I’m bad with goodbyes. I’m sure you’ve heard that a million times before, while watching a chick flick (probably adapted from a Nicholas Sparks book) or while scrolling past Tumblr posts that consist of text floating midair against a background of the beach or gloomy weather. I’m not the type of person who knows exactly what to say, especially since I’ll probably be the person with tears streaming down my face and snot dripping out of my nose.
To be honest, I’m not sure where I’m going with this. I don’t want to say goodbye to this school, no matter how cracked the pavement is or how there’s some teachers that make me want to pull my hair out. I don’t want to say goodbye to my friends, the people whom I’ve known for only four years, but also the ones who have made these past four years incredible. I don’t think you want to hear about my reluctance to let go, but there’s a lesson to this, trust me (I guess that’s where I’m going with this).
It’s funny because I distinctly remember the summer before my freshman year, my mom told me that I was going to Temple City High School instead of Gabrielino High School, where my sister went. I was enraged and threw a tantrum, kicking my legs and flailing my arms around. I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my older sister. How could my mom not see that I wanted to go to Gabrielino?
Looking back now, I can’t help but laugh at myself. In an ironic twist of fate, I’m beyond grateful that my mom went against my wishes and sent me here. The friends I’ve made have all taken a part in shaping who I am for the better, whether it be influencing me to step outside of my comfort zone and run for class vice president or encouraging my sense of humor (no matter how many times they rolled their eyes at my bad puns). Over the past four years, they have motivated me to better myself both academically and personally. Granted, I’ve had my fair share of drama and, thankfully, by my junior year, I finally realized that if a “friend” has given off a shady vibe more than once, it’s best to keep a safe distance.
I guess what my lesson to you is this: don’t wallow in self-pity. If you’re in an undesirable situation, make the most out of it. Don’t spend your time moping around and casting a negative shadow on everything; try to view it in a positive light because pouting isn’t going to change anything and it might just take away from an experience. Leave those who give you a bad feeling behind and use the crappy areas of life as lessons. Every event in your life will leave an impact on your future, it’s just up to you whether or not you’ll allow it to be for the better.
TCHS School Newspaper