Being invisible can have its advantages. I never realized until recently how much people fill the air with stupid phrases just to hear their own voices.
Girl 1: "Did you know you have to like...work?!"
Girl 2: "What do you mean?"
Girl 1: "Like you have to like read. Like before quizzes and stuff. Like actually pay attention in class and stuff...?"
Me: ..........
Guy running in the hallway: "Suck my d**k!!"
Me: Thanks but no thanks.
Sorority Girl: "He just like took advantage of me when I was like drunk, you know? Like he knew how wasted I was."
Me: "Mm. Mhmm."
Her friend: "What a douche. How did it even happen, though?"
Sorority Girl: "Well we went to his room and I just ripped off my clothes and jumped in bed."
Me: Ohhh, yeah. He so took advantage of you.
Her: "Do you wanna get weird?"
Him: *nods head*
Me: "......Let's not walk over in that vicinity for awhile."
Sketchy Kid: "It's like $20 a pill!"
Me: Time to lock up my vitamins.
Girl: "And so I stuck it under his bed. Bahahaha!"
Friend: "Oh my God! Do you know how much that's going to smell in a couple weeks?!"
Me: .........I don't even want to know.
So there are some things I've been hearing, and some I hear on a daily basis. If I get good feedback on this, it may turn into a weekly post. I will try to remember all the ridiculous things people say! Make sure you comment if you enjoyed it and follow me on Twitter for updates: @alexismcampbell
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
A thousand years old...
And from this she looked around and saw, before her eyes, the sudden transformation of children become the adults they thought they should be. But she only saw the same children dressing up like their parents. On the surface, sure, the stubble on their chins was pronounced and jaw line visible more than ever, but really the clothes were much too large and the shoes too big to fill and the way in which they carried themselves were sad stereotypical attempts at reality. She watched them, and in watching them, she herself became at once a thousand years older, but felt much like the outcast among children acting how they thought they should.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Epiphany.
Obviously my experience in the first four weeks of college have not treated me well. There's no particular instance that I can point to, and it's not the typical problems people have with college (like roommates; mine is good regarding other stories I've heard). I think the most trouble I've had is the fact that I am not like most of the people I am surrounded by here.
We had our first fire drill the other night when I was on the phone with my mom and I was in such a withdrawn, careless mood I didn't even jump when it went off, but simply grabbed my keys and walked out. I stood in the grass across from the dorm by myself. It was like there was an invisible barrier around me. People stood around the edge of it, didn't come near, and talked animatedly with their friends. To them, this fire drill was just another adventure in the dorms. To me, it was just more proof that I wasn't right there. I even tried to look inviting, staying off my phone for ten minutes, but finally giving in and calling my best friend and parents. It was pathetic.
I have gotten to know some people, but I don't see them all the time and I like to spend some time alone, too. It's just that feeling of belonging that I am lacking and I don't know if I will ever find it. At this point, I feel unmotivated to do homework and find myself craving the time when I can sit and read, write, look up pointless videos, or even clean the room.
One of my best friends that attends a different college came to visit this last weekend and I will be the first to say that it was a God-send. She has been going through the same problems and it was great talking it out with someone that understands. I just wish we were at the same school or had time to talk more often. We went to a football game (my first!), tailgated a little, and just had fun. But it was after the game and the fun and hanging out that I was walking back to my dorm and felt so discouraged again. Back into the loop of school and studying, and stressing out.
So it was only just that I had an epiphany. As I sit in a Starbucks editing my final draft of my first essay (which I found myself dreading instead of my typical enjoyment I got in writing), I finally understood why writing had gotten so mundane and tedious to me recently. I was done with being graded to such high standards that ultimately proved...what? My ability to communicate to someone? No.
After dipping my toes in the world of traveling, I thought my thirst would be satiated. This last school year I had done so much...Mexico, Panama, even just new states. I had learned more about myself and others and the world in general. By no means did that help the situation. I want more. I hate being trapped doing societal necessities and earning a degree because "it's what you need," "it's the only way to succeed."
Even if this feeling passes by morning, it's worth writing down. You should not be determined by the degree or education you have. If someone judges you on that, then they're not worth knowing or giving your time to. I have experienced much more than the average person can say they have and I'm young.
I want to use this ample time to do things I won't be able to later. I want the world to think differently of young persons. I want the world to think differently about young writers' abilities. There are so many young artists (One Direction, Taylor Swift), young Youtube stars (The Janoskians), young actors, who have been successful and esteemed. I don't know of many young successful writers. But why not?
