Where the Heck is Japan... Just Kidding!

I have two important college lessons learned today that deserve sharing. By today, I most definitely mean yesterday, because when I began writing this post it was Friday, and now it's Saturday. Either way, the college lessons I must share with you are the secrets behind test memorization and coffee shop courtesy.

Let's start with the test part, because no one likes taking tests, why would anyone like reading about them? I guess that begs the question why bother writing it, but again, I am sharing valuable lessons learned during my experience in the Twin Harbors. So, rule of thumb: when you're working on memorization, the easier things to remember are the things you'll forget on the exam. So, a few days ago I made a random crack at not being able to find Japan on the map. This was for my World Regional Geography exam that was yesterday (Friday). While studying for the map portion of the exam, I particularly struggle in identifying Japan, which believe me, made me question how the heck I planned to get through the next four years of Geography... anyways, I found it (applause) and ever since it's stuck out like a sore thumb on the map.

I learned that when I have to work harder to remember something, I'm more likely to remember it come time of the exam. Proven with not only the location of Japan, but the ridiculously tedious memorization of the GNI, GNI per capita, HDI, TFR, and PPP (among other random stats) for each of the eight countries I had to know. I memorized the numbers for Pakistan, seemingly without flaw, but China, China proved to be a bit of a struggle. Come Friday morning... which numbers did I remember? I can promise you if you guessed Japan, you missed the change in examples. If you guessed Pakistan, you most definitely missed the point of the lesson. China. I remembered China because I had to work harder to memorize them in the first place.

Following this exam (we're moving to lesson two if you didn't catch the transition) I decided to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee at the Northern Shores Cafe on campus while taking notes for my next class. I had been at my table for maybe fifteen, twenty minutes at max, when a seemingly kind girl interrupted my focus to ask if she may sit at my table. I kind of looked at her confused, but realized being that it was morning and we were in a coffee shop there were probably no open tables and I didn't need to take up an entire four person table to study. I shifted my computer and notes to the right side of the table and she sat down on the left. She was just texting and being quiet, so there were no immediate concerns.

Another fifteen minutes pass and soon there are two very excited, giddy, squealing girls bouncing up and down and hugging at my table... (I was not pleased). At this point, I assumed the normal, logical, rational thing.. that they would leave. Did they? Not a chance.

My quiet study time was interrupted by the chatter of two girls who sounded like middle school cheerleaders, and I mean no disrespect. I was a cheerleader, and I enjoyed being peppy and cheerful, but this wasn't a pep rally or a football game, this was my quiet study table during my quiet study time. They continued to have a full conversation as if I weren't sitting there and then, as I stood to go to class, they both smiled and said it was great to meet me. They didn't meet me! They sat at my table and made me feel like I was the one who didn't belong! It was my table. I was studying, and being the normal person in this situation.. which isn't usually the case. Normally, I'm the weird one who does strange and curious things. Nope, not yesterday. My study time was shattered by the squeals and giggles of two strangers invading my space. Lesson number two for the day: if a stranger asks to sit at your study table, say no... growl, show your teeth and spread out and make it look like there's no room. Okay... maybe not so rude. Maybe set out some ground rules, say sure, but I really need it to be quiet.. or something better planned out. If it's a very peppy looking girl, say no, because chances are there are more coming.

Anyways, it's Saturday night. Clearly, I'm on my blog which means.. I have no life. So instead of saying I'm signing off for something fun, I'll be honest... I'm signing off to read about Air Temperature and Surface Temperature... I have no life. Please don't mock me.

Love always,
Hannah "The Hammer" Eilene

(Matt, that was for you)



PS picture courtesy of www.animalsw.com