I just bought a really bitchin' mountain bike! Part of my graduation gifts. Here's a pic (not of my actually bike, off the web). It's a Specialized D4W (womens specific design) Hardrock Sport. I just added a link for Specialized Bikes & the Carolina Triathlon Store too. Off to the trails I go!
This past Wednesday, I was riding home from work, listening to music, and thinking to myself, "“Wow, graduation is only two days away... I should really start writing that speech for graduation."” Mr. Clark had called me nearly two weeks before to inform me that I had been chosen as Valedictorian, but I had been totally uninspired, unable to come up with any well written, earth shattering witticisms. Then it occurred to me - – maybe I'm not all that witty or imaginative. And who is going to really listen to another boring graduation speech anyway? At this point I gave serious consideration to reading "“Oh the Places You'’ll Go"” by Doctor Seuss and calling it a day. And then, my IPOD shuffled to the next artist, and the following lyric from the Update, a Beastie Boys song, came to my rescue.
Over The Years, I've Grown And Changed So Much
Things I Know Now Years Ago, I Couldn't Touch
There Are Things I've Done That I Wouldn't Do Again
But I'm Glad That I Did 'Cause I've Learned From Them
I Just Try To Stay Present Right Here, Right Now
No Worries, No Fears And Without Any Doubts
And The True Key Is A Trust In Self
For When I Trust Myself, I Fear No One Else
I Took Control Of My Life, Just As Anyone Can
I Want Everyone To See It's In The Palm Of Your Hand
The Past Is Gone, The Future Yet Unborn
But Right Here And Now Is Where It All Goes On.
As my late 20'’s approached, I felt like I had trust in myself. Although I wasn'’t entirely content with my direction in life, I was in a comfort zone, unable to throw off the security blanket and make a drastic change.
As we all know to well, life has a way of shattering oblivious bliss if you stay in it too long. In late 2003, a health crisis that nearly robbed me of my ability to walk shook me out of my stupor. My vocation at that time was automobile sales, a job that required me to be on my feet 50 -60 hours a week. And no matter what drama may be happening in your life, you had better be out grabbing customers with a big beaming smile on your face, and you had better meet your sales quota, and you had better not show any vulnerability. Obviously, hobbling around on a cane was not working out to well. Unfortunately, sales was all I knew, and I had no college education. I always pictured myself as the ambitious career woman, not someone living on a disability check, unable to do the simple activities I had once taken for granted. A cloud of hopelessness and depression hung like a dark haze over me, and with great trepidation, I began to wonder how in the heck I was going to make it through this one. My self-esteem in shambles, I tearfully asked my boyfriend how I would manage if I ended up in a wheelchair. "“You still have this, and you will figure out a way to be okay,"” was his answer. A few months later, I took the plunge and enrolled at ECPI, embarking upon the transformation of myself from sales extraordinaire to computer geek.
Going back to school rejuvenated me in ways I never thought possible. My joy of learning was rekindled. Sit back for a moment and try to think of the last time you read a book, and I don'’t mean something with Fabio holding the distressed damsel on the cover. ItÂ's amazing when life & adult responsibilities take over how you forget the sense of accomplishment that learning can bring. Three years ago, I would have never pictured myself with a career in software development. This is more than a little embarrassing to admit, but I never thought that studying computer code all day would light my fire like it did.
During my time at ECPI, I also learned how important it is to have perseverance, and give every task you undertake your all. Many of us have put our lives on hold while pursuing our education, with the hopes of a new career and better days ahead. Our responsibilities to our families and our jobs did not stop while we were here. I know there were many times when I wanted nothing more than to get this over with and get on with my future. Last summer, my mother lost her battle with breast cancer, and the overwhelming grief made it difficult to get to sleep, nearly impossible to drag myself out of bed to face the day, and my ability to focus on my studies was shot to hell. Once again, I found myself questioning how I would make it through, but I knew Mum would want nothing more than for me to stick with it and finish strong. With my desire to honor her wishes, and with the encouragement and kindness of my teachers, I made it. As the great philosopher Gurdjieff said "“The worse the conditions of life the more productive the work."” Many of you have faced your own struggles during your time here -– do not forget the efforts that brought you here today despite these obstacles.
In conclusion, I want to thank everyone here at ECPI, including my fellow students and the entire staff for making my experience here something I will always remember fondly. I want to say a special thank you to Mr. Clark & Mr. Johnson because you guys had to put up with my endearing Jewish neuroticism the most out of anyone here. I will never forget Mr. Johnson'’s excitement for passing on his wealth of knowledge, or Mr. Clark'’s ability to keep me awake and interested in classes that consisted of 5 hours of lecture from a textbook, or his raised eyebrow and "Hey, how'’s that sleeping in thing working out?" when I walked into class late nearly every morning. I also want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering encouragement, and for doing their part to keep me somewhat sane over the last 18 months.
To my fellow classmates, now is our chance to take control of our lives, just as anyone can. Right Here And Now Is Where It All Goes On, so give it your all. You may not always succeed, but remember, if all else fails, there'’s always self delusion.
In parting I will leave you with some great words of wisdom from one of my favorite authors, the great Dr. Seuss:
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And you are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
Thank you everyone!
