Living Graciously in Florida

I got off the plane at 11:00PM. After frantic packing, driving an hour to catch a plane in Grand Rapids, and experiencing a two-hour lay-over in Baltimore, I finally made it to my warm 85 degree homeland to visit my father – and I’d gotten away from my rather cold days as a permanent visitor at a college with no family for miles. Though I enjoyed the classes, hanging outs in coffee shops, the intellectual conversations in dorms, and the perpetual uncertainties of the weather in Michigan, I was excited to venture into the familiar territory of Florida. I was eager to finally seize the opportunity of a weekend at home, a pleasure not often obtained by a Non-Michigander, or a Non-Midwesterner, for that matter. Although I had left on a Wednesday for this trip, informed my professors that I would be gone, and finished my homework early, little did I know a day off of classes for everyone was in store: Day of Gracious Living was announced for that very Friday. My Michigan adventures became an Atlantic Ocean escapade and family bonding.

Shhh, I'm studying

I want to take the time to tell you readers about the act of studying. Now, I can guarantee that every single K student is a very avid studier. The library is populated all day and night. It’s 8:15 PM, and I have been in the library since noon. This is with the exception of a trip to dinner with my best friend at 5 PM and a quick stop down to Biggby’s Coffee for a Student Commission meeting at 6 PM

So with the exception of two hours for a “break,” I have had no time to stop studying. This is not to say the workload is too much, but that the library becomes a social hub for students as much as a workspace. 

A non-Michigander's spring break

The first week back on campus is always interesting, exciting, and what I would like to call “new.” My spring break was rather different from that of the typical “Michigander’s.” Most Michigan natives, in my observations, spend their spring break vacationing in the south or at home in their respective Michigan towns. I, however, did something different. I traveled around the U.

My last exam before break was on Tuesday. I began my travels by ending break and heading home to Florida. After being home for a little bit, I got on a plane and headed to Newark, NJ with my dad for the day. The weather was quite peculiar because it was warm in Newark. Within the same day, I went to Boston, saw some friends, and then traveled on to Maine. After Maine, I headed back to Florida, and traveled all around the state on the east and west coasts. It was great to be in the sun! As soon as I came back, everyone was astonished by how tan I looked. Some were rather envious, as Michigan sun will never compare.

It’s nice to be back because it’s beautiful here! The weather was in the 70 degree range. At K, I think the first week back is a great transition. My classes are amazing, and they are also very interesting. I am taking Hebrew 201, Drugs, Addiction, and Behavior, and Cognitive Science. I love K’s open curriculum because I can actually take all the classes I love – like these.

I like to refer the first week back at school as a “new start, again.” I see my time at K restarting all the time. Most of the juniors have returned to campus, so I see new faces constantly. As a kid, I remember only having one first day of school. At K, however, I have three new first days of school and new classes because of the quarter system! It’s fascinating!

All in all, I am happy to be back at K after my spring break! I’ve missed this home!