The Undercover Economist

If I had a penny for every time someone has asked me about my plans back home, well, I'd probably only have a nickel or two, but the ever nagging thought is implanted and now I actually have to consider going back.

That means class approvals and selection.
That means hundreds of dollars in textbooks.
That means apartment moving and utilities set-up.
That means classes, and homework, and term papers, and iClickers (damn them to hell.) and eSams, and group work.
That means job hunting.

Job hunting!?! Back to the days where I had a full course load, even less of a social life than here, and two jobs. No big wonder I usually reply with a shoulder shrug and a simple "dunno." What happened to school meaning a sweet Lisa Frank binder and a new box of crayons? Where are my crayons?!?

In reality though, I can't complain. I enjoy learning and I won't let my education get in the way of that.

To lighten my back-to-reality-blues, I'm changing my tunes to the positive.

My class selection for this semester isn't all bubble gum and vodka and I know that. I've got to get all of my grunt classes out of the way to move toward the cool ones. But I did manage to squeeze in a fun credit. And it is just that, a credit. But that means two things. One, I get my creative expression requirement out of the way and two, I get to become a "more well-rounded and developed individual" while dancing. What's better, is that you can't fail. It's based on participation and we all know how great I am at participating. Now if I could only convince my other sixteen credits to be more participative...


Monetarily I could be explained very well by the US. I've got the outlook and the ability, but I need to work on earning myself some cash. This summer has been an awesome feat of no jobness, something I hadn't had since I began milking cows at thirteen, but now it's time to get back on the pay roll. That doesn't mean I have to make it laborous. I'll be going back to the dining hall, --honestly, not that bad of a job once you get in good with the cooks-- and I'm going to search out employment at the best place in Ann Arbor. The Cupcake Station.

Seriously. One of their job requirements is a love for cupcakes.

Look how happy that man is. Not happy enough.

If I had the means, I would eat there at least once a day and as of yet, I'm still working through their thirty-six flavors (Double mint is the best.) and I'm pretty much in love with this establishment. I figure if I beg enough they may let me mop the floors. But at least I'd get to do so wearing a cupcake themed t-shirt. (Ben and Jerry's, I have just as much dedication to you, but you're not hiring.)

The other option I've been looking into for the past two years is Food Gatherers. These guys are the rhetorical bomb. They collect food from various businesses who would otherwise throw it out, and distribute it to those who otherwise couldn't afford it. They're the modern day food version of Robin Hood if Robin Hood had a couple refrigerated trucks.
Along with trucking around Ann Arbor snatching up bread and such, they grow a lot of their food on site. Last year I had an internship there but had to turn it down for personal reasons. I hope they're still hiring this in the coming summer and if not, I still plan on helping out. Volunteering with them last time, I met a girl who didn't know how a shovel worked so I'm sure they appreciate all the help they can get.

There we have it, Kinder. My plans for the upcoming year. Not looking too shabby, but could only be better if there were some way to get myself a Lisa Frank binder...