Christopher Malano

Yes

Since graduation? Wow, I think that may need more than simply 8,000 characters, let alone 8,000 words. But, in summary, I've been moving progressively eastward since graduation.

I went to the University of New Mexico in the fall of 1999, where I began my Doctor's of Pharmacy degree. I lived in the city of Albuquerque, where Bugs Bunny should have always turned left. Needless to say, I didn't finish with the pharmacy tract. After three horrible years of study, I had decided to change my degree to something less practical, yet more rewarding. Now in this economic/credit crunch, perhaps I should have fared the course into financial stability, but I remain convinced that I am much happier since dropping pharmacy.

My college years were great! Being on the mainland, I fully took advantage of the open road. Numerous unplanned and random road trips filled my "free" time - regardless whether it was actual free time or time avoided.

It's interesting, though we didn't have a marching band at WHS, I joined the marching band in university. What a fulfilling experience. Perhaps, the university experience would have never been fully realized had I not been part of this "coming of age" part of my life.

After some time, I became serious about my studies. That's not to say that I changed my habits altogether, I just ensured that my studies took higher than last priority. I switched my degree to Bachelor of Arts in History and concurrently a Bachelors of Arts in Religious Studies. Like I said earlier, the degree itself is less specific, but broad enough for me to keep my options open. The last thing I wanted was to be was pre-determined in what I would be doing for the rest of my life.

With that, I embarked on a rush to finish. I was nearly 23 years old and had felt that I was supposed to be out of college by then - my friends were starting to move on in their lives. I was feeling left behind, but not so much so that I was the only one left. I was persistent in ensuring that my Honors Thesis was fool proof. In the end, I had written two theses, a combined number of pages counting over 200! That was a big accomplishment for me given the fact that I was asked to prepare this on 8.5" x 11" paper, 1" margins all around, Arial size 10 font, and to my relief, double-spaced. No short cuts and I still managed.

When I presented my research to the national associations in the field of history, I never would have thought that historians would encourage me to further the research and produce a book. But, to my own disappointment, I just wanted my degree and not a professional career as a historian. For some time, I thought of going into Law School or serve as in the Civil Service like the State Department as an overseas advisor. While that is still in the works, I wanted to get on with life.

I finished up university with two honors degrees in 2004 - Cum Laude even. But, those pieces of paper pale in comparison to the experience of a well rounded education - in all of its glory.

Well rounded education? I'd say so. I think that university was more than about getting my degree; it was really introducing me to a new life, a new culture, new expectations, and new fears, of course. Becoming a full-fledged adult scared me, and to be quite honest, it still does. Every morning I dread considering myself an "adult" or even worse, a "grown-up." I've aged, without a doubt, but I hold on to the sense of youth with rigid security. I seriously believe that once it passes, it can never be recovered - not even in the mid-life crisis. Internationally, youth is defined as the age between 18-30 years old. Of course “youth” is a state mind and a rough estimation of development/progression. In the USA, we define youth as someone before they turn 21. I reject that completely. Perhaps, as a teenager, I wished to become an adult too hard and too quickly. But, I know full well that one can be young and an adult at the same time… since youth represents an unstained, innocent, and optimistic state of mind and adulthood connotes economic responsibility and social rights.

After graduation, I lived in New Mexico for some time. I really thought that I would be continuing to graduate school immediately, so I stayed on the mainland. However, after a review of what I really wanted and what I really was aiming for, I decided to return to Hawaii for a little while. This allowed me to set myself up right at a much lower cost – staying at home, that is. That fall in 2005, I decided to work as an educational assistant at a local high school. It was a great experience – woke up at 7:30 am, rolled out of bed, showered, and walked the few blocks it took me to get to the classroom. Knowing full well that this was simply a transitional job, I put my full effort into it, as I always do with anything I had ever done. This allowed me to figure out what it was that I wanted to do.

I had moved back to the mainland in 2006. For a short period of time, I went back to New Mexico to liquidate all my stuff which I had kept in a storage unit. I thought it would have been a good idea since I had only returned to Hawaii only to straighten out my priorities. So, with a plan in hand, I got rid of my things and tearfully said goodbye to Albuquerque. In the most ideal situation, I will live there once again. I enjoyed the open space, the vibrant colors of the mountains and sunsets, and the adobe ranch houses typical of the American southwest. I made my way east clear on the other side of the country – to New York!

I thought moving from Hawaii to New Mexico was culture shock, but it felt to me that moving to New York City was like moving to another country! One had to learn quickly or learn the hard way. I definitely did not prefer the latter. From 2006 to 2007 I lived in Queens. Normally, as in the rest of the USA, several towns and/or cities make up a county. However, in NYC, it’s quite the opposite – the city itself is composed of 4 counties. Language barrier… at first I thought it was a novelty – that quickly faded as soon as I realized that I had no idea what they were talking about.

I worked for an international non-profit non-governmental organization on their advocacy work. So, basically what that meant was that I didn’t have an office. But, on the upside of the story was that I spent my entire day at the United Nations. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that I was able to meet leaders of different countries ranging from ambassadors to cabinet members to the actual head of state and/or government. As a lobbyist or advocate, I pushed policy reform. On several occasions, I was able to address the several commissions while resolutions and agreements were being negotiated. I felt that I was able to make an impact in the way global affairs were being handled. As a member of civil society, I felt it my duty to ensure that the voice of the people were not simply left out since it is we who are the direct benefactors or victims of these decisions.

to be continued in "school story"...

...continued from "comments." I must apologize, I thought I had less to say, but apparently not. So, let the story pick up in New York City.

New York City was a particularly challenging experience considering that the cost of living was hyper-inflated. Only living there for a short while, it was inevitable that I immersed myself into the local culture and scene. In hindsight, I may have been a little to ambitious in my living habits in NYC. The honeymoon quickly faded and living a real NYC life abruptly hit me in the face. Chinatown, where anyone can find affordable food, became my favorite place. No more organic co-ops, high-end markets, or over-priced bodegas. I managed to do my grocery shopping every weekend where I could afford. Fortunately for me, Chinatown was where I find everything that was familiar to me anyway. That was a blessing in disguise.

After a short time, my humble successes got me elected by my colleagues to serve a 4 year term as Secretary General of the organization, which meant that I had to once again pick myself up for a move toward the east. This time I found myself heading over the pond to Europe. Bienvenue to the city of lights, the city of love, the city of Paris!

Since autumn 2007 until today, this is where I reside. I still can’t bring myself to say that I live here – given my track record, I may be moving east once again. But, at least until 2011 when my mandate is over, I’ll be quite grounded. The best thing about what I do now is that I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of young people. I work on advocacy work ensuring everyone’s right to education.

Thought this is not what I’m particularly proud of, it is of interest to note the countries which I have traveled to either for work or for leisure. I guess one could say that I “lucked out” with this job. I think I am, but I also think that I worked hard to get where I am and to do what I am able to do. Since my work has so much to do with the aspect of non-profit and charity-based work, I can’t say that I’m where I want to be with fiscal security. But, given the crisis at the moment, perhaps I’m not the only one. I feel though, that I with the relative short amount of time, that is within ten years, I have been able to do a lot and learn a whole lot more.

I would have never thought that being a graduate of Waipahu High School could have afforded me the opportunity to meet so many world leaders, publish numerous articles, offer speeches, and of course travel so much. Now, only if I could make my salary match the work that I do. Fortunately for me, and in my youth, I still enjoy optimism and utopia in measuring life through its qualities, not quantity.