Now, my essay will get finished tonight whether I want it to or not. But I am seriously going to consider making writing my number one priority and travel writing a goal of mine.
Alexis
We had our first fire drill the other night when I was on the phone with my mom and I was in such a withdrawn, careless mood I didn't even jump when it went off, but simply grabbed my keys and walked out. I stood in the grass across from the dorm by myself. It was like there was an invisible barrier around me. People stood around the edge of it, didn't come near, and talked animatedly with their friends. To them, this fire drill was just another adventure in the dorms. To me, it was just more proof that I wasn't right there. I even tried to look inviting, staying off my phone for ten minutes, but finally giving in and calling my best friend and parents. It was pathetic.
I have gotten to know some people, but I don't see them all the time and I like to spend some time alone, too. It's just that feeling of belonging that I am lacking and I don't know if I will ever find it. At this point, I feel unmotivated to do homework and find myself craving the time when I can sit and read, write, look up pointless videos, or even clean the room.
One of my best friends that attends a different college came to visit this last weekend and I will be the first to say that it was a God-send. She has been going through the same problems and it was great talking it out with someone that understands. I just wish we were at the same school or had time to talk more often. We went to a football game (my first!), tailgated a little, and just had fun. But it was after the game and the fun and hanging out that I was walking back to my dorm and felt so discouraged again. Back into the loop of school and studying, and stressing out.
So it was only just that I had an epiphany. As I sit in a Starbucks editing my final draft of my first essay (which I found myself dreading instead of my typical enjoyment I got in writing), I finally understood why writing had gotten so mundane and tedious to me recently. I was done with being graded to such high standards that ultimately proved...what? My ability to communicate to someone? No.
After dipping my toes in the world of traveling, I thought my thirst would be satiated. This last school year I had done so much...Mexico, Panama, even just new states. I had learned more about myself and others and the world in general. By no means did that help the situation. I want more. I hate being trapped doing societal necessities and earning a degree because "it's what you need," "it's the only way to succeed."
Even if this feeling passes by morning, it's worth writing down. You should not be determined by the degree or education you have. If someone judges you on that, then they're not worth knowing or giving your time to. I have experienced much more than the average person can say they have and I'm young.
I want to use this ample time to do things I won't be able to later. I want the world to think differently of young persons. I want the world to think differently about young writers' abilities. There are so many young artists (One Direction, Taylor Swift), young Youtube stars (The Janoskians), young actors, who have been successful and esteemed. I don't know of many young successful writers. But why not?
Now, my essay will get finished tonight whether I want it to or not. But I am seriously going to consider making writing my number one priority and travel writing a goal of mine.
Alexis
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Skills
I thought I would focus this post on some skills you should acquire before going to college (not necessarily that you will need them, but they're kind of fun to know!). So, here goes:
1) Picking a lock
Okay, so I don't know how to pick a regular kind of lock. This really only came out of desperation. I was the lame one doing homework one night while it seemed like everyone else on my floor was out partying, and I really had to use the restroom!
Now, I have a suite-style bathroom which means I share a sink, shower, and toilet with my roommate and the room with two girls next to us. You can lock the bathroom door from the inside on both sides. Multiple times, I've had to knock on my suite mates' door for them to unlock it on our side since they ALWAYS seem to forget. (I had to do this one time after getting stuck in a severe downpour and I couldn't get in to take a shower. Needless to say, I got strange looks waiting outside their door for them to answer.)
I don't have a problem with asking them, I know it's an honest mistake. But that night, everyone was gone and the door was locked. Of course. My parents pressured me into getting my RA (which I probably should've done), but my pride got in my way. I was determined to get in that bathroom if it killed me.
I scrambled for a bobby pin like I'd seen them pick locks with in the movies. The lock was just a pop lock (when you turn the handle, the lock pops forward) so it just had a little hole on the outside.
For a good ten minutes I was trying to find the right way to place the bobby pin to get it to pop open. It didn't work. I tried to return to my work for another few minutes, but I kept thinking back to that door.
So, naturally, I tried a card from my wallet. Didn't work. If someone saw me, I'm sure I would've been the laughing stock. I was pathetically trying to break into my own bathroom.
I promised myself I would try one more time before getting my RA, so I returned to the bobby pin and angrily pushed it into the lock, farther than I had before. When I heard the lock click open, I got more excited than I definitely should have. It was the highlight of my night!
