I cannot believe I have almost completed my first semester of college. It feels like just yesterday I got my ID and keys, moved into my (first) room and cried while I said goodbye to my parents. A lot has changed since then, I turned 18, switched rooms, was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and all in all, had an amazing time. I feel so blessed and lucky to be attending my dream school, Sarah Lawrence. The smaller classes, amazing professors and intellectual discussions are why I came to this school. But I am also finding many amazing friends. Never before in my life have I had such an easy time making friends, and I feel loved and accepted here. SLC is not perfect (What school is?) and this semester has not been perfect, but there is a lot to be thankful for.
As I write this I am curled up in sweats, with my comforter around my shoulders, drinking a steaming mug of tea (to ease the sore throat I woke up with this morning). It snowed really hard yesterday, and we have at least half a foot of snow, so I am going to hibernate for the day! I have a long day ahead of me, trying to get the rest of the work for this semester done before I board my train home next friday. I got my first term paper done on Friday, and I have two more papers and an exam to get through before then!
On Friday I went to the last SLAC (Sarah Lawrence Activites Council) meeting, where I am one of the publicity assistants. Even though I am the only First-Year student, all the other students have been so wonderful at taking me seriously, and making me feel like a real part of the group. Not to mention I always know what is going on campus!
On Thursday I had one of my favorite classes, Actor's Workshop, which is basically 4 hours a week of dramatic improv. My teacher is a joy, very understanding and encouraging, and I am surrounded by a room full of talented people. Somehow, over the course of this semester, we have all become very close, and I feel so comfortable in that class. On Thursday I was doing a scene, and something in me just clicked. Rather than feeling inhibited and nervous, I felt confident and sure of myself, and was able to give what one of my classmates called "an authentic" performance. It felt incredible, and completely boosted my confidence for the rest of the day.
I am so excited to be home in less than a week, and to be able to really catch up with people and enjoy my time at home for more than a few days. I am excited for Christmas, helped along by the festive decorations in my dorm room, cooke decorating, and fabulous Christmas Carol jam sessions with my musically inclined roommate. I have gift ideas aplenty, and am looking forward to some decent home cooked meals. But, I will miss my friends, my classes, my roommate, and this beautiful snow-covered campus that I have come to call Home. My life has become a balance of old and new, familiar and unfamiliar, sick and well, and stresses and relaxation. And I would not have it any other way.
Hoping that this Holiday Season brings you joy, peace and happiness. <3
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Signs and Validation
With only a few weeks left to go in my first semester here at Sarah Lawrence (Where did all that time go???) I am busy working on my two conference projects, and all of my other assignments. My Fibromyalgia diagnosis has finally started to sink in properly, and I am learning where to place my limits. I am learning when to push myself and when to resign to a tough day. I am looking forward to the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special this saturday. A welcome break from studying. And in just a few days I will be on a bus headed back to the place where I left my heart....Cleveland.
I never knew you could love where you were so fiercely, and yet ache so strongly for home. For Buckeye candies and the way Tower City lights up at night. For POP instead of Soda. For snow in October. For the way Lake Erie looks when it is freezing. I am so blessed and happy to be here in New York. I love my school. I get this little rush of happiness when I am crossing the gorgeous campus carrying a ridiculously large stack of books back to my dorm, or when I am rushing to the Performing Arts Center right next door. My heart is divided, and probably always will be, and thats ok with me.
Yet, I still want a sign from the universe, some clear sign that I am making the right choices, that I am meant to be here, that I will find happiness and fulfillment here. Sometimes, the universe works in mysterious ways. Today my Theater Outreach class welcomed a really remarkable New York City director and playwright who specializes in "Docu-Drama" and social outreach types of Theater. I was inspired and engergized. I came out of that class just bubbling over with ideas and thoughts. I had more energy in that moment than I have in weeks. My mom noticed this change too (over the phone I might add!) as did two of my teachers. I explained to them, that this is my normal.This feeling tired, headaches, and pain that I have been battling are not normally so severe. I explained to them that normally I am alive with ideas, engaged and passionate about life. I explained that this is me, because...Ladies and Gentlemen, for today anyway, I got ME back!
