Van Chronicles: Student Maintains a 4.0 within the walls of a van

The sharply dressed guy, obviously fresh out of the shower, and looking much more awake than I was at nine a.m. was not the college van dude I was expecting to interview last Friday morning. In fact, if I hadn’t seen him expertly maneuver his red high top GMC into my tiny driveway, I might not have believed that he was really living out of it. Over our first cup of coffee on my porch, I asked him how his morning was; he had already ran, stretched, eaten breakfast, worked on his honors thesis, and showered. Let me repeat, it was nine a.m.
I had invited Isaac Kroger, @organism_ike over to my house to talk about living in his van because I’ve noticed a pandemic-esque trend in this lifestyle, and it’s got me asking a ton of questions. I was immediately intrigued when I heard that Isaac had spent last semester climbing in Europe all while living out of a van and maintaining his status as a full-time senior honors electrical engineering student with the U of A.
“Whenever people ask me what I’m gonna do with that degree, I say rock climb. Travel the world and rock climb.” Isaac wants to get a job as a programmer on the road; he has worked internships in this area and his honors thesis is on software development. “It’s kinda the ultimate job as a climber… you make your own hours and get the job done. All you need is an internet connection.”
Van living has become curiously prevalent among our generation as more and more people realize the savings, flexibility, and freedom that this alternative living style offers. Isaac says he decided it was the right move for him while he was in Spain and saw that almost everyone at the crag had rolled up in their apartment-on-wheels.
“I got the van back in January when I figured out that the price I would pay for rent for just one semester, $3,500, could buy a van.”
Which begs the question, is it possible that what appears to be a stigma for broke hippies could actually be a practical decision? It might seem crazy, but we’ve come to accept leggings as business casual and living bacteria as a energy drink fad- is this any more out there?
According to Isaac, this isn’t the only misconception he faces, “I guess it’s looked down upon because people get the feeling that when they see someone who’s supposed to be ‘grown up’ living in a van, they’re like ‘Oh, this person never made it’. Like they weren’t able to find a job to support them to live in a normal household and live a normal life. That’s the whole misunderstanding… because the whole point of having a van is to be free of all that.”
This seems to be a recurring motif among the vanlivers I’ve met: Freedom, a constant mobility, an open ended question, an intangible lure. But at what cost?
Does this mean giving up careers and partnership and family? Is it a wild sabbatical or a lifelong choice? I posed this question to Isaac as we were climbing over the weekend.
“I think one of the caveats to that question,” he said, “is that you’re still under thirty. After that point, it seems like people’s mindsets really shift. I’ve talked to people who have said that to me explicitly, like ‘Oh, that’s awesome that you’re doing that! As long as you don’t end up living in it the rest of your life.’”
I asked him if he agrees with that.
“No. Heck no, are you kidding me? Why do you have to be in your twenties to live the life you wanna live?”
That stuck with me on the drive from the crag back to Fayetteville. I realized that I had just had an incredible day with great friends doing what we all love and I hadn’t thought once about a single one of their homes the entire time because I didn’t care. That’s not something we typically judge people based on hopefully, because it doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment, house, basement, car, or pineapple under the sea. What matters is that you’re happy. And many find such happiness in its purest form gathered around those silly, beautiful rocks that call us all together, no matter how or why we get there.
Meredith Reitemeier is a writer, artist, traveler, photographer, and climber living in Fayetteville Arkansas. She works as a guide for the university outdoor center and is always planning and saving for her next adventure. You can follow her journeys at @reitemeier or thoughtstashblog.
