Taking a Look Back at the Past 5 Months

At the end of each semester, I like to take a look back to see just all that I experienced: the people, the places, the events, etc.

My life changed more in these past 5 months than it has in most of my life prior to this time. The main reason for this is because I'm an RA. It is definitely a different world from being a regular resident on a college campus. I met so many people that have changed my life for the better. One group of people are the RA's that I work with. Who know a group of people could have such an impact on a life? Each RA that I have had the chance to get to know has had some kind of positive effect on my life, even if they don't realize it. I couldn't imagine spending the majority of my waking hours (which were most of my hours) with any other group of people.

Another group of people that changed my life this semester are my fraternity brothers. This was my first full semester as a brother of Phi Sigma Pi. I learned so much about myself through experiences with them, and I am beyond thankful for the knowledge that has helped me realize what kind of person I've been and what kind of person I wanted to be.

I realized early into the semester that I really liked geography. I'm a very visual learner, so maps and such help me learn material so much better. I took a basic geography class this semester, and I loved it. I do owe a lot of this to my professor. He taught in a way that made me want to learn. I took the 4th test in the class (out of 4) when I didn't even have to (we took 4 tests, he dropped the lowest. I had an A after the first 3 tests) just to prove that I had learned the material. When I came to KSU, I wanted to be a French minor (I love the language and want to be fluent one day), but after a semester of a sub-par French class and an excellent geography class, I have decided to change my minor to Geography, and teach that alongside American History at some high school in Georgia (CHS, perhaps?).

This semester, every day and every event that happened taught me something. I had a wake-up call or two, of which I am so thankful for. People I've met and events I've experienced have taught me not to take things too seriously, the importance of being a good friend, to never give up, and many more important life lessons.

If I had the choice to go back a relive these past 5 months, there are parts I could live everyday for the rest of my life, and parts I'd rather not revisit. But through it all, I don't regret a thing, for everything I have been though has changed me and made me who I am now.

Pet Peeves, and What to Do About Them

Everyone has pet peeves. Those things that other people do that just annoy the heck out of you. What one person might not see as a big deal might be a huge deal to you, and vice versa. Don't you just hate how that works out? Your best friend might do the one thing that gets on your nerves most, and they don't see it as annoying/bad/whatever. Most people have a hard time understanding that we do things that annoy the heck out of other people. Why does it have to work like that? I just really wish that everyone's pet peeves were the same, so no one would annoy anyone else, but that's not how things work.

This blog idea was brought up because lately it seems like the world just wants to completely annoy me, and decide that the people around me are going to do all of the things that annoy me most in the world, and I don't like it (hence the reason they are pet peeves).

Because we all have pet peeves, I'm sure some of you could relate to mine. Then again, some of you could read my list (see below) and think "those are stupid things to get annoyed over," and I'm ok with that, because I'm sure I could say the same thing about some of yours. We're all different, so we don't think the same way about things.

And now, to give you an insight into my brain and the way I see things, I'll list a few of my pet peeves:

1. One of the easiest ways that I get annoyed is when I am driving, and I get stuck in traffic or get stuck behind someone who clearly can't drive. With the traffic thing, I just don't understand it sometimes. If the people in front would just drive, and everyone behind them, and behind them, and so on, there would be no traffic (unless there's a wreck, but I'm usually too mad/frustrated by the time I discover there has been a wreck to be calm). Sometimes I wish that whenever I had to be somewhere, especially on a road trip or whatever, that all other cars would not be on the road (I just realized how self-centered that sounds, but I'm sure you've thought it too), especially people who can't drive. I'm sorry, but grandma/grandpa, if it's rush hour, you shouldn't be on the road if you can't drive somewhere between 5-10 miles over the speed limit. I hate to be heartless, but that's the way it is. I know some people are just trying to be safe and follow the speed limit, but you are doing more harm by driving 10mph under what everyone else is doing.

2. A second way to annoy me is lying. Mostly everyone does it every now and then, but it's annoying when people do it, especially to me (self-centeredness again, but that's kind of the theme of this post...) Don't lie to me. I would have so much more respect for a person if they just told me the truth, even if it would hurt, rather than spare my feelings and lie. I am going to find out, and it's just going to make me really mad and upset that I trusted you. Lying to anyone at all just isn't worth it. So don't do it. Tell the truth next time.

