I'm so glad to see that you enjoyed the game today!
haha
it was definitely the highlight of my year, thus far
...
not
the sad part is that I actually watched the game
Why is that sad?!
I don't like football, but I there's no point in hating on those that do. Right? Yes. No?
haha yes
Unless you watched it and meanwhile disliked it...
I don't mind watching sports, but it's not something I really enjoy doing
unless it's tennis, I enjoy watching that
YES!
Good response.
I think I was feeling some sort of wisconsinite pride, and felt obligated to watch this game though
lol
That's very loyal and respectable of you. I, however, as a Minnesotan still wouldn't have watched the game had the Vikings been playing. I think my apathy towards big league sports is greater than yours.
I feel less American because of it.
hahaha
well, I understand the feeling quite well
(when it comes to sports that is)
I'm not very patriotic, actually. So I often feel less American than most.
haha
my patriotism comes and goes
Hopefully it's not attached to how your local major league sports teams are performing. :
-;
Oops, I meant this:
bahaha
no, I swear it is in no way connected to major league sports teams
I can promise you that
so, how was your weekend?
I'm not sure I can sum up my weekend in any concise way.
It wasn't a bad weekend, by any means.
well that's good
Let's go with this:
atypical.
Today was a lot of fun. I spent it with my good friend Kajsa.
How was your weekend, Jon?
it was pretty fun
last night my friends held a "back to freshman year" party
so that was interesting
in a good way I think
Hahaha
I can only imagine.
there was a lot of uv consumed
and I still don't like it
haha
Was it the first alcohol you got drunk off of?
ha it was involved, but I was more of a smirnoff ice guy back then
I can barely drink one today
Hahaha! Much less cliché. I'm proud.
thank you, it means a lot
;P
I never actually had UV before this past year.
I'm not a terribly big fan.
I think the first thing I got drunk off of was a 40oz of malt liquor given to me during my senior year of high school. We were high class, clearly.
awww
my first drink was a malibu and coke, before my 18th birthday, senior year
but I didn't actually get drunk until I came to college
You made it until senior year until your first drink?!
I honestly thought I was possibly the only one that held out that long.
lol
I was a MAJOR rule follower back then
I still am at times, but not to that extreme
extent*
So you've never tried cocaine, then?
... I plead the fifth
haha just kidding
definitely not
nor have I smoke pot, or a cigarette
smoked*
I'm impressed. I feel lame in my impressed state, but these responses are not usual to me. Lol
I tend to be a prude at times...
haha, well I try to be atypical
as far as stuff like that is concerned
That's cool.
I'm called a prude all the time.
well at least we're not alone in our prudishness
That might be a slight exaggeration... It's just come up a lot recently, lol
haha, well prude is mostly a self given term. I've been called one a few times, but recently someone I was talking to was surprised that I'm as reserved as I am
I don't act it, I guess...?
Reserved? Like shy? Or in other terms? I often describe myself as "old fashioned."
well I wouldn't say shy. Maybe at first yes, but definitely not overall. Old fashioned is more appropriate when describing me
I like for things in life to hold meaning, and be appreciated for what they are
This is uncanny. Why didn't we chat before this? lol
ha, I have no clue.
at least we're talking now, eh?
True.
I must say, I really like your "political view"
Lol. Libertarian doesn't seem like the right word.
I pretty much agree in fiscal conservatism, except when it comes to education
otherwise, I'm pretty liberal
I guess I can't completely disagree with my parents
oh well
My huge problem lies with the national debt and our nation's insistence on the ridiculously high funding for national defense and the like, but cutting funding for things like education while simultaneously trying to add to or revamp social services that lack proper financing.
yup
totally agree
I'm not against the social services themselves, but there need to be concessions made somewhere else or taxes need to be raised.
But, like you said, oh well. Lol.
I think there can be major concessions made when it comes to defense. We should feel the need to patrol the entire planet
shouldn't*
That's what the United Nations is supposed to be for.
exactly
I'm used to people either disagreeing with me or tuning me out regarding these topics. You're intriguing.
Well thank you. Right back at you.
Is your semester starting tomorrow? Or will this be your second week back?
Wednesday is the final day of my J Term
and the regular semester starts on the 2nd
Oh, well I didn't account for that. Lol.
Yeah, Luther likes to make up it's own rules
like holding class on labor day
but having a fall break
It's a private school, ya? They can do whatever they want.
Where is Luther exactly?
Yes, it's private and they definitely do what they feel like doing.
