Friday, April 15, 2011

Finals

"It is not from nature, but from education and habits, that our wants are chiefly derived."
-Henry Fielding

I've been having one of those semesters where my "desired profession" changes every week. I think so far I've traveled from doctor, to professor, to chef, to forest ranger, to farmer. Where am I now? I currently reside somewhere between traveling salesman and circus performer.

This week brings finals and lots of studying. I walked into the office of my housing management yesterday to sign a new contract. I got the clipboard and was looking over the information as I duly listened to a conversation between a girl and the receptionist. The girl was refused a housing contract for the summer because she wasn't a BYU student (BYU usually acts as a co-signer). The receptionist rudely told her that, even though she worked full-time, the management company was unwilling to give her a contract. The tone of the receptionist to this girl's trouble was pronounced indifference. I was immediately turned off, and mildly infuriated. I stood up, placed my clipboard on the counter and informed the receptionist that I didn't feel their apartments and services were worth the prices listed on the sheet.

I just find no need for rudeness in life. I don't support it, and I hope not to indulge in it. However I may soon find myself less willing to indignantly boycott rudeness when my housing contract expires next week.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Things for Summer

I am excited at the possibilities for this summer (all minus the prospect of taking two "heightened" semesters of physics). I want to volunteer and do things, after all, I have someone to do them with! I want to become involved in things I care about, or am at least interested in. Why should I think I'll do lot of great things with my life if I never start on small ones? I am having somewhat irrational ideas of joining the FoodCorps, or convincing the city to lend me a plot of land to start an organic farm for the provo schools. The local-food movement is inspiring me right now; we talked about it last class (I'm a nutrition major, remember?) and I've been reading about it since. Here is a list of things I would like to try before summer is past:

-Volunteer on a local farm
-Become a CASA volunteer
-Read theses books
+Anna Karenina
+Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
+East of Eden (again)
-Get in a research group at BYU
-Be a Group Leader for BYU New Student Orientation

Who knows, maybe K and I will sneak a few chaperoned road trips in there, as well. What would summer be without a little escapism?

Any other suggestions for this summer?