As a member of a learning community I spend most of my days with people that I live with on my floor in my classes. Today in addition to our other classes we had University 101 tossed in our schedule today. University 101 is hated by atleast 90 % of our freshman class and I have yet to meet the 10 % that do like this class. Most complain that it is either boring or a waste of time. Rather than complain I cherish every Wednesday 12:35 - 1:20. Whether we talk about study habits and college hardships or how to schedule for next semesters classes I soak in every word my advisor has to say since it is the only time I feel organized on this campus.
So, why do we talk about Univ 101? Today there was an exercise that split up the class to different signs placed around the room. Each sign signified a certain type of person that experienced hardship in American life. Some of the categories are: straight A student with AIDS, living in a car with two children as a recovering drug addict, an obese teenager, a light complexioned factory worker with their highest education at a GED, an immigrant with family members searching for citizenship, a successful open homosexual lawyer, etc. As a class we were directed to pick the one we wouldnt mind being in that situation if we had to have one burden.
It was interesting to see how everyone had a different view of what they can handle. Jess, my suitemate, made a very good point as she observed around the room and said how everyones upbringing had to do with who we are and what we believe to be the least stressful. Jess taught my friend Claire and I a good lesson as we leaned against the wall next to the straight A student with AIDS sign. We realized that she was right and that we should respect everyone around us and how they deal with the situations the world confronts them with. We may find living with AIDS a way to learn about life in a more meaningful way but others may look at it as a hole that you cannot crawl out of and a waste of good grades.
Life is like a box of chocolates and we all go for different assortments. Just like answers being sought out through different situations the box is finished from everyones different apreciations in taste. We could not live without eachother's different views to finish the box.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Reason to be Homesick
Of the few times I get a chance to call my father while I'm at school, yesterday on a rainy Tuesday afternoon was one of those times. I love the chances I get to talk with my Dad, full of wisdom you can't go wrong with asking him for advice or have a laugh with. Many friends on campus know how close I am with my family, and friends at home even more. The past three months not being home have been very hard but a great learning experience in trying to spread my wings without their support constantly there. Well in this afternoon conversation with my Dad I realized why home in general is a wonderful thing to miss; the appreciation of life with family has become stronger than ever.
So why do I miss home so much? In this conversation my Dad had brought up a fight my brothers had the other day. He talked about how my mother had decided to put them on punishment. She set the two hot headed boys down with my dog, Teddy, infront of the game Trouble and told them to finish the game - all three of them. Turns out Teddy won, with my brothers ending upset again and complaining to my mother. As my mother tried to calm them down Teddy broke in between Joe and Mom and barked. This bark wasn't just a bark to be heard it was a bark to let it be known that he is just as able to play and win as the boys. Just because he has four paws and can't roll the dice does not mean he should be subjected to being excluded from brotherly fun.
It's funny the way things that make you feel homesick can be the lightest of stories. I'm so happy to be going home to my family, normal life will be back and I know I will appreciate it so much more once I get there.
So why do I miss home so much? In this conversation my Dad had brought up a fight my brothers had the other day. He talked about how my mother had decided to put them on punishment. She set the two hot headed boys down with my dog, Teddy, infront of the game Trouble and told them to finish the game - all three of them. Turns out Teddy won, with my brothers ending upset again and complaining to my mother. As my mother tried to calm them down Teddy broke in between Joe and Mom and barked. This bark wasn't just a bark to be heard it was a bark to let it be known that he is just as able to play and win as the boys. Just because he has four paws and can't roll the dice does not mean he should be subjected to being excluded from brotherly fun.
It's funny the way things that make you feel homesick can be the lightest of stories. I'm so happy to be going home to my family, normal life will be back and I know I will appreciate it so much more once I get there.
Simpson Dining: The Underground Connections
I like to think of the dining hall as a small community that ties the buildings around Simpson to come together. Each meal you have is a new experience and new person to eat with. Along with numerous combinations of meal options its always a pleasant surprise of what lunch will be like. Today's story begins with my friend Claire, my vegetarian friend. Since Claire spends most of her time at the salad bar for her lunch and dinner she has acquired friendship with the women who work at this section. This woman's name is Veronica according to Claire's input in my research for this draft. Claire's love for healthy eating decisions overcomes her everytime she grabs a plate, something that both I and Veronica admire. A few days ago, as a good friend Veronica decided to ask Claire what she liked in particular. Claire, blown away that the dining hall service would bother to ask her what she liked when they were serving thousands of others stumbled through her favorite options, "cooked broccoli", she stated in disbelief. Within the next few days Veronica had supplied Claire with a full plate of cooked broccoli and has continued to serve her this favorite dish every two days. As I sat down with Claire at todays lunch viewing this green plate I realized how much one persons care can change the world. Regardless of how well the person is known its important to reach out and make an effort to make the world a better place, one plate of cooked broccoli at a time.
When you all you have left is running away, think again
Ever feel like you want to run away, but it wouldn't be fast enough? Just to feel the wind pass your face harsher than it would be while strapped to a jet plane high in the atmosphere. Maybe you would hop on a bike and hope that the thrill of getting away in your heart would transfer to the energy you need to push in your legs. Push...and glide...push...and glide. Or maybe one jump in freezing cold Lake Michigan will revive you from the dull routine of your day. At the same time of thinking about your great escape you look at the table around you with books and people scattered around you, not one could compare to the amount of stress or anxiety you claim as your feet bounce up and down. Is it possible to feel permanently content and at rest?
An hour later you may find yourself walking around to get away from your problems, possibly making that quick fix escape you have planned so carefully in your mind when suddenly you run into a familiar face. It isn't someone you know but the facial expression is familiar; so familiar that you could have sworn you've seen it before today. Slowly you begin to understand that it is yours, your facial expression. All of us have problems and obstacles, some harder than others at different times of our lives but there is one thing we should realize - that many have the same pains and there is a chance to feel that rush of onward to infinity if we find eachother who are also willing to begin running to the answers.
An hour later you may find yourself walking around to get away from your problems, possibly making that quick fix escape you have planned so carefully in your mind when suddenly you run into a familiar face. It isn't someone you know but the facial expression is familiar; so familiar that you could have sworn you've seen it before today. Slowly you begin to understand that it is yours, your facial expression. All of us have problems and obstacles, some harder than others at different times of our lives but there is one thing we should realize - that many have the same pains and there is a chance to feel that rush of onward to infinity if we find eachother who are also willing to begin running to the answers.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Revolutionary Thinking
Hello to my zero followers its so great to have you all supporting my new idea in become a daily blogger. As your average college student I spend most of my time on facebook and twitter posting things in hopes that people think I'm funny (note: the use of hopes should be bolded). Therefore I decided rather than using my energy in wanting people to like my statuses, why not start a blog where my careful thinking can be harnessed into writing that is somewhat tolerated as a progressive cultural artifact. So who am I? Just your typical college student just trying to figure out what the real meaning of life is. No I am not someone who sits in their room and eats their feelings away. I am the HAPPIEST person you will meet. I love life. I just don't understand it. And that is where we start off, with my daily life interactions- funny or not laugh with me...please.
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