It was tough deciding how to end this line of blogs I’ve
been accumulating. I was almost used to the blog due every other
week. It almost became routine. I even enjoyed writing a lot of them. It was
sure better than the age-old journal entries from the days of yore. But alas,
here it is, the final blog – numero 15.
I would like to take this time to look back at my wildcat years, and then consider the
future ahead. Millbrook was definitely far from the best years of my life. I
made friends, though not as many as I should have, and worked hard in school to
secure a promising future, though I probably didn’t have to make as many
sacrifices as I did. Looking back, I nearly shut out everything else besides
grades for a couple of years. It was not fun but there really isn’t anyone to
blame for that but myself. Thankfully, after a few weeks at governor’s school
this past summer, I met and got close to so many people and soon enough realized
that grades did not define me- it’s the people and ideas you surround yourself
with. Governor’s school turned my life around for the better, and ever since
then, I’ve been having the time of my life! I’m pretty sure I’ve done more
memorable things and met more unique and amazing people than I have in the past
four years! Senior year has had a profound effect on my life, and it is definitely
the one I’ll miss the most. I wish I had known what I know now back in freshman
year. It’s always interesting, however fruitless, to wonder how things could have
played out differently. But in the words of a poet I never thought I'd come
to appreciate so much, Healthy, free, the world before me/The long brown path before
me leading wherever I choose. College is right on our doorsteps, leading us
on to an open road of new beginnings, relationships, and opportunities. While
many lament at the dwindling days here at Millbrook, I am counting down the
days to a new chapter where literally anything is possible and nothing is
holding you back. Don’t get me wrong, there are no hard feelings towards high school;
I just regret not getting my nose out of the textbooks earlier on nor making
the most of every opportunity that surely came my way. But hey, it’s all water
under the bridge; life is full of second chances, and college happens to be one
of them!
University life will undoubtedly change us from who we once
thought we were. We’re supposed to find our people, our passions, ourselves. Is
it possible? O me! O life?
Answer: Yes, do it while you can! Carpe diem – Sieze the
day! I know I will.
Patrick, I have been so amazed to see you grow as a person. I remember ITGS when you sat behind us all and hardly said a word. Now you are one of my best friends and seriously don't think that I could have made it through IB without you. I can't wait to see how successful you are in college and in life. Don't forget me when you are running the next big company.
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ReplyDeletePatrick, I wonder where you'd (we'd) be if that one day in ITGS I didn't practically force you to move up a row and sit with us. You've been an incredible friend and so honest with me when I needed it most. I appreciate you looking out for me, and I'll be sure to make a couple of trips to Charlotte to visit you next year!
Patrick! We go all the way back to the middle school days at Endeavor Charter School and I always remember you as a low key and quiet guy who happened to get the best grades out of anyone throughout middle school. Before ITGS, we never really spoke to each other much and even at the start of junior year we still never really said anything. Then throughout junior year we started to become good friends and coming into Mr. Dail's ITGS class on first block A days was the highlight of my week at school. I know you will be doing amazing things at UNCC man and I can't wait to see what you accomplish in life.
ReplyDeletePatrick, reading through these posts, I knew that I wanted to read one from somebody who I didn't know all that well. Truthfully, I'm not all that sure we've ever been formally introduced. That's so rare in this tiny program of intellectuals. However, I wanted to impress upon you a view from an "outsider," per say. I always knew you as someone who was extremely intelligent, which was a little intimidating to me, I think, but reading this post and hearing stories from the people who care about you has really made me gain perspective about you as a person (amazing how we can know someone without really knowing them, huh?) From what I know, you're extremely bright, witty, fun, and kind. You are someone who I would like to know truly, and I have faith that you will be so successful in your life. You should be very proud of your scholarship to UNC-C (even though you STILL can't believe you got it- a testament to your humility) and you should be proud of the person you are and the reputation you uphold. I am truly sorry that I never got to know you as part of my personal IB-family-circle, and I wish you all the best!
ReplyDeleteOh, Patrick, my dear boy. I know you don't look back on high school with the fondest of smiles, but I'm reminded of something Emily once said to me as I gazed back with a heart full of regret. Senior year was FULL of experiences and we truly made the best of it. However, I felt I didn't do as much as I should have my first three years. Emily told me that the first three years, we couldn't possibly do as much. We were too busy learning and preparing for the BEST last year. I'm so glad that you were a part of my best last year. You have been an amazing friend to me and taught me so much in the short time that we've been truly close. Your advice has been absolutely essential. I'm not sure I would've survived senior year without it...so thanks. From chocolate oreo milkshakes, to snow day promises, and two hour phone calls, it's been real (: I can't wait to see all the wonderful things you're going to do.
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