This was an assignment for a class that I enjoyed very much. It is basically an imitation and modernization of the Pillow Book by Sei Shonagun, a courtlady in 11th century Heian Japan. THe original work is basically a journal and contains lists, musings, and observations about daily life and culture. Here is my imitation. It was exeptionally entertaining to write.
Musings of a College Freshman
1. Things
That Are Awkward or Annoying
The afternoon nap that sneaks up on you, causing you
to miss choir.
When someone says hello to you and their friends titter
as if it was an insult.
When a friend brings up a touchy subject and is
offended when you seem frustrated.
You can’t remove someone from your heart as easily as
you can delete their number off your phone. No matter how much you would like
to.
A friend gets jealous when you interact with her
crush. You have to assure her that he does indeed seem to be interested in her,
and that you yourself wish them all the best.
When you have to ask a person’s name after a week or
two of friendship because you failed to pay enough attention when they first
introduced themselves and had heretofore been too embarrassed to admit it.
While helping a friend with math homework, she refuses
to listen to you. Your work doesn’t match her teacher’s step-by-step
instructions that confused her in the first place, and despite the fact that
you know your numbers are right, she is angry. You want to help her and yet all
that has occurred is the start of a feud.
Your date pulls out his I.D. to purchase your dinner,
but the establishment does not accept Dining Dollars. The young suitor is a bit
ruffled and stutters as he pulls out an alternate form of payment. It is very
uncomfortable to be the cause of another’s embarrassment, and you wish this
date had never happened.
When other people have rented a puppy and you must
resist joining them in fawning over it. You know they paid for the
small, furry, ball of energy and joy and you have no right to play with it.
Yet, the urge is hard to ignore. After greeting the animal you restrain yourself
from further usurping its attention.
When the website that you need to purchase course
materials from fails to authorize your valid Debit card and you fall behind in
the class. Once you finally alleviate that problem by asking your mother to use
her credit card, the website still says you don’t have any course materials,
despite the fact that you have an email saying that the payment has been
processed.
2.
Dinner with my friends is always an interesting
affair. We gather around a table and sometimes two. There are too many of us
often for one. This always occurs at about six in the evening, but more and
more of us continue to file into the Cannon Center until about an hour later.
Each night, the
conversations are heated and lively. Although the girls out-number the boys,
there is still plenty of flirtation. Tonight, the group decided to get what
rise they could from Emily by stealing her phone. Of course they meant no harm
and would give it back to her as soon as the game ceased to entertain, but it
took a long time. Emily reacted in such a pleasing way, searching each member
of the group, while never suspecting the one that was holding on to it.
I came in halfway
through this situation, and my confusion was abated only when someone
explained. “Natalie has Emily’s phone, and everyone but Emily knows,” Tahoe
said with a kind hearted glint of mischief in his eyes. It is nothing less of
what I have come to expect from this group of adolescents. After a few more
laughs, Natalie returned the phone.
I think it is
interesting that at the young age of 18 or 19, people are supposed to be
adults. We still hold on to many childlike behaviors. We play games to
establish an odd sort of hierarchy and are practically incapable of any mature
thought. Strange and petty arguments are daily occurrences. Yet, we can vote; we have a say in the
government. We are expected to live without the ever-present support or
supervision of parents. Responsibility, new and strange, weighs us down and
sometimes we crumble under the pressure rather than rising to the
challenge.
Although this
organization of society may seem counterproductive and counter intuitive, it is
not. This university is a testing ground. We can fail here without drastic and
long lasting effects. The support we get from old and new friends, family, and
others gives a unique stability. When we fall, there are many hands reaching
for us. We just have to look around to see them.
3. Disagreeable
Sights
People blatantly disregarding the Honor Code.
Empty ice cream cartons at the Cannon Center.
A suit that still has tacks on its vents the third
week of wear. Even more disagreeable is the fact that you cannot bring this
problem up with the owner. It is not that you aren’t close to him both
physically and mentally, but somehow you suspect he will be more embarrassed by
your notice than the entire ward’s unspoken disapproval. I wish I could sneak
up behind him and rectify the situation.
The large zit on your face that wasn’t there a week
ago.
A past romantic interest talking to another girl. It
is especially displeasing at a club activity that I enjoy attending. I will not
miss out simply because I do not wish to see him flirt. But, I must witness it
and bear it, even when he holds her close while dancing.
A couple grossly enamored with one another in the
lobby snuggling.
A gray sky without any definite clouds. It all merges
together, one mass of vapor weighing down on the world.
The clock
pronouncing that it is time for something unpleasant.
Unread messages building up on LearningSuite. It is annoying to see the
Icon with an ever increasing number, and yet, they remain. I could fix this by simply clicking
through them all, but that is also excessively irritating.
Such fun. Jan. 2015
