Gosh...it's been great. And I've had absolutely no time to blog! And even now, I don't have time. But at least let me tell you my course schedule so far:
Mon
9:00am-10:50am EURPN LIT-PHILOS MASTERPIECES (My Literature class)
2:40pm-3:55pm INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS (Awesome: professor is famous)
Tue
10:35am-11:50am UNIVERSITY WRITING (Class where I learn how to write)
1:10pm-2:25pm CONDUCTING MUSIC (Taught by school's orchestra director! He teaches at Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music too)
2:40pm-3:55pm INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I (At the girl's school...cause apparently, language is for girls...in my defense, it is a core requirement, and it was the best one that fit in my schedule. not to mention the fact that it's mostly girls in the class, which can be an awesome plus)
Wed
9:00am-10:50am EURPN LIT-PHILOS MASTERPIECES
2:40pm-3:55pm INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIG
Thr
10:35am-11:50am UNIVERSITY WRITING
2:40pm-3:55pm INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I
I'll elaborate more on these. But to make this blog post shorter (it's 2:38 am right now), I've noticed an interesting trend--sleep has been something that has been diminishing while the amount I pack into a day is so much more. It's really quite amazing feeling independent, with no one to really watch over your shoulder. I can study whenever and wherever I want (including outside on the grand steps leading up to the central administration center--Low "Library").
And my floor--they're amazing people, like a home away from home. Just the other night, I was talking with a group of friends on my floor into the wee hours of the morning.
I can experiment with who I want to be, what my opinions are, what I think, and everything. Just these few weeks have been an interesting shock out of my home bubble into something so much bigger--for example, I finished the Iliad today, and that's a WHOLE can of worms philosophically, culturally, etc. Also, I got a free haircut from a girl I met here. For free! It's amazing how many DIFFERENT types of people there are here in New York.
More later...just some food for thought for now.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Day before classes...
...and I'm already a bit nervous, excited, and awesome.
Just kidding about that last one.
But in all seriousness, this is gonna be it--the start of the new school year. It's always an anticipatory time, and I hope I can make it through all the hard work! Thank God that there's no math classes this semester (sorry Tiff).
Today was pretty good. I did laundry, which was actually a fun experience this time (trying to figure out the whole quarters and price thing about the laundry machines here), got my textbooks (these books are WAY too expensive), had fun with friends, etc.
Man, it's been a long day, even though it was only a 12 hour day.
Well, in about 10 hours, I'll be sitting in my University Writing class for the first time. Awesome. I love college.
Example: Today, I walk up my stairs to the seventh floor, feeling just a bit dejected. Going toward my room, I see that, at the end of the hall, all my hall mates are standing there having an impromptu hall hangout. We end up talking about colonizing other floors of the dorm, running for President in 2035, and checking out someone's awesome speakers (sorry to those on other floors who are actually trying to sleep!).
Assessment of the day? College has its ups and downs. You meet people that might not like to meet you back, and that can be sad, but always, you know that you can find refuge in people you've come to trust. And you know that those people that you've come to trust will become great friends.
There are so many different types of people: writers, engineers, black, white, hispanic, asian, mixed, musicians, artists, mathematicians, sports players, tall ones, short ones, poets, bloggers, dancers, etc. And in the end, you know that there will be someone to accept you for who you are.
So a toast to those kinds of people. Let tomorrow be a new start, a new day, a new opportunity always. I love Columbia University.
Except for the toughness of its bureaucracy. But look..if you ask, doors are opened to you. So it's all good.
Just kidding about that last one.
But in all seriousness, this is gonna be it--the start of the new school year. It's always an anticipatory time, and I hope I can make it through all the hard work! Thank God that there's no math classes this semester (sorry Tiff).
Today was pretty good. I did laundry, which was actually a fun experience this time (trying to figure out the whole quarters and price thing about the laundry machines here), got my textbooks (these books are WAY too expensive), had fun with friends, etc.
Man, it's been a long day, even though it was only a 12 hour day.
Well, in about 10 hours, I'll be sitting in my University Writing class for the first time. Awesome. I love college.
Example: Today, I walk up my stairs to the seventh floor, feeling just a bit dejected. Going toward my room, I see that, at the end of the hall, all my hall mates are standing there having an impromptu hall hangout. We end up talking about colonizing other floors of the dorm, running for President in 2035, and checking out someone's awesome speakers (sorry to those on other floors who are actually trying to sleep!).
Assessment of the day? College has its ups and downs. You meet people that might not like to meet you back, and that can be sad, but always, you know that you can find refuge in people you've come to trust. And you know that those people that you've come to trust will become great friends.
There are so many different types of people: writers, engineers, black, white, hispanic, asian, mixed, musicians, artists, mathematicians, sports players, tall ones, short ones, poets, bloggers, dancers, etc. And in the end, you know that there will be someone to accept you for who you are.
So a toast to those kinds of people. Let tomorrow be a new start, a new day, a new opportunity always. I love Columbia University.
