Adulthood Eve

I planned on posting a blog about 12 hours ago, due to my body clock being on the fritz. Obviously I got distracted. With what at 6:30 a.m. you ask? I don't even know. All I know is that:
(1) I am 70% packed for school (which is surprisingly good given my unique procrastination rituals).
(2) Leaving is starting to become extremely eminent, as are my premature feelings of nostalgia for grand ole Glasgow.
(3) Grandma and I can make some mean chess bars. (Ellen if you are reading, they still do not compare)
(4) Not taking a nap earlier what a horrible idea.

I am actually kind of excited about Western tomorrow. I will be up early, bright eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to help my best friend Helen move into Minton. Not that anyone else besides Helen reading right now would care; I just received a complaint on my last post that I was not mentioning certain people early on in the post. After I tackle that nine story task (yes she is on the ninth floor), I will be on my way to this somewhat ambiguous H4 Program.  I mean it will be interesting going to this Honor's College retreat. We (as in the HC Class of 2015) will be doing all sorts of team building and outdoor activities over the course of four days. Yess.. (if there was a punctuation for sarcasm, I would insert it there). I really am excited about going though... however contradictory it sounds.

I am looking forward to meeting new, intelligent people outside the Glasgow Community. It seems as if EVERYONE here is an intellect; most of whom have something intelligent to say 0 times out of 10. Those of you offended right now, you're probably who I am talking about. Either way, back to the subject I was on.

I really am looking forward to the stupid/quirky/sometimes funny/mostly unnecessary ice breakers people usually go through in programs or retreats like these. I was talking to one of my good friends about M.A.S.T.E.R Plan and one of the first things he said was "I don't want to go to all the stupid ice breaker games; they're pointless. You want to meet someone, you shake their hand; the old fashion way." I have to say, I agree with him; partially. Yes the ice breakers may seem pointless and childish, and yes shaking hands can be a great gateway to friendships, but what I love about these ice breakers is that they allow people to open up. It only gets awkward when you have a room full of walled off, miserable people suffocated by his/her own silence, and a handful of participants who want people to see themselves for who he/she really is. Richard Nixon meets Will Ferrel. Donald Trump meets Deon Sanders. There is an elephant in the room, and his name is egocentricity.

I feel like I rant too much. I would apologize, but then again if you have a problem with it you probably aren't reading this right now, as you would have already gotten off my page. Either that or my words just have you latched onto the screen. That or you don't have anything better to do. Don't tell me your real answer, unless it compliments me that is.

I just wanted to take a little time to pitch a quick bit for http://www.8tracks.com/. If you are a music lover, go there now. And by now I mean after you are down reading my blog. Really though, it is a free internet radio site where the music is made into independently customized mixes that I guarantee will fit any mood/music craving your little ears can ever hope to ask for. I have found that I always listen to one of two mixes while blogging; both are instrumentals. Lovely.

I did promise myself I would make this post a little briefer than my previous two. Mostly in part because I need to get some sleep. 3-4 hours of sleep in a night are not something I prefer/am used to. I still have so much to do before I leave though. I have to admit, I do like going to college and still being only 30-45 minutes away from home. I'm not going to be the stereotypical "suitcase student" who comes home on most weekends like many who live close. I just like being able to pack lightly for one. I like knowing that if something happens at home, I can be there quickly. I like knowing that I can always come to my brother's ball games. I like knowing that I can be in a neighboring county, and still seem a million miles away. I guess what I like most of all, is knowing that home is never too far away (metaphorically of course).

I suppose the next time I post I will be an H4 alumni, if I am using that properly. Maybe I will have some funny ice breaker stories to tell, if not I will rant on about something. I'm out.

This College Thing

Why am I sitting here blogging when I have so much to do? Oh yeah, probably because procrastinating is a well developed skill of mine. Those of you reading, feel priviledged. Your reading pleasure ("pleasure" being used loosely) is more important than my mother's to-do list.

