Thinking

I know that this may seem odd, but I really enjoy thinking. I don't mean just thinking normally, but thinking about pretty abstract or complex ideas. I can't really remember when this started, but I'd say that it reached it's climax when I took astronomy during summer session last year. Ever since learning about how the universe and even things we take for granted such as the sun work, I have just been fascinated with really thinking about how things work. I started reading about space-time and black holes and just really complex ideas and theories. I know that it may seem odd, and I know that my friends don't really share the same passion with me, they'd rather just leave that to someone else and not really think about anything. I don't really know what it is, maybe its the challenge of trying to comprehend what I, and many others, don't really understand, but I just can't get enough of it.
I also like to think about and challenge social norms, such as religion. No offense to anyone who is religious, I used to be one, but I like to look really deep into all religion, instead of just one. I feel like there are a lot of people out there who are so religious that they become very close-minded and don't know how to accept other religions and only see what they have become used to. Like I said, I'm not trying to dis religion or anything, but I find it very fun to talk and debate with people about their own personal views. I think that this is a very fine place for rhetoric to take place, as long as the others are willing to open up and possibly change their views and I will do the same.

Fraternities

Another thing that I am very passionate about is the Greek life at Penn State. This past semester I pledged a fraternity and am now a brother at Alpha Chi Rho. Now that I am a member of this group, I see everything wrong with the stereotypes that are associated with fraternities. Sure, we do like to party and have fun, but we are also about so much more than that. We do so many things with the community such as THON, Greek or Treat, where we give out candy to the little kids, and holiday lights, where we decorate our house for Christmas and for the little kids to stop by again. We also go on canning weekends and, especially in the winter, stand in the harsh weather and collect money for THON. I just wish more people could see past the stereotypes and appreciate what we do for the community.