Okay so.... Yeah that one girl I tried to talk to before winter break? That went nowhere. Oddly enough, the day I got back to school I decided I'd just for kicks Facebook search and see if she popped up within the first 3 suggestions, like some small sort of game. And of course, she did. So I decided to contact her on there with a long comical message first of all apologizing for any sort of possible misunderstanding, but then afterward telling her we should still get to know each other and be friends. Right after sending the message, I actually ended up passing her in the stairwell and decided last minute to quickly apologize to her in person. But that was all... I had other things to do and figured whatever questions she might have, assuming she was at all concerned, would be answered in the Facebook message. It's been a week and I haven't gotten any reply, and she has switched from flirty to awkward when I walk by, but it is what it is. I'm not worried.
Yesterday, after sleeping away much of my day to make up for lost hours building up over the week, I set up camp on a counter eating spot in the cafeteria. Because sometimes I just like to take myself out on dates you know. But as I come back, this random guy, who ends up telling me his story, just sits right beside me in a cafeteria of hundreds of open chairs and tables. It blew my mind how refreshed I felt when he turned and asked "so, what's your story?" with a bit of sandwich packed into his cheek and slight nerves. We ended up talking for some time. As it turns out, he's from a small town in Pennsylvania where he felt he was never meant for college, so right out of high school he dived right into joining the navy. To make money, beat his shyness, and have some direction. There he served for give or take 5 years after training, and figured he would stay, until "the smartest man he'd ever met" told him "hey, you're not stupid, go to school"... So he did. After thinking about where and when, finally at some point he ends up being stationed in Oklahoma City at base called Tinker. And while stationed there, he figured he'd go out check out what OU was like. He "fell in love with [Norman]" quickly, and knew this was the place. So now, building on his innate hard-working nature and new-and-improved work ethic, he is a senior who will be graduating this spring and have a degree in civil engineering. As we continued to talk and he asked me about my own life, I couldn't help but for some reason feel really proud of this man.
On another note, I've made connections with some awesome people. We just got a new coach and staff for rugby, and I think I've already made quite the impression on them- mainly because I was the only one to show aside from 3 other guys to a 6:30 morning workout this past Friday. And then there are of course the nice new teammates I've gained. They seem alright so far.
Yesterday, after sleeping away much of my day to make up for lost hours building up over the week, I set up camp on a counter eating spot in the cafeteria. Because sometimes I just like to take myself out on dates you know. But as I come back, this random guy, who ends up telling me his story, just sits right beside me in a cafeteria of hundreds of open chairs and tables. It blew my mind how refreshed I felt when he turned and asked "so, what's your story?" with a bit of sandwich packed into his cheek and slight nerves. We ended up talking for some time. As it turns out, he's from a small town in Pennsylvania where he felt he was never meant for college, so right out of high school he dived right into joining the navy. To make money, beat his shyness, and have some direction. There he served for give or take 5 years after training, and figured he would stay, until "the smartest man he'd ever met" told him "hey, you're not stupid, go to school"... So he did. After thinking about where and when, finally at some point he ends up being stationed in Oklahoma City at base called Tinker. And while stationed there, he figured he'd go out check out what OU was like. He "fell in love with [Norman]" quickly, and knew this was the place. So now, building on his innate hard-working nature and new-and-improved work ethic, he is a senior who will be graduating this spring and have a degree in civil engineering. As we continued to talk and he asked me about my own life, I couldn't help but for some reason feel really proud of this man.
He took a lot of time to express to me how much potential he feels I have, and I haven't stopped thinking about the things he said since.
With a smug grin and new found peace, I shook his hand firm and sincere before he left. I will never grow tired of meeting and understanding the lives of others- or having others ask about my own.
Only moments after he left, a friend of mine I'd met came by and asked me about the book he let me borrow ( David and Goliath by Malcolm Galdwell) and we talked about our hopes and excitement for the new semester.
And guess what? Even after all that, I went back to my room and am now currently reconnecting-building a solid friendship with a very unique individual from high school. You know, one of those people you'd always wished you got to befriend, but circumstance and time did not allow. Well, now I am lucky enough to be talking to her and it is going pretty well. She has such a thirst for knowledge and unique personality that I have always socially and intellectually been drawn to her. I have a good feeling and high hopes for this whole thing.
Sooooooo I might be a bit of a hopeless romantic ( whether it be my fault or not- which it usually is because I'm so indifferent and don't even have enough motivation to motivate myself to motivate myself) but I think if I had to choose between POSSIBLY talking to a girl who might POSSIBLY entertain the idea of being romantically involved with me (not really a priority at the moment), or have all the friendships sprouting forth and blossoming, I'd choose the latter every time.
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