(no subject)
I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return.
--Stephen Schwartz, "For Good"
Occasionally I find myself thinking about the people I've met and the experiences I've had and wondering why those people crossed my path and how and why I've come to be where I am. I started thinking about that again this morning, especially about the people and events of the last two years. Here's what I've come up with:
The people, and what they've taught me
From Erin (who I met way more than two years ago, but she's been a huge part of the last few) I have learned what it's like to have a younger sister. I've learned what it's like to have someone who I can tell absolutely anything to, what it's like to have someone who'll always have my back, and what it's like to always have someone's back.
From Derrick - I learned that I'm a superstar and that I apparently look way younger than I am. I also learned a bit about how to deal with stage fright.
From Ben - I learned that demi-rockstars aren't all egoists. I learned that not everyone knows the song 'YMCA,' and I learned that having a hot guy jump over a couch just to get a goodbye hug is a really fucking phenomenal feeling :D
From Gun - I learned that if I want to achieve something badly enough, I can.
From Matt - I learned that some people just don't 'get' sarcasm or teasing, especially whilst drunk.
From Karen - I learned that escargot doesn't taste disgusting even if it IS disgusting. She her husband and their two friends also showed me that having tablemates assigned to you on a cruise doesn't have to be a bad thing.
From Ray - I learned to simplify, to streamline, and to go with the flow.
From Daniel - I learned that the night you leave the state for good (or at least an extended, unspecified amount of time) is a bad time to try to forge a friendship (in other words, Carpe Diem)
From Breezy - I learned that just because you are ace at something doesn't mean you'll be ace at teaching it to others.
The Events
Visiting Jamaica - I learned that what most people think of as a beautiful tropic paradise is really an impoverished country still trying to recover from Hurricane Ivan. It is also one of the most naturally beautiful places I've ever seen. Also, climbing a waterfall is the awesome.
My college racquetball class - taught me that seeking justice sometimes actually ends in justice being done
Crazy roadtrip to Missouri with my sister-in-law - taught me that Missouri scares the crap out of me (there are no shoulders on the highways! and people don't stop for motorists in trouble!), that Kansas isn't all wheat fields, and that the roads in Oklahoma suck. Also, Chrysler Sebrings with Sirius Radio are the bomb and the Jeep Liberty sucks.
Aftermath of crazy roadtrip to Missouri - taught me that no matter how hard you work or how much you bend over backward for your employer, if you give them an opportunity they are going to screw you over.
From the Disney experience - I learned that I love, love, love Orlando. I learned that some situations are truly intolerable. I learned that working for large employers is SO not my bag. I found out that sharing a bedroom with Erin isn't bad at all. And I learned how to pack an amazing amount of stuff into a Buick. Also, Daytona Beach and the Atlantic are pretty spiffy, Tallahassee is scary, and driving stright through from Tallahassee to East Texas is simply insane. I also learned that the Human Sciences Department at SFA kinda rocks and that a BA in Hospitality is what I should have been pursuing all along.
Side Note - I MISS ORLANDO!
From the aftermath of the Disney experience - I learned just how bad the job market is and just how picky I am about what kind of job I want. I also learned how to survive with very little money.
From the Conroe debacle - I learned that you need ALL of the facts before you make a decision.
From this semester - I learned that I need to learn to delegate, communicate, and find balance. I also learned a little about cooking and that taking a freshman "welcome to Human Sciences" class as an almost senior is kinda dull and useless.
From repairing the floor in my bedroom (post Ike, but maybe not related to Ike) I learned that I probably have asthma (if I ever have a job with insurance again, maybe I'll find out for sure).
That's all I can think of for now, but really that's a lot of non-book learning for one year. And I know there are tons of things I'm forgetting. Tons. I'll update later when I think of them.
--Stephen Schwartz, "For Good"
Occasionally I find myself thinking about the people I've met and the experiences I've had and wondering why those people crossed my path and how and why I've come to be where I am. I started thinking about that again this morning, especially about the people and events of the last two years. Here's what I've come up with:
The people, and what they've taught me
From Erin (who I met way more than two years ago, but she's been a huge part of the last few) I have learned what it's like to have a younger sister. I've learned what it's like to have someone who I can tell absolutely anything to, what it's like to have someone who'll always have my back, and what it's like to always have someone's back.
From Derrick - I learned that I'm a superstar and that I apparently look way younger than I am. I also learned a bit about how to deal with stage fright.
From Ben - I learned that demi-rockstars aren't all egoists. I learned that not everyone knows the song 'YMCA,' and I learned that having a hot guy jump over a couch just to get a goodbye hug is a really fucking phenomenal feeling :D
From Gun - I learned that if I want to achieve something badly enough, I can.
From Matt - I learned that some people just don't 'get' sarcasm or teasing, especially whilst drunk.
From Karen - I learned that escargot doesn't taste disgusting even if it IS disgusting. She her husband and their two friends also showed me that having tablemates assigned to you on a cruise doesn't have to be a bad thing.
From Ray - I learned to simplify, to streamline, and to go with the flow.
From Daniel - I learned that the night you leave the state for good (or at least an extended, unspecified amount of time) is a bad time to try to forge a friendship (in other words, Carpe Diem)
From Breezy - I learned that just because you are ace at something doesn't mean you'll be ace at teaching it to others.
The Events
Visiting Jamaica - I learned that what most people think of as a beautiful tropic paradise is really an impoverished country still trying to recover from Hurricane Ivan. It is also one of the most naturally beautiful places I've ever seen. Also, climbing a waterfall is the awesome.
My college racquetball class - taught me that seeking justice sometimes actually ends in justice being done
Crazy roadtrip to Missouri with my sister-in-law - taught me that Missouri scares the crap out of me (there are no shoulders on the highways! and people don't stop for motorists in trouble!), that Kansas isn't all wheat fields, and that the roads in Oklahoma suck. Also, Chrysler Sebrings with Sirius Radio are the bomb and the Jeep Liberty sucks.
Aftermath of crazy roadtrip to Missouri - taught me that no matter how hard you work or how much you bend over backward for your employer, if you give them an opportunity they are going to screw you over.
From the Disney experience - I learned that I love, love, love Orlando. I learned that some situations are truly intolerable. I learned that working for large employers is SO not my bag. I found out that sharing a bedroom with Erin isn't bad at all. And I learned how to pack an amazing amount of stuff into a Buick. Also, Daytona Beach and the Atlantic are pretty spiffy, Tallahassee is scary, and driving stright through from Tallahassee to East Texas is simply insane. I also learned that the Human Sciences Department at SFA kinda rocks and that a BA in Hospitality is what I should have been pursuing all along.
Side Note - I MISS ORLANDO!
From the aftermath of the Disney experience - I learned just how bad the job market is and just how picky I am about what kind of job I want. I also learned how to survive with very little money.
From the Conroe debacle - I learned that you need ALL of the facts before you make a decision.
From this semester - I learned that I need to learn to delegate, communicate, and find balance. I also learned a little about cooking and that taking a freshman "welcome to Human Sciences" class as an almost senior is kinda dull and useless.
From repairing the floor in my bedroom (post Ike, but maybe not related to Ike) I learned that I probably have asthma (if I ever have a job with insurance again, maybe I'll find out for sure).
That's all I can think of for now, but really that's a lot of non-book learning for one year. And I know there are tons of things I'm forgetting. Tons. I'll update later when I think of them.