Furman University

Pats on the back. “See you in a few months!” A grunt from picking up the last heavy bags. The click of the door as it closes. Car engines turning over. These are the sounds of goodbye. I’ve watched almost all of my friends leave at this point; the last contingent left on Sunday after commencement. Only a few of us remain on hall. I’ve been lucky enough to snag a summer job here in Greenville and while I know the sadness will fade away as the freedom of summer sinks in, I’m stuck thinking about the last 8 months.

It’s a good thing, really, when you consider how much personal growth I’ve seen since I came to Furman. How do I even begin to unpack two semesters? I suppose I could start from my first blog post.

“I’ve lost precious hours of sleep in the process of meeting new people. You won’t hear me complaining, though! The new-found freedom has taken over the entire freshmen class by force. Excitement buzzes electrically through conversations. New friendships are forged between roommates, hallmates, and Furman freshmen from all over. I’ve already found it possible to fall more in love with Furman. Though I miss all of my friends dearly, I was meant to go to Furman.”

Well, I guess I was really excited about Furman when I got here. And the excitement is still there, in part, but it’s been placed elsewhere. For one, I can’t wait to have fewer, more meaningful friendships. If I gleaned anything from the Furman freshman experience it’s that you’re supposed to undergo extreme sensory overload. The flow of new people to meet never stopped. Clubs to join, sleep to lose, Cookout to eat. I can’t wait to get away from that.

Sure, it’s nice to feel like everyone knows you and that what you’re doing on campus gets talked about. That attention gets old, boring, and outdated, however, and I’m ready to move on. I want to study what I’m actually passionate about. I gathered a lot of information this year. Next year, then, should be about using that info to navigate unseen obstacles. There’s so much growth to be done. Cheers to a great building year in preparation for the three to come!

And cheers to closing a few doors along the way.

“I wish you enough.”

March washes away and with its departure, finally, evaporates the familiar chill of a frosted morning. Spring has been slow in coming to Greenville, SC. It’s just warm enough outside to tease our campus into showing some skin during the day; then, the sun sets and the discomfort begins.

Spirits, previously flagging, are beginning to make their comeback. The campus isn’t awash with positivity, however. Our beloved seniors, class of 2013, are preparing to graduate and take jobs, internships, and graduate school journeys that will carry them far from Furman. I’ve made a point this year to make connections with the older–some would say wiser–group on campus.

Let me see if I can articulate something about connecting with people. You know when you hit it off with somebody right away? The friend chemistry is there immediately. Do you ever wonder about the person’s past? What’s their story? At a place like Furman  we’re all hopelessly interconnected. Within smaller social circles everyone has history with each other, especially by senior year. I love being a fly on the wall when listening to their stories. I find myself living vicariously through them. Sometimes, I yearn for that same comfort with my friends (I then realize that I already have it).

As with first semester, I know I’ll do a lot of self-reflection about Furman in the coming month. Five years (at least) worth of experiences packed into one year of college. Why did I pick Furman? I stumbled across this article today and it resonated with me: http://www.theprospect.net/2013/03/30/the-real-college-checklist-the-perfect-school-versus-the-brand-name-school/. Furman isn’t the brand name school. People don’t know Furman outside of the Southeast. Yet, it’s such a special place. My school is the ‘right fit.’

I only hope I share this same sentiment with future Michael. 3 years from now he’ll be reminiscing about that history with his friends. What will my story be?

“We’re all made of stories. When they finally put us underground, the stories are what will go on. Not forever, perhaps, but for a time. It’s a kind of immortality, I suppose, bounded by limits, it’s true, but then so’s everything.”-Charles De Lint

“Choice–not chance–determines your destiny”-Aristotle

Everyone else is in school and I’m curled up in a beanbag chair in Palm Springs, California. No, I’m not skipping class for an expensive excursion to the west coast. Rather, I find myself at TEDActive, the satellite simulcast of TED2013 taking place this week. Already we’ve spent five hours listening to some of the world’s most engaging speakers talking about their research. TED explores the cutting edge of innovation. Energy beams around this place. I’ve met TEDx organizers, a writer for Time magazine in Indonesia, and fellow students from the world over.

And this is just day one. We’ve already heard ideas about the future of primary education, why 30 is not the new 20, and a 13-year old Masai boy showed how he outsmarts every lion in Kenya. I guess I’ve been in an academic funk for a while. I needed an alternative learning experience; what’s better than TED?

