It felt a little odd as students headed back to school this fall. I have been a full-time student for the past 17 years and now … I'm not. I enjoyed school. I loved learning new things, solving problems and feeling successful. But I'm beginning to realize that having a full-time job has its perks to and I can continue learning (and skip the studying).
While I enjoy learning about my immediate environment — Franklin and Nashville, I've also had more time to keep up with current events in America and abroad.
And what a memorable year to enter the "real world!"
The country will likely remember the past couple months as the Beijing Olympics, the turbulence of the stock market, the War in Iraq and the Presidential Election. I have had my own life changes but the country is also restless for change. It has been both exhilarating and frightening to enter the working world as a young adult during this time.
After being in the "Sewanee Bubble" for four years, it is interesting to come off the mountain into such time of change in America. I am suddenly intrigued by this year's Presidential Election. Although I was able to vote for the 2004 election, a lot of the issues seem to matter more now that I'm on my own. I have a better understanding of the economy, energy crisis, national security and health care.
When I was in school, it was easy to overlook the bigger picture and it seemed frivolous to focus on global and national issues. But as a working 23-year old, it is hard to ignore the political campaigning and the debates over controversial issues.