don't rock the boat.

i might be little and smile a lot, but that does not mean you're allowed to disrespect me.
hierarchy.

ugh... work.

hung out with laura last night. middlesex might have been lame, but i still had a good time. good company trumps hippies and bad music any day. i think. haha.

wishing i was in michigan. my trip can't come soon enough.

Overthinker

I'm a firm believer in things being all or nothing... but i think i'm caught in the grey area.
does everything have to be all or nothing??

Go placidly..

(i wrote this prior to this past weekend)
A guy i had class with last semester died from injuries he suffered in a house fire last Saturday morning. This guy was so smart, fun, and always had something great to say in class. We weren't friends really, but i was pretty bummed when i read the school-wide email about it. It even further bummed me because the fire is suspected to be arson. Three other acts of suspected arson happened that same night/early morning.

I felt it necessary to email the prof from the class Renden and i had together. This prof was one of the best i've ever had (in my 5,000 years of undergrad) and we still keep in touch. Below is part of the email he sent me back. The end of the email is the piece he read to us before we took our final. It's very moving and full of great advice. I'm glad he included this in his email.. it's like reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. Enjoy and i hope you take something away from it :) aww.


I'm glad to hear you are doing well!
You ARE quite the nomad...if you remember, I bounced around quite a bit before the right job/career found me, so don't be discouraged.

You're doing the right thing in keeping a positive outlook and giving it all you have in the opportunities you find yourself in at the moment. My dad always told me, "Good things come to those who waiteth if they worketh like hell while they waiteth!" If they ask for 8 hours, give 'em 9. It will come back to you.
I'm proud of you and the way you're approaching this. If I can help in any way, let me know.

Remember my parting thoughts, too - you seem to be doing a good job living accordingly:
 
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.