Who will you be?

While taking a break at 万博記念公園 (Banpaku Kinen Park), my friend and I came across a time capsule filled with cultural assets from the 20th century. The capsule is made of two parts, each composed of many smaller compartments. The upper half of the capsule was opened for the first time in 2,000 and won't be opened again until the year 2100. The lower half, which remains untouched, won't be opened until the year 6970. 

When Governors Island, NY was closing, a time capsule was burried behind P.S 26, containing letters and random items from the students who lived there. That was less than 20 years ago but I can't even begin to recall what I wrote in my letter or chose to burry with it. I only hope it was something good. 

I wonder how the people who chose the original items decided what items to chose. How did they decide what items best represented not just themselves--but an entire population? 

More importantly, what kind of items would I have chosen? If I were to create a time capsule set to be opened thousands of years from now, what kinds of items would I put in? How would I want people to see me in the future? 

A lot of people want to be remembered as something great--someone who contributed something to society and made some grand difference.They want their name to be remembered. I'm not one of those people. I'm nothing great and I'll most likely never create anything beneficial to society. My name will never go down in the books. But you know, I'm okay with that. As long as I'm remembered as someone who lived happily and was loved by those she loved, I'm good. I want people who open my capsule to think, "Man, this girl lived life. She really did." 

So, what items would I put in my time capsule? Deciding wasn't as easy as I had thought it would be, but in the end, I managed to pick a few items and divided them in to sets. 

First, I'd include my military ID, my passport and my Ferris ID. Being a military brat shaped by childhood. Being a Ferris shaped my young-adult years. My passport is filled with stamps from various countries. I had always dreamed of seeing the world. 

Second, a camera, the first volume of Hana Yori Dango and a picture of Takeshi and I. A camera I used to capture some of the most important memories of my life, the first volume of a series that gave me strength through-out my childhood, and a picture of myself with the first guy I ever really loved. 

Third, a note from a high school teacher expressing how fond she was of me and what a wonderful person she thought I was, a jar of sand from Puerto Rico, where I grew up, a pen, because I love to write, and a kendama, which I often play with when I think about serious issues. It also shows that I'm a simple-minded person. 

Fourth, A weight with a tape measure to show that I worried about fitness, a mirror to show I cared about appearance, my ipod containing music I enjoyed, which reflects my personality, and my planner which shows what kinds of things I do. 

I'm not sure how people in the future would interpret these items since things, after all, don't always keep the same meaning as time passes. Looking at these items, I imagine a certain type of person, but I have no idea what they would represent in the future. 

It's always interesting to think about the future. However, it's a bit scary at the same time. 

Isn't it?