It's that time of the year when we realize that even though the semester has gone by in the wink of an eye, we managed to cram a lot into that extended moment. An assortment of things have occurred this semester, some of which have been documented on here, some of which may be referenced to in future postings, while others will remain secret from the public.
I have killed so many trees this semester as my full binder reflects. Many forms of notes have been resurrected: crumpled notes from the depths of my bag, notes filled with doodles in the margins, notes with funny quotes from class, but most of them are notes jam-packed with knowledge and facts I am expected to know by heart. Give me enough time and that will happen, but there simply is not enough time in the day.
I am not a huge fan of quiet places. But recently I have found myself at the library more and more, simply craving a secret nook where I can focus on my studies. I just spent 3 and 1/2 hours in a corner of Canaday driving myself crazy with chemistry involving radical distributions, orbitals, thermodynamics, polyatomic ions, and solubility rules to name a few topics. Welcome to finals week ! The week in which I will lose sanity, sleep, and common sense.
I will be done on Thursday at 12:30pm ! That is the ultimate goal. The countdown has begun. Finish with three exams and an oral so I can watch Avatar: The Last Airbender with Vanessa and go home to my family. Four things stand between me and the official end of the semester. Four pieces of chocolate remain on my "done is good" list. The end is near ! I can see the light !
It's about time I went home. Who knew I would actually miss the humidity? Especially when the weather up here in Philadelphia reaches freezing. I'm pretty sure the blood in my veins freezes a little bit each time there is a frost. It is a strange phenomenon, sometimes the cold really gets to me and sometimes I will step outside in flip-flops without a second thought. I've been chided a great many times for my clothing choices as the weather has changed, but as long as my toes do not go blue, I will continue to wear flip-flops.
I will be the death of Liz, who probably worries everyday whether or not this will be the day she will get that fateful call from Bryn Mawr Hospital. Perhaps that call will include blue toes needing an amputation, perhaps a broken arm or leg from going down Erdman hill in a shopping cart, or perhaps some other strange occurrence. You never know !
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thanksgiving and a Reminder for the Holiday Season
Thanksgiving was yesterday. I unlike many college students did not go home. Christmas break is only 3 weeks away, so it was not worth the airfare to go home for less than four days; besides, my family does not even celebrate Thanksgiving. Instead I celebrated Thanksgiving with other members of the Bryn Mawr community. It was fantastic to have a home-cooked meal after so many weeks of dinning hall food !
In America, Thanksgiving begins the holiday season. Christmas songs begin to appear, Santa hats are resurrected out of dusty boxes, Christmas lights and trees are erected . . . the list goes on, but the holiday season is also about giving. I recently did a French debate about whether or not we are more civilized now or before. I believe we are less civilized, especially because we have become less giving. Wat ever happened to giving time and money to help those less fortunate ? Have we forgotten that in an instant we could be those at the bottom of the pecking order without a place to stay ? Our current "social status" is never permanent, it ebbs and flows over time. Nothing lasts forever, do not believe that it will because you will be disappointed.
In these harsh economic times, there are more and more people struggling to make it through the holiday season, so find a warm spot in your heart to think of them. Think of those who are fighting for our freedom away from their families in other countries, think of those who have no where to go when the snow starts to fall, think of those who must decide whether to buy their children gifts for Christmas or pay the heating bill, there are so many more examples because the hardships go on. Think of others this holiday season : send a letter to a member of our military, donate your time to a non-profit organization, buy a gift for a child you do not know, there are so many ways to help those in need.
Even the little things go a long way in the spirit of the holidays !
In America, Thanksgiving begins the holiday season. Christmas songs begin to appear, Santa hats are resurrected out of dusty boxes, Christmas lights and trees are erected . . . the list goes on, but the holiday season is also about giving. I recently did a French debate about whether or not we are more civilized now or before. I believe we are less civilized, especially because we have become less giving. Wat ever happened to giving time and money to help those less fortunate ? Have we forgotten that in an instant we could be those at the bottom of the pecking order without a place to stay ? Our current "social status" is never permanent, it ebbs and flows over time. Nothing lasts forever, do not believe that it will because you will be disappointed.
In these harsh economic times, there are more and more people struggling to make it through the holiday season, so find a warm spot in your heart to think of them. Think of those who are fighting for our freedom away from their families in other countries, think of those who have no where to go when the snow starts to fall, think of those who must decide whether to buy their children gifts for Christmas or pay the heating bill, there are so many more examples because the hardships go on. Think of others this holiday season : send a letter to a member of our military, donate your time to a non-profit organization, buy a gift for a child you do not know, there are so many ways to help those in need.
Even the little things go a long way in the spirit of the holidays !
Saturday, November 12, 2011
College Life Through My Eyes
Freshman year of college . . . no-one ever tells you how it will really be. It is your chance to discover freedom, to discover domesticity, to discover who you are.
No-one ever tells you that you will be up late into the night running around bare foot in the Cloistsers.
No-one ever tells you that you will be running up and down your hall in a shopping cart.
No-one ever tells you that you will have intense Celtic study picnics in the hall.
No-one ever tells you that you will sit on a ledge outside the window with a blanket and pillows at midnight.
No-one ever tells you that you will spend the night finger-painting and colouring pictures like a five-year old.
No-one ever tells you that you will be forest nymphs dancing on the wall in the mystery of the night.
No-one ever tells you that you will be rolling down hills.
No-one ever tells you that you will be up at doing a Harry Potter jigsaw puzzle in the wee hours of the morning.
No-one ever tells you that you will climb up walls and jump over fences.