So, Furman, thank you for the opportunity.

In other news, I made it to spring break. The prospect that time could pass any quicker is actually terrifying. Seriously, I remember every blog post I’ve written since the year started and, as luck would have it, there are only two months left before I’m phased out of this job. What have I learned at the 3/4 point of the year? I discussed this with a friend over tea the other day. If anything, I’m getting the most out of my education through exploration. In the classroom this looks like case studies on sustainable corporations and staying after class to debate a contentious point with a professor. Outside exploration takes various forms. Tea time conversation, walking meetings, and reading in hammocks–especially now that spring is coming.

In the spirit of spring, new beginnings, and positivity, I hope you realize how gifted you are. I’m not a cheesy guy but the fact that you have the technological means and free time to read this post indicates you’re better off than most people. Enjoy the last few days of February. For high school seniors, March is your last month before you’ll know about your plans for next year. Make it count.

“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.”-John Lennon

My favorite Beatle had it spot on in his 1980 song, Beautiful Boy. I’m still puzzled by the American obsession with being busy. We’re supposed to be the country of hard work, yes, but I increasingly find busy is a buzzword. Does work really fill the hours of everyone’s day? Epitaphs, if more accurately inscribed, should read: John Michael Robinson–Overextended, stressed, fell victim to meaningless work.

I’m skeptical of busy people. Don’t have time to sit down and have coffee? No time to call back an old friend? Maybe you should reevaluate your commitments.

I say these things and mean them wholeheartedly. Yet, I am this person. TED is a week away,TEDxFurmanU is less than a month away, pledging is in full swing, midterms are here, I’m juggling two jobs (if you can count blogging), new hall staff commitments approach, Summer Orientaion Staff, and my FUSAB Off-Campus committee cannot remain neglected. Simply put, there’s just a heckuva lot going on.

And yet, there’s too strong a support net to let me feel too busy. People pick up the slack, I’ve found, and it’s without a doubt the most pleasant surprise I’ve encountered at Furman.

So, what’s currently going on? I’m applying for a summer internship through the Shi Center for Sustainability to work at the Greenville County Recreation District studying the impact of greenways on property value. Every time I sit down to fill out one of these applications I’m grateful for the myriad work opportunities Furman provides its students. If you come visit this summer you might see me!

Currently, the most exciting upcoming opportunity is my trip out to California for TEDActive. TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design), if you remember, has the motto ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’, and brings the world’s best innovators to Long Beach every year for a week long discussion about ideas and innovation. I can’t wait to update you with boundless excitement from California next week!

Until next time.

Happy birthday, Noah!

Video of the week (Badman!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVW6SH2bjYQ

Someone once told me I’m a very February fellow. I’m still trying to figure out what it means. February is an OK month, I guess. In it we find the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, and the hope of a long spring. And therein lies the problem. February is a short month with temperamental weather and leafless trees. My favorite season is around the bend and is yet forever away.

January was a tough month. I started off the year in a picturesque mountain village in western Colorado and received a harsh shock treatment in coming back to school. Yet, here I am. I wish I didn’t have a ‘Debbie-downer’ attitude about this semester. It’s already markedly different from the last and I’ve been told the dichotomy is only more pronounced as spring approaches. Despite the differences there’s excitement in our future.

February is the month I will find out if I will be an RA next year, if I’ll hold a summer internship through the Shi Center for Sustainability, if I make it through pledging and into Sigma Nu. I will put on three events through my committee in FUSAB. TEDxFurmanU (http://www.facebook.com/TEDxFurmanU) is creeping ever closer. For once, I’m glad we’re here at my (formerly) least favorite month.

Let’s change gears a bit. People rave about Furman for its size. I’ve heard there are studies about college atmosphere that say a school over 3000 kids has a decidedly different feel from a school underneath that threshold. I’ve learned one thing: the pulse of the student body is unmistakably recognizable. Facial expressions and body language (and the hum of the library printers, too) betray a big test and paper week. Contrarily, easier times allow us Furmanites to wander the campus pondering the mysteries of existence.

Only kidding, most of us don’t use our free time to philosophize. After all, we’re college students. We’re busy saving the world.

To whomever called me a February fellow. . .

Thanks. I made it.