I never knew you could love where you were so fiercely, and yet ache so strongly for home. For Buckeye candies and the way Tower City lights up at night. For POP instead of Soda. For snow in October. For the way Lake Erie looks when it is freezing. I am so blessed and happy to be here in New York. I love my school. I get this little rush of happiness when I am crossing the gorgeous campus carrying a ridiculously large stack of books back to my dorm, or when I am rushing to the Performing Arts Center right next door. My heart is divided, and probably always will be, and thats ok with me.
Yet, I still want a sign from the universe, some clear sign that I am making the right choices, that I am meant to be here, that I will find happiness and fulfillment here. Sometimes, the universe works in mysterious ways. Today my Theater Outreach class welcomed a really remarkable New York City director and playwright who specializes in "Docu-Drama" and social outreach types of Theater. I was inspired and engergized. I came out of that class just bubbling over with ideas and thoughts. I had more energy in that moment than I have in weeks. My mom noticed this change too (over the phone I might add!) as did two of my teachers. I explained to them, that this is my normal.This feeling tired, headaches, and pain that I have been battling are not normally so severe. I explained to them that normally I am alive with ideas, engaged and passionate about life. I explained that this is me, because...Ladies and Gentlemen, for today anyway, I got ME back!
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Held Back, But Not For Long
Some days are harder than others. Some days I feel totally up for a long day of classes, meals with friends, homework and traipsing around the gorgeous campus I am lucky enough to call home. Others I am tired, sore, barely able to make it from class to class. Distracted from my note-taking, because pain is shooting through my arm. Exhausted from a night of disturbed sleep that was hard to get to in the first place. I am coping, I am managing, but not without keeping an eye on what I am missing out on.
For anyone who knows me, they know that sometimes I can be a bit of a homebody. Right now however, I spend almost every evening in my dorm, in bed, resting. For someone who likes to keep busy, and who is itching to capture everything this school has to offer, this is a frustrating reality.
This friday is the Fall Formal, but I will be staying in instead for a night of knitting and netflix, while this is way more my style in the first place, trying to explain myself to others is not so easy. Having to say "I can't today, I'm not feeling well" or "You know what, I don't think I'm up for that" is hard.
On the bright side of things however, I am going to be working with food services to improve my gluten free options in the dining hall, and I am now on the school's medical transport list, so for days when I am especially bad, I can get a ride to where I need to go on campus. Another bright light in my week is the upcoming field trip to trader joe's. Really looking forward to stocking the mini fridges with fresh fruits and veggies and my favorite TJ's staples! And yet another bright spot, in less than three weeks I will be on my way back to Ohio, with my friend from Essex County England in tow! So excited to show her the sights of Cleveland like the Art Museum. And to spend some good quality time with family and friends, not to mention some good homemade food and catching up on all my favorite shows.
Being away from home, and being sick, is probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Its probably one of the hardest things my mom has ever had to do to stop herself from climbing on a bus and rushing to my side to take care of me like she does so well. I am coping, I managing, but my new way of living is going to take some getting used to. This "Fibro" stuff, its just my new normal.
For anyone who knows me, they know that sometimes I can be a bit of a homebody. Right now however, I spend almost every evening in my dorm, in bed, resting. For someone who likes to keep busy, and who is itching to capture everything this school has to offer, this is a frustrating reality.
This friday is the Fall Formal, but I will be staying in instead for a night of knitting and netflix, while this is way more my style in the first place, trying to explain myself to others is not so easy. Having to say "I can't today, I'm not feeling well" or "You know what, I don't think I'm up for that" is hard.
On the bright side of things however, I am going to be working with food services to improve my gluten free options in the dining hall, and I am now on the school's medical transport list, so for days when I am especially bad, I can get a ride to where I need to go on campus. Another bright light in my week is the upcoming field trip to trader joe's. Really looking forward to stocking the mini fridges with fresh fruits and veggies and my favorite TJ's staples! And yet another bright spot, in less than three weeks I will be on my way back to Ohio, with my friend from Essex County England in tow! So excited to show her the sights of Cleveland like the Art Museum. And to spend some good quality time with family and friends, not to mention some good homemade food and catching up on all my favorite shows.
