Financing hippiehood through the elephant

A long, long time ago in a galaxy far away - namely South Dakota three years ago - a young woman was impressed by her father's rich friend offer to give her a "scholarship" for her pricey college education.

Present day, I am writing a semi-regular update to said supporters, thanking them profusely - as I should, because they are wonderful, generous people.

The hilarious, ironic, or even depressing part (depending on your outlook) is when I looked up their address. In the wide world of the internet the first link that popped up was from the Huffington Post, showing campaign donations across the country. The people financing my crunchy tye-dye liberal education in TWO different schools has donated multiple thousands to John McCain, Mitt Romney, and everyone's favorite - George Bush the Younger. Weird, huh?

Should I feel guilty from taking their money, or accept it in the argument that I might as well finance my education any way I can? Is it a lesson in the bridge between party lines, the ability to see beyond elephants and asses, is possible - at least in an individual sense? But the cynic inside me doesn't think so. Whatever it is, it challenges the deep-rooted thoughts I have and forces me to believe in something greater - if only for a fleeting second.

P.S.

My schedule at the moment:

International Economics
Film and Health (cluster requirement)
Geography of World Affairs

Aaaiiieeee I need one more! I have a love/hate relationship with class scheduling.

A continual effort to do this regularly.

After a summer of (in a nutshell) working in a dining hall, biking, hanging with friends (well, mostly friend), and living at home, I am ready for school. So ready for school - the beginning of the summer left me with nothing to look forward to - more imbecile professors, dull papers, and rote memory tests. But behold! Two months of living of navigating the parental conflict, not only verbally and emotionally, but physically (I'll just say that I'm glad we've collected contact lens cases over the years).

So yes, Portland's charm has increased in my eye considerably over the past weeks. The room I am going to move into seems perfect in my mind, ready to be decorated. It has transformed from a spot of long loneliness to comfortable, cozy home.

Similarly, my "measly three friends" in Portland have turned into an abundance - who needs more than that? After Petaluma it seems like such a delight. I'm even excited about being in charge of making my own food - that will last all of three days. Or one.

What I'm trying to say is...Petaluma is all fine and good, and I love my room (newly moved and gooooorgeous perfect), but wow I want my own life back. Boring, life-wasting classes and all.