This is the time for Revelry

Last weekend was pretty nice. I got a lot of work done class wise and also art wise. I finished my second big art project and I actually do like the outcome. I think it was a total of 19 hours, so that's always fun to put into perspective. Half way through I hated it which is probably the worst feeling ever when you've already put ten hours into it, but by adding more and changing things around it took a turn for the better. I basically was in the library for ten hours on Saturday, which was exhausting but also accomplishing.

Sunday I went out which was really perfect and needed. It was also the day that we got a mini ice storm. Walking out of my dorm was interesting, the entire road was covered with ice, sleet, and it was hailing basically all day. The wind was a nice addition too. Pause not. So Monday was the beginning of Revels Week, always one of the best, if not the best times on campus.

Revels is a Christmas Play that the school has put on for 95 years, as of this year. Every year the seniors audition for parts in September, and get their roles in October. The great thing about the roles are that a.) they've never changed through the years, and b.) it's a total secret, and only the seniors know who is who. That being said, for three months, other students and faculty on campus "revelize" the seniors on who they think they will play in Revels. It's a hard game to play, because the seniors can't admit to anything, even if the guess is correct. The seniors get their scripts and begin rehearsal exactly one week before the actual and final production, which is pretty crazy on it's own. For ten hours a day, they disappear into Kiggins and prepare for Friday night's show. On Friday, tomorrow, the biggest show is finally put on after a year of anticipation. Kiggins becomes the Grand Hall and is completely transformed into something amazing. The underclasswomen and the juniors get dressed up after a half day of classes, and head to Lyon Remington in the evening. Being in Lyon Remington consists of nothing but nice dresses and high pitched, indescribable screaming that you can't understand unless you are actually in the room. For an hour, three classes stand together and scream. That's it. After the hour of near deafness, students are lined up by seniority and walk the processional to the Grand Hall. Faculty stands on the sides and claps and takes pictures, and it's just very sweet and exciting. The juniors get to sit in the front row, then the underclasswomen behind, and eventually the alums walk in, which of course causes for more screaming, and they sit on the floor in front of us. The Dean, Headmistress, and Theatre Head come out and say a few words and then everything gets dark. When the lights come on, and we see our first senior for the first time as their finally revealed role, the room erupts in, you guessed it, high pitched scream. The seniors also wear costumes that have been worn for 95 years by the past identical roles and graduates. For every senior's first burst onto the stage or floor, the crowd screams for them and through the discovery of the part. For two and a half hours, the girls scream and sing to Carol's that have shaken the same hall for 95 years. The play seems to last such a short time, and it's an experience that you just almost can't put into words, which makes it so special. Afterwards, and seniors dress down, face paint and hair still in tact, and meet with all of the other girls to celebrate their show. Another tradition is for the seniors to rub their face paint on to the faces of their underclasswomen friends.

It's such an amazing time, and I'm excited for my second show, and last show before I am on the other side of the stage, next year. Afterwards a few of us are going to Hannah's for a post party, and then I walk back at SEVEN in the morning to catch my flight. Ugh. But none the less, I couldn't be more excited. The fun officially kicks off tomorrow when we get out of class at 11, and head to our common rooms for our house lunches for a big Revels party. After that, it's just time to get ready and pre party.

Then home for 2.5 weeks (lame short break) and back for second semester.


\

(awesome bar in Hudsom all Christmasy during Winter Walk)

I'm Still Aliiiiiiiiiiive!

So it's been a month since I've posted anything about my fabulous (<--lie), jam packed life. My apologies to my thousands of committed readers....
Anyway, Since I've last written, I've gone to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, contemplated my existence, and gotten probably 3 hours total of sleep. Starting from the beginning, I've seen Harry Potter (twice) and I LOVED it. So so much better than the last two, probably because it is so much more like the book than the movies usually are. SO excited for the second part. Definitely will read the book yet again before that comes out.

Thanksgiving was really nice, my Aunt Sonya and Uncle Toby (mom's side) came over for the first Thanksgiving. My Aunt and Uncle in VA moved, so it was time for the family to separate, so sad. Nonetheless, it was really nice and relaxing and a perfect way to bring in the holidays.

