Temperature Turnovers

I think temperature changes are quite interesting, especially drastic ones. When I was here over the summer I worked a couple of days a week at the Rec Center which is connected to the Athletic Center. It was crazy the temperature change that happened in the middle of the hallway between the two centers. It actually felt like you stepped into a heat wall. The Rec Center has air conditioning and the Athletic Center does not. I kind of felt that again in my room today. For some reason they have not been able to fix the heat in half of my room, well mostly all of it. The bathroom has not heat and only the little entryway does, so my actually living room is also very cold. So last night I stepped from my bedroom into my entryway and I once again felt the air temperature change. It was crazy. I also felt it today as I walked from outside into Gilman. That one is more expected since it is winter out so the building is supposed to have heating, so it didn't feel as much like a wall but an enveloping tug that pulls you in. I think it's just winter that is making me think of all these temperature changes since it's so prevalent every time you step outside or enter a building.

Noises in a Super Shuttle

So I took a Super Shuttle home from the airport today and since those rides are so extremely silent I started to notice a lot of sounds. First off, people's phones making noises. Some people had their phones on vibrate, others had their ringtones on--beeps or whistles. Then, one man had his music on (headphones though) quite loudly and everyone in the van could hear it. It reminded me of someone on the airplane who didn't put headphones in at all! But something that really caught my attention was when we stopped the car on the side and he put on his blinkers as he plugged in addresses. For the first time I felt the beeping of the clicker slow as I focused on it. Instead of the continuos clicking, it instead felt like the click would start and disappear, start and disappear, like the think was clicking completely off. It was a whole new way that I was looked at it and it completely entranced me. That or I was just sleepy from my flight.

Wicked

So I went to the theater tonight and got to see Wicked for the 6th time. As like every other time it is magical and just sucks you in! It was crazy to see some people experiencing it for the first time or the fourth. To hear what they laughed at or laughed at for the millionth time. It was also exciting to see the actor's themselves. How they transform themselves into another person. I would watch them sometimes to see if they ever slipped up, but you could tell that they knew they needed to be on the whole time. You could also tell when people were comfortable with who they were playing and if it was effortless. Others you could see them concentrating on what dance they were supposed to do or how they were supposed to step. You could see the concentration whereas for other actors you got sucked in because they became that other person completely.

Absence

Something I think is interesting is how powerful the presence of absence is. We had Thanksgiving dinner today and our relatives who live far away canceled the day before. So instead of a boisterous ten we had a calm four. You wouldn't think it would be calm, but it was people we saw all the time. We missed the loud laughs and the booming voices. One of my brothers is in Israel on a pilgrimage and the other relatives stayed home because of an illness. It all just made me realize how heavy the lack of a presence can be.

Latina Life

Today I went to get my hair cut and I interacted with a "Latina" girl for the first time in a while. It was weird because I forgot the different types of stereotypes they bring up. She was noisily popping her bubble gum, waving her comb around, and saying, "nu-uh!" She was speaking half in spanish and half in english, while gossiping like crazy. She kept asking personal questions and speaking about her family. I know they're all stereotypes, but I've had many interactions where this was true and it was weird to experience that again since I've been living on the east coast.

Dolphins in the Distance

Today I saw many things in the ocean. When I got to the beach I saw something moving in the distance--it was dolphins! They were traveling in pairs of twos spread out every so often so you could just stand in one place and different pairs would pass you. They were also very playful. They would jump up in the air and do little flips, or others would just come up and blow the water from their holes before disappearing again only to resurface yards later. I believe those might have been the older ones. I also saw another thing when I was walking along the bay but I never found out what it was. It kind of looked like a seal's head, but my mother believed it was a bird. Alas, we shall never know.

Grandpa's House

Today I walked into my Grandpa's house, somewhere I haven't been in around 10 or more years. We haven't really gone there since my Grandmother died. We used to go there all the time. It was weird to see that nothing had really changed. This mirror of my grandmothers was still lying on a table, these plastic raccoons I used to love to play with were still lining the entry and the kitchen hadn't been changed or updated in years. The carpet and smell of the house were the same except there was a shrine almost to my Grandma in the corner by the door to the backyard where there used to hang her aprons. The picture frames were the same--even ones that she had put up because they were cut, not because they had anyone from our family in then. It was weird to think that this house just never changes and instead is ever constant.

That Time I had to Break into my House

So I've had a very interesting day. I arrived home for Thanksgiving Break (yeah!) but my parents have recently moved their primary residence to another state so I was the first person to reopen our home. And there were many surprises. One was a dead rat in the pool, moldy dishes in the sink, and then I think the most disconcerting (hard to beat the others I know) was the thin layer of dust on the upstairs floor--a place that usually is so frequented and noisy that it could never gather dust. It's been my first time back since my family moved and it's weird to realize it's not the primary residency anymore. Which of course led to me getting locked out this afternoon because the doors are usually unlocked. So then I had to cut open the window screen of a window I knew was unlocked (I did a great job, perfect rectangle) and then climb over bushes in a dress and fall into my kitchen table. It's been a pretty interesting welcome back.

