Unfortunately the topic title seems somewhat oxymoronic, but in any case, I'm thankful for the many who have died to defend us. I don't agree with everything that has happened in history, but it humbles me to think that, personal agendas aside, people are willing to sacrifice themselves for people they don't even know, or crazier yet, the bad people. Anyways, just a random thought.
Just wanted to give you all a quick update. I'm spending summer in Ann Arbor, working part time at an incorporation business (almost full-time, but they can't afford to give me benefits yet - you know how that goes). I've really been enjoying my job, not because of what I do, but just the fresh attitude God gives me every morning when I walk in. I mean, let's face it, client services (i.e. phone answering) and paperwork filing isn't the flashiest thing. But somehow, through this daily grind, I feel content, satisfied, and that I'm learning so much about myself and people in general. When I started this back in February, at first I'd get upset when clients verbally abused me, but I find over time that my character has grown, and I don't harbor ill feelings or begrudge people who act unreasonably. I won't make excuses for anyone, but I believe there's a real reason why people act the way they do, and for some customers to have this spirit of aggression and childishness... I don't know, I think they need compassion, not aversion. So it's been a great opportunity to exercise patience and kindness to just hear them out - sometimes when a client goes on a tirade I just sit back and let them spend themselves, and then try to continue helping them. There have been a few times when my coworkers have hung up on people who have been just too much (we're allowed to, after it goes past a certain point), and I really feel that.
Anyways, work has been good - they might be using me for graphic design soon, to help our clients design company logos. That would be fun! So I'm teaching myself how to use Photoshop and producing some samples that I hope will open doors for opportunity.
It's really cool how applicable the skills I gained during school are even though I'm not doing anything engineering-related. There are a lot of transferable skills we learn in college that can be put to good use no matter where we are or end up. That's cool.
At this point I'll probably be in Ann Arbor for the foreseeable future, which is up to next school year.
Maybe more later. It'd be sweet to hear how you all have been doing!