Can One Class Change Your Life?

This semester I'm TA'ing for Financial Accounting, which is taught by my academic advisor.  Last week he asked me to drop by the class and introduce myself to the kids.  As I was looking out on the class trying to see if I recognized anyone, one kid in particular caught my attention.  He was sitting in the back row of the class, completely not paying attention.

Now this might not seem important in the least, so let me explain.  The seat the kid was sitting in just happened to be the same one I sat in when I took Financial two years ago.  Same room, same seat, same professor.  And I remember one of the first days of classes Professor Anderson had his TA come in and gave the same spiel, and just like that kid I couldn't give a fuck.  I came into Stonehill as an International Business major, and wanted absolutely nothing to do with accounting.  I had learned a little bit in high school, and the thought of meticulous crunching numbers sounded like as much fun as gouging my eyes out.  But as the classes rolled by, I realized not only was the material pretty interesting, but I was kinda good at it.

Fast forward two years.  I'm an Accounting major and an Econ minor (well, if I ever get around to filling out the form...).  One of the classes I was loathing the most when I first got to school turned out to be the one that completely changed my major, and with it my entire career path.  Being an Accounting major helped me to get placed at Grant Thornton when I was in London, and eventually helped me get a summer internship back in Boston.  Can't help but laugh at how things have come full circle, with me TA'ing the same class that caused me to change my major.  Guess one class really can change your life, at least for me it did.

Productivity Has Hit an All-Time Low

Finally caved a got an iPhone right before I came back to Stonehill.  I can feel my GPA plummeting every time I pull it out of my pocket.  Should just change my major to Temple Run with a minor in Angry Birds...

And just when I didn't think it could get any worse my girlfriend showed me this today.

http://iwastesomuchtime.com/on/?i=8057

I'm Not Usually One for Proverbs, But...

Conversation at dinner the other night gave me the idea for this post.  "You can't judge a book by its cover" has to be one of the most overused sayings of all time.  But if you look at how my close group of friends came together, it actually has a lot of relevance.

Being completely honest, I hated my three closest guy friends when I first met them.  Two of them were dickheads who introduced themselves with self-given nicknames, and the other was "that guy" who knows everyone and wore nothing but American Eagle button-downs.  Go figure those three would go on to become my roommate and my two other closes friends at school...

So I guess what I'm trying to say is just because a saying is old and played out doesn't mean it loses its meaning.  I can't speak for everyone, but if you look at your inner circles of friends I'm sure there's at least one who you began with a bad impression of.  Three guys who I wanted nothing to do with ended up being like brothers to me, same thing could happen to you.      

Feels Good to Be Home

After 3 1/2 months galavanting around Europe, it definitely feels good to be home.  Yeah I'm bored as fuck most of the time, but there's so many small luxuries that are so good to have again.  Things you don't even tend to realize until you dont have them anymore.  For example...

1. My Own Bed - I don't think I've ever slept as well as I did my first night back in America.  Probably helped that I had been up for about 40 straight hours that point either.  Finally I didn't have to curl up in a ball to fit in my bed.  People in London don't seem to feel the need to make beds for peole over 6 ft: my feet were always hanging off the end.  Nicest surprise to come home to...new memory foam pad on my bed.
2. A Stocked Fridge/Pantry - For about the last month in London, we barely had any food in our apartment.  And for some reason every time I walked into the kitchen I'd still always open the fridge to see if we had anything good.  Being able to open the fridge and actually having something other than beer is a comfort.
3. No Time Difference - No longer do I have to think about what time it is at home when I talk to people.  Everyone's on the same time as me.
4. High-Def TV - No more sitting around watching football on my computer on Sundays.  Coming back to HDTV makes me feel like I've been watching TV without my contact in for 3.5 months.
5. Driving - Can't tell you how excited I was to be able to drive again.  Nothing beats being able to cruise around obnoxiously blasting music.
6. Sleeping In - In London the only day I got any sleep was Wednesday.  Being able to sleep in everyday is a godsend. 
7. Being Able to Look Like a Bum - Having work three times a week, along with everyone around you always looking like a million bucks means you can never bum aroundin sweatpants or a sweatshirt.  That's pretty much all I've worn since I got home.
8. A Dishwasher - Pretty self-explanatory....

I'm definitely having London withdrawals, the height of which was finding two pounds in a jacket pocket last night.  But on the whole I'm glad to be home.  Seriously I'm bored as fuck though, time to get back to Stonehill.

The End?

This entire blog was more or less a spur-of-the-moment idea.  I really had no intention of doing one, and the day before I left it started as a way to procrastinate packing.  And no way did I think I'd stay with it, figured after the first month or so it'd lose it's novelty.  So on that account alone I'm slightly impressed with myself.

Now that I'm back though, it's decision time with what I want to do with the blog going forward.  Like I said, I'm suprised I made it this far, and definitely did not envision continuing on with it once I got back.  So here's where you come in...I'd really like to know what people think of this: whether you liked it or think it absolutely sucks, I'd like to know.  All I'm asking is a quick Facebook message or a text if you're lucky enough to have my number (KIDDING...).  Maybe if I hear back from enough people I'll keep going with this, otherwise I'll just leave it chilling in internet purgatory.

Lastly, whether you've read this from the beginning or just glanced over a page, thanks for being along for the ride.  This was easily the greatest 3.5 months of my life, and I'm glad I got to share my stories.  If you're like me and lucky enough to get the chance to study abroad, don't hesitate and miss out on your chance. 

Did I make a lot of amazing memories in Europe? Yes. Did I do a lot of really stupid shit along the way? Also yes.  But do I regret any of it?  Not a single thing, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Much Love,
Matt

PARIS

Just dawned on me that I never did a post for Paris.  Figured after every other trip got a post, I should at least show Paris some love.  This was our last trip in Europe, and even though we were only there for 36 hours we planned to do it big.

*Before we left I kept hearing the Charles de Gaulle, the airport we were flying into, is always voted as one of the worst in the world.  And now I know why.  The entire place is one giant clusterfuck, and we had to about half an hour to get from our gate to the train station.  Couldn't imagine trying to navigate that place with bags.  One of my biggest regrets of the trip was not booking a Eurostar train into Paris...

*We get on a train from the airport, and a couple stops later this guy gets on carrying a microphone and an amp.  When the train starts moving he starts singing "La Bamba" in French.  At the next stop he goes around and starts trying to collect money for his "performance."  He got mad at my friends and I when we didn't give him anything, but maybe try singing a little better bro.


*Had abosolutely no clue how big Paris actually is.  Maps make it seem like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre are right next to each other.  Found out the hard way its more like a 30 minute walk.  Just a fair warning to anyone visiting there soon.

*Gotta love when words don't translate into a certain language.  So walking through the Metro in Paris I saw these signs:

REALLY creative title.

*I ate unbelievable amounts in Paris, baguettes and croissants all day.  But all the walking helped me from putting on like 10 lbs.  Especially the hike up to Sacre Couer, which was my favorite thing we did.  The weather was shitty but it still is the best view of the city.



Well I wish I had more stories, the rest of the trip is one giant blur though.  Even though it was really expensive and the people were kinda rude, Paris was definitely one of my favorite trips.  Wish we could've had at least one more day there, or been able to go out to Versailles.  Just something else that still remains on the bucket list...

Well That Didn't Last Long

This is pretty sad.

First street I cross coming out of Logan yesterday, I look the wrong way and almost walk straight into a car.  Think it's time to go back to London...