As long as I have this job, I’ll probably spend most time reflecting about 40,000 feet above sea level – especially traveling to and from California. I just spent the last hour working on my grad school application essays. They’re moving at a snail’s pace, but I feel like I’m already gaining confidence in my writing and picking up the pace. Still, I haven’t put my outlined efforts into a single full essay yet – but I’m 2/3 of the way there on the first one. My goal is to write 300 words a day over the next two weeks. That comes to about 4000 words, which is approximately the total I need to complete the Booth and Kellogg applications. If I can finish those by October 5th, I’ll have a week or so to get feedback and polish them up. I’ve decided not to stretch myself – I am only applying to Booth and Kellogg in the first round.
I just finished reading My Bloody Life, the Making of a Latin King by Reymundo Sanchez. This guy’s real name isn’t actually Reymundo Sanchez but its obvious once you start reading that he can’t provide too much detail lest he implicate himself on hundreds of crimes, including rape and murder. It was surprising how simple the actual writing is. Most of the books I end up reading are very elegantly written. I guess you can’t expect that from a book written by a drug-abusing, high-school-dropout ex-gangbanger. I’d still recommend the book if you’re looking for some perspective – although I would never recommend it to my Mom. Some people are just better off not knowing stuff. The story is the life of a kid growing up on west side of Chicago (very close to where I live now) out of a broken home and into the Latin Kings. If you can stomach the violent details, it’s very interesting to get an idea of what that kind of life is like and how a person in his shoes makes certain decisions.
I need a new book and I’m looking for suggestions…
