Now that I haven't posted in six months, I guess I should maybe talk about something...
I've mentioned before that I've had jobs like mail sorting and survey administering, but this summer I got a job related to my major. Along with two other ladies, I worked as a field research assistant for a couple of our professors. We drove a huge pickup truck to various locations in the Great Basin Desert (sites were previously selected and marked on GIS maps), using atlas and GPS to find each site. Every week was a different area, and we set up grids of live rodent traps at 3-5 sites every week. We also dug little pitfall traps for insects and did plant composition surveys (lots of sage and desert plants). Each week included three trapping days, so we set up Monday, camped and checked traps daily, and took down everything and headed back to town Thursday. It was a bit of an adjustment to living about half the time fairly primitively, but I came to appreciate the quiet time and all of our wilderness experiences. We caught some neat animals - lots of kangaroo rats (two species), deer mice, grasshopper mice, white-tailed antelope squirrels, wood rats, voles, a dark kangaroo mouse, and we even managed to get a weasel and a gopher snake! That was exciting. Oh, and because there seemed to be a lot of confusion when the girls and I would tell people about our job, we didn't kill or eat the rodents. We simply measured them, marked them by shaving a small patch of fur, and let them go. We actually recaptured a lot of them too (free food, a safe place for the night, and I don't get killed? Sign me up!)
So now it's back into school and I don't work on the research job anymore. I'm actually a teaching assistant for a different professor, although I don't work with a class exactly. You may remember the plant ID team I joined last year; well, the grad student that was the main coach is busy with her thesis this year, so I am now the coach/teacher while she still makes practice quizzes (since I'll still be competing as an undergrad) and shares her vast knowledge with us. It's kind of an overwhelming task: by the time we got meeting schedules arranged, we had only six weeks to learn 200 plants, and I still felt pretty inadequate trying to teach about all of them. It's also a bit scary because we lost some of our top people from last year to graduation. Nevertheless, we went to state competition last week, and as a team we took 2nd place on the plant test, the management test, and the combined scores. Individually, I came in 2nd on each test (tied with my friend, our management coach on the management exam!) and won 1st for the combined score. It's a great feeling to be recognized for hard work and studying, and I hope we'll all do even better at the national meeting next semester.
In other news, I'm still having fun in my major. One class in particular includes lots of field trips and learning different field techniques. We've electroshocked fish in the local river, used radiotelemetry, tried out GIS, shot dart guns (we're not talking foam darts), and even set up motion-sensing cameras to sample the feral cat population on campus.
For a while I was wondering if law school would be a good option for me after I graduate (there's environmental or natural resource law), but after being in a law lecture series this semester, I'm thinking it's not the best fit. I will most likely go to grad school in a similar field to my current major but may try a different university just to shake things up a bit. It's kind of scary, but I'm not graduating quite yet. At any rate, I'm certain that it will all work out splendidly.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
A Curious Thing
Love
When you don't have it, you want it - even if you wish you didn't. I'm currently surrounded by happy, engaged, and in-love couples - even more so than is usual for around here - and I'm trying very hard not to hate them. Many of my once-single friends are in relationships and I'm still very much in single limbo.
It's really just a matter of convincing myself that I really don't care - no matter how secretly I do deep down. If I don't let myself care, I can't really feel the pain of disappointment when I am once again home alone on a weekend.
There's nothing inherently wrong with being single; it gives me a ton of freedom to make my own choices and plans. I can work in the field this summer, camping four days a week, and I can have adventures with friends and focus on schoolwork in the fall. A lot of the time I can convince myself that I like being single... that is until I'm at a movie night with friends, and they're cuddling. Curse my innate desire for closeness!
I don't hate my friends; I don't hate love; and I don't hate myself, but sometimes I struggle to shake the frustration of what seems to be a chronic condition I have. Around here, singleness is sort of looked at as a disease - I mean something must be wrong with you if no one wants you, right? I've heard singles wards described as "leper colonies," and it seems the one I'm in has a high success-rate for recovery. At this point I'm the bitter leper that doesn't get healed yet.
Don't worry, though: I don't feel bitter all the time. Someone I respect told me recently, "I know your turn is coming," mentioning all the people in the ward that have gotten engaged or started dating this semester. I hope it is coming, and that when it does, I'll know how to fit all the pieces of my life together in a satisfactory way because I want an education and to work and support myself, and I don't know how it's all supposed to fit.
