Passport #1
A journey to a place I have never been before
Is this walk worth it? I’ve suffered through worse conditions, but on this particular day, I struggled extra hard through the unshoveled sidewalks to a house located on a street I had to look up on Google maps. I squinted through the darkness and snow flurries, trying to decipher the dark house numbers set so far from the street. Finally I arrived at the house that looked like every other house on the block. The inside door was open and the lights were on, but I only heard silence. I double, triple, quadrupled checked the house number with the e-mail I had open on my phone screen. I knocked three times and tried the doorknob. It easily turned to the right, so I slowly pushed it open inwards. I saw many pairs of shoes, all covered in specks of dried snow and salt. I said a tentative, “Hello?” and slowly peeked into the room on my right. I saw two people sitting on the couches; luckily, I recognized both of them.
The usual pleasantries were exchanged and the conversation went in a familiar direction, covering all the safe topics people rely on when they’re still in the “getting to know each other” phase. As we talked about our hometowns, the weather, classes, freshmen year, etc., the rest of our group trickled in. Though we had been meeting for an hour almost every week since November, we were still strangers. Sure, each week things became a little less awkward as we learned a little more about each other and had a few more things to talk about, but we were still merely acquaintances on the friendship spectrum. We didn’t have each other’s phone numbers, weren’t friends on Facebook, and waved to each other with hesitation when we passed each other on campus. Movie night was supposed to accelerate the slowly closing gap between us and allow us to bond before our upcoming spring break trip together. What had initially brought us together was our interest in environmental justice, but what would hold us together after our trip? Would we become good friends during our 12-hour drive down to North Carolina, our time working at a wildlife sanctuary, our unplanned adventures in Hubert, and our 12-drive back to the place where we all met? I hope so.
None of us seem to be very good at making decisions, so it was at least another 15 minutes before we finally settled on The Avengers. The chatter died away as the opening scene and dramatic soundtrack started. I loved the movie when I saw it in theaters 2 years ago, but would I love it just as much the second time around in a living room full of people I rarely made social plans with? I quickly became engrossed in the action, drama, and highly unrealistic story, as did the other 7 people staring at the television screen with extreme fascination.
As the credits started rolling, silence filled the room. None of us made any move to leave. We just sat there staring at the words moving upwards and disappearing. I suddenly realized the silence was comfortable. Somehow, at some point in the night, we had jumped from acquaintances to friends. Did it happen when Loki enslaved Dr. Selvig at the beginning of the movie or when the Hulk smashed the crap out of Loki at the end? I couldn’t pinpoint the moment when the tension finally evaporated and we relaxed. I considered this question as we waited for the post-credits scenes, and I realized it didn’t matter when this development occurred. What mattered was that it had finally happened. For awhile, I was scared that this trip was going to be a disaster because our personalities would clash or we’d have nothing to talk about, but now, I couldn’t wait to create shenanigans with this new group of friends.
The usual pleasantries were exchanged and the conversation went in a familiar direction, covering all the safe topics people rely on when they’re still in the “getting to know each other” phase. As we talked about our hometowns, the weather, classes, freshmen year, etc., the rest of our group trickled in. Though we had been meeting for an hour almost every week since November, we were still strangers. Sure, each week things became a little less awkward as we learned a little more about each other and had a few more things to talk about, but we were still merely acquaintances on the friendship spectrum. We didn’t have each other’s phone numbers, weren’t friends on Facebook, and waved to each other with hesitation when we passed each other on campus. Movie night was supposed to accelerate the slowly closing gap between us and allow us to bond before our upcoming spring break trip together. What had initially brought us together was our interest in environmental justice, but what would hold us together after our trip? Would we become good friends during our 12-hour drive down to North Carolina, our time working at a wildlife sanctuary, our unplanned adventures in Hubert, and our 12-drive back to the place where we all met? I hope so.
None of us seem to be very good at making decisions, so it was at least another 15 minutes before we finally settled on The Avengers. The chatter died away as the opening scene and dramatic soundtrack started. I loved the movie when I saw it in theaters 2 years ago, but would I love it just as much the second time around in a living room full of people I rarely made social plans with? I quickly became engrossed in the action, drama, and highly unrealistic story, as did the other 7 people staring at the television screen with extreme fascination.
