WingColors

I've just been thinking about how much, and how little can occur in one year. You meet a lot of new people, and move further away from others. You expand your knowledge of the earth by trekking to new places, and are equally surprised visiting older places, and people from a bunch of years before. We probably all have some sort of plan or goal for the future- it's probably a long way off too. I know that in the next 5 years I'm pretty much destined to be working in the United States, or at least still hunting down my dream job. Things change a lot though, and even a week can change your direction/path to where you want to be in 5 years.

1 year ago

So hmm, looking back a year ago - (or a little bit more) things were quite different, but kinda the same. High school was finally out, and I was both excited and nervous about university. I had a feeling that I probably wouldn't see anyone from school ever again - or at least for a while, but hadn't thought much into it. Getting into animation and illustration jobs while in school- and even before university made things a little weird. University is supposed to prepare you for work, but I'd already had more than a little taste of what it's all about. I guess I'd only just figured that art and creativity would get me through the rest of my years.

Friends started splitting, and stuff got weird. The whole controlled environment of school had finally collapsed, and I was expecting it to scare the noodles out of me. Glad it was the inverse. Being a freshman at university meant it was like the first day of high school all over again. New city, new people, new system for everything. I think everyone seemed kinda closed up and avoided letting people in with all the amazing talent around, but as those weeks of early starts and late pub sessions churned by, everyone loosened up and got to hang out like old friends. Kinda confusing, but in a odd way.

Now

Equally confusing. University is back in a week. Of course, there is the previous year of friends and contacts this time which makes it fun to go back to. Work + university is an interesting combination, but it seems to work nicely - helping me grow with the fun of university and the humbling size of the projects at work. Kinda weird that I don't keep in contact with anyone from high school anymore. 5 years of communication down the pooper because of bigger things to go onto. I guess it's the fact that they are a diverse bunch of people, but not always the right kind that will click.

At university, there are more excuses to hang out with people who like what you dig, so the gap is bridged a lot faster. Seems like from now on the years will bring more fun, being able to work with people who are more than just people you sit next to in classes.

I think I like creating things even more than ever, because there are other creatives around who can appreciate, learn and critique. It's a healthy relationship that makes everyone grow.

One year on
I really don't know yet.

Travel is something I have to do. I'll probably implode if I don't get out and see the world. I've never left the country. I know I have established a lot of connections outside the country, as well as inside, but I have another year of university to keep me rooted for now.

Thinking about the future is weird because it's hard to make such general assumptions. One person or opportunity can change anything. I guess what I'd like to do is setup some goals. Since I lost so many connections, I'd at least like to be able to restore that by getting to know more people. It's one thing having lots of people knowing you, but knowing others makes them more than just a random phone number or IM contact.

I didn't write this just as a brain purge, but more of a thing to spark some discussion. What's changed for you, and what do you hope to see change?