Since starting law school I've had the chance to meet a whole bunch of new people, and at first it was a bit overwhelming trying to remember the names of people but there are always a few that stick out. I think I first noticed the library man one day in the lounge and I asked someone who he was, and someone mentioned something about doing research at the library every day. At first I thought that meant he was on the staff, as some of the librarians do do their own research in such a research intensive faculty. But then I started working there and noticed he seemed to spend most of his time wondering around, photocopying and writing things out the good old fashioned way with pen and paper.
Of course he was the one who noticed a change in the scenery, that being me joining the library workforce and he started to chat it up with me. He seemed quite knowledgeable of the staff at the school, and may have attended U of M/Robson Hall. So it got me thinking who is this character? So far I know he does independent research and has published some stuff, he stays every day at the library until closing and he gets there around 10am, he wears a sweater and dress pants every day, and he eats at Degree's, or UC. He also seems to love to talk, though the library isn't exactly the best place to do so. He also seems to have a genuine desire to get to know people and it seems that everyone who spends enough time at the library will become acquainted with him.
So how is a seemingly random influential? I think it's pretty cool that he just does his own thing, even though some may regard it as weird to spend your time hanging out at a law school library everyday (though I could be wrong because I've only worked 5 shifts thus far). I'm sure he has his reasons and to be of that age and to find something you're passionate about to work on everyday is pretty rare. That thirst for knowledge is also refreshing, especially amongst some classmates who think they know it all (I'm sure the exams will show them!) I wish I was more passionate about my studies to the point where staying at the library until closing doesn't feel like the worst thing in the world and my mind is constantly thinking about the other things I could be doing. I look forward to seeing him around the next 3 years, and it felt nice when I started working that someone actually noticed I was there (since there have been no student initiated computer queries).
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
fifteen: travelers in transit
Oops.. it has definitely been a while since I've touched this blog, but since it's summer and I have four weeks left of complete freedom I can do some catch up. So between grad and now I've been keeping busy with some travels which brings me to a group of people I always find very memorable. The random people I meet while getting to my travel destiatnions... for some reason so many of them tend to be interesting and make my trip seem more complete. Especially on those boring domestic flights where the destination is all I have in mind. Yet, I often find myself sitting beside people that won't allow me to just plug in my earphones and fall asleep.
For example, there was the very nice lady from London, England whose connecting flight was delayed and had just spent the past 24 hours in transit and in airports. She was quite frumpy and her breathe was quite bad, but she was still chipper enough to make pleasant conversation. Or the two sisters from Alberta buying the latest entertainment fodder with the last of their money to make the 16 hr flight to Vancouver slightly more bearable. There was also the cute grad student from small town Manitoba making his way to the big city, who was a bit homesick. Other times it's retirees returning to their permanent vacation home, trying to sell me on how great Phuket is because the side they see is the gated community surrounded by pristine beaches and golf courses. Once there was a nice old man who exhausted his kleenex pack on me as I couldn't stop missing home only minutes after leaving. Then there were the business travelers rushing off the plane to continue on to work, but not after giving me their card in case I ever needed anything from them. I could continue listing the brief snipets of the people I remember from airports and planes, but that doesn't really explain how they impact me as a person.
Of course, to me all these people to me are only mere slivers of who they really are, but everytime I enter an airport and I get the feeling of how insignificant I am. Outside of my comfort zone where a day never goes by without a familiar face, a warm smile, or a friendly touch, I am allowed to observe how people act when they are in a place where no one really knows them. It reminds me of how the world can be simultataniously big and small, and how humans all have this need to connect. I don't know when society decided that reaching out to someone can be considered rude, unwanted, or creepy, but a geninue courteous interaction makes me think about others instead of single mindedly heading towards my destination. Honestly, I don't want to be the one who gets left behind in a fire because my music is on to loud and I'm completely zoned out to the things around me.
It has been so nice to just slow down, turn off my blackberry, spend time with the people who are presently there with me. Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong time, don't get me wrong I love technology for the most part, because it allows me to stay connected and keeps me entertained and has probably made me more productive, but it takes me away from where I often am. Traveling is about enjoying the moment, and travelers remind me of how I want to be more 'present' in my daily life.
I'm not even too sure what it means to live in the present, but I do know being without a phone was very refreshing. Meeting up with people the old fashioned way forced me to plan ahead and to be more considerate of the time of others. And I hope to practice that more in my day to day life here.
