We did make it through finals. I didn't understand how much coffee and lack of sleep that phrase would entail. There's a scene in Clueless where the teacher announces who has the most tardies in class. This kid named Drugs stands up and gives this speech thanking all the people including the crew at McDonalds for making him late. It's an amusing scene, kind-of satirical, and goofy. With a nod to that, I would like to do some thanking of my own for helping me get through finals week. Shout out to my mom. She sent me a box of gingerbread cookies. My school is pretty far from home, and gingerbread cookies taste like nothing else but home. Seriously, where else can you buy a good gingerbread cookie? My friend and I had a devouring session with them. Second shoot out is to my roommate and friends. Thanks for being there even when I got grumpy, and being people to laugh with on our free weekend. You are the only people I know who could spend an hour and a half in a bookstore and enjoy it. Third shout out would be to the Glitch Mob whose weird, electronic, futuristic music contains almost no words and amped up those study sessions.
"puts on a more serious voice", but really I am grateful for this last semester. Being able to get an education is such a gift. We watched a video in Education class about children in different parts of the world, and the obstacles they faced. I had never given much thought to how hard it can often be for a girl to get an education. One girl they showed who middle school age and only made it to first or second grade. Her life would now be herding goats and getting married, and to me that is so sad. She would hardly be able to read. That could have been me, but here I am for some reason allowed to learn and pursue my dreams. Man, what a gift. When school gets hard, I am really going to try to not complain. I can think about girls in Pakistan in the book I Am Malala who find it difficult or impossible to get an education. (Sidenote: I Am Malala is an excellent book. Her narrative voice is surprisingly sharp and clear, and she has a spirit that can speak through cultural barriers. Great read.) So here's to getting an education. Here's to doing the best with what we've been given. Now Merry Christmas and enjoy the break.
