Another run around the sun

For 365 days, we are on a constant count down; utilizing calendars, day planners and post it notes to make our lives feel more significant. Daily routines have us rushing from one insignificant event to the next; not realizing that we casually throw away seconds everyday. Of course, these institutionalized activities are not acknowledged as a waste of time in the eyes of an industrialized society, as this “throwing away of seconds” is done in a socially acceptable manner. For some, myself included, much of what is deemed acceptable behavior is a far cry from anything I want for myself. Essentially, complacency is a scary place to exist in, no room for growth or possibility for change.


I turned twenty-four one week ago and I’m not exactly sure of how the trail I’ve left in the past year has any viable direction. I graduated from UCLA two years ago with a degree in Sociology and minors in Political Science and Theater. However, I work as a Lab technician for the School of Nursing and School of Medicine at UCLA. Not exactly remotely close to where my interest lie but a job nonetheless. Additionally, I started moonlighting as a bartender at a restaurant to pay for a small impulsive purchase. OK, a car isn’t a small purchase but sometimes we make our mistakes and we have to deal with the repercussions of those mistakes. In my case, it’s indeed one beautiful mistake.


Around the same time of my absent minded car purchase, I signed a three year contract with Schuller Talent, who once represented Mos Def and currently represents Anna Kendrick. Despite the promise of various avenues that life could take me, I settled for working 60 hours a week. I spent the latter half of my 23rd year working week in and out; sadly, I stopped enjoying the simple pleasure that life gives us daily and made my way down a one-way track with no possibility for detours. Settling and over indulging in complacency is dangerous to one’s spirit and imagination.


Last week, I tried my best to reevaluate the past year to make sure that as I make another run around the sun, it won’t be one filled with regret. Although I didn’t come up with an answer, I did start brainstorming and at the moment I’ve decided to end my stint as a bartender. In a few weeks time, the life I put on hold 7 months ago will start over again.