Cute little monkey, Swayambunath Stupa

I probably wasn't three years old yet. My older brother Jeff was at school, my younger brother Scott was four years away from even being considered, and I'm not sure where my mom was, but she wasn't home.

My dad had taken the day off from work, which never happened. His entire life, I think I saw him call out sick once. Any other days off were his planned vacations, so I'm not sure why he had taken this particular day off.

Anyhow, my dad brought me to the zoo that day, and I remember sitting there in the passenger seat (because in those days, only infants sat in carseats, and only when they felt like it). I was so small I could barely even see out my window. For some reason, I started making really stupid ugly faces, and my dad said "Don't do that... your face will get stuck like that."

I believed this for many many years and to tell you the truth, I'm still hesitant to make any drastic facial expressions.

Then at the zoo, I saw a newborn monkey.

I always wanted to go to Harvard. Before I was even old enough to know what college was, I wanted to go to Harvard. My parents and family seemed to think this was reasonable enough and it was assumed that I would go there and end up doing something good with my life.

But then life and it's crazy sense of humor got in the way and I didn't end up doing a lot of things I always thought I would do, and that's ok. I went to a state college and had a great time with the friends I met there. I learned a lot and became a more well rounded person.

Now, two years after receiving my degree, I've decided to apply to Harvard. Eventually, I will receive a rejection letter. I will take this letter and I will frame it and I will hang it on the wall in my house.

My reason for doing this is because someday I'm going to have kids. I want my kids to grow up in a home that has a framed rejection letter from Harvard on the wall because I think it will teach them a valuable lesson.

Because at least I tried, right?