Recently, I volunteered to be a bus monitor for an SGA sponsored trip to a Pirate game at PNC Park. SGA was able to acquire PNC's 'All You Can Eat' seats. The section gets you great seats with a view of Pittsburgh, tons of food, and baseball. Of course, among the choices of foods are your typical baseball associated ones; hot dogs and peanuts. You also have the options of nachos, burgers and cheeseburgers, popcorn, salad, fountain drinks and last but not least ice cream sandwiches. All are included in the price of your ticket. If that does not suffice, you do have the option of leaving your section to go and spend ten dollars on fries or beer etc. I personally, do not feel that spending an excessive amount of money on something that you could easily get for a lesser price elsewhere is necessary to achieve the real baseball experience, but to each their own. Regardless, you will still be able to get back into your section as long as you have your ticket, or your 'All You Can Eat' wristband.
I am a member of SGA. One meeting, I volunteered to be a bus monitor. A bus monitor's purpose is to make sure that everyone initially getting on the bus is supposed to be on the bus and that everyone leaving who is taking the bus back to campus makes it back onto the bus. I volunteered because I felt that my recent help as a senator was lacking and I wanted to be better. I also figured that being a bus monitor was not a highly sought after job. After I was selected, I was like what did I just do. The realization sunk in and I started thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong and how it would be my fault.
As the end of the week drew nearer, my stress in regards to the situation grew. I don't know if it was influenced by the relatively crappy week I was having or if I'm just a mess but I was not looking forward to Friday.
You know how Friday is the day where your stress lessens just a little bit? Your last class ends and you have no other obligations. You don't have any assignments due, and it seems like you have the freedom to do anything you want. Even though, you probably have loads to do and could benefit from starting them on said Friday.
Well, on Friday, my class ended and I had no relief.
The time rolled around to head over and wait for the buses and for the people. The buses came and I walked over with my spreadsheet and my highlighter to mark who got on my bus and I started asking people their names. The spreadsheet was not in alphabetical order so it took forever to find anyone, not to mention, multiple names were spelled incorrectly or just completely inaccurate (this was my fault). I felt horrible, one because I didn't know any of these people and two because I messed up their names. Eventually, we were on our way and everything was fine. We got into Pittsburgh and went into PNC and got our free t-shirts, and then our food and sat down. I was relieved, I was gonna sit and watch some baseball and not have to worry for a few hours. Wrong. Anytime I watch a sport, I watch a sport.
This was not watching a sport. This was a social event. I was very on edge. People were having a conversation across me. I didn't feel well. I just wanted to be anywhere else, honestly. Then, I went on a scavenger hunt with my friend for food. You could hardly walk, people were everywhere, children were unattended to and just wandering out, almost getting tripped over. To say the least, my anxiety level was high.
In the end, the game went into extra innings and we left early. Well, some people left early... but that's another story.
The night was long and stressful but I learned that I am still able to think even amongst stress and anxiety.
Pro Tip: Always bring a portable charger, if you don't have one; invest in one. Never let your phone die when you are going on a group outing and never leave the group if your phone dies. Tired and unhappy people will leave you stranded in the city of Pittsburgh. Fortunately for some, we are not said people.