Being away from home, and being sick, is probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Its probably one of the hardest things my mom has ever had to do to stop herself from climbing on a bus and rushing to my side to take care of me like she does so well. I am coping, I managing, but my new way of living is going to take some getting used to. This "Fibro" stuff, its just my new normal.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Fibro-what?
For a little over a month, I have been having symptoms like muscle and joint pain, tension headaches, fatigue, sensitivity to noise, light, and temperature, lower than average body temperature, unexplained weight gain, sensory overload, cognitive fog, trouble concentrating, anxiety, and depression. Some of these symptoms I have had for 10+ years, like my anxiety and depression. Others, like the joint and muscle pain, fatigue, weight gain and sensitivity to light, sound and temperature, have been ongoing for years. Others are more recent. These symptoms make daily life difficult, and are as unpredictable as the weather in Cleveland.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and a significant Vitamin D deficiency on Tuesday afternoon. Fibromyalgia is something I have thought might be the possible diagnosis for a while, but the confirmation of this is still overwhelming and scary. There is no cure for Fibromyalgia, but there are medications, treatments and lifestyle choices I can use to help treat my symptoms. Very little is understood about this enigma of a syndrome, and the cause of this disease has only very recently been thought to have been discovered. My anger is setting in. Anger at the ways that this illness is impacting my life, and my happiness, Fibromyalgia is less common in young adults. Anger that I can't be nearly as active as I once was. Anger that this syndrome is so hard to explain and so misunderstood.
I have wanted few things other than to go to college, and be in a place where I am accepted and feel happy. When I am finally here, when I am finally have one of my life's dreams in my grip, I am being confronted with a chronic illness that is threatening to take over my world. I am angry because I want to be soaking up all that Sarah Lawrence and New York have to offer, but instead I am lucky if I can complete the tasks I have to. I want to be able to take the train into the city and explore, or even just run across campus to hang out in a friends room. I am scared, because I don't know if when I wake up, my symptoms will be better or worse.
A way that I have discovered to explain the toll this takes on me physically and mentally is called The Spoon Theory (I attached the original to the bottom of this page.) Basically, lets say that every day you get a different number of spoons and each spoon represents the tasks you have/want to do that day. Some days you have more spoons that others. Some days you barely have any. There are some days where, in order to accomplish everything, you can steal a spoon from the next day, but knowing that tomorrow and the day after, could be even harder because of that. Like I have said, its scary and overwhelming, and I am just trying to make it all make sense in my head, let alone on paper.
I am sad because I am just at this high point of my life, and I feel like this is holding me back. I want to cry and scream and throw things because this, like so many things in life, just isn't fair. It really isn't. I have so much I want to do, and see and experience, but now this is just one more obstacle in my way. It isn't insurmountable, or manageable, but it seems that just when I think I am beginning to get my life figured out, another curveball is thrown my way. But this is a big curveball, and I am going to need a lot of support and compassion to get through this.
But just because I am angry, and sad, and scared doesn't mean I stop trying. I am not going to let Fibromyalgia control me or my life. I am going to let it steer the course of my ship on some days, but I am the captain of my own ship. I am going to keep learning and educating others about myself. I am going to be researching ways that I can raise awareness about this misunderstood syndrome. I am going to do what I always do, continue to Keep Calm and Carry On.
That being said, below I have written some quick tips of what you CAN do to help me. I also attached some articles for more information on Fibromyalgia, and living with an "invisible" illness.
Thank you all for your support, love and empathy.
-Katrina
What not to do:
One of the hardest things to handle right now is telling people how they can help, because even if you might want to, you can't take on my pain, and some days even a hug hurts.
-Instead trying to play "topper" with me, acknowledge that there are different levels of pain, and what I am feeling is an almost constant and nearly every day is spent in some sort of pain.
-Instead of trying to give me advice, listen to what I am doing to take care of myself.
