Around the Horn

I picked up my parents at the Ithaca airport Saturday morning.  My brother Robert and I walked to Schoellkopf to attend Convocation, where David Plouffe, senior campaign manager for Barack Obama, commended the graduating class for shaping the election and promoting change for the future.  Plouffe also gave a shoutout to my friend CJ, who served as Convocation Chair, and his recent unsuccessful foray with Introduction to Wines.  In other words, he didn’t pass (sorry, CJ).  The Lins then set off on a full day of receptions and get togethers.  The weather was sunny and humid.  “I didn’t expect Ithaca to be this warm,” my mom remarked, as she trailed 25 feet behind Robert and I.  Apparently her solution to the heat is walking at a snail-slow pace while holding her handbag over her face to block the sun: an interesting sight.

Rise and shine!  Drowsy from the red-eye flight…

…cleaned up at the Johnson Museum

Sunday was a whirlwind of caps, gowns, diplomas, flowers, and balloons.  All the graduates assembled on the Arts Quad before the procession started around 10AM.  With overcast skies, I was glad that it was cooler, since sitting in a black robe that doubles as a compact sauna is not an ideal situation for anyone.  During the procession, my heart dropped when we walked through the Day Hall parking lot.  There, professors flanked both sides in their Harry Potter-esque cap and gown regalia, clapping and congratulating us on this special occasion.  It really put our achievement–graduation from a university–on a much more meaningful scale.  It was a bittersweet sendoff as we progressed to the stadium.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen Schoellkopf packed (it apparently has a capacity of 40,000), but it was teeming with family and friends Sunday morning:

Meanwhile, on the other side, Robert reported that the scene at Schoellkopf resembled the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.  “And now…the College of Arts and Sciences!”

President David Skorton addressed the graduates, asking us to take charge and embrace change.  With our liberal arts foundation and Cornell support, we have the skills and moral character that’ll ensure success in the future.  Then, one by one, the degrees were conferred.  Most notable in show were the Vet grads, who cleverly blew up arm-long plastic gloves to double as those thunder sticks you get at basketball games.  When Skorton mentioned “swine flu,” the flurry of blow-up arms drew a huge laugh.  We sang the Alma Mater as an entire class (I teared up a little bit), and before I knew it, it was over.

It still hasn’t hit me yet.  In a few months, I’ll be moving into an apartment in Manhattan and working in finance, a response which drew a lot of “get us out of this mess” and “finance…oh, I see” comments this past week.  I will be returning to JPMorgan this August, working in their Sales and Trading division, undoubtedly entering a field that thrives on high stress and quick thinking.  This show-no-mercy masochistic environment gets me going, and while I may be hitting the floor early in the morning, working hard every second until evening, I know it’ll be a fun ride.

I have many people to thank in this last (and rather long) blog entry.  First, to my family.  It was my dad who pushed for me to apply to Cornell in the first place.  Although we are separated for most of the year, the support my parents have given me over my 22 years, their respect for the “college experience” and their personal American Dreams have shaped me into the optimistic and direct Cornellian I am today.  To Robert, for becoming a new close friend instead of the pesky brother that makes fun of me…oh, wait…

Next, to friends old and new.  Special shoutout to my 219 Linden roommates (Katy, Hannah, Cath, Court, Michelle, Jill, Kara), some SHpecial friends, my KDs, fellow tour guides, and while it looks like I’m pulling names from a baby book, in no specific order: Jen, Danny, Frankel, Dave, Paz, Schneida, Steve, Scott M., Alex, Ryan, Bryant, Ray, Krebs, James, Jess, Sarah, and I’m missing about 50 other names–please forgive me, and the really nice coffee lady at CTB who always gets my medium hazelnut coffee…apparently her name is Paula.  To friends that I met from the first week of freshman year, and others I met this past year, with so little time left.  Regardless of duration, the bonds are rock solid and long term.  I’m talking about us ladies sitting in rockers knitting together when we’re grandmothers.  Not to ride on any stereotypes, but the guys, well, I don’t foresee us knitting, but perhaps playing golf or something else.  You all have changed my perspective on life and taught me to see things differently.  I’ll cherish our fun nights out, the relaxed nights in, the impromptu discussions, and heart-to-hearts.   While I’ll be able to see a lot of you next year in NYC, to everyone else spreading out in the states (or even going overseas), we are the generation of GChat, email, Facebook, and Skype, and by George, I hope we stay in touch.

