Beginning in 1976, we vacationed at a seaside area of Maine that we enjoyed very much. Initially invited to stay at a cottage that friends of my parents had rented, we continued to visit this less developed and quieter seaside area. One day during a drive along a rocky coastline, we decided to stop the car and explore the scenic area. We happened upon pristine tidal pools containing small crabs, fish, snails, starfish, and other interesting sea creatures. Then we noticed that some large rocks were hung with mussels. We decided to gather these mussels for the evening’s meal. We returned back to the cottage to cook the mussels and add them to a sauce. While cooking the mussels, we noticed many black pearls that were inside of the shells. Some of these pearls were larger than others, interesting, and provided us with an amazing surprise. The meal was delicious and so we decided to return to this area to gather more mussels for another meal. So, we returned once again and filled our container with more of these shellfish. Taking a different route back to the car, we viewed what appeared to be an old rusty town sign stating a warning not to eat the mussels as they are contaminated with nuclear waste. We looked around at this uninhabited, natural, and clean environment and wondered why this sign was erected. Later during our visit, we went huckleberry picking in a wooded area not too far from the cottage. Brother, fiancé, and I gathered huckleberries for a fresh fruit dessert. Father stated to fiancé that these berries were called something derogatory meaning hemorrhoids. Hence, fiancé, an immigrant, had no idea what he was saying, when referring to the name of these berries, creating plenty of laughter on this trip. Later, he was told the true meaning of this derogatory word and chuckled.
In the autumn, I became particularly focused on my studies spending long hours in the school library working on research assignments. Some of these assignments necessitated the scrutiny and examining of statistics. At that time, I thought that I should return to examine some of these statistics more carefully, when more time was available as there appeared to be discrepancies with some statistics within a subject area. Along with extensive course requirements, professors would also provide students with recommended reading lists that were sometimes very long and extensive. After briefly reviewing these lists, I felt overwhelmed and sensed a need to withdraw. After a period of time, I reconsidered this thought and decided that perhaps I would like to read some of these books on the lists after all, but postponed that idea for a less hurried time of my life.
Increasingly, my attention was centered on completing school with a good grade point average and obtaining gainful employment. Although the university offered opportunities to participate as a member in various clubs and organizations, I refrained from joining any group partly because of time constraints. Tentatively, fiancé and I intended to marry in the summer of 1981, so in addition to school and career concerns, wedding arrangements were also contemplated.
Retrospective: For many students a minimum wage job and other jobs, interfere with a student’s ability to do well in school that in some cases result in student failures. Prioritizing school work before paid employment is suggested. Perhaps a loan or other arrangements can be made for expenses during the time of school attendance. Group projects can inspire engagement in Capital Sins based on the dynamics of the group. Each group member should bear complete responsibility for their contribution to the group by assigning individual grades. In some countries around the world such as Poland, the