No-one ever tells you that you will use tea bags for arts and crafts not tea.
College is what you make it. I have memories to last a lifetime and it has only been three months into freshman year. Who knows what these next four years will hold, but I know I will live each day (and night) to the fullest because you never know which one will be your last.
No-one ever tells you that you will be up late into the night running around bare foot in the Cloistsers.
No-one ever tells you that you will be running up and down your hall in a shopping cart.
No-one ever tells you that you will have intense Celtic study picnics in the hall.
No-one ever tells you that you will sit on a ledge outside the window with a blanket and pillows at midnight.
No-one ever tells you that you will spend the night finger-painting and colouring pictures like a five-year old.
No-one ever tells you that you will be forest nymphs dancing on the wall in the mystery of the night.
No-one ever tells you that you will be rolling down hills.
No-one ever tells you that you will be up at doing a Harry Potter jigsaw puzzle in the wee hours of the morning.
No-one ever tells you that you will climb up walls and jump over fences.
No-one ever tells you that you will use tea bags for arts and crafts not tea.
College is what you make it. I have memories to last a lifetime and it has only been three months into freshman year. Who knows what these next four years will hold, but I know I will live each day (and night) to the fullest because you never know which one will be your last.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Bryn Mawr Alight with White Snow and Green Lanterns
Sunday night was a beautiful tradition at Bryn Mawr called Lantern Night !
The freshman class, the class of 2015, carried on the Bryn Mawr tradition by receiving our black lanterns with green glass.
It really seems as if we have entered a cult. The black robes, the magnificent stone Cloisters, the gorgeous lanterns all lit up, singing Sophias in ancient Latin . . . it really was quite a scene ! Definitely one I will never forget and one I will cherish forever. I now understand why every woman who has passed through or who is currently at Bryn Mawr places their lantern in a place of respect, to be admired for years to come, because they are so proud to call themselves Mawrters. I am proud to call myself a Mawrter of the class of 2015 !
The freshman class, the class of 2015, carried on the Bryn Mawr tradition by receiving our black lanterns with green glass.
It really seems as if we have entered a cult. The black robes, the magnificent stone Cloisters, the gorgeous lanterns all lit up, singing Sophias in ancient Latin . . . it really was quite a scene ! Definitely one I will never forget and one I will cherish forever. I now understand why every woman who has passed through or who is currently at Bryn Mawr places their lantern in a place of respect, to be admired for years to come, because they are so proud to call themselves Mawrters. I am proud to call myself a Mawrter of the class of 2015 !
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Theory on Personality Traits of the Different Rowers of an Eight
I found this theory on the Internet and found it quite hilarious !!!
Cox:
It's pretty obvious what traits a cox must adopt and tries to learn to do a good job in this most unique position in the athletic world. I'll pass on the leadership stuff, napoleon complex garbage, and point out a secondary characteristic or two that coxes unintentionally inherit after riding in the box for a while.
They can't drive a car anymore. They take 10 miles to change a lane, over steer, can't find the brakes, and yell to the car a lot. This has nothing to do with the coxes' former driving ability. Stick Richard Petty in a cox seat for awhile, they'll take his driver's license away. Coxes also begin to squint a lot, no loss in vision, they just squint.
Stroke:
'It's a tough job but only I can do it.' The meekest, most frightened non-rower in the world; when plugged reluctantly in the stroke seat, stays meek up until the first few strokes. The first few paddle strokes, a thought grows in the wimps' sniveling little mind that this job is his/hers for life. Back on the shore, the real personality will percolate back to the surface. 'I hope you guys could follow me OK.' In the boat they're thinking: 'stop rushing, you weenies!' Strokes are born and made to be the most competitive person in the boat by far, and if they stroke long enough, become overly competitive in everything they pursue, or don't pursue. Don't expect to finish a game of Monopoly, Risk, or Golf with a stroke. The only one that can beat him to the chow line is the three man (more later) because the stroke was delayed trying to put more oars away in the rack than anyone else.
Seven:
This seat is the Bitch Niche. I don't know if whining, overly bossy, big-mouthed complainers are born, and I can't believe that the cosmic effect of this seat could possibly be so instantaneous, but you could teach Mother Theresa to row in a tank, stick her in an eight at seven for the first time, and as the stern four is rowing away from the dock, she'll turn around and yell at the bow four to 'set the f*cking boat.' The longer one rows at seven, the more sophisticated and complex the bitching becomes, changing from a crude verbal rowing suggestion to the six man in the early stages to long winded level- voiced reasoned treatises after every piece explaining why the crew is slower now than last week. Ever wonder why when a coach drives up shell-side to ask how a piece went he says: 'So how did that go, fellas? -not you seven.' I was a team captain, looked up to leader of my college crew, kept my mouth shut and did my job. I raced one week at seven, my coach told me to 'shut up Sullivan' in a post race meeting. Women who deal with severe PMS mood swings will find those swings totally disappear after some time at seven. Permanent OTR.
Six:
If you bred Arnold Swartzeneggar with a Golden Retriever, you get a six. Six is also Seven's yin. The gentle giant, gorilla in the mist. Six absorbs most of Seven's bitching and keeps it from moving through to the rest of the crew. Six nods and agrees a lot. It is a hard thing for a normal person to row Six. It seems like such a great seat, you're in the stern, the boats more stable here, but you are done with a rowing career at six, you find you been used. Sixes are characterized by great competence in execution of rowing and life, but poor self confidence and a propensity to self-flagellation. Take your 3 year stroke out of the stroke seat and stick him/her at six for a week. This will be the first time you ever hear him/her say: 'My fault, fellas,' at the end of a poor piece. Sixes meditate. Sixes marry, go to work for, and lend their power tools to sevens. This support system keeps sevens with thriving businesses, mates they can walk all over, and a garage full of power tools at their disposal that they don't have to fix when they break.
