Deep thoughts...
And it only took four months to come up with them!
Has the smoke from my brain cleared out yet? too...much...thinking...
Okay, so besides the copious amounts of writing/thinking/data analyses I have unfortunately
been doing, in the last four months since a journal entry I have:
A) Gotten an awesome job in New England and can't wait to move up there
B) Almost gone insane from the pressure of thesis writing
C) Pretty much stopped getting good sleep and instead have taken up reading Steinbeck at night,
drinking gobs of coffee in the A.M. to wake up, and drinking wine/beer/etc. at night to
fall asleep
D) All of the above
But, on a good note, "Cannery Row" has provided some interesting food for thought that is
of particular interest to me at this point in my life.
Exhibit A:
'For there are two possible reactions to social ostracism--either a man emerges determined to be
better, purer, and kindlier or he goes bad, challenges the world and does even worse things.'
Based on my limited albeit painful "social ostracism" here at Purdue, I believe I have managed
to employ a bit of both qualities. My experience here has made me work harder to become better
at what I do, to learn new things and be nicer to those who are nice to me (few though they are).
However, it has also caused me to challenge those who are behind the negative interactions, and
I find that I am unable to let things go when they are brought up. I do pick my battles very
carefully, but when I fight, I fight to win. I don't know if I am capable of being kind to
enemies, although I don't go out of my way to be rude unless someone is rude to me first.
Then the gloves come off.
Exhibit B:
'"It has always seemed strange to me,' said Doc. "The things we admire in men, kindness and
generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling are the concomitants of failure in
our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism
and self-interest are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first
they love the produce of the second."'
Although this is a very black-and-white way of looking at it and not altogether accurate, it
speaks volumes about the things many of us consider important. Perhaps we should strive to
incorporate the first set into our methods for becoming successful. Things to keep in mind as
I leave this toxic work environment and begin a new life in the professional world at long last.
So, anyone out there besides Kristen? Holla back, people!
Has the smoke from my brain cleared out yet? too...much...thinking...
Okay, so besides the copious amounts of writing/thinking/data analyses I have unfortunately
been doing, in the last four months since a journal entry I have:
A) Gotten an awesome job in New England and can't wait to move up there
B) Almost gone insane from the pressure of thesis writing
C) Pretty much stopped getting good sleep and instead have taken up reading Steinbeck at night,
drinking gobs of coffee in the A.M. to wake up, and drinking wine/beer/etc. at night to
fall asleep
D) All of the above
But, on a good note, "Cannery Row" has provided some interesting food for thought that is
of particular interest to me at this point in my life.
Exhibit A:
'For there are two possible reactions to social ostracism--either a man emerges determined to be
better, purer, and kindlier or he goes bad, challenges the world and does even worse things.'
Based on my limited albeit painful "social ostracism" here at Purdue, I believe I have managed
to employ a bit of both qualities. My experience here has made me work harder to become better
at what I do, to learn new things and be nicer to those who are nice to me (few though they are).
However, it has also caused me to challenge those who are behind the negative interactions, and
I find that I am unable to let things go when they are brought up. I do pick my battles very
carefully, but when I fight, I fight to win. I don't know if I am capable of being kind to
enemies, although I don't go out of my way to be rude unless someone is rude to me first.
Then the gloves come off.
Exhibit B:
'"It has always seemed strange to me,' said Doc. "The things we admire in men, kindness and
generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling are the concomitants of failure in
our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism
and self-interest are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first
they love the produce of the second."'
Although this is a very black-and-white way of looking at it and not altogether accurate, it
speaks volumes about the things many of us consider important. Perhaps we should strive to
incorporate the first set into our methods for becoming successful. Things to keep in mind as
I leave this toxic work environment and begin a new life in the professional world at long last.
So, anyone out there besides Kristen? Holla back, people!