Me, Reflective?

The Emory Alumni Association people recommended me to the Emory Wheel as an alumni of interest who might want to say a few words about Emory in the special section for alumni weekend. They seem to think that I am worthy, which surprises me. However, I did submit a reflective essay to the Emory Wheel today, and maybe it will be published. Even if not, here's my 500-word ditty. Bon appetit, y'all! (Many thanks to my editor, Ben Temko, for correcting my grammatical snafoos ahead of time :-)

I had a hectic day today, not unlike most of my days, but in the midst of running around, talking on the radio, teaching singing, and singing at temple, one thing pervaded my thoughts—my 15^th college reunion. There’s much to celebrate, but it’s also a reminder that time is passing; a perfect opportunity to reflect on what those four years continue to mean to me, personally and professionally. Overwhelmingly, I am grateful to Emory, for all the challenges, triumphs, and failures that I endured and still cherish today, and how Emory taught me to examine, to feel, and to play.

I am grateful for the professors and classes that challenged me to think and to examine the world and my relationship to it in a deeper and more connected way. Even though I took History of Western Civilization in the midst of intense rehearsals for Godspell, Descartes and Kant still have managed to keep my mind pretty busy over the last 15-plus years with contemplations of existence. Even psychological statistics proved incredibly helpful in preparing me for the analysis of radio listening habits, a crucial skill for me at WABE. Without Dr. Nowicki’s seminar on relationships and Dr. Edwards’ seminar on love, I may never have known how to truly connect with my emotions. The Chinese are known for being stoic, and as extroverted as I am, I needed to know that to feel deeply is to recognize pain and reconcile with it in an honest way. When you can put this into practice, good things will come. I know that without this honest dialogue, I would never have found the love of my life and partner-in-crime, Ben Temko (Emory College ’92). I also know that without the emotional foundation that Emory gave to me, our marriage would not have survived two years of unsuccessful fertility treatments or the subsequent year of grieving. Through all the tears, we were not afraid to face our fears and despair with a healthy dose of laughter and play.

Yes, Emory also taught me to play and to enjoy life. A resident advisor taught me that downtime was as important as scholarly pursuits, and I followed her example by always being mindful of having fun. Playtime for me included spending time with friends, acting in Ad Hoc and Theatre Emory productions, and singing in choirs with Dr. Alfred Calabrese. Eventually, play time became my life’s pursuit, and I am now finishing my music dissertation from Indiana University Bloomington.

My years at Emory laid the foundation for how I have lived my live as an adult. I am grateful for how beautifully rich my life has become, for all of its ups and downs, and for how I’ve lived it as a thoughtful, feeling, and joyful person. My hat’s off to those who are just starting their journey to adulthood, and may you all take away with you the tools you’ll need to live the best life.