Opinion
Student thankful at semester’s end for angel, professors, vegetables
December 13, 2012
Looking out the window of my still unfurnished apartment complex this past Sunday, I saw snow - and lots of it.
As I watched the white mass fall like feathers in a pillow fight, I grew annoyed; being in a wheelchair, snow is not exactly a friend. In fact, snow is an archenemy.
I do not have many archenemies, except a lion that I once had the misfortune of meeting on multiple occasions.
He was a crabby patty.
Snow is my Scar (“Lion King”), my Voldemort, my Darth Vader. Except I do not have the help of hyenas, the tutelage of a master wizard or the power of the Force to guide me.
What I do have is, well, random nice people.
On Monday, a beautiful angel with hair as golden hued as a Rolex watch, descended from the pure blue skies above and brushed off my frozen car, so that I could attend morning classes (she was from floor two or three of the apartment building).
Also on Monday, while at a Super Target, a kid named Lars helped pave a way into the store for me. If he hadn’t, I might have become the Bumble from “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer” and I wouldn’t want Hermey to pull my teeth out because then I’d have to have all my food put in a blender.
Fish smoothie anyone?
And lastly, my friend Jonathan (not John) cleared the second wave of snow from my car when classes had finished for the day. He was a lifesaver.
The point is, though snow is not my friend, it does make me somewhat happy, and not just because random people help me out of precarious situations.
Snow symbolizes a time of year when families get together, old friends reunite and that crazy uncle spikes the eggnog with rum (my favorite uncle).
Because I’ve been put in the Christmas spirit of late, I’m going to do a little list of what I’m thankful for.
One, I am thankful for friends and family who are always there when I need them.
Two, I am thankful for Pillsbury cookies because I can pretend, just for a moment, that I am an awesome baker.
Finally, I am thankful for the incredible instructors and professors at UW-River Falls who make education challenging, but also fun and insightful (can I have extra credit for this statement professors Heppen, Hunzer, Moline and Rein?).
Now that the thankful list is complete, I’ll move to the things I’d like to see changed in 2013.
One, more fruits and vegetables at Riverside Commons (celery, whole carrots, etc.).
Two, cooperation between all political entities. There has been enough bickering and finger pointing; it’s really annoying and unproductive.
Finally, I would like to see network television shows (ABC, FOX, NBC, etc.) allow more grown-up themed material and content to be aired.
There is no sense in being PG because life isn’t like that; it’s unadulterated mayhem, grittiness and passion.
Only one out of these changes will probably ever be possible. Vegetables, get in my belly.
And finally, my 2012 Christmas wish list:
One, I hope that the world doesn’t end on the 21st, but if it does, hopefully there will be fireworks. Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom! Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang!
Twinkies. Please Santa, bring me a box of the cream filled cakes.
I want to taste them one last time before they go completely extinct.
Finally, may all final exams go smoothly and extremely well.
Sharing my thoughts and writing with you this semester has been an absolute pleasure. I understand that not everyone cares for my writing, but I try to put a smile on people’s faces.
I would sincerely like to thank the angel-like girl from my apartment, Lars from the Super Target and my friend Jonathan for helping a guy in need.
I sincerely appreciate their kindness.
Also, happy retirement Nanette. May you have some fun.
Rejoice with the holidays everyone: drink the spiked eggnog, indulge your appetite and put a smile on.
In the parting words of an iconic television show: “So Long, Farewell, Goodbye.”
Tyler Smith is a student at UW-River Falls.