Lets get away..to swim on dolphins

I'm not scared or anxious about this. In fact, today I felt really calm and settled. I felt renewed after a packed yet relaxing weekend, I went to work today excited. I didn't know what the Monday held for me, but I was able to live it thoroughly. I spent the day working. Enjoying the work that I was doing, and not counting down to 5pm. Content in working till 7, I finished the work that I aimed in completing today. And even though I was underdressed for bleak turn in temperature outside, I still felt happy. I wasn't bothered by the long lines at CVS while I waited almost 40 minutes for what usually takes 15 minutes to pick-up.

Then as I walked uphill on Connecticut Ave with the wind blowing mercilessly against me, I was inspired to pick up dinner. Despite my earlier-in-the-day intentions of making a chicken pot pie with the remaining ingredients in my fridge, I made a spur of the moment decision to stop at this tacky Italian restaurant and pick up an antipasto salad. I thought back to my last Italian dinner at Amici's in Baltimore, and the delicious antipasto plate that offered a perfect mix of Italian meats-prosciutto and ham, provolone, roasted red bell peppers, artichokes, pickled peppers, and salads. Hoping to replicate that experience, the dinner order I placed turned out to fall exceedingly below to my expectations. But I learned to enjoy it because I had the company of my beloved roommate and Higher Education on TV to add to my dinner experience. Afterward, I was able to start my chicken pot pie for tomorrow. A creamy chicken soup filling for the pot pie.

I spent the little amount of free time today fantasizing about what types of food I will showcase during the Thanksgiving holiday. I took such pleasure in looking up recipes for pies, soups, roasts, and salads. I like that my grandmother is around because I can make more food and not be too terrified of leftovers.

So the at the heart of this happy day, I think I was finally having more motivation to do a good job at the job. I felt no distractions and pure commitment to myself. Getting away this weekend definitely reminded me how happy I am. I really like where I am, and even though Duke was amazingly beautiful with its heaven like atmosphere and perfect weather, I think like anything good in life, it's the people that makes a place home. Even though so many of my friends have moved on after graduation, it's really nice having friends still there to visit. But I can always appreciate the unreal blue skies, and that majestic Chapel that I can't help staring at when I walk by. I'm incredibly grateful that in a small way, I have been able to stay academically associated with Duke.

And aside from the locational visit to Duke, I'm really happy with life. I am so excited to know that our next President will be Mr. Barack Obama because essentially like every other minority in this country, I feel incredibly proud to see an African American elected as President. I'm reminded how incredible this country is and will be. I had forgotten for a really long time. But I have been the recipient of the limitless opportunities that this nation has given me and my family. As first generation (1/2 really) immigrants, we are living the American dream because not very long ago, we didn't have much. But because of the education opportunities that this country provided for my dad and me, we're able to pursue our own academic and career interests. With that comes the freedom to be happy. Freedom from financial burdens and freedom to think freely and pursue happiness. Really. And so, I will always want this country to provide those opportunities for those in need. No matter what socioeconomic sector I belong in, I will always want protection and assistance given to those that need it most. To give everyone the opportunity to pursue the freedoms that I cherish so dearly. No matter how long I stay in a private sector job, my heart will always be with humanitarian pursuits. I know that my passions are in servicing the community, and I would feel lucky to spend a career in non-profit. I will always want to speak up for those that do not have a voice, and provide support and care for those that cannot care for themselves or those that they love.

And even though that sounds so very altruistic, I am not contradicting my egoism values. Because ultimately, I am the recipient of pursuing what appears to be politically democratic and morally egalitarian values. I know that I wouldn't want to live in country if these powerful themes no longer held weight in the people's minds and hearts. I wouldn't want to live in a country so entrenched in distrust, dissension, divisiveness, and apathy that all would act in individual interests without regards to the basic virtues that this nation was built on. This is about hope. It's about believing in change and knowing that we as the nation's future leaders can start making a difference now. I'm incredibly proud to have been apart of this monumental change in American politics.

And so when I say that I'm not scared, I mean it. I believe in the future. What it holds for this nation, this city, the people that I love, and of course me. I am confident that I am in a place that I belong, and I don't want to be anxious about getting to somewhere in the future too quickly. I want to savor every moment that I am given right now. I will train my taste buds and my life living buds to distinguish the subtleties between bliss and joy.