Life choices

Dear Little Angel,

I hope this finds you well during this Thanksgiving week. I apologize for not writing sooner. Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for being such an important part of my life and for always listening to my thoughts, no matter how trivial they may seem. Conversing with you is a true joy. How have you been? As for me, I've been facing some challenges with work and academics lately, but I'm doing my best to navigate through them.

Exciting news – I've booked a ticket home for a month in December. It's been quite a while since I last visited, and I'm thrilled at the prospect of returning. This trip will be my first since relocating, and I've grown and learned so much during this time. I've shared most of these experiences with you, but today, I'd like to reveal a part of my journey that I've kept to myself until now.

Back in April 2022, after a particularly difficult phase, I began to settle into my job. I was slowly finding my footing again and started to consider pursuing higher education, a dream I had previously put on hold. In early May, I interviewed with a research team at a well-known company and was offered a position as a research fellow in a pre-doctoral program. This opportunity was a stepping stone towards pursuing a Ph.D., offering valuable experience in research and collaboration.

However, the following week brought an unexpected turn. I had applied to Purdue University last December, more as a gesture to myself than with any expectation of success. Surprisingly, a professor from Purdue invited me for an interview to join their lab, and despite my lack of recent academic engagement, I was offered a spot as a Ph.D. student starting the next fall.

This left me with three choices: continue my comfortable job, join the pre-doc program to hone my research skills, or pursue a Ph.D. at Purdue. Each path had its merits, but I was particularly drawn to Purdue for several reasons. Firstly, it presented an opportunity to delve into theoretical control and reinforcement learning, areas I had less experience in. Additionally, on a personal note, my ex-girlfriend was at Purdue, and I harbored a hope of possibly reconciling with her.

After much deliberation, I chose Purdue. It was a risk, given my unfamiliarity with the subject matter and the uncertainties surrounding my personal life. However, I was driven by the desire to try everything possible to mend past relationships and to pursue my academic interests. Today, I can say that I have no regrets about my efforts, even though things didn't turn out as hoped.

I share this with you not to seek validation for my choices, but to convey a lesson I've learned: always follow your heart and take full responsibility for your decisions. Life often works out in unexpected ways, and while it's too early to judge whether my decision was the right one, I stand by it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Your opinion matters to me, and I welcome any perspective you might offer. Remember, life is about making choices that resonate with you, and no matter what path you choose, I'll always be here to support you.

Lots of hugs,

Dad