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| (top picture: FY Orientation, August 2008; bottom picture: SY Graduation, May 2010) |
Hard to believe almost a year has passed since May 23, 2010. It was a long day. It was a beautiful day. It was—all at once—a stressful, exciting, sad, happy, unforgettable day. It was graduation. I huffed (it was hot in the sun sitting on The Lawn!). I puffed (we had to darn near run from the University ceremony to the Darden ceremony). I laughed (I was always surrounded by some funny people at Darden). I cried…tears of joy for accomplishing one of the most difficult but most rewarding things in my life.
As with most exhilarating life events, graduation day from Darden now feels like a blur. You work so hard, wait so long, and manage through unfathomable anticipation only for it to pass by as quickly as…well…as quickly as the previous 24 hours came and went. Nevertheless, I reflect back on that day with a fondness that’s hard to capture in words. At the time, I didn’t appreciate the gravity of the day. As usual, I had a schedule I developed that my guests and I needed to follow. Given the massive coordination effort for family and friends, the day (the weekend, really) had become just another project on my to-do list. But now, 11 months later, I can fully absorb the significance of May 23, 2010. I graduated. And it’s only the subject of that previous sentence— the “I”— that even makes it remotely interesting: “I” =
• …Brooklyn born
• …Bed Stuy raised
• …Flatbush trained
• …former hater of math (uncommon for engineers…and business folk)
• …eternal lover of writing (uncommon for engineers…and business folk)
• …bossy oldest child
• …spoiled youngest child
• …fiercely independent only child (yes, I’m all three; I’ll leave you to figure that out)
• …daughter of two retired postal employees
• …first generation college graduate…
That “I” represents a myriad of attributes that makes my journey improbable to some. After all, Charlottesville, Virginia is a long way from Halsey Street between Howard and Saratoga Avenues…from Chick-o-Sticks, quarter waters, corner stores, and free lunch. Yet, Charlottesville was exactly where I was supposed to be and 2008-2010 was when I was supposed to be there. I learned a ton, made great friends, completed a business plan, served in leadership roles, and contributed to the community in a way that both humbles and inspires me. I’m forever changed by my two years at Darden and for that, I’m grateful.
Brooklyn Girl Makes Good.
And that laughter and joie de vivre is what I think of every time I think of you!