I have never been good at goodbyes, just as I have never been great at making deadlines. It is my inner procrastinator, avoiding those certain days that just have to come. This one, in particular, I have been steering clear of since I first stepped foot on UB's campus.
Don't get me wrong; I have had senioritis since I was a lowly freshman, anticipating the day I would reign as a senior.
So here I am, four years later, 120 credits completed and anxiety streaming out of every pore of my body.
Am I sad to leave UB? I would say it's bittersweet.
Do I have any idea for what the future holds? Absolutely no clue, but I am hoping for the best. Am I ready to say goodbye? No, but before I all too typically clam up and keep my feelings bottled up for a rainy day, I do have some last words and some "thank yous" to dispense.
First off, thank you to The Spectrum. Our independence is what makes this paper so valuable, and the eccentric and highly individual staff is what gives this paper its life. To the Arts desk, we have been and always will be the best desk. To Juanito and Geevs, you are the heart and soul of this desk and none of it could have been done without you.
To the English Department, I wish you all the best and hope that this program continues to expand. It needs more teachers like Professor Solomon, who love what they teach and make their students keep coming back for more. I can't wait to see what else I will find along my journeys on the road.
To the City of Buffalo: you have taught me the best lesson of all - that in the unexpected, the best things are discovered. To whoever says that Buffalo is nothing more than a sad and snow-burdened town, you have not actively sought what Buffalo has to offer. It is full of culture, love and excitement, and if you don't believe me, then please, attempt to prove me wrong.
Lastly, to the upcoming classes descending into UB, know this: These four years will fly by faster than you care to think, and before you know it, you'll be in my shoes writing your own last testaments. Say hello to everyone; you never know who you will meet, or happen to fall for.
And most importantly, do not regret anything. Everything happens for a reason. The lessons you will take from them are priceless and will only make you stronger, I promise.
As Billy Joel once said, "Don't wait for answers, just take your chances, don't ask me why."
So, Buffalo: in my own personal fashion, this is not a goodbye. I'll just see you later.