Five:
God. Yahweh. Allah. Buddha. It's not that the five seat IS those things, its just that's how (s)he gets treated. Five's stool don't stink, the catches don't hang. They're the older brother or sister that gets special treatment, and has no idea. If a photo is taken of the crew, five will look great, everyone else is caught with shirttails out, and snot on the lip. At heart and soul, five forgets to change oil, pay phone bills, and turn in forms to the IRS. Five is an example of what happens to a bum that is treated like a king, they act like one. Five has the greatest delta between image and reality. The fortunate thing is that the unearned unabashed worship lasts only as long as the time on the water. Five's on his own back at home. Five wears aviator glasses.
Four:
The Amnesia-seat. Take a genius with a photographic memory. Row said genius at four. Listen to him ask for the third time in the same warm up, 'How many of these 500s are we doing?' Four seat is not stupid, just has immediate and catastrophic memory loss. At a start and 20, four settles at 21 because in the time the cox yelled 'settle in two,' he forgot. In a Novice boat where the seats have been removed and cleaned, it'll be four's that went back in backwards. Four will forget to tell the boatman about his(her) stripped rigger nut - usually from the time he is told by the coach, until he arrives at the boatman's bench wondering what he's doing there. On that first day on the water as the ice is breaking up, who is rummaging around the back of the boathouse looking for a sweatshirt? Four is why racing shirts are handed out on race day.
Three:
Late in the water. Late to practice. Late to class. Late to work. Late out of the water. Late to his date. Late to the team bus. Late for everything but chow line. There is no competitiveness involved here, just an uncanny knack to have the first three rowers into the dining hall stopped by friends for a brief discussion while three breezes on by to the tray stack. Three generally gets assigned a sitter.
Two:
Lean to the left, lean to the right, stand up, sit down, fight fight fight. Cheerleader. What is amazing, is to sit at four or five after a particular piece - seven is whining about the balance, the spacing, no swing, rushing: two is back there with pom poms saying: ALL RIGHT GUYS! LETS DO THAT AGAIN!... Two calls out names of power 10s. 'Awright guys - OAR CLASH TEN!' If he says something funny, he repeated something the bowman prompted him with.
Bow:
Comedian. The bow seat creates a strange fatalism. They know that in a catastrophic collision, they'll be the only one to die or get paralysed. Consequently there is a constant quiet stream of one-liners that two or three could probably hear if two were not cheering loudly. If the bow is joined by a cox in a front-loader, this trait completely disappears, since someone is now likely to hear him joke about three being late, five not pulling hard, or the cox's course looking like a signature. (S)he can be humorless and witless off the water, but on the water when there is breath to spare, you're sure to catch a chuckle if you listen.
Cox:
It's pretty obvious what traits a cox must adopt and tries to learn to do a good job in this most unique position in the athletic world. I'll pass on the leadership stuff, napoleon complex garbage, and point out a secondary characteristic or two that coxes unintentionally inherit after riding in the box for a while.
They can't drive a car anymore. They take 10 miles to change a lane, over steer, can't find the brakes, and yell to the car a lot. This has nothing to do with the coxes' former driving ability. Stick Richard Petty in a cox seat for awhile, they'll take his driver's license away. Coxes also begin to squint a lot, no loss in vision, they just squint.
Stroke:
'It's a tough job but only I can do it.' The meekest, most frightened non-rower in the world; when plugged reluctantly in the stroke seat, stays meek up until the first few strokes. The first few paddle strokes, a thought grows in the wimps' sniveling little mind that this job is his/hers for life. Back on the shore, the real personality will percolate back to the surface. 'I hope you guys could follow me OK.' In the boat they're thinking: 'stop rushing, you weenies!' Strokes are born and made to be the most competitive person in the boat by far, and if they stroke long enough, become overly competitive in everything they pursue, or don't pursue. Don't expect to finish a game of Monopoly, Risk, or Golf with a stroke. The only one that can beat him to the chow line is the three man (more later) because the stroke was delayed trying to put more oars away in the rack than anyone else.
Seven:
This seat is the Bitch Niche. I don't know if whining, overly bossy, big-mouthed complainers are born, and I can't believe that the cosmic effect of this seat could possibly be so instantaneous, but you could teach Mother Theresa to row in a tank, stick her in an eight at seven for the first time, and as the stern four is rowing away from the dock, she'll turn around and yell at the bow four to 'set the f*cking boat.' The longer one rows at seven, the more sophisticated and complex the bitching becomes, changing from a crude verbal rowing suggestion to the six man in the early stages to long winded level- voiced reasoned treatises after every piece explaining why the crew is slower now than last week. Ever wonder why when a coach drives up shell-side to ask how a piece went he says: 'So how did that go, fellas? -not you seven.' I was a team captain, looked up to leader of my college crew, kept my mouth shut and did my job. I raced one week at seven, my coach told me to 'shut up Sullivan' in a post race meeting. Women who deal with severe PMS mood swings will find those swings totally disappear after some time at seven. Permanent OTR.
