Where has all the time gone?

Oh my lovely people of society, I have officially finished my last final of my last semester of my last year of college (minus the 3 summer course I have to take...but shh! It isn't time for that talk). I have officially finished 4 successful years at Saint Louis University where I will graduate with a Bachelors of Art in Communications: Journalism and Media Relations. Yes, I know....such great achievements to be proud of and all of that noise. Please, hold the applause.

As I walked out of my last test with one of my my all time favorite teacher ever (Dr. Dan Kozlowski, aka Dr. Koz, aka Dokta Koz), I felt that little bit of nostalgia. The test went great and I think I did really well and my hand cramped up and it was so much writing and blah blah blah...it is over. But, I started thinking about my last 4 years of life and what I have done with them. I switched majors twice (one by force), I lost some amazing people, I gained countless acquaintances and made some noteworthy friends, I visited 4 countries (Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Ghana), and I truly figured out myself and who I am...at least I think.

I have grown and matured and also made many mistakes. I have changed so much about myself from who and where I was in high school, but I am very satisfied with where I have ended up. I have grown and kept an amazing beard, acquired an ungodly amount of T-shirts, Humphs cups, coasters, and stolen belongings, have kissed too many a few girls (sorry Mom), and have a horrible problem with trying to out drink someone else on a typical night out. Hey, things happen! But, I have also become a person that others aspire to be and look up to. I don't want to brag and say that people have told me that I'm an amazing person that will do great things, but I've heard it a time or two...or a lot. But still, I still have problems with fully accepting that. I still think I'm normal and that I'm not outgoing or personable or unique in ways. I struggle internally with a lot of situations and am known to start excessively sweating in my armpits to combat that, but I somehow still manage to have friends.

Growing up and experiencing college I have had a lot of ridicule, judgment, and extreme dislike for who I am and who I choose to be. But, that has not stopped me from being who I am. I'm not saying I brushed my shoulders off to all the haters, but I did. Coming to and experiencing college has opened up my eyes and expanded my worldview in ways that I cannot even describe. Before coming to college I had never met a real black person and had never met or known a real homosexual person, besides the ones from high school that dated older men and were extremely creepy. College has allowed me to experience and befriend people that fit both of these categories that have become amazing friends and allowed me to be more understanding and perceptive to the things I say and do. College has been the best experience of my life, no matter how much I hated it at times or did not specifically like SLU for various reasons. The city of St. Louis and this bout of independence I  have experienced and gained has changed me for the better and I will forever be thankful to my parents for allowing me to do and take this opportunity.

Thank you Saint Louis University for making my life, ruining my life, creating my future, changing my future. I will forever be a son of Saint Louis University and I will forever be a Billiken. I have no idea where my life is going and have no plans of making plans or settling down. Keep your eye on this blog and me because I have no idea what  I will be doing or where I will be going. Congratulations to all of my fellow seniors who are graduating, to all of my friends who have jobs and internships and volunteer opportunities, and to everyone else, happy summer! Don't judge me tonight when I'm hammered, dancing, singing, twerking, or stealing things. All the best...and

Until Then,

Wilson