BYU Flashback: Bocelli and the JFSB

My brother begins his college career and freshman year tomorrow at

 BYU (Brigham Young University), my alma mater!

Photo

I'm ecstatic. I'm sad I'm not there to help him get settled in but I'll pass on that role to our mom and our brother (who will be a senior this year!!!) and his wife. I have, however, gotten to take part in it from afar answering frantic phone calls about where the WILK is, where he gets his ID, where the ASB is, where the best grocery story is, etc. I've given my bro a list of places he has to eat, things to look forward to, and a few tips of things not to do, you know, trying to pass on some sage wisdom from an alum. 

I know he'll love it. 

Anyway.

I was listening to some classical music today. Yes, I like--nay, love--classical music. Right now it's Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker soundtrack. Love it. Anyway. Occasionally a Bocelli track or a Josh Groban will play and since I've been doing a lot of reminiscing this weekend about my days at BYU, I thought I'd share one with you all. Don't act surprised when you get to the end.

I did not like studying in the library. I went there often, but I was not my favorite place to study. The building LOOKS pretty...and it is. But don't let that fool you.

Photo

First of all it was always cold. Second of all, I was always hungry when I was studying but unless I was in the snack zone (aka the talk zone), I had to stealthily sneak food and that was just annoying. I know, I know, I could have left and ate somewhere but hello!, I didn't have time for that. Third of all I had to find a new study spot/floor every semester. Weird, I know, but it had to be done. Until...I found a great spot my junior year on the 5th floor (the top floor). It had the most windows and therefore the most light, which makes for a very happy Gabe. Plus I felt like it was the most removed from constant traffic and so it was (theoretically) quieter and more pleasant than the other floors. Well. It was until all of the sudden all the "cool" accounting kids and their friends turned my beloved floor  into flirting central/social hour every hour. 

FOR THE LOVE. 

Yeah. Not happy about that. AT ALL.

So I moved. I tried the Eyring Science Center (my major building), but it was too noisy and busy in there. It just didn't feel right. I tried my apartment but that's a baaaaaaaaaaad idea. Too distracting and plus, when I came home I wanted to be done (mostly, let's face it, in college you are never done) with the day. 

And then.

I don't know how I discovered this but one day I was in the JFSB (Joseph F. Smith Building) on the 4th floor and I found my spot. Let's back up for a sec. This building is probably one of, if not my absolute, favorite. It's beautiful. 

Photo

It has a courtyard. WITH a fountain.
AND a spiral staircase!!!

Photo

Now. Get this.

In the above picture, see where it looks like there is a light colored rectangle in the middle? Those are sitting areas. With comfy couches, plush chairs, and table and chairs. THIS is where I delighted in studying. 

Photo

It was so quiet, cozy, and bright. There was artwork on the walls, lamps on side tables, a thick, ornate rug on the floor, and my favorite thing, a HUGE floor to ceiling window facing the courtyard for me to constantly look out of. Peaceful. Blissful. I loved it. When I was in 6th grade my mom told me that students who listened to classical music study better and retain more...or something like that. So ever since, I have always listened to classical music when I study. So. I would sit on the 4th floor of the JFSB at a table with my books and notes spread out (truthfully, so no one else would sit with me. Rude I know but a)I needed a lot of space and b) I was protective of my study area!) facing the huge window listening to Bocelli, Josoh Groban, Bach, etc. and study. I loved it. Especially when the sun was setting.

Photo

I also had my humanities classes in this building and it was here that I discovered my love for art and fed my fascination for the humanities. I remember curling up on the couches in this building during my classes and reading "The Odyssey" or studying famous artists and memorizing their works. I distinctly remember several (dozen) times when I would be listening to Bocelli tracks, pausing to allow myself to daydream of watching the sun set in Italy.
I told you that was coming. Don't act surprised!
But it's true. It didn't matter what subject I was studying (chemistry, humanities, nutrient biochem); Bocelli would come on and after a few songs, I'd set my pen down and daydream of Italy, especially if the sun was setting. Now, fun fact. Get this. I just learned this today as I was Googling pictures of the JFSB. This information is taken from here.

"In 1536, the famous Renaissance painter and sculptor, Michelangelo Buonarroti, was given a commission to renovate the Piazza del Campidoglio on the famous Capitoline Hill in Rome. This hill is adjacent to the ancient Roman Forum, the seat of government for one of the most influential western empires. The piazza renovation went through a few different designs, and lasted ten years. In the end, the piazza included an overlapping petal pattern surrounding a twelve pointed star at its center."

So now you ask. Who cares? What's the point? Read on.

"Although seen from two different vantage points, the similarity between the two locations emerges. In fact, the two are almost identical." Yup now go look at the picture of the JFSB above again. Identical.