So, moral of the story, if you have a pop lock, a bobby pin can for sure open it if need be!
*I am not condoning picking locks, but desperate times call for desperate measures!*
2) Finding a cabby!
Sorry for the British in me coming out, but I think finding a taxi driver is one of the best things you can do. I've had a company in my phone since the beginning of high school, but where I am, I didn't have any idea who to go to for one.
Leave it up to others to find one. You don't want to risk getting a sketchy taxi driver the first time you go out. In front of my dorm, there are cabs waiting almost every night and most of them aren't even real cab drivers, but just people looking for easy money. Don't take one that looks questionable or that drives like a maniac.
Me and my friends needed a ride one night, so we asked my suite mates if they knew a good one. We called her up and she was an ex school teacher! Score! She was so nice and said that if we ever needed her to call her up and she'd come right away...especially for us nice girls!
Also, make sure to check that the driver starts at 0 when you get in the car...a lot of people get ripped off by this, so it's good to be diligent.
*One more also...we almost forgot to tip our wonderful driver. Usually it's courtesy to tip the taxi driver (I'm assuming the same amount as you would a waiter at a restaurant)
3) Have Numbers
Have someone's number that you trust on campus besides your immediate friends. I have numbers of upperclassmen and just family friends that are so nice to offer their help whenever I may need it. Even if I never use it, it's a security blanket to have the numbers in my phone.
Hopefully these things come into some use for you one day!
1) Picking a lock
Okay, so I don't know how to pick a regular kind of lock. This really only came out of desperation. I was the lame one doing homework one night while it seemed like everyone else on my floor was out partying, and I really had to use the restroom!
Now, I have a suite-style bathroom which means I share a sink, shower, and toilet with my roommate and the room with two girls next to us. You can lock the bathroom door from the inside on both sides. Multiple times, I've had to knock on my suite mates' door for them to unlock it on our side since they ALWAYS seem to forget. (I had to do this one time after getting stuck in a severe downpour and I couldn't get in to take a shower. Needless to say, I got strange looks waiting outside their door for them to answer.)
I don't have a problem with asking them, I know it's an honest mistake. But that night, everyone was gone and the door was locked. Of course. My parents pressured me into getting my RA (which I probably should've done), but my pride got in my way. I was determined to get in that bathroom if it killed me.
I scrambled for a bobby pin like I'd seen them pick locks with in the movies. The lock was just a pop lock (when you turn the handle, the lock pops forward) so it just had a little hole on the outside.
For a good ten minutes I was trying to find the right way to place the bobby pin to get it to pop open. It didn't work. I tried to return to my work for another few minutes, but I kept thinking back to that door.
So, naturally, I tried a card from my wallet. Didn't work. If someone saw me, I'm sure I would've been the laughing stock. I was pathetically trying to break into my own bathroom.
I promised myself I would try one more time before getting my RA, so I returned to the bobby pin and angrily pushed it into the lock, farther than I had before. When I heard the lock click open, I got more excited than I definitely should have. It was the highlight of my night!
So, moral of the story, if you have a pop lock, a bobby pin can for sure open it if need be!
*I am not condoning picking locks, but desperate times call for desperate measures!*
2) Finding a cabby!
Sorry for the British in me coming out, but I think finding a taxi driver is one of the best things you can do. I've had a company in my phone since the beginning of high school, but where I am, I didn't have any idea who to go to for one.
Leave it up to others to find one. You don't want to risk getting a sketchy taxi driver the first time you go out. In front of my dorm, there are cabs waiting almost every night and most of them aren't even real cab drivers, but just people looking for easy money. Don't take one that looks questionable or that drives like a maniac.
Me and my friends needed a ride one night, so we asked my suite mates if they knew a good one. We called her up and she was an ex school teacher! Score! She was so nice and said that if we ever needed her to call her up and she'd come right away...especially for us nice girls!
Also, make sure to check that the driver starts at 0 when you get in the car...a lot of people get ripped off by this, so it's good to be diligent.
*One more also...we almost forgot to tip our wonderful driver. Usually it's courtesy to tip the taxi driver (I'm assuming the same amount as you would a waiter at a restaurant)
3) Have Numbers
Have someone's number that you trust on campus besides your immediate friends. I have numbers of upperclassmen and just family friends that are so nice to offer their help whenever I may need it. Even if I never use it, it's a security blanket to have the numbers in my phone.
