Saturday, November 4, 2017
Movember 2017
Hey everyone, just wanted to share a link to my Movember page. This month I am raising money for mental health research and suicide prevention. Please think about donating!
Movember
Movember
Sunday, October 1, 2017
On Loneliness
Something that has occurred to me in my move abroad is the feeling of loneliness which I haven't experienced before. Last night I had perhaps the most boisterous social interaction I've had since coming here, with two Americans and a whole lot of drink and food. It was nice, but I must say I am exhausted. Not in a bad way, but for an introvert like myself, a quiet overcast Sunday is just what the doctor ordered.
It's suspect, this feeling of loneliness. Being introverted, I often yearn for quiet and calm and I've received it in spades here, to the point I actually got sick of it. In turn, I yearned for spending time with people. Once that craving was satisfied, back to the hole of loneliness I go.
This isn't to say that being alone or even being lonely is as damaging as some would think. Every day our phones and tablets are flooded with red badges, indicating some engagement from the outside world. However, this social interaction is little more than a dopamine response. This is not to say that I do not find value in this medium; on the contrary, our world's connectivity has allowed me the chance to maintain relationships both romantic and platonic. But I do find it lacking sometimes.
Seems like I'm crazy doesn't it? I don't crave social interaction, then I do. Once I get it, it's all I need. I like to reach out to people on social media, but sometimes the input becomes too much. Maybe I'm a picky creature. Maybe I am crazy. But at least I'm self aware, right?
In essence, I think I've realized the value of being lonely, the value of being bored. That's what I haven't experienced before, actually enjoying those feelings.
Tomorrow I start my Master's program in earnest and I am as excited as can be. I think dialing down has allowed me to value the company I've enjoyed and allowed me to be excited for the coming year. Some great advice I got from a close advisor and friend of mine was that when you go to graduate school, you'll be married to your program. I am looking forward to that in all honesty. I know that many of my days will be spent alone, nose in some dense manuscript with only a cup of coffee and the buzzing of my desk lamp to serve as distractions. But that's okay, for I can now appreciate being lonely as much as I'll appreciate spending time with friends, going to society meetings, and traveling abroad.
This is my adventure, and I'm happy to know I can go it alone if needed. Happy October, everybody.
It's suspect, this feeling of loneliness. Being introverted, I often yearn for quiet and calm and I've received it in spades here, to the point I actually got sick of it. In turn, I yearned for spending time with people. Once that craving was satisfied, back to the hole of loneliness I go.
This isn't to say that being alone or even being lonely is as damaging as some would think. Every day our phones and tablets are flooded with red badges, indicating some engagement from the outside world. However, this social interaction is little more than a dopamine response. This is not to say that I do not find value in this medium; on the contrary, our world's connectivity has allowed me the chance to maintain relationships both romantic and platonic. But I do find it lacking sometimes.
Seems like I'm crazy doesn't it? I don't crave social interaction, then I do. Once I get it, it's all I need. I like to reach out to people on social media, but sometimes the input becomes too much. Maybe I'm a picky creature. Maybe I am crazy. But at least I'm self aware, right?
In essence, I think I've realized the value of being lonely, the value of being bored. That's what I haven't experienced before, actually enjoying those feelings.
Tomorrow I start my Master's program in earnest and I am as excited as can be. I think dialing down has allowed me to value the company I've enjoyed and allowed me to be excited for the coming year. Some great advice I got from a close advisor and friend of mine was that when you go to graduate school, you'll be married to your program. I am looking forward to that in all honesty. I know that many of my days will be spent alone, nose in some dense manuscript with only a cup of coffee and the buzzing of my desk lamp to serve as distractions. But that's okay, for I can now appreciate being lonely as much as I'll appreciate spending time with friends, going to society meetings, and traveling abroad.
This is my adventure, and I'm happy to know I can go it alone if needed. Happy October, everybody.
Friday, September 22, 2017
Across the Swan Road Part II: Return to Europe
*taps mic*
Hello? Is this thing on? Riiiiiight.
So, my last time capturing my adventures abroad was essentially a non-starter. Three posts for a total of six months... yeah, that's a disaster.
Well, hey, you try moving to a new country, learning a new language, and being a star student.
Okay, okay, only like one of those things happened. But this time is different! I promise.
The goal of restarting my posts and my activity on this blog are...threefold(?):
1) I got into a Master's program! In Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies! So yes, in a year I'll be qualified to ask you "Would you like fries with that?" but in Old Norse and Old English. Not just one language this time, at least two or three more. You try deciphering Notts dialect, and then tell me why everyone thinks I'm a duck.
2) This program is in Nottingham, UK, so I'm moving! With the esteemed Judith Jesch being the course convener, I'll for sure be in a world of serious work. So yep, by the time you have read this I will be jet-lagged and overworked, with nary a blog post in sight until I get my bearings.
3) I'm sick of social media! No, seriously. It has been such a drag on me. Recently deleted a bunch of apps off my phone and put blocks on Google Chrome. Nothing will make you feel more overwhelmed than looking at everyone from your undergrad starting actual careers when you decided the real world was too damn scary and that you'd rather face your doom and debt in academia.
So as a little experiment, I decided I would have more meaningful engagement with those interested in my travels through this blog. The plan is to post every fortnight or so, although, I really won't commit to that, in case this experiment fails like the last one does.
