Peter's experiences as a Mechanical Engineer with an interest in the visual arts.
Advice
Finale
Aug 26th
So, I don’t know if I mentioned it or not, but this will be my last blog for Hopkins Interactive (unless I somehow write a guest blog in the future). I’m not going to get into why I’m not blogging anymore, however, it was a decision that I had to make, and unfortunately this is what it came down to. So mainly, I wanted my last blog to contain some parting words of advice, based off my experiences in college, and life, thus far.
I'll be a ghost of Hopkins Interactive past, kinda like Blinky!
First of all, try new things. College is a time when you learn to discover who you are. Coming into Hopkins, I was pretty much who I was in high school. I was afraid to try new things, and so I just stayed within my own comfort zone. The best thing I ever did was finally decide to step outside it. Who knew that I would love Indian food, or that I would enjoy Capoeira. The only person stopping you from doing something is you, so why not let yourself do something new? I did, and enjoyed it thoroughly.
Along those lines, learn to accept who you are. In this day and age, we all try to be like someone else, oftentimes to please others. As a result, however, we tend to lose touch with who we actually are. It’s sad, but true. In particular, when coming to terms with your sexuality, accept who you are. At first, I was very scared and would hide my sexuality, but once I came to Hopkins, I became very comfortable about it, and realized that if people really care about you, stuff like that doesn’t matter. It’s a part of who you are, and if someone can’t accept that, that’s their own problem, not yours. You shouldn’t try to change who you are just because of someone else’s opinion. I sure as hell aren’t going to become straight because of something Michele Bachmann says, haha.
My friends and I with Yara Sofia from RuPaul's Drag Race outside of Estate in Boston!
Of course, another tidbit of advice, more so pertaining to college applications and such, try to get away. I know when I applied to schools, most of my friends just decided to stay around Boston, to stay close to family and friends. I however opted to apply further away, whether it was an hour or more, and I don’t really regret the decision. Boston is a nice college town, but I really wanted something new. Low and behold, I LOVE Baltimore. Even my friends who came to visit from Boston loved it. It’s just a charming little city, especially once you’ve become accustomed to it. Maybe it’s a bit intimidating if you’ve watched the Wire, but really, most cities are like that. But definitely look into schools that are further away. Your real friends will always be there for you, as will your family, so don’t worry about it too much. Plus, you get more freedom to explore what you want to do!
Next bit of advice? Don’t lose your inner child. I’ve seen way too many college students act like they’re much older than they actually are, being way too serious for their own good. I’ve seen people lose sight of who they really are, simply to be professional. In my opinion, we all need that little spark still inside us. We have our entire life to be adults, so why not be a kid while you still can? Enjoy yourself, it’s the little things that we take for granted.
I'm still a kid and freakout whenever I go to the Nintendo Store in NYC
Also, don’t burn your bridges. Back in high school, this was probably one of the best words of advice I have ever received from one of my art teachers. In short, what goes around, comes around. If you leave somewhere, whether it be a job or some other institution, don’t ever talk smack about it. It’s just not worth it, and in the long run, it will come back to hurt you. I’ve never experienced it myself, but I’ve learned to always leave on good terms, even if it means biting your tongue. As for biting your tongue, well, I think I learnt that after being chased around my house by my mother while waving a wooden spoon.
And last, but not least, do what you want to do. I know sometimes we feel pressured into doing what we think it right, or rather what we think others would want us to do, but ultimately, it comes down to what makes you happy. It might sound depressing, but you will always be there for yourself, so why not treat yourself to something nice once in a while, maybe all the time? It’s never a bad thing to be happy. Especially when it comes to college, make sure you do something you’re passionate about. Don’t worry about whether your major will get you a high enough grossing job. If you really want something, it can be achieved, no matter what. In those famous words “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” So don’t stress about it, just go with the flow, and see where the tide takes you.
