26
February
2007
“Do the thing and you will be given the power.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I know many of us have an issue with this word in our lives. Maybe it’s not feeling inspired to buckle down and study for that prelim. It could be someone who’s not quite ready to change the Facebook profile from “Single” to “In a Relationship.” Or it’s a friend who just won’t sign the lease to become a roommate.
We’re talking about commitment.
I know I’ve been having an issue with this lately. And I’m soliciting your help.
We all often feel pulled in different directions by our various obligations. Hopefully these activities and people are thing we love, but inevitably, both can get overwhelming.
My commitment issues have been more academically inclined. Professors have this great idea – they give students a chance to pick their own paper topics. Professor are smart people; they figure if we have more choice in something, then we’ll be all the more likely to produce a good composition. Probably true.
Except when the topic is nonexistent.
Pop Culture after 1945? Last time I checked, a lot of stuff happened during that time. So why can’t I think of anything cool enough to write about?
Whatever topic imaginable related to 19th century art history? Still totally befuddled.
Too many options. Too many possibilities. And I don’t want to make the choice. Because that means . . . commitment.
Forget boys. Forget friends. Forget everything extracurricular. I’m talking about endless hours spent cuddling up to my computer in the stacks of Uris, downing Advil for days due back aches from the books I’m lugging around.
That’s the commitment I’m fearing.
Oh you daunting, daring C Word – to you, I will inevitably surrender.
Posted: Spring 2007
22
February
2007
“Education is what remains when one has forgotten everything he learned in school.” -Albert Einstein
As you’ve probably heard by now (or experienced) this neck of the woods was slammed with snow last week. Classes were cancelled, and the University closed down. But it was totally worth getting up for my 9 o’clock class on Wednesday – I saw a guy cross country skiing across the Ag Quad to class. I feel like a true Cornell student now.
My roommates Nick and Jordan are atmospheric science majors – aka they’ll be famous weathermen someday. They were pretty excited about all of the predictions of snow, so we had a competition for who could guess how much snow would fall. I thought for about 5 seconds and guessed 20 inches. 45 minutes later, Jordan placed his prediction after looking at his simulations, models and top secret super weatherman websites. He affirmed there would be 22 inches.
21 inches. We tied.
This past weekend my family came to visit and we hit up a legendary Ithaca event, the annual Chili Cook-Off. Oh man, it was delicious! I’d never had chili with chocolate before – my brother took the route of straight peanut butter cups and M&Ms and skipped the hot stuff. We had a lot of fun and it was great to see them.
This week brought the beginning of prelims, papers and temperatures without a negative sign. Now that’s hot (ish).
TGIT – Thank Goodness It’s Thursday . . . and almost Friday!
Posted: Spring 2007
14
February
2007
“Ya’ won’t believe in me, but you would fancy / leprechauns or groundhogs / No thank you, Easter Bunny! / There’s so much fuss about Santa Claus, but see / Cupid will not be defeated!” -Outkast
Yep, February 14th has once again rolled around. I was reading in the paper yesterday stories about romantic gestures – failed or successful – that people recalled from their past. It reminded me of some of my favorite Valentine’s Day memories.
There was third grade when I couldn’t decide if I would give my crush a regular valentine or one that said “Be Mine.” Fast forward to eleventh grade when I had a friend leave me a rose in every class, although he still hasn’t admitted to it. And then there was the high school boyfriend who sprinkled rose petals up the stairs leading to my room, where I found him with more flowers while “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis played (pretty impressive for high school, right?)
At Cornell, I met this plant science major who gave me the most beautiful roses I’ve ever seen, and probably will ever receive (every girl should be a huge advocate of the horticulture program here, for obvious reasons). While living in a sorority house last year, the fraternity pledges literally lined up outside the front door to sing songs and give us flowers. And then, perhaps my favorite – two of our guy friends who lived down the hall freshman year shyly gave my roommates and I a red tulip plant at the stroke of midnight on Valentine’s Day. They wanted to thank us for helping, “To keep them in line.”
Despite my fond Valentine’s Day memories and my general enjoyment of the holiday, I realize it can also be an awkward time for many people. I’ve seen countless articles about how to approach that new person, confirm a questionable relationship, rekindle love in a long term commitment, etc. etc. But one article I read totally changed my perspective on dating and love in general.
Future lovers and friends alike, forget about your nerves when meeting my parents. There is someone you have to impress even more.
Griffey. My Dog.
So, whether it is with a furry friend or not, bring some love into your life this Valentine’s Day. Maybe you’ll give some, maybe you’ll receive some. Maybe it’ll be expected, and maybe it won’t be. But if you’re really lucky, it’ll be a little bit of each. Platonic, romantic . . . whatever the love, enjoy it.
