I know I know. Miley Cyrus isn't good at singing BUT I like her and her lyrics. So she's the title to my post. Anyways, its lyrics fit the situation pretty well. There have been several roadblocks to my dreams since I last blogged. One easy to overcome, the other not so much.

Roadblock 1: double majoring in Math
At penn, wharton students are not allowed to double major in Math because of the work it requires. It will require precise planning and a lot of hard work because most wharton classes do not overlap with math classes so you can't use one class to fulfill both requirements. But I found a student who has a friend who is doing that, and hopefully I'll be able to do it as well. [: However, this requires that I take all of my AP tests this year and get 5's so I can get credits to fulfill some classes and make room for my math major classes. I just need to plan very well...

Roadblock 2: achieving my dreams without parents?
The other day, I had an in-depth conversation with Cindy. I wanted to tell her my realizations with achieving dreams in hope that she'll see it too. It may be one of the best realizations I have ever had, and it makes me unbelievably happy. So I began talking to her honestly about the reason why she wanted to go into medicine. Anyways, I won't go too into detail here. But at the end of the conversation, she realized that she has always wanted to pursue fashion designing. She also decided that she wanted to buy a sewing machine (average $300?) this summer and learn to make clothes. The next day, she approached my mom about it because she's wary to spend so much without consulting her. Then, on the ride home from forensics practice, my mom yelled at me for "brainwashing" Cindy. She then told me that my dreams were ridiculous and idealistic, and she fully believed that money is a necessity to living a comfortable life. Perhaps it is, but I told her that I didn't want to work for the sole purpose of earning money. She then proceeded to criticize my dreams (so much fun...) and basically told me her opinions of my dreams. But instead, she tried to push those opinions on me. She is convinced that I would not be happy working as an elementary school teacher and wasting my Wharton education. However, she failed to see things from my perspective but rather decided that I wouldn't be happy because she wouldn't be happy teaching. Then, she told me that I'm narrow-minded for rethinking my goals based on a book. Her opinion is that I'm not going to be making a lot of money as it is because apparently the only way to make money is to start a business (which I'm not doing). Then, she basically implies that since I'm not going to be making a lot of money, I should pursue the career that will make the most money in my range even if I hate the job. However, I'm pretty stubborn so the conversation ended with her getting even more mad at me after seeing that I'm not listening to her. Yes, I cried. But it's difficult to have the people, who you thought would support you in any endeavor, hinder you. Especially your parents. I've always thought that they would support me even if I chose to become a teacher. After all, they were the ones who were trying to convince Cindy not to go to med school because of the pressure and stress. But I realized that the reason they didn't want her to have to go to med school is because her being an engineer is still going to make money. However, apparently I've fallen too far and they see the need to intervene. It is unbelievably hard to discover that. But brick walls are there to see how much you want something right? Even if those brick walls just happen to be people whom you thought you could count on...

2 comments

2 Comments:

I've had this exact same conversation with my parents. I mean, the exact same one. They're all about "you have a responsibility to use your brain cells for something more 'important' and 'challenging'" but I just want to do what'll make me happy. It's good to keep parental advice in mind, but remember that you only get one try at this crazy game called life, and you call the shots. Do what makes you happy if you can :)

Good luck with the math situation! Sounds very challenging, but nothing you can't handle ;)

By  Sophia, at January 10, 2010 at 12:04 AM  

I think it's beautiful that you know where you want to go in life. Your parents should be proud that you both have a vision and a dream that you're willing to work hard towards. Most people don't have a dream and just aimlessly wander through life. I firmly believe that if there's anything you put your heart in, you can achieve it. I don't feel that forcing you to become something that you won't like being is the best idea. Money doesn't make happiness. As long as you have enough money to live comfortably on, what matters most is whether you enjoy your job. Don't be discouraged. I'm sure your parents' perspectives will open up once they realize that they have to let you guys go and pursue your own dreams, not theirs.

By  Melissa, at January 10, 2010 at 2:36 PM  

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My name is Connie
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