My College Years

Thinking back over the past four years, I've realized that a lot of interesting things have happened to me as an undergraduate.

I started off living in a fancy, completely paid-for single dorm room that was one minute away from the ocean; I ended up living with some great roommates in a fancy apartment that had a creek. In between I lived with a 53 year old woman, in a foreign country, and under stairs.

I took some very unique classes:
World Music - my professor brought in musicians from around the world to demonstrate various instruments and musical styles. Some of our assignments were to attend concerts. I also completed an Honors project for that class; normally that involves extra research or a paper. But no, he just taught me how to play the Middle Eastern Drum.

Global Religion - This class was essentially a bunch of fields trips to nearby places of worship. We went to the Buddhist temple, Vedanta temple, and Jewish Synagogue in Santa Barbara, and went to a Hindu temple, Sikh Gurudwara, Islamic center, and the center of Scientology in L.A. For our final project we created and presented a religion we made up...mine was Oprahism.

Music and Politics - I saw this listed in the course catalog and thought, "umm...yes??" All we did was watch movies from 6-9 pm on Tuesdays and talk about how the music affected the political message of the film. For my final I wrote a paper about the song Gabriel's Oboe from The Mission.

Global Business - This class was "taught" by Paul Orfalea, the man who started Kinko's. I've never met a more foul-mouthed, dirty-minded, greedy, and cynical old man. We had no assignments and no tests, but I've never had a more stressful class because he would critique everything you said and did. He did take the entire class out for lunch after each class, but you had to weigh the pro of free food against the con of being near him for another hour. For our final, he took us to the Montecito Country Club for a fancy dinner and schmoozing. All in all, I think I learned a lot about the way business is run internationally, and I hated it.

Tumbling - This was SO much fun. Basically, we got set loose in a trampoline-filled, foam-padded room and learned how to do handstands, handsprings, and flips.

In addition to classes (some were legit, I promise)... I played soccer, badminton, and ultimate, I ran along the bluffs, went hiking and rock climbing. I rode my bike everyday, everywhere (I figure I rode 1200 miles this last year alone). However, I never got in a bike accident or had my bike stolen. I jumped off the pier twice. I attended varied concerts and lectures, from John Stossel and Gunther to Yo Yo Ma and Tony Blair. I was waterboarded. During my spring breaks I went to Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and South Dakota. I traveled abroad, which was the most adventurous time of my life.

I won't miss: Riding my bike in the rain, or against that blasted wind. Arriving everywhere sweaty and windblown. Isla Vista. Tar on my feet after going to the beach. Running over squirrels. Freshmen on the bike path. Writing papers, and stressing over exams.

I will miss: Meeting Vivian for lunch on campus every Wednesday to watch world music concerts. Downtown Santa Barbara. Picking blackberries, tangerines, oranges, cumquats, and grapefruit on my bike ride to school. The donut shop that sells Thai food. All of my wonderful friends. Living next to/with Vivian and Jerry, and babysitting Levi. The ocean, the mountains, the slough, the butterfly forest and the eucalyptus trees.

What a time it has been. Goodbye Santa Barbara!