We’re back to the old text and font routine this month. A lot has happened in the last 4 weeks, so buckle up.
SONG INSPIRATION
Mariah Carey’s new bop that premiered last week.
FALL SEMESTER 2018
Fall semester is in full swing. I’ve saddled myself with a wagon of responsibilities (I feel like ‘wagon’ is better for the metaphor given I used ‘saddled’) for a variety of reasons. I’m taking one graduate course, teaching at a local prison (next semester, but there’s a good deal of preparation), serving as president of graduate council within my department, and volunteering for a pilot Ask A Scientist program. This is in addition to the background noise of research, daily Japanese lessons, novel/short story writing, and participating in a science advocacy group. Lawdy, it’s a lot. But it’s nothing I can’t handle. Time management is one the lessons graduate school – and adult life – teaches you.
Why am I doing so much? Two reasons: 1) I’ve finally achieved a certain level of confidence. This newfound confidence has allowed me to “put myself out there” without a crippling fear of failure or inadequacy. I’ve always shied away from leadership roles because of this, opting to stay in the shadows and rule from behind the throne (maniacal laughter). However, with growth comes duty. Even if I do fail – or succeed less than I hope – it’s a valuable learning experience which will serve as a catalyst for continued growth. 2) I want to make a difference and give back to my community. As the ending of my graduate career approaches, I want to serve my department and institution. Regardless of the ups-and-downs that have come with graduate school, I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for a variety of faculty, grad students, staff, etc. Most of whom have been supportive and kind. I simply wish to improve the experience of future students, especially underrepresented populations.
Advice: Just because you haven’t done something yet doesn’t mean you won’t ever do it. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Sometimes you do have to wait until you’re ready. It’s a fine balance between holding yourself back and overexerting yourself. But when you are ready, dive in. You may find that you were good at something all along, or you might suck at it. Either way, you learn something new about yourself.
ANOTHER YEAR OLDER
In less than a week, I’ll turn 29, officially beginning the last year of my 20s. I’d like to say that I completely have my shit together, but that’s far from the truth. However, I can say that I have grown tremendously in the last 9 years, with damn near exponential growth in the last 2 years. Although I still have one year left, I can look back on my 20s with mild satisfaction. I don’t have any major regrets. Every decision I made has brought me to where I am today. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for continued improvement. There are still things I want to accomplish: proving to myself that I can lead, finishing a draft of a novel, tying up a few psychological loose ends, etc. You never stop growing, so I’ll still have plenty to work on in my 30s. But your 20s are a unique time in life. Savor it.
Advice: If you’re still in your 20s, enjoy it while you can. Be stupid, eat carbs, take risks, etc. It’s not an excuse for bad behavior, but if you’re gonna be a little lackadaisical, it’s a great time to do it. Of course, in general the more work you do in your 20s, the better prepared you are for your 30s. That said, age is what you make it.
THE POLITICAL BARGAIN
“It’s not a democracy if you’re sitting on the bench. It’s not a spectator sport.” – Michael Moore
By the time you read this, my absentee ballot will be en route to me. Generally, I prefer to keep politics out of my blog. I want this to be a space for self-improvement, entertainment, and curiosity. But the upcoming midterm election in the US is different. This election will represent a referendum on our national consciousness. I won’t endorse a candidate or party here. That’s yo job. This is no year for apathy or jadedness. Here’s a list of things at stake: women’s rights, LGBT rights, immigration, healthcare, income inequality, election tampering, environmental collapse, education funding…. I think you get the picture. If NONE of these issues mean anything to you, please go live in Gilead, er, Saudi Arabia or Russia or Iran for a little while. Tell me how you like it. A failure to vote this year is a failure to condemn racism, sexism, xenophobia, gerrymandering, etc. A failure to vote is a failure to protect yourself. It’s a failure to protect me, the person who’s writing you’re reading. We (people of color, women, LGBT individuals, non-religious, immigrants, Jews, children, etc.) need you.
Advice: VOTE!!!
CURRENT SHOWS
Recently finished: World of Dance (s2); Terrace House: Boys and Girls in the City (s1); The Good Place (s2)
Currently watching: Harlots (s2); Insecure (s3); Terrace House: Boys and Girls in the City (s2)
Thank you so much for joining me for another month! I hope you’ll return for next month’s blog scheduled for Thursday, October 25th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 