And if you’re smart, you’ll include a few dog bones too.
Posted: Spring 2007
12
February
2007
“I’m a little bit country / I’m a little bit rock / And I’m soul to soul . . . ” -O.D.B.
When the alarm went off this morning, I was feeling the Monday morning blues. But I busted out of bed, tied a pink and green polka dot ribbon in my hair and decided today was going to be a good day. A few e-mails predicted a quality schedule for the week. A professor said I could change my end of term report topic to a subject I’m far more motivated to study. I’ll put in those library hours now, Mom and Dad, I promise!
Gratefulness and fulfillment comes with the realization that you have people in your life who appreciate you for you – friends who know who you are, maybe sometimes better than you know yourself – especially when you’re a little befuddled by the moment. It’s also being there when those friends need you too. But even better for both, it’s relishing the times when someone who you love and admire is so gushing, glowing and excited, you can’t help but to twist and shout too.
It’s also being early when you’re usually late. It’s singing out loud to Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” remix while walking to class. It’s running through the snow to try to catch snowflakes on your tongue.
Yeah, that’s right J.T. Forget about sexy.
Monday is back.
Posted: Spring 2007
11
February
2007
“Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!” -J.K. Rowling
Two highlights of my week included adventures to awesome musical events.
- Wednesday I checked out The Slip at a club in Ithaca called Castaways. As typical with my musical knowledge, I’d never heard of the band, but soon realized I totally recognized their work. One of their songs was featured on Grey’s Anatomy; and I soon remembered some of their stuff from that crazy game Guitar Hero that my roommates play nonstop. They also opened for a band I saw in DC!
- Last night I headed to my first Cornell Glee Club and Chorus concert in Sage Chapel. The Glee Club is the oldest student organization on campus. I have a bunch of friends in both groups, so I was excited to hear their performance! Based on the fact the concert was called “Pardon Our French,” the words and significance of the music was a bit foreign to me, to say the least. Nevertheless, the fact I couldn’t understand anything ended up being just fine – I could kind of space out, listen and relax. Sage Chapel is one of the most beautiful places I know, so I had no problem looking around and taking in the setting.
Wahoo for the Ithaca music scene – more to offer than I ever thought! So much diversity in one university-tundra-upstate New York town!
Posted: Spring 2007
8
February
2007
“Well, I believe in the soul . . . the small of a woman’s back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft wet kisses that last three days.” -Crash Davis
I wanted to thank you all and wish the other bloggers congratulations. The numbers are in, and – not to brag – but we’re getting almost 70,000 hits a month! Mimi, my dear grandmother, I know you are part of our blogging faithful, but I’m pretty confident you don’t go on your computer that much!
As I’ve expressed before, this puts the bloggers in bit of a position of power. In the information age, a venue such as this provides one with the platform to teach, preach, praise or rip apart just about anyone or anything. But, as this is a blog about student life, I feel this space is not always appropriate for such personal vendettas.
As you know, I’m trying not to talk about the weather so much, which currently wins as most popular Cornell student subject of chatter. But I’d like to discuss an idea that has been a prevailing topic of conversation among my peers of late. And due to the goal of this venue, I feel it’s pretty relevant to mention. It’s called relationships.
“Relationship” is this beautiful, multidimensional word that can mean so many things. There is the smile relationship you have with the lady who always hands your tea across the counter at Tower Cafe. The “hello” on the quad relationship you have with the “I know I met you at that party, but I can’t remember your name, and I can’t find you on Facebook to figure it out . . . ” person. There are work relationships, play relationships, platonic relationships, romantic relationships, familial relationships, pet relationships and even a kind of relationship you have with yourself.
I always like to tell people that I think some of the most important learning at Cornell proceeds outside the classroom. I think a lot of this development is through these bonds. Let’s face it, relationships are great. Really. They keep us interested, entertained and motivated. You can enjoy them, laugh in them, learn from them and find support in them. Sometimes they disappoint and hurt too. But as much as they challenge us all, don’t we get something out of them – good or bad?
I just finished reading The Catcher in the Rye for a class. I read it in high school like everyone else in the world. But unlike everyone else in the world, I didn’t really enjoy it. As with many of us here at Cornell, I was raised to check all the boxes. Holden is always fighting established notions and the other “phony” ideals that exist in the world, and I was way too uptight at 16 to connect with these thoughts. Plus, was all that swearing really necessary?
This week, I felt silly cracking the book open in the library next to Ph.D. students polishing off their dissertations; they probably thought I was some punk high school kid thinking I was so cool studying in Uris. Nevertheless, reading the book again, I was more familiar with the characters, plot, etc – and comfortable with the language after hanging out at a few frat parties. I can see why people are in love with it now – there is a bit of Holden in us all.
