I watched the movie Monsters University last night and kept thinking in my head: “THAT’S MY SCHOOL!”
Pixar visited UC Berkeley and it’s very apparent that many scenes were based on the Cal campus. Light bulbs popped up in my head every time I recognized a part of the campus.
I mean, this was where I studied, walked, and breathed for four years after all. The striking resemblances in the movie were awesome.
One of the things I love about having gone to Cal is that it is everywhere.
Everyday, you hear about the students creating change, professors making amazing discoveries, and all the inspiration that comes from it.
Went camping last night and hiked around Devil’s Lake State Park today.
We were only about an hour’s drive from Madison and only stayed a day, but the last time I went camping was two years ago…
Being out there reminded me of my younger days, when we’d go camping with tents once or twice a year.
It was actually really nice to be removed from “society” for a bit and to just breathe in some fresh air.
Also, nature’s so damn beautiful.
Go out and take a look once in a while.
Every time I come back from a long trip, I can’t help but feel a little lost, a little empty.
Today, I returned to Madison after a very long 17-day business/personal trip and feel it.
Feels like something’s missing… an anchor.
- The Bay Area isn’t really home anymore.
- Madison is as close as it gets, but with the frequent travel, doesn’t quite take the same meaning.
- Airplanes, rental cars, and hotels are sort of like a third home to me.
I don’t have that sense of place.
With all the moving around and little permanence, I guess it’s nice to have the internet and social media to help lessen the gap a bit.
Being able to catch up on what friends are doing definitely helps, in some kind of comforting way.
I don’t feel like I miss as much back home, all three of them.
It’s weird to be somewhere where people come and go so often. Whether it’s to move back home, go on to grad school, or pursue bigger and better things, my current peers don’t often stay too long.
One of my housemates left Madison last weekend and another leaves at the end of the month.
It’s hard not to start thinking of moving on myself. When everything around you is so transient, that mindset is tough to avoid.
I suppose it’s a folly of our generation, in which we stave off long-term commitment and value mobility more than ever.
I’m sticking it out for now because it makes sense career-goals-wise, but we’ll see.