GrrrSound

Wednesday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. So close, yet so far.

I think this semester has been more of a physical challenge, than a mental challenge. Though, my attention was split three directions for classes and an additional direction for work. It didn’t matter if I came home at 8:45 or 10:00 that evening, class at 8:30 AM was non-negotiable. I also had to answer to so many deadlines.

If I ever find a dull photo that was well framed, I think I’ll just HDR it. No, I’m not talking about proper HDR, where equally spaced exposures are blended together. I’m referring to a Lightroom post-processing flow popularized by Dave Hill. The well-known photographer employs his technique at various degrees, achieving a very dreamy look. True to its name, it does make it seem as though the image has a higher dynamic range.

I often wondered what life would be like if I wasn’t on the path that I currently walk. What if my parents weren’t 100-percent hell-bent on my success in school and future career? What if I was handed everything on a silver platter? What if I enjoyed what I was doing, rather than trying to find time to do what I enjoy?

In this atmosphere of graduation, I was reminded of my own graduation from university - two years ago. I remember friends telling me what their parents got them for graduation. Some got new cars for their accomplishments. Others got smaller items like a new phone or a camera. I distinctly remember that my parents did not get me anything. In fact, I bought my own camera a few months before graduation just so they would have something convenient to use during graduation. This year, it was no different with the presents recounted by some new friends. I think this year, I am more sleighted because these people took a minimum of five years to finish their bachelors’ degree. Two years ago, I took four years to finish two degrees and earned two bachelors of science.

I should qualify this by saying that I do not work hard just to expect a reward. I work hard because I want to challenge myself and push the limits of my abilities. People will often say something to the effect of, “that person is so smart/successful, I wish I was like him or her.” Leaving it at that is not good enough for me. My train of thought would be, “what is that person doing that I cannot do, or am not doing?” I will not stand second to anyone, if it is within my capacity to stand at least on equal footing. For this reason, I think it irks me most when people fall into complacency and take forever to instigate the change they want. Problem-solution is not a linear path. There are multiple ways to arrive at the same solution. “Cannot” is not a valid conclusion unless all possible solutions have been exhausted. And solutions are not handed out on sliver platters.

It bothers me so much, when people do not realize what they’re taking for granted. So many people stop short of their goals and deem it “too hard.” They start to enviously think about all the people that have it better than them, when in fact they are on the greener side of the grass. The only difficulty that these people have encountered is the fact that they have fallen into complacency.

Went to Target today to pick up a few things for the house. Saw a few high school kids shopping with their parents for apartment supplies. Instantly reminded that school is ending soon, and there will be a new wave of kids moving into the dorms in the fall. I felt old.

To be in their shoes again, it would be nice. The excitement of new beginnings and new opportunities. We never know when these situations come up in life. It’s up to us to make the most of them. Of course, I’m not reminiscing over this with regret - quite the opposite.

Around when I was in middle school, whenever I had a question, I would look towards my dad for an answer. He would always tell me to look it up, or figure it out for myself first. The Internet was available as dial-up at this point, so he was in reason for saying so. My dad’s reasoning was I should always broaden my understanding, independently. Now, whenever my dad asks me a question, I stare at him blankly until he remembers what he told me as a kid. Learning is a life-long event, father. It doesn’t stop just because you’ve finally acquired all the skills you need to perform the tasks relevant your career.

I find the role reversal a bit ironic. Now as a scientist, I have come to emphasize the never-ending thirst for knowledge even more so than my dad. My dad was a teacher before transitioning into the current career here in the U.S., so he knows the importance of staying current with knowledge. I’m just slightly giddy, finding myself in a student-surpasses-master situation.