3. When someone doesn't text you back. Hear me out on this one, because there are conditions. If you text someone, and you're having a conversation, and then for some reason, they just stop without warning, that's annoying. Your phone is in your hands if we're having a conversation, so I know you read my text. Why not just respond? If someone doesn't text back after you texting them just once, that's ok. They may be at work, or sleeping, or whatever. But respond eventually, even if it's just to say, "Hey, sorry I didn't text back, I was..." I may sound like someone who is just complaining, but really, if you're in high school or college, there's a good chance that you're phone is on your person at all times (I know mine is). Why ignore a text? That person obviously thought enough of you to text you, so text them back.

4. Stupidity. Listen to directions. Pay attention in class, or don't ask questions later. Pay attention to rules. I feel like this one doesn't need much explanation. I don't know of anyone who just loves being around people who are stupid.

Those are most of my pet peeves. But I'm not done.

Because my blog is titled "Working on Positivity," I want to talk about how I can use situations where these things happen as a learning experience and become a better person through it. I know that I have very little patience, and that most of these pet peeves revolve around me getting impatient with other people. It's definitely a personal matter, and I know that God is trying so hard to teach me patience. Traffic happens. There isn't a way around that, and most of the time it happens for a reason (construction, a wreck, etc.). It's selfish of me to only be thinking of myself in this situation, when people could be hurt. I really can't think of how to look at lying positively. I guess I could take it as a chance to give out a second chance at trusting the person, because I know I've been given many second chances by many people. When it comes to texting, I need to understand that people get busy. Something comes up to where they need to pause the conversation for a little while. This is the hardest to understand, for sure, but it can be a learning experience the next time it happens, I just have to remember that. People mishear things all the time, and I should know that sometimes people need things repeated, especially if it's work instructions or test material. They just want to be sure they have heard things correctly so they do a good job with whatever it is, or they have the correct material to study.

If you have ever experienced any of these things that I've done to you, I apologize. Feel free to call me out on them, because I make a conscious effort not to do them because I am annoyed when other people do them to me.

I challenge you do to the same thing. Make a list of all the things that annoy you, then look at how you can use them as a learning/growing experience. You'd be surprised at what you can teach yourself.

Thanks for reading,
Cameron

No Shave November

It's December now, so that means the annual tradition known as No Shave November is officially over for 2011.

For girls that love seeing facial hair on guys, this day is probably very sad, as guys across America will be shaving off the month-long growth of hair on their faces. But for girls that hate seeing facial hair, today is a good day, and one they have looked forward to since November 1st.

For the first time in my 20 years of life, I chose to participate in No Shave November. I don't have an official "Before" picture, but if you look either on my Facebook or at an earlier post on my blog, you can see a picture(s) of me with no facial hair. Boom. Before picture.

The picture seen below was taken on November 11th, as part of the 10 day blog challenge I completed earlier in the month.

There isn't much to see, but it was there. That was day 11.

The next picture was taken shortly after midnight on December 1st, the end of No Shave November.

There is not much of a difference, but it was a lot more than I was expecting in a month's time. I would also like to point out that when I looked at this picture before uploading it onto mt blog, it scared me because I realized just how much I look like my dad. Granted, he's 30 years older and doesn't have glasses, but I've been told all my life by people I knew and didn't know that I must be "Mike Yarbrough's son" because I look just like him. (Sidenote: I was approached by someone whom i did not know awhile back while I was out with my friends. This person, and I quote, said, "Excuse, me, are you Mike Yarbrough's son? You must be, because you look just like him." I wasn't even around my dad, but someone still said I looked like him.)

As I look back on the month, I am glad I participated in No Shave this year. For one, it saved me time in the morning because I didn't have to shave (which is normally something that happens daily for me). Also, I got so many compliments on my facial hair (with just a few naysayers), and was told how I looked so much older than 20 years old. I am pretty sure I want to keep it. I mean, I've let it grow for a month, why quit now?

So, reader, tell me: what do you think? I am interested to see how other people feel about this new look I'm trying out.

Thanks for reading,
Cameron