It was in 6th grade. I was at my first Science Fair, and in general, my first public speaking experience. For the first time, I had to talk to strangers about what I did. While I had prepared with my dad, who knew much more than me, after the preparation, I really did not know much, save for a few lines I was told to say. The whole project was a mystery to me. Combined with my natural fear of public speaking, it was pretty obvious to me that I bombed my presentation with just about everyone. But, there was this one older fellow who spent quite a while with me. He seemed to really like this project. I really appreciated it. Well, the presentations were in the morning. All the students had to leave the area for lunch, and come back after all the judging had been done.
Well, I came back, not having much hope, but still wishing that I did well. I had a pleasant surprise. There were two ribbons laying beside my project, and a huge textbook-like book, called the ARRL Handbook. I was pretty sure the book was given to me by the older fellow, and so I took it and held onto it, though I really could not make anything out at the time. I felt it would be disrespectful to set it aside, so I made it a goal that this book would eventually be useful to me.
Well, middle school went by, high school went by, college went by, and the training went by. Yesterday, while I was sorting out my stuff, I found this book again. This time, when I opened it again, everything made sense to me. After all these years, I could actually understand this book on radios, with all the descriptions of different types of modulations.
It took 10 years. The book was from the year 2000, and now is 2010. I don't know anyone else who does this. But, I felt nostalgic. It is like opening a time capsule, and finding the things which were so important to me at the time, which have now faded into obscurity. Now, I can finally answer to that man who had placed some expectations on me.
This is an example of how the things a person does have far-reaching consequences. In my case, this matter was on my mind for 10 years. I'm glad I can check it off as "done" now.
Written on May 30, 2010