Bonethugs

There is nothing insignificant here. A bis black and white tote bag from Spain. A photo of us and Nana from the Cliffs of Moher (sp.) The red and pink lantern I stole from Ellen. The purse I bought her for Christmas secretly envying for myself. The pink and orange blanket Mom and Dad bought my in Ireland. The Spanish flag. Uncle Ben's old Magnavox TV. Tradition Never Graduates poster. Half a wardrobe that is not even mine. Why did walking into this room, in which I have lived only six months, feel oddly eerie? Crossroads are exhausting me.

Why are you so special

So I got to thinking today about the concept of privileges. Essentially a very good thing. But with discussion of privilege inevitably necessitates examination of its slightly more negative counterpart — entitlement. Which, I suppose, is exactly what I and many like me feel. To everything. I feel entitled to a fat discount on my new phone because [obviously] I have been toting my [perfectly usable] Chocolate phone for more than two years and am naturally due for a new device. I feel entitled to a good education, to answers right now, to no wait, to, thanks to On Demand, exactly what I want on TV and when, to comfort, to attention, to happiness. And I get all of these things usually.

Why in the world am I entitled to any of this? I can honestly say I have always worked hard, but let's face it, this life is pretty easy. Everything has come exactly when I wanted, and if not, I make it happen. Whether that means doing it myself or having my parents help me. I need someone to slap me across the face —hard— so maybe I might understand I don't deserve anything. I should have to show up to court for that speeding ticket. Things always conveniently work themselves out for me, however. Why do I get to have an attorney, conveniently a friend of dad's and already in court that day, represent me? The stars have aligned on my behalf on basically every big occasion, and looking back, I don't think I should have been given any of it. I used to think of myself as relatively weathered and, at least, strong. Maybe I am. But I still deep down have this embarrassing feeling of deserving everything I want or think I need, and consequently of getting immaturely pissed off if I don't get it right away.

In need of another reality check.

I want to go back to Europe.

Pet peeve

I have a few that need to be noted but the one that comes to mind first is the stuffy American student/tourist who refers to back home, America, as "the States." One more syllable [u-ni-ted states] would gain you a little more cred as a legit traveler. For instance, instead of "When I get back to the States I am going to change the way I do things," try "Upon my return to the United States [or even America] I vow to sound less like an asshole."

Desnudo

In light of recent airline security mishaps, the idea of flying naked has informally and sarcastically been proposed as the safest alternative to the all-body pat down and metal detectors in airports. Joke or not, this idea, along with the liquid rule, carry-on limitations and the color coded alert system, might be just one of the smartest TSA has in fact come up with. If given the opportunity, however, I might voice a few concerns about the idea to regulators.

Pros:
Terrorists would have a tougher time hiding stuff in the crotch of their pants since, naturally, they would not be wearing pants. Ipso facto, safer skies.
Security lines would go way faster.
No pat downs necessary. (We would have all kinds of other problems if pat downs were still conducted.)

Cons:
No pockets.
Perverts.
The odor. (sry)
The frigid airline cabins would surely make for exceedingly less comfortable environments sans garments.

Whatever shall we do? I can't decide whether this country is paranoid or justified with all of this talk. Weird to think I probably won't ever fly again as much as I did last year. That Dominican Republic flight in March will be the last doozey in a while.

BREAK

Has consisted, besides being neglectful of the blog for no real reason, of the following:

1) Watching the entire 1st season of Glee
2) Morning runs, sometimes with the padres.
3) Lots of retail.
4) Service hours. Thanks NDSP

This break has been kind of like a mini reality check. Being away from all of my friends for so long really sucks, and I have started missing all the shenanigans and irresponsibility of college. And the structured part— I guess I miss that too. I am so excited to go back and be useful again. I tried to gain at least a little clarity this break and at least figure out what I want to do. Now it's even more muddled. Superb. I have enough faith in myself for some reason though, for some reason, and I know everything will all fall into place.