Hey TL, this is gonna be a short blog, nothing crazy.
Graduation
I graduate highschool today. I had my Baccalaureate yesterday, which is just a little formality before actual graduation. This blog is just about a couple of things, the first is a bit of housekeeping and some normal questions for the community because I'm kinda clueless about most things it seems. The first thing is that I'll be writing blogs a bit more frequently during the summer, and I'll probably write some of them on the things I really didn't get a chance to write about during the year (like interests of mine, non-school related things). The second part is that I wanted to know how people spent their senior summer; I'm going on some trips and fun diversions, but generally I'm going to be spending my summer recharging from Junior and Senior year.
The second part that I wanted to talk about, going back to the general topics, is maturity. From my last blog, I realized I have a long way to go. I'm a bit annoyed at myself, being 18 doesn't mean that I have to be a wiseman, but I act significantly more mature in real life than it seems I do on TL, and this goes even more so for my blogs. I realize that I write my blogs simply to write, to get in practice at composing essays, but that doesn't excuse me from acting my age at the least. My last blog, and the discourse in it, made this a bit evident to me. Maybe I'm making this out to be more than it really is, after all this is the internet, and TL makes up a miniscule part of my concerns realistically; still, it couldn't hurt to think about what I say, before it say it a bit more.
The last part that I wanted to say, before I post this, is that this is the end of an era for me. I don't know where I go from here, I have a general idea, but nothing concrete. I sat down with a tennis coach of mine, a Frenchman from god knows where - actually though he won't ever tell me, he just says something to the effect of, "I've been around," or "I've lived many places," rather than ever giving me a straight answer - who gave me some advice. He told me that it was refreshing to hear a kid tell him that they have uncertainties. It seems that most kids in my class know exactly what they want in life, no matter how obscure, infantile, crazy, or even ridiculous what they say is, they have their mind made up. While all of those adjectives are in the ears of the listener, and while maybe it's pretentious of me to think that my colleagues won't change their minds 102398103128 times before they finally choose what they do, it seems that at least they have some concrete idea about what they at least want to choose. He told me that what I do is not who I am, what I choose does not define me as a man, and that I should backpack around Europe for a bit; sound advice, though maybe it was all due to the fact I was reading Celine.
I have a general idea of my post-highschool life between now and college, I guess. I want to study a couple languages; the choices now are Mandarin, continuing my Spanish, and taking either German or French. I want to see about writing a book, nothing grand, just something to get my feet wet, maybe get some of these ideas out of my head; I'm not Camus, Kafka, or Celine, but maybe all of them were a kid with an idea at one point. I want to study in a foreign culinary school (or at least a culinary school or a patissere) for a bit of my life. I want to study philosophy in college, maybe that's just because I enjoy the subject, or maybe it's because I've never enjoyed anything more than studying philosophy; I'll probably double major with a minor though, I don't know yet. Most of all though, I just want to be happy, really that's all that truly matters to me.
That's it for this blog, I'm about 4 books into my summer reading list of Le Monde's topp 100 books of the century. So far they've been great, I'm devouring them quickly as I can. I can't put some of them down, and other's I couldn't hope to pickup lol. I'll see you guys in a couple days, and I won't be a highschooler after that.
On May 21 2013 02:46 docvoc wrote: ... That's it for this blog, I'm about 4 books into my summer reading list of Le Monde's topp 100 books of the century. So far they've been great, I'm devouring them quickly as I can. I can't put some of them down, and other's I couldn't hope to pickup lol. I'll see you guys in a couple days, and I won't be a highschooler after that.
If you are reading them in order... Gratz on getting through In Search of Lost Time. I got about half way through Swann's Way before I gave up.
On May 21 2013 02:46 docvoc wrote: ... That's it for this blog, I'm about 4 books into my summer reading list of Le Monde's topp 100 books of the century. So far they've been great, I'm devouring them quickly as I can. I can't put some of them down, and other's I couldn't hope to pickup lol. I'll see you guys in a couple days, and I won't be a highschooler after that.
