FollowIt seems like only yesterday that Spring 2012 began, but alas, we are rapidly approaching the midway point of the semester. As Week 5 draws to a close, it’s probably safe to say that most Cal students are beginning to feel the pressure. The first wave of midterms has hit and the initial batch of papers has been written; yet the amount of assigned reading only continues to increase exponentially. As work continues to pile on, it is easy to throw our hands up in frustration and start pondering potential summer plans. It can be difficult to overlook the misfortunes and mishaps in our lives—the things that disappoint us and let us down—and in turn, we may forget about the things that do go right for us.
Even after what seemed to be one of the worst weeks in my short Cal career, I can honestly sit here and think of several things that have gone right for me, and these things, I’m truly thankful for. Here are just a few of them:
Good GSIs
I’ve only been here for one and a third semesters, but luckily enough, I have yet to be enrolled in a section with a poor GSI. I understand that at the beginning of the semester, my professors like to assure their students that each course’s GSIs are more than qualified and are capable of getting me through my exams and papers in one piece. I have no doubt that my professors are telling the truth, but I just can’t help but feel extremely lucky with the hand of GSIs that I’ve been dealt. For example, my GSI for American Politics is this hilarious British (ironic much?) ex-lawyer who claims that two-hour sections are “too bloody long” and dismisses the class early each week. Not to mention that he puts together a comprehensive outline of each week’s lectures, providing a guide as to what we really need to know from that week of class. Having a good GSI also comes in handy when you have an 8 am class. It’s no easy task to stay awake, let alone participate in a discussion, especially when you’re running on only a Clif Bar, but when the GSI is engaging, it’ll be much easier for you to focus and you may even find yourself contributing to the conversation.
Finding an Open Table at FSM
Crazy things happen. We are in Berkeley, after all. Now, I can’t guarantee that you’ll be as successful as I am at nagging a table at this busy café, but every once in a while, you may stumble upon a vacant table at FSM. In my case, I had just gotten out of my 8 am History discussion and was in dire need of sustenance. Expecting to grab my food and go, I did a double take when I saw, out of the corner of my eye, an actual empty seat. I immediately rushed to the open spot, set my things down, and made myself comfortable, savoring this rare moment. Never had a banana nut muffin and a cup of coffee tasted so good.
AC Transit Bus Pass
I cannot emphasize enough how thankful I am to have that tiny, shiny blue sticker on my Cal1 Card. After a long day of classes, I am nastily exhausted, and walking back to Clark Kerr is the last thing I want to do. Conveniently enough, as I’m strolling down Telegraph, the 49 or 51B comes to my rescue seemingly out of nowhere and delivers me home. Now, if only they could stick to their schedules and come when they’re supposed to, I’d be a happy camper. Not only that, but the AC Transit Bus pass has given me the opportunity to travel far and wide—at least to areas in the relative vicinity. There’s a certain comfort that comes in knowing that if ever I get sick of dining hall food, Trader Joe’s and Cheeseboard are only a bus ride away, not that I absolutely have to travel to get food. There’s always…
The Asian Ghetto
This small enclave on Durant Avenue is a godsend. Once again, I’ve come to realize that dining hall food cannot satisfy me on a consistent basis, but I don’t always want to embark on a long journey for nourishment. Thank you, Asian Ghetto, for providing me a variety of cheap options at practically any hour of the day. I mean, I know I shouldn’t be eating Gypsy’s at 2 in the morning, but their gnocchi is just too darn good. But as awesome as the Ghetto is, it won’t be too long before I start craving something other than Thai Basil and boba. We, Berkeley students, are blessed with dozens of other cheap yet inexpensive dining options on Telegraph and its proximity—minus Chipotle (their guacamole is seriously overpriced). But really, when I’m in need of a good place for grub, I know I don’t have to look any further than Durant Square.
People who flyer and table on Sproul
You must think I’m joking, right? How could I possibly be thankful for these solicitors seeking to disrupt my day and prevent me from making it to my next class? It’s simple, really. For me, seeing these flyerists and tablers on Sproul remind me that there are still people in the world that are passionate about a variety of things and care enough to put themselves out there and incite others to action. Honestly, I don’t think I’d be able to stand for hours and approach people asking, “Have you pledged CalPIRG?” I wouldn’t be able to handle the constant rejection. Now, just because I’m sympathetic to their situation, it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to take their handouts. The trash cans of Berkeley are already far too full. But the next time you’re flyering or tabling, please know that I do appreciate what you’re doing, and just because I’m in a good mood today, I guess I’ll pledge CalPIRG.
Being a Berkeley student
It is undoubtedly an amazing privilege to attend this prestigious institution. Coming to Cal means that you are being taught by world-class professors doing cutting-edge research in their respective fields, a handful of them having Nobel prizes in their back pockets. It means that you are in the presence of an illustrious history, capped by the momentous Free Speech Movement. It also means that you are in the company of the nation’s greatest young minds, people that are destined to change the world one protest at a time. Being a member of the Cal community comes with its perks. While most of us complain about the ever-growing pile of work accumulating on our cluttered desks, being a Berkeley student should be something we take pride in. The fact that I am able to eat my lunch on the steps of Sproul Hall where Mario Savio once stood and gave his stirring “Rage Against the Machine” speech, the fact that I get to walk to class every day feeling prepared for Armageddon because of Yoshua’s thoughtful warnings, and the fact that I can jam to carillons clanging in the Campanile—only at Berkeley.
This blog post may seem like it’s coming three months too late, but just because the festivities are long gone, it doesn’t mean that the actual thanksgiving has to stop. Even when everything that can go wrong does go wrong, one can always find something to be grateful for. So even if today is the “worst day of your life,” look on the bright side and realize that it won’t take much to top it. Chances are, tomorrow won’t be an unmitigated disaster.
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