"Hi my name is Marion. I go to Cornell University"

WARNING: My brain is pretty scattered but then again we never really make sense when we think out loud.

For the past year or two it never seemed to be apparent what the hype was all about. Perhaps, it was because going to an ivy league seemed so unattainable. I still recall that my fresh- out- of- high school self was seemingly disappointed in the end results of the college process. Something that I had been striving and wrestled with for so long was the battle for that name-- that "(Insert IVY League/ prestigious maybe even elitist private university name here ) " is the school that I have proven myself worthy of. The academic institution that would encompass my entire intellect and all that I have built myself up to be for the sake of one thing- my high horse of which I've come to despise , my pride.
So in my state of utter disappointment at saying, "I go to Binghamton University" which usually follows with, "its a State university in upstate New York," I'd cringe and hate it. Little did I know my world would be entirely changed there. It became a place that I grew to love beyond words. A place where I had grown ten-fold if not more. Though the campus was far from the beauties of the gothics you picture when you hear "university," it was and is, a place of sanctuary. I found my Peace there. I found family and above of all, I found Love. I found deep, heart wrenching, painfully learned, true, soul satisfying Love. As corny as it may seem, It was Him. My story with Jesus is ugly, but beautiful, sad, but joyous, broken, but perfect. There is not a doubt in my mind that I was destined to have gone to Binghamton and to meet my amazing Love. But I did not really see this until I left Binghamton and came to Cornell University.

Though Binghamton may have shown me the very essence of my heart and all the insecurities of what it means to be a fallen being, I never appreciated it until I was brought to this place: the university of my dreams. I cant help but feel almost ashamed that I had not wanted more for myself. A university with an esteemed name, THATS IT?! Thats all i wanted? How foolish of me. After letting go of my dreams, embracing Binghamton and experiencing some of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with, I'm here. I go to Cornell University and I have no idea how to feel. One semester has gone and as I look back I cant help but feel like this is how life will be like. Our deepest desires will not be obtained until He thinks we're ready. It's funny that it was when I finally let go and did not care about the pride in the name of a university that it was given back to me-- but this time, in the form of reality. I go to Cornell University and my time here has been amazing. I ended my semester with grades that I normally would not think would suffice for "good" but nonetheless, I am LEARNING so much. For the first time in my life I feel like I am engaged and learning in a setting among truly extraordinary people. Last semester, one of my professors ended the class with this: "There is hope but also much to be changed. Now go change the world." Though we're told that as students, "we are the future," that "we're the ones that are going to change the world," never have I truly felt like this was true. Finishing up my first semester at one of the top universities in the world, I couldn't help but feel like this was what He had destined for me. So many times in my life I've been encouraged that I would be amazing but never have I truly believed it until I came here. So what can I say about receiving an Ivy League education or let alone, any form of upper level education? It truly is a privilege and a gift from God. It should not and can not be taken for granted. I wouldn't be here today without my Love who I had come to know during my time at Binghamton, and have grown to love at Cornell. I would not be at such an amazing institution if not for the path that He had planned for me because I simply would not have understood the honor of being a part of what some have called the "best and the brightest".
"With great powers comes great responsibilities" - an awesome quotation that seems more than fitting when our dreams have finally been handed to us.

Next Goal: Medical School--I am glad to say that it is no longer the idol that it had once been in my life. Though it still consumes my worries, I have a much bigger dream and that is, to be a part of His amazing love for this world of which we are called to change.

P.S. I am too lazy to properly punctuate or fix grammatical errors. Sorry folks.

- mare