Connection!

So I got a tattoo on my wrist a few days ago of an infinity symbol. The basic meaning is that everything in the world is connected and that we are intertwined with everything around us and that we should love everything in our path because it is essentially a part of our own being and if we are not loving everything around us, then we are also not loving ourselves.

I really love this tattoo, but since I've gotten it, a lot of people have curiously asked me if I feel I'll ever get sick of it since it's in a place that I will notice every day for the rest of my life. I never thought I would get sick of it before, but hoped that their questions wouldn't eventually change my mind.

Last week, the day before I got my tattoo, I got an e-mail from Mesa Court saying that I was not selected to be an RA for next year. At first, as I read the e-mail, I was disappointed and sad. But then I looked up to see Carlos Lopez sitting across from me, and soon the other SPOP Coordinators filed into the room so that we could finish our final touches on staff selection. I was sad that I didn't get RA, but looking up to see the amazing people surrounding me was a beautiful reminder of everything I've had the honor of participating in at UCI. As much as I had wanted to be an RA, I was very content with their decision to decline me. Also, some of my close friends that applied were selected and it didn't make me jealous, it made me really proud and excited for them. It felt like the next legacy of UCI students were taking the reigns and I was just as happy watching as I had been participating. I didn't get it, but it was OK.

But here's where it all ties together...
After many hours of paper writing, I went home to take a short nap before waking up to do it all again. I woke up to a phone call (which came at an opportune time as I'd slept an hour past my alarm) from a woman named Leticia. Her name and voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. "I'm calling on behalf of Mesa Court housing" she said. Holy shit. I instantly remembered her checking me in during my interview. She was warm and seemed sincere when I met her. "We had a few people decline our RA offer," she said. "Since you were an alternate..." almost there... "we wanted to offer you a position with us next year in Mesa Court." WAHHH!

Almost instantly, I felt the universe all around me. I was glad that my tattoo was on my wrist...that I'd see it everyday and remember this connection. That if you are good, good will be returned to you. I truly believe that the universe was testing me. It wanted to see how I would react to being declined, to seeing each of my friends receive a position but not be offered one myself. I will never take this position for granted. AHHH I am so excited!

Have a nice day to whoever's reading!