Six:
If you bred Arnold Swartzeneggar with a Golden Retriever, you get a six. Six is also Seven's yin. The gentle giant, gorilla in the mist. Six absorbs most of Seven's bitching and keeps it from moving through to the rest of the crew. Six nods and agrees a lot. It is a hard thing for a normal person to row Six. It seems like such a great seat, you're in the stern, the boats more stable here, but you are done with a rowing career at six, you find you been used. Sixes are characterized by great competence in execution of rowing and life, but poor self confidence and a propensity to self-flagellation. Take your 3 year stroke out of the stroke seat and stick him/her at six for a week. This will be the first time you ever hear him/her say: 'My fault, fellas,' at the end of a poor piece. Sixes meditate. Sixes marry, go to work for, and lend their power tools to sevens. This support system keeps sevens with thriving businesses, mates they can walk all over, and a garage full of power tools at their disposal that they don't have to fix when they break.
Five:
God. Yahweh. Allah. Buddha. It's not that the five seat IS those things, its just that's how (s)he gets treated. Five's stool don't stink, the catches don't hang. They're the older brother or sister that gets special treatment, and has no idea. If a photo is taken of the crew, five will look great, everyone else is caught with shirttails out, and snot on the lip. At heart and soul, five forgets to change oil, pay phone bills, and turn in forms to the IRS. Five is an example of what happens to a bum that is treated like a king, they act like one. Five has the greatest delta between image and reality. The fortunate thing is that the unearned unabashed worship lasts only as long as the time on the water. Five's on his own back at home. Five wears aviator glasses.
Four:
The Amnesia-seat. Take a genius with a photographic memory. Row said genius at four. Listen to him ask for the third time in the same warm up, 'How many of these 500s are we doing?' Four seat is not stupid, just has immediate and catastrophic memory loss. At a start and 20, four settles at 21 because in the time the cox yelled 'settle in two,' he forgot. In a Novice boat where the seats have been removed and cleaned, it'll be four's that went back in backwards. Four will forget to tell the boatman about his(her) stripped rigger nut - usually from the time he is told by the coach, until he arrives at the boatman's bench wondering what he's doing there. On that first day on the water as the ice is breaking up, who is rummaging around the back of the boathouse looking for a sweatshirt? Four is why racing shirts are handed out on race day.
Three:
Late in the water. Late to practice. Late to class. Late to work. Late out of the water. Late to his date. Late to the team bus. Late for everything but chow line. There is no competitiveness involved here, just an uncanny knack to have the first three rowers into the dining hall stopped by friends for a brief discussion while three breezes on by to the tray stack. Three generally gets assigned a sitter.
Two:
Lean to the left, lean to the right, stand up, sit down, fight fight fight. Cheerleader. What is amazing, is to sit at four or five after a particular piece - seven is whining about the balance, the spacing, no swing, rushing: two is back there with pom poms saying: ALL RIGHT GUYS! LETS DO THAT AGAIN!... Two calls out names of power 10s. 'Awright guys - OAR CLASH TEN!' If he says something funny, he repeated something the bowman prompted him with.
Bow:
Comedian. The bow seat creates a strange fatalism. They know that in a catastrophic collision, they'll be the only one to die or get paralysed. Consequently there is a constant quiet stream of one-liners that two or three could probably hear if two were not cheering loudly. If the bow is joined by a cox in a front-loader, this trait completely disappears, since someone is now likely to hear him joke about three being late, five not pulling hard, or the cox's course looking like a signature. (S)he can be humorless and witless off the water, but on the water when there is breath to spare, you're sure to catch a chuckle if you listen.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Crew Progress !
We got into the racing shell yesterday and today for the first time on the Schuylkill River !!! :D
However, the two days were starkly different.
Monday, was our first day actually going down the river in a racing shell; because, although on Friday we got into the shell, Coach Tom's motor boat did not work. Therefore, because we are novices, we could not go on the river alone, i.e. without a coach near us.
On Monday, however, the motor boat was working, so we actually went out on the river.
There was some serious issues with balancing. Half the time I could not get my oar out of the murky water to take a stroke. Being in the bow seat, I needed to take strokes in order to control the boat in the correct direction at the beginning, end, and during turns, but was unable to.
Let's just say by the end of the practice, I was frustrated to say the least. I will not go any further with as to why because what happens at the boathouse, stays at the boathouse.
Today, Tuesday, was quite different though, thankfully. The boat was actually stable ! I actually rowed with my oar in the water ! Thank you crew-mates !!! We need to work together in order to succeed this season :)
Let's go Mawrters :D !!!
Crew love !
However, the two days were starkly different.
Monday, was our first day actually going down the river in a racing shell; because, although on Friday we got into the shell, Coach Tom's motor boat did not work. Therefore, because we are novices, we could not go on the river alone, i.e. without a coach near us.
On Monday, however, the motor boat was working, so we actually went out on the river.
There was some serious issues with balancing. Half the time I could not get my oar out of the murky water to take a stroke. Being in the bow seat, I needed to take strokes in order to control the boat in the correct direction at the beginning, end, and during turns, but was unable to.
Let's just say by the end of the practice, I was frustrated to say the least. I will not go any further with as to why because what happens at the boathouse, stays at the boathouse.
Today, Tuesday, was quite different though, thankfully. The boat was actually stable ! I actually rowed with my oar in the water ! Thank you crew-mates !!! We need to work together in order to succeed this season :)
Let's go Mawrters :D !!!
Crew love !
Monday, September 12, 2011
First Crew Trip to the Boathouse
I woke up at 5AM this morning, you may say why would you ever do that, but today was the first day to the boathouse for crew. We were supposed to go last week, but torrential rains prevented us from gaining access to the parking lot.
Well, technically I woke up at 4:30 AM and flipped out because I thought it was 5:30 AM, which would have meant I had missed the vans to the Schuykill River. However, thank goodness it was only 4:30 AM, so I rolled over until 5 AM when my alarm went off.