-Instead of trying to make me feel better by pointing out that things
-Instead of assuming that just because you have never heard of Fibromyalgia then I must be making it up. Look it up, ask me questions, but don't tell me what I am going through is not real.
-Anything small, because support is what I need in order to cope with this.
-Offer to help or to listen. I may not take you up on this for whatever reason, but knowing it is an option, is a real comfort.
-And if prayer is your thing, feel free to do so.
-Give my symptoms and feelings validity, this is scary and overwhelming, and when others show in small ways that what I am going through is valid, it makes it a little less so, and easier to cope with.
LINKS:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/steps-authentic-happiness-positive-psychology/2013/oct/17/fibromyalgia-solved-pathology-not-mind/http://shadowsoffibromyalgia.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/how-to-explain-fibromyalgia-to-family-and-friends/
http://shadowsoffibromyalgia.wordpress.com/
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEL6puqRd-I
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and a significant Vitamin D deficiency on Tuesday afternoon. Fibromyalgia is something I have thought might be the possible diagnosis for a while, but the confirmation of this is still overwhelming and scary. There is no cure for Fibromyalgia, but there are medications, treatments and lifestyle choices I can use to help treat my symptoms. Very little is understood about this enigma of a syndrome, and the cause of this disease has only very recently been thought to have been discovered. My anger is setting in. Anger at the ways that this illness is impacting my life, and my happiness, Fibromyalgia is less common in young adults. Anger that I can't be nearly as active as I once was. Anger that this syndrome is so hard to explain and so misunderstood.
I have wanted few things other than to go to college, and be in a place where I am accepted and feel happy. When I am finally here, when I am finally have one of my life's dreams in my grip, I am being confronted with a chronic illness that is threatening to take over my world. I am angry because I want to be soaking up all that Sarah Lawrence and New York have to offer, but instead I am lucky if I can complete the tasks I have to. I want to be able to take the train into the city and explore, or even just run across campus to hang out in a friends room. I am scared, because I don't know if when I wake up, my symptoms will be better or worse.
A way that I have discovered to explain the toll this takes on me physically and mentally is called The Spoon Theory (I attached the original to the bottom of this page.) Basically, lets say that every day you get a different number of spoons and each spoon represents the tasks you have/want to do that day. Some days you have more spoons that others. Some days you barely have any. There are some days where, in order to accomplish everything, you can steal a spoon from the next day, but knowing that tomorrow and the day after, could be even harder because of that. Like I have said, its scary and overwhelming, and I am just trying to make it all make sense in my head, let alone on paper.
I am sad because I am just at this high point of my life, and I feel like this is holding me back. I want to cry and scream and throw things because this, like so many things in life, just isn't fair. It really isn't. I have so much I want to do, and see and experience, but now this is just one more obstacle in my way. It isn't insurmountable, or manageable, but it seems that just when I think I am beginning to get my life figured out, another curveball is thrown my way. But this is a big curveball, and I am going to need a lot of support and compassion to get through this.
But just because I am angry, and sad, and scared doesn't mean I stop trying. I am not going to let Fibromyalgia control me or my life. I am going to let it steer the course of my ship on some days, but I am the captain of my own ship. I am going to keep learning and educating others about myself. I am going to be researching ways that I can raise awareness about this misunderstood syndrome. I am going to do what I always do, continue to Keep Calm and Carry On.
That being said, below I have written some quick tips of what you CAN do to help me. I also attached some articles for more information on Fibromyalgia, and living with an "invisible" illness.
Thank you all for your support, love and empathy.
-Katrina
What not to do:
One of the hardest things to handle right now is telling people how they can help, because even if you might want to, you can't take on my pain, and some days even a hug hurts.
-Instead trying to play "topper" with me, acknowledge that there are different levels of pain, and what I am feeling is an almost constant and nearly every day is spent in some sort of pain.
-Instead of trying to give me advice, listen to what I am doing to take care of myself.
-Instead of trying to make me feel better by pointing out that things
-Instead of assuming that just because you have never heard of Fibromyalgia then I must be making it up. Look it up, ask me questions, but don't tell me what I am going through is not real.
