Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life? Everyone surely asks themselves this question at some point in time but is there real answer to it? The meaning of life varies often between the people who would be curious as to what his/her purpose of living is. A common answer to the question is "The meaning of life is the achievement of success." I have problems with this answer. The answer is extremely vague and poses more questions. These questions are led by the definition of success and what is it? Some could say success could be defined as the acquisition of monetary or materialistic goods. Some might say that success could be having a family and many friends. Others might say success might be defined as the work one has done to improve others lives as much as they have helped themselves. I don't believe that success is the meaning of life. I also think that there is a meaning of life for you naysayers out there who are deniers of a meaning of life. I think that the meaning of life is to do the following: ENJOY IT! Life is a time span from birth to death. If people could live forever life would lose its purpose. However, due to the fact that people die after short periods of time we need to celebrate the time we are alive. Don't worry, be happy and Carpe Diem. Have you ever wished you had done something but then thought of the possible risks involved and backed off, and then later regret a decision made without gusto? Emiliano Zapata once said, "It's better to die upon your feet than to live upon your knees!" Emiliano hit the nail on the head. If you have work or the opportunity to fulfill a life's goal, which would you choose? I'd go straight for the life goal. The opportunity may never present itself again, so jump on it and live your life to the fullest. Live life with no regrets, have fun, do what you like and like what you do, because the clock is ticking and sooner or later your time will come and you don't want to look back at your life and say "What if?"

My Troubles with Bureaucracy of Virginia Tech

Virginia tech has always treated me well. Sports are a priority here and the hokie athletic programs fail to disappoint. The food is tops in the nation and West End will be dearly missed after my graduation. The students are friendly and we represent this campus very well. The one problem that I have with Virginia Tech is the bureaucracy. The steps one has to go through to accomplish anything meaning at this university are absolutely ridiculous. I personally have HAD IT with this garbage that Tech calls policy.

I wanted to change majors into the college of business, Pamplin College, here at Virginia Tech. I went to my advisor, who works for the Engineering Education section of the college of engineering, early in the fall semester after I knew I wanted to change majors. I went into his office based with the question of, "What classes should I take in order to be in good standing with Pamplin?" He responded with an unhelpful answer of, "Check Pamplin's website." I checked the website but was unable to find the information that I needed. I then went to the Pamplin college undergraduate advisors' office in order to seek answers about my questions. I went into the office filled out an appointment form and was able to see an advisor. The advisor gave me adequate answers until… a higher ranking Pamplin official burst into the office. She went on a long rant which included information such as, "You can't be here because you're an engineering student… go get answers from your own advisor… and check the website for answers." I told her that I went to the website but was unable to acquire the information I needed. I also told her that I went to my advisor and was still clueless but she cut me off before an explanation and told me to vacate the office as soon as possible. I had to swallow the words I would have told the lady, because if I stated them I'd probably face charges of verbal assault. I asked the advisor who I was seeing for some final info which she squeezed onto a Post-It note. I thankfully got enough information from the advisor to squeak by for the spring course requests. I again went to my advisor for information on how to handle this situation better and he told me to see them. I told him the situation and he told me he didn't know how to handle the predicament. I also asked him about going into University Studies to get more accurate and helpful advisory but unfortunately, I am an active member in the society of engineers at Virginia Tech called the Galileo Program. Galileo's policy does not include any details surrounding the idea of changing majors for first year students. I happened to HATE engineering here at Virginia Tech and wanted to change my major before I got far into my educational career (before sophomore year). I asked him if a change to US was possible but if I did I would be EVICTED from my dorm. One phrase can only describe my emotion, "WHAT THE FUCK!" I'm either eligible to keep my dorm but stay in a major that I despise, or I can opt to move with 8 weeks left in the semester and attempt to get into a major I'm not 100% sure I can get into based upon the courses I've taken because of poor advisement. Life sucks. I'm still trying to find a possible 'out' of this terrible policy pickle. To be honest I needed a muzzle while writing this blog because I would've gone Jerry Springer on this thing. I've had a great time this semester with all classes and my extracurriculars and the lone stress causer is the damn bureaucracy and shitty policies. If you have any advice on how to handle this situation please comment or talk to me because course request is soon and I'm almost "Sol."