Day Forty-Six

Caitlin H.

May 13, 2010 - 5:00 PM

The following takes place between 5:00pm and 6:00pm:

Missed Opportunities. I hate to say it, but college has had a few.

While it is hard to feel regret, I can't help but long for the opportunities that will never come again. My chances came, and for four years they just managed to slip by at the hand of being involved in something else. If I had to miss my chance at something, I'm glad I can say it was because I was living another dream. It is a small price to pay for unlimited potential.

So my two college regrets: I never got to participate in Rent-A-Pooch and I never got to participate in University Day. It's certainly a shame, but given everything else I've been a part of, I'm satisfied.

Rent-A-Pooch might just be the coolest thing ever to come to the University of Oregon. Okay, I know Obama came (twice) and Bill Clinton has been here and countless other famous folks, but Rent-A-Pooch is a community based event right up my alley. The local humane society brings out some dogs to the memorial quad where students or community members can rent a dog for 15-minute increments. The dogs get some exercise and socialization, the humans get a little pet-loving therapy, and the local humane society has a means of generating cash flow to maintain their business. Everybody wins! ...Except maybe the cat-lovers out there.

I'll admit it, I'm pet deprived since being in college. I miss having a furry pet at home and the companionship that comes with it. Those who know me are breathing a sigh of relief I never went to Rent-A-Pooch; inevitably I would have adopted at least one furry, four-legged friend.

If missing Rent-A-Pooch is the only regret I had from college, I'd say I did something right. But there is another. Because of one scheduling conflict or another, I was never able to participate in University Day.U-Day is a big project where (it seems) everyone on campus comes together to pick up the grounds and take some pride in the way our campus looks and feels. It's like a big Spring cleaning day for the University. Flowers are planted, bark dust spread, trash removed, etc. I think it's wonderful. If only I weren't so dang busy! This is a tradition that dates back to 1905, and somehow I always managed to miss it!

So here I am, 6pm on a Thursday afternoon, and the smell of fresh bark dust is still hanging in the air. U-Day has ended, and Rent-A-Pooch came and left much to quickly on Wednesday. I can feel the disappointment somewhere on the inside. Another friendly reminder; a life lesson to take away from college if you will: embrace the opportunities you have, and enjoy them for the moment you have them. Don't ever let a chance pass you by willingly. Your time is now.

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Authors Note: This term I've decided to dissect my day one hour at a time to inform you about my college life. My own life set to the Fox Network's hit show "24." ...If only I were as sensational as Jack Bauer. In this ‘season' you can expect a thrilling and innovative drama complete with a few unforeseen plot twists.