The Lord was mindful of the lepers, so I know He hasn't forgotten me. I suppose I just have to wait until it's the right time to be healed.
When you don't have it, you want it - even if you wish you didn't. I'm currently surrounded by happy, engaged, and in-love couples - even more so than is usual for around here - and I'm trying very hard not to hate them. Many of my once-single friends are in relationships and I'm still very much in single limbo.
It's really just a matter of convincing myself that I really don't care - no matter how secretly I do deep down. If I don't let myself care, I can't really feel the pain of disappointment when I am once again home alone on a weekend.
There's nothing inherently wrong with being single; it gives me a ton of freedom to make my own choices and plans. I can work in the field this summer, camping four days a week, and I can have adventures with friends and focus on schoolwork in the fall. A lot of the time I can convince myself that I like being single... that is until I'm at a movie night with friends, and they're cuddling. Curse my innate desire for closeness!
I don't hate my friends; I don't hate love; and I don't hate myself, but sometimes I struggle to shake the frustration of what seems to be a chronic condition I have. Around here, singleness is sort of looked at as a disease - I mean something must be wrong with you if no one wants you, right? I've heard singles wards described as "leper colonies," and it seems the one I'm in has a high success-rate for recovery. At this point I'm the bitter leper that doesn't get healed yet.
Don't worry, though: I don't feel bitter all the time. Someone I respect told me recently, "I know your turn is coming," mentioning all the people in the ward that have gotten engaged or started dating this semester. I hope it is coming, and that when it does, I'll know how to fit all the pieces of my life together in a satisfactory way because I want an education and to work and support myself, and I don't know how it's all supposed to fit.
The Lord was mindful of the lepers, so I know He hasn't forgotten me. I suppose I just have to wait until it's the right time to be healed.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Spokane like a true...
Plant nerd? Range manager? Cowboy? Yes.
Jan. 28-Feb. 2 was our trip to the big Society for Range Management meeting in Spokane, WA, where the team and I got to exercise our plant knowledge (see my October post) and understanding of range management on the exams. Aside from the tests, we participated in poster and speech contests and ran a booth promoting our university's program (with candy!).
We had a great time bonding, getting to try new restaurants and walking along the river. We also hit the country dance one night where U of Wyoming exceeded our expectations of intoxication. Fortunately our group wasn't the only to opt for sobriety, but some of our girls were still asked to dance by buzzed old range folk.
I should mention the mustaches; there were many, many mustaches on a lot of cowboy-type guys (and one gal), most of which were the kind of mustaches that you wouldn't think actually exist outside of cartoons... yeah. I'm pretty sure Yosemite Sam was based on these people. Anyway, it all made for some great entertainment (don't forget the hats!).
Not to seem too out of place, we all made sure to wear plenty of plaid and denim. Had "best-dressed" been a category at the awards meeting, I'm sure we could have won it with our school "Society for Range Management"-embroidered collared, [business-like] plaid shirts. That's not to say that we didn't place in anything: grad and undergrad students, team and individual, and even a professor of ours earned recognition for various grand jobs done.
It was great to get to know the professors and students better outside of the school setting, and even though the grad students decided to call the rest of us "undies," it was even cool to hang out with them some (most of whom I didn't know existed before the trip). The undergrads formed a pretty tight friend group, and we're working to keep the Spokane spirit alive.
Now, it's back to school. I was fortunate enough to have a pretty light load of making up to do for classes, but the ensuing workload has made our adventures in Washington seem so far in the past. Gone are the days where we met and studied together for hours each week. They'll start again in the fall, though, as we get ready for SRM 2013 in Oklahoma City. Some of our team members will graduate or go on missions before then, but the good times will live on... and for now, I get to keep my plant knowledge toned in the identification class, where we're actually graded.
Jan. 28-Feb. 2 was our trip to the big Society for Range Management meeting in Spokane, WA, where the team and I got to exercise our plant knowledge (see my October post) and understanding of range management on the exams. Aside from the tests, we participated in poster and speech contests and ran a booth promoting our university's program (with candy!).
We had a great time bonding, getting to try new restaurants and walking along the river. We also hit the country dance one night where U of Wyoming exceeded our expectations of intoxication. Fortunately our group wasn't the only to opt for sobriety, but some of our girls were still asked to dance by buzzed old range folk.
I should mention the mustaches; there were many, many mustaches on a lot of cowboy-type guys (and one gal), most of which were the kind of mustaches that you wouldn't think actually exist outside of cartoons... yeah. I'm pretty sure Yosemite Sam was based on these people. Anyway, it all made for some great entertainment (don't forget the hats!).