You know what really makes me happy? Dunkin Donuts <3
Well, I’m sure there could, and would, be plenty more advice, however I feel as those I’ve touched upon the major points that I wanted to make. It’s sad to be done with blogging, but when one chapter ends, another one begins. You just gotta take one step at a time, with your chin held up high.
And, with that folks, “I good you bid evening.”
-Peter
Paper Goods
Aug 9th
So, if the name of my blog wasn’t a big enough clue, I’m both an artist and an engineer. I applied to art schools as well as schools for engineering, and I still continue some studies in the arts. Art has been a passion of mine since I was a child, constantly doodling over everything. And when I mean everything, I mean EVERYTHING. I used to get yelled at in middle school for it, but complimented on it in high school. Go figure. Anyway, my family really knows that I have a passion for art, and they show it in the most random of times.
Old graphic design project from high school
For example, there have been times when I’m talking to my mother, and she says “Sometimes I wonder if I should’ve let you go to art school.” Sure, I get kind of mad since she tells me this NOW, but at the same time, I guess she had the right idea. My oldest sister ended up going to school for Graphic Design, and really didn’t end up doing much with it. I can’t say she’s not happy, she loves what she does, it’s just art school burnt her out. And my other sister went to school for Civil Engineering, and she pursued her career more, so of course my mom decided for me to go more along that path. I just want to add that the sister that’s an engineer is also feeling burnt out now, and my mom is realizing that its not because of the major, just the passion. Once you work yourself to the bone, its hard to see if there’s passion there anymore.
From left to right: Me, my sister (graphic designer), and her boyfriend
Any way, back to the point of this post. At the beginning of July, my sister (the engineer) got married, but about a year ago, she asked me if I could do her a huge favor. She asked me to design the paper goods for her wedding. Now, one would think, “Oh I just have to design the invitations and maybe 1 or 2 other things.” Nope. I had to design the Invitations, Programs, Table Numbers, Menus, Drink Menu’s, Guest Book signs, Specialty cocktail signs, etc. It was a lot more work then I thought it would entail. But in the end, she loved it, and that’s all I really cared about.
The programs were also fans!
But at the same time, it sparked some sort of revelation in me. At Hopkins, I was so busy with classes that I really didn’t have a lot of time for art. It’s sad, because it’s something I really love. So I’ve decided that this semester I’m going to try to do at least one piece of art a day, whether it be a sketch or something more intense. I think art helps get your creative juices flowing, and that can be applied elsewhere, especially in engineering. A lot of people don’t see the connection, but the main premise of engineering is problem solving. You not only have to logically solve a problem, but you need to be innovative. So, as a supplement to my studies this semester, I plan on being more artistic.
80% doodles, 20% notes
I mean, what’s there to lose in doodling all over everything, right? Except maybe a few points on a problem set, that is.
Pride
Jul 7th
Pride — (noun) a feeling of honour and self-respect; a sense of personal worth
Empire State Building during NYC Pride
So, if you weren’t aware, June is LGBT Pride month in America. June was chosen to celebrate the Stonewall riots, the events that sparked a national gay rights movement that is still in occurrence. For this year’s Pride, also my first ever Pride, I ended up going to both Boston and NYC. I had a ton of fun, and it reminded me that I actually am proud of myself, both in general, and in being gay. And going to Pride has made me realize that other people are proud of themselves too, and they’ve stopped caring about what other people think. They’re going to be who they are, whether others care or not. They’ve accepted themselves, and it’s time for others too as well.
- Gurl, work that up-do!
As I have stated before, Hopkins has played a large part in my acceptance of my sexuality, and my general being as well. College in general is a time of self-exploration, and, even though I knew my sexuality before attending Hopkins, I definitely opened up about it when I got here. Little by little, I slowly opened up to others, and now I think that I am truly “out,” with the exemption of some distant family. But the biggest part in my path to openness? Acceptance of myself.
Queen Manila Luzon!!!