As the credits started rolling, silence filled the room. None of us made any move to leave. We just sat there staring at the words moving upwards and disappearing. I suddenly realized the silence was comfortable. Somehow, at some point in the night, we had jumped from acquaintances to friends. Did it happen when Loki enslaved Dr. Selvig at the beginning of the movie or when the Hulk smashed the crap out of Loki at the end? I couldn’t pinpoint the moment when the tension finally evaporated and we relaxed. I considered this question as we waited for the post-credits scenes, and I realized it didn’t matter when this development occurred. What mattered was that it had finally happened. For awhile, I was scared that this trip was going to be a disaster because our personalities would clash or we’d have nothing to talk about, but now, I couldn’t wait to create shenanigans with this new group of friends.
Passport #2
Comparison of journey described in #1 to scavenger hunt around campus
When I walked to my friend’s house on S. Fifth Ave, I had a destination in mind, but no expectations of my experience. I did not enter the situation with a goal to accomplish or a plan to execute. Without instructions to follow or a specific end to achieve, I was more open-minded and aware of my surroundings. Despite the frigid weather, I observed the streets I walked on, noticing the bustle on some and stillness on other. I looked at each house I passed, taking mental photos in case I ever needed to remember how to get back to his house. I remember the HSSP poster on the living room wall and the speakers above the door and window ledges. Because everything was new to me on this journey, I remembered many more details as I took my time exploring the unfamiliar and enjoyed the process of becoming friends with this group of people. I held a lot more fear on this journey, as a happy ending was not guaranteed.
In contrast, on my campus scavenger hunt, I had both a destination and an expectation in mind for each step; this journey involved specific actions and more planning. I had tunnel vision for only the 13 items on this list, and as a result, this journey felt more rushed. I have been walking by the same buildings for three years so the physical process to each location was very familiar. I felt no desire to slow down and observe my surroundings. Unlike my journey to friendship, I had no interest in the process, only in the final product. There was no fear because I was provided directions and an assurance that I would gain something.
In some ways, I liked the journey around campus better because I like order, lists, and instructions. I learned new information about buildings and places that have become commonplace in my daily life. In other ways, I liked my journey to an unknown place better because there was no limit to what I could learn. I was attentive to the entire experience, allowing myself more than just a few milliseconds with every item and person I passed. I allowed the details of my surroundings to come to me and capture my attention rather than go after and seek for specific details. Overall, I enjoyed both journeys as both taught me more about the campus I have grown to love and the people who are a part of it.
In contrast, on my campus scavenger hunt, I had both a destination and an expectation in mind for each step; this journey involved specific actions and more planning. I had tunnel vision for only the 13 items on this list, and as a result, this journey felt more rushed. I have been walking by the same buildings for three years so the physical process to each location was very familiar. I felt no desire to slow down and observe my surroundings. Unlike my journey to friendship, I had no interest in the process, only in the final product. There was no fear because I was provided directions and an assurance that I would gain something.
In some ways, I liked the journey around campus better because I like order, lists, and instructions. I learned new information about buildings and places that have become commonplace in my daily life. In other ways, I liked my journey to an unknown place better because there was no limit to what I could learn. I was attentive to the entire experience, allowing myself more than just a few milliseconds with every item and person I passed. I allowed the details of my surroundings to come to me and capture my attention rather than go after and seek for specific details. Overall, I enjoyed both journeys as both taught me more about the campus I have grown to love and the people who are a part of it.
Passport #3
#1 rewritten with an internal monologue and dialogue
Holy crap. There’s snow on the ground. I love walking on untouched snow. Ah, I really want pizza. Living across the street from Cottage Inn is a curse. Ugh, this wind though. Are my nostril hairs frozen? Okay, Google Maps said it should take me 8 minutes to get there. I can do this. 3 more blocks. Whoa, almost slipped and died there. I hate it when landlords don’t shovel their sidewalks. I’m so jealous of these people sitting in their cars. I really like that blue one. I can see the snowflakes on my eyelashes. Hm, is this kid coming from the library or from class? Why is this truck driver staring at me? I hate crossing streets in these shoes. I wonder what they’re constructing here. Smells like gas. What was here before? Goddamnit, I hate this intersection. I hate waiting. Why do people like taking their sweet ass time in the Midwest? Come on, come on, move faster. Yes! Okay, go straight here. Huh, I wonder what this sculpture is. Why is it here? Looks like a bunch of cubes. Wow, I’ve never been this far up Packard. It’s really quiet. Huh, no one’s behind me or across the street. The parked cars look so peaceful. This building looks like a warehouse. Or storage unit. Wait, is this Fifth? There’s no street sign on this side. Is that a street sign over there? I can’t see that far. I don’t want to take my glove off to check the map. Wait… Wait… Yeah I think that says fifth. Right here. 515. Okay, should be on the next block. No number. Can’t see it. 501? 445. Is it this next one? Ah, I hate taking my gloves off outside.
