Think about something or someone you have that you're grateful for. Your actions in the past would eventually lead up to this moment. Like the theory of the butterfly effect. How different would your life be now if you decided against trying something new, if didn't work up the motivation to put yourself out there, or if you didn't make that trip to Target?
There are three simple life changing events that has defined my adult life. I will go into greater detail about them in chronological order.
When I was at Queens College during my undergraduate studies to become a teacher, I was a very reserved student. I didn't make many friends during my freshman and sophomore year. The only person I socialized with was my middle school pal, Lillian Chung. Lillian and I took many general education courses together. When we entered the education program, that changed. We were put in different cohorts. This meant we would not cross paths during the rest of the program, course wise. |
On the first day of science class, I bee-lined straight to the back table where three pretty ladies claimed their throne. Since I was one of two males in the whole program, no matter where I sat, I would be outnumbered, gender wise.
The three girls were Daniela, Rita, and, Rosalia. It was one of the best and wisest decision I've ever made.Two out of three would go on to become great friends and colleagues. (Friends first over colleagues). I've made that hierarchy mistake once and they haven't let me forget it.
Believe it or not I am quite shy around those those I do not know. As soon as we started conversing, I became more comfortable around them. More of my personality would come out first. Bonding over the same sense of humor and having the same mean girl view of others, we clicked instantly. Let the shenanigans begin! Playing paper football as our professor's back was turned or making up fake discoverer of clouds during a science presentation were just a few of many silly things our group was known for We would spend the rest of our undergraduate career together. After graduating, we would work in the same after school (CAPA) together. |
We kept each other sane on the long days where we would sub in the morning, work after school to the evening, and then take courses into the late night. The long 8 AM to 9 PM days were tough, but we pushed each other through it.
The hard work would eventually pay off as we are now working together as full-time teachers in a great school. All of which would never have happened if I didn't worked up the courage and sat down with them that day in spring '08.