Pancake Eating Competition

So this morning I went to a pancake eating competition. Yes, a pancake eating competition. At 7am. It was an odd experience. My group was the largest group of supporters. Basically, there were a lot of ups and downs in this hour competition. The lead runner was disqualified after breaking all the records because she was a competitive eater, the other lead threw up and was disqualified. There was just a lot. But through it all it was nice to see how supportive everyone was. When the lead was disqualified she just sat there quietly and cheered the others on, and all the other supporters who were behind also cheered others on. It was nice to see the sense of camaraderie people could have at 7am on a Sunday morning.

Watching a Squirrel One Day

Today in class I watched as a squirrel made it's way up the tree. I got pretty invested too. The squirrel was determined to make it all the way to the top and out to the end of the branches. I watched as he rose above the level of the buildings around him and the branches started to sway under his weight as he would hop from one to the other. He didn't care at all. He was more interested in reaching the end, why I don't know, then safety. I kept waiting, wondering if the squirrel was going to fall. But he didn't. Maybe he was cocky, or maybe they're faultless, but I turned away for a few minutes (I was in class) and when I looked again he was back near the trunk headed back down. Then he disappeared.

Freshie Life.

So the girls on my floor have decided that they want to try to scare me and pop out from places. One of the girls is very tall and lean, the other also lean but shorter. So far they've hid in doorways, crouched low behind corners, sidled out of doors, and hid behind things to pop out and yell, "AHHH". They've also followed me when I've gone on rounds, waited outside doors and it's all been so much fun. They've made me realize how fun and unique a freshman year experience is. It's something you lose as you grow older and leave the dorm life. But it's so nice to be included in this with them again.

Winter is Here

Well, it is cold. Officially winter cold. I walked outside this morning and puddles from yesterday's ran had frozen over. Some were cracked and shattered while others were still whole. I even went to kick something that I thought was ice (it was a huge chunk) but it could have been glass, I don't know! Because they are both that solid clear substance that winter brings confusion to. Also, as I was walking today I decided to cut across the green grass and it was crunchy! The winter had made the green grass freeze! So the cold is here and I'm just ready to head to California.

The Prison of Hopkins Rooms

So i've been noticing lately how depressing some of the buildings at Hopkins are. Like crazy insane asylum horrible. I know (or I believe) you haven't ventured into the women's restroom in Macaulay. But that bathroom is just so weird! First off there is a little side room attached with chairs and a DESK! Secondly one of the toilets has this very large raised booster seat thing on it. It's so weird. Secondly, some of the dorms on campus make you feel like you're walking literally in a crazy prison cell. The walls are white brick that stretch until the end with no change whatsoever. The stairways are all white and the lights are always on. It's kind of like the library room i'm in right now on B Level. It just isn't pretty or welcoming and you feel trapped and like you're being punished. I think Hopkins did a good job of changing some of that stuff when they built new buildings, but some of the old ones are just terrible!

Atmosphere

It's interesting how much emphasis is put on the atmosphere of restaurants. How much people believe it will affect the meal. I went to one place today where it was kind of underground, lights were low, aka it was only candle and it was all stone. Last night I went to a place that was fancier with high and low tops and it was all wood and well-lit. It really made me realize how fantastical or practical a space could be and how it communicates the food to the costumer as well.

Frozen Air

So the weather is getting cold. And I've been focusing lately on what your breath looks like as you breath. I think it's truly amazing that you can even see your breath in the air (California girl over here)! It took me forever to realize it's because the breath leaving your body is WARMER than the outside air!!! But I think it's really pretty to look at. I think in a lot of respects I'm like a six year old. I think it's fun to breath and huff in the cold and watch it swirl out and float around your face. It's just so cool that you can see something you need to survive!

Misty Morning Activity

So I had to be awake at 6am this morning. It was torture. But, as I was walking to Barnes and Noble I was awake so early that not many other people had passed by. Walking across campus it was amazing to see the amount of animals that were out and about. Birds were hopping along the side walk and when I would get close they would slowly hop up and let a breeze carry them just a little far away before they would land again in the grass and hop around. I saw at least 8 squirrels all around me! They were digging in the ground, climbing the trees, off in the grass, and on either side of me. It was crazy to see, in the misty morning, how active animal life is at Hopkins when there aren't students running around.

The Giving of Food

I've noticed lately there is such a weird stigma around food--giving and receiving it. As a picky eater this is my worst nightmare. Giving someone a piece of what you've baked, or giving them a gift of food is great, and a sign that you are thinking of someone and care about them--but to me it's just awkward. I thought of this since a friend of mine tonight made me this cheesy Spanish bread, which was sweet. And it was so hard to eat! But there is a social standard that you have to eat it! If not, you're snubbing them and disrespecting what they've taken time to make. It's such a difficulty!

