Naj Alikhan is a journalism seniorSend comments to: najis1@hotmail.com
On Wednesday, I happened to lose my car in Parking Structure IV. Ifelt like an idiot.
The normal things went through my mind, of course.
Where the hell did I put my car? How stupid was I to lose my car?Who on earth would steal my car? And, of course, who was I going tocall to come and give me a ride back to my house?
After those questions ran through my mind, I started to wonder ifI should look for my car or huddle in the corner and hope it wouldsuddenly appear. The traumatic experience left me with a helplessfeeling.
Much the same feeling that I had when I arrived here as an18-year-old freshman in 1995.
I was young, inexperienced, lost and more importantly, I was awayfrom home. I didn’t quite know who I was or why I was here. I hadquite a first experience at San Diego State University, living onfloor seven of the Zura Residence Hall. Thirty-five girls and sixguys. No, I didn’t pay extra. I guess I just won the lottery orsomething, because all of them were at least a seven on the Najscale. A few were even better.
The year wasn’t all that great, though. I failed a class for thefirst time, had a few relationships (nothing to write home about) butno real job or direction. I was just hanging out and partying.
The fact is, I got through that first semester and the first year.I made a lot of friends and, more importantly, I was not going to eatcrappy, on-campus cuisine anymore because I was moving into anapartment. I was growing up. Now if I could only get my grades togrow up.
As I was walking around the fourth floor of the structure, Istarted thinking of all the great moments I’ve had at SDSU. The LasVegas Bowl last year. My first 3.0 semester (also last year). Thenine girls I dated during my fall semester as a sophomore. Mynumerous roommates (and those I wish I hadn’t, and those I wish wouldjump off a cliff). The numerous parties I went to. The tailgateparties at football games. The Thanksgiving dinner parties. The flag(inside joke).
All things that made me grow, one way or another.
While walking up and down level six of the structure, I startedthinking about all the people at SDSU that had made an impact on mylife.
Liz and Elizabeth. Kristin and Christin. Both Nicoles, Casey F.,Casey E., Steve, Sayre, Jennifer, Reggie, Tor and Dianne. All peoplewho survived together through thick and thin in our journalismcourses. People whose friendship I value and who deserve the best inthe world.
And the teachers.
Feldman, who I “learned a lot from.”
Spevak, who yelled at me to his heart’s content, but pushed meenough to continue as a journalist.
Schneider, whose passion for teaching and compassion for hisstudents made him one of the most popular teachers in the department.
And, of course, the two people who had to deal with me more thananybody else.
My best friend and roommate Gary, who pushed aside all of myunique tendencies and habits for three and half years. He’ll be thebest man at my wedding and a lifelong friend.
And my wonderful girlfriend Carrie. Without her, I would never bewhere I am now — graduating. Who says a long-distance relationshipcan’t work? We’ve done it for seven months, and our relationship hasnever been stronger.
Wait. Is that it?
I found my car.
I had walked past it a few times. But there it was, parked where Ihad left it a few hours ago.
I had taken all of the maturity that I gained while at SDSU andfound my car. I didn’t huddle in the corner and cry, flag somebodydown in hopes they had seen my car, or act like an A-hole and stealsomeone else’s car. I found my own car.
I guess that is how things have been here at SDSU. I came here notknowing what I would do or where I would go. I didn’t have a clueabout who I was or why I was here. Nearly five years later, I amleaving SDSU with the answers.
That should be everybody’s goal. Wherever you go or whatever youdo, make sure that you take something away from every experience. Iknow I did. And I know it made me a better person.
Wednesday, I found my car. Over the last five years, I foundmyself.
Tomorrow, I find SportsCenter.
This column is the opinion of the columnist and not The DailyAztec.