The countdown is officially on. I have three days left as a resident of Glasgow, Kentucky. I have been thinking a lot lately about how this whole "college thing" is going to go down. It's a new experience to my whole family; as I am a first generation college student. So all six of us (grandparents included) are trying to come to a consensus as to what it is I really need for school. It should be a seemingly easy task, but when questions like "So, do you think you need a 900 watt or a 1000 watt microwave?" surface, it becomes frustrating. Just get a microwave! I'm sure Housing and Residence Life doesn't have much of a preference.

All frustration aside, I have to say I am very thankful for the help and things I have received to get me started on this college journey. Mom has got me Western-ed out for my dorm: grey comforter, WKU colored rug, red desk lamp, and red and black bath towels. Go Tops! I am  looking forward to just moving it all in and being done with the stress and frustration of organizing, packing, buying, planning, scheduling, financial aid-ing, M.A.S.T.E.R Plan-ing, cleaning, leaving, and Pre-College-ing.

College is just overrated. Now before you label that statement as typical of a mellow-dramatic incoming freshman not able to deal with moving on (or something like that), know that I am not knocking the "college experience" from its sacred pedestal at all. Conversely, I am looking forward to the independence, mistakes, life lessons, and so on. College itself however has, as I previously posted, became a part of this industrialized "life plan" that too many Americans have been pushed to fulfill. It seems that every other god forsaken commercial that comes on T.V. is marketing a "go to college now" or a "fast and easy degree" pseudo-college. Call me crazy, but these are the "Dollar Menu" commercials of the university realm. Fast. Easy. Cheap. The same marketing platforms apply to both. On that note, drive through degrees are something you should be watching for in the next 10-15 years.

Really though. I thought a college degree was supposed to have a little more weight to it. Now to say you have your bachelor's seems rather common. According to the U.S. Census Bureau,it is close to 27.2% commonality. So let's play with some numbers. Round that up to 30%. No say there is close to 300 million people in America. A little simple math and you learn that roughly 90 million American have a college degree. For those of you who aren't math buffs; go to the mall, choose three people at random, and ask them if they have a college degree. Statistically speaking, at least one will say yes. It just seems a bit excessive.

Now I should clarify a little when I rant on about the amount of people with college degrees and how it's... "excessive" I suppose. I guess the real issue is how any worth while job requires a degree these days. Unless you want to be pushing carts at Wal-Mart or flipping burgers at Good Burger, you need a degree. Which seems utterly ridiculous, that is unless you really like burgers.

I know that was a useless rant but I just felt like I needed to get my feelings on college out in the open. On that note, there are quite a few things I am looking forward to in regards to college: parties, meeting new people, having some sort of independence, not living 15 minutes out of town, living in Bowling Green, being next door to a gym, M.A.S.T.E.R Plan, visiting Lexington to see my friends at UK, Western Athletics, seeing my best friend everyday, my roommate (awesome dude), having my own Xbox, having classes end at 12:30, going to my racquetball class, being able to come home when I want, seeing my brother's football games, maybe picking the guitar back up, working, and having 6 weeks off for winter break. There is more, believe me, but I will spare you for now. It will most likely be documented in the upcoming months anyways; that is, if you feel like following along.

I know I have said earlier that I am going through a strange mix of emotions, but I really am excited over all. I guess it's kind of like that excitement I get before the first snap of a football game. That excitement you get when you are watch a movie knowing the main character has to live, but you are fearful of them dying anyways. The excitement girls get when they watch the bachelor finale, or guys get when their team is coming back to win a rivalry game. I'm really excited, but I don't know how I feel. Until I can figure it out, I suppose I will leave you all with this. Adios



Well, first blog post. I have thought about a million different ways to go about this; most of them being bad obviously. Not that this will be any better. To be honest with the minuscule amount of you all reading, I don't have the slightest of clues why it is I am even composing this blog. I mean yeah, writing tends to be a stress reliever and all, but I am sure there are better boredom-curving activities than reading someone else's blog. Maybe I can make a little more interesting for you. I could possibly start some games? I could... do some poetry? No? Eh. Normal ranting and reflecting it is I suppose.