Night Routines

Going to bed routines. Everyone has them (or maybe this is a sweeping generalization for the good of this post). This came to mind because I've been babysitting this kid for a couple weeks now and every time before he goes to bed he takes his pillows off in the same way. His bed is also always made, straight as a pin. He takes them off and stacks them on a chair, pulls this old raggedy, torn towel from beneath the left pillow, and places it on top of the pillow and then goes to bed. Another one of my friends always has to go to the bathroom before she goes to bed, right before. So if you stop her and talk to her or if she watches a TV show she has to go back and go again. Every time! I always need to have brushed my teeth and hair, closed all my doors, and turn all the lights off. If not, I can't sleep. It's weird the little things we tell our minds we need before we can go to bed.

You Affecting You

I think it's interesting how our own experiences and daily routines can affect how we interpret things we read or hear/say. When I was reading Leon's poem, I almost believed it was about a horse and saddling a horse because I've started watching a show about horses. Reading Andrea's poem about the bunny, all I could think about was this baby bunny (which I ironically saw again today) that I've watched grow and that lives outside my building. I also interpret conversations based on things I know or experiences I've had. It's weird to see how much your life experiences affect you.

And Your Name Was...?

I think it's really interesting how people act when they don't know someones name. I'm that person, who in the very beginning, will maybe ask, but the later it gets I won't say a word. I'll give up and just say it's too late, I'll never know their name. Others, I know can be extremely direct and will just say, "I know we've met multiple times, but I don't know your name". It shows a lot about a person, how comfortable they are with themselves and others if they have the ability to say that.

The Rat of Baltimore

So I was walking along the lovely streets of Baltimore when I spied a giant rat that then ran across my path!!! I had been watching the sidewalk and my friend only caught it out of the corner of her eye. I then told her what it was and we then had to walk across the path. As we walked the bush started to russle, like it was having a seizure, and then we of course screamed (fear of the unknown and a giant rat) so then we of course had to scream and run away.

The Awkward Dance

So I went to this event the other day called Postsecret. It's a website where everyone mails in their secrets and then this man chooses some and posts them up every Sunday. He recently came to talk at Hopkins and I went. During that time he asked if anyone would like to get up and share a secret. One girl got up and said that she loves to hold the door open for people when they're really far away because they have to do that awkward run hop shuffle to get to the door. She thinks people look like idiots and she loves to do it to people. And now ever since she's said that I see it happening EVERYWHERE! I was walking back from work and up ahead of me was construction. I was so far away when this man told the guy above him to stop cutting the tree. And although that was super considerate (I don't want a tree to fall on me) it was also at a very awkward distance so I had to speed up and I made eye contact before I was close enough to speak. All around it was awkward. Then, this morning, I held the door open for someone when they were far away (it's such a short distance you're either rude for not holding it open or opening it too soon) and I had to watch them do the awkward dance! I have no thought completion from this. Only that the dance is awkward indeed.

Breaking In

So I just got to watch someone try to pick a lock. I was mighty surprised when I asked someone if anyone knew how to pick a lock, and this boy I've talked to once before said yes. When I asked him if he wanted to help me break into a room he responded with a very enthusiastic yes (all over Facebook). He then came down and pulled out a lock picking kit! Like a real lock picking kit! He told me he picked it up at a hobby fair... He would have one pick that was flat on one end in the hole and then he would get out a different shaped one to wiggle it around. At times he would have multiple picks in his mouth as he moved things around and tried to break it. It was really interesting to see. Unfortunately, he was not able to do it. But when the lock smith came he did and it was magical.

Against the Norm

Isn't it weird when we see people do things that go against the norm? Today I saw someone just sit down, in the middle of the sidewalk. Just sat. It was on my way to school. He had sat down to tie his shoe, but it was still so odd. And it made me think of all the times I would get so upset and it would be irrational, because although it was against the norm, they weren't really doing anything wrong.

The Feeling of Crying

Today I finished the book, The Fault in Our Stars. If you haven't seen it, it is a GOOD cry. It was while I was in my last hour of reading it, crying intermittently throughout the end, that I decided to focus on what crying felt like. I couldn't breath, my nose was stuffed completely on one side, tears would literally fall, salty and drop onto my chest below. Sobs would also break from be, my mouth would open and the sound would escape and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I was also surprised at how easily the tears fell. There was no blinking, instead it was a constant drip and they would drop down. It was natural. And it was exhausting. But it was a beautiful book.

Expectations vs. Reality

Expectations versus reality. It can either surprise or disappoint you. I've noticed this today specifically three times. I'm in NY for the weekend and we went to see It's Only a Play. It's gotten amazing reviews and was supposed to be superb. So I was watching it expecting the best. But when I saw it I was underwhelmed. The humor was for an age group older than mine. We then went for a snack at an Irish pub and ordered potato skins (traditional American). We expected half a potato, fried and warm. Instead we got a fourth of a potato and it was cold. There are other examples, but people rarely realize how STRONG expectations are and how much they can hurt you.

Statues on the Side

So I'm on the train to New York, looking out the window occasionally at the trees now losing their leaves. It's as I randomly glance out I see this statue in a empty lot. It was one that made you do a double take and then was gone. It was giant, a man on a horse, holding a banner/flag. It was all white in a sort of bumpy material. Then as the train kept moving a new statue appears in the empty lot and it's that really ugly red bar one that's outside of Gilman! So now I'm even more upset because not only do we have that statue--it's not even original!