those connections are very rare.
4. Remain playful and young. The wrinkles may develop and Nice n' Easy will cover my graying hair, but I will never lose that child inside me. Laugh at silly things. Don't forget how to skip. An ice cream sundae can be your biggest accomplishment on a Saturday. And always when you see another child, look at them and smile. They always smile right back and it feels glorious.
5. Go for walks. On star-filled nights at U.Va. I discovered that if you lay upside down on the Rotunda steps and look up at the sky, it looks like you're looking at a river. Standing on the steam tunnels around Grounds feels wonderful on windy nights. Make sure you time your walk past the front of the Rotunda with the chiming of the chapel. Squint past the sun and glance at the clock and Jefferson as you do. The lighted colonnades have witnessed and kept silent my best conversations at the University. Be aware of your surroundings and make them a part of your memories.
6. Play with words. Write, read and communicate. You really can do anything with a paper and a pen.
7. Understand Hidden Power. True power comes from allowing others to feel they have their full autonomy intact. Only then will they allow you to have power over them, without realizing it. Believe me, it works. Enough said.
8. Be nostalgic. Tonight I fully intend to water the Lawn with my tears as I recollect the past four years. I am not ashamed but look forward to it. Always take pictures, make scrapbooks, keep movie stubs and all receipts. Write important events in your planner with a bright red pen. Bring all these items out every few years and share them with the you that was once there.
Thank you U.Va. for providing me with these gems and for making me "one tough cookie." To all of you who've touched me in any way during my term here, thank you. I cannot wait to toss my cap tomorrow and share my shrieks of uncontrollable childish laughter with every one of you. I'm out.
(Sonia Karim was the 1999-2000 Operations Manager).
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