If you are reading them in order... Gratz on getting through In Search of Lost Time. I got about half way through Swann's Way before I gave up.
My library didn't have it. I don't know what to do with my city's lack of books. I'm 4 books in and I've had to skip around. They don't have In Search of Lost Time and they don't have Le Grand Maulnes either -_-. EDIT: I'll probably buy some of the books off amazon that I can't get in the library.
it's not pretentious. Probably like 70% of those people will change their minds, or at least have their plans altered in some way. Life don't work like that.
by that same token, you shouldn't be afraid to change your mind if you are unsure. it is insane to expect an 18 year old to chose their future. youre taking gened classes the first two years, so technically it is really a 20 year old or so, but still.
philosphy is most likely not going to get you a job, or at least not one that pays well. does this matter to you? will it matter the same way in two years? Five? Ten? loving what you do might be priority one, but you dont pay bills now. you might find your perspective on that change over time. just use your time, esp those first two years before you really ahve to declare a major and take core courses, to look into anything at all that interests you.
but yeah, if you have even the faintest interest in culture, history, partying, adventure and fun, go backpack europe. Definitely at least by the time before you graduate.
Personally, if I had to go back and do it over again, I'd probably take off that first year after high school, then enroll (i went after graduating) You dont have time for that shit more than once after you graduate unless you are very lucky, and it changes your entire perspective. plus if you go at 18 or 19, then you know how awesome it is and will be motiivated to go again when you graduate
On May 21 2013 02:46 docvoc wrote: ... That's it for this blog, I'm about 4 books into my summer reading list of Le Monde's topp 100 books of the century. So far they've been great, I'm devouring them quickly as I can. I can't put some of them down, and other's I couldn't hope to pickup lol. I'll see you guys in a couple days, and I won't be a highschooler after that.
If you are reading them in order... Gratz on getting through In Search of Lost Time. I got about half way through Swann's Way before I gave up.
My library didn't have it. I don't know what to do with my city's lack of books. I'm 4 books in and I've had to skip around. They don't have In Search of Lost Time and they don't have Le Grand Maulnes either -_-. EDIT: I'll probably buy some of the books off amazon that I can't get in the library.
Le Grande Meaulnes is probably one of the best books ever written about adolescent love and adventure. Read it if you can still remember what that is like.
On May 21 2013 03:31 QuanticHawk wrote: it's not pretentious. Probably like 70% of those people will change their minds, or at least have their plans altered in some way. Life don't work like that.
by that same token, you shouldn't be afraid to change your mind if you are unsure. it is insane to expect an 18 year old to chose their future. youre taking gened classes the first two years, so technically it is really a 20 year old or so, but still.
philosphy is most likely not going to get you a job, or at least not one that pays well. does this matter to you? will it matter the same way in two years? Five? Ten? loving what you do might be priority one, but you dont pay bills now. you might find your perspective on that change over time. just use your time, esp those first two years before you really ahve to declare a major and take core courses, to look into anything at all that interests you.
but yeah, if you have even the faintest interest in culture, history, partying, adventure and fun, go backpack europe. Definitely at least by the time before you graduate.
Personally, if I had to go back and do it over again, I'd probably take off that first year after high school, then enroll (i went after graduating) You dont have time for that shit more than once after you graduate unless you are very lucky, and it changes your entire perspective. plus if you go at 18 or 19, then you know how awesome it is and will be motiivated to go again when you graduate
I understand that philosophy doesn't lead into a job itself, though it usually is a stepping stone for Law School and Med School (though the second one is usually a much smaller batch of people because of how varied the two are). Philosophy will also teach me how think, and not what to think, which is important for starting a business, investing wisely, and it's just a generally good skill to have. I'll also be double majoring so I'll most likely pick history (i'll have to pick a specific type, most likely latin american) or cognitive sciences for that and then a minor in either history (if I pick cognitive sciences) or composition. You are right about the mind changing thing, I'm going to leave myself open to changing my mind on it. You are also right on the Europe thing, and I really want to do that. You give really sound advice Hawk , and I'm thinking about my future, though I'm tyring to do so while staying in the present.
