Lying on my bed

in the dark, looking at the glow in the dark stars, I think about who I am. Who I’m supposed to be. But, am I happy? Sleep takes my mind away from answering the question.

I have recently started saying the term “c’est la vie,” much to my friends and family’s confusion. In the beginning, I did not really know what the word was; I just heard the song “C’est la vie” by Khaled in a French movie. After I looked it up, I realized how much I related to the saying – such is life. 

Prior to junior year, during quarantine, I was unanchored, drifting in the ocean of possibilities. 

The path I was set on got split into two. I had to change my school routine, change the people I was close to, change my path. Things I could not have imagined swerved my plans, changing everything I thought I needed for the future.

I had so many changes and places in my schedule I was made to fill. I did not think I would join The Sidekick in my junior year until I asked a friend, 2022 Coppell High School graduate Trisha Atluri, about it.

I originally thought I would focus my time into my studies, art and hanging out with my friends. I was content on not doing too much, not having something more. But, joining The Sidekick completely changed my daily routine and values. I kept my focus, but they morphed into more complex and real interests. 

My studies were enhanced with the skills I learned through my ventures and I was able to incorporate art into what I produced in The Sidekick. 

I made some friends in a program I initially teased Trisha about. How did I get into a dorky, close knit, amazing group of individuals I call my friends? I do not know the answer. All I can say is simply, that is life.

The main lesson I would tell others is to not get too attached to any goals you may have. There will be life changes, I can surely attest to that. Being able to adapt and shape what I want into something else is what has made me happy. 

I never thought I would be assigned as the staff cartoonist until it was announced on a Friday during the middle of May. 

I did not know I would fully learn Adobe InDesign and create multiple pages for nearly every issue. 

But most of all, I did not think The Sidekick would be such an important part of my life, shaping my senior year and favorite memories.

But, c’est la vie.

Follow Maya (@mvpalovalley) and @CHSCampusNews on Twitter.