A Graduation Story

This is the UCLA Seal on the floor of the entrance to Powell Library. It has much meaning and significance. I remember during orientation, they told us never to step on this seal. "Avoid it at all cost!" They said that every time you stepped on it, you would fail a midterm, final, and/or be held back an extra quarter. As a freshmen, I remember glaring at it thinking... better not step on that... ain't risking it... shoot! Of all the places to put that, they chose the middle of the entrance?!

Heh. So you think the story ends there? No way.
















This is my foot on the UCLA Seal in Powell Library. Before every midterm, before every final, and before every study session in this library, I made sure of one thing - to come to this seal and step on it, stomp on it, and/or jump on it. I was resolved to show the seal who the real boss was - I was absolutely determined to step on it and still get the A, to stomp on it and still graduate in time. Graduating 2 quarters early with a Magna Cum Laude Latin Honors GPA, I would now like to take this time to declare something to my longtime archenemy, the seal - BOO-YA! VICTORY IS MINE!

After my last final, the first place I went to was Powell Library - I stood outside for a few seconds to admire the beauty of the building. Then I walked in, stopped, and smiled at the seal. The security guard started watching me. I pridefully walked on, stomped on, and jumped on the seal. The security guard thought I was hella weird, but I didn't care. And then I took the 2 pictures that I put up in this entry. The 2nd picture is off-centered because the security guard looked like he was starting to get up so I just boned out (haha). As I boarded the shuttle to go back to my apartment, there was only one song that I could play on my phone, on repeat, repeat, and repeat all the way till I got home - All the Way my Savior Leads Me.

It was a long yet short journey, and I persevered with diligence and I beat the seal, but I humbly acknowledge and admit... all the way my Savior led me. My Savior was my strength when I was strong and my strength when I was weak. When I wanted desperately to give up my Savior was my hope to endure. It was He who gave me the opportunity and experience to learn and grow this much at UCLA, and it is He who supplied the willpower, ability, strength, and all else for me to come this far. Thanks God! Yay for graduation. Onwards towards the rest of life!