Hopkins has been a roller coaster thus far for sure. As is typical with most students, I did reasonably well in high school, so when I first got back grades, I was pretty much beat up. I felt like I was in over my head, and that it really wasn’t for me. I did stick with it, however, and I’ve come to accept, and realize, that I’m not going to be the top student in my class. I’m completely fine with that, too, because, like I always tell people, I want to enjoy college. I don’t want the memories of my time here to be of my head planted in a book, or locked away in some lab doing continuous results. Instead, I’ve had a blast so far, and I really wouldn’t change that. In fact, I’d say I’m rather proud of my habits. I might not be the best, but I sure as hell am having fun and getting by, and that’s all I really want.
so... much... rainbow...
“Call me Anastasia Beaverhausen”
Apr 12th
So, a few weeks ago, I finished watching one of my TV shows, ever. Seeing as RuPaul’s Drag Race is still running (and it’s getting good with only three girls left!), I’m talking about Will and Grace. Now, I’m not a huge television person, as I don’t have extended cable back in Boston, and I rarely watch TV. However, I started watching WIll and Grace from the beginning starting my freshmen year at Hopkins. In short, the series is tied in with memories of Hopkins.
Now, why did I love the show so much? Well, for one, it’s one of the few shows that can always cheer me up. I could be in the worst mood after doing horribly on an exam, but a simple episode of Will and Grace will change my mood completely. I’ll be extra chipper after simply watching an episode, laughing at the majority of the quick remarks made, understanding most of the subtle jokes that are targeted towards the LGBT community. It’s a show that lasted for a long time, and in my opinion, could have gone on longer than it did. However, the last season got me, in particular the last episode. I don’t know why, but as I was watching the show, tears were streaming down my face. I didn’t know if I could continue watching it after the first 5 minutes. It’s not that the finale was sad though, 
which was odd, considering how many boxes of tissues I had to go through while watching. I think that the reason I was so sad was that while it was an ending of an excellent show, it was also the ending of a very important part of my life.
Will & Grace sometimes gets a bad rep for misrepresenting the LGBT community, providing very blatant stereotypes. I can see where that argument is coming from, however, one must remember that it is primarily a comedy, and comedies often fall on stereotypes for jokes. Why’s that? Well, because they’re often blatantly true. I know many gay friends who fit into the roles of the different characters, as well as those who support the gay community. On the other side of the argument, I personally believe this show is one of the greatest assets the LGBT community has. Not only was it a success in the LGBT market, I know a ton of non-LGBT people who love the show. It promotes LGBT awareness, and opens people eyes. Plus, it helped a lot of people, including myself, come to terms with their sexuality. I wasn’t truly “out” when I began watching the show, and by the time I finished, I was openly gay. Even though the characters are fictional, they’re so real. I realized that being gay was just another part of my personality, of who I am, and that I 
shouldn’t necessarily hide it. The characters on the show are successful after all, regardless of their sexuality. They continue their life, regardless. I realized that just because I’m gay, that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to be successful, that I don’t have any potential. In fact, it’s the opposite, it adds character. And after coming out, I’ve definitely come out of my shell and my self-esteem has increased.
But back to why I was sad that Will and Grace ended. The show pretty much described my life. I see these stereotypes and live these situations daily. You might think, “Oh that was a very cleverly written script, but I can never picture that happening in real life.” But it does, and it happens a lot. Back in Boston, I have a core group of friends. It consists of my friends Stephen, Christina, Liz, and I, and in a sense, we’re Will, Grace, Karen, and Jack. It’s not something we planned either, we were like that for as long as I can remember. It just fit perfectly.
However, the finale did end on a sad note. In it, Will and Grace drift apart with their respective families, and don’t see each other for a good twenty years. This part in particular really made me sad. Why? I didn’t want this to happen with my friends and I, particularly Christina and I. We’re so close, that when I went home this past weekend, she was looking forward to it for weeks. We had a blast that night, and I was so glad we could see each other. However, as time moves on, people do drift apart. I really just didn’t want that to happen with us. I brought this up to my group of friends, and Christina posted this remark, which really helped me with the thought:
“Anyway, just like everyone always says, you lose touch with most of your friends, but there are usually a few that will become your friends for life. If we haven’t managed to fall out of touch going to 4 different schools, being in different states (or countries), almost 3 years after graduation, then I’m not worried. I love you guys.”
