Tock's shoutbox - Help.com

Hello Tock.

How have you been?

Hello, Tock.

How have you been getting along?

True.

I will indeed look ahead and hope for better Bio classes.

I hope you’re not left with anymore bad experiences from your labs. Labs are meant to be fun, but I know they can also be exact opposite.

Have a nice weekend, Tock.

Interesting. It only seems reasonable and perhaps more advantageous to minor in something that is connected with the major.

Heh, after my experience with my Biology professor I thought I’d be one to despise Biology thereafter. Nonetheless I had to convince myself, which I did so successfully, that it wasn’t the subject that I needed to dislike, but rather the methodology of the teacher. Unfortunately for me I missed the opportunity to evaluate the professor. I got so engrossed in my job and with my studies that I completely forgot all about it.

I hope so too. Professors really have the power to make a class either a dreadful nightmare or a great enjoyment.

That would probably be the best way to make my decision as far as minors go.

Did you have any trouble deciding on a major/minor?

It’s unfortunate indeed how one bad experience with something can prejudice us against it forever. I’ve always thought it to be strange how we assume that we’re going to greatly enjoy a class before it begins and then halfway into the semester we regret ever signing up for the class and want nothing more than to make it out as quickly as possible.

I look forward to taking Chemistry. Biology was interesting but the instructor made it worse than it had to be and so everyone dreaded coming to class, including me.

Agreed. I should think Wonderland would be a cool experience.

Yes and yes. That is why it’s proving to be so difficult to decide.

Well, I understand that everyone has their own preferences. So if I was pursuing a major in something unpopular or undesirable to many, I’d expect no discouragement from those who simply find it uninteresting, too difficult, or whatever the case may be. I also understand that people sometimes judge things on what they might believe or have heard about them, which could very well be untrue. Biochemistry may sound uninteresting or daunting to many, but I think one should refrain from holding any negative preconceptions about the subject until one has gained adequate knowedge or experience with it.

Thank you for your encouragement.

Speaking of sanity, Alice in Wonderland comes to mind: ‘But I don’t want to go among mad people,’ Alice remarked.
‘Oh, you can’t help that,’ said the Cat: ‘we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.’
‘How do you know I’m mad?’ said Alice.
‘You must be,’ said the Cat, ‘or you wouldn’t have come here.’

Indeed I have. So far I have taken 3 Psychology courses and I believe the same number of English/Lit. courses.

Those sound very interesting, especially the Biochemistry. Do you have a favorite kind of math? I personally like Geometry more than the others.

Although I haven’t fully concluded on my major yet, I am strongly considering a major in Criminology.

I agree. Where would we be without sanity? The nuthouse I presume?

My own sanity is still with me. But I do occasionally misplace it.

My thoughts also. It’s indeed a tough decision. But I’m confident I’ll be happy with whichever one I choose.

What is your major and minor?

I’ve always been one to discover things in life later than usual. It’s actually quite funny.

I think you’ll enjoy it more too since minors are intended to be areas of personal interest.

Our sanity is important. I’m glad you’re finding effective ways to keep yours.

I was considering doing a minor in English or Psychology. It seems I’m leaning more towards English.

True. My main concern now is trying to find equilibrium between my responsibilities and freedom. Oh, how I miss the days of my carefree youth when the feeling of being free was thought to be everlasting.

Two degrees is always better than one. Funnily enough, I wasn’t aware until recently that one could take classes for their minor before completing a major. That seems like a good route to go, though, especially if you can manage well and pass everything.

It’s not so bad. There are definitely more responsibilities for me - those can make it nerve-wracking.

It seems like a lot of students pursue a major and also a minor. I was thinking about doing the same.

I hope your classes continue to bring you plenty of enjoyment.

That sounds fun. A little nerve-wracking, but fun.

I’m mostly taking classes for my major and minor, so nothing too terribly interesting to other people. Although I enjoy them.

Well I’m glad you’re enjoying your classes.

I’m doing all right. I moved into an apartment a couple of weeks ago and now I’m just trying to adapt to the conditions and the reality of being more independent.

Taking any interesting classes this semester?

Hello, Tock. How have things been lately?

I understand completely. You’re right. I should call her whenever I have the chance. It’s always better to hear a voice speaking than to read only words. That may be the answer. Even if it makes no difference whether I call or not, it’s still worth trying since my options are very limited. I hardly believe it would hurt.