Apparently waking up early on the first day to the boathouse is not uncommon :P
How can I forget the crazy man running outside that early in the morning with a random light on his head which made him look like a big white marshmallow !!!
I just have to say how beautiful our boats are ! Absolutely gorgeous, even when coated with mud :) We made then clean, pumped water out of Gaby's boat, did erg pyramids !!!
Unfortunately the river was too high and flowing too fast for us to be safe on the river, especially many of us newbies being inexperienced. But that does mean a sleep-in tomorrow, but it also means erging again tomorrow rather than actually getting in boats :( Tomorrow may even be our timed 5K :O
I cannot wait to get in the boats on the river on Wednesday :D
Excited for crew season too :D
<3 !!!
Well, technically I woke up at 4:30 AM and flipped out because I thought it was 5:30 AM, which would have meant I had missed the vans to the Schuykill River. However, thank goodness it was only 4:30 AM, so I rolled over until 5 AM when my alarm went off.
Apparently waking up early on the first day to the boathouse is not uncommon :P
How can I forget the crazy man running outside that early in the morning with a random light on his head which made him look like a big white marshmallow !!!
I just have to say how beautiful our boats are ! Absolutely gorgeous, even when coated with mud :) We made then clean, pumped water out of Gaby's boat, did erg pyramids !!!
Unfortunately the river was too high and flowing too fast for us to be safe on the river, especially many of us newbies being inexperienced. But that does mean a sleep-in tomorrow, but it also means erging again tomorrow rather than actually getting in boats :( Tomorrow may even be our timed 5K :O
I cannot wait to get in the boats on the river on Wednesday :D
Excited for crew season too :D
<3 !!!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Taking the Train to UPenn
Today seven of us Denbigh 2nd hallmates traveled to UPenn to the Penn museum. It was fabulous !!!
Firstly we rode on the SEPTA train, which was quiet bumpy and rather late :( But it was my first train ride up here in PA :) I have to say it really did make me smile, especially when we were laughing the whole way up there and the lady in front of me kept staring at us. Heck she was jealous of how much fun we were having :P Actually I think she wanted us to be quiet so her bay could sleep, but he did not wake up the whole journey.
The Penn Museum was quite nice. With plenty of interesting exhibits like the Egyptian golden figurines, the Buddhism room with tons of golden Buddhas, and of course because it was the 10th anniversary of 9/11, there was a special exhibit on 9/11. In the 9/11 exhibit there was a photo reel, places to sit and just reflect, places to share our experiences on that day, and objects rescued from the Twin Towers. The objects were squished and burnt from pressure and flames, but still identifiable. One that stands out to me is a Christmas ornament meant for 2001 Christmas and a stuffed animal with someone's name on it.
God bless America and all those who died that day ! We will never forget your sacrifice !
The sidewalks in Philadelphia steam :P Plus some of the drivers are rude and do not acknowledge pedestrian right-of-way >:(
Haha counting off d-e-n-B-i-g-h !!!
You would have thought that by UPenn there would be plenty of restaurants to eat at, but we had terrible difficulty finding one. Besides several of us were getting grouchy due to hunger :P So we ate at Japanese restaurant; however, the sushi chef was not in for lunch at 2PM :( So no sushi . . . I was disappointed ! Had a rather nice Spicy Calamari Rice Bowl though, despite the fact that it was far too big for one person !
Some of us then proceeded to stride ahead to the SEPTA station so we would not miss our train ! Would not have left anyone behind, but it turned out the train was still late from the morning, about 12-13 minutes late too. So we did not really have to rush but we did :P !!!
I love my Denbigh hallmates :D
Hopefully we will have more explorations in the city !!!
This next four years at college will be great, I just know it :D
Firstly we rode on the SEPTA train, which was quiet bumpy and rather late :( But it was my first train ride up here in PA :) I have to say it really did make me smile, especially when we were laughing the whole way up there and the lady in front of me kept staring at us. Heck she was jealous of how much fun we were having :P Actually I think she wanted us to be quiet so her bay could sleep, but he did not wake up the whole journey.
The Penn Museum was quite nice. With plenty of interesting exhibits like the Egyptian golden figurines, the Buddhism room with tons of golden Buddhas, and of course because it was the 10th anniversary of 9/11, there was a special exhibit on 9/11. In the 9/11 exhibit there was a photo reel, places to sit and just reflect, places to share our experiences on that day, and objects rescued from the Twin Towers. The objects were squished and burnt from pressure and flames, but still identifiable. One that stands out to me is a Christmas ornament meant for 2001 Christmas and a stuffed animal with someone's name on it.
God bless America and all those who died that day ! We will never forget your sacrifice !
The sidewalks in Philadelphia steam :P Plus some of the drivers are rude and do not acknowledge pedestrian right-of-way >:(
Haha counting off d-e-n-B-i-g-h !!!
You would have thought that by UPenn there would be plenty of restaurants to eat at, but we had terrible difficulty finding one. Besides several of us were getting grouchy due to hunger :P So we ate at Japanese restaurant; however, the sushi chef was not in for lunch at 2PM :( So no sushi . . . I was disappointed ! Had a rather nice Spicy Calamari Rice Bowl though, despite the fact that it was far too big for one person !
Some of us then proceeded to stride ahead to the SEPTA station so we would not miss our train ! Would not have left anyone behind, but it turned out the train was still late from the morning, about 12-13 minutes late too. So we did not really have to rush but we did :P !!!
I love my Denbigh hallmates :D
Hopefully we will have more explorations in the city !!!
