Back to (my) School

Today marks my second day back at my alma mater, Ripon College, and I have to say, it feels strange. I've felt over the course of the past few months, at least since graduation, that I've really emotionally moved on from this place, but I couldn't appreciate just how...complicated that fact is until I got back. While it's wonderful to see everyone, all my friends and people, it leaves me with a sense of being out of place. A part of me will always belong to Ripon; it's shaped me in to who am today. However, it is time for me to go someplace else now. Along that vein, it's fitting that our journey west should begin at Ripon, where my undergraduate experience ended.

This entry is just a quick update...a moments access of free wifi that I wanted to take advantage of. Tomorrow morning, Bryan, Jenan and I give a short talk to the introductory Organic Chemistry class explaining our experiences and how we decided we would go to graduate school. Tonight, though, we'll be in downtown Ripon, visiting our bars and friends of the days of yore. I can't wait :)

Mad love,
Jon

Back to (a) School

The Thrifting Experience

Eau Claire, day two. (Aug 29)

It honestly feels a little weird to be back on a college campus. Over the past four years, this is about the time that I would have been back at Ripon, and I would already have a solid week of class under my belt, but instead I’m in limbo of sorts. Being at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is cool…I spent my undergraduate experience at the tiny private campus of Ripon College, so it’s neat to check out the larger university environment. It’s a good prep for going to Irvine, however there are going to be considerably more students there, a total of about thirty thousand! That’s thirty times bigger than Ripon. Yowza. Jessica walked me around campus, and I had the opportunity to check out the spots on campus that she frequents.

But the weird thing is, I’m done with undergrad. I have my degree. And it makes me feel uncharacteristically old and out of place.

Last night we went out with a few of Jessica’s friends last night to some of the local bars…a scene that’s definitely more thriving than Ripon’s tiny taverns. Fortunately, a therapeutic prescription of Dr. Daniel’s helped relax me, and I had a good time meeting the people who I’ve heard so much about. And I got to go out and dance and shake my little tush.

We’ll see what today brings…other than the morning blend of coffee in the pot and the caramel rolls in the oven. Jessica’s dad is in town with some of her possessions that she couldn’t fit in her car, and we’ll undoubtedly be spending some time with him.

Good Will Fashionista

The Next Episode

My Hometown Homies

Today is my second day away from my hometown of Eagle River. Yesterday marked my fateful departure from the ERC, a nondescript act that carried the weight of a rite of passage for yours truly. Eagle River will always be my home, but it’s not where I live anymore. For these next few days I will be in Eau Claire spending time with my girlfriend, the beautiful and charming Jessica Quinn. Tuesday will find me back in my car, destined for Madison and the hospices of my sister, Rachel. After a brief reunion with her, I will abscond with my friend Jenan to Ripon, where I will spend a whirlwind of two days meeting with old friends and professors before I leave this state behind.

And then comes California.

I will be studying Organic Chemistry at the University of California Irvine in pursuit of my doctorate. My program will take about five years, give or take, and will serve the same roll as a career in my day to day routine. I will eat, sleep, and breathe chemistry.

But that’s okay, it’s what I do, it’s what I like.

We each have our own thrills in life, our own little nuances that enable us to find certain things exciting. Most of the time when I tell people that I like chemistry, I get some pretty shaky responses. I may as well tell people that I like eating mayo on my rice crispies. (which I don’t…that’s gross, not to offend anyone).

In chemistry I find complexities of the world that fascinate and compel me. It’s enough to hold my attention, but it’s also a guarantee of a career, of a future, of security. That will have to wait until I’m done with grad school, though, and that will come in due time.

For now, I’m going to enjoy my time in this bustling college town, hold close the one I love, and enjoy each day for the adventure it holds.

Me and my Girl

Mad love to you all.