I flew back to Albany on the 29th (missing the VS fashion show...great timing) and was thrown back into work before the next big break. Time to jam in everything imaginable into two weeks! Last weekend I went to Chatham for a few days, which was so nice. I did so much work, including my english term paper and completed my 13 pages of AWESOME bio notes to study for my Monday exam. That being said, I got back to school feeling accomplished and ready to study for my bio test. So what happens? My laptop crashes. Totally screws me over, and dies. I don't mean battery, I mean, I can never use it again and it's solely physically there, and nothing else. The system crashed, and I lost everything that I needed. I took it to Danny (my new lifesaver) who worked on it for 7 hours, and got everything off of my hard drive that he could before it completely died. Unfortunately, come 2009, my hard drive completely crashed, and I lost everything from then on. My three term papers, 5 months worth of bio notes, 7000 pictures, and 2000 songs are gone. Did I mention that the only thing it saved was Mein Kampf? Strange.

This next week is going to be crazy, but it's Revels week! And that's very exciting, not only because of Revels, but because of one week until break being here! Very excited for the holidays to arrive, even though one is already over, and also my birthday is coming!

Until then, lots of work, and maybe even another update.
xx

Countdown #1

The first official break (thanksgiving) is officially tomorrow. At the beginning of the week, I had 29 classes left, now I have 12. I think I can manage that. Starting somewhere, the plan was to go to the Dino last weekend, but at 8 pm with a 3 hour wait, that was quickly decided against. The last few weeks have been so stressful. Last week I had 4 big tests, 3 papers, 2 quizzes, and a bio lab. This week I only have 2 tests and 3 essays and an article, no big deal.

This week has been relatively not so hot otherwise through typical BS. This weekend seriously cannot come soon enough. Last classes are tomorrow, stuck here for the night, and leaving Saturday morning to relax and step back from it all. Also, Harry Potter? That part doesn't suck. Last night we went to the coffee shop to do work and drink lots of caffiene. I surprisingly got a ton done, so now I only have one essay left to do for the week. It's been disgusting and freezing and rainy all week, and it's seriously making me so excited to get the hell out of here.

Everyone on campus is practically on acid these last few days, and the break can't come soon enough. That reminds me, I watched Alice in Wonderland, and it's bizarre. I'm pretty impressed with the movie overall though and definitely recommend it. This post is ridiculous, I'm aware. Which also reminds me, I need to write an entire post in Rebecca.

As the First Snow Falls

Waking up this morning, not only was I still confused through DST, I was annoyed because the first thing I felt walking outside was not only frostbite, but sleet. For the past three hours, it appears that the 518 has decided to get slammed with snow, and it's been sticking to the ground for awhile now. The entertaining part is how excited the underclassman are, and how annoyed the upperclassmen are. Oh well, only 4 more grueling months!

Updating from the last time I wrote, I'll start from the beginning. Last weekend I went to the Double M Western Haunted house/hayride. It was pretty lame, but better than nothing and fun to go out after the week. Even though I seemed to be the target visitor, I definitely became obsessed and plan on going to about ten next year, even though I'll never watch a scary movie.

The week was pretty uneventful, stressful, but uneventful. I had tons of tests and papers due, that I'm pretty much avoiding getting back completely. Getting me through it though also was Sex and the City, which I found out by the end of season 4, that I left all of the other seasons in Pennsylvania. Friday we went to Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, which sort of sucked because a)it was pouring and freezing and b) we aren't in the third grade anymore, as every other person there was. The weekend was nice, specifically on Saturday, even if the trials were happening further south. :( Yesterday overall sucked pretty badly, especially the evening, but two weeks from yesterday, I'll be flying to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, which is definitely something I'm looking forward to. And Harry Potter!

I just got an email that I'm currently angry about, telling me I'm back on academic review. Not exactly how I wanted to start the second half of the first semester, or the year whatsoever. On a happier note, I'm contemplating biting the bullet and buying myself something from Tiffany's, but I'm not 100% on that yet, considering that would take away immensely from the meaningful factor. I'm dreading walking to class in a few, the blizzard is still going on, and yes, it's accumulating. Frowny.

Typical Saturday

This week seemed to be more eventful than I'd even like to think about, but I obviously got through it fine in the end. Between bio hell, numerous tests, and zero sleep, let's just say I'm glad it's over. I had a British girl stay with me for the last week who goes to a school in England which was pretty cool. She came over to experience the differences and I honestly think she probably has no desire to come back to this country, but for the time she was here she seemed to have a good visit.

Rebecca and I made caramel apples, which was literally the highlight of the week, even though the whole first hour of it was such a failure, we finally made it and they were awesome. Yesterday was our mock Halloween, and without any time I had no costume. :( Very depressing.

On a bittersweet(er) note, tennis finished the season on Thursday. We won our first two sectional matches which meant we played the number one school for states. We ended up losing the match 5-4, which was really sad, but we fought hard, it was definitely close, and overall had a great season. Also, second in states? Not too bad.

