Everything non-academic I learned, I learned at PBU

In the past 4 years, PBU has taught me multiple life-skills. PBU is not just about academics. The lessons learned outside of the classroom are deep and abiding and will stay with me for life. I shall list some of them:

Snow Days - Snow days are very important things. It's not really a lesson, but since there is a snow day, I figured I should mention it. PBU has taught me to appreciate snow and to hope desperately for a snow day. I never had snow days when homeschooling (plus we never HAD snow) so having them now is great. It's also my last semester of classes, and therefore my last snow day of my college career. I'm savoring it! Especially since it's March.

Golf Carts -- PBU has taught me the fun of golf carts. When I worked on grounds, I got to drive the golf cart like a maniac. I got so used to it that I had to remember not to try to drive my car over the grass and on the walkway. The best part about the golf cart was driving up to the carriage house, turning around, defying all the stop signs, and flooring it down to the arches. It was as fun as a roller coaster ride. Golf carts are also great tools for chasing geese. Whenever one sees a flock of geese, the best thing to do is stop doing whatever important task you're supposed to be doing and chase geese around.

Thistles -- I hate thistles. I also hate pulling them out of the ground. PBU has taught me the importance of pulling out thistles before they grow bigger. Nip it in the bud, you know?

Wasp Killer Spray -- PBU has taught me the power and fun of wasp spray. There was a hill that tended to have wasps a lot and there is something exceedingly invigorating about running around the hill spraying the wasps and watching them drop like flies. It's a welcome break and it provides the fellow grounds worker much needed entertainment on a hot summer day.

How to NOT make friends -- Apparently, when you're on custodial, it's not professional to look for more work. A job that takes 20 minutes should take at least an hour and a half. Looking for extra work after 20 minutes is not professional and should be avoided at all costs. Instead, it is better to drag out a task as long as possible or play pool in Heritage Hall while waiting.

Humility -- Every PBU student should spend a semester working in the dishroom. It keeps you humble. It also teaches you how to work fast, be quick on your feet, and accept burning fingers because the plates come out so hot.

Zambonis -- The Zamboni machine is quite the thing. You have to develop the art of using your entire body weight to push the thing around. It's also a whole lot of fun when it overflows dirty, grey water over the floor you just cleaned. Zambonis teach you patience and the ability to laugh at yourself.

Cheesesteaks -- The Eagle's Nest has taught me the art of making really good cheesesteaks. This is a rather useful skill that I'm sure I'll use many times in my life (not).

Onions -- Apparently there are many ways to cut onions. I haven't figured them out, but I learned that there are different ways.

Romaine Lettuce -- Cutting Romaine lettuce in bulk is a skill I have mastered. It's loads of fun, too.

Data Entry -- One little mistake in Admit Gold can cause a lot of problems. Attention to detail is important. Speed is also handy too. Plus, I learned that I associate people by their applications. When I meet them in person I go "OOOOH! That's the person I entered a few months ago!"

Patience in the Tedious -- According to James, Enrollment Operations puts the "us" in tedious. Bulk mailings and meticulous countings of single sheets of paper for inventory teach patience and a good attitude in all things.

Radios -- Ok, so 10-2 means "I can hear you loud and clear" and 10-1 means "I didn't catch that." Never mess that up. I do it all the time. Also, the code for bathroom is "483." Thanks to PBU security, I learned how to use radio codes.

Vans -- Driving a van is definitely loads of fun. I never thought I would ever drive a vehicle bigger than my car. However, I like driving big vehicles a lot. If I ever have 12 kids, this skill will be handy.

People skills -- Apparently PBU has made me more outgoing. Hooray!

Time Management -- With working multiple jobs and having tons of homework, PBU has taught me how to use time effectively. I suppose this skill will come in handy even after I finish school.

Coffee -- Coffee is a must to begin a day. (Unless I'm sick -- then it's tea) I never really drank coffee until school. AND I never drank coffee this regularly until this semester. (Except today was my first cup in a week because I've been sick)

All-Nighters -- I have never pulled an all-nighter until this semester. Now I regularly pull 2 in a row. It's a blast for the rest of the week. Operating on few hours of sleep is a new skill I am slowly acquiring.

Geese -- Geese are things to chase. Whenever you see a flock of geese, you must chase them. It makes the day so much better.

Rabid Squirrels -- Always check trees for rabid squirrels before you climb them. Who knows, they might just fly out of the tree at you.

Tofu -- PBU has taught me the many ways to make tofu and the many different ways to name tofu dishes. Jerk Tofu, Tofu A La King... stuff like that.

Rice Cookers -- PBU has taught me the skill of using rice cookers, crock pots, and hot pots in many different ways. Who ever knew you could make stir fry in a rice cooker? Who knew you could can jelly using all three things? Who knew you could make really good chicken and dumpling stew in a rice cooker?

Thrifty Grocery Shopping -- Thanks to PBU, I have discovered Aldi and the Bucks Produce Store. PBU has taught me how to make good, cheap meals using both stores. Hooray.

How to Annoy the Mailroom People -- I learned that if you ask every day for a whole summer if you have mail, you can be known by your box number rather than your name. One guy used to call me "435" instead of "Becky."

I am a mere number -- When you work security, you're known by your shift start time. I have learned to be referred to as "23." I usually want to laugh, but it's not really funny. "18 this Supervisor." "This is 18. Go ahead." "When you get done, bring the jeep for 23." Since when am I a number?! Becky un-clear. Hahaha.

Microsoft Office Training -- Apparently this is going to look good on my resume. Hooray. Thanks to Enrollment Operations and being a student worker, I can now say I have been trained in Word and Outlook.

The Mennonite Look -- If you wear skirts enough every day, people think you're Mennonite and try to convince you that you are even when you deny it.

This is getting boring. Actually it was boring from the start. I lost all my inspiration. I'm sure there are many other things that PBU has taught me but I can't think of them.