Dear Mom:
Well, I did it.
I survived a year at college.
Literally.
It's scary to think that just a year ago I was graduating from high school, and now here I am writing on the verge of my second set of collegiate finals ever.
It's been a busy year down here -- but I don't need to tell you that: You get the bills.
As you would expect, I have picked up on a few things here and there over the course of my journey into what some people call "the real world."
For instance, "What's up?" is not only an acceptable conversation starter in a male dorm, but also qualifies as asking, "How are you?" "How is your day going?" "What did you do last night?" and, at times, "Yeah, I completely dislike you, but still feel like being cordial."
But social situations are not the only instances in which I've gained knowledge.
I've gotten to see first-hand that friends don't always appreciate their writing-enabled counterparts speaking of them in a public forum such as, say, a student newspaper opinion page.
(Yes, we are talking again.)
I've also had an opportunity to learn about deception and secrecy; especially their correlation to high ranking offices.
I'm told there are even examples of these "monsters" here at school! One day I hope to meet that Board of Trustees or even the Presidential Search Committee. For now, though, I'm left with Residence and Housing Life.
Speaking of which, I'm excited about that new apartment and how close it will be to campus. I never thought watching drunk people stumble down a street could be so funny; especially when they're trying to buy hot dogs.
But, don't worry; we're careful about what we do here.
At least, now we are.
I have quickly learned that following rules and understanding consequences doesn't take a massively overdone PR campaign, but rather just a little common sense: Something I wish people in this "real world" had a little more of.
It is amazing, too, how the tragedies one least expects can manage to shape actions in ways that may have been unthinkable otherwise.
I know now that school spirit isn't a given everywhere you go, in fact some people think of it as optional.
But where the red runs, it runs strong.
This suddenly occurred to me on an idle Monday afternoon a few weeks ago, when a group of students (perhaps the largest in a long while) gathered to protest the common sense campaign our university has been propagandizing our campus with.
Regardless of who may be in the right, it was encouraging to see students of my age actually get off their rear ends to argue something.
I can only hope this student drive continues, if for nothing else but the sake of this institution.
Yeah -- it's been a busy year. I've certainly gotten my student loans' worth.
I look forward to returning in the fall to resume where I'm momentarily about to leave off, but in the meantime: Summer fast approaches.
One final note: Please give Dad my responses to his letter, I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to get back to him yet: "Yes. Trying not to. 6 times. Once a day. MGD. Hopefully next year. Yes, I did get her name. $50, at least. Better ask Mom about that."
I'll see you guys soon.
Love,
Dave
P.S.: When I called: I meant "What's up?" in a good way.
Write to Dave at heydave@bewilderedsociety.com
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