Monday, May 14, 2007

if i could go back . . . (part one of two)

The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.
—Edward John Phelps

I learn by going where I have to go.
—Theodore Roethke


May 20, 2006, with Kristen and Adrienne, my two fabulous sisters

Next Sunday is my one-year anniversary of graduating from Calvin! (I’ll spare you my shock over how quickly this year has gone.) They say that college is one of the best times in your life, and I’d agree. It pulled me to all extremes—I have never been so challenged, nor have I had such a wonderful time as I did at Calvin.

But time clarifies all things. As the months scuttle by, I’ve thought of things I wished I had done at Calvin. A few surprise me: I didn’t realize how much I’d miss them. Here are the things that top my list:

1. I actually want to go back and audit classes! I miss the school part of school—a year of designing my own schedule makes me want assignments again. (Is that sick?) I had enough work on my plate already, so I couldn’t take more “real” classes, but I wish I discovered the joy of auditing sooner. I loved auditing “The British Novel” my senior year: I could skip it when stressed, but enjoyed the books and discussions as often as I could. It was the best of education: seeking knowledge for the fun of it, not for the sake of any program or external requirement.

So here’s a short list of the classes I would love to audit:
-Art History. I tried to squeeze it in, but never had room or an open time. Still, I wish it would have worked out.
-French. I feel my understanding of French draining away, and I wish I’d taken more than one year. When I visited Paris three years ago, I was able to call up a decent amount of beginner’s French, but now I think I’d just manage please, thank you, and yes. I wish I’d taken more classes so I’d have a bit more to go on!
-I’ve also been thinking about more history and philosophy classes, and maybe even another geology class. (Oceanography was so fun!)

2. I would try to be in Gospel Choir again. I sang alto for one semester and loved it. My sister’s choir has been singing some amazing spirituals, and I miss being up there and doing the same!

3. I would have gone to more shows, as well. IMPROV and orchestra are the two that haunt me the most. I only went to a few IMPROV shows, but I loved them and laughed my head off. Orchestra, too, I only saw a few times, but I thoroughly enjoyed each one.

4. I don’t know where I would have found the money, but it would have been fantastic to spend more time studying abroad. I considered going to Italy one interim, but it didn’t work out. Still—it would have been fantastic to go.

5. Lastly (and most importantly!), I wish I had even more time with my bold and incredible friends, who are now spread across the world. My pals are in India, Cameroon, and Hungary, as well as the rest of North (and Central) America. I’m so grateful for the time that I spent with them. During my junior year, I crashed at Maria’s apartment most weekends, and last fall I had a weekly coffee date with my amazing friend Jen. Kim and I lived together last year, and I lifted weights and shared coffee with one of many Lauras. And there are so many other friends, more than can fit here, that I have wonderful memories with—movie dates with Becca, church-and-scone mornings with Karen, sleepovers, movies, and coffee with the fabulous Sarah and Laura duo.

There was a lot of work to do—the tests and essays wouldn’t change. But these amazing, world-changing women live so far away now. I wish I could have another four years just to hang out with my dear friends! (Can I major in “studying abroad with friends”? I think that would be ideal ...) We wouldn’t run out of things to do and talk about, and I miss them so much. (Hi, girls!!)

The best news is that one year out, we’re still close friends, checking in and updating each other. It’s not the same as weight-lifting, slurping coffee, laughing at movies, and conversing face-to-face, but I’m hoping to see them all again, and soon. (And ladies, if you’re interested in a reunion, head to Bermuda tomorrow. I’ll be there!!)—jl

Posted by Jenn Langefeld on 05/14 at 04:24 PM
(1) Trackbacks • Permalink

<< Back to main