Texting. Unfortunately, the service in my area is not too good so I am limited to texting. But I’m afraid we would still be texting mostly even if I lived in an area with excellent service.

You’re right. I know things will get better; it just takes time.

We haven’t talked since Wednesday night. I thought she might ask me to do something with her this weekend but it looks like that’s not going to happen. I cannot keep initiating the conversation. Nor can I keep asking her to hang out when I’ve already done so. Do you think I’m doing the right thing by not contacting her? Or should I not play the game of “it’s your turn to contact me since I contacted you last”?

Thank you for the kind words. It really means a lot.

I have wanted to talk to her, but it seems like we only get the chance to talk through our phones anymore - and that is not exactly the best way to have a conversation.

Right now I’m trying to convince myself that I have done all that I could to be a friend to her and just let her go. It seems as though the few occasions that we do talk that it’s a one-way conversation with me being the one mostly contributing and keeping the conversation alive. It used to be different, though. We could both talk and contribute to the conversation with ease.

I feel like a toy that has been given to a child which was fun and interesting only for a short while. But after then the toy gets old and is cast aside.

I think I’m just confused. My feelings for her are conflicting right now. A part of me wants to constantly forgive her and another part of me wants to blame her and detach myself from her forever. I don’t know what to do. The latter seems more probable at the moment, however. We shall see I guess.

Thank you again, Tock. I value our friendship.

Ah, the girl. The last time we hung out was about three weeks ago. I suspect that her initial feelings towards me has changed. For one thing, we don’t talk as much as we did after we first met. Within the first two weeks after meeting her, it seemed as though I couldn’t put my phone because we were constantly talking.

Even when I had to work nightshift, she would stay awake as long as she could just to talk to me. I would wake up to a “good morning” and go to sleep to a “good night.” But then it all sort of grew less and less - the texting that is. She never calls me. I suppose she prefers texting. I have also noticed that she doesn’t respond to my messages until many hours later.

The Friday before last, I sent her a message asking if she wanted to do something but she never replied or addressed my message. It was after that day that the communication between us seemed to change. That following Saturday, I asked her if she wanted to hang out and she said yes. When she got home from work, she told me she would text me after she got out of the shower. Almost 3 hours passed by and I, dressed and waiting patiently for her text, figured it was time to see why it’s taking so long. So I texted her and she responded with “Can we do a rain check? I’m sorry.” I thought it was very strange that, judging by her response to my invitation earlier that day, she seemed so enthusiastic about going and then all of sudden wishes not to go at the last minute. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed - mainly because that was two days in succession that I felt like she wanted to avoid me for whatever reason.

Maybe it just wasn’t the best weekend to ask her out. Since then I haven’t invited her to do anything else. I wish I knew if there was something I did that changed her perception of me. But I cannot afford to worry about it. I often wonder if it was a mistake to have met her. For those first two weeks in my life after we met, I felt like I was on cloud nine. And now I feel like someone has lifted me up and dropped me to the ground.

She lead me to believe that she really liked me so every day that went by I allowed myself to grow closer to her. It’s difficult for me to feel the way I did before I met her because there is something about our first time getting to know one another that assured me I made the right move.

Sorry for the long-winded reply.

I shouted myself. Haha.

I’m glad to hear it.

All is well on my end, I suppose. I cannot complain too much.

Hello, Tock. How is everything?

It used to be that Int’l Friendship Day was the 1st Sunday of August, but April 27, 2011, the General Assembly of the UN set July 30th as Int’l Friendship Day. Thus, so sorry that I’m a day late :)

Very well. I hope you’ll have it end well then ^^

Yeah, so is peace. And I have as much peace with the chances of success as I have with the chances of failure at the moment. Because either way, at least I have done my best.

Similar. There are difficulties but I at least have an idea of what I can do about them even if the outcome isn’t always satisfactory.

Have things been going well for you Tock?

I want to believe it’s true too - that is, a guy and a girl can just be friends their entire lives and nothing else. But for some reason, I cannot cast out a quote from my mind: “A guy and a girl can be just friends, but at one point or another, they will fall for each other…Maybe temporarily, maybe at the wrong time, maybe too late, or maybe forever.”

It doesn’t worry me at all. If our friendship is meant to develop into something more, then it is simply meant to be, I suppose. Only time will tell.

