Feelings of Nostalgia

I know what you're all thinking. My words aren't exactly being printed on the same stuff the ancient Egyptians used, if you know what I mean. So then, what's the deal with my blog name "Penn to Paper"? What was I thinking with this title, publishing my thoughts in this ironically titled reverse anachronism?

My new period of life begins in just about a month, and thinking about my new beginnings rekindled memories of the past. Every so often, I bring out my high school yearbook and read all of the wishes my friends and teachers wrote me, seeing if their words were fulfilled. Naturally, you can tell who your real friends from high school were by what they wrote next to their portrait. A simple "Congrats, best of luck in the future, keep in touch" most likely signals a person not too interested in actually keeping in touch. But that is a topic for another post.

What struck me most about the cursive notes was one I spotted in my twin brother's yearbook. It reads "Be cool. Don't bow to society or give up. And don't forget that film came first."

In the intended context, it's a history lesson for my digitally-focused photographer/graphic designer twin brother, who while owns several film cameras and enjoys the dark room experience, has made a full transition to film-less photography. In context for the rest of us, it reminds us of our humble roots.

I'm slowly coming to the realization that in about a month I will (baring extreme unforeseen circumstances) never live at home again. While I'm excited about my opportunities to further develop my intellectual, moral, and social life, the prospects of moving away from home is still a bit uneasy for me. But like the title of this specific post makes reference to, my fondness for my past will provide a link between times past, present, and future. Nostalgia doesn't simply refer to prior events, it implies a strong emotional connection to the past, a feeling of warmth and just plain goodness. Nostalgia is the element that drives the plot for our adventurous, humorous, and heartwarming stories. And most importantly for me, nostalgia demands keeping well in the present.

When my six years of graduate school are complete, it would be a shame if the same pleasant aura of nostalgia that has followed me throughout my life would be absent, as it would mean my time at Penn was not fulfilling. Believe me, I don't anticipate making this happen.

So thus, the name of this blog actually is appropriate. Before millions of people shared their thoughts to the world via this vast silicon jungle of blogs and servers, they shared them with themselves in diaries and notebooks. Though I've caught up with the times by using a blog, thus also sharing my words to the world, maybe I'll actually benefit the most from sharing them with myself. I would think maintaining my pleasant feelings of nostalgia is dependent on it.