End of the semester brings reflections and flowery feelings

As the end of another semester at Cal Sate Long Beach approaches, we reflect on what we have endured. For me, this semester has been a dichotomy of frustration and satisfaction; painfully stressful and disorganized days filled with the kind of perfectly scripted moments found in an Aaron Spelling comic drama.

And over the past few months I have found no shortage of topics to comment on. Overcrowding, discrimination, cell phones and car alarms have all given me what I needed to bitch and complain.

The administrative hurdles I have had to leap just to stay on track for my degree were only matched in ridiculousness by some of the requirements to get that degree.

John Caldwell
How I See It

I feel lucky to have been writing a column during such a divided election and farcical election process. What better example of the need for social commentary could there ever be?

I was going to conclude my semester-long lament by railing the latest round of judgments and comments surrounding the "re-count." But that issue is only one more reason in a seemingly endless horizon of reasons to complain, and I have plenty of time to tackle it.

For the moment, I have decided not to cloud the view with too much reality. Despite what all of us have gone through this semester, and regardless of the difficult finals and term papers that some of us are facing right now, we are lucky.

The other day, while walking under the huge ficus trees that cover the paths next to the Peterson Hall buildings, I realized this. CSULB is a sanctuary, separating me from the much harsher reality beyond its borders.

I count myself among the fortunate people who have had the chance to escape the world and come here to learn and make new friends.

And what an incredible place I chose to accomplish this. A perfect climate shrouds flower-lined walkways. Sculptures and trees break the sun into patterns of light that decorate the ground all over campus.

A wonderful variety of architecture is brought to life by an eclectic mix of students darting in and around the buildings on their way to classes that range in subject from chemical engineering to Yoga.

As we head into the semester break full of gripes and exhausted from what we have just experienced, we should try to appreciate where we are. Instead of suffering in some cold alley just off Fourth Street in Downtown Long Beach, not sure when our next meal will be, we have the chance to better our lives, and our community, at CSULB.

Before leaving to be with family and friends over the semester break, take some time to look around and see what is right in front you. Maybe you too will consider yourself fortunate.

John Caldwell is a staff writer for the Daily Forty-Niner