I don't really know where this blog post is going, so bear with me. I am currently sitting in Coyote's Coffee Den, sipping some hazelnut joe and doing homework... or trying to. Homework is a little difficult when a) you can't do your Spanish because about half of it requires that you talk to your computer, and you refuse to look like an absolutely crazy person in the middle of a public place b) your book is sitting on your kitchen table and c) you need people to email you your assignments before you can do diddly squat. Ah, the aroma of productivity.
Aye, there's the rub! (Alright, I'll stop with the Hamlet references now.) What is productivity? This has been a lingering question for the duration of my senior year. Balancing a full course load, a social life, an extracurricular career, a college plan, and... dare I say it... a little alone time proves to be challenging. What's more valuable: studying for an important test during lunch or going to Alfonso's with friends, all of whom won't be around next year? Should I participate in as many activities as possible before I lose the chance, or should I enjoy the spring weather before the clouds come? Decisions...
Before, the answer was easy. Through junior year, I was one of those nerdy kids who spent every second of my life on school. I spent lunch in the library, carried my trig book around always, and felt disappointed in myself for anything less than a 100%.
Then, I got this little thing called a life.
After a bad break-up, I found myself in a place of vulnerability. I couldn't eat - I couldn't sleep - heck, I couldn't even do my homework. It was then that I realized just how valuable a friend can be.
I've always been one of those super independent people who thrives on completing tasks all by myself. Asking for help is embarrassing and unnecessary. Luckily for me, though, I didn't have to ask for help when I needed it the most. The people who cared about me (despite my loner tendencies) surrounded me, forcing me to come to movie nights when I "wasn't up to it" and bringing me Ben and Jerry's and a box of tissues at the faintest sob. They carried the weight with me, tolerating my roller-coaster of emotions. They were there for me.
Since then, I want to do everything I possibly can to spend time with these incredible people. Each one of them is so precious and gifted. I would be stupid to let a moment slip by without creating priceless memories.
This year, I've let school slip by the wayside a little more. I still get all A's, and I'll still graduate valedictorian in a few weeks (pending I can shoo away this stupid senioritis). I've realized, though, what I really value in life - and that's the people who made these accomplishments a reality when I couldn't do it by myself anymore.
Spending time with them - that's true productivity.
