Appreciating here and
By Marisa Yamane
now is tough workREMINISCING about my childhood years, I remember how I couldn't wait to grow up.
I anxiously waited for the day when I could drive, the day when I could get into an R-rated movie on my own, and the day when I could enter my name in the contests at Liberty House, restricted to those 18 and older.
When I discovered my passion for journalism in the 7th grade, I couldn't wait for the day when I would get my first taste of work. I was fortunate to have worked as an intern at the Channel 2 News office during the summer, and I must say that I emerged with a wealth of knowledge, in journalism and life.
I've come to the conclusion that people were right all along when they told me that their school years were more enjoyable than their work years.
To be honest, I never believed them. I thought: "What could be better than doing something that you enjoy doing, and in the meantime, getting paid for it?"
For many people, the work day does not end at 5 p.m. That's when the full-time job of family life begins, which includes cooking, cleaning and tending to the keiki. By the time some wind down, it's past midnight.
Some super-human people work several jobs, but I don't understand how they do that. Six weeks into my summer vacation, I found myself juggling two courses at the University of Hawaii and my 30-plus hours-a-week internship. Meanwhile, I was also trying to spend as much time as I could with my family and friends while keeping in touch with the ones I made at UCLA, while trying to accomplish everything on my to-do list.
Although I really liked my summer school courses, I kept thinking that I couldn't wait till they were over so that I could relax a bit. I know now that many adults don't have that luxury of taking a long and well-deserved break from the daily routine.
It really shocked me that the Channel 2 News staffers get so little vacation time. "Two weeks," they told me, "for your first couple of years here." And to think that my friends and I would complain about our three months of summer vacation. We felt that was inadequate compensation from the rigors we endured during the school year.
Re-examining adulthood "milestones" I had eagerly awaited, I now realize they are not as exciting as I'd thought. Driving and watching R-rated films are not such a big deal anymore.
Likewise, work seems tantalizing, but I understand that I have the rest of my life to work and only a couple of years left of school. From now on, I will try to live each day as it comes and enjoy my remaining college years .
Marisa Yamane is a 1997 Iolani graduate who is
majoring in communication studies at UCLA.Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
Speak up by fax at 523-8509; by answering machine at 525-8666;
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