How Recovery Nerd Assists Me in Recovering Lost Ethereum Totaling $129,542 I never thought I would get back the $129,542 worth of Ethereum I lost to a Ponzi fraud, so I am writing my story with a great deal of relief and thankfulness. It was a catastrophic incident. After spending my hard-earned money on what I believed to be a genuine opportunity, I discovered it was actually a very well-veiled fraud. I felt helpless as the knowledge struck. I felt I would never see my money again after my attempts to get in touch with the scheme’s managers were met with silence. Until I discovered Recovery Nerd. Recovery Nerd was suggested by a friend who clarified that they were an expert in blockchain recovery services. Desperate but skeptical, I made the decision to get in touch. I was greeted with professionalism and empathy as soon as I made contact. They promised to have the resources and know-how required to track down and retrieve my misplaced Ethereum. I was kept updated at every stage of the difficult procedure. To protect my money, they carefully monitored all blockchain transactions, located the wallets that were involved, and collaborated with the appropriate authorities. Their team’s perseverance was unshakable, and their understanding of the crypto industry was clear. I was ecstatic to hear that my ETH had been restored after working for several days. I felt so much relief. The Recovery Nerd’s team’s tireless work made what appeared impossible feasible. I am really grateful to them for their assistance. They transformed a nightmare into a tale of perseverance and healing. I highly recommend Recovery Nerd if you ever find yourself in a similar circumstance. You may contact them via WhatsApp at + 6 (488) 893-280 or recoverynerd(@)mail(.)com. I wish you luck. In the confusing world of cryptocurrencies, they are genuinely a ray of hope.
I’m open to discussing my bitcoin investing experience. However, you can recover the bitcoins that were taken from you. I never believed that bitcoin could be recovered since I was told that it was not possible. After falling for a forex scam that promised ridiculously high profits, I recently lost around $417,400. Before discovering the RECOVERY NERD article online, I searched everywhere for help. I was again ecstatic when I got in touch with RECOVERY NERD. Make contact with RECOVERY NERD right away. They are a legitimate hacker collective that can assist with a speedy and effective bitcoin recovery. RECOVERY NERD can be reached at: Webpage: recoverynerd. netMail: recoverynerd@ mail.com
HOW TO TRACE LOST AND STOLEN BITCOIN/HIRE LEGIT HACKER TO RECOVER LOST FUNDS /CAPTAIN JACK CRYPTO RECOVERY
It’s best to speak with an expert in blockchain money recovery, such as Captain Jack Crypto Recovery, in order to recover lost Bitcoin. Give him any information you know about the transaction so he can properly assess the circumstances. Working with a professional greatly increases your chances of success, even if the recovery process can vary in duration and does not guarantee success.
Mail……………captainjackcryptorecovery@outlook.com
WhatsApp……+4915782317112
Website……….captainjackcryptor.wixsite.com/captain-jack-crypto
Getting Back Lost, Hacked or Stolen Crypto: A1 WIZARD HACKES
In the world of cryptocurrency, security is paramount. However, despite our best efforts to protect our digital assets, instances of lost, hacked, or stolen crypto occur. In such frustrating and devastating situations, it’s essential to have access to professional help that can assist in recovering these assets.
One such solution comes in the form of A1 WIZARD HACKES, a reputable and reliable service provider dedicated to assisting individuals and businesses in recovering lost, hacked, or stolen cryptocurrency. A1 WIZARD HACKES offers a range of services tailored to address various scenarios where digital assets may be compromised. Their team of experts is well-versed in the latest techniques and technologies for recovering and securing cryptocurrency, ensuring that their clients receive the best possible assistance in their time of need.
Contact Info:
E-mail : A1wizardhackes@cyberservices.com
whatsssApp : +1 678 439 9760
website : a1wizardhackes.com
People who are having trouble accessing their digital assets may find that Recovering Cryptocurrency with Experts is a workable alternative. These specialist professionals can help with issues like forgotten private keys or lost passwords because they have extensive knowledge of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency systems. They prioritize security and confidentiality while attempting recovery using cutting-edge methods and resources. Scams and fraudulent businesses do exist, thus it’s important to be cautious and confirm the legitimacy of such services. To guarantee a reliable and successful bitcoin recovery experience, it is essential to conduct research on credible specialists, ask for suggestions, and maintain transparency during the recovery procedure. Contact RecoveryNerd Agency today to speak with a specialist, and you’ll thank me afterwards. WhatsApp details: +61 488 893 280
Leave a comment