cadet blogs

Two Worlds

(The Cadet Experience, Class of 2015) Permanent link All Posts

Today’s Columbus Day and I just came back from a long weekend at home. I’m one of the fortunate cadets that live relatively close to the Academy so whenever I get the chance, I love going home. Don’t get me wrong, I love being at the Academy too, but it’s different. Being home and being at the Academy is like two completely different worlds. At home, it’s a relaxing, comfortable, and familiar place with my family and the friends I have grown up with. At the Academy, it’s more of a mystery, especially as a 4/c, figuring everything out, adapting, and growing through this whole experience. I love the Academy in the sense that I feel like I’m growing up, handling more responsibilities, and achieving more here than at any other college. These two worlds (my home and the Academy) are complete opposites, which I think is kind of cool.

A lot of times, I feel like Bruce Wayne when I jump back and forth between my life at home and my life at the Academy. When I am at home, I live the normal life: watching TV/movies, hanging out, pigging out, and not having a care in the world. This weekend, I was able to have dinner with my family and talk for hours catching up and then we watched movies till 3 in the morning. When it came time to head back to the Academy however, putting on trops is just like putting on the Batsuit. Once I changed, I was no longer Bruce Wayne; I became Batman and had to resume my responsibilities and duties.

Sometimes, it’s hard to leave the “easy” life behind, but it’s the challenging lifestyle that is ultimately the most rewarding.

More about Ellie.

Posted by Leann Strickland at 2/16/2012 1:12 PM