Angie
Between the sweltering heat and sticky humidity, you would think it was still summer. As I walked to class on my first day as a graduate student, mosquitoes swarmed my bare legs, viscously biting to survive. Survive just as I had that summer.
Rather than joining the workforce after college graduation, I chose to continue my education, much to the surprise of my parents, who assumed that Id be well on my way to a high-paid executive position with some Fortune 500 Company. Instead, I found an internship in New York City that would engage my mind and my time until school started in the fall.
But that wasnt the only thing that surprised them. I had also gotten out of a three-year relationship with someone I considered my best friend, and losing him felt like losing a part of myself. Essentially, I bid my parents adieu and left for New York boyfriend-less and confused, but full of hope.
I still have trouble sometimes with this transition from being a we to an I. There are times I feel lost, uncertain and unable to contain my emotions. There are also times I find myself wondering more about what he is doing than what I have just learned in class. But Ive realized that there will be moments like these, and eventually I will learn to move past them.
This learning process began in the summer, in New York, where working through my pain and my pride, I found myself enjoying life. At first, every day felt like a constant reminder of what I no longer had. The Whitney Museum hosted a blinding Summer of Love exhibit featuring the psychedelic colors of 1967 and photographs of John Lennon. The company where I interned held its Summer of Love outing in a roof-top loft littered with a few souls brave enough to wear the complimentary tie-dyed T-shirts. Even the W Hotel, which I passed daily on my walk to work, illuminated the fluorescent words Summer of Wuv on the lobby floor. Everywhere I went, the phrase followed.
But beyond my Wuv-ly reminders, I found new adventures, cuisines and people. I spent my free time tracing Richard Serras sinuous bronze sculptures at the MoMA, outfitting myself with fashionable confections at Bloomingdales private sale, daydreaming as I overlooked the night skyline from the Empire State Building, and representing my burnt orange Texas pride at a Yankees game. Life was different, but that wasnt necessarily a bad thing.
Returning home to Texas, summer faded into memory. Although the exposure to a different place and lifestyle was an incredible experience, it left me even more uncertain about what I want to do with my life. But Im reminded of a curly-haired aspiring actress I met on a ferry who said she wished that when she was my age, someone had told her, Its okay if you dont know what you want to do now.
Its okay. Im okay.
The end of a relationship is never easy. The start of a new life chapter is also a difficult journey. But we all should know, there are plenty of opportunities to discover yourself. To trust yourself.
Summer of Love or not, I am Angie, and thats okay.
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This is just the beginning. An introduction, if you will. This is the start of what we hope will be a long journey, and a good conversation between us and you, our readers. We want you to enjoy this column and to join in our adventures. We would love to make you think, talk, and especially respond. (See our contact info below!) Because we have stories to share. You know, just between us.
Kristan Hoffman and Angie Liang have been friends since middle school. Kristan is the daughter of newspaper publisher Gilbert Hoffman, and both she and Angie worked for the paper during summers. Currently Angie is a graduate student in advertising at the University of Texas in Austin, and Kristan works at a graphic design firm in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Kristan and Angie would love to hear from you! Email JBUcolumn@gmail.com.