maysblog

The beginning of the end? nah…

I can tell that I am in my upper level classes.

Past the 400 person classrooms (not that I had many of those anyway), past the mandatory, drudging classes that you have to proactively make interesting, past the multiple choice tests and past the uncertainty of the when, where, and how.

A self proclaimed “Learner,” I enjoy the learning process and can typically extract some sort of joy out of even the most mundane classes, yet there is at least one a semester that makes me cringe.

That is not the case this semester, not at all. (more…)

Posted in Brittany | Comments Off

WebCT a la Scotland

I never EVER thought I would say this, but I have never been happier to see WebCT. In a period of my life where everything is rapidly changing, where in fact things are flying over my head so quickly that I often forget to sleep at all, it’s unbelievably hopeful to latch on to something familiar. While the rest of my classmates at A&M are starting school this week, I’m frantically pulling together everything I need to move to Scotland. And wouldn’t you know it, they use WebCT, too. (more…)

Posted in Erika | Comments Off

Spirit of the Games

What’s 6’4” tall, 195 pounds, and the fastest thing in the water these days? If you’ve been anywhere NEAR a television, computer, or radio in the last two weeks, then I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about: the greatest Olympic athlete of our time, arguably of all time, the young Michael Phelps of the USA. I’ve got just a few stressors in my life at the moment—I’m trying to get a research abstract submitted by Monday, continuing to rework my Rhodes Scholar application, and, oh yeah, pack for an international move in two weeks. Even with all that, I’ve been staying up to the wee hours of the mornin’ every night watching, amazed, at the events of this year’s Olympics in Beijing.

(more…)

Posted in Erika | Comments Off

Shuffling my feet

Maybe my least favorite feeling is wanting something so much and not having the means to get it.

Going into sorority recruitment classified as a junior (even though it’s just my second year) and without really having discussed it with friends beforehand, it was–well, is–really disappointing to be cut from so many after first impressions. The reasons may be different–it may have been about more than academics or it may have just happened this way for no reason at all. Still, I’d be a liar to say that rejection doesn’t hurt, whatever the reason. (more…)

Posted in Emily | Comments Off

Back in the USA

Assimilate: to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust (according to Dictionary.com)

Welcome back to the United States of America. Back to the land of opportunity, drive thrus and Super Walmarts. Where all of a sudden, after being practically ignored when entering a store or a restaurant, people are approaching me, and asking if I need any help… in English. (more…)

Posted in Brittany | Comments Off

World views and book reviews

So, I’ve been doing a lot of reading since I’ve been back in College Station, and an undercurrent of global activity has come up in all of the books I’ve chosen. One, The Complete Persopolis by Marjane Satrapi, is written like a comic book, but has the substance of a textbook written firsthand. It personalizes war, immigration, and religious/social customs that, otherwise, seemed like hovering “issues” rather than parts of someone’s personal experience. Admittedly, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up if my best friend from middle school hadn’t insisted on it, but now I’m interested in the film that’s coming out. I don’t imagine I’ll be disappointed that I read the book first, especially since it made topics like Iranian history more digestible than if I’d seen it in textbook- table form. (more…)

Posted in Emily | Comments Off

I Amsterdam.

I Amsterdam.

You see this emblem everywhere, and the city has a right to be proud. It is completely one of a kind. Whether you are in a Coffeeshop, the Anne Frank Museum, in the Red Light District or enjoying the tulips, you are completely Amsterdam.

Why I Amsterdam: (more…)

Posted in Brittany | Comments Off

My Life as a Leaper

I’d like to tell y’all a little story—more introspective than usual, I’ll grant you, but still, it starts with a story. When I was searching for lodgings in Scotland, I thought I would never find a place that worked, let alone roommates that I could tolerate. I went potluck on roommates before with, well, less than successful results, so I did feel a bit of trepidation. I ended up posting an ad on Gumtree.com, the UK equivalent of Craigslist.org looking for roommates. I actually had thought I had found the perfect place when–BAM!—out of nowhere, I get an email describing my ideal roommates with the simple question: Would you like to live with us? (more…)

Posted in Erika | Comments Off

At home in two places

I had to say Au revoir to Paris.

But it wasn’t Au revoir, it was A bientot (see you later) because it is unfathomable that the rest of my life will go by without my return.

This has proved to be an emotional week; departing with my art history teacher, Jean-Pierre, as well as my new dear friend Sophie and the Larger family, not to mention this wonderful city who has been kind enough to share some of her charm with me. I almost feel like a child, growing sentimental over a brief lapse of my life, but I would be lying if I pretended like it did not leave a significant impact on me. (more…)

Posted in Brittany | 1 Comment »

Mr. Lonely

This school year is bringing lots of new fun and excitement. I’m going through recruitment for a sorority, something I couldn’t do last year because of my New Student Conference and camp, and I could not be more excited! It’s one of those “once-in-a-lifetime” type things that I think will be a great and different experience from any I’ve had so far!

The more I think about school and life in general, the more I feel convinced that it’s about relationships, continued growth and making the most of what you know and can do, rather than any magic formula for money making, status seeking or that breed of success. I got on a baking swing today and made LOTS (try 7 dozen) of cookies for the neighbors, and it just struck me how little I know about people four doors down. (more…)

Posted in Emily | Comments Off