My 'Old Bean'

Clue: Circular opening Answer: H O L E
Clue: Circular opening? Answer: S E M I

Amazing how one punctuation mark can change the answer. Answers to crossword puzzle clues, that is. I've been doing crossword puzzles almost every day for the last 2 years, since I came to Drake. Yet, of the 250 plus puzzles that I've done, I've only managed to complete less than 10 without ANY form of cheating. That means not asking other people, no pure guessing, and no Googling.

Why do I do crossword puzzles? So many people have asked me that, especially my classmates in my designated "crossword-class-of-the-semester". I can't say exactly. But, one thing I know for sure, my dad was the one who introduced me to crossword puzzles......

When I was young, my dad always did crossword puzzles every morning. I think he still does, but I'm not sure. Once, the Star ran a series of articles that explained how to analyze clues. I don't know why he thought I would be interested, but he showed me the articles. My dad rarely taught me how to read clues. But every evening, after he was done with the crossword for the day, I used to look over his answers and wonder how on earth did he come up with those answers.

That was how we were. My dad never nagged me, never told me what I should and should not do, and never ever dictated how I should live my life. My dad knows when to give advice, and when to let me wander on my own. I don't share an incredibly close relationship with my dad as some people do. We don't "hang out", and some things we don't talk about. But I know my dad cares.

As I grow older, I realize that my dad and I are alike in a lot of ways. We share the same sense of humor, often laughing at the same things. We have the same temper as well, and I've gotten into a few scrapes. I wish I can spend more time with him now, but sometimes things don't work the way we want them to.

So why do I love doing crossword puzzles? Maybe because it reminds me of my dad and I want to be more like him. Or maybe I just like the challenge. The challenge of reading clues in different perspectives, thinking creatively, and honing my vocabulary. Or maybe because some classes are just too boring to listen to.

But whatever the reason, everytime I do a crossword puzzle, it reminds me of how much my dad has influenced my life. If who I am today is an assimilation of who I know and once knew, then my dad has left a Yeti-sized footprint in me.

I am my father's daughter... and proud of it.

I love you, Dad.