New Year's Resolutions Round 2: Pact with God

I graduated from a Christian high school and had thought that only practicing Catholics gave something up for Lent. But, apparently everyone in southeastern Ohio observes Lent, or at least everyone at Muskingum University does. (And we’re Presbyterian.)

I have nothing against giving up a vice or denying yourself something you enjoy for the purpose of focusing on and becoming closer to God. It’s just that my borderline-atheist friends are giving things up, too. It’s a fad out here, worse than the iPhone and Ugg boots (which I thought would be out of style by the time I got back from China).

The peer pressure is starting to get to me. My problem is that I don’t know how to respond when my friends and classmates ask me what I’m giving up. On one hand, I’m way too proud to admit to classmates and acquaintances that I have a “vice.” This stuff is personal, right? But realistically, my eating habits and free time display nun-like self control. I practically live on salad and green tea (thank you, dining hall food), I don’t watch or even have a television, and my facebook use is so minimal I’m considering deactivating. (I’ve tried thinking outside the box to see what college life is like on the other side, like giving up reading for class, sober weekends, working on seminar, or getting papers done several days in advance…)

And I don't want to make something up just to have an answer. See, whenever the student next to me in class tells me what they’re giving up, I judge them hardcore. You’re not drinking pop anymore? So you’re the reason I see all those 42oz cups in the trash… No dessert? You could stand to lose a few pounds, there… Television? Spending your weekends watching entire seasons on DVD was getting to your social life, yeah?

Oh, that’s it: I should give up my cynicism for Lent.

Seminar Overview

I'm only taking four classes this semester, all of which I love. (Even statistics class!) And, I'm not involved in nearly as many campus activities and organizations this semester. I feel like I got everything I wanted to out of my six semesters on campus, and I'd really like to focus.

Focus on what? My seminar.

Seminar is the capstone project that seniors complete in order to graduate. My journalism seminar will consist of a video documentary, a photography project, and a 5,000-word journalistic article. My topic is, broadly, journalism in China.

I conducted my research and interviews last semester in Lanzhou, so now my challenge is to sort through the information and complete the projects.

The focus is going to be on the social and cultural aspects of Lanzhou, China that influence journalism in the region. Chinese journalism looks a lot different from western journalism; that is obvious. But delving into specific reasons why and examining seemingly minor cultural differences should paint a different picture than what we normally see from our American perspective.

I'm going to be presenting the project in April, and anyone is welcome to attend. More details to come.

Muskie Internationals

I feel pretty connected to the international students on campus. I feel like I can relate to them well, and that we have a lot to learn from each other.

There are about 15 Chinese students here this semester, and I talk to several on a daily basis.

But also, I'm living in one of the three language houses on campus: the Spanish House. Except for me, everyone in the house is learning Spanish or is an exchange student. I really like the climate and community in the house, and I can brush up on my high-school Spanish at the same time. I'm also learning to dance the merengue and the cuarteto.

I've been impressed with how fast the international students pick up on English swearing and slang. It's kind of surprising. So, I wasn't at all fazed when my Argentine housemate asked, "Caitlin, would you like to go slutting with us?" That would be SLEDDING.

Back at School

I've been back at school for about a month now. I'm adjusting well compared to last time. The first two weeks back, I would get really, really mad about the drinking and partying culture on campus. I would get unreasonably mad and wonder what everyone was even doing here at college. I talked to a friend about it, and we joking wished that everyone who regularly got wasted on the weekends (or weeknights...) would fail at life. In reality, these people often get really great jobs. Why is that? Not fair. Haha...

But now, I have a nearby off-campus escape for the weekends, as well as a group of friends who I can relate to. I've been swimming every week and taking exercise classes. And I have my own room. I think all of these things have helped me get back in the swing of things here.