And she’s right, and she calmed my nerves for sure. So, as you guys are preparing to decide on a college, don’t worry about distance from home, or how much you’ll miss your friends later. Cherish the moments you have together, you’ll have them for life.
Oh, and go watch some episodes of Will and Grace. You definitely won’t regret that decision.
Resolutions remind me of computer screens
Jan 1st
My best friend and I on her 21st Bday
So 2010 has come and gone, another year added to my history. I have to say, I had a ton of fun this past year, and a lot of good memories to look back on. There was Snowmageddon, Bmore Proud, my sister’s engagement, my first ever capoeira batizado, and my slight obsession with running, among others. I met so many new people this year, and made so many great friends in the process. This year has been a whirlwind for sure, and it’s time to endure the onslaught of the next one.
Now, lots of people tend to make New Year’s resolutions, and it makes sense; it’s a new year, time to make a fresh start. However, you shouldn’t just make the resolutions because it’s a new year, make them because you want to make them. As such, here are my resolutions, or rather, goals that I have and want to continue striving for, among new one’s as well.
Train Capoeira More
This is always one of my goals, ever since I joined capoeira over a year ago. I’m at the point where I need to learn new skills to continue to build upon the ones I have, and throw in some cool moves to the mix. I really want to train to advance to a higher cord, even though your cord really doesn’t matter all too much in capoeira. However, I also want to train because I enjoy doing it, it’s something that I can just free myself with. I somehow manage to leave all the stress behind and just enjoy capoeira.
Jake captures my feelings for capoeira perfectly.
Cook More
You would think that after being a cook in a restaurant that I actually would cook a lot. Well, this past semester I got pretty lazy. It’s not entirely all my fault; my stove is not hooked up, so we use electric burners and toaster ovens. Granted, this is all I had in the dorm last year, but it just doesn’t cut it. This semester, and onward, I plan on cooking more and more, and learning new recipes in the process. I came upon this realization when I went to go buy fresh cilantro for my friend who was having a dinner party. I had no idea I could get these ingredients so close to Hopkins, and now that I do know where to get them, I think it’s time I tried learning how to use them, properly at least.
Stress Less
This is really explained in my last blog, so I’m not going to go into detail. In short, I want to stop stressing over the little things. Instead, I want to just enjoy.
Damn stress buildup…
Eat Healthier
This ties in with cooking more, but at the same time, I need to eat healthier. If you saw what I ate, you’d actually wonder how I was losing weight this past semester; it completely baffles me too. So, I want to eat fresher foods; fruits and veggies mainly, but lean meats as well. Who knows, maybe I’ll even try seafood again!
Have Fun
Sure, I say this all the time, but really, I do want to have fun. I don’t want to regret not doing something just because I was guilted into staying in and working on something. I know my will power is not that great and that I wouldn’t actually do the work. I need to make sure that I actually enjoy college. It’s a time of social exploration, and I want to make sure I achieve that. As much as knowing how some fluid flows or how a motor is powered is beneficial to my future career, not knowing how to express my ideas and how to be social would be shooting myself in the foot. You need a little of both, not too much of either.
Accurate picture of my friends and I as we go to the club.
So those are my goals for this next semester, and the future beyond. What are some of yours?
“I ain’t got no crystal ball”
Dec 23rd
Food that I mindlessly make at work
It’s funny how the most random things can cause you to reflect. It doesn’t even have to be anything special, it can be anything. It’s like a crystal ball in a sense. What’s mine, you ask? A frylator.