"What can we expect from your blog?" you probably didn't ask.
I'm glad you probably didn't ask, but I'm gonna tell you anyways!
Photos - Instead of posting everything on Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, or Facebook, here I will post beautiful vistas, bland English meals, and shaky pub selfies after one too many ciders.
Text Posts - Think of these as journal entries. They will range from the stark and introspective ("What am I doing with my life?") to inane and indiscernible ("If I have one more cup of coffee, how long do you think it would take for me to build a time machine to go back to saga-era Iceland because dammit I have no idea what any of this means") to simply complaining about the rain, the funny accents, or the lack of Cheerwine and North Carolina barbecue. The lack of those last two may also guarantee some fitness or weight loss posts as well.
Travel Vlogs (maybe) - I have been rolling around the idea that each big trip I take (such as the ones planned for Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, etc.) will have an accompanying vlog that I will post the link to. Not entirely convinced I'll want to work that hard or that they will come out even remotely good.
Topic Videos (maybe) - As I will be going through a master's abroad, there will be many a different thing to share, such as what I am studying and discussing cultural challenges.
Podcast/Audio Projects (maybe) - If I can rope anybody into doing a podcast with me, I might attempt to try my hand at the Two Dudes Talking™ genre of podcasting and discussing any and all of the things above.
Much much more (big maybe) - Again, still trying to figure out what I want to do with this blog.
To reiterate: I don't know what I'm doing, I'm headed to the UK to go do a masters, and I want to engage more deliberately with those interested in my adventures. No more will be the days of mindless scrolling and lackluster engagement!
Seriously though, comment on my posts, like my stuff, and let me know if you want more. This is all for those back home and those beyond thinking of moving from one country to another or thinking of making the foolish mistake of going into debt and pursuing a postgraduate degree in the humanities.
Hope you enjoy this crazy ride as much as I do. Send Thoughts and Prayers™ and plenty of American junk food, I'm sure I'll need it.
Hello? Is this thing on? Riiiiiight.
So, my last time capturing my adventures abroad was essentially a non-starter. Three posts for a total of six months... yeah, that's a disaster.
Well, hey, you try moving to a new country, learning a new language, and being a star student.
Okay, okay, only like one of those things happened. But this time is different! I promise.
The goal of restarting my posts and my activity on this blog are...threefold(?):
1) I got into a Master's program! In Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies! So yes, in a year I'll be qualified to ask you "Would you like fries with that?" but in Old Norse and Old English. Not just one language this time, at least two or three more. You try deciphering Notts dialect, and then tell me why everyone thinks I'm a duck.
2) This program is in Nottingham, UK, so I'm moving! With the esteemed Judith Jesch being the course convener, I'll for sure be in a world of serious work. So yep, by the time you have read this I will be jet-lagged and overworked, with nary a blog post in sight until I get my bearings.
3) I'm sick of social media! No, seriously. It has been such a drag on me. Recently deleted a bunch of apps off my phone and put blocks on Google Chrome. Nothing will make you feel more overwhelmed than looking at everyone from your undergrad starting actual careers when you decided the real world was too damn scary and that you'd rather face your doom and debt in academia.
So as a little experiment, I decided I would have more meaningful engagement with those interested in my travels through this blog. The plan is to post every fortnight or so, although, I really won't commit to that, in case this experiment fails like the last one does.
"What can we expect from your blog?" you probably didn't ask.
I'm glad you probably didn't ask, but I'm gonna tell you anyways!
Photos - Instead of posting everything on Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, or Facebook, here I will post beautiful vistas, bland English meals, and shaky pub selfies after one too many ciders.
Text Posts - Think of these as journal entries. They will range from the stark and introspective ("What am I doing with my life?") to inane and indiscernible ("If I have one more cup of coffee, how long do you think it would take for me to build a time machine to go back to saga-era Iceland because dammit I have no idea what any of this means") to simply complaining about the rain, the funny accents, or the lack of Cheerwine and North Carolina barbecue. The lack of those last two may also guarantee some fitness or weight loss posts as well.
Travel Vlogs (maybe) - I have been rolling around the idea that each big trip I take (such as the ones planned for Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, etc.) will have an accompanying vlog that I will post the link to. Not entirely convinced I'll want to work that hard or that they will come out even remotely good.
Topic Videos (maybe) - As I will be going through a master's abroad, there will be many a different thing to share, such as what I am studying and discussing cultural challenges.
Podcast/Audio Projects (maybe) - If I can rope anybody into doing a podcast with me, I might attempt to try my hand at the Two Dudes Talking™ genre of podcasting and discussing any and all of the things above.
Much much more (big maybe) - Again, still trying to figure out what I want to do with this blog.
To reiterate: I don't know what I'm doing, I'm headed to the UK to go do a masters, and I want to engage more deliberately with those interested in my adventures. No more will be the days of mindless scrolling and lackluster engagement!
Seriously though, comment on my posts, like my stuff, and let me know if you want more. This is all for those back home and those beyond thinking of moving from one country to another or thinking of making the foolish mistake of going into debt and pursuing a postgraduate degree in the humanities.
Hope you enjoy this crazy ride as much as I do. Send Thoughts and Prayers™ and plenty of American junk food, I'm sure I'll need it.
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