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Fall break presented a startling realization: it took this visit home to realize I had left it in Chattanooga. My friends and I returned with a newfound appreciation for the life we enjoyed on campus and in the community. Home was a paradox because everything was the same, but noticeably different. Visiting friends and others seemed almost like an obligation or homage to our past. Although I treasured relaxing with my parents in the comfort of my home, I felt out of place in my old favorite spots.
I’ve caught myself casually referring to my dorm as home. It seems inevitable; the past three months have been a whirlwind of homework, practices, and new experience. College life has fulfilled my hopes and others I didn’t expect.
Life outside of the classroom has been terrific. I watched UTC’s theatre production of The Miser, a hysterical satire of 17th century French society. ACE, UTC’s campus recreation committee, celebrated The Office’s anticipated Jim and Pam wedding by showing it on the big screen in the auditorium. I attended one of UTC’s most popular clubs called CRU, which explores Christianity and the Bible. I found the nearby Catholic Student Center to be very convenient because mass is celebrated every Sunday night.
Cross country consumes most of my time. I’m not on the traveling team, but I raced unattached in two races this season. The first was disappointing, but for the second my parents drove five hours and cheered me on to a more successful race. I had the opportunity to travel with the cross country team and support them at the Southern Conference meet in Elon, North Carolina. Emmanuel “Manu” Kirwa turned in a thrilling race, repeating as Conference champion.
I am in the gold sweatshirt on the left with the rest of the team.
I cheered my team on as a spectator, a role I had mixed feelings on. I was proud of them, but my inner competitor yearned to contribute along with them. My coach and I had a frank conversation concerning my value to the team that forced me to evaluate my choice to be a student-athlete. Coach Gautier fairly questioned my dedication to the sport that boiled down to one question: did I have the drive to push myself to the brink to compensate for my lack of natural ability, or was I willing to accept the status quo that would not be rewarded with a renewed scholarship? I brushed off his doubt and seized my second chance to refocus my training regime. The winter indoor track season and the spring outdoor track season will determine my future with the team.
On a lighter note, I resolved a silly question I’ve pondered on morning runs. I usually run by UTC’s parking officers while they ticket cars, and I’ve considered how parking offenders can dodge the fines. I thought that leaving a ticket clipped to the windshield would ward off lurking officers, but my teammate’s experience dispelled this idea. She left her car overnight in a reserved lot and was greeted by two tickets from that night and early the next morning.
I’m pleased to report that classes continue to go well. Picasso was a focal point in Western Humanities, and I found analysis of his work to be fascinating. I’m already looking forward to next semester’s classes though, but a demanding project and paper command my attention. My college calendar revolves around due dates that require my utmost attention, or I risk feeling irresponsibility’s sting, such as the one I felt when I realized I missed this post’s due date.
I realized one day demonstrated the way I’ve changed. One night I took a walk to a new friend’s dorm, and called one of my best friends from high school on the way. We exchanged news and stories, but the conversation stalled as I approached the dorm. We simultaneously ended the conversation and promised to keep in touch. I greeted my new friend, met some new friends, and felt at home.
