Good times, Part Deux
Earlier this semester, I took the German exit exam, as I'm a German major. I made a 97 or 98 %, something like that. I was pretty stoked about that then. But wow, let me tell you. I just found out from my friend Deb that I did better than the German major who is actually a native German speaker.
I don't know what to think. I mean, sure, I spent last semester in Berlin. But man, she's a native speaker! I can't believe it. Maybe I did better on the small section that involved questions about German culture, society, government, and history. I find that I tend to play down my achievements, though, find some hole to poke in whatever argument says that I'm smart. That's mostly because it seems that, whenever people realize that I tend to do superbly in academic areas, they put me on a level above them. They'll say, "Man, you're a genius." And I'll usually think "Man, I wish I weren't defined by that." Intelligence is not the greatest thing one can have in life. The past couple of years have taught me that social support is often much more desirable and beneficial than smarts. I mean, my term papers, diplomas, and academic achievement awards aren't going to come to my funeral. My tombstone won't list my GPA. When I'm dead and gone, no one is going to care how much I knew. I want to have left a positive impact on people's lives. The real trick is putting all that I've learned to use for achieving that purpose.
Speaking of my friend Deb, I just watched her sing with the Berry College Gospel Choir. I really didn't expect it to be as wonderful as it was. Definitely the high point of my week. These people aren't just a singing group, they're a ministry as well. In fact, I should say that the other way around, as the ministry part is their main focus. And minister they did. Man, it's really what I've been needing. I really felt my heart warm to God. Praise music is wildly contagious when done well and sincerely, like these people do. We were all up and clapping toward the end. I left the performance feeling uplifted and encouraged and in a praiseful attitude that I think I've been seriously lacking for the past while. I would go to the church on campus tomorrow morning to hear them again, except for the fact that tomorrow is my last Sunday here for about four months, and I want to say goodbye to the folks at my home church. It's probably goodbye forever, as I plan on finding a new church when I come back home. I think I'll let my membership stay, though. There's no way I can see to get rid of it without hurting a lot of feelings.
Speaking of contagious things, there are many games to which I have, in the past, become addicted. My favorite game of all, though, and the one I play most often, is called "Get Rid of the Spyware". Recently it's been ISTsvc and Apropos. Nasty buggers, those. I can't get rid of them completely, which means that they're the hardest ones I've dealt with yet.
I don't know what to think. I mean, sure, I spent last semester in Berlin. But man, she's a native speaker! I can't believe it. Maybe I did better on the small section that involved questions about German culture, society, government, and history. I find that I tend to play down my achievements, though, find some hole to poke in whatever argument says that I'm smart. That's mostly because it seems that, whenever people realize that I tend to do superbly in academic areas, they put me on a level above them. They'll say, "Man, you're a genius." And I'll usually think "Man, I wish I weren't defined by that." Intelligence is not the greatest thing one can have in life. The past couple of years have taught me that social support is often much more desirable and beneficial than smarts. I mean, my term papers, diplomas, and academic achievement awards aren't going to come to my funeral. My tombstone won't list my GPA. When I'm dead and gone, no one is going to care how much I knew. I want to have left a positive impact on people's lives. The real trick is putting all that I've learned to use for achieving that purpose.
Speaking of my friend Deb, I just watched her sing with the Berry College Gospel Choir. I really didn't expect it to be as wonderful as it was. Definitely the high point of my week. These people aren't just a singing group, they're a ministry as well. In fact, I should say that the other way around, as the ministry part is their main focus. And minister they did. Man, it's really what I've been needing. I really felt my heart warm to God. Praise music is wildly contagious when done well and sincerely, like these people do. We were all up and clapping toward the end. I left the performance feeling uplifted and encouraged and in a praiseful attitude that I think I've been seriously lacking for the past while. I would go to the church on campus tomorrow morning to hear them again, except for the fact that tomorrow is my last Sunday here for about four months, and I want to say goodbye to the folks at my home church. It's probably goodbye forever, as I plan on finding a new church when I come back home. I think I'll let my membership stay, though. There's no way I can see to get rid of it without hurting a lot of feelings.
Speaking of contagious things, there are many games to which I have, in the past, become addicted. My favorite game of all, though, and the one I play most often, is called "Get Rid of the Spyware". Recently it's been ISTsvc and Apropos. Nasty buggers, those. I can't get rid of them completely, which means that they're the hardest ones I've dealt with yet.
posted by Casey at 11:37 PM
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