Christina Viola
Stories (5/0)
A Never Ending Curiosity
At the age of 31, I am entering the second semester as a college freshman, for the second time in my life. A couple years after high school, I started taking a few college classes. Due to issues of affordability and the fact I was already working for a company I loved, I dropped out after the second semester. I am now enrolled with a passion and drive to complete the coursework to attain a bachelor's degree along with a plan to cover the costs of my education. While there are many differences between me and many of my new classmates - in age, life experience, autonomy, etc. - there are also many similarities. I have entered into my studies with hope and excitement for what my future holds, but also with many questions about the choices I am making and if what I am doing now will lead to what I want to do later. As like most things in my life, this is a mix of my own hard work, timing, and great privilege. I see this experience as the next “step” in my life, maybe even a turning point in my intellectual journey - one that has been mostly informal. I am coming into what could be considered a new chapter of academics and being able to share myself with others in an intellectual sense. With that, I am putting a lot of thought into how I got where I am today. At every point in my life, including now, I believe I am exactly where I should be. This is despite my doubts about the timing compared to many other people and the challenges I have faced in regards to pursuing a path of furthering my education. After sharing the news about my enrollment with a good friend and also sharing with her my hesitations regarding my older age compared to the standard college demographic, she said something to me that I will always remember. She said, “In three or four years, you will still have aged the same amount of years, so it is better to have aged doing all that you wanted.” She was right. If there is something you want to do in life, age should not be the reason you do not go through with it. It’s also important to me that I do not compare my path or personal goals with anyone else's unique timeline.
By Christina Viola3 years ago in Education
Russian Doll
When you’re watching a show that you’re really into, there’s a certain magic to it. You know every character. You're attached. You look forward to the next time you get to sit down and sink into this alternate reality. You’re not in the story, but you could be. If you’re like me, you love shows that are considered realistic fiction. The ones that really hook me are some usually made up of mostly real life experiences, a bit of mystery, some amount of love story (of course), a touch of darkness, and a lot of whimsy. Whimsy, a noun that means playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor. Alternatively, a thing that is fanciful or odd. I think this is because I live a relatively “normal” life, but it’s fun to watch a show that explores and pushes the boundaries of my reality just a bit.
By Christina Viola3 years ago in Geeks
A Different Way to Celebrate
Many people have come to believe that Valentine’s Day is a total rip off - a holiday created by big businesses in order to make money. I agree, many companies have capitalized on this holiday in an attempt to take advantage of the fool in love - to try to make us believe that in order to show love, you have to spend money. Don’t get me wrong, I love to get a nice gift, but this holiday is not - and should not - be all about spending money on those you love. Whether you’re happily taken, the most single you’ve ever been, or your Facebook status reads “It’s Complicated”, you will probably enjoy this playlist. But, this playlist is for the one’s out there who are enjoying their own company this year.
By Christina Viola3 years ago in Humans
My Home
There have been so many times I’ve said, “I am going home” referring to a place that was not actually my home. Like the times I’ve been on vacation and told a group of new friends I just met that I was “heading home”, but really I was just going back to the cute little Airbnb I’d rented for the week. It was not really home, but it felt that way while I was there. I am sure many of you can relate. I tend to be on the more adaptable side, making myself comfortable in these places. Forgetting that after seven or ten, days I will no longer be there. I will pack up my things and go back to my “real” home. There’s a specific feeling there - when you’ve gotten used to this new space, and your new surroundings. But, at the same time, you’re yearning to be in your own bed, in your own house. And you cannot wait to get home. Home, what does it mean?
By Christina Viola3 years ago in Wander