- Instead of saying "I'm sorry" or "I wish I could help", because I know, I see it in your eyes and your face. Saying "I'm sorry. That must be really scary, let me know if there is anything I can do" or something of the like is more appropriate.
-Drop me a line every now and then to check in. Knowing that I have support can make a rough day a little brighter.
-Send me a funny or inspirational picture.-Anything small, because support is what I need in order to cope with this.
-Offer to help or to listen. I may not take you up on this for whatever reason, but knowing it is an option, is a real comfort.
-And if prayer is your thing, feel free to do so.
-Give my symptoms and feelings validity, this is scary and overwhelming, and when others show in small ways that what I am going through is valid, it makes it a little less so, and easier to cope with.
LINKS:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/steps-authentic-happiness-positive-psychology/2013/oct/17/fibromyalgia-solved-pathology-not-mind/http://shadowsoffibromyalgia.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/how-to-explain-fibromyalgia-to-family-and-friends/
http://shadowsoffibromyalgia.wordpress.com/
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEL6puqRd-I
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
October Adventures
I'm well into my first semester of college, the workload is starting to really pick up, the trees are loosing their leaves and the crisp autumn air is a welcome change from the sweltering campus I encountered almost two months ago. I'm enjoying meeting new people everyday, but also settling into my routines and into new friendships. Its quite a change to be surrounded by so many people, when my world has always been so much smaller. Needless to say I am pretty homesick for familiar faces and places right now.
At the beginning of October I took a quick trip home to Cleveland to surprise my Grandma on her 75th birthday. I flew in Thursday night, and after a long trip I finally arrived at the airport. My flight got in a few minutes early and I went straight to baggage claim, but before I could get there I spotted my parents, who had just walked into the airport. I flew into their arms, overjoyed.
Friday morning I went to their house. My mom went in first, and I went out to the backyard to call her. I talked to her like I was at school and then said "Hey Grandma, my mom brought you something. Its out on the back patio, look.....now!" and then I walked into her view. She was so surprised, and so touched. My Grandpa was giddy with his own success at keeping the surprise a secret and at having me home. It was so wonderful to be home and in the arms of the people who I love. My cat was especially pleased to have me home, and was very upset to see me go again.
The weekend was spent in the company of family, and on sunday I got to go to church and visit with my West Shore family. Monday came again too soon. I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with my Mom, visit as much as I wanted to with my Little Grandma who made the trip up to see me on sunday or finish catching up on my favorite television shows, or even eat all my leftovers before it was time to head back to New York.
My flight was delayed for a few hours, so I did not get into LaGuardia Airport until nearly 9. I took a shuttle to Grand Central Station and caught one of the last trains on the Metro North. I was so proud of myself for navigating this last leg of my journey. I grabbed the school mini-van back to campus and was met at the gate by my roommate, Eliza. I unpacked for a while, and then collapsed into bed, exhausted. I was home.
I am homesick, and yet I am home. I harbor a newfound love and pride in my hometown, and yet I can't wait to explore the rest of the world. I am enjoying my new friendships, and yet want nothing more than to share this new chapter of my life with those I hold dear to my heart. I love the challenges each new day here brings, and yet, I long for the routines of home. I don't quite belong at home anymore, and I don't quite belong here yet. So for the meantime, I am still in limbo. But limbo isn't such a bad place to be for now.
-Katrina
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Limbo.
I don't know why, but I sort of figured life would start to work its kinks out once I got to college, but now I think life is just creating more kinks for me to smooth.
Last week was my 18th birthday. And while my family and friends went to extraordinary lengths to make it a special day, it still felt pretty weird. Last weekend I was horribly homesick. A downside of going to a school right next to one of the most amazing cities in the world is that the students fly to it like moths to a flame on the weekends, leaving campus feeling a bit lonely. I had not planned ahead to make plans with friends, and I longed to be home in the familiar. On the bright side I still had the week of celebration ahead to look forward too. On Tuesday night I went over to my friends apartment and baked cookies with some friends. We baked over 60 cookies for me to share in my wednesday and thursday classes. The simple act of baking made me a little less homesick, and it was nice to bring a piece of home to my new friends. In between batches we stole down to the television common room in the building to watch The Mindy Project and New Girl. To our delight, the room was empty and it was lovely to cozy up and enjoy watching live cable TV.