This next four years at college will be great, I just know it :D
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Parade Night at Bryn Mawr
I have only been at Bryn Mawr for a week and a half , but it feels like I have lived here an eternity. The campus is so welcoming to everyone and on top of that I am having a blast.
Here's a shout-out to traditions !!! Parade Night and Taft so far, but apparently they get even more fun :)
Parade Night is when the frosh run through Pem Arch as the Sophmores pelt us with mater balloons, spray us with water guns, and throw buckets of water on us. Although kind of disappointed I did not get super wet, only my feet :( But then we ran past the Juniors, our sister class, who threw candy and roses at us :) But, I'm pretty sure a lot of the candy got squished by everyone's feet :P The Seniors just watched from the seniors steps, many of them were quite wasted by the end of the night, and had bottles of alcohol in their hands as they sang.
We say our class songs, our class song is "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story. It is really beautiful to be surrounded by women singing songs like "Lean on Me" in the dark with glow sticks and lanterns.
The most beautiful part was the "Good Night" parade. The upperclasswomen with their lanterns in hand and singing "Good Night" make a row, and the frosh walk down it to the words of
"Good night, good night.
Time sends a warning call,
Sweet dreams descend on all,
Time, time sends a warning call."
It is extremely sweet and beautiful as everyone hugs all the upperclassman they know, and even those they do not. This whole night is sort of the welcoming of frosh to Bryn Mawr and Bryn Mawr traditions.
There is an unofficial tradition that after Parade Night you go skinny-dipping. This year it was at Taft because Thomas Great is closed for reconstruction, therefore so are the Cloisters. Hopefully they will re-open soon, but rumour has it they will still be closed when the next academic school year starts :(
I'm loving Bryn Mawr and cannot imagine going anywhere else. These next four years will be fabulous and I am excited for everyday I wake up on this campus with a fireplace in my dorm and a bell tower outside my window. Dorms like palaces has never been more true :)
Here's a shout-out to traditions !!! Parade Night and Taft so far, but apparently they get even more fun :)
Parade Night is when the frosh run through Pem Arch as the Sophmores pelt us with mater balloons, spray us with water guns, and throw buckets of water on us. Although kind of disappointed I did not get super wet, only my feet :( But then we ran past the Juniors, our sister class, who threw candy and roses at us :) But, I'm pretty sure a lot of the candy got squished by everyone's feet :P The Seniors just watched from the seniors steps, many of them were quite wasted by the end of the night, and had bottles of alcohol in their hands as they sang.
We say our class songs, our class song is "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story. It is really beautiful to be surrounded by women singing songs like "Lean on Me" in the dark with glow sticks and lanterns.
The most beautiful part was the "Good Night" parade. The upperclasswomen with their lanterns in hand and singing "Good Night" make a row, and the frosh walk down it to the words of
"Good night, good night.
Time sends a warning call,
Sweet dreams descend on all,
Time, time sends a warning call."
It is extremely sweet and beautiful as everyone hugs all the upperclassman they know, and even those they do not. This whole night is sort of the welcoming of frosh to Bryn Mawr and Bryn Mawr traditions.
There is an unofficial tradition that after Parade Night you go skinny-dipping. This year it was at Taft because Thomas Great is closed for reconstruction, therefore so are the Cloisters. Hopefully they will re-open soon, but rumour has it they will still be closed when the next academic school year starts :(
I'm loving Bryn Mawr and cannot imagine going anywhere else. These next four years will be fabulous and I am excited for everyday I wake up on this campus with a fireplace in my dorm and a bell tower outside my window. Dorms like palaces has never been more true :)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunburnt Vacation and Graduation
Although I love the sun, my skin does not :p
I have my third awful sunburn of the month of May.
I was at the beach for Memorial weekend, one of the busiest weekends I have ever been at the coast.
Although one highlight was that I met Casey Hampton, the American football player.
Truthfully I have no idea who he is, but apparently everyone else does because he has two Super Bowl rings.
Another highlight was spending time with my family. Come September I will be heading off to uni, and probably only coming home for Christmas. It was great to just have a few days with the family away from everything else. My amazing family, without whom I would not be here today, so many many thanks !
I love you all !!!
I have graduated !!! It has been a long last four years filled with ups and downs, but you know what it has defiantly been worth it.
Thanks to my family, teachers, and friends, we have made it class of 2011 !!!
It was a journey, and at times I thought I would never make it, but I pulled myself up and keep on going despite troubles and problems. I still have reoccurring nightmares from those times, but I am looking towards the future and the good times to come. Life is not meant to be easy, but in the end all the troubles are well worth it. Walking across the stage on Saturday made me realize that.
Yet I do miss all my friends who graduated with me. Hopefully we will meet again sometime in the near future. I wish you all the best of luck in the future. Leaving high school into the big wide world will be different, but there are so many opportunities for success, so take the opportunities and run with them !!!
I have my third awful sunburn of the month of May.
I was at the beach for Memorial weekend, one of the busiest weekends I have ever been at the coast.
Although one highlight was that I met Casey Hampton, the American football player.
Truthfully I have no idea who he is, but apparently everyone else does because he has two Super Bowl rings.
Another highlight was spending time with my family. Come September I will be heading off to uni, and probably only coming home for Christmas. It was great to just have a few days with the family away from everything else. My amazing family, without whom I would not be here today, so many many thanks !
I love you all !!!
I have graduated !!! It has been a long last four years filled with ups and downs, but you know what it has defiantly been worth it.
Thanks to my family, teachers, and friends, we have made it class of 2011 !!!
