'This is Oliver Hall.'

By 1am this morning I was suitably scared with the sheer volume of information and procedures that I had to know for my newest job: deskie/security asst. for Oliver Hall. Afterall, I was only a third of the way through my first shift and I had been blasted with numerous responsibilities. But then the 'trial by fire' portion ended and all of the kids went on their way, and I realized that the real fun occurs on the security shift from 11-3am, which I have tonight. That's when, during rounds, one gets to go around and write up people for being loud or drinking in the dorm. Not that I want to do paperwork, but I think one good experience of a late-night beer bust will be good...if only because I didn't get to do that with Duke TiP this summer. We have a meeting tomorrow night where we will get to pick our regular, permanent shifts for the rest of the semester; I am hoping beyond hope that I can get 9am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays; I'll take anywhere from 3-9pm if I have to, and I suppose I could handle the midnight-3am as long as it's the deskie shift.

Some of you might be asking 'Why a deskie? Why a third job?' The short answer: Because I want to take a trip abroad (my first) next May, after classes and before Duke TiP starts in June. The longer answer though is that two of my jobs – deskie and graphic designer (for the Union, which I started last week) – are meant to cover enough of my living expenses this year so that I can use my yearbook salary for the Big Trip as I've taken to calling it. Living expenses means, of course, food and such, but I've also found some necessities such as a new pair of adidas casual shoes and some new bootcut jeans, as well as a watch, various other clothing items, and perhaps an object of desire off eBay. This, however, comes after paying off the credit card bill for la bicicleta.

What is the destination for the Big Trip? This is one of the two things that has been racking my brain during the past week (the other being an issue of such yearbook geekdom that I don't know whether or not I could even bring it to a forum like this). As far as destinations go, Barcelona is the absolute top of the list, and has been since I was, oh, about nine years old and watching the TV in a transfixed state during the summer of 1992. Over the years I have read and heard so much about it that, instead of making me fear an anticlimax when I do actually go, has only whetted my appetite. However, I am rather ambivalent to go to such a wondrous city by myself; it just seems like the sort of place that one should experience with a good friend (or perhaps more than a friend), considering the amount of time that I would like to be there.

The other question with regards to this vacation is what I hope to do with it. Barcelona would be amazing as an urban setting unlike no other, but part of me would like to see and enjoy some unbelievable nature through hiking and kayaking and such activities. Stockholm is on the shortlist, as is Iceland, as I think I would enjoy the cool Scandanavian feel, especially in May. On the other side of the world is New Zealand, which I've heard nothing but exceptional things about with regards to the bountiful scenery and things to do in said scenery. If I already had some background in mountaineering I would strongly consider Patagonia; if I had learned how to kayak I would think about the Greek Islands. The Vancouver area, a bustling hip city with plenty of water (obviously) and Whistler-Blackcomb nearby for hiking, might be ideal for the activities I want to do, but is not someplace that I would consider 'abroad.'

So I don't know. I am leaning farther and farther towards Spain as I read more about excursions outside of Barcelona (please, as if I would have time once I get embedded into Montjuic and Las Ramblas), and as I reread my still well-kept copy of The Sun Also Rises. If only I had thought to take some refresher courses in Spanish this year and also a night class or two to give myself enough hours; I think that would've worked out well. But these things always look better in hindsight. And that's enough for a Saturday; enjoy the weekend all.