A couple of months ago, I found out that one of my childhood classmates became a Rookie for the Los Angeles Lakers. Although I loathe the Lakers with a passion, I was amazed that someone I knew ended up in the NBA. I spent 1st through 5th grades in the same classrooms as Devin Ebanks, a really tall kid who grew up in the Queensbridge Projects not too far from my house.
Though there are many famous figures and celebrities who hail from Queens (e.g. Ray Romano, Lucy Liu, Christopher Walken, Nancy Reagan, Nas), it's a little bit more surreal when fame strikes someone you once shared the same space (maybe, the same textbook) with.
This news comes at an interesting point in my life since I just turned 22 and will be graduating in less than one month. With an uncertain future looming ahead of me, I find myself on an emotional rollercoaster ride, often jerking my thoughts and questions forward and back in a matter of seconds. Where am I going? Who have I become? Why couldn't I turn out like Devin Ebanks? =)
Most of my childhood friends left Queens - for college, for loved ones, or to simply go somewhere else. Not me. I was born and raised here, and I'm still here. Sadly, my life feels the most stagnant that it's ever felt. I'm starting to believe that one of the main causes is a sense of immobility and permanency from being in the same place for over 20 years.
Don't get me wrong. I love Queens and will always be loyal to it. But isn't it only natural to feel a little restless after years of routine? This is terrible - I feel like a shameful wife trying to justify divorcing a committed and loving husband. I also feel like I'm committing blasphemy against my own blog about Queens, but that's not my intention at all!
Lately, I've just been wondering if and when I would leave this borough, the only residence I've ever known... and whether I'd be able to call some place new, home.
How I wish someone could stop the shot clock.
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