Not to seem too out of place, we all made sure to wear plenty of plaid and denim. Had "best-dressed" been a category at the awards meeting, I'm sure we could have won it with our school "Society for Range Management"-embroidered collared, [business-like] plaid shirts. That's not to say that we didn't place in anything: grad and undergrad students, team and individual, and even a professor of ours earned recognition for various grand jobs done.
It was great to get to know the professors and students better outside of the school setting, and even though the grad students decided to call the rest of us "undies," it was even cool to hang out with them some (most of whom I didn't know existed before the trip). The undergrads formed a pretty tight friend group, and we're working to keep the Spokane spirit alive.
Now, it's back to school. I was fortunate enough to have a pretty light load of making up to do for classes, but the ensuing workload has made our adventures in Washington seem so far in the past. Gone are the days where we met and studied together for hours each week. They'll start again in the fall, though, as we get ready for SRM 2013 in Oklahoma City. Some of our team members will graduate or go on missions before then, but the good times will live on... and for now, I get to keep my plant knowledge toned in the identification class, where we're actually graded.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Cruel Irony
Let's talk about allergies: those nasty histamine responses I used to pride myself on lacking as a child. That was back when I wanted a pet so badly, but my dad used his allergies to animal dander as one of many reasons I should give up the argument (We did finally get a dog!). Unfortunately, there was a point in high school when I felt sick for a good chunk of the summer, and we decided to go to an allergist. Younger brother Isaac came too, and we each got the lovely prick test on our backs where the assistant makes a grid with various common allergens and pricks each spot to open the skin and wait for a response. I was glad to be free of food allergies (having just a slight reaction to turkey) since Isaac showed at least some allergy to dozens of foods (as a side note, we were grateful for the Word of Wisdom that day since he'd probably have died if he ever tried coffee). We both had a few animal allergies and I turned out to have lots of plant allergies... lots. I'm allergic to grasses, weeds, trees: the works. So I'm pretty much allergic to outside.
Challenge accepted.
You may remember my major is all about the outdoors, ha ha. This semester I joined the plant ID team (an extra-curricular in the major) where we learn 200 range plants and compete on exams to identify them by various characteristics. Now that I think about it, I'm probably allergic to most all of the plants we learn, but fortunately the mounts we study are often older than I am and haven't produced pollen in decades. Anyway, I can usually keep the sneezing and whatnot at bay with OTC allergy meds, but I learned that even then, there are times of the year in certain places that I should probably stay hidden inside or at least wear a mask outside (because of the pollen, not how I look...). Earlier this year I was quoted as lamenting (between sneezes and sniffles), "Everything and its mom is pollinating!"
Other than those few times of the year, I almost forget I have allergies, but a few weeks ago I was reminded when some friends from the major/plant team invited me to spend a Saturday with probably my worst allergy of all - my childhood love: horses.
We got to go riding, which is a rare occasion but something I love doing, and since I'm around horses so seldom, I forget how crazy-allergic to them I am. I took my allergy medication in preparation, but not quite early enough for it to kick in before we brushed down the horses and saddled them up. By the time we were getting on our steeds I had hives on my forearms and was trying to avoid touching my face or I'd be miserable the rest of the time. It turned out okay - when I was on the horse I didn't have much of a problem and the medicine was helping by then, but man, talk about cruel irony. I loved horses as much as the next girl when I was little, and horses don't seem to particularly have a problem with me, but my body sure hates horse body. So this is what I pondered as we set out on our ride, but soon enough I was distracted trying to identify live plants in their natural habitat.
Challenge accepted.
You may remember my major is all about the outdoors, ha ha. This semester I joined the plant ID team (an extra-curricular in the major) where we learn 200 range plants and compete on exams to identify them by various characteristics. Now that I think about it, I'm probably allergic to most all of the plants we learn, but fortunately the mounts we study are often older than I am and haven't produced pollen in decades. Anyway, I can usually keep the sneezing and whatnot at bay with OTC allergy meds, but I learned that even then, there are times of the year in certain places that I should probably stay hidden inside or at least wear a mask outside (because of the pollen, not how I look...). Earlier this year I was quoted as lamenting (between sneezes and sniffles), "Everything and its mom is pollinating!"
Other than those few times of the year, I almost forget I have allergies, but a few weeks ago I was reminded when some friends from the major/plant team invited me to spend a Saturday with probably my worst allergy of all - my childhood love: horses.
