STICK IT IN THE FRIDGE

by Becky Rickard

The fall semester has ensnared me once again.

The days of endlessly laying out with hopes of catching the perfect tan are over.

The next few weeks are going to be hectic with adding and dropping classes, checking out the new faces in the classroom and becoming acquainted with my trusty leather bound planner.

For most students, the first few days of the fall semester entail hours of listening to instructors preach about attendance policies, strict syllabus guidelines and the difficulty of achieving an A in their classes.

The beginning of the fall semester also reunites old friends who were too busy with jobs, classes and vacations to keep in touch over the summer.

As exciting as it is too see these old friends again, there are two problems with seeing them after summer break.

The first problem is recognition of your old friends. When I left my friends in May, most of them had pale complexions, dark circles under their eyes and frazzled expressions on their faces left over from a semester of stress and exams.

Now my friends will look healthy, tan and rejuvenated. Will I recognize them?

The second problem arises.

How do I sum up three months of summer into a five minute conversation that occurs before the class begins.

How do I sum up that I had a humiliating second summer job driving auto parts, had five relatives die in four days, vacationed at Black River Lodge for the 22nd consecutive year while still managing time to uphold my status as server extraordinaire at a local pizza joint?

How do I summarize that I spent my free time sampling the beer selections at many of St. Louis' fine drinking establishments, listening to some music under the stars at Riverport, laying by the pool and finally getting the tattoo I've always wanted?

I soon realized that I never tell these friends exactly what I did over the summer because I could talk for twenty minutes on each topic.

Instead, I choose from one of five answers to the infamous question, "What did you do this summer?"

1. Nothing.

2. Worked.

3. A little of this and a little of that.

4. Partied.

5. Relaxed.

The key to a successful summer summary is to use different answers to different people.

By doing so, all the bases will be touched and most, if not all, of the aspects of summer will have been mentioned at one time or another.

As for recognizing my old friends, I'll just smile at everyone that looks at me and listen for familiar names when the instructor takes attendance.