Harvard is a Museum

Last post was a month ago... oops!

Over the past few weeks, I have come to the realization that my school, Harvard, is a museum. There is no better metaphor.

From week one, there were complaints about the tourists: people walking into Memorial Church, families pushing strollers into Annenberg and even putting a lens against the window of my friend's room!

Honestly?! Have some decency, tourists. Respect our privacy and our personal space, our rights to eat and live in peace. Is it really so much to ask? We can't even open the shades to let some sunlight into the room (WINTER IS COMING FOR GOD'S SAKE) in the morning, for fear of the tourist paparazzi catching us half naked.

We are human beings, not exhibits. 

Two tourists have already asked me to take a photograph for them and only one of them bothered to really talk to me. So, thank you, random kind man, for actually treating me like an individual. Ask me about my life! Maybe I'll even show you my dorm! Imagine that! Similar to Harvard professors, we Harvard students like talking about ourselves.

Enough of the rant...

Time passes so slowly here. One hour feels like three, and days feel like weeks. Not in a bad way. College facilitates close relationships - especially when you live with someone. It only took 3 weeks to make some truly special friends here, an experience that usually takes years in "real life" (yeah, college isn't exactly "real life" is it?). It's a strange phenomenon.

However, it is also important to note the ironic superficiality of these relationships. Of course, this does not apply to all of the acquaintances I have made, but those people who I met once in the dining hall, or someone I bumped into during shopping week - frankly, I don't think I will ever see you again. We're all in this phase of I-must-meet-everyone, without fully getting to the nitty gritty of knowing someone. 

For the all-too-curious minds, check out my room below:

And my desk area:

(sorry mom, for the profanity)

That's all for now, folks! Until next time - wish me luck!

Stereotypes are kinda true

I knew that Harvard College would be overwhelming - not only academically but also socially. There are so many remarkable people I've met: my roommate was an Intel ISEF scholar, a girl living across from me wrote and performed a song for the United Nations, a boy down the hall is a Gates Millennium Scholar and already has a B.A. etc. You get the point. I'm left thinking, how the hell did I end up here? (I'm told everyone experiences this but ask the Valedictorian next door) While watching the Freshmen Arts Program a few nights ago, it struck me that I'm surrounded by so many fantastic individuals that it was impossible to meet all of them. There are, after all, 1600 freshman here. But then, I started thinking about all the amazing people I have met, and gotten the chance to know, in my lifetime: nationally recognized athletes, first-generation college attendees, students balancing 5,000 clubs at school while still acing classes - my friends.

Everyone is spectacular. Get the chance to really know any individual that you meet because you may realize there is so much more than meets the eye. But also, don't compare yourself to others around you because people cannot be compared (I'll have to take my own advice here). Every individual is so unique and different that it would be a crime to pit one against another.

Update: finally starting to settle into the dorm! It's not as bad as I expected - a little small, but manageable. I think my roommates got put into perhaps the smallest room on our floor...alas. The people on my floor (we call it an "entryway") are super nice and friendly. And, the walk to/from the Yard doesn't hurt. Let's turn Freshman 15 into Freshman -15 (not possible)!

Welcome to...the Yard?

One of the first things I thought of once realizing I was attending HARVARD was the housing. I will be privileged to live within the gated community known as the illustrious Harvard Yard! At least that was the impression I received during my numerous tours here. I was wrong.

My freshman dorm is Pennypacker. It is actually outside the gates of Harvard Yard, an 8 minute-walk outside the Yard, to be exact! We have no kitchen, no laundry room and we must take our garbage next door. On the bright side, it is away from the tourists, has more spacious rooms and in-suite bathrooms. Still, far from what I expected. To be continued when I actually move in!

I arrived on campus yesterday (and by arrive, I really mean drove 15 minutes from my home), ready to begin my pre-orientation adventure. My temporary dorm is Hollis. It has one large room with two beds, two drawers, two desks and two closets. The bathroom is shared by everyone on the floor. It's dusty, not air-conditioned and very old. The shower is a little sketchy. Honestly, I am a little disappointed by the college's facilities - it is Harvard after all. Is this where my $60,000 is going? I had signed up for Fall Clean-up aka cleaning toilets and dorms for $12.50/hour; it totals out to $500 (money is a huge incentive here). Today was my first day of work and they were not kidding about the toilet part. I spent half the time with my hands in a toilet bowl - gloves on, of course! It was grimey, sweltering and dusty. Manual labor is physically demanding, nothing else. It does force you appreciate the people who clean up after you - don't be messy, people! Our dorm crew captain says the following days should be easier. After working from 8am - 4:45pm, we attended a 300-foot tug of war across Harvard Yard. Our side lost and I have the rope burns to prove it. I departed on a bus home to shower (I know, it's cheating....) and eat a home-cooked dinner (bye haters). When I arrived back on campus, my friends were preparing to go to CVS. We purchased a few food items and necessities before dispersing into our relative dorms. My friend and I met some upstairs neighbors and discovered their fire escape - it was wicked cool, literally. I'm learning to be a little more spontaneous, to say hi to everyone and find new hideouts.

Not ready for another 7am start but money talks (or in this case, money cleans). Straus, we're coming for you!