The Ws and Hs

This past couple days, I’ve been thinking a lot. And most of my thoughts are the “what if” thoughts, and mostly concerning my academic life.

Looking back to two years ago, I keep thinking to myself, “What if I had not chosen to come here to University of Minnesota?”

At that time, I applied to four places: Nanyang Technological University (NTU, Singapore), Cornell University (NY, USA), University of Virginia (VA, USA), and, of course, University of Minnesota (MN, USA)

At that time, all signs seemed to point to Minnesota. I was not accepted at Cornell. I suspected because I hadn’t taken SAT2. I was accepted to University of Virginia, but Virginia Tech shooting happened, which threw Virginia out of the list even though it is a different school. I was also not accepted at NTU and I refused to be reconsidered for some complicated reasons.

Now look what happened at NTU: NTU sees second suspected suicide case in one week. I feel like it’s only a matter of time before something happened at Cornell. I hope not, because sometimes, I still hope that I could have gone there.

Indeed, I was diverted for three semesters from University of Minnesota to Century College. But the trip to Minnesota was so smooth. Flying with stand by tickets with my mum, we got comfortable seatings for all of our planes we planned to take. My transition had been very smooth too. I excel in my classes and I became very involved.

Although, one thing DID happen in Minnesota right after I got here. Remember when the 35W bridge collapsed? Yeah, it was a major ‘disaster’. The support beams of the bridge are still lying on the Mississippi River bank, visible every time I have to go across the river.

Back to the main point. What if I had chosen a different path? Would I be the same as now? As happy as now? As content as now? As active as now? I wouldn’t say that there’s no hardships of living here. But for now, I will again say that I am content.