Beautiful Chaos

A blog post by Maria Rocha, Spring 2011

Like the contents of my bags, life is topsy-turvy and difficult to keep up with. Days are a jumble of class, mass, prayer, music, homework, random excursions, socializing, and very little sleep. Sleeping seems to be the last priority on my list. There is so much to see and so much to experience that sleep seems to be something I can put off. The idea of living in a place that is too wonderful to sleep through is astounding because I, like most young adults, adore my pillow almost as much as I do my plate. However, this life has taught me what a precious commodity sleep and time are. It seems that one day fits enough activity for three, yet night and morning grow closer together with every passing day. The rule is: early to rise and late to sleep…if ever.

Normally these conditions would upset me and cause me to hate everyone. However, it’s the very idea of choosing to make each day as long as possible that is making this entire experience so unique. On main campus, we live for the weekend. We count down to Friday. Weekdays are a drag and the weekend is the only thing worth waiting for. Life in Gaming is, in some ways, the same. School is the thing we must do before we can gallivant around Europe for a few days.

One of my favorite differences here is the fact that the people here have leisure down to an art. Tea kitchens on each floor just cry for people to lounge and drink tea and coffee. Everyone is so much more present because we had left our unlimited texting plans in the United States. So now, we have to learn to talk and listen to only the people right in front of us. It’s an old idea that is somehow novel, really. Moreover, finding people is so much more involved. You can’t just type a few letters, press send and expect their exact location as a response. Brainpower is needed in order to minimize the amount of wandering one does to find a friend. One must examine the clock (in military time) and then eliminate all but the top three places that person would be found. Then, the hunt begins.

A simple whim is not enough to push one to wander the Kartause on a wild goose chase. No, sir. Sheer necessity and absolute boredom are the best motivators. When the person you have been searching for is finally in sight, victory is sweeter than a Milka bar.

These and other small adjustments would be huge nuisances at home. However, they are some of my favorite things about every day life in Gaming. So, ends week two. Let’s live on!