We got to go riding, which is a rare occasion but something I love doing, and since I'm around horses so seldom, I forget how crazy-allergic to them I am. I took my allergy medication in preparation, but not quite early enough for it to kick in before we brushed down the horses and saddled them up. By the time we were getting on our steeds I had hives on my forearms and was trying to avoid touching my face or I'd be miserable the rest of the time. It turned out okay - when I was on the horse I didn't have much of a problem and the medicine was helping by then, but man, talk about cruel irony. I loved horses as much as the next girl when I was little, and horses don't seem to particularly have a problem with me, but my body sure hates horse body. So this is what I pondered as we set out on our ride, but soon enough I was distracted trying to identify live plants in their natural habitat.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
XXI
Today marks 21 years since I was born, so it seems fitting to provide an overview of the person I've become so far.
My name is a palindrome, and although I've learned not to hate being called "Hannah Banana" since elementary school, I will not speak to you if you add "Montana" to my name.
I drive manual transmission and I always take care of oil changes on time; when I can use my brother's jacks I change the oil at home (he helps). I can change and have changed a tire and I usually wash my car by hand.
Someday I will own a handgun and get a concealed-carry permit... someday.
There aren't a whole lot of foods I hate, but I'm not a fan of mint with chocolate, coconut, or canned carrots. Foods I love are really too many to count, but include chocolate/peanut butter/banana in any combination, treats with graham cracker crusts, honey-roasted peanuts, fried things (but don't get crazy), and milkshakes.
I'm a junior in college studying wildlife and wildlands conservation - but no, I don't want to be a forest ranger; I'm still deciding what to do with the degree when I get it. Conservation is not synonymous with environmentalism and is not to be confused with preservation. It means proper management (which indicates use) of natural resources in a way that will allow said resources to be utilized by future generations as well. I am currently becoming a plant nerd as part of the plant identification team where we learn around 200 range plants (family/tribe, genus, and species) before going to the Society for Range Management meeting and competing against other teams in a huge plant ID test.
I don't get to read a whole lot for pleasure, but I enjoy a well-written book/story/play. As far as movies go, I like action films (with substance - not just built around the action), thrillers, classics, and anything that makes me think. There are very few "chick flicks" that I will watch, especially since most seem to follow the same plot and character profiles anyway. "Comedy" in film seems to be merging with "crudeness," but I do enjoy TV shows with good, sophisticated humor.
Laughter is one of my favorite things ever. I love to laugh almost as much as I love to make other people laugh.
I am learning to play guitar, ski, and bowl; my goal is to bowl over 200 by the end of this semester. It's one of my dreams to see the northern lights before I die, and other than that my "bucket list" needs some work.
If you are one of those "color code" people, I'm very blue with a touch of white, and my dominant "love language" is quality time. It means a lot to me when people choose to spend their time with me.
I have been single for over a year and a half, and although it's a stigma in LDS culture, I'm learning to accept, expect, and embrace life on my own as I plan a future for myself. At this point it doesn't include a full-time church mission, but who knows?
I am thankful for my parents who brought me into the world - especially my mom who brought all 8 lb 15 oz of me into the world - and kept me alive this long, and for everyone who has helped make my life a little happier and more worthwhile. Thank you for your friendships, for teaching me, and for helping in countless ways.
My name is a palindrome, and although I've learned not to hate being called "Hannah Banana" since elementary school, I will not speak to you if you add "Montana" to my name.
I drive manual transmission and I always take care of oil changes on time; when I can use my brother's jacks I change the oil at home (he helps). I can change and have changed a tire and I usually wash my car by hand.
Someday I will own a handgun and get a concealed-carry permit... someday.
There aren't a whole lot of foods I hate, but I'm not a fan of mint with chocolate, coconut, or canned carrots. Foods I love are really too many to count, but include chocolate/peanut butter/banana in any combination, treats with graham cracker crusts, honey-roasted peanuts, fried things (but don't get crazy), and milkshakes.
I'm a junior in college studying wildlife and wildlands conservation - but no, I don't want to be a forest ranger; I'm still deciding what to do with the degree when I get it. Conservation is not synonymous with environmentalism and is not to be confused with preservation. It means proper management (which indicates use) of natural resources in a way that will allow said resources to be utilized by future generations as well. I am currently becoming a plant nerd as part of the plant identification team where we learn around 200 range plants (family/tribe, genus, and species) before going to the Society for Range Management meeting and competing against other teams in a huge plant ID test.
