The Joy of Rubik's Cubes

This is a Rubik's Cube. 

It's a famous 3-D puzzle game in which the goal is to make every side of the cube the same color. While it's notorious for seeming extremely difficult, this couldn't be further from the truth (really! Just Google any video or tutorial, and you'll see what I mean). In fact, I've often thought that if I were a teacher, I'd make a lesson plan just for Rubik's cubing. Ultimately, it would give my students more opportunities in life than any equation or poem, and also, they would be cooler people because of it. 

I still remember the first time I solved a Rubik's Cube. I was in school, painstakingly fumbling with it under my desk, when I finally rotated the last row in place. Instantly, I felt like I had cracked the code of life. The world swirled around me in a groovy, psychedelic way. And in that moment, I was no longer a mere child-- I was a Rubik's Cube god.

Soon after, I began to amass a collection of them-- more than a dozen, of all types and even from different parts of the world. Rubik's Cubes became a serious hobby of mine, to the point where I brought them with me everywhere. And so, thus began my revelations on the many benefits of knowing how to solve one.

Benefit #1: if you are ever bored or standing around somewhere, solving a Rubik's Cube makes you look extremely occupied as well as very cool. Just think, how many other activities can offer such an incredible combo? 

Marvelous!

In lieu of that, Benefit #2: the speed with which you solve a cube is directly proportional to how interesting you appear, especially to people you don't know. This makes for interesting conversation starters, as well as interesting new acquaintances. You never know what kind of person you can meet due to solving one. Quite likely, a single solving of a Rubik's Cube could lead to a job offer, a new friend, or even the meeting of your soul mate.

And finally, Benefit #3, the strangest of them all: Rubik's Cubes serve as excellent good luck charms. It sounds odd, but like any proper scientific theory or claim, I have irrefutable evidence. 

When I was in 4th grade (note: before I could solve a Rubik's Cube), I took a test that was supposed to determine if I was a good fit for our school's accelerated learning program. Unfortunately, I missed the cut. I don't remember exactly what happened, but according to my parents, I was quite distraught.

In 5th grade, I was selected to take the test again (it was at this time that I first began to be interested in Rubik's Cubes). I took the test, and miraculously, I passed! The correlation is clear: my luck had been enhanced by mere association with a Rubik's cube.

I'll admit, perhaps this scenario can be passed off as coincidence. But coincidences do not often repeat themselves--and this phenomenon repeated itself many times over. 

Basically, here's what went down: starting from 7th grade, I included my ability to solve a Rubik's Cube on each resume I submitted to any sort of application-type program. I usually added it as an afterthought, just to give my resume a certain edge, like a portrait with otherwise perfect features except for a very large nose. But as the years went on, the cube's power was undeniable: after my traumatizing rejection in 4th grade, as long as I mentioned the Rubik's Cube in my resume, I was guided through every program for which I applied. This fact became even stranger when I realized that, while I always put my best effort into my applications, I was not a particularly impressive person compared to other equally as hard-working applicants. Eventually, I made the correlation that the Rubik's cube must be my lucky charm. With it, I was unstoppable. 

Thus, the years went by, and before I knew it, it was time to apply for college. Even then, I still considered continuing my "Rubik's Cube Resume" tradition. However, this time, it didn't feel as appropriate. After all, this was the culmination of 3 years of hard work in high school, the event that I had been prepping for since I entered the American schooling system. As a responsible young adult, I eventually realized what would be best for me. 

Which was including the Rubik's Cube, of course. 

Thus, I carefully inserted it as the last bullet point in my resume: "able to solve a Rubik's Cube in less than 1.5 minutes." Then, I sent my documents away, and I waited in anticipation to hear back from the (hopefully very impressed) admissions office. 

The days went by until, finally, decision day arrived...

And well, you can guess what happened.

So this is my PSA of the day: learn how to solve a Rubik's Cube! I guarantee, strange, awesome things will start to happen to you in no time.