Passion

Korrin B.

March 7, 2010 - 9:59 PM

Here it is, Sunday night, and I have procrastinated writing this blog post in an attempt to let my mind wander away from any sort of assigned task just for a moment in time. I've sat here for about an hour trying to figure out what in the world I want to write about. I want to write about something interesting, not just a mere, mundane statement about how I'm taking some classes and have homework. For a moment I want to stray away from the internship applications and various class projects that have filled my life lately. However, when I finally found inspiration for a topic for this particular blog post, I must give credit to my internship applications for helping it surface. Topic: the idea of passion. Where do you find passion? How do you define it?

For so many of my internship application essays I have had to think about this question in a sense, as I speak on my future goals and current aspirations. I have noticed that each term, I find new passions, something to obsess over roughly ten weeks. This had led me to believe that passion is not static, but constantly reshaping itself, a movement of life force. Yes, some passions may stick with you throughout time, but I think if you were to look at them, they too are redefining and remolding themselves into something even more representative of your innermost self. The following blog touches on winter term 2010 passions.

1.) Avocados. You see, the thing about passion is that you can find it in the smallest, most basic forms. My interest and love of the avocado has grown tremendously this term and I find myself eating it daily. Every restaurant I go to, I ask if they can add avocado to the order. A ritual of mine after my 8:30am art history class on Mondays and Wednesdays has become going to Milky Way Bagel on East 13th Avenue and ordering a bagel with avocado and spinach. It's the most heavenly way to finally start my morning. Ah, I think I'll do that tomorrow. With a Bubble Tea too.

2.) Paul Simon. When I was little, my mother used to play her Paul Simon CDs. I specifically remember her playing the Graceland album in the car all the time. I hated it. Despised it. I could not understand why my mother was listening to such hideous music all the time. Now, at the age of 21, I find myself with "Slip Slidin" and "Graceland" on repeat, my soul soaking up each rich line of poetry that the music has to offer. Every time I hear his music, I find something new. I think this term I have listened to his music at least a little bit every day. Today, I downloaded even more songs I didn't have. I'm so excited to wrap myself in his lyrics.

3.) Homelessness Policy. Filling out my internship applications has really gotten me thinking about where I want to help in the world, what part I want to improve. I have become greatly interested in homelessness policy and, as geeky as it may sound, am looking forward to spring break so that I can do some "pleasure reading" and learn more about policies currently in place. My passion for the topic has also grown through my current internship with Project Homeless Connect of Lane County (PHC). PHC is a one-day event held at the fairgrounds that brings critical services to about 1,600 homeless Lane County residents. It is happened this year on March 18. I can't wait to watch its success!

4.) Internship Applications. Yes, I said it. I am passionate about them. Despite complaining how tedious they are and how much time they take, they're kind of a guilty pleasure of mine. I spent three straight hours with the PPPM internship director for my Carter Center application, going through my personal statement word by word. Whether I get an internship or not, I will at least be able to be proud of my application and know that it competed equally with some of the nation's best. I'm in the midst of finishing up my last (I think) application with the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C.

What a mixture of passions - avocados, Paul Simon, homelessness policy, and internship applications. Four passions that have shaped my winter term and my ever-changing time here at the UO.