My Last Lecture - Jeanna kim

Hi. My name is Jeanna Kim, and this is my last lecture. I was born in Gainesville, Florida a year after my parents got married. My parents moved here for a better life with their American dream. However, things weren’t always smooth at first. My dad was still attending college at University of Florida, earning his Ph.D, and my mom gave up her job in Korea to live with my dad. They had no family or connection here in America but regardless, they came to support themselves for the future. Although both of them were very busy, they made time to play with my siblings and I. Due to their sacrifices, I realized how spending time with each other results in long lasting memories and healthy relationships. All I remember in my childhood was that I was happy. Although my parents were financially unstable at the time, they did everything to make my infant and toddler years memorable. Along with my brother, they took us out to the indoor playground, to the river, or to another state. They showed their love to my brother and I with their time. My dad was usually busy attending classes and working part-time to support his family of four during the day. However, he had his priorities straight and put his family first. He made sure that I felt loved through his actions and words during the time he made available for us. Unlike most Korean dads, he was very expressive in showing his love directly by making heart signs and blowing us kisses when we were younger. My mom took care of my brother and I while my dad was out working or studying. She was the one who showed her love through cooking food or playing and telling stories to us. She helped me with any friendship complications and proved her love by making me laugh everyday. Both my parents showed their love through their time. They showed me that spending time with others is so important because spending time with one another helps with getting to know each other and being more connected through that way. Because of our strong connections when we were younger, we now have a better relationship despite having our little arguments now and then. Being together more often gives long lasting memories because you get to know each other by talking and doing activities. It doesn’t matter where you go because everywhere you are, you will be building up relationships whether you know it or not. I personally think that in order to get to know someone, you need to start giving your time to them and see how they respond. Throughout my childhood, I have learned that relationships with others should be earned with time and sacrifices. One way to spend time with each other is to go out and travel. It might be to the restaurant across the street or maybe to another country. It doesn’t matter where you go as long as you are having fun. Spending time with someone keeps consistency in relationships. As long as you build a strong relationship at first, the relationship will last because sacrificing your time for them created a bond. Once my close friend who I grew up with at church moved to another state. I was devastated because I thought our relationship was going to end. However, because we had such a secure bond ever since we met, nothing has changed, and we visit each other almost every other year and then. Nowadays, smartphones and social media have taken over the original meaning of relationships, and it isn’t totally bad to chat with someone far away from you, but in order to have a true relationship before talking over the phone, you should first hang out with that person, face-to-face, to build up trust. Another reason why to spend time with someone is to keep an already built relationship because each person has to put in the effort. To spend time with each other, find something to do that you both enjoy. That way, time will go fast, and you’ll both find each other’s company enjoyable. Spending time allows you to get to know each other’s personality, so if you know for a fact that your character and the other person’s character fit well together, then you have yourself a friend or family. Having time for each other means sacrificing and putting in effort to do your part in a relationship whether it be with your family or your friends. Because each side is putting in time and effort, they would both want some kind of positive result from their sacrifices. Therefore, you should spend time with each other to have a relationship. However, if you find yourself struggling to keep a relationship alive even after putting in the effort to spend time with each other, give up and end on good terms. It shouldn’t harm anyone if both sides realize and acknowledge that maybe their relationship wouldn’t work. For instance, if you and your friend have different interests, then naturally, you both spend less time with each other and go off your separate ways. If one side isn’t putting as much effort as you do, move on and find another person to be trusted. Therefore, to maintain a healthy relationship, hang out with the ones you like to connect with. Don’t let other things in life distract you from keeping a relationship. Just because you stress out, don’t block someone from your life even temporarily and think that they’ll stay the same because it isn’t going to work that way. People change, so try to keep in touch with others. Show them that you care. And to do that, hang out with them if they are truly worth your time. There is a limit to spending too much time with each other. Don’t annoy the other person and have your share of alone time. Be proactive in managing your obligations so that when you do want to have time with that person, you don’t need to be rushed. Finally, be happy in whatever you do while spending those memories because in life, everything is about good relationships.