At midnight on September 24th I called my mom, and we had a lovely conversation about how proud she was of me, etc, etc, etc. I went to bed and woke up, an adult? I honestly don't feel any different, but it was exciting all the same. I still had some presents to open and some packages to pick up from the post office. To my surprise and delight, some of my new friends had some little surprises up their sleeves as well. My mom had mailed me one of our traditional cookie cakes to share with my floor, so I invited all the girls on my floor and some of my friends to come over and enjoy it with me. I refused to let them sing happy birthday (it is one of my least favorite things in the world to be sung too), but I had a blast just enjoying everyone's company.
This week was a bundle of contradictions. I am supposed to be an adult, but I still call my mom 2-3 times a day, even just for a few minutes while I walk to lunch. I am supposed to be settling in, but this week I was packing up and sleeping on my friends floor. Unfortunately I have had some roommate troubles that are still being resolved, but pretty soon I will be switching rooms for a better situation for all involved. So it was sort of like being in limbo. Between teenager and adult. Homesick or at home. Happy or sad.
This week I am really looking forward to auditions for the women's shakespeare company, my first production meeting for the halloween show I am helping with props for, and my second adventure into the city to see a play with my Theater Outreach class about The Trail of Tears. Tomorrow is the first meeting of the UU Group on campus, so hopefully I can establish some UU community for myself here.
I miss home. I miss my cat, and my bed. I miss midnight nachos and tv marathons with my mom. I miss car ride chats with my dad. I miss the way the lake looks early in the morning, and the way the sun sets over the west side of town. I miss the lurch of my elevator as it stops on my floor. I miss apple cider and having a dishwasher. I miss the familiarity of MHS and my friends there. I miss knowing all the faces when I go to school everyday. I miss home cooked meals, and working at the gelato shop.
But I love meals with friends, and laughter over new inside jokes. I am slowly growing to love the long hike up the hill from the dining hall. I love the excitement of getting mail, and buying things like dish soap, which I never bought before. I love doing my own laundry, and not screwing it up. I love creating community in new places. I love the tudor revival buildings, leafy trees and rocks and cliffs that jut out, to make this campus seem like Hogwarts. I love espresso and tea in the Tea Haus, the little coffee shop that looks like Hagrid's hut. I love the feeling of accomplishment when you kick butt in a difficult improv in acting class.
I miss home. But I love my new home too.
I am in limbo. And I think I kinda like it.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Happy Ever After or Happy Right Now?
A lot has happened over the past week or so. But I will start with today. A morning of homework and gabbing with a friend over lunch in the dining hall, an afternoon of classes and meetings, and then an anxious evening preparing for my first college auditions. (The way the department here does the auditions for the department headed productions is through a big general audition). It was one of those auditions where you really can't tell how you did, and you just want to puke the whole time. I came back to my dorm, curled up in bed with my US History text book to try and distract myself until callbacks are posted....didn't work too well...
This weekend was lovely. Friday was spent playing catch up with my more "domestic" chores and homework. Saturday was terribly exciting. My friend took me to see my first broadway show for my birthday. We went to see Annie at the Palace Theater in Times Square. Even surrounded by a billion little girls in Annie costumes under the age of 8, I was still giddy. I was transported from the opening lines to the last bows. Then after the show we got a backstage tour with a friend of my friend's family, who was understudying for Daddy Warbucks. On a side note, its a good idea to have something to hold on to when riding the subway, because stumbling into your seat is a perfect way to point out to the other passengers "I am not a New Yorker and I don't know how to ride a train!" Sunday was a blur of sleeping in and homework with a fantastic evening out bumming around Bronxville with my friend Melanie, seeing a movie, getting ice cream and running errands at the local CVS.
