Background: In the fall of 2009 I finalized my Gates Millennium application, after years of preparation, writing and enlisting support for the task at hand I submitted 8 essays. These eight papers, were responses to prompts I no longer remember. Still after nearly 15 years, I’ve found myself turning back to the Gates, my essays, the people who loved me then; I’ve found myself relearning who I want(ed) to be.

I’m of two minds about this one. Cause it just ain’t right. At 18, being “the rational one,” and now, today at my big age, I’m feeling like a chump. At the same time, I wouldn’t change anything and I love reading the story. I also appreciate that even back then I was honest, could express doubt and accept imperfect situations.