“The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”-Walter Bagehot

Everyone hits an invisible ‘wall’ at some point when they’re overextended and unsustainably expending large amounts of energy in the pursuit of, well, what exactly? Always these walls are tough to overcome, sometimes they are frequent, but never, I feel, are they insurmountable. When is the next one coming? If you ever want to stress yourself out (try it sometime if you want to feel helpless) think about how difficult it’ll be when you hit a wall.

Why should I be worried? I doubt academics will be the source of the stress. Assignments are always well-spaced and professors are generally understanding and willing to help. FUSAB won’t be the reason, either, as most of my events are planned and I have the help of the entire Board when execution is emphasized. Is it programming the TEDx event coming to Furman in March? Again, I have the support of Furman’s most motivated students–a group with whom I share a passion for creativity and planning events Furman has never seen.

Is it the stress of trying to get to know the brothers of Sigma Nu on a deeper level in 8 weeks time? Possibly, but I’m at my best when trying to make connections with people. Is it working as a Student Fellow at the Shi Center for Sustainability three times a week? Maybe. In breaking down all of the parts that comprise my life at Furman I see one event doesn’t create a wall.

This semester has incredible potential to be the most rewarding I’ll have at Furman. All signs point up if I can find the work ethic to make it through. I’m at a crossroads and I can’t wait to see what these walls will look like. May we all find our climbing gear.

“Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration … The world you desire can be won. It exists.. it is real.. it is possible.. it’s yours.”-Ayn Rand

Hold it. We’ve been on campus for 5 full days. It feels like it’s been at least a year already and the toughest part has yet to start. I always silently made fun of those people that claimed they were ‘drowning in work’ and ‘in over their head.’ We all know someone like this. To this day one of my favorite articles is called “The Busy Trap” and it details why being busy isn’t always peaches. (check it out here, it’s the best calming mechanism I currently have: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/) Yet, where do I find myself after one week? In over my head. I’m drowning, if you will. Did I relax too much over break? Should I have been better prepared? Maybe, but we’re not here to blame me! In my (muddled) teenage brain it’s the world’s fault.

What’s so bad, you ask? Well, I’m the FUSAB Off-Campus Committee chair for the calendar year 2013. The transfer of positions has highlighted just how much behind-the-scenes work our chairs do. For one, they have to plan and run their weekly committee meetings. I’ve spent at least an hour to ninety minutes planning the next few weeks for my committee. We have a weekly chair meeting, must be present at the board meetings on Tuesday, and meet weekly with the FUSAB advisor. And that’s before doing any committee-related event planning.

I’m the Programming Director for TEDxFurmanU. If you’re not familiar with TED talks, I suggest you hit ted.com for some true inspiration. TEDx’s are smaller, independently run events dedicated to highlighting innovators in the Technology, Education, and Design fields. Don’t be deceived by the word ‘smaller.’ See, Furman has never conducted a TEDx so we’re figuring it all out along the way.

Lastly, fraternities are having their last week of rush before bids are given out this Sunday. For those of us that put off our decision to the last minute, the magnitude of the decision adds pressure to the semester’s start. Next week, pledging starts. According to all sources involved it’s an incredibly time-intensive process.

Oh, and I have a full load of classes. Yay.

I’m ready to dive in. See you on the other side!

Until next time.

“You’re only given a little spark of madness.  You mustn’t lose it.”  ~Robin Williams

Greetings from Telluride, Colorado! This is the third of three stops along a travel-filled holiday break. The first trip I took to Washington DC to pick up my best friend from his home at American University. We made a holiday visit to a big white house (I’m told it’s an important place–still researching) courtesy of his internship at the National Gay/Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. I love DC’s feel, location and the excitement of so much history and power locked in one city is fascinating. After three days and plenty of adventuring I brought Noah back to our hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina.

After about a week in North Carolina’s best city, my family packed up the car for an oppressively long ride to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I can’t stand spending a lot of time off my feet so you’ll understand my aversion to long car trips. We made it without killing each other. Barely. All of my dad’s family lives there in town–he’s the lone ranger to pioneer to North Carolina in 1970. I have a lot of history in my favorite hand-shaped state. All of my family went to summer camp in northern Michigan for years until it closed down in 2006.  We celebrated Christmas with plenty of eating, drinking and fireside gift-opening before my sister Caroline and I embarked for Telluride.

