Stanford...

I have taken notice that this road has begun to grow lonely. As the days continue, I see one concurrent issue begin to alienate me from friends, mentors, and even family.

"Why would you want to transfer?"... "There's nothing at Stanford that UCR can't give you!"... "Of all the people that I've told that you are going to UCR, you have got the only person who isn't happy with it."

To be honest, they are right. I am not happy with attending UCR. The campus is beautiful, the people seem so content, and the school is one of the ten "up-and-coming universities." It's a wonderful, wonderful school.But it's not MY school. It's not where i feel like i'm needed for all four years.

Stanford. I feel it every time i utter the words. Every time i see a photo, or hear about some old classmates who have been accepted, or look at the flag-red background against the coal-colored lettering of that University, i know that is the place i am truly supposed to be attending.

All that i have to say is "THANK YOU GOD FOR THE TRANSFER OPTION!"

That is my last chance to attend that university, to fully realize my potential. It is a ways off, so, for now, i will travel this road, keeping in mind the preparations i must make to ensure my success.

My Manifesto

I call upon myself, oh God!
To bing forth my strength.
To Mold my determination.
To go aboce and Beyond expectations
to shatter prejudices and stereotypes.

I call upon myself, Oh God!
to name my goal and to reach it
to test my Will and to be tested by fire and emerge all the better.
To stand tall through adversity,
never wavering from what is truly right.

I call upon myself, Oh God!
To go where no man has gone before
To know where they have gone before
and to travel both paths.

I call upon myself, oh God!
to bear the weight of my responsibilities
to do what is difficult
to be what is needed.

I call upon myself, O God!
To keep my eyes on the suffering of the needy
To exercise compassion on both the just and unjust
To carry those unable to carry themselves and to teach them to walk on their own.

I call upon myself, O God!
To keep a level head when fear and anger threaten and attack.
To strive for a more perfect Union.
To raise spirits wherever I go.
To show mercy to those who come against me.

I call upon myself, O God!
To battle the evils of Apathy,
To outwit the adversary that is Laziness,
To overthrow the pettiness of Envy and Slander.

I call upon myself, O God!
To slay the fears birthed of Ignorance where they stands.
To Produce a Strong Voice and a Strong Body.
To Imagine and create new avenues of Thought.

I call upon myself, Oh God!
To live life for what it is!
To make each observation count,
and to always make observations!

I call upon myself, O God!
To accept the things that I cannot change,
To change the things that I can,
And, most importantly, KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

I call upon myself, O God!
To hold your creeds to my heart
to persevere, even when I fall
To live as You would have me live,
And to never fall out of touch!

I will take knowledge for what it is---Necessary
I will take Jesus's gift for what it is---Mandatory
I will take my role as God' worker as it is---Honorary.

I call upon myself to be.
To finally be.

-My Prayer Journal.