the end of an era

the films made in my generation are on their way to becoming classics. maybe i'm being a little bit dramatic, and let's be honest, liberal with my compliments (because goodness there has been some flops. twilight anyone?), but i'm darn conservative in regards to the level of impact films such as the disney princess collection, Harry Potter epic and (even i'll admit it) the Twilight Saga have had on my culture. i'm 17 years old...and have witnessed the birth and completion of both the written and visual versions of Harry Potter and multiple disney adaptions of beautiful fairy tales. and let's not forget the Toy Story trilogy (which concluded with Andy as a high school graduate on his way to college); beautifully serendipitous to say the least. my childhood seems to have been landmarked by these notable films and as they all begin to conclude, one by one...so does my own legal status as a child (let's not be one for technicalities, and argue the differences between being a minor and a child). my impending birthday lines up nicely with the beginning of college and a new plethora of responsibilities. its the end of an era.

so you would think that with all these nice correlations, the effect that disney's announcement that no more disney fairy tale movies will be made in the 'foreseeable future' would not be so devastating. maybe devastating is too strong a word. but i AM sad. sad that disney's logo (the castle), will no longer be so meaningful, that my favorite fairy tales will no longer by creatively adapted, that both the story and the films that remind me of my childhood will no longer be created. disney said they are trying to change with the times...

but from what i can see, the kids, the ones who 'changed' the most ...they really haven't changed at all. they still dream of Neverland, and of towering turrets, and of magic and of true love.  

at least i still do. 

CHANGING

so, i'm not here to tell you how to deal with change. or what's the best way to cope with it. to be honest, that is a personal thing that each individual has to figure out for themselves. and that's called growth. but what i can tell you is that it is inevitable. change will happen in every aspect in your life...and for some reason, all that change manifests itself during this time in your life. yeah, i'm still talking about college. 

i'm going to address a few changes that i have gone through, to either illuminate the numerous similarities between all college bound kids, or prepare you for your own future journey. 

one of the most pertinent changes at this time and for this blog, is my training schedule. excepting a few universities, collegiate running is shorter and faster. no matter what division you are training in. and it is beyond weird switching from the long, repetitive slower stuff we did in high school to what i'm dong now. and at first i grumped about it. but i have to trust my new coaches just as much as i did my old ones. it is just hard letting go of the past. 

and now that i am leaving (in t-17 days), even more things are changing. my mom called me the other day and asked if i was busy and wanted to go see a river dance show in october with the family. i was like whoa! (yes, that is a finding nemo reference.) that's when it hit me that my life is really not going to be the same. they're talking about rearranging the rooms in the house and giving a few rooms, different purposes. including mine. and while it doesn't really bother me, at the same time, i feel kind of panicky. home is not really going to be the same when i don't live there 24-7. it's different. and weird. 

college is a new slate. a new part of your life. and that newness is EVERYWHERE. new bedding, new housing arrangements, new running, new team, new food, new shoes, new stuff, new clothes, new coaches, new friends, new school, new. new. new. 

and new is bright and shiny. and i like it. i do. but there is something comforting from that old blanket you've kept since you were a kid (or insert whatever metaphor you relate to the most) that just doesn't measure up to that new comforter. 

that's kinda how i feel right now. 

Blogging

So I have no idea how to work this blog thing. So in case you are wondering about the random font changes, the fact that I am somehow following my own blog (??),  and any other strangeness I am sure will pop up, blame my ineptitude at blogging. But I think this will be fun despite these issues. :) And hopefully with time I can figure it out.

Why University of California San Diego?

Well first of all, you know where it is located right? Beautiful La Jolla, California. And umm yes the campus is about 10 minutes away (although to be fair, I’m not sure what mode of transportation gets you there in 10 minutes.). But beyond that, which is the most superficial reason I chose this campus, UCSD promises a top-notch education, a fun social life, and a continuation of the sport I love.  Plus, it was close to home, without any sacrifice to the idea of ‘newfound independence’.

UCSD was not my first choice, or my second, or my third. It was kind of just floating around my head as an option, albeit a good one, until my acceptance letter came in and I was absolutely thrilled.  I am not the only kid who decides what school to go to based on their excitement level when they go online to see a “congratulations” as the opening line. 

I just had to keep everything in perspective before I made my decision.  And I was able to answer the most important question, will I be happy at UCSD?, with a resounding yes.  

Dear Reader,

College is a big step. But you don’t realize, until you are looking at it looming in the not so distant horizon, just how big it will be.  It is your first time on your own and with it come great freedom and great responsibility. And both those options are equal parts terrifying and totally exciting. And even though I feel incredibly young and naïve, I know that I’m ready. 13 years of education, 17 (almost 18) years of life, and everyone else will be in the exactly same boat I am. And that, my dear readers, in case you were wondering, is why I am writing this blog. Because it helps to know that everything that is going on, the overwhelming amount of stuff that you have to deal with comes part and parcel with growing up. And although I’d rather find Neverland, there is a decided lack of pixie dust in my local supermarket. So I guess I’ll just take a deep breath, and write to my heart’s content. Oh, and read up on two of the greatest friends a girl can have. Because Katie and Anna have blogs too. And knowing we are all going through this together is kind of therapeutic. So is running. Which is what we are going to do tomorrow morning, bright and early. So goodnight. :)

Love,

Alia

and you thought running was just to stay in shape

The most sensual, invigorating, experience? Try running in the dark, on a cool summer day. Aware of every single muscle as an isolated unit, working together to propel you forward. Your breathing heavy, paced, controlled. Your heartbeat a metronome, the beat to a timeless song known only to you. Both mindless and totally consuming, you are aware of the raw power of the human form, yet also conscious of its limitations. Every footstep an acknowledgement of individuality. Every step moving you forward, and never back.  Running is a harmonious marriage of instinct and intelligence, of liberation and imprisonment, of independence and collaboration. It is through running—the simplest of all human activity—that one can battle the limitations of the body with a sheer force of will; and win. I run because for a mere fraction of a second, I am airborne and can fly. I run because when I do every sense is engaged. I run simply because I can. And you thought running was just to stay in shape.