Hopefully these things come into some use for you one day!
Alexis
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Time Away
With a long Labor Day weekend, I thought it'd be the perfect time to come home and get some much needed rejuvenation from my hard time here the past two weeks. I was one of few going home, but it made sense to me. Throughout all last week, it was basically the idea of coming home that kept me motivated to do my work diligently and quickly. And now that I've returned, I can say that being home gave me that boost to keep working and will get me through until I leave again.
It was weird packing to go to home and once I got there I felt like a visitor in my own room. I didn't really unpack as I was only there for three days, so my toiletries hung in the bathroom and my bag stayed on the floor of my bedroom, waiting to be unpacked.
I walked into my room and was surprised. I stood in the doorway for a few seconds, going over possibilities, and realized there wasn't an explanation for the level at which my bed sat. I laughed to myself and plopped down. My feet could actually touch the ground! It was so weird to see how low my bed looked coming from one that I have to use a stool to get up on. I can't believe I actually thought about the possibility of my parents changing the height of my bed frame. Just one of those little things you don't think about being a big difference when it changes in college.
In the bathroom, when I brush my teeth, I normally place my toothbrush underneath the sink in a little drawer. Every time after I brushed my teeth this weekend, I hit my hand on the door of the cupboard. I hadn't taken my toothbrush out of there, so naturally it wasn't open. I placed the little plastic cap back onto the bristles and put my toothbrush back where it came from...into my toiletries bag hanging on the towel rack.
Despite the cloud of going back to school hanging over my head, I had a fantastic time. Me and my best friend cruised the town (well, within about five blocks of our houses!) blasting One Direction and dancing like crazy. We also cooked a homemade meal...I haven't had one of those in what feels like forever! My friend Brooke is also very talented when it comes to anything artistic. Seriously, an amazing artist (I have a few in my room!) and a beauty expert. I always feel pampered when I'm with her...she loves making me look better. Anyway, she cut my hair this weekend. It was a drastic change, a little shorter than anything she'd ever done on me, but I love it! It's almost like a new beginning...I think it makes me look more polished and older. Shout out to her...I love it! ;)
My family and I spent the weekend lounging around and eating yummy homemade food, which is all I could honestly ask for. My parents did my laundry, had my room cleaned, and let me lay in their bed. My sister made lunch. I got to ride in a car. It was truthfully all I needed, just some normalcy and the presence of people I knew. I loved this weekend!
Anyway, I'm off to listen to some Ed Sheeran and get some homework done!
It was weird packing to go to home and once I got there I felt like a visitor in my own room. I didn't really unpack as I was only there for three days, so my toiletries hung in the bathroom and my bag stayed on the floor of my bedroom, waiting to be unpacked.
I walked into my room and was surprised. I stood in the doorway for a few seconds, going over possibilities, and realized there wasn't an explanation for the level at which my bed sat. I laughed to myself and plopped down. My feet could actually touch the ground! It was so weird to see how low my bed looked coming from one that I have to use a stool to get up on. I can't believe I actually thought about the possibility of my parents changing the height of my bed frame. Just one of those little things you don't think about being a big difference when it changes in college.
In the bathroom, when I brush my teeth, I normally place my toothbrush underneath the sink in a little drawer. Every time after I brushed my teeth this weekend, I hit my hand on the door of the cupboard. I hadn't taken my toothbrush out of there, so naturally it wasn't open. I placed the little plastic cap back onto the bristles and put my toothbrush back where it came from...into my toiletries bag hanging on the towel rack.
Despite the cloud of going back to school hanging over my head, I had a fantastic time. Me and my best friend cruised the town (well, within about five blocks of our houses!) blasting One Direction and dancing like crazy. We also cooked a homemade meal...I haven't had one of those in what feels like forever! My friend Brooke is also very talented when it comes to anything artistic. Seriously, an amazing artist (I have a few in my room!) and a beauty expert. I always feel pampered when I'm with her...she loves making me look better. Anyway, she cut my hair this weekend. It was a drastic change, a little shorter than anything she'd ever done on me, but I love it! It's almost like a new beginning...I think it makes me look more polished and older. Shout out to her...I love it! ;)
My family and I spent the weekend lounging around and eating yummy homemade food, which is all I could honestly ask for. My parents did my laundry, had my room cleaned, and let me lay in their bed. My sister made lunch. I got to ride in a car. It was truthfully all I needed, just some normalcy and the presence of people I knew. I loved this weekend!