Thanks to my elder mentors.  To my professors, who have instilled the importance of learning and curiosity. To Lisa, who got me this blogging job and put up with my antics: you probably think I’m crazy.  To Hilary, my rowing coach for 3 years: thank you for taking a doe-eyed freshman under your wing and giving me knowledge, faith, and the challenge of the sport of rowing, which I look on as one of my most memorable experiences.  To Taiya and Peggy, my tour guiding supervisors, I will definitely miss the hubbub in Day Hall.  Even to my finance gurus at my upcoming job (Rita, DBD, and others, all Cornell grads!), I appreciate your mentoring and look forward to August.

To my readers (Matt, Drew, this is for you):  Thank you for your continued support and comments.  While I was sure that the banality of my routine college lifestyle would be as boring as watching summer TV reruns, I’m glad there was something in my blog that willed the faithful few to keep up with my life.  Maybe it was the pictures…

And finally, thank you, Cornell, for the most amazing 4 years of my life.  Leisurely, I will miss Stella’s half-off burgers, late night pizza from Sindbad’s, Cornell Dairy ice cream, pitchers at CTB, fun nights at Rulloffs and the Palms, Olin Cafe, runs through the Plantations, Cayuga Inlet, the chimes, muffins and soup from Temple of Zeus, the driving range, and of course, Wegmans.  Let’s not forget the prelims, problem sets, papers, the bitter wind, and the hills.  You have challenged me, excited me, and given me hope and opportunity.  I leave the Hill with a sweet taste in my mouth and an enthusiastic smile.  I’ll be back, but for now, I’m ready for the next chapter in my life.

As a former Big Red student athlete, it was always hard to make it to other sporting events other than your own, since juggling 6 practices a week, weekend regattas, and a full course load leaves little time to breathe.  However, this past Saturday, I had a full bodied experience off the water and turf–as a Big Red fan.

Cornell Athletics is having an amazing spring season.  From Wrestling, Polo, and Lacrosse, to Gymnastics, Softball, and Basketball, the words “vying”, “clinching”, “Nationals”, “NCAAs”, and “finals” are splashed all over the Daily Sun sports articles.  From early morning to late afternoon, I traversed campus with my friend Lauren (who plays on the Women’s Basketball team), hitting up five different Big Red athletic events to cheer on some of my close athlete friends.

9:00AM
Location:  Collyer Boathouse
Event: Women’s Rowing vs. Dartmouth
Katy, Matt, and I woke up bright and early (after a fun Friday night out)to see our 5 rommates at their only home race of the season against the Big Green.  It was definitely hard for me to watch the races go by, since I would much rather be in the boat in the chaotic heat of the moment, rather than watch the shells go by.  Strong finish by the novices, and some great family support for the Seniors.

12:00PM
Location: Schoellkopf Stadium
Event:  Women’s Lacrosse vs. Notre Dame
After a pit stop at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market for some breakfast burritos, I met up with Lauren and Brian to watch the beginning of Women’s Lacrosse.  The Notre Dame team finished first in their league, and the Big Red were staving off the Fighting Irish, as we watched the Big Red surge to a 6-3 lead in the first half.  The final score?  11-9, Irish.  Things to note:  the very active communication among the players, and the baller coach that was just as engaged with the game as the actual lax-ers themselves.

12:30PM
Location:  Niemand-Robison Softball Field
Event:  Women’s Softball vs. Dartmouth
This was a best of 3 match for the Ivy Championship.  The Big Red sailed through the first game of the double header, winning 4-0.  The second game was not as great; Dartmouth won 5-1.  Jessy Berkey, a friend of mine from middle school, held down right field with some awesome pop-up catches.  I played softball in high school, and it was great to hear the popping of the gloves and the metal clangs of the bats once more. And stepping in remnants of sunflower seed.

