30
September
2007
“The road to success is always under construction.” -Lily Tomlin
I know some students, professors and guests are annoyed by the continuous construction on Cornell’s campus (it even receives an ice cream shout out at the Dairy Bar – Construction Cookie Crunch). Yet, despite the inconvenient mud and noise caused by development, I think we need to keep in mind the possibilities these new and revived spaces provide for each of us and future Cornell students.
For example, click on the above picture to check out a cool slide show of Paul Milstein Hall, the new building for the College of Architecture, Art and Planning. Although the plans are controversial (few aren’t, it seems) Milstein Hall is also going for LEED certification, which my design friends tell me is a quite a big – and sustainable – deal. Breaking ground next year, maybe it will be done by my five . . . err . . . ten year reunion?
Posted: Cornellia
29
September
2007
“Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” -Benjamin Franklin
For a project in my personal finance class this past week, I completed a sample tax form. I figured this would be a useful exercise, except for my unfortunate procrastination and inexperience; my Dad usually holds my hand through TurboTax over spring break so I can make the mid April deadline.
Monday my Dad was at work. My book contained limited resources. I missed office hours. Overwhelmed by 1040s and whether to fill out a Schedule A or B, what could I do?
What everyone else in the country does when they have tax questions. I called the IRS.
My personal finance teacher advised us to take suggestions from the IRS with caution, as apparently their information is incorrect thirty percent of the time (a bit disconcerting). Nevertheless, as an American Studies major, I have a high degree of faith in my country and its workers; I thought I would let the IRS show me their stuff.
But when music from the Nutcracker greeted me on the other end of the line, I can’t really say sugar plum fairies were dancing through my head. Holiday music in September? For real? I thought the craft stores were being a bit preemptive with Halloween decorations on July 5th, but this was really pushing it.
Thirty minutes later and after talking to several people (who answered the phone with a number instead of a name – can’t we let them at least create a name like “Daphne the Diva” or “Cheetah Con Queso?”) I finally figured out which Schedule I needed and what numbers went on which lines.
I now sympathize much more deeply with all tax paying citizens of the United States, and plan on throwing a much needed April 16th party. Annually.
Posted: A Day in the Life of, Cornellia
23
September
2007
“Prior to the Industrial Revolution, someone estimated that the distance from Heaven and Hell to Earth. Heaven was several thousands of miles, while Hell was only 3,758 and 1/4 miles from Earth. My question is – why the 1/4 mile? At least you know if you want to go to Heaven, get a hybrid.” -Cornell Professor
Here is what is up for this semester.
- Development of Economic Thought and Institutions - I’m really loving this class so far. History from an economic perspective with a professor who is ever so quotable (see above).
- The History of the American South: Race and Sex, Men and Women - My senior seminar for American Studies. Sometimes the topic is not quite my cup of tea, but the professor is great and I’m finding as the semester evolves, the class does as well – positively.
- Personal Finance – Not the most intellectually stimulating class, but one that surely is teaching me practical skills. IRA – apparently not only a paramilitary organization, but also really good for your personal finances.
- Nutrition, Health and Society – I’m taking this class to fulfill my last science requirement. Not shabby, although the class has a ton of freshman, who evidently get to Call Auditorium hours early for their seats. Dear friends, in the future, please move to the middle of the row (with the rest of your entire Dickson hall) so those of us who only get their five minutes early (gasp!) like me aren’t stuck on the floor. Thanks!
- Issues Behind the News - A new class that hosts a speaker with an expertise on a certain subject matter making headlines. Some examples include immigration and the war in Iraq.
Three cheers for a liberal arts education. It really is practical, I swear!
Posted: A Day in the Life of, Cornellia, Senior Shenanigans
20
September
2007
“I wake at night and think I hear
Remembered chimes,
And mem’ry brings in visions clear
Enchanted times
Beneath green elms with branches bowed
In springtime suns,
Or touching elbows in a crowd
Of eager ones;
Again I’m hurrying past the towers
Or with the teams,
Or spending precious idling hours
In golden dreams . . . “
- from “The Hill” by Albert W. Smith ‘78
I see it everyday, I talk about it on every tour, but no, I have never been to the top of the Jenny McGraw Tower.