That is true.

I’m not quite sure what her intentions are in terms of establishing a close relationship or just remaining friends. I think I could be happy either way. However, when we first met, I did ask her if she had a boyfriend and she said no. Then I asked her if she’d like to hang out sometime and she said yes. So I have to wonder if she considers me a boyfriend after asking her the simple question if she had one or if she thinks it’s my intention to be her boyfriend. Or perhaps I am a boyfriend in the making, haha. I wouldn’t know because I cannot get inside her mind to see what she’s thinking. I suppose it’s better to be left in suspense for now. I consider us just friends, and I want to believe that she does as well - at least for now anyway.

I suppose my last question was rather ambiguous. My apologies. What do you think about a girl and a guy just remaining friends? Would you say that the friendship is apt to develop into something more?

Yes, you’re right. It appears that she has either forgotten all about it or did not even notice the fact that I neglected to open the car door. I suppose it was silly of me to brood about it. Come to think of it, it probably would’ve looked even sillier if I had jumped out of the car hurriedly just to open the door for her. That last thing I want to do is give the impression that I’m overly obliging.

I think right now we’re just friends, you know, hanging out and spending time together. There is no rush into anything. After all, it would be folly to proclaim that we’re in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship only after one date, would it not?

What is your opinion of having someone as a friend and having someone as more than a friend?

I don’t think she’s a chivalry stickler, but I could be wrong. We watched the movie Zookeeper. It was her choosing and it actually turned out to be more comical than I expected. On the whole I think we had a good time and she did say that we should do it again. I suppose I just overanalyzed things a bit. Nonetheless it’s good to hear a second opinion.

Thank you, Tock. I will indeed remember that - it’s better to be responsive than impressive.

Thanks. I hope so too.

Yes. We talk quite often, namely through text messaging. We went out to see a movie last night and somehow I made the mistake of not opening the door for her - the car door that is. I hope she doesn’t hold that against me, as I accidentally forgot all about it because I was so excited about the date. I feel like I’m less of a gentleman now. Perhaps I’m just being too hard on myself.

Thank you for listening. I feel better just knowing that I can talk to someone about this.

I’m glad to hear it. I hope things continue to move in a good direction for you.

I’m doing well.

Actually, I don’t know. I’ve recently met a girl and my whole life feels different. Until we met, I haven’t really reflected on my own life too much and where I was going. I have feelings for her but I don’t know if she feels similarly. And the stronger me feelings grow, the more I cannot help but think that something is going to happen and one, if not the both of us, is going to end up getting hurt.

Hello, my friend. How are things?

Thank you for approving my avatar. It makes me happy to know that someone realizes what it is.

Do not despair, my friend. There is a remedy for everything except death.

You’ll find the remedy.

That is true. I think many fear the social stigma of being associated with - even in the remotest way - a person suffering a severe mental illness.

Ah, do you mean to say that those whom it would likely benefit the most would ignore the opportunity?

Nice.

I think every school should incorporate a counseling center for such problems, as I’m sure many would take advantage of it.

That’s very good.

I’m sure many students are reaping the benefits, considering how many students probably need counseling and cannot afford it.

Ah, that’s cool.

So are the services free?

Ah, I see.

Perhaps it’s for the better that your conversations remain as such?

I’m curious, though. Is your counselor one of the following: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healt…

What is your counselor’s interpretation of the symptoms and signs of your mental and emotional functioning?

Has he determined whether your problems reflect a particular disorder?

Are your suicidal thoughts only triggered when you see your counselor?

Ah, that makes sense.

Well, as long as suicide doesn’t consume your thoughts every waking moment, I think there is a good chance you will grow less interested in suicide and more interested in life.

If truth be told, I have went to bed many a night while feeling depressed and helpless, generally because I reflect on my life and feel disappointed in myself for seemingly no good reason. But then again, don’t we all experience those nights of sorrow?

Does your counselor know about your suicidal thoughts?

I want you to know that however thinkable or good suicide might seem, it is, my friend, the act of choosing an early end to life, and perhaps the greatest irrevocable decision one could ever make.

There was a time in my own life when I didn’t want to live. But no matter how badly I wanted to die, I knew that I didn’t have it in me to ever go through with it. I believe my thoughts of suicide never amounted to anything other than thoughts because there was always an underlying reason in the back of my mind to continue living.

And thank you very much.