Victoria Jamiel
Dr. Ellis
EN.101.17
24 September 2013
GOOOOODMORNING
BALTIMORE
IT CANNOT ALREADY BE 7:30am. My 4-hour
nights sleep, due to massive amounts of homework, went by much quicker than
anticipated. The snooze button on my alarm clock is now my best friend. Thank you technology.
The demeanor of my classmates and I is
directly reflected by the subject in which we endure together. For example,
in my 9am accounting class, MUMS IS THE
WORD. No one speaks, only when directly spoken too. Coffee is guzzled as my
classmates fight to keep their eyes from closing shut. Once closed, there is no
way to unbreak the adhesive glue keeping them together. Although, I assume my
teacher must understand the struggle we all suffer.
Today’s clothing choice was particularly
interesting. There has been a shift from high-waist jean shorts and baby-doll
cotton dresses to sweaters and jeans. Oh and of course the athletic clothes. I
can easily spot who the friends in the class are simply by their clothes. The
four girls sitting in the back left corner always wear gym shorts and a
t-shirt. Amanda, in the front sits next to Jenny, and they both rotate between
dresses and skirts daily—but always have on a cardigan. It makes me think if a
requirement of their friendship is based on dress codes. Then again, I
shouldn’t make assumptions based on appearances. Does my Medusa inspired frizzy
hair make me appear that I am lazy, or is it just a reflection of my 4-hour
night sleep? No one asks. I’m not surprised though, that would require them to
talk. The only form of communication at this hour is sneaky texts messages from
underneath the desk. My teacher is not blind; but do they think he is?
One hour without electronics… without social
media… without communication over the inter-web. One hour when I am forced
to reflect. It is this hour that I can truly relax. I take this opportunity to
go for my daily run, but this time without music, or a route tracker. Just
nature and I for 60 minutes. The sound of dogs barking in the near-by
neighborhoods, the first leaves of fall rustling on the sidewalk besides me and
the friendly power-walker’s joyful “hello” ignite an instant connection between
nature and me. I usually get lost in my pump up techno music accompanied by the
robotic woman’s voice telling me how many miles I have traveled and in how many
minutes; but this time is different. I am not running to escape from stress,
but to embrace the peace and serenity that surrounds me.
I come home, to meet Michelle—the hamster.
My roommate Gina is dancing while on the phone with her mom singing, “I BOUGHT
A HAMSTER BECAUSE YOU DEPRIVED ME AS A CHILD! YOU ONLY NEED TO BE 18 TO BUY AN
ANIMAL…THAT’S BREATHING! GOD TOLD ME TO BUY A HAMSTER!!!!!” All I can do is laugh. She’s normal I
swear. She says whatever is on her mind. It’s a nice change from people who are
afraid to be honest. They either do not want to hurt other’s feelings, or they
just do not know themselves well enough to have an opinion. I am truly inspired
by the confident people, who take a stand, share their opinions, and who are
not afraid to live in the moment.
My day in review: Everything is good in MODERATION.
Friends wear similar clothes not to be a clique, but because they share common
interests. Although a little originality is what keeps people unique. Texting
is an efficient way to send a quick message but it takes away from personal
relationships and face-to-face engagements. If you ask me, it is easy to get
lost in the trance of technology. It is everywhere, even the second you wakeup
in the morning. It provides instant satisfaction. Once you are able to break
that trance, like I did today for simply 60 minutes, it can easily change your
perspective on what is important. The simple things become more apparent. The
contagious energy from the free-spirited roommate or the times when you just
laugh and laugh… and cannot stop laughing. Even the times when you share an
unspoken bond with your classmates over the inability to tune in to “debits and
credits” at 9am. It about enjoying the people around you and not being afraid
to try something new.
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