Archive for April, 2006
Hello,
Being born and raised on the warm, sandy beaches of Big Stone City, South Dakota, with a population of 600, Marshall became appealing because it was a “big town”. Come on, are you kidding me? They have a wal-mart, a McDonald’s, and a mall! Well, an attempt at a mall, but a mall nonetheless.
My collegiate journey began at South Dakota State Univeristy. After a year of livestock jokes and theorizing what it truly means to be a kernel of corn, I came to SMSU.
By a complete coincidence much to my parents denial, it happened to be the exact same college my girlfriend, Lindsey Nelsen, a graduating biology and chemistry student, attended. One day I was walking down the hall and bumped into her and said, “Hey, aren’t we dating…currently?” and she said, “Yes, shall we countinue our courtship?” and I said, “Sure.” So that went well.
Many of us had some knowledge of Marshall before coming here. What job opportunities there were, what the community was like, and what Marshall was really all about. Apparently, and this may blow some of you graduates away, but Schwan’s, you know with the yellow truck and ice cream? Yeah, that was started here! I know, no one had any idea, right? And yes, that is a joke.
Many of us at SMSU have chosen to give back to the community. Some through activities like, “Big Buddy”, while others chose to help Marshall financially. I feel a sense of pride believing I helped pay for at least one new police car. Looking back I like to think that those were two of the most expensive beers I’ve ever had.
SMSU really has been great though. There are many benefits I see more clearly having gone elsewhere then transfering in. For example, at SDSU I can remember rolling out of bed and walking to class a half a mile away in February with tears frozen to my face. Here, you get into the nearest building and your safe from the cold. With less outside time during winter I could be as lazy and unprepared for class as I see necessary. I could show up in my pajamas. Not always a good thing since I sleep in my underwear, but I feel people get used to it.
I also grew to appreciate the teacher-to-student ratio at SMSU. I could have a relationship beyond the professor just knowing where I sit each day and my student ID number for roll. This isnt’ always a good thing when you need to sleep-in because your hangover from “studying” all night the day before causes you to miss class. Teachers see you and they know, their like parents, they see right through you.
When I heard SMSU was great because everything was connected by tunnels I couldn’t picture 1.) why that was a good thing, and 2.) who did they hire to make these tunnels, the Vietcong?
I learned that by tunnels they mean hallways and yes, they are very nice.
From here some of us will jump right into the job market, some will go onto Graduate school, and from there many may go on further to get their Fffffdddd’s. Er. PhD, that is, to become a doctor.
But in all seriousness, whenever I’m worried that SMSU is just a little Midwest college and what can a degree from here get me? I think of some of the inspirational professors have and their wisdom has been that we are just as capable of great things than students from bigger schools. Our work ethic, our intelligence, and our glowing personalities propel us to great futures. So thank you SMSU for giving us the tools, the courage, and the guidance we need to begin our new lives.
And thank you Marshall for the ice cream.
April 22nd, 2006
Hey Bryce,
Congratulations, our committee has chosen you for the commencement speech. The people on the communications committee enjoyed it. I believe that they want a full written transcript, but I am not sure of the exact date. I would start preparing it ASAP. I will ask Erin what date the transcript needs to be completed by and then let you know.
Erin (President) has asked me to email you with a few things that she wanted changed in the speech. If you want more details, or want to find out exactly what she means.
She said that she wanted you to emphasize your main message a little bit more, about how SMSU has prepared us. She said that she would like you to expound on that idea, since that is the topic you are speaking on. Also, she was concerned that the Vietcong joke, and emphasis on your girlfriend may detract from the message of the speech. In my opinion, it was very funny. But, anyway, if you have any questions about what exactly she wants, feel free to email her and ask her.
Congratulations,
Terry
April 18th, 2006
So in International Politics today my teacher mentioned the first bombing of the World Trade Center. The one that killed six people and failed to bring the building down.
My story is kind of awful, but definately shows my sick sense of humor sometimes.
For halloween, when I was maybe in High School but probably not quite yet, I dressed in a suit, fake blood, I might’ve had a cap gun, and I put dark circles around my eyes. I wanted to look like a dead person in a suit.
My story: I died in the world trade center bombing.
Sick. Not so much that, really? Not different than if someone dresses as a normal ghost, I was just specific. The sicker part is just that, well, that was just the first of two attacks on the world trade center buildings.
Didn’t say it was a funny story.
April 10th, 2006
So today I found out that I am in the final 4 choices for giving a speech at commencement in May sometime. All I have told them is who I am and that my speech would be humorous.
So they want to have a better idea of what I’d give a speech about. What should I do my speech about?
I have had regrets since High School because I always felt I could’ve done it better than them, ya know?
Suggestions please!!
April 7th, 2006
At work I am starting to get some pressure from my bosses. We have these new requirements, in lists other than Not Homes we have to sell at least $1,500 a week, or around $300 a day for most people.
This meeting was conducted by Markus’ boss, so my boss’ boss, and half-way thru the meeting Markus came in. Sits down next to me, the only open chair in the conference room, and during the meeting Nelly asks, “are you worried about the summer at all, with people leaving?” and my boss’ boss goes, “I’m terrified” and Markus immediately turns slowly and just stares at me. I just stared at the ground, rearranged my sheet of paper on the desk and tried to be invisible. Brandon noticed the stare I was getting and kind of stared at me, too. He then said, “we’ll just have to convince people to stay”
I’m planning on quitting at final’s week. Max, I’ll work till the end of May. I don’t want to. I’d much rather go on the road with dad, or just get to work in the backyward, or work someplace with real money.
I should see what they’d offer me. My guess is nothing.
April 5th, 2006
So I had been watching the Beatles Anthology alot. Like I had watched all 5 dvds in one week. So I go to a party at the end of the week and I’m grinking.
Then I go to start up a conversation with this fella and BOOM! It hits me. I’m speaking in a british accent. Like I had no clue why. I try and stop and I can’t. I go outside, keep grinking, and just chill by myself.
I go back into the party and I am talking normal again. But still, isn’t suddenly uncontrollably speaking in a british accent weird?
April 5th, 2006