:)

i think good things will happen to those that live in the present. i truly, truly believe that. at least for the past few years, i always have. of course, i wouldn't have made it to this point without vishal. if he hadn't inspired me, pushed me, sometimes downright forced me to do things i know i needed to do instead of enjoying every minute of life (that is, enjoying ... not working) ... i wouldn't have gotten into columbia university. yeah, that's right. it's a little scary. and unbelievable. me....going to an ivy league? hello, pressure :P and no, that's not me being negative. if i was, i wouldn't have put that little smiley. but seriously ... first acceptance. a sign? ... maybe. to think i wasn't even the one to find out that i got in. you read that right, don't worry. i was happily napping the day away when i received a good 10 missed calls and email from vishal. of course, being him, he was so dead serious in the email i was afraid something serious/fatal happened. i called him, and he said, guess what? did you check your email? i said yes, yes i did. i know i got rejected from (this one school in this one state that i probably would've never gone to anyway!). he said, no did you check your email. i said um what do you mean? what did i just say? he's like where did you really, really want to get in?? i said idk ... (school who i haven't heard back from yet?) and he said, no ... think new york. im like um. omg. wait. are you telling me i got into COLUMBIA? he's like hell yes, i guess you're going to new york, baby! unfortunately for me, i had to head to work immediately after hearing the news. i woke up to this news around 1:15. work started at 2. i promptly called the parentals, the sister, the brother, the aunts/uncles/cousins/friends and texts started pouring in. of course, at this point, i was in total denial and shock ... i don't think it had quite registered. and i don't believe it still has! i walked into work ... and everyone asked me if i was okay (apparently i was very red in the face!) - i told them the good news. oh man. it's been a dream.

i am blessed. and i am so thankful for everyone that made this happen. i did not get to this place on my own. and i intend to (and i really hope i do) make everyone proud. i wish avvi was here to see this. i know if she was, she would've been a tad bid worried that i'm flying across the country away from vishal (at this unmarried point in our lives) - but she would've ended the conversation with, "wish you good luck, mari. best of luck best of luck!" and i know that she's still looking down and wishing the same.


thank you, god. thank you, avvi. thank you, vishal. and thank you all, i am so very humbled.

let's kick ass, now. go lions!



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