Tipping Your Cap to Yourself

I know I can't speak for everybody, but there are tons of people who think they always have it the worst. You don't have to look very far to realize that somebody else is in a far worse predicament than you are. I know, I know, you've heard that enough in your lifetime to last you the rest of it, but how come I continue to hear people b***h and moan about how much homework they have due, how little sleep they got, or how unfair the questions on the test were. I live with someone right now who works three jobs, takes 18 credits, and has to observe a class once a week. Why don't you try beating that. So from now on, you can't say you don't know someone that has it tougher than you because I just gave you a a prime example of somebody that is often on the verge of breaking down because they can't ever think straight. I guess what I'm saying is that even if you don't have self-pity, stop telling the rest of the world that you do. At least for me, it's one of those things that turns an attractive person to unattractive instantly. Now, I'll admit there's times where I can't handle just how busy I am, but I will never pretend or say that I have it the toughest. We have developed into a lazy group of people that have to act like they have it tough because they have to apply themselves. I would love to see people here try getting an education in a country that is far less lenient, such as China, and we'll see just how long they last.

The Problem with Having No "Objective"

I think that there's something to be said for instructors that subject students to their biased viewpoints to the point where it prohibits learning, and that something is there should be no place for that way of teaching. I'm actually hard pressed to call it teaching. I see teaching as a way for others to see the entire picture and perspectives that can be applied to subjects. When you always narrow the focus down to a specific viewpoint, one that usually has an underlying message relating to politics, economics, or the concept of power, you ultimately take away from the message or theme intended to be delivered. A particular action, unless there is blatant mal-intent at its core, should not be judged from only a democratic, republican, independent, etc stance. It should be analyzed by all of them collectively. One might not necessarily agree with any of them, but for academic purposes, we must see things through the eyes of multiple groups in order to take away what it necessary to benefit you in the future. It astonishes me when I think about how certain professors fail to see that there is anything wrong with what they're doing. Seriously, some of these teaching styles are offensive, and consequences would, or at least should, result if ever uncovered by higher ups within universities. I'm not saying completely revamp your methods, but if you legitamately don't see the probem with this, then you need some intervention of the highest order.

Out with the "Old" and In with the New

Ok, I would first like to say that I hope that everybody had a great Thanksgiving. This was one of my favorite Thanksgiving's of all time just because I hadn't seen my extended family in some time and we had a good time catching up. When I got back to the dorm today I looked through the window to find my suite mates turning our common room into what looked like something out of the movie "Elf." Decorations hanging from the ceiling, my friends forming an assembly line trying to create decorations for our Christmas tree out of popcorn and cranberries (Do not, I repeat, Do not, ask about it) . We have the secret Santa thing coming up soon, there is just no lack of the Christmas Spirit here. Yes I know, it's still November. I think my stomach is still half full from all that I ate this weekend, so its pretty tough to think about Christmas when the sickening feeling of eating too much on Thanksgiving still lingers in your mind. As I am typing now, I can hear the sounds of classic Christmas songs accompanied by a half dozen voices that really can't wait a whole month for the holiday to hit. I have already made promises to go shopping for Christmas presents this weekend, which isn't typical for me. I'm usually at the store two days before Christmas asking the person next to me "Do you think a mother would like this?" You're probably wondering whether or not I think this premature celebration of Christmas is a good or bad thing, and frankly, I'm not sure. All I know is if I get as psyched as the rest of my cheery comrades here, the there won't be as much fun to be had when Christmas actually comes.

Giving Thanks for a Renewed Flavor

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, the idea of all the food and fixings is looming over everyone's mind. The turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, candied yams, I mean where does it end. What makes it all the more special is that us college students have grown accustomed to months of the same cuisine, especially if you are a URI student and you rely heavily on the URI dining halls. By dining hall standards, I'm sure we have received some of the best food and service in the country. Yes, I said country. I'm sure if some of the students here went to the dining halls of other colleges they would be repulsed. It's just what we consume at these places isn't of the quality that it should be, but because it needs to be mass produced and cost effective, we have to cut it some slack. I can't remember the last time I had a piece of meat here that was marinated in something rather than having it just plopped on after it was cooked. It gets a little sickening to see that the burgers aren't much thicker than the cheese put on top of them. I feel as full as I've ever felt after certain meals I eat here, but it only takes two hours for me to be feeling hungry again. I know it might sound a little extreme, but there's almost a void in my life that has been created. I think that this break coming up will definitely help fill it. Now that I think of it, there will almost certainly be pumpkin pie. That is all anyone needs on their road to recovery.

What's Your Sign?