Luther is in Decorah, IA
I'm like 2 hours and 45min from Chippewa
(I'm an hour out of La Crosse)
in all reality, I'm in the middle of nowhere. I had always thought I would go to school in a bigger city, but the first time I visited Luther I fell in love with it. So, I'm in a town of 8000 people that is an hour from the nearest burger king, taco johns, or mall.
Wow.
Good thing you like it, then.
haha I know right
I never saw myself in a city as small as Eau Claire...
but when I'm done at Luther, I'm done with Decorah
I know right
I love an urban lifestyle
I didn't want to leave after I spent a month in London. It felt right.
but alas, I am in the land of corn until may
I have to come home sometimes though. Eau Claire used to feel small, but after a few weeks here it feels like a metropolis
Aujourd'hui
Lol. I always like to hear that from people who grew up in small towns. It's still so small to me.
I don't hate it anymore, so that's a good thing.
haha, I can't even tell you how much I hated Decorah my freshman year
I didn't really start almost liking it until late last year
my roommate is from a town of 3000, and there are only 3 stoplights in his entire county
That's depressing to me. I love Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago... And San Fran.
I hope to end up in one of those places.
Are you graduating in May then?
yeah. I have to student teach in the fall though.
Back in Iowa?
no no no
I'm done with this state
lol
I'm planning on student teaching somewhere in the cities
Nice.
or at least do my high school placement in the cities, and my elementary around home
I don't really want to live with my parents, but if its necessary
It's much more affordable...
definitely
my sister lives in Falcon Heights though, so I would hopefully live with her
Not bad.
What year did you graduate high school???
right, but it would be kinda nice to live at home during that time and work a little
I graduated in 2007
I'm a little jealz. I want to graduate sooner!
when are you going to graduate?
I've had an interesting run, though.
how so?
I will graduate in December 2012...
I see I see
I graduated in 2006. Lived on my own in Minneapolis for approximately a year after canceling my plans to go to San Francisco State at the last minute. Moved to Eau Claire, went to CVTC for a year, transferred here to UWEC for a year, transferred to the U of M for architecture but had to cancel at the last minute for financial reasons, transferred back to UWEC last spring, and then became an art student to prepare myself for architecture school as a graduate program.
wow!
that's impressive actually
architecture seems like it would be a really rewarding job though!
Hahaha. Thanks. I try to look at it in the best light possible and not focus on the fact that I won't actually be out in the real job market until about 2015 at the age of 27.
oh come on. It could be much worse.
That's very true. And you're right, architecture will be much more rewarding than pharmacy would have been.
so that's what you were originally going for I assume?
(I've changed my major four times - although they were kinda closely related)
haha
That's what led me to working in a pharmacy. Which has been both a blessing of sorts and a curse.
ha, that's how I feel about Leinies
But yes, that's what I was initially intending to pursue.
You realized breweries weren't your actualy calling?
actual*
well that's really interesting
yeah...not really
I know WAY too much about beer
And I know close to nothing!
Be proud of your knowledge!
well, I'm known for knowing random facts about many things
I usually win trivia games
I have a weird memory.
I would also describe that as both a gift and a curse
Awesome! I'll recruit you for my team next time. I also have a lot of random knowledge that seems to come in handy during trivia games.
we. would. dominate.
If you know sports stuff, then we're set...
unfortunately no
that is the one subject I am not well versed in
the only sort of macho thing I'm kind of decent with would be questions about cars
What about literature?
But cars are my strength! lol
no!! haha
well, I've lost touch with them recently, so I'm sure you would beat me at that
I used to be really interested in them because my godfather is a car designer
I know far too much about cars. Less about the actual mechanics, but I do alright there too.
WHA?!
I WANT TO DESIGN CARS!
That's actually not an uncommon desire. I shouldn't have reacted to loudly. I apologize.
so loudly*
no worries. I was a little frightened though
jk
but yeah, he designs for a freelance company right now, but he's applying to Ford I think
He's done a lot of contracted interior work for Chrysler
like the pacifica and the liberty
That's fascinating.
he's my dad's first cousin, but he lives in Ohio now so I only see him about 2 times a year
I gave up on the car design thing, though. It's a specialized skill with a very competitive market.
yeah, it's really competitive
Studying sculpture has really altered my perception on design. I have no idea where I'll end up now. Definitely some type of grad school. Most likely architecture, possibly industrial design.
I've always found design to be interesting
but I can't draw, so it's not something I could do for a living
lol
plus, I like singing too much
I enjoy singing, and my drawing skills are questionable.
Drawing is a skill that can be exercised and improved, though!
