24
May
2008
“Look at what you love on graduation day. Take the classes, the friends, and the family that have inspired the most in you. Save them in your permanent memory and make a backup disk. When you remember what you love, you will remember who you are. If you remember who you are, you can do anything.” -Cathy Guisewite
“A Slice of the Pie of Life” is a phrase I heard recently that I thought would well fit this space. Upon viewing an interaction or interesting situation, one could say, “Now there is a slice of the pie of life.” Aptly, I hope, I’ve provided a slice of my – and Cornell – life for you to know.
It’s hard to believe two years ago, the Student Blogging Project was merely in the works of a way for students to gain more of a presence on cornell.edu. Through the incredible dedication of Lisa and her staff in Web Communications, this idea has become a viable and successful reality. Especially without you Lisa, we would not be here spouting off on Cornelliana. And thanks also to Tommy Bruce and the rest of the administration’s members who are brave enough to support a project where students can freely express their deepest causes or merely just run their mouths on the homepage – daily!
Thanks also to all the others who make Cornell what it is – from the maintenance staff to President Skorton, I can think of few places on earth where I’ve run into people who are more friendly, kind and consistently interested in other people’s well being (with a few notable exceptions from Long Island – I’m not a hick just because I’m from Ohio!) Appreciation also goes out to my professors, who have helped me to push the classroom beyond four walls to a global sphere.
I cannot express enough gratitude in this space for all of the communities that have made Cornell my second home. Many thanks go out to the MFCNS program, Tridelta and EARS for helping to shape my campus experience and providing endless support. To the CIVR staff (pro staff too) – I’ve never met people who are more fun to work with at 7:45 am – keep up the enthusiasm!
On a more personal note, a thanks to all of my friends (specifically, D6, the J. Mo Faithful, 410 Stewart and all of the others – you know who you are!) who have allowed me to make their lives public fodder in this space. You all are indispensable, and have helped me to become the person I am today in more ways than you will ever know. And of course, my family (especially Mimi and Poppy, my most faithful readers) for just being you. I am one lucky lady to have each and everyone of you in my life.
And of course, to my readers. I would be just one other narcissist in cyberspace without you!
And just in case you were wondering – I’m headed to Phoenix, Arizona, to start Teach for America in less than two weeks! I’ll be teaching elementary special education and completing my masters in special ed at ASU (but always cheering for the Big Red). After that, we’ll see where life takes me – or, where I can take it. It’s sure to be one exciting ride, and thanks for sharing part of it with me.
Posted: A Day in the Life of, Cornellia, Senior Shenanigans
23
May
2008
“Forward, forward – let us not disappoint the moon before us.” -Den Sute-Jo
Despite less than perfect weather, my friends and I have enjoyed spending the past week painting Cornell and Ithaca with Big Red spirit. Even though “senior week” is bittersweet with the “g-word” (as my friend Elana terms graduation) approaching, my chums and I have been living it up and making memories.
We’ve enjoyed time at favorite spots, including the Ithaca Farmer’s Market, a must see for anyone in the area. The food is phenomenal and you can definitely get a feel for Ithacan culture – even the boats parked near the market are aptly named to fit the flavor of this town!
I also conducted my last tour ever. Kind of sad, but it did include an alternate route; since all of my friends came on the tour, we decided to make a stop at the Dairy Bar for some ice cream!
Freshman and Senior Year Roommates on my last tour!
A highlight of the week included a wet afternoon on Lake Cayuga. My friend BC is quite the sailor and has been bugging me all semester to go out on the water with him. Procrastinating in true college student style, I waited until our last week here – 40 degrees and rainy. Nevertheless, BC, Alex and I braved the elements to enjoy a few hours bumping around on the waves.
First Mate Alex and Cornell up on the Hill
Alex and BC both have much more sailing experience than me (mast? line? boom? OUCH). BC was deemed captain (we were on his boat after all) and Alex first mate – I was demoted from second mate to deckhand during our trip. Maybe I should have taken sailing for a gym class . . .
First Mate and the Captain preparing The Rascal
Other events included a high ropes course, twilight cruise, wine tour and trip to the Commons, as well as several delicious meals out and evenings socializing. It’s been a wet week (pretty clear with raincoats in every picture) of firsts and lasts, but all in all, unforgettable!
Posted: A Day in the Life of, Cornellia, Senior Shenanigans
16
May
2008
“Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?” -Calender
Enough said!
Posted: Senior Shenanigans
15
May
2008
“If we are to save our children then we must become people they will look up to.” -Geoffrey CanadaÂ
Almost everyone at Cornell is done with exams. I saw lots of cars busting at the seams today heading out of Ithaca.
Not this senior.
Oh yes, my Psych 282: Community Outreach final is at 2pm tomorrow. Beloved psych professor Harry Segal apologized for the time, but honestly, the people who schedule exams at Cornell fall into the category of “Very powerful – not to be messed with.”
Anyway, compared to a few evenings ago where I had to search multiple floors in Mann to find a chair (and no desk) tonight it seems like the plague hit Cornell. Uris is so empty it looks, well, naked.
I guess it’s a little bittersweet – my last time EVER cramming for an exam at Cornell. In some ways, I don’t want the finality of it all. But on the other hand, I have a feeling I’ll be pretty excited when I put down my last pencil tomorrow.
So enough procrastinating. I’m off to choose from one of 35 seats in the Dean Room and study female gang members, Fist Stick Knife Gun (an interesting read if you need one) and psychotherapy in the kitchen.
Posted: A Day in the Life of, Senior Shenanigans
9
May
2008
“Let the good times roll” -The Cars
Study week is supposed to be the time when Cornellians stake out a spot in the libe and begin diving into the reading they haven’t done all semester.
However, in many ways, study week is actually the last fun party time before we all have 20 hour a day parties in Uris and Mann. This is Cornell – you know we work hard. But don’t worry, if you want, you also have the option to play too.
Pretty much ever extracurricular activity I’m involved with on campus plans some type of end of the year event – parties, formals, you name it. Oh yeah, and the campus wide celebration known as Slope Day (I touched the lead singer of Gym Class Heroes as he walked through the crowd!) as well as my birthday (I eventually made it out of Olin). I’ve provided some photographic documentation of the fun before we all become bald from pulling out our hair because of exams.
Slope Day/Birthday Brunch
On the Slope!
Tourguides gone wild!
Look who showed up at the Tridelta Formal – the little bro
Posted: Cornellia, Senior Shenanigans
