Turtles, golf balls and saying goodbye to Frankston

I'm right in the middle of my exams so I haven't posted anything for a little while. 

My last installment was a bit self-pitying, but I have since sorted myself out on that particular issue. It is hard when you face a situation that is easier to comprehend intellectually than emotionally. It is one thing to know how you ought to behave but quite another thing to feel like behaving that way. 

After a few days of trying to figure it out on my own, I had a chat with my mum who reassured me that what I was feeling was to be expected. I was glad I told her that I was struggling. I think it helped her by telling her how I was travelling so that she could a better idea how to interact with me, and I certainly felt better after talking things through. I say "talking things through", by that I mean more like blubbering and sniveling...

Over the last few weeks I have had the chance to see my brother play cricket for school. Cricket is very important to my brother and he loves representing his school. He was in the first XI squad last year but was not a regular member of this side, spending most of his game time in the seconds. He was selected in the firsts side for both the practice matches and made 40 not out opening the batting last weekend. 

The boys in the side are lovely and very charismatic kids and the parents are nice, too. This makes for a very sportingly entertaining and enjoyable way to spend a Saturday. The "real" season matches start next week and I hope to see as much of Brebles play as I can, paid work commitments permitting. He has worked very hard at his cricket since he was a tiny little tacker and I just have a good feeling about this season.

Today was a beautiful day in Melbourne. I had a very luxurious sleep in, read my book and played 9 holes of golf with my parents. The golf course where we play is so tranquil, even when I play horribly I love how I still get a long walk through manicured grass, trees and little lakes and ponds. The highlight of today was seeing a turtle walking across the fairway, as well as a mother duck and her ducklings and many little bunnies. 

Given that I haven't had a chance to get out onto the course in a few months, I was surprised with how respectable my form was.

This week I will journey out to the Monash University Peninsula Campus for the final time. Whilst I am so excited about my new course and the change of direction I'm taking, leaving Frankston is bittersweet. This year has been one of the best I've had in a long time. I feel that I have gained far more in this one year at Frankston than I did in the 3 years of my Arts degree. I am so thankful for the fantastic friends I have made and the lessons I have learned, both academic and personal. 

May contain traces of sarcasm

Having spent so much time recently thinking about what is important to me in life and what makes me happy, this little anecdote really appeals to me. I can't remember where I first saw it, I think it was probably on facebook. I think it is very poignant. 

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.  They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else--the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your  spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

http://www.pagetutor.com/jokebreak/263.html