Kinda like singing. Although voices are much more variable, I think.
It's actually very similar. You are right though, the actual instrument does make a difference when it comes down to making a living out of it
as far as performance is concerned anyway
also, I'm too rational to pursue performance
Lol.
even though it is something I probably would have enjoyed
but I want to teach
I like the way you think...
well, I decided that I wanted to have health insurance
along with making a difference on a personal level with other people
I'm glad you have that sort of drive.
Performance is much more concerned with Self.
exactly
and to be honest, I think we all focus on self more than enough as it is
Very true.
More true than I'd like to admit.
same here
going to Africa was definitely a wake up call in that respect, for me anyway
Holy crow! You've been to London and Africa. I just got my passport. I want these experiences too! lol
Well, I studied abroad for the last two j terms
the first was London and Paris (a music class where I went to concerts/operas/ballets)
Wow.
Those are very contrasting trips.
and then last year I was in a small select chamber choir and we sang and leaned african music in namibia and south africa
SO different
I feel incomplete being in the us right now
And both very valuable.
I learned at least a semester's worth of knowledge per trip
I have no similar experiences to that. It makes me feel incomplete. Luckily, I at least have the ability to think outside of the "American" way.
I wish everyone was able to that
America strives to be the best of the best, but the majority of the world places greater importance on doing as well as they can
I wish I had pursued studying abroad earlier in my college education. Doing it now would postpone too many things. But since I'm graduating in the winter, I think I'll be able to before the graduate architecture program starts in the following summer/fall.
I highly recommend it
btw, I hope I'm not keeping you from sleeping. I mean, I'm really enjoying this, but I don't want you to be a complete zombie on your first day of class.
That's very thoughtful of you!
I'm debating whether or not I should try to go to bed. 12 hours ago I was just getting out of bed. More or less.
haha
I never sleep that late, but I didn't set my alarm. I guess my body needed the rest.
I wish I could have slept in!
it's one of my strengths
Recently, it hasn't been for me... A blessing and a curse, as it is the theme of our conversation tonight.
I guess it has been, hasn't it? lol
I napped to make up for the fact I had to wake up earlier than I wanted
Church?
ha, how did you guess?
yeah, I had to sing in church
It's a common reason to get up early on a Sunday.
I don't usually go. Only when I have to sing for something.
haha, very true
Catholic?
no no
Luther is affiliated with the ELCA
pretty much it means nothing
Evangelical?
Lutheran
What's the 'e' for?
and the most liberal synod
well it does stand for evangelical but the rest is "lutheran church of america"
Okay. I see.
we're not required to go. We do have to take two religion courses, and we have a statue of martin luther on campus along with chapel/church in a building on campus
and the classes can be Islam or Buddhism
or something of the like
That is pretty liberal, lol.
basically we're as liberal as it get with the exception that the college started out as a seminary in the 1860's and we uphold a bond with the church
yeah
Are you religious/spiritual?
good question
ha
ummm... I believe in something. I tend to feel that things happen for a reason, and there is always a lesson to be learned from every situation
I like to be optimistic
even though my humor usually makes me seem to be pessimistic
Good response. Lol.
how about you?
Humor is a funny thing. I tell a lot of dirty jokes, yet I'm a fairly proper person.
that's good to hear
As far as religion goes, I'm a "strong agnostic." But I have a strong, yet simple, set of morals.
Spiritually, I guess I'm kinda loosely tied to some ideas of karma and fate. But I'm very personally spiritual... I believe in the importance of having a strong "Self".
I'm making this far too complicated.
not if it's how you feel
very fre things are simple in life
few*
In a nutshell, a lot of people look to a higher power or some foreign body for hope, power/strength, forgiveness, etc. I think it's more important to find those things within. To have a good relationship with yourself. To know yourself - both your strengths and weaknesses. To be self-sufficient in a lot of ways, so you can better support those around you.
That's very telling of my personality, I just realized.
Does that even make sense to you?
yeah, it makes a lot of sense
I often explain things in ways that are unnecessarily complicated. Stream of consciousness, I guess.
that's part of why traveling means so much to me because I always learn important things about who I actually am
well, I do the same thing. Plus I'd rather have that than a manufactured response
it's fun to see how others think
I agree. Especially when it's not a way that's been impressed by MTV or something. Like some of my poor sisters.
haha true
Or numerous acquaintances...
totally
You're really good conversation, Jon. Thanks you.
likewise
And now I'll say goodnight.
alrighty! Have a goodnight, and a great day of school
