life is

Incredibly busy and rewarding right now. I’m stressed out and exhausted but at the end of the day I couldn’t be happier doing anything else, because though maybe all of this will get old one day, it’s all I’ve got now.

(College is: lectures, friends, sorority life, boyfriend, new job, homework, midterms, parties, just enough sleep, and a whole lot of dirty jokes and junk food.)

“For nature lovers, this season has brought the appearance of a special species, homo studentus universitatus, a.k.a. the college student on break.

This highly social creature, which travels in packs and leaves a trail of unwashed dishes, is apparently drawn to return every winter to its parental nest. Researchers speculate that it is attracted to large-screen TVs, down comforters and a ready supply of food.

The initial arrival of homo studentus in late December is heralded by the appearance of a large pile of dirty laundry. This is followed by other piles of shoes and clothes, as the denim-rumped primate marks its territory by covering all flat surfaces with its possessions. Within days, the floor of its den is nearly impassable, though interestingly, the creature itself seems not to notice.

It generally remains in its winter habitat through mid-January, displaying the characteristics that make it a particularly intriguing form of wildlife.

A nocturnal animal, homo studentus is rarely glimpsed before mid-afternoon. Observers are warned: Do not attempt to disturb it before it awakens, as it can become hostile.

Once it begins to stir, it generally moves slowly to the vicinity of a television and a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. Again, do not approach it; at this point the creature appears to be unable to engage in conversation or even to hear sounds such as requests to walk the dog.

By late afternoon, however, homo studentus becomes fully conscious and begins to interact with other members of its species.

Homo studentus communicates largely by using its opposable thumbs for texting. The species’ social structure is complex and communal. Individuals gather in collectives, similar to hives, with different individuals fulfilling specific roles. One may buy the beer; another may surf YouTube for funny videos of animals.

They will often congregate on sofas in family rooms, burrowing underneath fleece throws and blankets. The pack can grow so large and dense that it may be difficult to discern which feet belong to which body. Observers trying to track the populations are advised to count heads.

Homo studentus is an extremely intelligent species, judging by the creatures’ GPAs, their verbal interactions and their speed with answers to “Jeopardy!” However, scientists are puzzled by their inability to fold blankets or put dishes into a dishwasher. It may be that their brains have evolved to specialize in such tasks as remembering lines from movies and applying to graduate school, to the detriment of those parts of the brain that are involved in such tasks as hanging clothes in a closet.

They appear to be cold-blooded, judging by the levels at which they set the thermostat. On the other hand, their preference for indoor heat may be a function of not paying for utilities.

Those who hope to observe this species closely can attract them by providing the right environment. Set out feeders, e.g. pizzas. Scatter indoor areas with pillows. Provide premium cable channels and potato chips. Stay out of sight and don’t touch the remote.

You may not always see the creatures themselves, particularly if you sleep at night. Some people have gone days without seeing the examples of homo studentus that have taken up residence in their homes. Be patient, and look for signs: A profusion of hair-care products in your bathroom, perhaps, or tire tracks in the snow on your front lawn. Eventually, even the most elusive of the creatures will show themselves, if only to ask you to buy more Honey Nut Cheerios.

The rewards of the species’ visit are substantial — a window into a complex society, happy noise in a quiet house, an impressive library of funny animal videos and the way your credit card feels so vibrantly alive. Indeed, many wildlife watchers are reluctant to see the creatures depart, and abandon their roles as observers to hug and kiss the creatures.

But the homo studentus season is brief. No matter how much the creatures have enjoyed the family nest and the use of their own bathrooms, they will soon return to college. Nature lovers must put away their binoculars, turn down the thermostat and bide their time until spring migration.”

- Barbara Brotman

hello 2010

I realize I’m twelve days late for the “Welcome to the New Year”-shebang, but up until recently 2010 didn’t really feel like the start of anything, much less a new decade. While I’m at it, the year in review:

January

• Started this blog. Wrote a lot while mostly trying to figure out what I wanted from life, especially after grades came out first quarter. Got trashed a few times and felt shitty while trying to get that “lease on life.” Studied. Studied. Studied.

February

• Went home for President’s Day, which was fine until Epic Fight with father. Didn’t talk to him for four months (have yet to grow out of holding grudges). Relationship with boyfriend coming along swimmingly and thought about sex a lot. The internet didn’t help with that one, as everyone seemed to be thinking about sex during February. Questioned what I wanted to do with my life.

March

• Finished the quarter and went to visit the boyfriend on the east coast. Trekked along in NYC and romanticized the idea of moving there when I’m worldly and 24. Quickly came down back to earth after realizing what a ridiculous and unrealistic idea it was. Had massive fight with suitemates over living situation for the next year and held a grudge.

April

• Started a new quarter. Life was good. Went to a lot of concerts and the beach. Had a lot of weird thoughts about my relationship and didn’t realize that they were actually warning signs about the shit-storm that was to come. Won a blow-up doll. Made up with suitemates, grew closer to roommate. Good shit.

May

• Went through too many complicated issues with the boyfriend. Didn’t want to break up but knew what we were doing wasn’t working. Worried about classes and grades a lot. Visited home and made up with Dad after being threatened by Mom. Things were cool by the end of the visit.

Summer

• June-August came and went in a blur of happy memories and good food. Made up with boyfriend by seeing him all the time and talking about it. Made up with Dad by not getting in each other’s hair and not talking about it. Decided to join a sorority. Turned 19.

September

• Came back to school. Partied. Too much alcohol (I think). So much school work. Barely writing.

October

• Rushed and got into a sorority I liked and learned to love. Things are great with the boyfriend, with the new friends, with the roommates. Classes are coming along swimmingly, though I’m eating ramen basically every day. Life is alright. Still not writing.

November

• Life becomes whirl of homework, parties, and people. Having minor fights with boyfriend over somewhat serious/somewhat stupid stuff, which resulted in a lot of two hour long walks at 10 at night. Not thinking about anything but getting into grad school. The whole “future” issue seems to have disappeared, though I’m still fidgeting over it. Wanting to write again.

December

• Studying. Not sleeping enough. So, so ready to go home for Winter Break. Plans were made to visit New York. Plans fell through. Searched for a puppy for Mom and made up with boyfriend. Minor incidences of annoyance with parents. Bearable, through and through. Job searched.

And now? Well, January’s come and is halfway over, and I’m doing good for myself. After intensively dating PortTriton (UCSD’s job listing site), I found a job at a biomedical research lab, where I have a contract to work for at least through the summer and an extended offer to work through the next school year as well. Though it’s only second week, I’m doing my best to stay motivated and get my work in order. I’ve re-resolved to write more (hello, resolution of last year that resulted in this blog) and to care less about what people think of it. Things between the boyfriend and I are good (twenty-one months today!), as are relations with roommates and friends. I’m turning twenty this year, and life looks good.

The whole growing-up in college thing really surprises me sometimes. Having a successful long distance relationship, making friends outside of my established circle, going Greek, and getting a job—these are all things that I thought about but could have never predicted. I’m still making goals for myself, but I’m in no rush. One thing I learned from 2009 is to relax a little bit, so I’m going to do just that. Things will work out because things always work out, and that’s that.