thanks. i cosnidered law myself, and i know a couple doctors/soon to be doctors. no one gives a shit about your undergrad major for either of those. they only care if you can pay, and that you have the marks to get in
if you are talking about what is practical for those paths, that is a different story. med students would be silly to take something other than a science. maybe business if having your own practice is something you'd want. for law, philosophy at least makes some senes (it makes none for med). depending on what field youd wanna do, science background could be good, so could business. writing skills are big as well, so english could be good too
point is, and i dont in any way mean this in a derogatory way, you dont know shit at 18, 19 or even 20. you will think you do but you dont. you will realize that is true with age haha. that is why the most important thing to do at this age is to have an open mind. the second most important thing to do is to learn to think critically, so your open mind doesnt rapidly fill with dumb bullshit, lest you turn into jimmyjraynor.
the trickest thing about your decision is that you have to balance doing what you love vs doing what will get you a job and pay the bills. people love to talk about following your passion and all that stuff when youre heading off to college, but no one likes to be pragmatic and tell you that is great that you wanna become a teacher, but dont spend $50k a year to go to harvard to make $35k/yr because it is stupid. It's 100% true but most people, esp parents and family, won't say it.
i think i actually said it in your blog but ive got a sister who is your age that wants to major in theater production. that's great and she really enjoys it, but she's got that wonderful 18 year old optimism that shes always going to be ok with the shitty pay, working on the road for years, blah blah blah, kind of ignoring that theater production majors will have a hard time of finding jobs in other fields.
what i have been telling her (and it is still not too late goddamnit) is to follow what my buddy did. he does the same thing, and works big jobs all over the country, but he majored in teaching. but, like my sister, he was involved in every single production in high school, and idd the same in college. he recognized that the field vlaues work experience much more than a degree, and he recognized that a degree in teaching is a solid back up plan while enabling him to still pursue his dreams.
too many people, pushed by parents, put all their eggs in one basket for stuff that is far from gauranteed. you have to balance dreams with reality!
i think i actually said it in your blog but ive got a sister who is your age that wants to major in theater production. that's great and she really enjoys it, but she's got that wonderful 18 year old optimism that shes always going to be ok with the shitty pay, working on the road for years, blah blah blah, kind of ignoring that theater production majors will have a hard time of finding jobs in other fields.
what i have been telling her (and it is still not too late goddamnit) is to follow what my buddy did. he does the same thing, and works big jobs all over the country, but he majored in teaching. but, like my sister, he was involved in every single production in high school, and idd the same in college. he recognized that the field vlaues work experience much more than a degree, and he recognized that a degree in teaching is a solid back up plan while enabling him to still pursue his dreams.
too many people, pushed by parents, put all their eggs in one basket for stuff that is far from gauranteed. you have to balance dreams with reality!
Granted, I am only 16, but I just don't think I agree with this advice. I think that if you have the passion, the work ethic, and the love for the field that you will be okay with little pay. I have a friend who ADORES musical theater. She is super talented at it, but she has a lot to learn. She is going to college for theater and eventually moving to New York. She loves it so much, that I just know that as long as she is doing what she loves, she will be okay with all of the negative aspects of it.
But again, I am still very young so I have no room to offer advice, but I just think you will be much better off if you follow your dreams.
Eh it's one thing until your shitty pay prevents you from doing stuff you wanna do
but i am not saying to forgo dreams. I am just saying to have a back up plan and just know what are the pros and cons for any field. i dont know if theater is like theater production, but you can take a number of those course as electives and still participate in all of the plays while studying something else
EPT
, and I'm thinking about my future, though I'm tyring to do so while staying in the present.
