2008 Woodie Awards
Onward and forward
Senior goodbyes
Francis Goh
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Reflecting on the past four years, I dare say that they have been the most enjoyable part of my life thus far. I remember the day when I stood on the tarmac at Reagan National, fresh off the 24-hour plane ride from Singapore, not knowing what to expect. The friendliness and generosity of Hoyas and Americans in general, however, overwhelmed my apprehensions and made me feel totally at home within weeks of my arrival.
Georgetown is a fine institution. Where else can you get a first-rate education and yet party like there is no tomorrow? Where else can you find faculty so accomplished and yet so approachable? Where else can you hop on a train and minutes later, get to savor the inspirational works of the Dutch masters? Above all, where else can you find a bunch of college kids protesting on a lovely Friday afternoon in Red Square, beating their war drums and clamoring for, er, condoms? Nowhere but Georgetown!
Of course, there are the usual complaints: unappetizing cafeteria food, an administration whose deeds are sometimes incongruous with its words, SFS tools who live to hear themselves speak and inflexible rules at Georgetown. Yours truly received a citation on Thanksgiving eve for having some harmless brandy shots with some mates in LXR. To add insult to the injury, the Residence Life staffer and the Judicial Council accused the author of drinking whiskey. You would think that they would be able to differentiate between whiskey and VSOP brandy or, at the very least, read the label on the bottle before charging any student with alcohol violations.
Someone wise once said that things are not really as bad as they seem once you put them into perspective. Indeed, the complaints listed above are not really as bad when viewed in the right context. The food in New South is not as decent as it should be, but at least there is Darnall. For every administrator who ordered the cancellation of Block Party (i.e. Juan Gonzalez), there are many others who care about students’ opinions and welfare. SFS folks may talk non-stop, but at least they make some sense; the author was stuck in a seminar with a graduate student who loves hearing herself speak so much that she would often interrupt the class with nonsensical comments and questions. Her trademark question: “What is an aircraft carrier? Does it carry aircraft?” As for inflexible rules, there are some rules that are written to be broken; just be prepared to face the music when you are caught.
Positive thinking, admittedly, can only get one so far, and I would not have survived or have had such a joyous time at Georgetown without a little help from my friends.
To the lads of B 201, thanks for allowing me to crash on your crouch many a time. Trekking to the Russian embassy from campus in the middle of the night is no fun!
To The Independent staff, many thanks for making me the mascot and for putting up with me over the past four years. Working late nights makes sane people cranky and cranky people tell lousy jokes.
To the “kids” at APCO, it has been a pleasure working with you this semester. Thanks for listening to all my ranting about the cheese-eating surrender monkeys.
To all my friends, I would not have made it this far without your support. I have nothing to offer in return except friendship, fond memories and this poem by an anonymous author.
For all the things that we did not say to each other that were better said, a small regret.
For all of the things that we did say to each other that were best left unspoken, a bigger regret.
For all of your hopes and aspirations, my solid vote.
For all of the obstacles and hoops in your way, my support in removal.
For all of your troubled waters, my bridge.
Fare thee well, my friends.
Onward and Forward!
Goh is a science, technology and international affairs senior and a second-year Master of Science in Foreign Service candidate. He served as an assistant editor (2000-2001).