441. 441.
441. 441.
441. 441.
441. 441.
Ok, this has to be it. Am I the last one here? No, I don’t hear anything. Am I the first one here? Slowly, slowly, don’t fall on the porch. I wonder if the inside door is open too. Knock, knock, knock. Well, it’s open.
– Hello?
– Hey!
– How’s it going?
– Good! You can put your coat in this closet.
– Oh okay, thanks. I’m just gonna take my shoes off first… So how are you guys? Tess and Ryan aren’t here yet?
– No, not yet. I thought they would be here early, but guess not.
– Ha, what terrible site leaders.
– So where’d you walk from?
– Packard, not too bad, but it’s awful outside. I’m still not used to Michigan winters.
– Yeah, I’m from the U.P. and it’s never been this bad. This is ridiculous. So glad I took the bus here.
– Where do you live?
– Couzens. I’m in HSSP.
– Ooh, yeah, that’s kind of a hike. I considered taking a cab, but thought that would’ve been embarrassing. HSSP is Health Sciences…?
– Scholars Program.
– Okay, gotcha.
– Where’d you live freshmen year?
– East Quad.
– Have you seen the new one?
– No, not yet, but I hear it’s super different.
– Yeah, I have a meal plan even though I live off-campus, but I eat there a lot.
– Ugh, I hate dining food. I’m so sick of Mojo.
– Yeah, Mojo is pretty bad.
– I miss not having to cook for myself though.
– I like cooking because then I know what’s in my food.
– Oh okay, well that’ll work in your favor next year.
– You should try East Quad though. Their food is pretty good.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
– Hello?
– Hey!
– Wait, who is that? I can’t see from here.
– Gen.
– Hey Gen! Did you fall today?
– No thank god.
– Oh, you can put your coat in this closet.
– Oh hey Ryan!
441. 441.
441. 441.
441. 441.
441. 441.
Ok, this has to be it. Am I the last one here? No, I don’t hear anything. Am I the first one here? Slowly, slowly, don’t fall on the porch. I wonder if the inside door is open too. Knock, knock, knock. Well, it’s open.
– Hello?
– Hey!
– How’s it going?
– Good! You can put your coat in this closet.
– Oh okay, thanks. I’m just gonna take my shoes off first… So how are you guys? Tess and Ryan aren’t here yet?
– No, not yet. I thought they would be here early, but guess not.
– Ha, what terrible site leaders.
– So where’d you walk from?
– Packard, not too bad, but it’s awful outside. I’m still not used to Michigan winters.
– Yeah, I’m from the U.P. and it’s never been this bad. This is ridiculous. So glad I took the bus here.
– Where do you live?
– Couzens. I’m in HSSP.
– Ooh, yeah, that’s kind of a hike. I considered taking a cab, but thought that would’ve been embarrassing. HSSP is Health Sciences…?
– Scholars Program.
– Okay, gotcha.
– Where’d you live freshmen year?
– East Quad.
– Have you seen the new one?
– No, not yet, but I hear it’s super different.
– Yeah, I have a meal plan even though I live off-campus, but I eat there a lot.
– Ugh, I hate dining food. I’m so sick of Mojo.
– Yeah, Mojo is pretty bad.
– I miss not having to cook for myself though.
– I like cooking because then I know what’s in my food.
– Oh okay, well that’ll work in your favor next year.
– You should try East Quad though. Their food is pretty good.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
– Hello?
– Hey!
– Wait, who is that? I can’t see from here.
– Gen.
– Hey Gen! Did you fall today?
– No thank god.
– Oh, you can put your coat in this closet.
– Oh hey Ryan!