Tune Up

Thanksgiving break is finally here. I was able to escape from campus as soon as my last class finished. My car was already packed with four weeks worth of dirty clothes and eagerly waiting for me to turn the ignition key. At the end of my math class, I was on the road driving home. Once I returned home, there was business to take care of-- car maintenance (oil, tires, wash, etc.), haircut, dirty clothes, cooking, procrastinated homework, and lots of sleep.

For no apparent reason, my mom booked an appointment with the car dealer to do routine maintenance at 8:00 A.M. Because my classes start during mid-morning, I had not seen 8 o’clock since my high school senior year. For a one-time occurrence, it was not too terribly bad. Following my vehicle’s check-up, I returned to my favorite barber for an overdue haircut. I had avoided a haircut back at school because I feared the result of an unknown hand. Plus, I wish to revisit the special atmosphere of my hometown barber. We were able to catch up on each others lives, and I received one of my finer trims.

My hefty quantity of dirty clothes can be attributed to my busy schedule and close proximity of a return voyage to the free washers of my cozy abode. I only wondered if my ten load requirement beat my buddies or possibly even set a world record. I knew there would be immense benefits to a stockpile of boxers in order to guarantee a four-week period without doing laundry.

            

I immensely enjoy cooking with my mother or father. We were able to make a few dishes, such as pecan pie and brownies. In years past, my dad and I have prepared fried treats from our turkey fryer. Turkeys, chicken, shrimp, fish, hushpuppies, and various vegetables have ended up in the sizzling peanut oil of the fryer. Some extra dishes and leftovers made the final journey back to my dorm.

            

Although the break is meant for rest and relaxation, I found my nose in the books. I needed to fine tune a few subjects before exams begin. There was even a little bit of homework for the break. I was definitely able to catch up on rest in the comfort of my home. In high school I did not realize how rest is such a rare commodity here at college. All in all, the break allowed me to slow down my schedule and take care of small tasks.

Heads Up/Down

Rivalry weekend at a large SEC university is like no other. One Saturday of the year allows one team bragging rights for 365 days. You live and breathe revenge for the previous season’s mistake or evilly enjoy smearing any statistic, joke, play, or reference of your team’s valiant victory. No matter your ranking, the underdog is just as likely to win this unpredictable game, which could easily be decided by a coin flip. If your team’s record was 1-11, the season would be a success if the one win was against your rival. The small college town instantly becomes one of the largest cities in the state due to the influx of die-hard fans converging to support their team. Towns and businesses across the state shut down to watch “The Game.”

Students mentally checked out of school starting Tuesday night. Every night the parties became more ridiculous and numerous. To my knowledge, there were at least three parking lots filled with RV’s by Wednesday. The phone circuits were jammed by noon on Friday. The Quad was covered three fold from all of the homecoming festivities. Every resident in my hall had at least two or three out-of-town guests Friday and Saturday night. Parking and traffic were wall-to-wall at 8:00 A.M. for the early afternoon kickoff. Throughout the weekend, time revolved around the kickoff countdown and not the lunar schedule. Therefore, the tailgating lunch was not served at 11:30 A.M. but at three hours to kickoff.

As hard as it is to believe, the quad and campus is lively throughout the game. Ticketless tailgaters watch and cheer underneath their elaborate tents with their satellite-linked plasma screens. Younger children run wild while throwing a football. The beer-bellied fathers flip burgers, sausage, ribs, and chicken over their veteran grills.

Activities within the stadium are twenty times more intense than all the outside activities combined. The student section was filled at two hours. As usual, the student section did not sit until halftime, but the regular seats also remained standing until halftime for this pivotal game. The stadium was a hurricane of commotion when our defense took the field because we wished to psyche out the opposing quarterback. We paid respect to the play calling of our offense but still cheered our team. Students enjoyed their stadium dogs and overpriced drinks. All of my male friends bought victory cigars beforehand in order to celebrate a long-deserved win. I believe they jinxed the win.

As hard as it is to say, my team did not win. I have blocked memories of the scarring occasion, but the trauma and backlash will be felt for 365 days. A few days after the loss, there have already been suggestions of coaching changes. I was thrilled by the exciting weekend and my decision to attend this university was worth it for just this one weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion until three hours after kickoff. Although, we lost, I will keep my chin up and pray for success during next year’s game.

Gone Fishin

I find myself returning to my kindergarten ways. I remember: be nice, mind-your-manners, treat everyone as you would want to be treated. I do not want to offend anyone and have resolved to the classic game of eenie-meanie-minee-mo. The sea is wide open with a wide range of fish. The problem is I cannot seem to decide upon the perfect fish while blindly dangling a line into the water.

