Damn it’s great to be a senior. Today I woke up, went to yoga class, had lunch, and then played 18 holes on the Stanford Golf Course (http://stanfordgolfcourse.com). Students pay $13 for nine holes or $25 for a full round (alumni pay $50 and $100 respectively). Or you can do what I did and buy a 10-play scrip card for $200. Anyway, I shot a 108 (par 71). Even though my golf skills were lacking, I was still able to enjoy the weather, the scenery, and the company. The sun was out all day and it felt more like June than February. I had the pleasure of meeting Peter, a doctor in his 40’s. A few years ago Peter sold everything he owned and moved to Hawaii. He and his wife stayed there for about a year and have since moved back to the bay area. I also met Mike, an elderly gentleman. Mike must have at least 50 years of golf experience under his belt because every shot he hit was right where he wanted it. When I asked him how he landed a particularly tricky approach shot just inches from the pin, he responded, “I don’t know, I just swing.” If only I could “just swing” like that.

Of all the holes, the 18th was my favorite. Between the view north all the way to the San Mateo bridge and the sunset dropping west over the foothills, I couldn’t imagine anywhere else I would have rather been on a Thursday afternoon. Of course I should have been in my Earth Systems section, but I went to a different section yesterday so it’s not like I missed any material.

Tomorrow I have Earth Systems lecture in the morning and Finance after lunch. Normally I’d have Sleep and Dreams in the morning as well, but for some reason there is no class tomorrow. Hey, I’m not complaining. I have three midterms early next week, so I’ll have to get some studying done this weekend. Of course, it’s not all work and no play. Tomorrow I have rugby practice from 3:30 until dinner. Later that night I’ll be working security at a campus party. Apparently they want a big guy around in case anyone needs an escort out the door. Hopefully it’ll be a fun and otherwise uneventful night because I have a rugby game at St. Mary’s on Saturday in Moraga. Rugby is a brutal sport so I’ll need all the energy I can get. Saturday is also my 22nd birthday, so my dad will be in town. We’re from Kirkland, WA, so it’s cool when he gets a chance to make the trek down to Palo Alto. After the game, we’re going to have a nice dinner at the Sundance Steakhouse (http://sundancethesteakhouse.com/). Great steaks, a bit overpriced, but I can’t complain when it’s my dad’s treat. As of now, I don’t have any plans for later in the night but I’m sure I’ll figure out something. It is my birthday after all.

That’s about it for now. I’ll try to update again soon. Maybe I’ll have some gnarly rugby stories to tell after this weekend.