2:25PM
Location:  The Robert J. Kane Sports Complex
Event: Track & Field vs. various schools
My friend Jessica runs the 400m hurdles.  And fast.  From the gun, Jessica smoked out the competition, jumping over the hurdles with ease, crossing the line a good few seconds ahead of the pack.  My other J friend, Jeomi, is a jumping goddess, but decided not to compete at the meet due to a sore hamstring, or what she called a “hammy”.

3:00PM
Location:  Schoellkopf Stadium
Event:  Men’s Lacrosse vs. Hobart
The last home game for the seniors (although I just found out that the NCAA first round against Hofstra is this Saturday at home; I will be there), I finally made it to a Men’s Lacrosse game.  Watching it live is a lot more exciting than on TV…although still just as hard to see where the ball is going.  Almost as quick, but a little more visible, are the players; watching my friends Max and Pierce sprint across the field like rockets, they would definitely smoke me out in a 40 yd. dash.  Not unless I fall to the field first from injuries sustained from a 70 mph solid rubber lacrosse ball hitting my shin.  I am cringing at the thought.  The Men squeaked by with a 8-7 win over Hobart.

At the end of the day, it felt good to see what other Big Red athletes are up to, how different sports train and play, and to see how bad my sandal tan could get.

Fellow blogger Alex and I, along with a few of our friends, hit up the slopes of Greek Peak last week.  For many Cornell students, Greek Peak is a great skiing and snowboarding option given its proximity (about a 25 minute drive) and its deals on season passes for students.  I haven’t skied in eight years, and since we were going with a mixed group of semi-beginners, intermediates, and the one expert being Alex, I crossed my fingers in hopes of surviving a day of frigid cold and steep slopes.

After leaving the rental shop with the shortest skiis possible–the 10-year-old girl in front of me had longer ones–we were out into the cold.  We warmed up on the Magic Carpet, at my request.  From there, we scaled up and skiied down a bevy of green and blue courses.  Alex would take up some black diamond ones, since the green dot is probably a sign of boredom to him rather than a sign of comfort for me.  The mountain was busy, to be expected on a weekend, but not crowded.  We rode the ski lifts with little wait time.  However, but 4:30, the windchill picked up, and we were ready for home.  With windburned cheeks and reverse-raccoon syndrome (an outline of our ski goggles), we drove home happy and slightly sore.

I’m not a pro basketball player by any means, but I’ve decided to take up Intramural Basketball with a few of my tourguiding friends.  I guess you could say that it was some intense playing last night (yep, I didn’t watch the Super Bowl), because my pinky currently looks like this:

A ring of purple around the knuckle.

Cornell’s wrestling team had their kick off match against Penn State last Thursday.  I had never been to a wrestling match, so that was one reason to go.  However, I was mainly there to support two wrestlers: Jordan Leen, defending NCAA champ with a shock of red hair and a heart of gold, and Adam Frey, who was diagnosed with cancer back in March 2008.  This was Adam’s night: For every person in attendance at the match, outside sponsors donated $5 to Adam Frey.  I’ve known Adam since sophomore year, and he is just as dynamic and strong-willed as he’s ever been.  It’s been a rough ride, but Adam has overcome so much and it was wonderful to see him at the match.

I sat next to my friend Zak who wrestled back in high school and provided commentary throughout the match.  There was no way I was going to see past the back and forth lifting and grabbing.  Points are given for certain moves, which factor into the final team points. With Zak’s pearls of wisdom, I found that there is so much more strategy and technique in wrestling, and wrestlers need a killer combo of agility, strength, and quick reactions.  I would say that agility is valued more in the lighter weight classes–the guys looked like cats that were jumping swiping each other–rather than the heavier weight classes, which resembled a sumo match with a lot more finesse.
Cornell easily beat Penn State 24-10 and with over 4,000 in attendance, raised $20,000+ for Adam.

I enjoy watching The Office on NBC.  The writing, acting, and mockumentary format make the ridiculous storylines so believable.  Well, after tonight, it just upgraded to platinum status.

Just a little background on a specific story line: Dwight Schrute, who moonlights as a beet farmer, anime lover, and loves to wear shades of mustard yellow shirts, is by far one of the strangest paper salesmen on staff.  Andy Bernard, the Cornellian sycophant, is engaged to Dwight’s secret office love, the uptight accountant Angela.  In an effort to tick Andy off, Dwight shows up to work in a Cornell sweatshirt and proceeds to adorn his desk with Cornell peraphernalia.  While in the break room, Dwight tries to push more buttons:

Dwight: “So how do you think we’re gonna do against Penn this year? Nathan Ford’s arm looks pretty strong.”

