docFridays

Franz and Faith

Franz Kafka was a 20^th Century German writer. His pieces usually explored the absurd and how we as humans respond to its occurrence. The term “Kafkaesque” is used to describe happenings that are so preposterous that they are humorous. 

Faith is funny as well but its definition is a bit trickier to for me to figure out. I suppose it boils down to trust; trust in your God, yourself, your family, your friends, ect. That somehow, someway, something or someone will come through for you. Faith is practical and completely irrational and yet with outs dobut it’s crucial to our lives.

I lose faith constantly. Some days I feel the Universe’s only aim is to discover and implement innovative ways to foible my plans or ruin my day. It doesn’t take much for my mind to dive into this paranoia; case in point yesterday, Monday, President’s Day began with my left headlight bulb blowing out. Nothing too terrible, just a warm up exercise as far as the Universe is concerned.  I got home ready to sleep off that minor annoyance but as soon as my head touched the pillow I remember that I had forgotten to do my Chinese homework! I got up and looked for my textbook and it was nowhere to be found.  I mean nowhere. It was not in my car, not in my room, not in the kitchen, not in the refrigerator, nowhere! By now it was 6:30am and my eyes were blood red. I thought up this quick plan: Class is at 1pm, the campus bookstore opens at 8. I’ll sleep until 9:30 and then get up early and buy the textbook, do my homework, copy the pages I need, and return it before class.

 Good to go, right?

I woke up at 11.

I hauled ass to campus and made my way to the bookstore. They were out of copies of the text….It has to be  pre-ordered it and since it’s being shipped from China, it will take three weeks to get here. Oh and before they’ll order it, I have to pay for it… Whoo! The Universe is up and snacking on some Wheaties, now.

So, second idea: I’ll head over to the library and see if they have a copy on reserve. Nope.

I head back to the bookstore and buy the text, the whole while spazzing about how I’m going to do this…

SN: After I left the bookstore a man stopped me and said hello. I was so frustrated at this point but he had such a sweet smile! We did the basic small talk thing and wished each other luck in our endeavors. I shook his hand and he gave me a hug. It made me feel awesome!

Third idea: Go to the Language Lab and see if they got a copy. Nope. Now I’m in full on panic mode. It’s a quarter to twelve. And I’m out of options.

Ok Universe you win, please give me a break, just one.

Fourth idea: The Confucius Institute!  I know for a fact they have the book! I’m so excited I started to jog over to the building the office is in. Finally, things are looking up! The Universe doesn’t hate me! Today, I win! I get there and see students lined up outside the building. I asked a woman what was going on and she told me that the building was on fire….

The building, my last hope, was literally in flames. Thoroughly defeated, I walked away sulking.             

The building was on fire….the building was on fire….the building was on fire…

*giggle*

My giggle turned into a chuckle, then escalated into roaring laughter. Double You Tee Eff!!! I couldn’t stop laughing! This entire day was so nonsensical that laughter was the only appropriate response. I instantly felt better. I made my way to class prepared to tell the truth and accept the consequences. I saw a classmate waiting by the door and he let me borrow his textbook. I made the copies I needed and returned to the room to find that class had been cancelled. I started laughing all over again.