Yesterday at work, I caught myself staring into the oil of the frylator, wondering what I was doing with my life. I wasn’t really wondering what I was doing at the moment; I knew that the onion rings needed to be fried at 350º
for approximately 3 minutes. However, I was wondering what was happening in the big picture. I guess this all began when my advisor asked what I planned to do after college. I never really thought about what I’d be doing after Hopkins. But the more I think about it, the more scared I get. I’m not really scared about not having anything to do, but rather, I’m scared of not knowing what I’m going to do. I’m scared of the unknown I guess, similar to how people are scared of darkness. If there’s no frame to think in, the mind starts to wander and imagine, sometimes in ways you would prefer it not to.
But back to the point. I don’t know what I want to do after college. I know a lot of my friends who are Mechanical Engineers planned on going to grad school after college. I never even considered this until now, and the prospect of it just stresses me out. Honestly, I don’t think I can handle grad school, at least not right after Hopkins. If I ever say I never get stressed out at Hopkins, that’s a blatent lie; I get stressed out almost every other day. I think I’d be too stressed to jump right into grad school. This isn’t the case with everyone though, but it’s my case. I’d prefer to enjoy my life a bit after college.
This also stems from my life in high school, and applying to schools. I had fun in high school, but I really didn’t enjoy it; I was too busy. As most of you applying to Hopkins and similar schools have realized, you need to devote a lot of time. I never really learned how to stop though. I learned how to push myself past my limits, and how to go above and beyond. But, I never learned how to just put on the cruise control and just go along for the ride. Hell, I can’t even use the cruise control in my car! I always need to know where I’m going, or what I’m aiming for.
My best friends mom actually sent this to me online when I was really stressed out this semester. Love her.
I guess that’s why I never really considered grad school after Hopkins. I always thought I would just get a job, and live my life. Sure, there’s a lot of options to branch out from there, but still, it’s the general idea I had. But the fact that I need to decide on what I want to do scares me. It’s not like there’s a reset button or I have an extra life; I have to live with my decision in the long run. It’s scary, and I’m not sure I’m ready to face the unknown. I know all will be right in the long run, or at least I keep telling myself that.
So, I’ve come to a conclusion in my life. I need to stop worrying. There’s a difference between caring and worrying. Caring is when you honestly care what happens because of what the outcome may be and how it will affect your life. Worrying, on the other hand, is obsessing over something that really might not be in your control at all. You just obsess and obsess, until you become stressed out, and then ultimately don’t perform the best you can. I need to learn to stop worrying, and realize that everything will be all right. Worrying about it won’t change anything.
Oh, and the reason for posting this to my blog here on Hopkins Interactive? I want you readers to do the same thing. I see far too many prospective and current students worrying too much, often worse than I am. Just stop, take a deep breath, and let someone else take the wheel. You’ll see everything from a different viewpoint, and might realize you’ve been missing something that you’ve been looking for all along.
“Want you to see everything, want you to see all of the lights”
Nov 15th
In these next few weeks, all of the bloggers on Hopkins Interactive will be writing entries with a common theme, that being our thoughts and reflections on the college search and application process. We’ve been there and done that, so we figured our “words of wisdom” would be helpful during this time of your life.
So to start off, I’m putting this right out there; Hopkins was not my first choice. I never really even considered applying until a week or two before the deadline after I got deferred early from my then #1, Yale. I know, throw your tongues out in disgust, I agree with you, I’m 
actually glad I didn’t get in, but those reasons are more personal anyway. But like I said, it wasn’t my number 1, and I didn’t even consider it until I got in. But I came here because I fell in love with it once I stepped foot on campus. And, that seems to be the time that most people fall in love with it as well.
Oh yeah, and my high school background. So, I went to a public high school in Massachusetts, that was actually small for the area. My class had 260 students, of which was not very diverse. I mean, it’s the North Shore of Massachusetts; if you’re not Italian, you’re a minority. I was really involved in high school, whether it was Lacrosse, Math Team (Varsity Letter baby!), Art Club, Recycling Committee, Social Awareness, etc. I wouldn’t recommend that for anyone, and looking back, I have no idea how I did that at all, especially with AP classes on top of it.
