Considering what matters to me is a task in concentration and introspection. This task was akin to peeling an onion. With many outer layers, it take time and some pain to wade past the things that don’t matter and consider that which does. After discarding superfluous layers of possessions and accomplishments, I narrowed my focus down to two things that truly matter to me: family and memories.

It really quite amazes me how my parents are still together. Despite their pride, the pain from their childhood, and their differences in temperament. Despite painfully sitting through all the arguments they have had, they still decided to raise me, and that’s how much I mattered to them. These two disagreeable people could have very easily decided to separate, but they decided not to in order to ensure that I had an upbringing with both parents. For this I am truly grateful and one day I hope to repay them in any way I can.

Toys are outgrown, fashion goes out of style, and expensive gadgets eventually break down. Memories however are eternal. Whenever I am feeling depressed, or overwhelmed, or lonely, I turn to my memories of the past. To times traveling abroad with parents, to times when I experienced awe, beauty and serenity. It is often easy to be wrapped up in the midst of conflict and forget that even though the struggle might seem endless, it will all eventually be part of the past, a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things. And so at Cornell, my goal is to accumulate as many memories of wonderment and lived-in experiences so then one day when I am faced with greater challenges, I only have to close my eyes and think back to the past.