I know. You can gasp. So un-Cornellian of me.
But don’t worry, all of that changed today when my friends Brian, Sarah, Ugo and I hiked the 161 steps to the top and watched a chimes concert while taking in an amazing view.
The Chimesmaster, the person in charge of ringing the bells, seriously impressed me. This little lady couldn’t have been much over 5 feet or 100 pounds, but she was bouncing around and playing our requests flawlessly, which included “The Mexican Hat Dance” and “Moon River.” During our trek to the top, I officially discovered the most cleverly named bathroom on campus . . .
Posted: Cornellia
16
September
2007
“Life is something that happens when you can’t get to sleep.” -Fran Lebowitz
. . . is clearly hilariously amusing for someone who is currently racing it around outside my bedroom window. I’m sorry, but this joy ride somehow doesn’t have quite the same charm for me. Yet, what I really want to know is, how did you get that sucker up 79 from Wegmans? I must say, by this, I am impressed. Has to be an engineer . . .
Oh. College.
Posted: A Day in the Life of
11
September
2007
“Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.” -E. B. White
Check out my op-ed that appeared in The Cornell Daily Sun today about what it is like to have a sibling at Cornell – and how much freshman and seniors actually have in common.
Posted: Cornellia, Senior Shenanigans
6
September
2007
“I want to bring out the best in a community and contribute something of a permanent value.” -I. M. Pei
Who could want more than free food, music, great art and Naked Guys?
Just a few of the many reasons why everyone should check out an opening at the Johnson Museum of Art, as my friend Ash and I did last week.
An exceptional building designed by I.M. Pei (who also created the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in my hometown of Cleveland) I’m always impressed by the Johnson’s exhibits. Some of my favorite shows have included an instillation made completely from the clothing of Cornell students and a Rembrandt at 400 exhibit celebrating the artist’s works, homeland and 400th birthday.
I think the general enthusiasm and excellence present at the Johnson can be attributed in part to the director, who my friends have seen quarter carding for events on the Quad and I’ve seen done up in everything from 1600s attire to singular suit and tie combinations.
And if you aren’t sold on your (free) visit yet, at least stop into the museum to check out the view from the fifth floor.
Oh and about those scantly clothed men. You’ll have to go to the Johnson and see them for yourself.
Posted: A Day in the Life of, Cornellia
3
September
2007
“Vacation is what you take when you can’t take what you’ve been taking any longer.” -Anonymous
Because at Cornell, you won’t get one.
I don’t have enough cash to buy myself a iced chai because the bank is closed. My rent was hand delivered to my landlord as the snail mail will clearly not get it to him on time.
Maybe the above scenarios are due to my refusal to have an ATM card (self enforced anti-spending mechanism) or poor planning. Nevertheless, please note the rest of the country is enjoying the last bits of summer barbecues and pools on their appropriately labor free Labor Day. A lot of the Cornell staff is even off today. Yet, the students and professors up on the Hill are back at the usual grind like any old Monday.
I heard the ILR school (since labor is practically their middle name) canceled classes in the past, but got in big trouble with the administration. Instead, all the professors make lame jokes involving the word “labor,” which no matter how clever, will never be as popular as a free day without classes.
Maybe parents paying tuition or those law student – who sometimes threaten to sue Cornell for the money they lost because the university called a snow day when a pansy 20 inches falls – are happy to “get their money’s worth.” But I bet even they all wish for a free day when it is a rare 80 degrees and sunny in Ithaca.
Interestingly enough, my nutrition professor was the only instructor who canceled class for Labor Day. Still, he made sure we watched a slide show in class on Friday regarding the struggles of poor workers in the food industry. It was set to a song entitled “Solidarity.” Coincidently, we also began discussing the digestive system that day in class (am I the only one who found this mildly funny?)
Bottom line, I guess I shouldn’t complain too much – I did have a 50 minute get away – which I spent in the library. Now that is what I call a destination vacation.
Posted: Cornellia