Yesterday I was required to go to a class administered by the underage drinking division of the local police. My co-workers and I had to meet at the community center and sit through an hour-and-a-half long presentation on the signs of an intoxicated patron and a fake ID. I had sat through one of these same classes about a year ago, a couple months after I had started working at my current place of employment. For the most part it was the same, but we learned a few things this time that should certainly prove helpful in the future. It's crazy to see just how much fake ids have evolved and turned into such a profitable industry. Companies that sell these ids are immediately let off the hook when the buyer agrees to their terms. The terms are then printed on the back of certain id's that explains that they aren't official forms of identification. We had a few laughs looking through a bunch of fakes that the police brought in. People taking pictures of their side profile and taking pictures with someone else in the picture were the most hilarious ones I saw. Though I did receive some rather outrageous tips, they also proved to be some of the most helpful. If I was ever in doubt checking ids, I should have the person sign something so I could compare it to the sig on their id. Who would have thought? I could also ask what year they graduated. People would almost know how old their id says they are, but as soon as you pose the graduation year question and get the "uhhhh" you know you're onto something. My personal favorite is the "What's your sign?" This could work either way. I think some people legitimately don't know their sign. It would be smart to have a backup question for that one.

Some Would Rather Skip Class

I was so astonished about two hours ago that I find it imperative to write about it here. My friends and I were playing what we thought was a friendly pickup basketball game and we stumble across a few "big shots" who think flash is so much more important that sportsmanship. Actually, it wasn't even so much that. It was the fact that they thought this was the time and place to show they were tough. My friend is going up for a shot and gets absolutely pummeled. I call the foul for him, and one of the kids has the audacity to say "let the kid call it for himself." Maybe if he wasn't too busy falling to the ground, we would've called it. Call me crazy, but I think that trying to break your fall without serious injury should come first. Before that, we had been playing a full court game up to fifteen, but that got stopped short because some of these kids "didn't want to play anymore." That's funny, because just minutes later they were playing a half-court pickup game amongst themselves. I'll tell you what, I'll translate what that really meant. "We feel that we're too high of a caliber to continue playing this game, so we'll play our own." I wanted to finish that game and beat them so badly. The thing was they weren't all that good. We were tied 4-4. One of the kids looked at my friend and laughed, almost as if to say "This kid is guarding me, what a joke." Sure, there have been incidents like this before, but today everyone and everything stuck out like a sore thumb. Unfortunately, we have too many of the classless among us.

Keeping My Head On Straight

I'm not really tied down too much with any one thing because we don't have class tomorrow, so I thought I'd take the time to update you on some minor turmoils in my life. I'm both mentally and physically exhausted right now. I spent last night and most of today studying for an accounting exam, and after the exam my suite mates and I went to play basketball at Mackal. Sad to say, I haven't gotten nearly as much physical activity lately as I should have. Like I said in my personal description, I especially hate when I feel gross due to a lack of exercise. I haven't really done much about it though. It really hinges on whether or not the guys in my suite have the time to play. I have very little incentive to go by myself, and that's a problem. My health should be my only incentive. I very much like playing with people I know and developed a chemistry with them. That's most of the fun for me. But anyway....all else is good and I'm just trying to keep my head on straight at least for the next couple weeks. Aside from finals, there are only a couple projects and few papers total that I need to submit. As most of you know, the toughest part of classes as the semester progresses is actually going to class. If you are able to maintain a good attendance record, you'll be in good shape. It's always been my belief that if you put in the time, you'll reap the benefits. How's that for a little peace of mind?

I'm Back With New, Blurry Vision

OK so I know that I haven't written to this blog in weeks. I would like to say that I have a legitimate excuse for you, but I really don't. I'll fill you guys in on what's happened. I AM NOW 21 YEARS OLD. You're probably wondering why in the world I wouldn't be in a hurry to write about that in my blog. If you think about it for a little while you'll answer your own question. I have basically just been plugging along trying to get all my assignments done and not stress at all. I'm not sure if I've stated this anywhere else, but I find stressing to be detrimental to success. Minor stress that causes you to work a little harder and pushes you isn't what I'm talking about. It's unhealthy and will take years off of your life if you have a constant knot in your stomach. Anyways, to avoid furthering this rant, we can get back to how great it is to be legal now, in terms of boos anyways. I've cited in other posts that I work at a liquor store. What I didn't mention was how tough it was to look at an array of boos for six hours straight only to not have any of it after busting my hump all shift long. It's not like I binge now because of that, it's just really nice to just have a beer after work. Just prior to my birthday, I heard from plenty of my elders that I have my whole life ahead of me to have a good time and to not go too crazy. I can only laugh, because I know that's exactly what they did when they got the same lecture. How can you possibly take someone seriously when they are just as much of a party animal now as they were 20 years ago?

