The Story of the Missing Elephant

The new semester has begun at CSULB, and while classes weren't welcomed with the ninety degree weather we had at the beginning of the month, it has been a rather sunny and cheerful start. Going to class is a welcome change after winter break, and I think that I am going to be considerably more interested in more of my classes this semester than last. I did have Folklore & Mythology last semester, but this Spring, I will have a novel-writing class and other subjects with titles like "Discourse Analysis" that makes me feel smart and a bit snobbish.

I have particularly enjoyed the nice weather because I walk almost everywhere I go, which becomes a pretty miserable practice while carrying grocery bags nearly a mile in the rain. Now, when I have time off from work and school, and my silly knee isn't hurting, I can go for walks, just like summer!

However, I was truly disheartened when I came across a serious case of elephant-napping. For four years, I have walked to the Los Altos Library and Shopping Center by walking down Chatwin. There is one home in particular on this residential road that decorates their lawn with empty bird cages, wagons, statues and whatever other interesting objects (I can only imagine) that they come across. My favorite piece of this landscaping achievement is a small wooden elephant that stands in a painted flower pot right by the driveway. I walked to the library a couple weeks ago, passing that lawn and looking for my elephant friend, but he was nowhere to be found! I do hope that he has gone one some grand adventure or found another driveway to look after, with some other stranger to say hello to every week, but I can't help worrying about this awkward little animal. I am mostly disappointed, though, because since I first saw him, I have wanted to write a letter to the home owners, thanking them for the simple little joy of his friendship while I lived in Long Beach. Now, I am afraid to send them that letter next year, not wanting to bring up any sad memories of the abducted wooden pachyderm. So, Mr. Elephant, thank you for your company. I hope that you have a proper place to oversee, wherever in the world you are.

Happy New Year!

I’ve never really been any good at making (or keeping) resolutions. But, I do realize that 2008 was a pretty eventful year for me, so I feel that it is necessary for me to make a little review of the year.

In 2008, I learned that Disneyland has a maximum capacity at which it closes its doors, and that contact lenses can be too small for an eyeball. I learned the meaning of the French word “truc” and the way to swirl frozen yogurt. I have definitely learned to be more confident in my decisions and I’m becoming better at speaking up for myself.

I didn’t sneeze during Nettie and Jacob’s wedding, which was a huge fear of mine. I love the way that my family has grown this- as I have a new brother, and I was able to meet some family members in Holland. I am blessed in the way that others have put their faith in me over the past year, and I am happy to say that my faith has been restored in many ways. Managing my time has become a larger challenge for me than ever before in my life, but I’ve always enjoyed being busy.

I did a happy dance at five in the morning alone in my apartment after I found out that I got the coordinator position. I came back to Long Beach refreshed and ready to be back at CSULB. While I am anxious to see my life develop outside of the school setting, especially after I had the chance to travel, I am proud to be where I am in my university. My hope is that next semester, I will be able to spread my time out more evenly between all the different groups with which I’m involved.

I cried a lot when a professor promised a recommendation that never came, keeping me from an opportunity to become a better writer. It showed me though, that I know what I really want to do. I also think that because of this, I can better appreciate the measures others haven taken to follow through with even the smallest of projects. I am truly thankful for the effort I have seen the people around me put in for our common goals.

I just wanted to thank everybody in my life for all the wonderful things you do, like writing me letters and calling me on skype when I am halfway across the globe, or coming to visit me when I am on call and not able to leave campus. Thanks for listening to my silly stories, because I am sure that 2009 will give me plenty more to tell you.