When I was in college at The University of Arizona and North Carolina Central University, living on campus, I was poor but very happy. In Tucson, Melanie and I would wake up and go to whichever class we had, meet in the Union for crispy chicken wraps, go back to our rooms and sit on our computers and watch our favorite movies, maybe get a nap in there somewhere. At the computer, we would be listening to music, watching funny videos, and instant messaging people three and four doors down. When it got cooler, we might go work out at the Rec Center, go out to dinner or do some homework, whatever we were in the mood for. We would probably stay up really late laughing with our friends or going out somewhere else on campus. In Durham, swap Melanie for Jeania, the Union for the Caf, and crispy chicken for flat out fried chicken pieces. Maybe instead of going to the gym, we would play Spades and Phase 10 with our friends. Throw in the weekly foreign film screening, open mic night, progressive speaker or college sporting event and life was full. These were some of the best days of my life and I will always love everyone that was there with me.
Today, I felt as if I was transplanted back to those days. I was off from work, I had three text conversations that lasted between one and three hours each. I was on the computer applying for jobs and writing emails. I did laundry. I was checking prices for plane tickets and netbooks. It was very productive, but I didn't budge from the computer desk for more than one cumulative hour all day. Yesterday, I went to dinner with Rachna and had pancit and crab rangoons from Noodle Etc. It was a very relaxed affair, she wants to talk about my goals more than I do. I continue to be motivated by the faith that others have in me and the incredible acts of kindness from relative strangers. I also visited the Oriental Institute on Wednesday, and spoke to the volunteer coordinator. They have a very organized program but there are fees associated and there is no guarantee that I will be able to volunteer in the archives. I will keep exploring other collections. I will be eating the last of my chicken florentine tonight, so tomorrow shall bring a culinary innovation.