Just like in sport fishing, one can attract specific fish with hook size, bait, retrieval techniques, or additions to the line such as bobbers, leaders, and weights. Here at the university, there are more girls than species in the sea. I find myself fishing in the laundry room, elevators, sidewalks, post office, classrooms, and the most frequently at parties. To complicate my search, I do not have very many limitations. But, a majority of my limitations are inconspicuous personality traits. We all know we cannot read a book by its cover, therefore I find myself picking only the first chapter of a few respectable novels to find these hidden traits. It is even harder to read the complicated girls without knowing their personalities. This leads to the perplexing decision of knowing whether to keep or release a landed fish.

My gentlemanly manners and sportsmanship have taught me to practice the cleanest and gentlest way to catch and release. I hope to meet as many people as possible here on campus and create a large network of friendships. I feel being tied down and limited to one special person would hinder this ability. Although everyone has different agendas, I hate leading people on and disappointing hopes or even crushes. First semester of freshmen year is the period to meet and greet in order to create a solid foundation of friends for your collegiate career. I definitely do not want to be known as a “playa,” because I am not one. The “talking” period is always the most awkward stage, and I wish I could avoid it. Eventually, I will most likely be in a relationship and when this time comes I will be able to pick from my stocked pond.

College has most certainly forced me into different arenas, such as the complex dating scene. It is very entertaining meeting new people and making friends. But no matter how entertaining and interesting it can be to chase girls, I am in college for an education.

Kidnapped

Not only has my body been kidnapped in the last couple weeks, but so has my heart. Recently, my family and fraternity have temporarily stolen my body. Although several girls have attempted to steal my heart, no specific one has succeeded. But, the football team, university, and my pledge brothers have kidnapped my heart. (No laws were broken, physical or emotional harm was not inflicted upon any involved parties, and all was returned safely.)

During my family’s last visit, I was kidnapped from my comfy, warm bed on an early Sunday morning. I was woken up early to attend church with them. Because of my packed schedule, it’s sad to say this was only about my third time to attend church while in college. The presence of my family and the lord touched my heart and helped direct me back to the church for weekly services. After my unexpected early morning church service, I was considerably rewarded with an extravagant lunch with my family. My newly acquired collegiate skills taught me to be fruitful by snagging enough to complete a doggy plate for Sunday’s dinner.

The next step of my kidnapping was absolutely unanticipated. We drove around and headed to what I thought would be my dorm. Instead, we arrived at the student health center. My mother had called ahead to reserve a flu shot. The unforeseen prick on my arm was my only family-inflicted torture. Even though I did not foresee the preventive needle jab, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.

The bond between my pledge brothers will last longer than the annual vaccine.Pledgeship is officially over. To celebrate and reflect upon our eight-week experiences, we, the pledges, were unknowingly taken to a camp for a weekend retreat. In order to strengthen our brotherhood, we participated in several group-forming exercises. Throughout the weekend, most of the activities, such as the seven-hour campfire, where completed in confidentiality. The male bonding will forever be ingrained into my memory. A part of my heart will always be given to my fraternity.

The football team continues to put additional strains upon my young, aching heart. I relentlessly place faith in my team and they consistently fail me. No girlfriend has ever caused this much emotional strain. After losing to another large SEC team, I have more doubts about the huge rivalry game this weekend.

But, the university is larger than a pledge group or a football team. The university has forever kidnapped a huge part of my heart. I love every aspect of the university. Traditions, beautiful girls, academics, social life, or sports-- each aspect of my college has captured me. I do not believe there is any other place more perfect for me to attend school than the fine institution I am currently enrolled in.

All of my kidnapped adventures have taken me out of the pilot’s seat, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my roller coaster rides.

Round Two

It is the middle of round one. I am still going strong and show zero signs of weakness. In order to win the fight, I am forced to plan ahead for the upcoming rounds. I was hoping to plan while resting up against the turn buckle in between rounds, but I was forced to prepare during the middle of my dance around the ring. To complicate matters, I am not positive on the direction I wish to take my competition.

Thank goodness I checked my university email account. A very important message from an important administrator reminded all students of the upcoming registration period for spring classes. I was caught off-guard, because I was expecting to register during Thanksgiving or Christmas break. To my surprise, I was required to meet with my academic advisor before I could be cleared to register. For the first time, I walked through the advisor’s door.

I would have signed up for the second part of my first semester classes, but she picked out new courses to study. Also, she was not very happy with my lack of direction. After a while the different engineering majors will split paths and require specific courses. Everybody at my university wishes they were part of the Honors College. But, only the lucky 10 percent have the opportunity to register early before the regular students fight in the registration madhouse. Honors College students can create one of the plushest schedules by manipulating the vast number of classes. Honors students can manipulate their schedule and they have the luxury of choosing the premier professors.

Even though I did not anticipate registration, I did enjoy the process. It was a milestone in my first semester experience. It showed I have made it thus far, and I am expected to make it much further.