College isn't perfect. The dining hall is getting a bit less appealing as the weeks go on, sharing a community bathroom is actually pretty gross, and walking up and down the massive hill to and from the student center/dining hall is no walk in the park. (I know I am not known for my love of walking, but this hill really is a pain.) Homework isn't bad.....yet.....but I am really excited to start my term papers (called conference work).
The monologue I did tonight was all about growing up and trying to hold/let go of your childhood fairy tale daydreams. I have been dreaming of going to college since I was 11, so for me college seems sort of like a fairy tale. Not to mention I am attending one of the most beautiful colleges ever. A mix of modern, colonial houses and tudor revival buildings scattered across a sprawling campus dotted with leafy trees, small (and big) hills and rocky cliffs. But like in my monologue, its not so important that its happy ever after, just that its happy right now. And happy I am.
PS. My mailbox is still lonely. Only one person has sent me anything that was not coming straight from amazon!! (Thanks Beth!!)
Monday, September 9, 2013
Monday Mornings
So after a long weekend of stressful scheduling, I finally have my fall schedule worked out. I love it! Only one class on mondays, full day of theater on wednesdays and no classes on fridays! I got "bumped" from a class I really wanted, but found a class in the Art History department that I think I am going to like even better.
I am making new friends each day, and continuing to nourish friendships I am still making. This morning I am headed into Bronxville for the first time with my friend from England (yeah, I know, I would huh?!) to run some errands, grab some Starbucks and gab.
This weekend we celebrated a birthday on Garrison E, and it made me nostalgic for my own parties of old. It will be strange to turn 18 in a few weeks surrounded by people who were only a few weeks ago strangers, instead of livelong friends and classmates. I will not be woken up at 4:58 AM by my parents (the time I was born, the very last time I was ever a morning person), or have my traditional dinner with my grandparents.
The class I am the most excited about is called Theater Outreach. The basic premise is that I will be teaching and bringing theater to different venues and programs in the surrounding area and along with a small team of students will be teaching theater. Very excited for that class to begin on Wednesday.
Not too much else is new, my dorm room is slowly coming together, so my next post will include some pictures.
PS. My mailbox is super lonely. Help! :) If you need my address just let me know.
Best Always- Katrina
I am making new friends each day, and continuing to nourish friendships I am still making. This morning I am headed into Bronxville for the first time with my friend from England (yeah, I know, I would huh?!) to run some errands, grab some Starbucks and gab.
This weekend we celebrated a birthday on Garrison E, and it made me nostalgic for my own parties of old. It will be strange to turn 18 in a few weeks surrounded by people who were only a few weeks ago strangers, instead of livelong friends and classmates. I will not be woken up at 4:58 AM by my parents (the time I was born, the very last time I was ever a morning person), or have my traditional dinner with my grandparents.
The class I am the most excited about is called Theater Outreach. The basic premise is that I will be teaching and bringing theater to different venues and programs in the surrounding area and along with a small team of students will be teaching theater. Very excited for that class to begin on Wednesday.
Not too much else is new, my dorm room is slowly coming together, so my next post will include some pictures.
PS. My mailbox is super lonely. Help! :) If you need my address just let me know.
Best Always- Katrina
Friday, September 6, 2013
She Wasn't Where She Had Been
Good Morning,
So instead of trying to keep everyone updated as much as I would like on the incredible journey I am having here in New York at Sarah Lawrence, I am going to be keeping a blog. I will try to update it as much as possible, but I make no promises.
Before I got here there were the usual nerves about college, but also the fear that maybe I choose the wrong school, or I would not fit in. I have not even been here for a full week, and I have already put those two fears to rest. I made the right choice for me. Sarah Lawrence is not the school for everyone. No two Sarah Lawrence students are alike, but we all share the same thirst for knowledge, passion for our own education and a desire to take the reigns and lead our own college journeys.
One of the great things about living on an all girls floor, is the instant sisterhood we are developing. Already our nights are becoming a pattern of giggling games, shared food and stories. I already feel at home here, maybe more than anywhere else in my life before.