For example, there was the very nice lady from London, England whose connecting flight was delayed and had just spent the past 24 hours in transit and in airports. She was quite frumpy and her breathe was quite bad, but she was still chipper enough to make pleasant conversation. Or the two sisters from Alberta buying the latest entertainment fodder with the last of their money to make the 16 hr flight to Vancouver slightly more bearable. There was also the cute grad student from small town Manitoba making his way to the big city, who was a bit homesick. Other times it's retirees returning to their permanent vacation home, trying to sell me on how great Phuket is because the side they see is the gated community surrounded by pristine beaches and golf courses. Once there was a nice old man who exhausted his kleenex pack on me as I couldn't stop missing home only minutes after leaving. Then there were the business travelers rushing off the plane to continue on to work, but not after giving me their card in case I ever needed anything from them. I could continue listing the brief snipets of the people I remember from airports and planes, but that doesn't really explain how they impact me as a person.
Of course, to me all these people to me are only mere slivers of who they really are, but everytime I enter an airport and I get the feeling of how insignificant I am. Outside of my comfort zone where a day never goes by without a familiar face, a warm smile, or a friendly touch, I am allowed to observe how people act when they are in a place where no one really knows them. It reminds me of how the world can be simultataniously big and small, and how humans all have this need to connect. I don't know when society decided that reaching out to someone can be considered rude, unwanted, or creepy, but a geninue courteous interaction makes me think about others instead of single mindedly heading towards my destination. Honestly, I don't want to be the one who gets left behind in a fire because my music is on to loud and I'm completely zoned out to the things around me.
It has been so nice to just slow down, turn off my blackberry, spend time with the people who are presently there with me. Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong time, don't get me wrong I love technology for the most part, because it allows me to stay connected and keeps me entertained and has probably made me more productive, but it takes me away from where I often am. Traveling is about enjoying the moment, and travelers remind me of how I want to be more 'present' in my daily life.
I'm not even too sure what it means to live in the present, but I do know being without a phone was very refreshing. Meeting up with people the old fashioned way forced me to plan ahead and to be more considerate of the time of others. And I hope to practice that more in my day to day life here.
Monday, February 2, 2009
fourteen: Peter
Life as a professional bum still has its novelty for me, but recently I started thinking about what it would really be like to be what society calls a bum. No one grows up thinking their future will be less than desirable, but that is often what life on the streets is like.
Just the other night, a fairly large group of us were getting ready to enjoy a pot luck together. There was plenty of food and plenty of fun all around. And there in the corner sitting there was Peter, a man who's presence I have become accustomed to, yet I have probably never spoken more than 2 words to him. He seems to always be at the church, but always on the fringe of the actual church community. Sometimes he is accepted, while other times I have seen him chastised for eating food not meant for him. (Did Jesus not teach the church to feed and look after the poor?)
As we were all settling in, I noticed Peter had disappeared, but not before I noticed his longing gaze towards the food. Inviting him downstairs to join us was such a simple thing to do, yet I do not know why it was so hard and why no one else had said anything. I also had to walk by him 3 times before I could finally muster up the courage to ask him. It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, but really a part of me is so curious to hear his story. What is it like to live a life where all your worldly possessions can be carried around with you? Is the church a more accepting place than other places you frequent? How does one end up becoming homeless?
Growing up affluent I really do have a hard time empathizing with those that are severely disadvantaged. So my goal before I go back to school and do things like pro bono work for the those who need it, is to get a better understanding of where those people are coming from. I'm sure they have much to teach to someone like me, because their lives have probably not gone according to plan and I love to have every detailed planned out to the tee. So Peter, one day I hope to be able to have a conversation with you that goes beyond asking a simple question of whether or not you'd like to join us for a meal.
Just the other night, a fairly large group of us were getting ready to enjoy a pot luck together. There was plenty of food and plenty of fun all around. And there in the corner sitting there was Peter, a man who's presence I have become accustomed to, yet I have probably never spoken more than 2 words to him. He seems to always be at the church, but always on the fringe of the actual church community. Sometimes he is accepted, while other times I have seen him chastised for eating food not meant for him. (Did Jesus not teach the church to feed and look after the poor?)
As we were all settling in, I noticed Peter had disappeared, but not before I noticed his longing gaze towards the food. Inviting him downstairs to join us was such a simple thing to do, yet I do not know why it was so hard and why no one else had said anything. I also had to walk by him 3 times before I could finally muster up the courage to ask him. It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, but really a part of me is so curious to hear his story. What is it like to live a life where all your worldly possessions can be carried around with you? Is the church a more accepting place than other places you frequent? How does one end up becoming homeless?
Growing up affluent I really do have a hard time empathizing with those that are severely disadvantaged. So my goal before I go back to school and do things like pro bono work for the those who need it, is to get a better understanding of where those people are coming from. I'm sure they have much to teach to someone like me, because their lives have probably not gone according to plan and I love to have every detailed planned out to the tee. So Peter, one day I hope to be able to have a conversation with you that goes beyond asking a simple question of whether or not you'd like to join us for a meal.
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