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Does school have personality?

Just like you and me, school has an identity, character. If you happen to face the dilemma of choosing the right school for you, then think about personality. Let's assume you have less than excellent academic record, but better than being decent, probably top 10 to 15%, but don't cut as genius - like me. But you have dream, you just feel maybe you deserve something better than what your parents and teacher and friends think of you. What will you do? That was exactly what happend to me 6 years ago when University of Geogia refused to take me because of some paperwork. That was not the excuse, trust me, if someone loves you, she/he will accept who you are. If a school believes in you, paperwork, or anything else wouldn't be a problem.


NewMexico desert to Atlanta is a big change, UGA looked more than just gorgeous to me, it was brilliant. Everyone walking in that school seemed like a genius to me. Look at those nice football field, foliage covered avenue, happy students: they have everything. It was so close that I would have belonged to Athens. There was lot of regrets. But I eventually moved on, travelled most part of the country and returned to my Portales' desert campus. Eastern New Mexico University is the first little campus I falled in love with when I was searching through the US college listing from that ranking book's last page, remember what I said in previous blog? It is laid back, has a great faculty, if you pay attention to look. The campus is cozy, everything is cheap. Everyone in our department knows you, including Professor Salter, who got her phd in math from Northwestern. Students are generally from very modest background, most are whites, girls are pretty, all have that sunny, freckled and innocent look. Oh Mindy, the blue eyed blonde from springfield Illinois for whom I falled in love at the first sight, Holly who tutored the James Beckley High's kids with me every sunny afternoon at Clovis, and Rachel, the sexy smarty pant who eventually went to IBM working as a programmer: they lend me countless hints to learn who these American girls are really about. The baseball frat party that I was dragged in by a dormmate in a pouring day and huge baseball players and flertatious looks from those girls behind the drinks: everything left me believe this is the culture I was curious about. That was the personality of ENMU. Days, months and years went by, all my friends eventually moved on to their next goal, I wonder where Mindy is at, and that sunny freshman girl running and jingling through the summer meadows' sprinkle who had a little crush on me. Those days I played guitar, tutored high school kids, and took the van trip to Clovis: that's the culture of Portales, the personality. But people grow, I knew Portales would not be my destination. After returning from UGA, I knew that for sure. But I do not know where I should go. Like a song sings:

...I won't cry for yesterday.
There is an ordinary world somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way to the ordinary world.
I will learn to survive...


To be continued...

posted by Road less travelled @ 10:58 PM