Sunday, 20/6/2004
0045h
I am reading Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho and I just watched Homeless to Harvard from the Hallmark Channel and something struck me. I’ve gotten these chords struck before, many times, and every time I think about it, I get these mixed feelings of inspiration and hopelessness. I was immensely moved and touched by Liz, how she managed to put her everything into reaching her goal, into fitting herself into a place where her “kind” outwardly condemns and making sure she gets what she wants despite her difficulties. I mean Homeless to Harvard is based on a true story. And so the cliched thought came across my mind “If she could do it, so can I.” Heck she was homeless. And she managed to cram fours years of study into two! And she got a scholarship (which I feel is just a charity work from New York Times) which she truly deserves. Maybe the American education system is simpler. Maybe I’m being ridiculous but hell yeah I’m jealous. And I’m proud of her at the same time. And I want to work as hard as her. And don’t you think it’s funnily uncanny how she reminds me of Rory Gilmore, and Rory was accepted to Harvard. And I want to go to Harvard.
Veronika decides to die because her life was at its peak. She wants to die because she realised the fact that after that point of time, she’s going to grow old, get sick and be lonely and by that time, she’ll be too afraid to commit suicide because then, she will have responsibilities being a mother. It’s ironic because people usually want to die because they are suffering in one way or another but Veronika wants to die because she was at the happiest moments of her life.
It got me thinking, what am I going to do with my life? I must say I really admire the determination these characters exude. To get to Harvard, or to… die. At least they have a goal. Me, I’m just floating around, trying hard to study, admiring Norah Jones and her success story (I just watched Norah Jones “Feels Like Home” TV Special on MTV) and awed by the resemblance of her and someone I used to have a thing for. Heh.. Sweet memories..
But Homeless to Harvard gave me the slap in the face I need. I really want to do well this time. And I want to wake up to Norah Jones tomorrow morning. And Thora Birch is wow. And can’t wait for Gilmore Girls.
