Inside-Out

What is an introvert? An introvert, as suggested by the prefix intro- is defined as a shy, reticent, and typically self-centered person. However, Merriam-Webster isn't always right. I identify as an introvert and I know a handful of other people who consider themselves introverts, but we don't perfectly fit the "shy, reticent, and self-centered" mold.

Take myself, for example. I am an introvert and sometimes I like doing things on my own. I don't need a posse of people to make things enjoyable nor do I thrive in social situations. See, I like going to museums on my own. I find it more enjoyable that way. I can take my time, see whichever collections I choose, and take the time to think about things. Isn't it amazing to think that you could be in the same room with one of the greatest paintings in all of mankind? Just imagine Monet toiling over his water-lily pieces, trying to get the colors just right. On the other hand, if you're ever at MoMA or the Whitney and you come across a piece that instantly triggers an "Is this even art?" response, just think about it. What could the artist possibly be trying to exhibit? Anyway, this is beside the point.

Maybe what I'm trying to get across is that people in general should be more like introverts, instead of the other way around. According to about.com, introverts make up 60% of the gifted population, but only 25-40% of the entire population. So chances are, if you're introverted, you're probably kinda smart. In that case, why do people strive to be extroverted and sociable with thousands of Facebook friends when the introverts tend to be more "gifted?"

I think that everyone should just take a moment sometime and just think. Think about something that matters. Just think.

30/30

Have you thumbed through the 30 Under 30 feature yet? It's incredibly phenomenal what young people can accomplish these days. All you need is a little ambition and a whole lot of hard work.

Some notables include:
Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller
Alexander Wang, the new creative director of Balenciaga (!)
Nikhil Goyal, a 17-year old author

Every child's goal should be to be on this list.

Question week fail.

Well this was a bust. I think that part of it is that I have no friends and well, no one is vaguely interested in anything at all. #lonerforlife

Question Week!

I need to take my mind off of schoolwork (not that I've been thinking about it to begin with) so I hereby declare the inception of QUESTION WEEK!

Every day, I'll conjure up a 'Question of the Day' to which I DEMAND answers! You can leave your answers at the bottom of the post as comments and yes, there is an anonymity option.

The second half involves questions from you! Go to formspring.me/whoisjulialu and ask me random questions to which I will answer to the best of my ability. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO KNOW ALL OF MY DEEPEST AND DARKEST SECRETS. I'm an open book.

May the festivities commence!

To start:

Question of the Day (for Thursday):

What do you do in your spare time?

leave your answers below, friends. DO IT.

Who You Are vs. Who You Are

Each and every one of us has different personas in different situations unless you’re Joanna Coles (who will always be Marie Claire’s EIC to me). We certainly don’t act the same way during vacation with the family versus a lunch date with close friends. Sure, you may think you do, but do you really? I’ve always known this to a certain extent but you grow up and things change—you change. 

See, growing up I was shy and quiet and I kept to myself and I never spoke up in class. I was clingy and had a couple of friends, but never any best friends. I suppose this is why I’m so good at being independent. You can ask my mother, she’ll vouch for me. Anyway, high school happened and in the beginning I was still pretty shy but come junior and senior year and there I was, bigger and better than ever! Okay, I definitely wasn’t bigger, I hadn’t grown much since freshman year, but in a way I was a better version of myself. I was more outgoing, more sociable and I was fearless!* You want to know why? Sometimes I tend to think that it was because of Girl Scouts because they’re always boasting that the program builds “courage, confidence, and character” and it does, don’t get me wrong, but the reason behind my sudden improvement in character was that I was at the top of the food chain. That’s right.

For once, I was the one kids were looking up to—well, maybe not myself per se, but you know what I mean. Kids whom I once was several years before were now looking up to me as a role model, and I loved being at the top.
 
But here I am, a first-year in college: back at the bottom of the chain. I am once again the quiet kid except for the rare occasions during which I am overloaded on sugar. Being a firstyear/freshman/firstie is a different experience in different schools.  I think the only reason why I have regressed in personality is because Mount Holyoke is smaller than my high school was. There’s also a strong emphasis on class years that just kinda reinforces a separation. But I know that everyone loves firsties and yadda yadda yadda… but still. So there’s most definitely a difference in experience between small schools and large schools. Big schools with thousands of students are like small cities, only everyone is of the same intelligence level (relatively) and you’re all the same age! College is kinda like a mini semi-utopia if you think about it.
 
The interesting thing is that when I return to the city, I feel like I’ll become my less-introverted self again. But maybe it’s just because I’m so comfortable in New York.
 
If there’s anything you take away from reading (or skimming) this, then let it be this:
-       To seniors applying to college: if you go to a small school, go to a small college; if you go to a big school, go to a big college. Chances are, you’ll be happy.
-       I think too much.
 
Who I am is not who I am.