For those of you who have arrived here with the genuine intent of keeping up with what is going on in people's lives. Thank you. I am glad not everyone is caught up in chasing an egotistical, materialistic, closed-minded phantom that only exists to those of us who don't get the big picture. I guess before I get into characteristics of that proportion (that may be slightly offensive to some) I should give you a little light into who I am.

I am, currently, an incoming freshman to Western Kentucky University. I graduated top of my class from Barren County High School, which, as opportunistic as the school was, isn't as impressive as it sounds. I had my fair share in extra-curriculars. I played football all four years and threw for the track team during that time as well. I felt as if I was successful, not mediocre, but not anything special to talk about. I get questioned about why I chose not to play football in college all the time. I had multiple opportunities across the state and what not, but I felt as if my college years could be spent more efficiently than doing something I had already experienced for four years. So please, if you see me, don't ask why I chose not to play. It gets old. That being said, I get a lot of stereotypes. It's okay sometimes. I get a lot "football player" or "big guy" aka's a lot. I may seem like an asshole to some, and it's more than likely well labeled. At heart though, I really am your proverbial "gentle giant." As cliché/fruity as that sounds, it is well-fitted for me.

I really feel like I am a down to earth individual. I like to think really deeply about seemingly shallow things, and shed a little light onto the ignored things; often overshadowed by people's towering egos. As you might have picked up on, I misuse semicolons frequently. To me, philosophy is a study that I wish life would allow more of us to undertake. I feel like people, Americans especially, have become so industrialized; life is a giant assembly line for the lot of us. We grow up, go through the educational system, are pushed to get a college degree (which is a whole other rant), get a job that makes a lot of money, have a perfect family, and live happily ever after in a house with a white picket fence. Oh, and have as much sex as possible along the way (That is if you are from anywhere else but the Bible Belt; where I live. Adults reading from the Bible Belt, know that I was just kidding about that; I will repent later. God Bless). I just don't see why people chose exist like that. Oh well.

I feel like one of the biggest problems in the world is that people try to be too politically correct. Really. Whatever "happened to honesty is the best policy"? I say that I am an optimist. However lately I feel like I am a unique hybrid of that and a realist. You could say that I hope things are going to turn out better that I know they are. Rather depressing, isn't it? I really enjoy listening to music. All kinds. I am rather eclectic: not just in music, but in hobbies and talents as well. Yes, I know. How arrogant and conceded of me to say I have many talents. Wake up. You do too. It's not "politically correct" for you to brag on yourself right? Others should do it for you; it makes you look more humble. Bullshit. Expressing your strengths openly is a key that unlocks one of the many doors to success, as long as you can also express you weaknesses. Obvious. Yes. Just covering it for all of you still struggling to finish this. I'm sorry, I will be done soon.

Where was I... oh yes. Freshman at WKU. Really quick though, on a side note, I will have a lot of mid-post rants. It's a problem. Anyways. I don't really know what I want to do with my life. It's rather hard to decide what to do when you are good/okay are multiple things. I have debating on everything from a physical therapist, to an endocrinologist, to a journalist (yes you need writing skills for that, I know), to currently, a pharmacist. I don't know what it is that made me choose pharmacy. I'm proficient in math and science, and I really like person-to-person interaction, so that may play a role. Either way though, I am still stuck wondering if that is the road I want to begin walking down. That doubt is, for the most part, making myself reconsider. I am sure that I will find out what it is I want to do soon enough though. College will be the Sherlock to my Watson.

I am hoping that stands true in more ways than one. I, like 99% of college kids, feel as if these next 4-8 years (depending on graduate school) will bring such an outstandingly prominent definition to who I am as a person; and it scares the hell out of me. I guess this is where I go too deeply into seemingly shallow things. I mean yeah, it's college. But how will my stature change when I cross the finish line on this four year marathon. I guess only time will tell. Decisions made are decisions that we have to live with, no matter how crappy they may be. I hope I still have a couple of you left reading. I know that I just wrote a whole blog about me. It's my first one, get off my back okay? I actually kind of liked it. It's good to type to a crowd of semi-interested people, who really are probably skimming these lines during commercial breaks. Can't say I blame you. Until I catch your boredom again... aloha.