I don't get to read a whole lot for pleasure, but I enjoy a well-written book/story/play. As far as movies go, I like action films (with substance - not just built around the action), thrillers, classics, and anything that makes me think. There are very few "chick flicks" that I will watch, especially since most seem to follow the same plot and character profiles anyway. "Comedy" in film seems to be merging with "crudeness," but I do enjoy TV shows with good, sophisticated humor.
Laughter is one of my favorite things ever. I love to laugh almost as much as I love to make other people laugh.
I am learning to play guitar, ski, and bowl; my goal is to bowl over 200 by the end of this semester. It's one of my dreams to see the northern lights before I die, and other than that my "bucket list" needs some work.
If you are one of those "color code" people, I'm very blue with a touch of white, and my dominant "love language" is quality time. It means a lot to me when people choose to spend their time with me.
I have been single for over a year and a half, and although it's a stigma in LDS culture, I'm learning to accept, expect, and embrace life on my own as I plan a future for myself. At this point it doesn't include a full-time church mission, but who knows?
I am thankful for my parents who brought me into the world - especially my mom who brought all 8 lb 15 oz of me into the world - and kept me alive this long, and for everyone who has helped make my life a little happier and more worthwhile. Thank you for your friendships, for teaching me, and for helping in countless ways.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Driving the Interstate
Having just made the long drive back to my college town, I had the opportunity to observe some interesting phenomena of the highway variety.
It's always fun to take note of the sociological behaviors associated with passing lanes, for one thing; sometimes I feel relief at being passed by an irksome tailgater, but I may feel a rush of competition when a seemingly unworthy opponent challenges me to stay ahead. In some cases I feel almost embarrassed at being passed - especially by larger vehicles. I don't want to be judged by these rival drivers in case our paths cross again someday and my honor and abilities are questioned (my subconscious imagination goes pretty crazy sometimes). The worst is when I'm passed by someone whom I've just passed a few miles back. Is it improper to pass him/her again? Is worrying about it some kind of driving disorder? I also feel déjà vu upon resuming the trip after a stop and passing the same big rig from an hour before.
Then there's the road kill. I probably saw more shredded tires on the road than dead animals, but there were plenty of both. I saw prairie dogs, rabbits, racoons, a skunk, and a few unidentifiable critters. No deer this time, though - which is refreshing.
At one point on the drive I passed an interesting mile marker: 68.99. I thought about the absurdity of this sign for about a mile before realizing that the alternative was probably either regularly defaced - or anticipated to be so. I don't know if the state had too little faith in mankind to invest in a mile marker 69 in the first place, or had too much faith to start out and realized after replacing/cleaning the sign a few times too many, opted for a decimal change to save trouble and face.
During one of my stops I pondered the irony of a man in the parking lot who, cigarette in hand/mouth, was checking for any scuffs on his motorcycle. His [bike's] body is a temple?
Later I had the misfortune of being behind a rig loaded with hay bales - not that anything of note happened; it's just rather disconcerting to have a thousand shards of dry plant stalk hurtling toward you - but at least they don't stick to the windshield like bugs do. I also hate driving behind vehicles loaded with logs/lumber, construction equipment, and/or cars. All I can do is pray the cargo is strapped down properly and drive like mad for the next passing lane.
Between delays, construction zones, winding roads and insect attacks, it's a wonder anyone gets anywhere alive. I guess I'm okay waiting until the holidays to make that drive again - but the weather may be against me then...
It's always fun to take note of the sociological behaviors associated with passing lanes, for one thing; sometimes I feel relief at being passed by an irksome tailgater, but I may feel a rush of competition when a seemingly unworthy opponent challenges me to stay ahead. In some cases I feel almost embarrassed at being passed - especially by larger vehicles. I don't want to be judged by these rival drivers in case our paths cross again someday and my honor and abilities are questioned (my subconscious imagination goes pretty crazy sometimes). The worst is when I'm passed by someone whom I've just passed a few miles back. Is it improper to pass him/her again? Is worrying about it some kind of driving disorder? I also feel déjà vu upon resuming the trip after a stop and passing the same big rig from an hour before.
Then there's the road kill. I probably saw more shredded tires on the road than dead animals, but there were plenty of both. I saw prairie dogs, rabbits, racoons, a skunk, and a few unidentifiable critters. No deer this time, though - which is refreshing.
