A Different Kind of Learning

As my classes have begun and actual learning is starting to take place, I have gained some knowledge of a different sort. You see, this is the first semester that I am living in a house on my own(technically I have roommates, but I mean away from my parents). Sure I've lived in an apartment last semester and before that I had lived all over the world, but it's not been quite the same as having my own home to take care of. I finally feel a sense of accomplishment and pride when it comes to where I live. I'm no longer living in a sketchy neighborhood and a crummy apartment. I live in a house with kids playing outside and Mama Josephine next door. Anyway, to get to the point, living on my own has given me to time to actually learn about myself. I'm not trying to say that I have amnesia and am trying to re-learn everything or something like that, but really get to know what I like or what I just ate because my parents put it in the fridge. It's kind of weird how that works out sometimes. So far I've learned:

1. I don't think I like grapes
2. I get crumbs everywhere when I eat crackers
3. I'm afraid of the garbage disposal. If something drops in it, there is no way my hand will be the one to retrieve it
4. I have a thing for dishes (it's like they are sacred to me or something)
5. I don't like quiet, I turn on music so I can pretend Andrea is just down the hall or my dad is in his room which leads me to the last thing
6. I like living with my family...I miss them

So It's not much, but once I found out I didn't like grapes I started keeping track to see what else I could learn about myself. After all, it's always a good thing to pause and have a little personal reflection at times.

The Science of Optimism

I realize I already wrote a post today, but something awesome happened so you will just have to deal with it. I was sitting on the plane coming back to school. I was tired...more like exhausted from being up for more then 24 hours. The lady in the seat next to me could not stop talking. I was getting a little more than slightly annoyed when she offered me one of her magazines to look at. I was more than happy to grab one and have an excuse not to talk anymore. It was a TIME magazine and the picture on the cover immediately grabbed my attention. The cover story was about the science of optimism. I turned to the page and began reading the article. It was quite fascinating. It basically said that optimism, even though not rational, may be hardwired in our brains. It also said that people who let their optimism flourish actually are better able to cope and see the "silver lining" in things and also do better in work and life in general. I was talking with Bobby before I left about being optimistic in regards to a promotion he had coming at work. He said that it was easier not to get his hopes up because he would never be let down that way. Obviously, being the ray of sunshine that I am ;), I tried to convince him otherwise. Today he has informed me that he did indeed get the promotion. I can't help but wonder if he took my advice and let some positive thinking slip in. And if so, maybe there is something we could all learn from being more optimistic in the everyday things that we do. Like today, I was very optimistic about finding a parking spot even though I couldn't see any open spaces. To make a long story short, I found a space. So is there really a science to this thing we call optimism?

Study Bug

So it's day 2 of school and I'm already feeling the little bug inside of me that has to dial in and put blinders up to everything else. Meaning I have to be the best in every class and out-do everyone. Geez that sounds ridiculous, but it's already begun. I have to remind myself that it's just school. As Matt used to remind me, C's get degrees too.

Random thoughts:

• I have some very challenging classes this year (my methods teacher tried to talk us into dropping his class because it is the hardest 300-level political science class ugh).
• I find it refreshing to be on campus when it's not snowing (although last semester was kind of magical). I love seeing all the fountains running and I like being able to wear shorts.
• I bought a SLU sweatshirt today at the campus store. I know I know, it's like a million degrees outside, but it was on sale and it was orange which happens to be my favorite color. Plus I figure I'm getting a head start on winter :)
• I just dropped my philosophy class because let's be real, that class was gonna suck jk
• I looked like an idiot today when we were going over the syllabus and it said fall break. I looked up and said "wait, we get a fall break?" yeah apparently I'm the only one that didn't know that.

Anyways school is going great so far and I feel like I finally know what I am doing (it only took me the entire last semester). I'm glad to be here and I'm excited to see what opportunities pop-up for me this semester.

Dubitable

I had a great first day of school. I found parking spot right away unlike at Cuesta. I found all my classes with ease. Apparently I looked as though I knew what I was doing because lost freshman kept approaching me and asking questions. I had time to eat a nice quiet lunch read a book. I reconnected with some friends from last semester and even made some new friends. Overall, today was a lot nicer than expected. I had a ton of doubts coming back to SLU. I couldn't eat or sleep or do anything. This weekend I had one meal, ONE MEAL..so unlike me. But once I walked onto campus and saw the red pepper plants used as accents in the landscaping, I knew that I made the right choice in coming back. This is my school and I am here to stay. That my friends is indubitable. In case you couldn't tell, dubitable/indubitable just became my favorite words. I had a teacher today that was having trouble saying them and I can't stop using them ever since :)

The way I was raised

I've never felt the need to post something like this until now, but I find it to be a very important lesson that I was taught. I was raised to be kind to others, to give them the benefit of doubt, and to withhold judgement. "Judge not, lest ye be judged," I believe those were the exact words my father used when quoting Christ. My dad always says it's his job to make judgements about people and trust me, growing up he made lots of judgements. But over the years, I've seen remarkable growth in him. He recently told me a story about meeting a stranger at the airport while waiting for my flight to arrive. The stranger was a woman, who was also waiting to pick up a family member. They began talking and my dad soon found out that she had a rather questionable career choice. Rather than judge her instantly, he withheld that judgement and just listened to her story. I look up to my father and his guidance that he gives me. So when he tells me a story like that, I listen and try to follow his example. Not everyone is going to lead the same life. We are all different and make different choices, but that doesn't give us the right to judge. A person's past should never hold them down from making a better future for themselves. I've come so far from where I once was and that wouldn't have happened if people didn't let me get over my past. So what I'm trying to say is thank you to everyone who has helped shape the person I am today.