I’ve been obsessed with Hamilton recently and there are certain lines from the musical that I keep on going back to: “And there’s a million things I haven’t done. But just you wait. Just you wait.” There’s something about these words that reignite in me a passion and determination that I thought I’d lost somewhere along the way. There’s a million things I haven’t done and seen and tried and I want to experience those million things.

I’ve always tended to dream big. I want to write books. I want to write graphic novels. I want to write movie scripts. I want my works to be famous and inspiring and I want them to speak to people around the world. As I’ve grown older, however, I’ve started to settle on the idea of just getting something published. And yet there is the hopeless dreamer with a secret dream to leave an impact. Some kind of a mark. Even if it’s just for one reader.

And why not? Why not dream? Why not dream even big and foolish? There’s nothing to lose. There are tons of posters with inspirational quotations that I could hang up on my wall regarding this, but instead I return to those lines from Hamilton. I’m not only inspired to allow myself the dreams of becoming a published author, but to do and try and see new things in life in general. There’s a million things I haven’t done. Life is short so why not make the most of it?

This is supposed to lead to the fact that I am now officially the new editor-in-chief of Better Than Sliced Bread. This is one way for me to leave an impact and to try out new things. I felt nervous about taking up this role for a while, but have since just grown excited. I’ve seen the past chief editors do a marvelous job and hope to live up to expectations. There’s a million things I haven’t done and I’ve barely started. Just you wait.

For now, here’s our first issue under my chief-editor-ship and I’d like to thank everyone for their works. Leonardo and Annika have written poems and Henna shares the relatable feelings of getting accepted into university, all three making their debuts in BTSB. Elina reviews the new Elton John biopic Rocketman in her Re-viewed series while I introduce the new English students in an interview with the freshers. And Danielle, coincidentally matching this piece, writes about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s book Gmorning, Gnight! – Little pep talks for me & you.

Hope you enjoy this issue!