This town is all about skiing in the winter. As I write, a heavy snow is setting in over the mountain, hushing the bustling village before the New Year celebration in the streets this evening. I’ll be able to get some skiing in, spend quality downtime with my two lovely sisters and save up droves of energy before this crazy semester starts in just a week.

The end of the year prompts most people to reflect while setting goals for the 12 calendar flips ahead. Personally, I’m not a big resolutions person. The motivation of a body or personality makeover works for some people, not me. I did, however, identify the many things I can improve on in the next year. Though sometimes tedious, I think self-analysis can produce almost all necessary wisdom.

Over the last couple of months I’ve been looking too far ahead when I need to see each day through and I’ve sometimes tried to be someone different. I’ve focused a little too much on speeding things up when they need to slow down. Here’s to leaving that all behind tonight when an inordinately shiny ball drops from its lofty perch 2000 miles away. Hello, 2013. It’s nice to see you.

“Slow down. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.”

Video of the week (it’s been on replay for days!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8NN4fpdm40

While the rest of campus is scribbling away on papers and toiling over exams I’ve managed to escape to Brevard for the day with my friend, Will. I’ve been wanting to make this trip for a while but things finally came together today. I can’t lie, Furman is really annoying right now. Welcome to college, I’m told, where coffee cups litter the library, academic insecurities are glaring and even the squirrels have figured to stay away from students.

OK, so I guess the squirrels always stay away from students. Still, impatience seeps from every crack of every occupied room in every building. We’ve adopted strange schedules and quickly lost track of what day it is. Finals really are here! If you’re reading this, I implore you to call one college kid you know and wish them luck in their time of need.

It hasn’t all been bad! FUSAB put on a few events this week to de-stress high-strung Furmanites. We had dog petting therapy on the steps of the library and free massages in North Village. SGA brought free donuts and the Dining Hall did a midnight breakfast. To be honest, everyone is accommodating our grumpiness. Fraternities are having their last parties to give freshmen a final idea of what they’re about. And yet, it seems, some of us still need to get off campus.

It’s about the time in the semester when I start reflecting back on the past few months. What a whirlwind they’ve been, for sure. In my time here I’ve found the most fun, challenging, and loyal friends. I have successes to boast and, more recently, a few grounding failures to illustrate the importance of (cue cliché!) the push-pull of life. Questions remain after one semester. Some are trivial (e.g. sleep schedule, what’s a paladin?) and some (retaining my individuality, what’s my niche?), well, not so much. The more difficult questions may take a year or more to really figure. Not having the answers is something I struggle with daily.

As always, this break couldn’t come at a better time. I’m in desperate need of an escape! Thankfully, after Monday’s history exam I can find that outlet in a wood-stove fire, casual conversation and stories from amigos. Until then, back to the grind I go.

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”  ~Paul Boese

Dank (adj.): disagreeably damp, musty, and typically cold. In a literal sense, Thanksgiving has been none of these things. As defined by one Urban Dictionary entry, however, (Dank: an adjective describing something as positive or awesome), dank couldn’t describe this Thanksgiving any finer. While it’s true the food has been awesome, it’s the time to decompress that means the most.

What’s undergoing compression, anyway? Why, everything. It’s coming down to the last few weeks of the term, organizations are trying to plan things for the new year and most everyone’s missing home a lot. Though I find Furman to be a pleasantly laidback environment, college is naturally a pressure cooker. It makes every visit home that much more special.

In the interest of being as mind numbingly cliché as possible, I have to do a list of what I’m thankful for. Thanks for the idea, Mom.

I’m thankful for vibrant family dinner discussions (and arguments, too), embarrassing childhood moments, parents who sacrifice more than everything for their kids, writing in the sand, promises not forgotten, sisters to tell me what I’m doing wrong, life chats on the beach, vegetarianism and barefoot runs. Once I start, more things come to mind. Even though I see every hour of this break twist away and two more weeks of school approach, I’m thankful I’ll come back to this. It’s true, you know, “in time of test, family is best.”

Now that the sisters are gone and I prepare to go back to Furman, I’ll sit out on the porch and watch the stars. And post these pictures:

Here’s to another solid 7 hours of driving, two weeks of classes, two exams, a few more adventures with special people and then a reunion with family and friends at home! I’ve been waiting months for this break. It was here. Now it’s gone. On to the next one–until next time!

Video of the week–bad songs at their best: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDkg8OJB820

“Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.  ~Edward Sandford Martin”