Today was productive. I talked to a lot of people...come to think of it.
First thing on the bus I talked to my friend Courtney for a straight hour and a half until we got to UCR.
Then I went about my business and studied in the library before going to class.
Then I took a midterm and went to eat lunch and study some more.
Then I talked to the Choir kids and Evelyn for the hour long bus drive back to Riverside.
Afterward, I drove up to Megan's house and taught Kaylee most of the basic chords. And--DAMN did she learn fast. I was pretty much blown away by how quickly she picked up everything--it was exciting! I loved being over at their house tonight because everyone was so happy and the energy was just...it was just there. Megan is so happy nowadays it seems. She has a job now so I'm sure that makes things better.
Then I drove back down to Stephen's house where Joey walked over and I taught Stephen another chord on the guitar before we all jammed for a little bit and talked about everything. Later, we drove to Joey's house and played a little more and I talked for a bit and said hi to his parents.
After I left I stopped by Yogurt Factory for a little FroYo and saw Melanie and Annica there. I talked to Annica about how I met her choir friends on the bus earlier that morning and it was funny because she's somewhat of a teacher's pet--and they knew it. We've also established that we're going to do a cover of Paramore's You Are The Only Exception. I can't wait!
I arrived home about forty minutes ago and had dinner while talking to my dad about his childhood and the bullcrap Left Wing/ Liberal Agenda.
I told him about how I realized just how stupid the Liberal Agenda was regarding "poverty" in the U.S. when I realized that my OWN FAMILY came straight from poverty. My Grandma came here with 5 kids and literally NO job--just a car full of belongings and the clothes on their back. My father recounted times when their cupboards were empty and they often went to sleep with stomachs growling. Yet, here he stands--a retired Lietenant Colonel with 2 Master Degrees from College and he's on his way to his FREE schooling for his PHD. (Thank you GI Bill!) We're upper middle class--and I'm going to a University. And yet 2 generations ago, our family had nothing. NOTHING. So I don't care what anyone has to say about how "unfair" the U.S. system is. That's a load of bullshit and I'm a direct product of just how wonderful this country is. As usual, we laughed it off with how idiotic people are and I retreated upstairs to my room where I am now.
I'm remembering snippets of our conversation, actually.
"Dad, what made the difference? Was it the military?"
"...no, I don't think so. I think it was just college."
" ...how so?"
"When you think about it son, those extra 4 years are forming you into more of a person--more of an adult. High school alone is just not enough to build the education to be an intelligent, well formed adult in today's society."
I find it interesting because I share the same view. I think college is simply the next step after High School. Whether you "need" it or not. To me, college isn't just that optional school you can go to after high school. Rather, it's simply the next step of your average education to become an working, functional adult in today's vast society.
In fact, I've done so much reading and have learned so much in the past year, I find it difficult to ponder what I would have been like if I just didn't go to UCR at all. I've learned about classic works of literature--from Don Jon to Wordsworth to the poet Laureate Tennyson--Astronomy, the American Political System and the theory of subconstituents, Microeconomics, how to write better formative essays, Cultural Anthropology, Global Climate Change, Psychology, Entomology, 1500-1900 World History, and basic terms of philosophy and how it relates to realism.
All these things are engrained into my memory. I've spent hours studying. I've spent hours memorizing. And I've spent hours learning. Though I'm not majoring to be a historian, though I don't plan on becoming an astronomer, and though I certainly don't want to pursue a career as an economist--all these classes have had a large impact on me. They've changed the ways in which I think. They've affected my life in such an interesting way. I just feel more knowledgeable and more comfortable as a human being...it's hard to explain. I feel like I know a lot more about the world--and it's only been a year in college. Sure, it's difficult sometimes. But in retrospect--all that hard work makes me feel good.
Come to think about it--all the hard work I've ever done makes me feel...just so good. When I ran that 5:02 Mile in track--dying every step of the way--I feel wonderful to say that I did it, I persevered, I earned my bragging rights. My grueling hours of training paid off. And now just the mere memory of track makes me smile. It's all accumulative and it's all just so calming.
I spent HOURS upon HOURS studying American Politics and feeling like a complete DUMBASS trying to read books that were WAY over my head! I spent HOURS upon HOURS reading British Literature works that I couldn't even understand after many tries of reading. But persistence rewarded me. I started learning the lingo. My brain just clicked. My brain changed. I could read the most complicated and complex sentences and could finally begin to grasp their intended meaning. I could slowly start to dumb down the seemingly impossible concepts that were presented to me.
I got an A+ in American Politics. --By far one of the most difficult classes I have ever taken. And yet, I did my best. And I feel good.
I've learned so much in so little a time, being a full-time student at UCR, a part-time student at MSJC, and still maintaining a part-time job making above minimum wage. And yet...it's not enough for me.
I want more.
I want to learn about so much. I want to do and experience so many things.
It's not going to be easy.
But it's conquering the challenges I purposely chase after that makes this life so fucking exciting.
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