You Get What You Give

Welcome back to yet another blog post expressing commiseration over the fatigue and stress that seems to find its way into our heads and hearts whenever exams rush towards the entire campus in the same one- to two-week timeframe. This time, I have more images of nature because that offers a personal solace that I can’t always find in the campus that continues to remind me of impending deadlines and exam dates. As spring break has passed us by and March draws to a close, I can’t help but be nostalgic for the previous summer into fall transition that brought many of us to this campus for our first classes as a fully registered college student. An air of excitement tends to fill the air during the first few weeks before gradually becoming one of monotony and routine, as well as frustration at the never ending to-do list. 

I think humans are extraordinary for our ability to become uncomfortable doing the same things again and again, although maybe that is our adventurous spirit and outlook, always looking to learn and expand our abilities. We like to stick to our comfort zone just as much as we like to try new things, but getting bored is a unique talent that us older Gen Z’ers have quite an aptitude for. Ironically, I never tire of seeing the fauna on this campus, no matter how many days in a row I’ve walked past the same trees, likely with the same squirrel inhabitants up on a branch or down on the ground for a snack or a joyous frolic. This little man was positioned closer to the street than a tree, however, and was content to sit there munching away as I walked by close enough to snap a picture. For an animal that doesn’t travel particularly far in its lifetime, squirrels manage to find excitement (and peace) in the smallest of comforts or adventures. This one decided to scurry past me to his tree as I headed into my dorm, returning to the place of safety he has likely adorned myriad times in his escapades.

Similarly, this cottontail (no, his name is not Peter, I promise) was exceedingly well hidden by the downtown side of Atherton, rustling the leaves as I walked by and taking me completely by surprise. Life is full of those funny little moments, in the sunny days after a rainy forecast, a pleasantly surprising test grade, or a lazy day in class just spent chatting. Animals have this wonderful ability, besides their cuteness and fluffy tails, to shake us out of our slumps and make us smile at the freedoms and liveliness that they exude just by existing. I have my fair share of bad days, as I’m sure we all do, but these lovely creatures somehow make me realize that life isn’t so serious and I need to stop treating it as such. For the rest of the semester, as much as is within my control, I plan to laugh and smile at the world, the animals, my mistakes and successes, my friends and everyone I have yet to meet. I mean c’mon, how could anything beat just living?