Ben, ‘11

September 14, 2007

It’s another Friday and this week has flown by. I would like to say that I am getting into a groove, but I won’t make it official for another week. With that said, however, a lot has happened this week. Here are the highlights:

On Monday, I had a great class and a not-so-great class. My Spanish practice met outside and the teacher arrived a few minutes late. As soon as she got there, she said she had nothing to go over and she let us go after a two-minute class. That was really nice. However, I had to take a Library Skills course, another mandatory freshman course, and that was rather boring.

Tuesday was a rather relaxing day. I had little homework so I was finally able to go into town using my roommate’s car and get some supplies that I’ve needed. If you do come here, a word of advice about cars: Parents say that cars aren’t necessary, and they are partially right, but it is definitely convenient to have your own. I know a few people with cars and I am having to always bug them to go someplace. That’s my two cents. I also had Bible Study that night. The best part of the day, however, is said in two words: CARE PACKAGE. Yes, I got my very first care package today. It had so much more food than I had expected. It also had goggles that I had forgotten for swimming as well as a banner. I had made the banner for my parents, but decided that I needed it more. It was one of my 4-H projects and is of the Richmond crest. It is proudly hanging above my bed now. Thanks Mom and Dad . As a side note, my town had its first frost of the season tonight and I am sitting here with a low of 64 degrees tonight.

My First Care Package !!!!

The Bounty of Goodness in My Care Package

Remembering September 11th on Campus

Wednesday was umm… forgettable obviously. I had InterVarsity that night and spoke about my experience at the Fall Retreat this past weekend. I also met three other people from Wisconsin, all of whom were also freshman. I was so excited because there are only eight Wisconsites in the whole school. After InterVarsity, one of my friends, Kelly, came over to hang out. She ended up doing our dishes as well as our suite mates and hall mates. I don’t remember exactly how it happened, but it was a lot of fun just hanging out. On a side note, everyone is getting sick here. Kelly had scarlet fever, my room mate has a sore throat and entire halls of some freshman dorms have been sick too. I’ll see how long I can last.

My InterVarsity friends, Whit and David, demonstrating how to properly do an “awkward hug”

Kelly washing my entire hall’s dishes

Thursday was another quiet day. I had my first presentation today. It was in Spanish and was about La Tomatina, a giant tomato fight in Spain. I worked with a partner and stayed up until 3 AM finishing it. As the only two freshman in the Spanish class, my partner and I did fairly well. It was supposed to be five minutes, but I think we were a little short. I also had my Men’s Health class. I’m halfway through it and it’s a very boring class. It’s required, though, so I tolerate it. Other than that, I am proud to say that I finally went running. I had a free night and so a friend of mine, Alex, and I decided to run around the lake a few times. Let me first say that I am not a runner and that Alex is. I hadn’t been running since last November. It showed, but Alex who is a cross-country hero in my book, actually stayed back with me and we had quite a run. It felt somewhat good to finally get out and do something productive.

However, the running made me very tired, which leads me to my bad Friday. I woke up to the sound of my new alarm clock’s radio. It was a good song, however, I realized that it was 8:50. My first class is at 8:15. Yes, I missed my first ever class due to oversleeping. I’ll try not to let it happen again. I have adjusted my alarm’s volume and I don’t anticipate further problems. I don’t have too much homework this weekend, so I’m hoping to wrap up some unfinished business and watch a fair amount of football while recovering some sleep. I’m excited for this weekend and it’s free time.

General side notes:
1. In case you didn’t know, I know how to sew and the banner I received was my own handiwork. My mom left me a sewing kit to use in case of.. well, I don’t know. Anyways, I have already been asked to repair two things: Kelly’s sweater and another friend’s stuffed moose. I guess that that may be my new fame.

My unique talents do come into play every once in a while

The banner that I made for 4-H

2. I said earlier that I didn’t like CORE. Well, I take that back partially. We started reading a new book “The Trial and Death of Socrates” by Plato. Sounds interesting, I know. Well, I was surprised to find how much I liked it. The straightforward, moral thoughts and discussion of the Theory of Forms is quite fascinating. I am now beginning “Phaedo” by him and don’t enjoy it as much. However, our class had a very good discussion regarding the book and the theory that “an unexamined life is not worth living for men”.

3. The campus is beautiful. The lake is full of disgusting algae. However, my main complaint is about all of the hills. Because it’s a lake, everything goes downhill to it. My calves are now sore from going down the hill just to go back up the other side. I stand at the bottom of the hill leading to my dorm and dread it. It’s not that bad, but doing it ten or so times a day is annoying. Sometimes, I just stop at the Post Office halfway up the hill just because I don’t want to go all the way up. It sounds like I’m lazy (I am now sore from running), but it’s my one rant for this blog.

4. I turned in my first Economics homework and thought the Extra Credit question “Why do refrigerators have lights, but freezers of the same unit do not?” was meant for creative responses and free points. So, I answered about how bacteria like the light and we like to see them get angry over being deprived of it. Also, the light’s warmth affects the food. I went on and on with some crazy answer. In reality, there was an economic principle behind it and I looked like a fool. I got a smiley face next to my answer, but no points.

5. I have been contemplating running for Student Government. I would really like to do it, but campaigning takes a lot of time that I don’t necessarily have. I’m keeping my options open and will decide next week. I guess I’d be pulling a Fred Thompson by jumping in late, since others have already formed Facebook groups and have petitions circulating. More to come on this.

6. My cell phone woes continue and I have very poor service still. I have been going through hoops and still haven’t gotten anything resolved. I hope to have better luck next week.

My roommate’s side of the room after several weeks

My side of the room after several weeks with my new banner over the bed

My life is busy and I write too much, but I hope you are enjoying reading these. Life is continuing to keep going quickly and I still haven’t had any essays due. All that I have had is a bunch of online assignment and lots of reading. I must sign off until later and go attend a soccer game. I hope you’ve decided to keep the University of Richmond on your list and ask me any questions about UR, it seems that all my friends do anyways.

Weekly Thought to Ponder: What was the best thing before sliced bread?
Quote of the Week: “A word to the wise ain’t necessary—it’s the stupid ones that need the advice”. – Bill Cosby
Shout Outs: My parents for the care package.