Not to say its all perfect or anything. Registering for classes is a bit of a nightmare, I got slammed with either a bad cold or some heavy allergies on my second night here, living with another person is an adjustment, and its been horribly humid.
But I am all registered and I will find out by tomorrow morning at the latest what my schedule will look like. Health services has looked after me, and I am feeling so much better than a few days ago. My roommate and I are learning each others quirks and preferences, which will make our year a lot smoother. And best of all, its almost fall!
Ten Things I Have Learned about Sarah Lawrence and College in general:
1. Leave your keys and ID in one place every single time in your room.
2. There are much better places to cry on the phone to your mom than the patio next to the student center and the science building. Upperclassmen WILL give you strange looks.
3. Don't wear your SLC lanyard around your neck while you walk around campus, it may be convenient, but it will totally mark you as a First Year.
4. We are not the Freshman here, we are the First Years. (And yes, it is totally like Hogwarts...)
5. Getting a cold your first week is not the end of the world.
6. Pretty much everyone here is from California, New York or New Jersey.
7. Sticky Tack does pretty much nothing to keep things on a wall.
8. When it feels like 100 degrees your first few days, trying to look put together all the time becomes a full time job.
9. Hearing a familiar voice is like getting a hug from home.
10. Late night bonding sessions with your hallmates and your roommate are the best. <3
(10 1/2. Bates Hill after a big meal is pretty much the worst thing ever.)
Thanks for reading!! I hope you enjoy hearing about my collegiate adventures and mishaps, as well as my struggles and triumphs.
Next Post: Pictures and a few words about my dorm room as well as an update on my class schedule.
Lots of love,
Katrina
So instead of trying to keep everyone updated as much as I would like on the incredible journey I am having here in New York at Sarah Lawrence, I am going to be keeping a blog. I will try to update it as much as possible, but I make no promises.
Before I got here there were the usual nerves about college, but also the fear that maybe I choose the wrong school, or I would not fit in. I have not even been here for a full week, and I have already put those two fears to rest. I made the right choice for me. Sarah Lawrence is not the school for everyone. No two Sarah Lawrence students are alike, but we all share the same thirst for knowledge, passion for our own education and a desire to take the reigns and lead our own college journeys.
One of the great things about living on an all girls floor, is the instant sisterhood we are developing. Already our nights are becoming a pattern of giggling games, shared food and stories. I already feel at home here, maybe more than anywhere else in my life before.
Not to say its all perfect or anything. Registering for classes is a bit of a nightmare, I got slammed with either a bad cold or some heavy allergies on my second night here, living with another person is an adjustment, and its been horribly humid.
But I am all registered and I will find out by tomorrow morning at the latest what my schedule will look like. Health services has looked after me, and I am feeling so much better than a few days ago. My roommate and I are learning each others quirks and preferences, which will make our year a lot smoother. And best of all, its almost fall!
Ten Things I Have Learned about Sarah Lawrence and College in general:
1. Leave your keys and ID in one place every single time in your room.
2. There are much better places to cry on the phone to your mom than the patio next to the student center and the science building. Upperclassmen WILL give you strange looks.
3. Don't wear your SLC lanyard around your neck while you walk around campus, it may be convenient, but it will totally mark you as a First Year.
4. We are not the Freshman here, we are the First Years. (And yes, it is totally like Hogwarts...)
5. Getting a cold your first week is not the end of the world.
6. Pretty much everyone here is from California, New York or New Jersey.
7. Sticky Tack does pretty much nothing to keep things on a wall.
8. When it feels like 100 degrees your first few days, trying to look put together all the time becomes a full time job.
9. Hearing a familiar voice is like getting a hug from home.
10. Late night bonding sessions with your hallmates and your roommate are the best. <3
(10 1/2. Bates Hill after a big meal is pretty much the worst thing ever.)
Thanks for reading!! I hope you enjoy hearing about my collegiate adventures and mishaps, as well as my struggles and triumphs.
Next Post: Pictures and a few words about my dorm room as well as an update on my class schedule.
Lots of love,
Katrina
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