At one point on the drive I passed an interesting mile marker: 68.99. I thought about the absurdity of this sign for about a mile before realizing that the alternative was probably either regularly defaced - or anticipated to be so. I don't know if the state had too little faith in mankind to invest in a mile marker 69 in the first place, or had too much faith to start out and realized after replacing/cleaning the sign a few times too many, opted for a decimal change to save trouble and face.
During one of my stops I pondered the irony of a man in the parking lot who, cigarette in hand/mouth, was checking for any scuffs on his motorcycle. His [bike's] body is a temple?
Later I had the misfortune of being behind a rig loaded with hay bales - not that anything of note happened; it's just rather disconcerting to have a thousand shards of dry plant stalk hurtling toward you - but at least they don't stick to the windshield like bugs do. I also hate driving behind vehicles loaded with logs/lumber, construction equipment, and/or cars. All I can do is pray the cargo is strapped down properly and drive like mad for the next passing lane.
Between delays, construction zones, winding roads and insect attacks, it's a wonder anyone gets anywhere alive. I guess I'm okay waiting until the holidays to make that drive again - but the weather may be against me then...
Sunday, July 24, 2011
On Savoring
Anyone who's shared a meal with me knows that I'm a slow eater - to some, the slowest they've met. I attribute my sloth in gluttony to habitually thorough chewing, a small jaw that tires easily, and (you guessed it) my tendency to savor what I eat. I like to enjoy the flavors of food and drink, so although I'm usually the last to finish at the table, I've often eaten the least. Hopefully I can keep up this eating habit and maintain a healthy body weight for life...
I haven't been noted for voracious reading in my lifetime either. When I'm reading a book I like, I don't want it to end, so sometimes I stop reading altogether just halfway into it. It's a silly method, I realize, but I wish to take the time I need to take in the characters and situations - the flavors of literature, if you will. It really kills me when I want to read a book, but I'm too stressed with schoolwork to find the time. Some of my peers will read a 600-page novel in fewer than 48 hours, but I feel that this practice is like scarfing a fine meal - they miss the whole point of savoring.
This summer I've been working on reading more in a sitting, while still absorbing all the details available. I'm trying to be less reluctant to finish a book - since I can always read something else from the seemingly endless list I've composed when one book ends. There's a problem with reading textbooks because I find I don't really want to spend time savoring dry passages, but if I try skimming I'll completely ignore the content.
I started replaying a video game from my childhood and now that I'm almost to the final boss, I've stopped... I don't want it to be over. I've spent several weeks developing this blog post because once it's done I'll have to think of an entire new post to write. I guess some of it's savoring and some is just procrastination.
Older people tell me that college is the best time of one's life and that I'll miss these days, so I was shocked when one lady last week asked how many years I have left and replied, "It's okay; they'll go by fast enough." I'm actually trying to savor the time I have in school - not that I love having homework, but college has been a great growing experience so far.
With just around a month left, I'm trying to savor the rest of my summer and put off the anxiety of the approaching semester with new classes, a new apartment and new roommates.
I haven't been noted for voracious reading in my lifetime either. When I'm reading a book I like, I don't want it to end, so sometimes I stop reading altogether just halfway into it. It's a silly method, I realize, but I wish to take the time I need to take in the characters and situations - the flavors of literature, if you will. It really kills me when I want to read a book, but I'm too stressed with schoolwork to find the time. Some of my peers will read a 600-page novel in fewer than 48 hours, but I feel that this practice is like scarfing a fine meal - they miss the whole point of savoring.
This summer I've been working on reading more in a sitting, while still absorbing all the details available. I'm trying to be less reluctant to finish a book - since I can always read something else from the seemingly endless list I've composed when one book ends. There's a problem with reading textbooks because I find I don't really want to spend time savoring dry passages, but if I try skimming I'll completely ignore the content.
I started replaying a video game from my childhood and now that I'm almost to the final boss, I've stopped... I don't want it to be over. I've spent several weeks developing this blog post because once it's done I'll have to think of an entire new post to write. I guess some of it's savoring and some is just procrastination.
Older people tell me that college is the best time of one's life and that I'll miss these days, so I was shocked when one lady last week asked how many years I have left and replied, "It's okay; they'll go by fast enough." I'm actually trying to savor the time I have in school - not that I love having homework, but college has been a great growing experience so far.
With just around a month left, I'm trying to savor the rest of my summer and put off the anxiety of the approaching semester with new classes, a new apartment and new roommates.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
