Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

Top 5 Gratitudes for Fall Term 2009

Korrin B.

November 29, 2009 - 11:38 PM

It's Thanksgiving weekend. Expressing gratitude happens to be one of my favorite pastimes. Therefore, I feel as thought I should keep the sense of "thanks" going in my blogs posts while it is still socially hip. Fall term 2009 has been a beautiful term for me, so, here, in my blog, I would like to pay it tribute by counting down my top five reasons for why I am grateful for it. Here goes.

5. Portland Adventures
There is just something about hitting the road, mid-term, mid-week, on an adventure to Portland. It spices up the otherwise consistent student days. This term I have had three very exciting sprints to Portland. The first trip was with my fabulous pal, Kate, to go see Snow Patrol and the Plain White T's in concert. I remember standing there, watching these musicians passionately strum chords upon their guitars and feeling all kinds of warm fuzzies. Hearing "Hey There Delilah" live might've been a kind of surreal experience for me. That song always has the ability to remind me of that year in my life. However, as always, I think it was the company that truly made the adventure. It was on this concert trip that I went to VooDoo Donuts for the first time and got to appreciate some good conversation with Kate and her brother over a chocolate donut that was covered in Cocoa Puffs. My second trip to Portland was with the same amazing people, but a new setting. We went and saw the Portland Winterhawks hockey team play. It was my first hockey game and was very exciting! It felt fabulous to be doing something completely new to me. My final fall term Portland adventure was to go meet up with my friend, Tracy, and see Al Gore speak about his work with the climate crisis. It was amazing watching someone talk about what they are passionate about. I may not have understood all of his scientific jargon, but I did feel the message that he was sending out to the audience. After Al Gore, Tracy and I adventured into downtown for some beverages and conversation. Once again, it was the company that made the night. I loved hearing her talk about her experiences as a first year graduate student at Lewis and Clark College and we covered some other fabulous topics as well. I think Tracy summed it up by saying, "Ok, Al, fine, the world is melting, but also there are swoons and tender hearts the world over are melting." My Portland adventures this term have been plentiful, diverse, and have all included great company. This is why I am awarding them the fifth spot on my fall term 2009 gratitudes list.

4. Fall Leaves
Let's get real. This is my fourth year at the University of Oregon and yes, the leaves change beautiful colors every year. However, for some reason, I am completely convinced that this was the most beautiful they have looked out of any of the other years. In October, I was so drunk with the beauty and love of each tree's oranges, reds, yellows, and purples. I would walk through campus, especially the old education building's courtyard, and feel so tingly and happy with all of the snowing leaves. Their brightness would reflect so gloriously upon the white walls of the building. Falls leaves remind you that there is something incredibly magnificent that happens in the world every single year. This is why fall leaves are getting the fourth spot on my fall term 2009 gratitudes list. I know that they will accept the honor with great humility because that's just how they do. They are gorgeous, but they don't go out of their way to flaunt it.

3. Amazing Classes
This term, I had the extreme privilege of experiencing what it is like to have three very good classes placed in a very convenient schedule. I can sing nothing, but praises for each of my courses this term. This has been my first of six total terms of American Sign Language. Jo Larson, the instructor, is incredible. I am inspired by her enthusiasm and knowledge every single day. Sign language in itself has become very meaningful to me as well, as it helps me to appreciate the different aspects in which we try to communicate with each other. I am also in nonprofit management this term and although it is not always the richest material to learn, it still excites me for the opportunities I hope to face upon graduation. The nonprofit world is a very special place. The teacher, Bob Choquette, also never ceases to make me laugh, which is good for an evening class. My third course is Mental Illness in Literature, an Honors College colloquia class. This class has opened my mind to an entirely new way of thinking about and viewing literature. It has sparked a sense of creativity within me. When I think of the liberal arts education I hoped to acquire along with my major work at the UO, this class is a prime example of exactly that. It may not be part of my focused coursework, but gives me the opportunity to explore new topics outside of my specialized zone. Due to the fact that my fall term 2009 classes have been rich and inspiring in their content and instruction, I must award them the third place on my top five gratitudes.

2. New People
Maybe this section can be summed up in one word. Bingo. Ok, maybe not, but I do believe that Wednesday night Bingo at the Eugene City Brewery is where it all began. From that first night of Bingo, my friend and I have been meeting new people left and right and completely indulging ourselves in their company and fresh perspectives. I have had so many fabulous conversations this term and learned so many new things from the new people I have gotten the privilege to meet. There is not much else to say here, besides that I am thankful for each and every new person that has come into my life this term. You are all amazing, beautiful, and inspire me. You get spot number two.

1. Renaissance
For being the number one reason why I am thankful for fall term 2009, this is kind of vague, isn't it? Originally I was thinking "creative renaissance," but then I also thought of the many ways in which I have become inspired academically this term and I could not bear to leave them out. This is when it dawned on me that it is because overall, in all aspects, this term has begun a renaissance in the little life of Korrin. Artistically, I have blossomed. I am painting again and on the search for perfect canvas all the time. I am poetically covering my fridge with thoughts in dry erase marker to show the things that create a person beyond the primal needs. Academically, I am focused and oddly looking forward to starting my thesis in the spring. I am communicating frequently with the PPPM internship director to find the perfect summer internship to further my career interests and gain valuable experience. I am attending lectures on campus that just seem interesting enough to engage my mind in new thoughts. I am gazing at trees and the little sunlight we still get this time of year and smiling. Fall term 2009 has been a term full of bliss for me. It has begun the next stage of self-growth in my life that I am convinced can only lead to something awesome. Fall term 2009 has been a renaissance and for this reason, I title my number one gratitude by that word.

See, this is why I like this time of the year. It is always good to gives thanks. I think I'll do this at the end of winter term as well. I can't wait to see what it brings me.