Day 11- A Non-Slip Surfer

Day 11 of Summer---

My first day of work was exhausting. I've been on work sites before where one is always moving and always active. All day. But never before have I felt the bone-crushing defeat of standing in one place, doing pretty much nothing, for 8 solid hours.

In the monotony, though, a miracle occurred.

My job required me to get a very certain, very special kind of shoe. This shoe had to have a non-slip sole. My understanding of a non-slip sole is that, come rain or puddles, that the wearer of the shoe will in fact not slip while wearing them. I remember buying these shoes, and feeling like they were these magical instruments that would save me from harm.

These are they. Note their magic soles. Or souls?

Fast-forward to my first day of work. I am tired. I am sore. So, when this miracle occurs, it takes me a moment to realize what has just happened to me.

I....... slip.

Wading back through the memory, I can hardly believe it. I stepped onto a mere splotch, the tiniest gathering of water possible. But it was enough. I slid forward, like a non-slip shoe surfer, and for half of a second, I was immortal. I had defied physics, and the almighty Wal-Mart guarantee.

After this, who knows what I could be capable of?

Update: Since my first day, I have slipped several more times. This either means that I am incredibly gifted, or that there is no such thing as a non-slip sole. I am partial to the former.

Day 10- Training

Day 10 of Summer---

I know this one is late, but I'm just going to go with it.

For about 10 hours today, I sat in various classrooms, learning information of varying importance about my new job. At first, I was so, so excited. I was the only one to bring a clipboard. Hell, I was the only one to bring paper.

                     Because clipboards make you studious, right? And training is like school, right?

I've decided not to include specific information about my job in this blog, but I can wax poetic about learning new things about new experiences. And what I found was that, while I could pride myself on being prepared, writing everything down was not necessarily the smartest thing. For specific numbers, temperatures, and rules, I found the paper incredibly helpful. But for a lot more of it, it really was better to just sit and soak it all in. Like a sponge.

I realized that I was somewhat hiding behind my clipboard. I was retreating into my stereotypical self, the one that I formerly aspired to. This individual was always incredibly prepared, no-nonsense, and prided herself on being the best, without really even acknowledging those around her.

I realized this about 10 minutes in. And then, I put down the paper. I listened. I introduced myself to my colleagues during the break. And I chatted about life and where I was from and where I was working. And while I may not remember every detail of every aspect of my job, I really enjoyed the time I spent there that day. And I have yet to be in a jeopardizing position because of it.

So, the next time you feel yourself becoming too comfortable when you're supposed to be taking a leap, or turning over a leaf, put down the clipboard.

Day 9- The Scariest Half-Minute Ever

Day 9 of Summer---

Today was a day of mixed feelings. Our lovely seniors graduated, and there was, of course, happiness at finishing and at having accomplished so much. There was also sadness at leaving behind a chapter that has meant so many wonderful things to so many. And of course, apprehension about what on earth one was supposed to do now.

Our graduation speaker, miracle of miracles, was Katie Couric. I know, I know. Katie Couric. We'd heard about it all year, how she was going to come and be our speaker. As she walked by the bleachers, she was just as fabulous as she looks on television. And she was something that I never thought she would be, though I don't know why I wouldn't: she was gosh darn funny.

http://www.rmc.edu/current-students/commencement/Commencement%20Address/video.aspx

                                                           Katie freaking Couric.

I've embedded the link of the speech, her portion begins at 7.30, though her introduction is pretty good, too.

Of course, she was awesome. She crowd-sourced the speech, taking questions online from the graduates to outline her talk. Along with a well-placed dig at Hampden-Sydney, she made us laugh, she made us (or at least me) cry a little, and she gave us hope.

But for a moment there, she scared the pants off of me.

She began with a graduation speech standard, talking about the Class of 2013 and their impact on the world. And, as often does, it veered towards the idea that the generation before us might think a little bit negatively of us.

This I was expecting. At about 14.47, she explains how she used to be a baby boomer who looked down on our generation. That's fine.

She then detailed the ways in which our generation could be criticized.

"You're pampered. You're entitled. Your parents have done too much for you."

Hehehe, okay Katie Couric, that's funny. Lol.

"You're pathetically incompetent."

Whoa now. That was when I began to hide behind my program.

"You're narcissists. Because you grew up thinking everyone gets a trophy, you don't understand the value of hard work, sacrifice, or delayed gratification. You have self-esteem all right, but it's self-esteem without portfolio, self-esteem on steroids. And technology has made you both self-centered and craving for approval from people you don't even know, with likes on Instagram, friends on Facebook, and followers on Twitter."

Hear that nervous laughter in the background? I was literally cringing. 

She then, ever so wonderfully, tells us that we should tell them to shove it.  And I don't think Katie Couric was inappropriate in saying these things. Katie Couric can do no wrong. However, it was stinging in the same way that someone would say "I don't care what they say, you don't look fat in that dress." While defending the millennial generation was great, it reminded us all of the expectations, some rather low, that others have of us all.

So, along with the expectations of our parents, professors, and peers, we have the country to contend with, many of whom seem to have written us off already. Not to mention that we're supposed to make ourselves happy somewhere along the line.

But as Katie Couric goes on to say, many of these "weaknesses" turn out to be our strengths. Our sense of connectedness to each other and the world through technology. Our acceptance of others. Our readiness to expect results from ourselves and others. Her speech highlights the really great things about our generation.

But I think we need to keep the negative in mind. Believe in ourselves, but know that we may have to prove ourselves to people that we don't believe have earned our extra effort, or deserve our extra time. It may mean remembering that when you post something or do something, that you are representing your generation, as well as yourself. It may mean being the one person to change someone's already made up mind about the up and coming youth of America.

But I think that it's doable, and I think we need to be reminded every once and a while that, though we may feel accomplished and proud of ourselves, there are many miles to go before we sleep, and we cannot coast there on our own good vibes. Generational cooperation is necessary for cultural change, and for any society to function. And we ought to be the bigger people and show our best selves to anyone we can. That is, after all, what the grownups are supposed to do. And that is the Class of 2013 now. That will be all of us soon.

Congrats Class of 2013. Make us all proud.