T.G.I.F (“Thank God! I’m Fine”)

Here in Grahamstown (yes, I’ve been back for about week now) life throws up (literally) many questions, problems and situations daily. In our quest as students to solve these, we often choose the wrong option that leaves us thinking: “What the hell did I do that for?”

It’s difficult to explain why we (as students in particular) do the things we do, or how we arrive at certain conclusions. Our motives and intentions are sometimes so jagged and illogical that it barely makes any sense at all.

Last night, for instance, was the culmination of many factors… We worked hard all week. We’ve gone to most of our lectures, waking up at 06h00 more or less every day. So, as a solution to the problem of “mental burnout” we all got completely mental. Why did we get completely mental? Well, because we could get completely mental. Other than that? I don’t know. Waking up with a headache and huge hangover is not exactly a good situation to be in, nor having to face the people you’ve scared off in drunken mindlessness the previous night. However, we seem to do it every single time regardless of the side effects. So then… why don’t we just not do it? Why don’t we stop?

The answer is… we don’t want to stop.

In all frankness, the memories remembered at the lunch table the following afternoon; Or the vivid pictures and videos taken that decorate our dorm room walls; Or the euphoria of a million different sounds and vibrations exploding simultaneously on the dance-floor; Or the stories told and the pointless, funny and meaningful things said when surrounded by the people you really care about…

That is reason enough to carry on.

If you ask me, I’d take a million more hangovers for the memories and experiences I’ve had in this little city. And you know what? I probably will.

- reddevilandy10