So after I got deferred from Yale, I kicked myself into high gear with applications. I ended up applying to 10 schools total, way more than I ever intended. My top school at that point ended up being Brown, as I really wanted to go there for Computer Science (as they had solicited me for their program, and I thought it looked like a lot of fun). Oh yeah, that’s another thing I learned from working in 
Admissions; don’t assume because they solicit you that you’re guaranteed a spot. I did in high school, and it backfired on me when I didn’t get in to Brown. It broke my heart, it really did. If I got in, I definitely would have gone there (sorry Admissions Daniel, I know your hate for your alma mater). But that’s the past, and you really can’t do anything about it.
Also, I had a unique part of my college application process that the majority of you won’t go through; I applied to art school. Yeah, art school, and honestly, I wish I applied to more schools on this end and went forward with it. I wouldn’t say I lost my art at Hopkins, but it’s definitely on the back burner behind all the formulas and calculations from my other classes. But, I did have a portfolio and applied to RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), even though I didn’t get in. It was a different process and I’m glad I did it. See, with an art school app, you can’t just sit at a computer and write an essay in a few hours. You have to make the art. And let me just say, it takes forever, no joke. My portfolio encompassed a few years of my work, and even now I wish I did more for it; new pieces, improved upon old ones. I don’t know, something. Here’s some samples from it:
But the point? You learned to budget your time. Even if it was a throw you to the wolves sort of situation. If I didn’t space out my time, there’s no way I would’ve gotten that art school app done. In fact, I wouldn’t have gotten ANY of my college apps done without budgeting my time. I know how it is; it’s winter and you want to have fun with your friends. I was there once. The easiest solution? Just sit yourself down and write. Have your essay and application reflect you. If you think about it and edit it too much, it will become apparent when reading it. If you’re really passionate about it, it will come through. What did I write about in my app to Hopkins? Blending art and math together into a sort of harmony. Admissions Daniel actually told me he remembered my application, which made me ecstatic.
So, now, how to decide on a school. Honestly, this comes down to you. When it came time for me to decide, it came down to two schools UVA and Hopkins. Now, both are amazing schools, and I really loved both. I had been to UVA plenty of times, since my sister went there 9 years prior for Civil Engineering. I was familiar with it all, it was nice. But, that’s also why I chose Hopkins. Hopkins was my school. If I went to UVA I felt like I would be in my sister’s shadow, no matter how hard I tried not to be. Granted, I still am a lot, but in a positive way. She acts as a mentor because she’s actually been through this all. This whole process and everything. She’s taken the same courses I have, we’ve gotten the same grades, we even got the same exact SAT scores. Freaky.
But I also chose Hopkins because of the area. I really wanted to be in an urban setting. Honestly, I was oblivious to the “dangers” of Baltimore, and in a sense, I still am. Why? I’ve never encountered it first hand. Also, I think viewing Baltimore as scary and not exploring is just an excuse. Yep, you heard me. It’s an excuse for your fear of trying something new. Baltimore has a bad reputation, but it’s really not that bad, in my opinion. I’ve felt like I was in more danger in Boston, to be honest. But that’s the thing, I wanted something new. And I don’t regret coming to Baltimore or Hopkins, it’s been amazing thus far and I love it.
So in short, here’s my main advice. Be yourself, and try something new. The more you ground yourself to something, the harder it will be to get away later. If you leave for somewhere different for college, you force yourself to change, to grow up. It’s nice actually, and I’m glad I did it.
“No matter where you go, you might see me”
Nov 1st
One thing people don’t know about Hopkins is that we have a huge collection of art books in the library. I stumbled upon this as I was assigned a reproduction for my Studio Drawing 1 course freshmen year. I chose a simple Degas reproduction, however I started to see what other collections were there, and some of them caught my eye. This particular art form had always piqued my interest, but I never sat down and studied it. However, I grabbed the book and quickly retreated from the depths of D-level and took it out. What kind of art was it? Graffiti.
