Yule Log Ceremony

Traditions are just another reason the holidays are so special to me.  The traditions at The College are no different.  The Yule Log Ceremony has come and gone, as has my first semester in graduate school.  Only a few more days until I'm home for the holidays, but there's always time to throw away the year's problems and listen to President Reveley recite "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

The Gentlemen of the College performing at the annual Yule Log Ceremony, flashback from 2011.

"I'd stay if I could, but the universe won't let me"

This past weekend was the interim time between classes and finals.  And as it is every year, the entire campus was one continuous party.  Friday, the last day of classes, LDOC, known more affectionately as Blowout, consisted of carnival rides, free food, and lots of people-watching.  I had a lot of fun; I think I spent it appropriately and well.

Seniors in line to ring the Wren Bell; one of the graduation traditions at the College.

Cover band on the Sunken Gardens.

Me taking selfies at Spotlight's second annual toasting of the Little Theatre.

Gentlemen of the College final concert.

Playbill for Les Misérables in Norfolk!  Amazing show and talent.

My friends and I have come up with a brilliant plan for next year's Blowout (even though we probably shouldn't even be thinking that far ahead).  Friday morning will consist of brunch, ringing the Wren Bell together, assorted festivities ...appropriate to Blowout, and no schoolwork.  I can't even believe how quickly this year went by, and how quickly senior will also.  Even so, I've haven't wasted away junior year, so for that I am glad.

Currently listening to: "The Goodbye Song" Smash (my current obsession, for obvious reasons)

Happy Halloween

I know it's a bit of overkill, posting two days in a row, but I had to.  It was a perfectly brisk, fall day today and I made a quick cider run in CW before the hours and hours of work and studying I'll be doing for the rest of the week.  Here are some pictures from today:

Flowers :)

Incredibly vibrant tree I came across in CW

Not a black cat, but the pose makes up for it.

Spotted: cows!

Peanut Shoppe: Spiced Maple Pumpkin Dip and animal crackers

Display in the Peanut Shoppe

 
And of course I had to go into the Candy Shop

Where's the candy corn?!  I was slightly disappointed; three different stores and nowhere to buy bulk candy corn.

 
Satchel from ClubCouture; it came in the mail earlier last week.  The two of us have been attached at the hip...literally, since I got it.

Lace skirt from target, gray top from Forever 21, scarf from Burlington.

Currently listening to: "Sound of Silence" The Gentlemen of the College (check it out here; the arrangement gives me chills)

All I really want for Christmas? Good grades.

This is going to be a super quick post because it's finals week and I'm devoting little time to anything that isn't studying.

But this is important.  Last night was The Sing Off Holiday Special.  TSO is essentially a competition show for a cappella groups from around the country.  Technically this season's over, but last night, they brought back past groups for a holiday show.  Aka, On the Rocks, the Tufts Beelzebubs, and The Backbeats, among others.  :)

The Sing Off + "All I Want for Christmas" + Backbeats and Delilah = love overload.

Surprises, music, and Natty..a whole lotta Natty, oh my!

This weekend marks the last weekend of my freshman year at The College. And it certainly has been full of surprises. It all started when my friends blindfolded me and took me to this restaurant in Merchant's Square. It's been kind of a trend between my group of friends, but because my birthday no longer falls within the academic year, they decided to have an early surprise birthday for me.

That was yesteday..er, Friday. And now for Saturday, quite possibly the widest range of emotions I've had this entire year. The link below really does represent the theme of last night.

Expectations vs. Reality

Essentially, my favorite a cappella group here and one of my favorite parts about this college, The Stairwells, had their final concert yesterday afternoon. So obviously me and two of my friends got there hella early and proceeded to wait. While I only know one of them personally, I've sort of grown attached to many of the people in the group, especially the seniors. So it was sad to see them perform for the last time.

Also, as an extension of my surprise birthday weekend, my friends decided to get one of The Stairwells to sing happy birthday for me. Definitely the highlight of my day...maybe even longer than that.

The night that followed however is explained with the "500 Days" scene. What I did learn about myself was that I haven't really changed much since last year in terms of social awkwardness and getting jealous. I had the chance to make that night a lot better for myself, but couldn't get out of my comfort zone.

Currently listening to:

"The Joker" The Stairwells

Blowout 2011: "Get Schist-Faced!"

Is it bad that I don't want to leave school quite yet? Today was the Last Day of Classes or as most students know it as, Blowout. Essentially, Blowout is the day when students come to their classes completely wasttedd. In addition to the hoards of inebriated students stumbling around campus throughout the day is the ridiculous campus-wide party that happened on the Sunken Gardens today. Inflatables, free food, a relatively unknown, but still live band, and just hundreds of people everywhere. Perfect for my people-watching hobby.

Reasons why this day was awesome:

- Gentlemen of the College Final Concert

- hours and hours of people-watching

- seeing some pretty special people

- seeing the Spotlight seniors, because this may have been the last time I will

- the weather

- here comes my Twamp comment, the Calc test I got back that I did not fail

Reasons why this day was not awesome:

- LDOC means finals

- LDOC also means the end of freshman year living in Barrett (B3W <3)

- and as weird as it sounds for me, I'm going to miss my cousin being here (shoutout to Christopher)

With less than two weeks until I am no longer a resident of Barrett, I guess I need to appreciate it while I can. And that means hanging out with the people that I know I won't see next year. But (insert loads of innuendo here) I'm working on that. ;) <- if that doesn't make it clear...

Currently listening to:

"Southern Girl" Amos Lee