It was a journey, and at times I thought I would never make it, but I pulled myself up and keep on going despite troubles and problems. I still have reoccurring nightmares from those times, but I am looking towards the future and the good times to come. Life is not meant to be easy, but in the end all the troubles are well worth it. Walking across the stage on Saturday made me realize that.
Yet I do miss all my friends who graduated with me. Hopefully we will meet again sometime in the near future. I wish you all the best of luck in the future. Leaving high school into the big wide world will be different, but there are so many opportunities for success, so take the opportunities and run with them !!!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Chaz Bono
Back at the beginning of the year when Discovery Health channel became OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) I was upset to say the least. But because of what I'm watching now, I'm not complaining. I'm watching "Becoming Chaz," and it is inspirational.
We all know Chaz Bono as Chastity Bono, the child of Sonny and Cher. But he ignored what everyone else would think and took his life in his own hands to undergo a female-male sex change. Yes, I know he underwent the sex change a year ago; however, watching it on OWN, and watching his journey, gives me so much more respect for not only him, but also everyone who chooses to follow who they really are.
There are so many things, the media chose to ignore last year. Don't even get me started on the media's lack of privacy for his choice. I am glad the world I know is being more and more open towards the everyone whether they be gay, lesbian, or trans-gender, because not everyone is straight. It is a shame that those who are not straight have had to hide who they are away from society in fear of sigmas. Yet, we have to learn from our mistakes as a society in order to move forward.
It is absolutely true that I think the younger generation is more comfortable with how society is moving forward than the older generations. It is a new train of thought, and I'm sure it will take the older generations time to get used to. Things do not happen in an instant. However, they have to have an open mind to the idea. If you restrict yourself and refuse to acknowledge what is happening, then how can you expect this world to make progress.
Watching how much Chaz has gone through to get to where he is, to where he is comfortable in his own body is inspirational. I have so much respect for people who take the unworn path in life. It is time society understand that individuality is more important than following the "normal."
Ultimately, it is about being who you are, no matter what everyone else says.And it is about finding the courage to do that, no matter what it is. That is one thing I try to follow in my life, because I do take the unworn path a lot of the time, and just follow the crazy person I am.
Salut tout le monde.
Il faut que j'etudie mon francais parceque j'aimon examen de BI de Francais lundi.
We all know Chaz Bono as Chastity Bono, the child of Sonny and Cher. But he ignored what everyone else would think and took his life in his own hands to undergo a female-male sex change. Yes, I know he underwent the sex change a year ago; however, watching it on OWN, and watching his journey, gives me so much more respect for not only him, but also everyone who chooses to follow who they really are.
There are so many things, the media chose to ignore last year. Don't even get me started on the media's lack of privacy for his choice. I am glad the world I know is being more and more open towards the everyone whether they be gay, lesbian, or trans-gender, because not everyone is straight. It is a shame that those who are not straight have had to hide who they are away from society in fear of sigmas. Yet, we have to learn from our mistakes as a society in order to move forward.
It is absolutely true that I think the younger generation is more comfortable with how society is moving forward than the older generations. It is a new train of thought, and I'm sure it will take the older generations time to get used to. Things do not happen in an instant. However, they have to have an open mind to the idea. If you restrict yourself and refuse to acknowledge what is happening, then how can you expect this world to make progress.
Watching how much Chaz has gone through to get to where he is, to where he is comfortable in his own body is inspirational. I have so much respect for people who take the unworn path in life. It is time society understand that individuality is more important than following the "normal."
Ultimately, it is about being who you are, no matter what everyone else says.And it is about finding the courage to do that, no matter what it is. That is one thing I try to follow in my life, because I do take the unworn path a lot of the time, and just follow the crazy person I am.
Salut tout le monde.
Il faut que j'etudie mon francais parceque j'aimon examen de BI de Francais lundi.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Almost there !
Finished HL IB Biology today and it feels so liberating. That was my last HL, so now there's just French. And after Friday and Saturday filled with French I should be good for Monday.
It just does not seem real yet. Wandering around campus not really knowing what to do, and not having a class to go to as the bells ran was simply odd for a lack of better words. Well, Dr. case said it would be this way, not really knowing what to do with myself after years of being in school and now almost free.
What do you do with a vacation?
I have not had one in years. There has always been some kind of project or essay to work on.
Free time ! That's what it's called. Catching up on two years will be interesting. There's a ton of films to watch and television shows to catch up on. Well, it is not like I have been in a cave the past two years, but I certainly have not done as much as I would have liked. But that is what the time between now and uni is for.
Going to go have some smashing fun !
But before any of that I am going to get some sleep ! That is what I really need. Everyone has been saying that and truthfully I have not gotten very much this week which is probably why I'm sick and why my immune system is on the blink. I shall get some in the upcoming days for sure.
Adios !
(Done with Spanish as well which is good, just French left . . . Just 2 more papers, and after doing 14, I can take 2 more, just for the thrill of being D-O-N-E !!!)
It just does not seem real yet. Wandering around campus not really knowing what to do, and not having a class to go to as the bells ran was simply odd for a lack of better words. Well, Dr. case said it would be this way, not really knowing what to do with myself after years of being in school and now almost free.
What do you do with a vacation?
I have not had one in years. There has always been some kind of project or essay to work on.
Free time ! That's what it's called. Catching up on two years will be interesting. There's a ton of films to watch and television shows to catch up on. Well, it is not like I have been in a cave the past two years, but I certainly have not done as much as I would have liked. But that is what the time between now and uni is for.
Going to go have some smashing fun !