Variety is the Spice of Life

It was today I realized that the school year is now in full swing, as far as academics goes at least. I was sitting in front of my computer trying to hammer out a 3 page paper only to remember that I still had a case scenario analysis (yea, I know, F*** me right) and some accounting homework (My world wouldn't be complete without it). As unorganized as I feel at points, I can tell by the way some of these teachers put together the assignments that they aren't much better off than I am. What makes it even tougher is the distraction that kills me every year, the lineup of football games on TV. As much as I try to turn the volume down and pretend that nothing exciting is going on, I always end up gravitating towards the tube. As soon as you flock to the common living room is when your doomed. Everyone is relaxing and having a good time, with full intentions of doing their work but obviously not until the Sunday Night Game is over. We have our study area, which is an extension of our living room and has become a pointless asset. You are much better off just staying in your room and trying to get work done rather than adding a potentially distracting social aspect to it all. I feel if my course load wasn't diversified then I would be in big trouble. Some of my classes require mostly papers, others short-write ups, and others online submission (Wiley-plus, If you don't know what it is your lucky). The variety is what gives me enough drive. A little bit of a contradiction for an accounting major, huh?

The Saturday Morning Ritual

Don't get me wrong, everyone I live with including myself loves to sleep in. It's tough once your internal clock is set to a certain time though, and we're all at about the same point. We all hear the room doors opening and closing and we know it's time to throw some decent attire on and get ready for our Saturday Morning (or sometimes afternoon) breakfast at Hope Dining Hall. I guess it just depends what you're in the mood for, but I'm partial to the home fries and dessert breakfast items like cinnamon rolls and danish pastries. Sometimes we have all ten of us trying to squeeze around a table, but usually there's two or three that physically can't get up that early, so they get a free pass that time. Conversation ranges from movie quotes to "who was that guy partying with us in our suite last night?" Today there was conversation of outrageous marketing ideas and pointing out each others disgusting habits (It's always in good fun). What makes it so enjoyable is the many different personalities within our group of friends. We have the very loud, animated types. The quiet, one liner types(That's me), and a couple funny, jokester types (I guess I could fit into this category too). I feel that we would make a great reality show because everything you hear from us would be completely unfiltered and straight forward. These kind of group activities have become part of our culture as college students. We rely on each other to survive. I know it sounds extreme, but without the laughs that we have and the support we give each other, I think I might go crazy. I feel that the smallest things can help us keep our sanity, don't you?

The Artform of Teaching

As for the incident I covered in my last post, everything has blown over and I know my friend is putting things in perspective with time. Switching gears a little bit, I had some time between classes to sit and reflect on my academic experience here, since I sit in the same room, in the same seat for a few hours straight. In recent years, especially since I've been a student here, I've realized just how much of an art form teaching is. It might sound exaggerated, but the more I sit through classes with teachers that have less than par presentations of lessons, the more I realize that I couldn't do much better of a job myself. I'm not saying I'm not guilty of it. Every time we leave class we curse and make fun of the teacher who poses the questions that nobody in their right mind would respond to. A theory that I've come up with is that there is huge range between the great teachers and the not so great ones. Once you've have become accustomed to a teacher with great delivery and has the ability to keep you engaged for an entire class period, then every other class fails to measure up to that one and becomes far less intriguing to you. Overall, I think this semester will be tough for me with a few exceptions, simply because some professors don't have the ability to keep students engaged. I really feel that the not so good professors make the great ones look like masters of their craft. Which one do you think it is? Are they really the masters we perceive them to be, or do they seem great in comparison?

Apology Not Accepted

I received a phone call from one of my co-workers at about 4:30 that we only had one person working at the store, and if I was trying to pick up extra hours, I could come in. I had class from 5 to 6:15, but I rushed there right after that so I could lend a helping hand, although I wasn't scheduled. I come back to find one of my good friends had passed out from having a little bit too much to drink. The Fray concert was last night and I think he had just a little bit too much beforehand. One of my other suite mates was nice enough to bring him back here and kept an eye on him. Apparently, they have very strict guidelines here and have a zero tolerance policy for puking anywhere on the premises. The kid almost got the cops called on him. If it weren't for the like-able character of my suite mate, I think it could have been a rougher night for m y friend. They got out of some jams that they probably shouldn't have. I talked to him this morning on his way to class and he was not only not feeling well physically, but he felt emotionally sick because the thought he ruined everyone's night. That's the kind of kid he is. Everyone has a rough night once in awhile, but it just depends how you rebound and represent yourself afterward. He was thinking about apologizing to everybody at some point today, but that just isn't necessary. We all view him as a class-act, and ultimately, we wouldn't feel right taking an apology from him anyway. He has been a good friend to all of us for so long, and we are certain that he would have helped any of us in the same situation. Genuine and good people deserve those 2nd, 3rd, and 20th chances, don't you think?