When asked, many say that Picasso, Degas, Hopper, Warhol, etc are their favorite artists; mine, however, is Banksy. I know, it’s a little off beat, but I’m serious about it. His work is very politically charged, as you can see by observing any of his stuff. Plus, graffiti (unless commissioned) requires more skill than just being artistic. It requires agility and stealth as you can easily get arrested if caught. So, the biggest allure of Banksy? He’s never been caught. No one knows who he is; he’s simply known by his grey hoodie.
Now, how does this all relate to Hopkins? In my opinion, graffiti is a way of leaving your mark (specifically tagging). In a sense, that’s what we come to college for. Sure, we can learn as much as we want from a textbook, but how do we apply it? In one of my courses, Materials Selection, we have design projects in which we develop a product that will meet some requirement. We design solutions to real-life problems, and not just solving some problems from a textbook.
In that same aspect, other majors are dealing with real problems as well. For example, Jessica worked in Brazil for a company that produced rapid HIV tests (for more info, check out her blog). This isn’t just studying formulas or writing papers; it’s leaving some sort of mark on the world, no matter if it’s grandiose or minuscule. It’s still a mark. It’s something for the good of the world.
So, I guess that’s another reason I like Hopkins; they encourage you to take that extra step. Instead of watching someone making a difference, be that person. Don’t just stop and watch the world change, be a part of it.
My personal analogy? It’s more fun to be the fool at the party dancing like crazy than it is to be the person watching in envy on the couch.
“…But I don’t look back”
Aug 27th
Indian food.
Yes, Indian food. You might be asking yourself, “Why is he talking about Indian food?” Just so you know, you’re in the right asking yourself that question. I had never had indian food before college, or even before sophomore year. I just never had the opportunity. 
None of my friends from home were Indian, and even so, none of us ate Indian food or even tried it. To me, it really wasn’t a big deal, but to my fellow students, everyone scoffed at me. From that point on I made it a goal of mine to try new foods and experiences, and since then, I’ve been a lot happier. Plus, everyone loves samosas, it’s a fact of life.
Sure, you may still be thinking, “Why is he talking about Indian food?” Well to be blunt, I still have no idea myself, however, I do know that college in general is a similar experience to my Indian food one. College is full of new things, both familiar and new. We tend to cling to the familiar, even though new things can be just as good (such as samosas), and we often don’t get to dabble in these new experiences. And it’s a shame, because those are often the most memorable.
Instead of listing my biggest regrets so far from college, I’d rather say my biggest gratification is trying new things. Without just going, I never would have learned about Capoeira. During orientation, if I never went to the DSAGA event (which I contemplated for a long time whether or not to go), I never would have met the majority of my best friends and my whole college experience would have been different. If I never went to the Bmore Proud summit, I might have never broadened my horizons past the Hopkins campus, and never met any students from other schools. I’ve gained a lot from just going and trying something new.
I guess what I’m ultimately saying is to step out of your comfort zone. Sure, this message is cliche, but it’s so true. Just do something different, try something new. You’ll never know what you’re missing until you find out for yourself.
Plus, you’ll never know how good a samosa is until you try one.
“…or maybe just need some sleep”
May 19th
So I’m back at home, and after the past few days, let me just say that I wish I was in Baltimore. 
Don’t get me wrong, I love being home. I’m within 10 minutes of the beach, I don’t have assignments or anything, I’m near all my friends, AND I can sleep in; it’s nice. But I think I’m pulling out all my hair from just being with my parents, and if you know me, the only hair I have is that strip in the center.
Seriously though; at school you have a lot of freedom. Chances are you don’t have your parents breathing down your neck all the time. And then when you’re at home, all they want to do is hang out with you, ALL THE TIME. And it’s even worse if you’re the youngest of your siblings, like I am. Let me just say that there’s only so much of my mother I can deal with. Whether it’s waking me up at 10am (that’s a big no-no. I need sleep), or yelling at me from across the house to do something, it gets a bit tiring. But I know she loves me, and that’s all that matters.
The point? If you’re at home before college, spend as much time as you can with your friends. Your parents will be there to bother you EVERY time you go home, don’t worry.
Name: Peter C.
