Saturday, April 26, 2008

School's... (Almost) Out ... Fo'... Summah!

Welcome to the Blog! Oh how I've missed you so! It's good to have you back.

As the spring school semester comes yet again to a glorious close, I reflect on the year's notable accomplishments:

I have worked on my senior seminar analyses of Square Butte Heavy Minerals, and, I have learned how to operate the Scanning Electron Microscope (a.k.a. "SEM"... not that I expect you to take an interest in how we nerds refer to it, as we adjust our pocket protectors and snap our rainbow striped suspenders). I am on the road to a magnificent tour de force in December - Hallelujah! I diligently (sometimes hostilely) work on my project...as much as I can tolerate in one sitting. It's as if the light is at the end of the tunnel, but it's not enough to see where I'm going quite yet. I've always thought that expression was weird. Everyone always says it to me when I talk about school: "Don't worry, there's a light at the end of the tunnel!" ...Why am I always in a tunnel? And if so, why is a light at the end of it a positive thing? Wouldn't a light at the end of a tunnel indicate a train? Maybe people are implying I'm a train wreck...? I'd like to start the expression, "Don't worry, there's a $100 bill at the end!" I think everyone would work a little harder; I know I would...even if I was in a tunnel.

I have travelled to and fro our great white neighbors to the north and enjoyed my stays there tremendously. I marvelled at the Niagara Falls. My vocal chords and Kyle's hearing were strained at the scariest haunted house known to man...I nearly wet myself... I might have, I can't be sure. I also realized a new goal of mine is to actually buy and eat (in that order) a peanut butter cup the size of my face--oh yes, Reese and his good men have gone above and beyond the call of duty...a 6 inch diameter of a harmonious blend of chocolate and peanut butter never fails to impress. It could have been made of gold... I wouldn't be any fonder of it (but at a $30 price tag, it practically was).

I sat front row, on the glass, at a Red Wings NHL Hockey game-- a feat all too well accomplished for an undeserving non-hockey-fan. I consider myself a hockey "supporter". I may gain "fan" status in the years to come, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, here. I just recently learned and now loosely grasp the concept of "icing" (if that makes you think of frosting, you're not alone). I will say that I do love being in an enthusiastic crowd, the smell of day-old hot dogs, the squeaky crunch of stale popcorn, sticky seats, and cheering on the home team in any sporting event - in person, but being an American, I am willingly obligated to be partial to a little sport that I like to call "Baseball."

I used coupon after coupon, and continually received everything at a discount, if not for free. The coups are out there, you just have to find them. Nothing brings sheer unadulterated joy and satisfaction to my being like knowing I paid way less than the guy in front of me. ...Should have used a coup, bro... should have used a coup. Everything is much more appealing when it's free. I would be hundreds of dollars the poorer if it weren't for coupons.

I learned to take life a little bit of salt. Most things are not that big of a deal. It's okay if you are a little bit late. It's okay if everything isn't perfect. It's okay if everything doesn't go according to plan... if it doesn't, it wasn't supposed to. If things don't seem to be going your way, just remember that everything will be okay in the end, and if it's not okay, it's not the end. I mean, don't worry...there's a 100 dollar bill at the end.

Peace out,
H