Many students at Cornell have this constant battle between idealism and “selling out.” We take classes, here speakers and have peers who are inspired to and will no doubt confront some of the biggest social issues of our time. Yet, also trudging through the snow up here are other friends who are more motivated by dollar signs. Most people who go to this school are at least mildly intelligent, and many of them could achieve success in both of these areas. It’s just hard sometimes to do that simultaneously.
Like Holden, maybe we want to escape from these life choices. Should I take the resume building intern position or road trip next summer? Should I do the Peace Corps or accept the I-Banking job? Do I really need to wash my sheets every week like Mom says?
Well, based on my limited 20 years of past experience, I have a hunch these questions are just going to keep on rolling up to each of our front door steps. Stressed about that prelim? I bet there is another one in a few weeks. Finally plow through that marketing reading? The professor is assigning another chapter tomorrow.
I understand that there is a great deal of unknown and mystery to life too – yes, also overwhelming at times – but deal with it! Do something! Isn’t this constant chance of possibility also extremely exciting? As the Holden that I know each of you are, isn’t that kind of what you’re looking for?
I once told someone that I like to finish what I start. I think this is pretty true, as I do try to be a supportive and reliable person to the best of my ability. But, in this case, maybe I have it a bit backwards. Perhaps, more important than anything, we need to start where we finish. It is too often we lament the end. Why not start a new trend and celebrate the beginning? Here is my official invitation to you – yes you! – for the big fiesta we are all throwing for the unknown and undetermined in our lives!
And in these times of uncertainty and transition, these finishes to starts, I have faith we will make it; I am continually shown it is our relationships that get us through. We all, to a degree, need to find ways to take off, free ourselves of the burdens and be the Holden Caulfield for awhile. But in the end, when Holden was all torn up and set to jet, wasn’t it his connection to Phoebe, his kid sister, that comforted him most?
Perhaps you find these points to be pedestrian, mundane – even trivial. But I think not.
So nurture your relationships. Do what matters. Be honest. Tend to the bonds that make you grow in a good way. And if they don’t – think about sending them to the curve. Life’s short. Don’t waste your time with the “phony” things, as tempting as they can be. Put a little bit of Holden into life everyday – something new is always possible.
Oh, and thanks for reading. That was a long entry. This relationship is obviously one we both value.
And to our party – feel free to bring the chips. I’ve got the dip covered for ya’ll.
Posted: Spring 2007
5
February
2007
“What’s in a name?” – William Shakespeare
As Sarah and I glanced over the Cornell Daily Sun in class a few mornings ago, we came across an article that mentioned Ho Plaza. For those of you who have never been Far Above Cayuga’s Waters before, Ho Plaza is one of the most active places on the Cornell campus.
Located between the Cornell Store and the Straight, Ho Plaza is home to all kinds of events; one can find the Big Red Band playing a concert one day and Habitat for Humanity building tresses for homes the next. Ho Plaza has Facebook groups dedicated to it (”People Don’t Make Enough Jokes About Ho Plaza” or “Leave Me the **** Alone When I Am Walking Through Ho Plaza”) endless advertisements (last year Sarah and I had our bodies chalked on Ho Plaza for a student activity) or speaker and demonstrators (everyone from politicians to fraternity pledges asking for signatures to support the rights of women . . . you see where this is going).
Clearly, “mature” college students and bewildered outsiders ponder the origins of the name of Ho Plaza. No, it is not named after a communist leader Ho Chi Minh, as Sarah heard in a class. And, it does not advocate the position of employment held by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.
Rather, if you dig through the snow, as we did a few days ago, in the middle of Ho Plaza, one will find a plaque displaying the names of the Ho family. According to our super tour guide database, Ho Plaza, ” . . . was dedicated in 1995 as the result of the generous gift of the Ho family, which has had four Cornell graduates since 1955.”
So, there you go – puzzle solved. My prediction still is many bad jokes have yet to be made . . .
Posted: Spring 2007
3
February
2007
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop withough a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-Robert Frost, “Walking By Woods on a Snowy Evening”
I awoke from a long Friday afternoon nap in the Kinkeldey Room to a beautiful view of softly falling snow. I probably had some killer sleep lines on my face too, but I enjoyed the peaceful vista from the heated building.
It is practically impossible to go through a Cornell career without making at least some comment about the weather – a special form of precipitation know as “Ithacading” is all too familiar to students here. Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as guilty as the next person for lamenting about the conditions; but often, I think the weather gets undeserved attention and conversation. And let’s be honest, the weather does give us all an excuse to buy more clothes.
Most of you have probably read this poem before, but maybe some of you haven’t. At the end of a busy week while (sleep)walking home through the snowflakes, it’s always on my mind.
Posted: Spring 2007