Last night I went out to dinner at an Italian Restaurant and went to see a movie after. Naturally, Jackass. And, naturally, hilarious. I'm so glad they made another one and we were laughing so hard the entire time. As for today, it's a little more depressing. For some reason I woke up at 9, maybe because I had a dream with a girl in it that makes me less than happy. So I gathered all of my books and laptop together and headed over to the library to study for a few hours. Yay, Saturday! :( But I'm hoping to do SOMETHING tomorrow. Also, 3 weeks from today I'll be home for Thanksgiving! So exciting. OH and three weeks from today I will be sitting in the theatre watching Harry Potter!! Which seriously makes this entire year. By far. SO excited. I have nothing too exciting to report, the only thing I can think of for today is that I'l probably go to the gym, and study more. But neither of those seem to be a surprise. I also might work on my christmas list which currently has like 4 things, which is much better than a week ago. The four things (because I know everyone is dying to know): cute boots I found online, a dress from VS that is stunning, something from Tiffanys, although I'm not sure if I'll ask for that because I'd prefer it be something meaningful, and a tennis bag. Soo I guess that makes three things. We'll see how that goes.

Week of Less Than Greatness

This is the "absolutely forbidden section of the school that nobody may enter or be able to find" So Kacey and I went. Anyway, how cool is that? This is the old pool that hasn't been used in years. We "accidently" ran into it after going down three flights of stairs, 2 hallways, 3 sets of locked doors, and a bowling alley.


8 weeks in already, and it's still hard to believe. This year is flying by, and everything in the near future is reminding me how close it all is. In fact, I'm already 25% into the academic year. Last year of finals, last year of Revels, last year of being the audience of graduation. But in the time being, maybe I'll just focus on what's going on now.

That being said! This week definitely was the most challenging so far. Between an incoherent work load, arguments with an instructor, and not being able to play in sectionals because of it..things could have been a little better. But getting through it also meant getting to Long Weekend, which for some reason I was excited for. Saturday was a great day, but being completely alone without anything to do for three days afterwards definitely isn't the best feeling to have. Sunday's original plans fell through, so I got to go to the mall for a few hours, which didn't exactly play out as I was hoping it would, being as it was the most uncomfortable three hours ever. Today I'm hoping to go to Chatham just to be in a more home like setting, oh and have a TV.

It looks like I'm getting tested soon to see whether or not I can get a language waiver, which would increase my experience by just about 5000% here, so I'm definitely hoping for the best. I bought my plane ticket yesterday for Thanksgiving which was incredibly exciting. Also I think I should mention that I bought it for the day after my classes end just so that I could see Harry Potter that much earlier, instead of having to fly home and tack on the extra 20 hours of waiting. As if!

The weather is super depressing already, only because when I walk outside I know this is warm compared to what we're going ot get in the next few months. And when I say next few months, I mean, eleven. (ish) Otherwise, things have been okay, a little weird, but okay. God, I hate the weekends here. Depressing is a good adjective for them.

Week 5

Today is officially the start of my fifth week back in Albany. It seems like a lot longer, but in a good way. I've had a few quizzes, projects and papers in the two weeks of classes I've had, all relatively easy and short. This year is so comparably different then last, and I honestly couldn't be more excited about it. It doesn't suck to walk to class and actually no where I'm going, see all the familiar faces, and just overall know the system better.

Tennis is going really well, the team is undefeated and going strong. Unfortunately, my tennis elbow got increasingly worse and I can't play for however long now. Forgetting that, the weather is already freezing, with the exception of today. Bye, summer :( This last weekend was the perfect way to wave the perfect season goodbye though in one of my new favorite places. Best weekend in a long long time.

Otherwise, things are pretty good and sane. I've finally settled down friend-wise, and I'm starting to realize who the genuine ones are, which is making things a lot more pleasant. Speaking of, WHASSUP REBECCA.

I'm hoping to get out more this year on weekends, I'm pretty sure that's the only way I'll stay relatively sane. Especially because I'm starting to realize that it's a lot harder than I thought to be completely alone most of the time, weekends being one of the hardest parts. I do wish I could have a pet, but the ferret thing didn't fly, shocking..

The Landowner's Dinner was a couple of weekends ago, and my father and Jill came up which was a nice way to spend it. It was also the first beagling event I've done in a while, so it was great to see everyone and have a genuine good time with good people. The moonlight beagle is this weekend, but then again, so is Lark Fest..so we'll see which one wins.