My jaw dropped.  Nate just got a shout out on primetime television.  It’s totally deserving, and pretty darn awesome.  Nate is so down-to-earth and an amazing athlete, and as obnoxious as the writers try to shade Cornell, I do give them cred for getting their facts straight.

I am impatiently awaiting the arrival of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of alumni who will be returning to Cornell for Homecoming. I’m sure I won’t be able to sleep on Saturday with the amount of hustle and bustle this Saturday night. Homecoming is earlier this year, which will definitely spike attendance levels, since it’s not as cold in late September as it is in mid-later October. That being said, it is supposed to rain this weekend. Guess we can’t win them all.

The New York Times wrote a lovely article about the Cornell Men’s Basketball Team a few weeks ago. The team is so close to clinching the Ivy Title, the first time in 20 years that a non-Penn or non-Princeton team has done so. This Friday, the undefeated Big Red will take on Dartmouth and Harvard, incidentally the other two Ivies with color mascots.
Let’s not forget the women’s team either; they are right in step with the men, first in the league and in a good position to clinch the Ivy Title as well.

March Madness should be a trip.

Update: Cornell is the first team officially in the NCAA Tournament.  I sat behind the Cornell basket during the first half of the game, where the Red already dominated the Crimson.  Cornell carried this momentum throughout the second half, beating Harvard 86-53.  DANCE PARTY.

On the advice of one of my sisters, and out of my own laziness to go out and run (hey, the rain followed me over to California, not my fault), I went to my first Bikram Yoga class yesterday. While you think yoga is soothing and light exercise as I assumed, this all melted away as I walked into the room.  The 100 degree sauna room.  From there, you go through a series of poses for an hour and a half, all while trying to find inner peace and balance.  And sweating a gallon or two.  What’s with the heat?  The idea is that a super heated room will flush out toxins and cleanse your body.  So with poses like this, and a rusty inflexible body like mine, you’re bound to leave with sore muscles…

After my first class, I didn’t think I had the self will to return, so I dragged my big Patricia along.  With a team effort, I’m sure we can both survive the one-week introductory period.

Climb on!

As a good addition to twice-a-day practice, the women’s rowing team decided to have a rock climbing outing. Located in Bartels Hall, the Lindseth Climbing Wall is the largest natural rock wall in North America, right here on campus.

When I got to the wall, the group of 15 of us were met by four rock climbers. My instructor was a 13-year-old girl named Emily who has been climbing for eight years (this means she was 5 when she started. I was fingerpainting when I was 5…) We all got outfitted with climbing shoes, which fit very tightly, a neon-colored helmet, and a belaying harness strapping thing…This was a doozy to put on. there are straps that go around your thighs, which are attached to a larger cushioned strap that wraps around the waist. Cut to chaffing and short SHORT shorts.

Our first task was to attempt to climb on the lower parts of the wall without a rope, I think this is called bouldering. After a few good runs, it was time to tackle the wall beyond the yellow bouldering line. This would require both the climber and belayer to have the rope attached to their harnesses. The climber ascends, and the belayer controls the rope so that the climber doesn’t fall far should that happen. And…up we go.

So on the first climb, the first 15 feet went pretty smoothly, and then my acrophobia kicked in MAJORLY. Sweaty palms, hyperventilation, heart pounding out of my chest. Things didn’t really help knowing that I had a 13-year-old supporting my weight at the other end of the rope. So I was about 5-feet from the ceiling when I had to come down. Whammy. And then I discovered the chalk bag. Instead of slippery palms and fingers, this chalk dried out my sweat, enabling me to grab hold of “outies” and “innies” better. In order to make up for this lack-luster run, I went for two more, ceiling it both times.

Diana, another coxswain on the team, and I have sworn to get belay-certified sometime next week, so we can continue our climbing endeavors. This was way too much fun.

Here are some of the girls, Sarah, Kim, and Elly, all smiles at the wall!