But before any of that I am going to get some sleep ! That is what I really need. Everyone has been saying that and truthfully I have not gotten very much this week which is probably why I'm sick and why my immune system is on the blink. I shall get some in the upcoming days for sure.
Adios !
(Done with Spanish as well which is good, just French left . . . Just 2 more papers, and after doing 14, I can take 2 more, just for the thrill of being D-O-N-E !!!)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sick :(
This is the worst time to be sick ever !!!
Not only do I have 6 and 1/2 hours of IB exams tomorrow, but tomorrow is my birthday. Oh IB gods why now ?!?
However, on the bright side all I can think of is how my immune system is reacting to fight the bacteria which has invaded me. That's what the IB does to you ! Antibodies, macrophages, T-cells, B-cells, memory cells are all bouncing around in my body trying desperately to fight off the antigen/pathogen which is "not self and is causing an immune response. It is taking a while because it is a primary response so my body needs to learn what the antigen looks like before it can be more efficient at attacking. Once, I am free of this antigen, I will have memory cells to prevent me from getting ill with same pathogen, but truthfully they mutate so fast there are millions still out there.
I really do not like being ill, it is no fun at all. Sore throat, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, headaches, hot and cold flashes . . . ick ick. And the most annoying thing is how I have not been ill all year and now at the worst time ever, I get a full straight-on attack.
This is not fair. But do not even get me started about fairness because if I have learnt one thing in my life, it is that life is not fair. That one is learnt pretty fast from childhood and all that jazz.
Well it's Spanish time, my favourite . . . not ! But I have that IB exam tomorrow so I had better at least show an effort.
Adios !
Not only do I have 6 and 1/2 hours of IB exams tomorrow, but tomorrow is my birthday. Oh IB gods why now ?!?
However, on the bright side all I can think of is how my immune system is reacting to fight the bacteria which has invaded me. That's what the IB does to you ! Antibodies, macrophages, T-cells, B-cells, memory cells are all bouncing around in my body trying desperately to fight off the antigen/pathogen which is "not self and is causing an immune response. It is taking a while because it is a primary response so my body needs to learn what the antigen looks like before it can be more efficient at attacking. Once, I am free of this antigen, I will have memory cells to prevent me from getting ill with same pathogen, but truthfully they mutate so fast there are millions still out there.
I really do not like being ill, it is no fun at all. Sore throat, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, headaches, hot and cold flashes . . . ick ick. And the most annoying thing is how I have not been ill all year and now at the worst time ever, I get a full straight-on attack.
This is not fair. But do not even get me started about fairness because if I have learnt one thing in my life, it is that life is not fair. That one is learnt pretty fast from childhood and all that jazz.
Well it's Spanish time, my favourite . . . not ! But I have that IB exam tomorrow so I had better at least show an effort.
Adios !
Monday, May 16, 2011
IB Mayhem
Nine down, but seven left.
Gosh will these IBs ever end . . . well everyone says in a week they will, and I am so looking forward to that. But the real question is will I leave with my sanity or without it. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a crazy person, but heck it is all in good fun.
I don't want to fall off the bandwagon because those who do become infamous in speeches to the later IB candidates, and that is not how I want to be remembered. I have come too far to fall off now. However, it is so tempting. All the teachers said it would be so tempting to just drop off and how the temptation is great.
Don't even get me started on Adam and Eve, who started this whole spiel. That is if you believe in all that. Being at an international school has defiantly opened my eyes to this big wide world we call Earth. So many culture, personalities, ideas, etc. Our big melting pot !
There's so many peeps I will miss when I head off to uni in the fall.
*Shout-out to everyone who has changed me these past six years*
There's those who without them I would never have gotten as far as I have. Love you all. There's those who pushed me and told me I could get to this point, thank you for putting up with all my whining, which has increased over the years I know. I may whine and complain, but I get it done. Then there are those who contributed to my procrastination, but without you guys I would not be as worldly-educated in "culture" as I am. If you can call it that, well you know what I mean.
Ultimately we are survivors ! Here's a heck-to-the-ya for that. We are almost there !
That's all I needed was some motivation to get down to some good old bio studying at 7 in the morning.
So adios reality, it is time to head back into the secluded world of bio complete with pathogens, predators, and plenty of other characters.
Gosh will these IBs ever end . . . well everyone says in a week they will, and I am so looking forward to that. But the real question is will I leave with my sanity or without it. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a crazy person, but heck it is all in good fun.
I don't want to fall off the bandwagon because those who do become infamous in speeches to the later IB candidates, and that is not how I want to be remembered. I have come too far to fall off now. However, it is so tempting. All the teachers said it would be so tempting to just drop off and how the temptation is great.
Don't even get me started on Adam and Eve, who started this whole spiel. That is if you believe in all that. Being at an international school has defiantly opened my eyes to this big wide world we call Earth. So many culture, personalities, ideas, etc. Our big melting pot !
There's so many peeps I will miss when I head off to uni in the fall.
*Shout-out to everyone who has changed me these past six years*
There's those who without them I would never have gotten as far as I have. Love you all. There's those who pushed me and told me I could get to this point, thank you for putting up with all my whining, which has increased over the years I know. I may whine and complain, but I get it done. Then there are those who contributed to my procrastination, but without you guys I would not be as worldly-educated in "culture" as I am. If you can call it that, well you know what I mean.
Ultimately we are survivors ! Here's a heck-to-the-ya for that. We are almost there !
That's all I needed was some motivation to get down to some good old bio studying at 7 in the morning.
So adios reality, it is time to head back into the secluded world of bio complete with pathogens, predators, and plenty of other characters.
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