Today was a good day even though it didn't start out as such.
For DukeEngage we have mandatory activities every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Today's activity was a walking tour about the history of Durham. I think it could have been interesting, but the majority of the information was already drilled into our heads from previous weeks. Trekking through the streets in Durham in 100 degree weather with 80% humidity was awful. The most memorable part of the tour was a girl passing out. In the aftermath, someone said, "it's times like these that I want to be a doctor." How true. We had to call the paramedics to make sure that she was okay. How nice would it be to just know what the protocol is to take care of someone who just passed out. No need to bother anyone else, just take care of it and know that she's better.
After our tour, we went to The Know bookstore and had lunch and a little speech from the owner. I absolutely hate it when people ask, "Where are you from?" and they mean what's your nationality. Just because I have yellow-ish skin, small eyes, and straight black hair does not mean I was born somewhere else. I was born and raised in Michigan, and I'm much more American than I am Chinese. I just don't appreciate that. Unfortunately, I know I do it too. I don't think I realized how hurtful it is until it happened to me three times this summer. The owner of the The Know bookstore asked us that very question. He presented to us his theory that we should remain completely true to our culture and not fall into American traditions. He was so extreme and impenetrable with his ideas that it was really frustrating to sit through.
Anyway, after the mandatory activity, I was able to hang out with two of my peers and watched Up and went to Southpoint afterwards.
Up was definitely a different type of Disney movie but good nonetheless. I think it sends a good message not just to children but also adults who are taking their kids to watch the movie. It's easy to get caught up in the past, so much so that we lose sight on what's actually going on in real life. Sometimes, we just need that little push from someone to realize that our priorities are out of order (bird vs. burning house). For kids, the movie gave kids someone to relate to. Russell is our hero in this movie! He's a Wilderness Scout--someone respectable and skilled. In his mission to complete his sash of badges, he changes into a kid who is strong in so many facets.
The best was definitely saved for last. Tonight, I had a conversation with a few of my fellow DukeEngagers that was something I only heard about. We talked about different dimensions and how things could be so completely different. It was just mind boggling at the time and plain amazing. These people are so knowledgeable about the most random things. I really admire how they're passionate about what they're learning, and I love talking to them so much because I adore how they think. I really hope Duke changes how I think so that I start thinking outside the box.