Unbeknownst to us all, I was merely channeling the Italian connect between the JSFB and Rome. This is also means that I am meant to go to Italy. Clearly. So, now I will go indulge in Bocelli, dream of Italy, and start planning a trip. 

On a side note. Remember my post about the pen thief? Well yesterday when I was in Fresh Market, I passed by a gentleman who looked familiar. I figured he might have been a patient of mine in which case I usually try to avoid eye contact because sometimes it's really awkward running into a patient at the store. I don't think they realize sometimes how much I know about them (stooling patterns, how often and what color they pee, I mean really, I know a lot about them). Today as I was sitting in church I almost exclaimed, "AHA!!!!" The gentleman was none other than the attempted pen thief!!!! What are the chances?

Now I'm off to make my asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and stuffed with goat cheese. And dream of Italy. Again. And of the JFSB. Good times. 

Library Musings

This is where I spent my Friday day and part of my Saturday. I know, it looks like castle. Gnarly huh? I can't believe I just used gnarly. Anyways, let me tell you about my adventures in the local library (which I much prefer over our school's library. Something about angry, tired, grumpy students in a dark, large, gloomy library just turns me off. Weird. I know.)

Friday: I ventured to the second floor of the library. Bright, cheery, open. Perfection. Sat myself down in an empty cubicle to begin my studies of the macrominerals, trace minerals, and ultratrace minerals.

Jealous? I know, I know.

Fascinating. Well, about 45 minutes into my studies...and about 25 minutes after I finally got into "the zone" of studying, a sketchy man came and sat right behind me. Right. Behind. Me. Oh but don't worry; it got better. The man proceeded to cough up his lung, no wait, lungs, stomach, kidneys, liver, and large and small intestines. Oh, and his gallbladder. Joy. That didn't distract me at all. Nor did it make me shudder for my health. Right.

He got up for whatever reason and I peered around my shoulder to see a pile of used tissues on the floor!!!! GAH! He is spreading his germs!!! I'm no germaphobe but I do believe in illness etiquette. Gross. I almost gagged. But I HAD to study. HAD to. So I stayed right there and focused. Got back into the zone when Mr. Hack-a-Lung came back and proceeded on with his hacking practices. Oh gosh it was painful.

THEN....

I sneakily peered over my shoulder only to discover he had shoved his chair so that he was a mere 1.8576 inches from mine. AHHHHH!!!! Too close. TOO close.

Then he left again and I argued with myself about whether to leave or not. NO. STAY AND STUDY. Ok...compromise. Just make it through the macrominerals. Done and done. So he got up again and I shoved my binder and notes in my bag, eyed him coming back, and acted all casual (when in reality I was shoving my stuff in there like a mad woman).

Yuck.

Saturday I was a little weary but when I arrived, there were no sketchy men in sight. BUT, most of the cubicles were taken. I'm a little weary sitting next to people because, well, ya know, I want to get studying done. I'm not one of those people who goes to the library for Social Hour. But I had no choice so I sat down next to this guy who looked about my age, surfing the net and listening to some tunes. Harmless enough. It proved to be a good choice. He left me alone, didn't try to make small chat. That was until about an hour into my studies. He eyed my sprawled out notes, textbook, and then...
Guy: What are you studying?
Me: Iron and iron deficiency anemias.
*Surprised look*
Guy: What class?
Me: Nutrient biocehmistry [In my head: Hehehe...gets 'em every time. Don't I look all smart?]
*Shocked/taken aback look*
Guy: What are you studying???
Me: Dietetics and Nutrition
*Impressed look*

Amusing.

Nerd

I am a nerd. More often than not, I really like to study. I think it's because I have this desire to learn everything about everything. I love it though. I enjoy the mental stimulation. AND I love learning more and more about everything because it makes conversations more interesting and diverse and it opens up a lot of opportunities.
This weekend I spent quite some time in the library and I loved it. I had my own little cubicle next to a window (I HAVE to have light. I will never be able to live in a dark house. My room at home is 75% windows. In my apartment, the first thing I do when I get up is open the blinds. I need the sunlight!!!). I digress...
I love my classes, which is a good thing since I'm paying $1000s to get an education. But seriously, I've had some horrid classes-the ones I go to, take notes, study, pass the class, and can't tell a soul what I learned. The classes I'm taking this semester are so interesting! Tuesdays are my busiest days (class from (9:35am to 6:40pm)--very long days. However, my last class is one of my favorites. It's just fascinating.
I have big plans for going back to school after I become an RD. A girl in one of my classes said her husband's grandmother goes back to school whenever the economy is in a slump. She's a real estate agent, a CPA, a CNA, and has a law degree, and is going back. THAT is motivating. That's what I'm going to do. I want to go back for photography, maybe culinary school, editing, humanities, maybe floral design. I've got big plans.
Hoooray for being a nerd! Shout out to all the nerds out there!