Anyway, I'm off to listen to some Ed Sheeran and get some homework done!
Alexis
Sunday, September 2, 2012
My Schedule
As I've talked on my study habits, I thought it would be useful to give you an idea of what my classes are like and how I spend my in-between time.
Firstly, everyone always told me to never have a class at 8 AM--or anything before 10, for that matter--because in college, it's equivalent to 5 AM. Personally, I don't mind having classes early, even if it means downing a cup of coffee in the morning or throughout my first class. I feel like I have accomplished more during the day and I like to get my classes out of the way and focus on what I have to do.
Anyway, I begin my day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at an 8 AM English class. It's great to start off with a class I love and which gets me thinking. Next, from around 10 AM to 2 PM, I have three other classes: Anthropology, Linguistics, and Spanish. By far, my Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are the most hectic! I have some one hour breaks between some of those, during which I usually stay around the area, studying or slyly people-watching, which I guess is kind of creepy. I have seen more types of people on this campus than anywhere before, so sometimes I just sit sipping coffee and laugh (or sometimes make myself angry) watching my fellow university peers.
Fridays consist of two discussion sessions with Teacher's Assistants (basically grad students getting credit for teaching for the professor) for my anthropology and linguistics class. Fridays are my longest days and they seem to drag on and on. I feel as if I'm wasting time during my discussion sessions and just providing the grad students with their credit while I could be doing more worthy hobbies, like keeping up on this blog or writing for fun.
My Tuesdays and Thursdays are by far my favorite days. I just have one class (Philosophy), which begins at 9:30 AM and lasts for about an hour and a half. It has been difficult having such a deep class so early in the morning, but that means I get to spend the rest of the day finishing homework, usually relaxing outside or hanging out with friends between their classes. I think with all this free time, I am going to start writing more...I really miss it and hopefully I will get some worthy material and find myself on the other side of the pond ;)!
The moral of the story is if you think you will be spending your nights completely wasted like most people, having an 8 o'clock class is probably not the best idea. But if you like to be efficient--and drinking coffee--I definitely suggest taking early classes and getting them out of the way.
This Labor Day weekend I'm spending at home since I missed it so much! I will update on what I did over the weekend sometime soon...it's definitely bittersweet! Anyway, have a great weekend!
Firstly, everyone always told me to never have a class at 8 AM--or anything before 10, for that matter--because in college, it's equivalent to 5 AM. Personally, I don't mind having classes early, even if it means downing a cup of coffee in the morning or throughout my first class. I feel like I have accomplished more during the day and I like to get my classes out of the way and focus on what I have to do.
Anyway, I begin my day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at an 8 AM English class. It's great to start off with a class I love and which gets me thinking. Next, from around 10 AM to 2 PM, I have three other classes: Anthropology, Linguistics, and Spanish. By far, my Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are the most hectic! I have some one hour breaks between some of those, during which I usually stay around the area, studying or slyly people-watching, which I guess is kind of creepy. I have seen more types of people on this campus than anywhere before, so sometimes I just sit sipping coffee and laugh (or sometimes make myself angry) watching my fellow university peers.
Fridays consist of two discussion sessions with Teacher's Assistants (basically grad students getting credit for teaching for the professor) for my anthropology and linguistics class. Fridays are my longest days and they seem to drag on and on. I feel as if I'm wasting time during my discussion sessions and just providing the grad students with their credit while I could be doing more worthy hobbies, like keeping up on this blog or writing for fun.
My Tuesdays and Thursdays are by far my favorite days. I just have one class (Philosophy), which begins at 9:30 AM and lasts for about an hour and a half. It has been difficult having such a deep class so early in the morning, but that means I get to spend the rest of the day finishing homework, usually relaxing outside or hanging out with friends between their classes. I think with all this free time, I am going to start writing more...I really miss it and hopefully I will get some worthy material and find myself on the other side of the pond ;)!
The moral of the story is if you think you will be spending your nights completely wasted like most people, having an 8 o'clock class is probably not the best idea. But if you like to be efficient--and drinking coffee--I definitely suggest taking early classes and getting them out of the way.
This Labor Day weekend I'm spending at home since I missed it so much! I will update on what I did over the weekend sometime soon...it's definitely bittersweet! Anyway, have a great weekend!
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