Otherwise, everything is pretty lame and busy, so nothing too exciting to report. I like my teachers for the most part, and thus far I haven't killed myself during Spanish. Maybe I'll start paying attention in bio now.

Tomorrow's the Day

Now that that 7 hours a day of tennis are finally over, it's time to face the other reason I'm here...academics? Everyone officially arrived today, which means classes start tomorrow. My schedule is decent, with the exception of Spanish and the hardest teacher ever, which is of course the course I am best at. Paaause not. So that should be interesting and expulsion-worthy.

I still feel like my head is ten feet away from my body, so I'm hoping that disappears soon. On a happier note, my father is coming up this weekend to go to the Landowners Dinner in Chatham, which is definitely something I"m looking forward to. Otherwise, Hannah's visit and Long Weekend are close enough behind. I rearranged my room into the single that it is, and all I can say is that I absolutely love it. There's so much room! I have an entire wardrobe just for my dresses, and more than a few solely for my shoes.

It feels great to be an upperclassman, and to not feel so lost when I take on the campus, which I know will set in tomorrow especially. I have my second match on Thursday against Maple Hill, which will be a breeze. Also, I saw a billboard in Albany for Oktoberfest...!? I'm definitely hoping I go to it, because I'm pretty sure it would be the best time of my life. Before that of course is Lark Fest, but I think the last time I went to that I was 7 and my dad still owned the wine shop.

Advisor Dinner is in a few hours, and other than that, more Family Guy and more researching the dream job. Wish me luck tomorrow!

xxo

Love All

It has officially been 5 days since I arrived back at school. I drove up beyond early Wednesday morning, and was hitting the courts in Albany by 2 pm that afternoon. Within the last day, I have finally unpacked 95% of my things, and am waiting for my room to be a single to unpack the rest.

One thing that really stood out to me coming back on campus, is how it feels like I never left. This couldn't have made me happier because it made the yet again transition that much better and more exciting. Seeing my close friends and getting familiar with everything again felt so relieving and just so right.

As for tennis, I've been playing since Wednesday 9am-5pm, every. single. day. No days off, no weekends, just an hour every day for lunch. Did I mention its been 95 every day? Since when does that happen in Albany?? My hands and cheeks are absolutely singed with sunburn. My game has gotten much better and if I don't make the team, which of course I'm hoping I do, I know I've done my best, and gotten better connected with my tennis girls on the way.

Besides from feeling like I never left, I also finally feel like I really belong here. I feel so comfortable with everyone, and everything just seems like it's mine. I must say, it's looking great from here on out. And hello...upperclasswoman!

Finally Here

After sticking through what seemed to be an incredibly long summer, now that the time of departure has arrived, the summer time suddenly seems to be much shorter than it appeared to. My rooms are empty and my boxes and suitcases are packed and ready to be loaded into the back of the truck. As for me, I'm not quite ready to be the one doing so in 5 hours from now. (6 am...)

I finally bit the bullet today and picked up my permit, which hopefully will come into good use eventually. Otherwise, I'm relatively stressed/relieved/excited/anxious about the school year finally starting. Having it be junior year, the academics are definitely the scary part. I'm going up three weeks early for tennis pre season which is yet another thing I'm just mildly terrified of. also, 7 hours of tennis for two weeks straight, every day. Aaall riiight. Other than those two, I'm really looking forward to this year and everything I face as not so fresh meat. I'll update when I get a chance during this busy week! 20

x

Ten Fingers

I have ten days until I am back in Albany, back behind ye grey walls, and back into the day-to-day life of boarding school. For the first two weeks or so, I have preseason tennis, for 7 hours a day, every day. Regarding actually making the team, we'll have to see about that...

One week ago, I had a bomb dropped on me that I wasn't exactly expecting. My roommate, J, is one of my best friends at school. We went through so much together, and look forward to much more. When she called me and told me news I had never expected, that was all shifted in an unsettling direction. A year earlier than expected, she is becoming a day student, which is resulting in me having our room as a single, for at least half the year, and possibly the entire year. I will deeply miss having someone to come back to after a long day, especially someone who I have become so close and comfortable with. Facing the year a little more alone than I had hoped, we'll see how things shape out. For now, I'm looking forward to getting back in the groove of things in the biggest way possible.

Hannah comes home Monday night, which means we'll all be one big happy family for an entire..3 days. Which may not be totally happy because little does she know, her room is half filled with my stuff in boxes. Whoops!

