Soggy Feathers

 A few days ago, I woke up and looked out my window through sleepy, crusty eyes. Sun was pouring onto the glittering L.A. sidewalks and it looked like it was going to be a lovely day. I threw on some light weight leggings and a linen shirt, and looked at my clock after spending too much time on my make up. I thought "damn.... I’ll be late... again." I ran out the door and hopped on my cherry red beach cruiser. I was suddenly blasted with a current of ice cold wind that ripped straight through my summery clothes. I breathed in sharply and clenched my teeth together to try and prevent them from shattering. I narrowed my eyes and pedaled faster to the lecture hall as I let the reality set in that I had class and meetings all day and would not be able to go back for a warmer attire. I would be chilled and rubbing my hands together for the next 7 hours. Great.

By the end of the day I was in a less than fabulous mood. I was sleepy, had more meetings ahead of me, still had not made time to exercise, and to top it all off-- huge gray clouds were quickly invading the skies. Right as I walked out of my last lecture, giant drops of water started to hurdle themselves toward the ground. Now, I know I’m a dramatic person who exaggerates... but these particular rain drops seemed to be abnormally huge. I was literally flinching as they spanked my check bones and blurred my contacts as I wearily walked toward my dorm on the other side of campus. 

In between chattering fits, I noticed that the grassy quad was covered in pigeons. I thought to myself, why on earth are pigeons outside in this rain. Birds don’t like rain because it gets their feathers all wet, right? On top of that, these giant raindrops that were making me flinch, must feel like punches pounding down on their small backs. Now I don't like pigeons... they are fat and ugly and useless and poop on my bike seat... but I felt bad for the little dears. Nonetheless, here they all were, flocking to the expansive lawn. 

What the heck?! I figured I had chattered all day, what’s a little longer? I got a little closer to investigate them, and noticed they were viciously hunting worms. Apparently, worms come out when it rains because they can’t breathe in the wet soil. These pigeons were like the AP class takers, over achiever, honor students of the pigeon world. 

This weekend, I have more homework than I would prefer. I would prefer going on adventure around town or do something fun with friends. I can’t help but think of the pigeons... I’m sure the birds that were getting pounded by the rain would prefer sitting under a tree nuzzling with their birdie boyfriends, but their instincts told them that that was not the way you win or get ahead (or survive ha). 

Sometimes... you’ve got to pigeon up if you want to achieve your goals-- study all weekend, go outside your comfort zone to attain valuable networks, resist eating tempting brownies and chillin’ on the couch. I don't know about you, but I'm going to go get my feathers wet. 

Bianca

This afternoon, I plopped down at my desk and mindlessly booted up my laptop. I automatically logged onto facebook (as every student avoiding their homework has trained their fingers to do). I was thinking about what color I should paint my nails and what ding bats people turn into when they see bikers. Five minutes prior, I had almost smashed into some scrawny geek with a giant back pack with my bike. They saw that I was pointed in their general direction and decided to stand there like a doe in head lights with their mouth half open. Idiot. As I was thinking up a more effective sneer or snide comment to direct at the next dork in my way, the last word of someone’s status caught my eye... R.I.P. 

I was smacked in the face with news that one of my first genuine friends I had made in high school had been in a roll over accident and had been declared dead at the scene. As I sat there frozen, the memory of her glorious laugh rung out and ricocheted against the sides of my skull. Memories of sitting in the student activities room telling each other of our latest boy drama or laughing with our chemistry teacher during lunch tutoring started played like a silent film inside my imagination. She was beautiful and silly. She always gave the best advice. She had a huge smile and glittering eyes. She was always willing to volunteer for the community service projects no one else was enthusiastic about. She was always there to listen or chat or share a meal. And she was gone. 

Of all people why her? We did not talk everyday. I wasn’t her best friend. I hadn’t talked to her for the better part of a year. Yet, I found myself listening to “If I Die Young” and sobbing. It’s startled me to think that she was giggling with friends and uploading pictures of her spring break road trip one day and the subject of a candle light visual the next. If it could happen to her, it could happen to any of us. 

In her memory-- give lots of hugs and don’t pass up the opportunity to look someone in the eye and tell them you love them because you think it makes you sound awkward. Laugh instead of roll your eyes. Hold the door for a stranger instead of tucking your head down and walking away. Don’t clutter precious moments with being angry. Forgive. Hold someones hand and tell them why you think they are beautiful. 

Life is so fragile. It is far too short to be rude to a kid with a back pack blocking a bike path.