The Intuitive Reasonings of Jessica

Many freshmen enter Purdue University thinking that they are guaranteed a career after studying for four years. I am sorry to admit I was one of them. I have since come to realize that a college degree (especially one in Liberal Arts) is by no means a free ticket to a good salary. The ultimate blow came several weeks ago at work. I was at the pizza station, and the head pizza man was making small talk with me to pass the time. He asked me what I was studying, and I said graphic design. "Oh, that's what I studied when I was in college!" he smiled. I had trouble returning his smile. Is this what I am headed for in three years?

But, after some more thought, he seems happy. He spends his days dreaming up new kinds of pizza (like chicken broccoli cheddar, which he contrived the day that I worked with him) and his nights doing things I disapprove of.

I wouldn't mind working in the food industry after I graduate. In fact, I would rather enjoy being a waitress at Cracker Barrel. That's what I've wanted to do since I was quite young, in fact. Furthermore, working in an office in the city has always been unappealing to me.

So, am I wasting time and money here? I like being here--I love the Lafayette RPC, I love our close-knit CORPS community, and I love how it only takes 20 minutes to bike out to the country. I love how it's free to ride the bus. I love showing my college ID for discounts at Goodwill. I love how when I take weekend road trips, my biggest worry is who's going to feed Charlie when I'm gone. Overall, being a college student is a fairly happy experience. But is it worth it?

So, I decided, quite sadly, to let Brandon's little sisters keep my kitten. He was already at their house by the time I wrote the last post, and I don't know what I would do with him once school's out for summer if I move back to Indy. Also, my sister thinks it would be mean to keep a kitten in our tiny studio.

Instead, I got a new Betta fish. His name is Charlie and he's blue. He eats a lot more than Zeta ever did. I would put pictures up if I had a camera, but I don't. Instead, you will all have to come over to see him for yourself. You will not be disappointed. At least not if you ever got the pleasure of getting to know Zeta before his tragic death, as Charlie is much more lively and has a much healthier appetite than he did.

I still don't understand how Zeta lived as long as he did. I never saw him eat once. Charlie, on the other hand, immediately devours every piece of food I drop in his bowl. The care instructions that came with him said to "feed sparingly once a day" but it's such a pleasure to see him eat that I usually feed him about four times a day. It can't hurt. He seems quite fine.