I made it through the first week of school. It was tough, not only lacking a car but also all the reading that has already been piled on me. But I enjoy the challenge of transportation and it makes me feel alive, healthy and environmental to ride my bike everywhere. I can feel my legs growing stronger and it’s great to feel like I’m getting in shape again. Even though I’ve been burdened with lots of homework, I know I can handle it and I love that I’m finally getting somewhere with my major. My classes are engaging and I will be doing research and schoolwork that actually pertains to what I want to do with my life. Once a week I have a lab from 8 until noon where I watch twenty children with 3 other classmates. My team is great, I think we have great chemistry and the children are so precious. None of them are older than 4 and they have such excitement and wonder about everything that it’s infectious. It’s definitely going to be a challenging semester, but I look forward to the growth that is going to occur because of that.
It’s interesting not having a metal shell to protect me as I move from Point A to Point B. I certainly see riding in a car as a luxury now and have a whole new appreciation for my bicycle. I see how much I have taken cars for granted; I feel so exposed when walking or riding my bike, almost like everyone is staring at me as my hair whips behind me and I struggle against the wind. Perspective is a strange thing, but even stranger is having it flipped on you.