Reflections

I don't think it's a secret that I'm obsessed with "Acad." The people, the teachers, the curriculum; for the most part, I love it all. Just today I had my last marching band parade, and I grew very frustrated at myself that I was tearing up at watching Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and not the impending end to the few constants in my school year life. I don't think the fact that Academy is over has quite "hit me" yet. Though not nearly as dramatic as the death of a loved one, I do think that there is a certain and similar shock period. I'm afraid that a lot of emotions will hit me in class tomorrow and embarrass me.

Embarrass? Yes, even with these people who I have known for a very long time, it's a little embarrassing. I know there are people who would roll their eyes if they see this post, who may have not gotten as much out of the experience. Or they may have gotten more, but are not so emotionally attached. That's fine, and I have nothing against that. But I will miss the Noodles runs, and the constant onslaught of birthday food, and the quips and inside jokes, and the riveting discussions (I will not miss fighting for parking spaces).

The very awkward part about this is that, to reference a previous comparison, we're not dead. Lest this sound unnecessarily macabre, let me explain. After Academy, the 27 of us who survived the program in its entirety will go on to live separate lives. We will grow more, mature more, and learn more. We are not frozen in time as people are when they die. Soon, four years of past common experience will be all that bind us.

On one hand, I find this horribly depressing. Because the things that kept us together– assignments, teachers, open lunch –are disappearing, all at once.

However, I do see a bright side, and that is our individual futures. I plan to keep in close contact with some of the Academites; with others, not as much. This is natural, normal. Some people I became better friends with, others I didn't get to know as well. Anyways, everyone in Academy is going to do something amazing, be someone amazing. Someone's going to help cure cancer, someone's going to intern with the State Department. And it doesn't have to even be on a national or global scale. Someone's going to be a great parent. Someone's going to be a great teacher. And well change our majors, and our life plans, and our minds. "Whatever you are, be a good one."

I know that I will be so proud to have known all of those beautiful children, no matter where they go in life. Because I will always be able to look at them and see them at 14, 16, 18, thinking, "I knew them for four of the best years of my life."

In terms of reader commentary or questions to pose, I have none, other than to say– I will be stalking your blogs tonight. And I love you, Glenbrook Academy of International Studies Class of 2012. I love you a lot.