Thoughts on Northwestern

Note: I know it has been ages since I last posted something online on here and on my blog on Blogger but I should explain what happened. I would have written more about my life story continuing from Disney in 2005 but I got hit with a writer’s block and as such felt restricted on what to write and to some of the details that happened since a lot happened down there for me that pretty much changed me into who I am today. The other thing that seemed to affect my blogging is my job. I work full-time and during my 2 days off, I try to do other things and as such have let my creativity take a break. So today was strange in that I had this strange urge to write down my thoughts and keep them alive throughout the day. I would have actually vlog’ed it but my phone did not have a good enough charge and as such I felt words would be best. So with this post, I am committing to trying once in awhile write down some thoughts when I can, work on my life story thus far, and also maybe even work on my art so that I can have more things coming from here and showing up out there in the cyber world. Now on with the rest of the blog

As a child, I have always heard about how I will be successful in whatever I decide to do. Family, teachers, and even strangers that have seen me grow up would say how I was very kind, courteous, and smart. So when I heard about Northwestern University at a young age, I thought that would be cool since it was a great school. Some of my dad’s family went there and went on to do great things and as such so would I. I kept that dream within myself for a long time until high school came along in which I had to change the dream from this school that I had a strong desire to go to towards the best in-state school (U of I) so that the scholarship my dad got for me and the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs would help pay for most of the costs while family dealt with the rest. This was in early 1999 before I ever took the ACT.

I had a small chance to see Northwestern one time in 2002 when a member of my frat and I went up to check out a ritual out there. It was a great time and I got to see the snow fall on the campus. I never really got the chance to really walk around but it was nice to be a bit close to the actual campus. From then on, my life changed in which I failed from U of I, went to Triton, and after all of the trials and tribulations I graduated in 2009.

So today, I was supposed to hang out with a friend but since he was feeling under the weather, we had to break plans. Originally, I was thinking of going to Gurnee Mills or the Outlet Mall in Huntley since I didn’t feel like going home. After some driving along I-294 North (since I was thinking of doing Gurnee Mills and then leaving like around 330 or so to head home), I changed my mind and instead headed to a few places that I have never really gone to. First I went to Nickel City which is Capcom’s arcade place (didn’t care for it too much here) and played a few games. After 40 min or so, I left there and decided to head over to the trains since I was still out exploring. I ended up driving my car to Skokie and took the Yellow Line train to Howard and then ended up taking the Purple Line to one of the stations that would put me close to Northwestern University campus since it’s a train I rarely take and felt like checking things out.

Once I got to the campus, I began to walk around and see some of the buildings from the outside and I was really impressed with how everything looked. From walking through this campus and seeing some of the dorms, the technology building, and a few others (didn’t go inside since I thought I would stick out since I had the look of a tourist on my face) I felt a sense of joy from the inner child in me for seeing the campus.

It was on the walk and train ride back to Howard St station (and add in the ride on the Red Line to 95th St and back) that I began to ponder. I began to think as to how things would have been if I was able to go to Northwestern. I had the big question of “how will my life be different from how it is now” and while that is fun to think of from time to time, I am where I am today from all that has happened. I know that if that path happened, I would be very different and have a different set of experiences which would lead to a different Tony.

Still, I felt good in being there at least to please my inner child for a few brief moments. Who knows what the future will hold for me since I could be returning there in the future if my child does decide to go there or if I go for a different degree. I know I just have to let my life continue on the path I am now and strive for success in my life.