31
August
2007
“Wear the old coat and buy the new book.” -Austin Phelps
It’s the textbook time of year.
Many people stand in the long lines at the Cornell Store before the first week of class to blow all of their funds on cumbersome volumes. Meanwhile, others order from the comfort of their own overheated but convenient Collegetown bedrooms to receive their books just a few days before their first prelim.
Whatever your style, call me practical, but I’m a proud comparative shopper.
And for the Fall ‘07 semester, the Cornell Store clearly wins. This past week the CU Store permanently restored my sanity, stabilized my bank account and deafened my ears to any complaints of overpricing in a matter of 15 minutes. Impossible you say? Read on.
I’ve been going crazy the past several days because I swore I purchased The Confessions of Edward Isham: A Poor White Life of the Old South at the Store. It was $15 down the drain, although some of you may think it’s a good thing I lost it by the sounds of the title. Nevertheless, it’s required reading for my senior seminar and I need to have it. The book was on my receipt, but nowhere to be found in my room or house. Granted, my abode doesn’t ascribe to the Dewey Decimal system, but it’s no candidate for TLC’s Clean Sweep either.
Yesterday, I had to go to the Store to return a book, so I inquired regarding the outside chance my copy of Edward may have been left there. I figure they probably sell hundreds of books a day this time of year, and the misplacement of one book before leaving the checkout line is bound to happen. The bright eyed student employee looked at me like I had a better chance of acing a physics exam blindfolded (which actually could be true), but recommended I head down to “Book Information.”
At the said location, I found spunky Ted, who I’d be happy to run a campaign for as CU employee of the century. Ted proceeded to rattle off a list of unlikely situations regarding the current unidentified placement of Edward Inc., none of which seemed too promising. After a few laps around the depths of the Store, he looked pretty discouraged and hopeless. It seemed we had a better chance of finding a WMD than poor old Edward.
Then, as if struck by lightening, Ted exclaimed, “Wait a minute!” I could barley keep up with him as he bounded off behind the counter.
He emerged, handed me my book and waved me on my way as if it was no big deal. Astounding.
Thank you to Ted, the CU Store and the anonymous checkout lady who was honest enough to put the book aside for me. You have restored my faith in paying for customer service and forever gained my Big Red spending dollars at many reunions to come.
Posted: A Day in the Life of, Cornellia
26
August
2007
“When I die, Dublin will be written in my heart.” -James Joyce
The format and author are the same, but name and topics are likely to change. As the Student Blogging Project lights a candle for its one year anniversary, it seems appropriate to rename my little space here. Although I still venture up the Slope daily, the other Hill I was closer to this time last year is something you’ll here more about from Alex now.
And in case you missed me these past few month, feel free to read about my summer escapades in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Spain. I was working for the U.S. Department of State at the Consulate in Belfast while enjoying one of the friendliest (and most interesting) little islands on earth. Cheers to a great summer (and the breathtaking Mount Stewart, pictured above).
Posted: A Day in the Life of
25
August
2007
“Write while the heat is on you.” -Henry David Thoreau
Although the notorious revelry of orientation week is rapping up, I’m sure Cornell students will be privileged many more times to Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” blasting from open parties and car windows. And with good reason, considering today’s sweltering temperature reached up into the mid 90s. Plus, Cornell was recently rated as “The Hottest Ivy” by Newsweek magazine.
All the more reason to cool off with some Dairy Bar ice cream.
Posted: Cornellia
25
August
2007
“Write while the heat is on you.” -Henry David Thoreau
Although the notorious revelry of orientation week is rapping up, I’m sure Cornell students will be privileged many more times to Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” blasting from open parties and car windows. And with good reason, considering today’s sweltering temperature reached up into the mid 90s. Plus, Cornell was recently rated as “The Hottest Ivy” by Newsweek magazine.
All the more reason to cool off with some Dairy Bar ice cream.
Posted: Cornellia
23
August
2007
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” -Lao Tzu
Have you ever just sat watching on the first day of school?
You see the obnoxious kid from your sophomore seminar, too smart for his own good. The girl who lived down the hall that you know is the next Bill Gates, the world just has to catch up with her. The quiet guy who roomed near your boyfriend a few years back; you never knew each other enough to say hi, so you have one of those relationships where you just smile. The class clown, the rebel rouser, the girl who never seems to grow up and the person with whom you still regret it didn’t work out. The secret summer crush who you only met a few times, but you kept tabs on through various mutual friends and internet “resources.”
The freshman run to class weighed down by prerequisites and their newly purchased $600 worth of books. Sophomores strut, convinced they are the smartest, mostly because they are not freshman anymore. Juniors walk with more direction, assured by their freshly padded summer resumes and upcoming abroad experiences – the world is at their feet. And seniors confidently swagger up College Ave., giving off an air of authority, as they’ve walked these streets many times before; but secretly, they could be more nervous than the freshman, for they’ll be walking somewhere very different this time next year.
The formal dates, the best friends and the thousands of faces you don’t recognize – they each have their own story.
And meanwhile, I just sit here watching them all go past.
No, I’m not being creepy. My classes don’t start until tomorrow.
This senior year thing doesn’t seem so bad after all.
Posted: Cornellia, Musings, Senior Shenanigans