PS: Is it weird that I've been studying for my spanish class for two months already, considering it doesn't start until September? To myself and other normal people, probably. To everyone else at my school, it may be considered slacking. Yo no gusta espanol.

Best Week of the Year

It's the reason we get through the other 51 weeks of the year. It's Shark Week.



It's been way too long since I've surfed, and I'll be honest, all this glorious week makes me want even more is to get back out on the waves. Not get eaten, but surf.

Anyway, I've been packing for Albany and seriously wishing I didn't have to leave 3 weeks earlier than everyone else for preseason, but happy to head back for school none the less.

That's it. Seriously. The post was necessary solely for the shark picture.

xo

But Who's Counting?

I officially have 28 days until I'm back in the 518, but...Read:title! When I really think about it, I have absolutely loved spending the summer with my parents, who lets face it, I barely get to see the majority of the year, and also the lack of school work I've had to do. On another note, I've had a lack of everything to do, which has made me a little stir crazy, which the couple of loved ones of mine know more than well. I've played lots of tennis, played more tennis, worked out, complained about the sick heat, and then watched endless cartoons. A few months ago I was begging for this, but now, it cannot end faster. Possibly the part that has made it hard is the feeling of loneliness. I understand people have lives, and just because at the moment I don't, doesn't mean there's stops, but at the end of the day there's only so much "me-time" I can take.

Looking on to my upcoming junior year, I smile and then have a seizing panic attack because I start to realize how hard it's going to be, and how important it is being the last year I get to show off to my future college. Anyway, I've been seriously stressing out about it for the last few days, but I've got to learn to live in the moment and chill, just as I've had to do with a few other situations this summer, of which I would be nowhere without and that positively get me through every day.

We went over to pack up Caroline and Zach's truck the other day, so that they can drive 14 days across the country and end up in their new life and home of the great state of California. It was a sad departure, but so exciting to look onto something so big for them. It's crazy to watch time fly when you forget to keep track. Did I mention we picked the hottest day by record in Virginia in ten years?




As for now, I have a couple of the best things in my life in the next two years just waiting at my door step, and all I've got to do is stay focused and slowly but surely move the obstacles in front of the door out of the way for my full access. Things seem so far out of reach until you're holding them in your hand, but getting there can be half the fun.

Introduction

Thanks to my clever cousin Caroline (hello, alliteration! See, I've learned plenty!) I've decided to join the thousands of bloggers that post every day to inform and teach us of their fun, (sometimes boring/cookie-cutter/scrap booking), and unique lives. Personally, I decided to join the cult to share my experiences and learnings through my time at an all girls' boarding school in Albany, NY. *Read: No, that doesn't make me a lesbian, I promise.* By writing this blog as often as I can remember, I hope to inform those who have interest and a serious amount of time on their hands, and to stay better connected with my family who will feel obligated to get through every single character I type because they love me. A lot..

I applied to boarding school as a rising Sophomore, and after what seemed like endless hard work, money crunching, and anticipation, I found myself enrolled in one of the most prestigious all girls' private boarding schools in the country. That's a mouthful. But how exciting is that!? I knew I was among the lucky *very* few teenagers to ever come across such an experience, and I was ready to grab it by the reins and not take a single moment for granted. Going back to my old roots near Columbia County, I felt more at ease knowing I had what was practically family so close to me. And really, staying at school every weekend!? As if!

Being a competitive tennis player,(and trust me that makes me sound way more talented than I really am), I packed my bags, and journeyed 7 hours north for preseason for the very first time. I met my great room, my brand new roommate and housemates, and waved goodbye to my parents, because from that day forward, it was my time to shine. The girls were nice, my roommate and I clicked, and the 8 hours of tennis every day for 2 weeks straight made me too preoccupied (and tired/cranky/muscular) to notice much of anything. One thing I specifically remember my roommate and I saying is, "This still doesn't feel real. I feel like we're at summer camp, and it's just very, very long." Preseason was no doubt an awkward time. Not knowing a soul, and feeling very out of place, I wasn't completely prepared to be the new girl in a place I had previously expected to settle into so easily.

Two weeks and a Labor Day weekend in Columbia County flew by, and it was time for the first day of classes. I threw on my prep schooliest outfit, which I probably planned for two weeks, and strutted to the chapel with my head held high.

I look back on my last year at school and can truly say the good made up for and definitely outweighed the bad (the really, really bad). I greatly look forward to my (freezing cold) Junior and Senior year at school, and will enjoy continuing to post my lessons learned, struggles, endless Legally Blonde quotes and references, and great enjoyment that will come out of the next 18 months in school. Keep on reading!