The Best Things I did in Madison!

I promise I'm not stealing Abby's idea...I'm only inspired by it ;)
Well it's been a good five years but I am over-due to graduate and move on with my life. I can't wait to end my undergraduate career and move to Taiwan! The only homework I want to do for the next year or two is Chinese language homework!

Anyways, as a way of organizing and collecting the thoughts in my head my last blog entry will be about the best things I did in Madison (according to me)!

5) Took interesting classes - I don't know if my classes were easier than my contemporaries or not, but I never really felt burdened with my workload the past five years. I don't think they were easier but rather I just really loved them. I've had some amazing professors and some of the topics I am very passionate about. I may forget a lot of what I've learned but nonetheless I loved learning it all in the process. I think I could count the number of times I intentionally skipped class in the past five years with just one hand!

4) Learned to sail - My grandpa could build his own sailboats, so I think I should at least be able to sail them! I've spent two summers out sailin' Lake Mendota and even though it cost me a pair of sunglasses and a few bruises (and almost a concussion!) it was one of my favorite campus pastimes. There's something exhilarating about being out in the middle of the lake, just you, the boat, and the elements. It was freedom! I hope I can buy my own sailboat in the future...

3) Became a Conversational English Tutor - Becoming a tutor for CE gave me new friends, a job, teaching experience, and even taught me about my own language. I still keep in touch with three of my tutees and hopefully I'll be able to keep in touch with the GUTS staff as well!

2) Stayed in touch with old friends, made new ones - I think there's a sort of tension when you graduate high school between your high school friends and the desire to make new friends in college. Some people go to the extreme and either struggle to make new friends or completely dump their old friends for the sake of new ones. Looking back I'm happy to say I took a middle road. Well, almost. Most of my best friends are still from my high school, but many of them were not best friends back then--they only became so in the past five years. Despite that my lifestyle and their lifestyles have diverged into separate directions, we haven't lose our original connection. But I've also made many new friends, many of whom I am very close to. I just don't believe it is proper to tear out the sutures of perfectly good stitching! I've always favored a few close friends over a plethora of casual friends anyways, but I've keep an open mind to making new friends all five years as well.

1) Learned who I am - If today I was still the lame boring loser I was back in high school, the University of Madison would have been pointless for me, regardless of the value of the actual education. My philosophy has always been to continuously fight to improve myself. Therefore I spent the past five years experimenting with who I am, without compromising what I believed in. I tried to improve some of my skills (failures: I still suck at soccer and at playing the harmonica) and fine-tuned my morals while addressing my vices. I was a tinkerer, if you will. And it was worth every second...I am about 200% more optimistic than I was back in my Freshman year. Huzzah.

Okay now someone please show me the door. I gotta bust lose from this place!

...But I still love ya Madtown!

-Michael

My top ten favorite places in Madison!

Over the past four years Madison has earned a special place in my heart. These are my top ten favorite places and every one should visit them in their time here.

10. The Chocolate Shoppe
9. Monona Terrace
8. The view of Madison driving on John Nolen
7. Lakeshore path
6. The UW Arboretum in any season
5. Student section of Hockey games
4. Farmer's Market on Saturdays
3. The Union Terrace
2. The McBurney Office
1. The GUTS Office!!



Love,
Abby