A Chapter Ends, A New One Begins

Hey everyone!

Happy Monday night into Tuesday morning! To newcomers, welcome to the site! To those who are familiar with it; I offer a warm welcome back. It is with both great pride and a fair bit of sadness that I say the last day of classes have finished up and I have completed my last semester in school. It really is a mixed bag I’ve been given. On one hand it’s been a fantastic chapter in my life and I’m thankful for the awesome people that I have come to meet. That said I’m sad to see it go, though I probably won’t be missing the exams, projects, and research papers.

It was the middle of June when I first walked the campus at the University of Rhode Island and let me tell you it was love at first sight. The aesthetic grabbed me by the collar and pulled me right in. Perhaps it was by sheer luck, but I always managed to get some great professors and got to meet some awesome students along the way. Among my favorite memories from my last semester is relaxing on the quad under the shade of tree when it was still warm out. It probably seems simple and even silly but there’s something charming about being able to sit back and take in all the details at one's leisure.

I’ve also recently been toying with the idea of pursuing a master’s degree so maybe I will find my way back to URI or I may find myself attending another university for a new adventure. For now, though, that idea will remain on the backburner. I want to see what life has in store for me before I decide to start working towards a master’s degree. Besides, I think I would like to take a step back from academia for a well-earned break from it.

These past few months I’ve had a little mantra that keeps finding it’s way to the front of my mind, “while one chapter ends another begins.” I am excited to see where this new chapter goes. I can’t wait to see what happens with the website, my work, and with all of you! I’m also looking forward to further developing my skills as a writer and honing my craft.

I’d like to leave you all with a little bit of wisdom I’ve tried to apply to more areas of my life this last semester: appreciate more. I tried my hardest to appreciate everything I could this semester, from something as simple as a clear sky on a warm day to being able to say “hi” to some old professors and friends from classes from previous semesters. And I appreciate being able to do this for all of you!

Best,

Aaron Kirby