This trip was so fun. I remover going last year with some friends and was happy to do it again this year. While my skating didn’t get better the fun sure did. It was fun seeing everyone on the ice and gusting free. I saw a couple people fall which is always funny. I also fell which was less funny. But yea the ice rink is always a great mixture of fear and fun.

Coming back from break, it was nice to take a short hiatus from studying and go ice skating. I went to this event last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I grew up roller skating and rollerblading, and I have to say even though roller blades and ice skates have similar shapes they’re workings are completely different. A level of balance and grace is needed to successfully maneuver on ice skates, and I can’t help but watch in awe at those who make skating look as natural as walking.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been skating. I always feel like a little bird flying on the ice, feeling the breeze by my cheek, it is always a fun experience. But this time it’s more than just a time for fun, it is my very first social event here at Cornell outside orientation. I was definitely a bit nervous when I arrived too early and see no one besides me, and that continued until we are heading out to Lynah Rink. I was walking by someone and the awkward silence is killing me. Finally, I can’t stand it anymore and I started talking to her. Thank god she’s super nice and kept the conversation going! I learned quite a few things about her, and we do share things in common. We both have a cat, both binge watch stuff and we both love anime. We stayed together during the entire event and kept talking. This experience is somewhat special to me because I made my first friend in the Rose community. We are both staying in Rose main next year, so I’m really looking forward to keeping develop this friendship!

P.s. she posted under this event too, you can probably figure out who my new friend is XD

P.p.s: My avatar is my cat! I just can’t resist to show her to everyone XD

This was the first time I ice skated in Ithaca so it was a good experience seeing the ice rink and taking some time off from studying. I only ice skated two times in my life, making what is supposed to be a calm and fun event challenging and sore. I consider myself a relatively agile person but for some weird reason, I couldn’t stand upright. I fell many times and I even managed to knock into someone when I fell. I wish I had the chance to ice skate more often during my childhood because it is refreshing when you are going really fast and freeing. Even though I hug the side of the rink 24/7, it was quite an enjoyable time. Unfortunately, I got blisters from the ice skates but I guess it was worth it.

It was the third time I’ve gone skating at Lynah Rink but this one was the most eventful… because I fell. The ice was not smooth or primed for skating, especially on the edges, which is where I spend most of my time since I am not a very good skater. And so, I fell. Not a great experience but definitely one that I’ll remember and will probably keep me away from a rink for quite some time.

Sunday evening at Lynah Rink was a mixture of surprises. First, I got to visit Cornell’s Lynah Rink for the first time. I could tell it’s where a lot of hockey games are held. Somehow I had never heard of it. I met a new transfer who is also a Rose Scholar, and we bonded over similar experiences transferring (I transferred in last semester). We talked about our classes, academic interests, and our families/pets.

It was also a great opportunity for me to practice my skating skills which had become a little rusty. I did better than I expected — which is to say I at least did not fall or otherwise hugely embarrass myself. Among the very crowded rink, some were speedily weaving in and out of slow folk like myself, and a few figure skaters were practicing their spins here and there. As a result it was a little disorienting at times, and some fell as a result. I was probably just very lucky.

Not so lucky was the water blister that erupted at the base of my big toe, but only on my right foot. Maybe my feet are asymmetrically wide, or those skating boots were. Either way, the blister serves as a memento from a fun night of conversation and low-intensity exercise.

When I was little, I took skating lessons with my sister. While she was serious about skating as a career, I was hating every minute of my time at the rink. Fast forward to last Sunday, I finally got back onto the ice after 2 years of not skating. Afraid that I might fall on my face, I quickly grabbed onto my friend’s hand, hoping that she’ll stabilize me. After a good 10 minutes, I realized that my feet, by muscle memory, were gliding on their own. For the next two hours, I managed to skate around the rink without falling once. This event made me realized how fun skating is. It was only back then, when I was forced to learn, I hated putting on my skates and skating in the rink. Now I hope to go to the rink more often.

For this Rose event, I got to leave my comfort zone and join my fellow scholars on ice! I’m not a very good ice skater and I was a little hesitant. However, I am so glad I tried ice skating. Everyone seemed a little all over the place in their ice skating abilities. Between the center of Olympic figure skaters and those clinging to the wall for dear life, I felt oddly comfortable as I slowly mastered balancing. It was really nice to try something new and fun. Ice skating was a great and adventurous way to start the school year.

Last year, I sat in the crowded yet historic building known as Lynah Rink. I saw the incredible hockey athletes skating around, body checking each other, all while skating on ice at a fast pace. Today, I have gained much more respect for all athletes and ice skaters for their tremendous coordination skills. Although I learned how hard ice skating was, I was surprised at my ability and the help offered by each other. I didn’t even think I could walk on ice but learning to skate today has been a great experience. I also met and skated with other Rose Scholars and learning something hard like skating brought us together. I’m very thankful for this experience and I’m excited to attend more events like this.