They Come Out of The Blue

          

    I fully acknowledge that what I'm about to post has little to no relation to my Europe trip. But it has been quite the busy, eventful week. Certain aspects of it merit a posting. 

Most of my energy the last two weeks went into the Emerson's Next Top Model competition and subsequent fashion show. The fashion society on campus did a really nice job organizing the whole thing and even though I didn't win (top two, though... but I was robbed) it was a good use of time. The pictures are from the various "Fashion Week 2008" events. School-wise, I'm one final down and three to go. My mom and grandma were here this weekend, and we secured an apartment for next year that I'm terribly excited for. It's a cute studio in Beacon Hill--one of the oldest neighborhoods in the country, by the way--and I'll try to get some pictures of that up sometime next week. 

Mom, Grandma, and I had a funny encounter at breakfast in their hotel this morning. We were sitting next to this older couple who struck up a conversation. They were British and spoke of how welcoming they had found the majority of Americans on their vacation. It's odd... whenever I meet international students or tourists (they're common enough in Boston), I kind of brace myself when they start talking about the country. Obviously, certain political leaders of the present are embarrassing enough, but when foreigners find the locals to be rude or stupid, I find the sensation is much like having a guest in your home who is appalled by your house keeping. Anyways, the couple was lovely and curious about college here. We spent a good 45 minutes talking with them. They are just 2 of the dozens of "friends" Grandma and Mom made in their 4 day visit :)

Round Here

With the end of semester tension, this trip is in my thoughts most of the day. All I can think of is doing homework by the moat (yes, moat) and sketching gondolas in Venice. 

Thursday was a meeting for everyone going. 16 of us. Seems like a good group. I had to rush off right after so I didn't get to talk with anyone extensively, but most people seemed friendly enough. We have a group page on facebook, planning flights and whatnot. The information is all sort of overwhelming; I have so much to line up in a short amount of time. I've no idea what to pack (which usually translates into me over-packing), still haven't booked my flight, and I already have homework due in a couple weeks.

Classes are actually what I'm most excited for. My poor dad has to help me find yet another digital camera (they seem to get lost, go through the wash, and stepped on a regular basis in the Kent house) for the digital photography/art history course I'll be taking. This will be the first time I've gotten to play around on Photoshop, and I have 150 pages of it's manual to read by May 16th and have to take two self portraits. 

It's mildly terrifying (not as terrifying as, say, the movie Prom Night I saw three days ago) to think of being in a place where I don't understand money, language, and nonverbal cues. Forces you to respect the immigrants here when remembering they're not just visiting, but living in that confusion. 

At my meeting, we received this whole printed packet about how a lot of kids who study abroad start to feel the effects of culture shock. Symptoms include identifying very strongly with one's own country, questioning life choices such as area of study, and starting to hate America and not wanting to return. So, that was... encouraging...? It's funny, the man who runs the program seemed to keep piling on facts that were less positive. He had way too many stories about people getting lost, but I'm happy to share with you my personal favorite fun fact about the Netherlands: it's entirely below sea level! Which means the only reason it isn't under water completely is that some hundred year old dykes are holding back the ocean. Again, encouraging. 

My apologies for the randomness and disorganization of this post. I'm off to write a paper and nap. I do love to nap. 

Also, any prayers or good thoughts towards my Yankees here in Boston tonight would be greatly appreciated. :)

Hey Eliza

Here goes.

I have commitment issues with blogging. This is, I believe, my fourth attempt in 2 years on this website. The first lasted one entry about my thoughts on life, family, and graduation from the narrow lens of my last days of senior year of high school. The second I lost the password. The latest try had a lame title. Not that this one's much better, but it IS a Counting Crows song, and I tend to write when insomnia strikes, so if nothing else, it's fitting. Anyways, I've decided to give it another go, since a rather monumental trip (first time in Europe!) is in my near future. The plan is to keep everyone updated as I traipse around across the pond (and plus if I post pictures and anecdotes, Dad will be proud and Mom will cry :)), and if all goes well, maybe to make a habit of online publishing.