Except for the toughness of its bureaucracy. But look..if you ask, doors are opened to you. So it's all good.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Parties....?
So, I thought it might be interesting to blog on the parties here at Columbia.
Just, I haven't been to one yet. You might be wondering, well why, Kevin, why haven't you been to a party?
I just feel like I don't want to get drunk and I don't need to get drunk to have fun. Having fun in other ways where you're not drunk I think is so much more fulfilling.
For example, today, I went out with a great friend to go get some late night pie. It was a great experience, and we really learned a lot about each other and talked about deep things like faith, life, and friends.
I mean, sure, you don't need to get drunk at a party. But, for now, I'm taking it a bit slower. There's so much more to explore both at Columbia and New York. I think I can do without partying for a little longer.
Anyway, today, we went to the Guggenheim, free because of Columbia's great Arts Initiative. It was pretty awesome--I've never enjoyed modern art before, but today, I gained a new appreciation for it. It was pretty awesome.
And there are some pretty cute girls on campus...just saying... :)
Just, I haven't been to one yet. You might be wondering, well why, Kevin, why haven't you been to a party?
I just feel like I don't want to get drunk and I don't need to get drunk to have fun. Having fun in other ways where you're not drunk I think is so much more fulfilling.
For example, today, I went out with a great friend to go get some late night pie. It was a great experience, and we really learned a lot about each other and talked about deep things like faith, life, and friends.
I mean, sure, you don't need to get drunk at a party. But, for now, I'm taking it a bit slower. There's so much more to explore both at Columbia and New York. I think I can do without partying for a little longer.
Anyway, today, we went to the Guggenheim, free because of Columbia's great Arts Initiative. It was pretty awesome--I've never enjoyed modern art before, but today, I gained a new appreciation for it. It was pretty awesome.
And there are some pretty cute girls on campus...just saying... :)
Friday, September 3, 2010
People are great
I just want to do a short post today, because I'm tired, but I just want to comment on the people.
Really, you can be who you want to be. Sure, there are the parties, good and bad. But, really, you don't have to be sucked into anything you don't want to do--there are people like you somewhere, and it's amazing to see that there is a support network.
You can be yourself, and strive with courage toward the person YOU want to be. And that is a gift.
Today, I got to go out to bubble tea and a nice little diner in upper Manhattan with friends I could laugh with without feeling self-conscious. Really reminds me of home.
Just wanted to cast a little light on these amazing people here--diverse, intellectual, strong, and individual.
Oh and I placed into Intermediate French! One year down, one to go!
Really, you can be who you want to be. Sure, there are the parties, good and bad. But, really, you don't have to be sucked into anything you don't want to do--there are people like you somewhere, and it's amazing to see that there is a support network.
You can be yourself, and strive with courage toward the person YOU want to be. And that is a gift.
Today, I got to go out to bubble tea and a nice little diner in upper Manhattan with friends I could laugh with without feeling self-conscious. Really reminds me of home.
Just wanted to cast a little light on these amazing people here--diverse, intellectual, strong, and individual.
Oh and I placed into Intermediate French! One year down, one to go!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Music
So, today, the highlight is music.
I love the musical scene here.
While everyone is extremely brilliant, smart, and talented, there are so many people here who play musical instruments: well, too! For example, I met two violinists today who had excellent tone qualities, great technical proficiency, and a handle on musical style.
Another was meeting a flutist who was reinvigorated to play music after we played the second movement of Brandenburg 5 with a Juilliard pianist friend of mine. She had one of the purest flute tones I have ever heard, and it was just amazing to be able to continue playing music at such a high caliber here in New York.
And yet another was a composer who studied at Juilliard with a professor before coming to Columbia--I'm sure I'll find out more on him later, but so far, I know he enjoys composing/conducting and plays the piano and clarinet.
The the pianists--my goodness there are so many of them! It seems like everywhere I turn, someone's playing one of the pianos in the various lobbies Columbia has to offer. And every time I hear that someone is playing an instrument, they seem to always say that they played piano first. Thank God for the public school system, which invited so many of these pianists to play other instruments also! These pianists are also accompanied by guitars, and there's a nice modern music scene here (like..actual modern music, not classical modern). Improv seems to be something enjoyed strongly.
It's just that these people, while so musically talented, are also pursuing other goals, be it Sustainable Development, Art/Architecture, or Neuroscience, while also planning to go audition for the CU Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, etc. So while being musical, they are also smart: qualities I feel go hand in hand toward being the "complete" person.
I'm very optimistic--today's been a great day.
I love the musical scene here.
While everyone is extremely brilliant, smart, and talented, there are so many people here who play musical instruments: well, too! For example, I met two violinists today who had excellent tone qualities, great technical proficiency, and a handle on musical style.
Another was meeting a flutist who was reinvigorated to play music after we played the second movement of Brandenburg 5 with a Juilliard pianist friend of mine. She had one of the purest flute tones I have ever heard, and it was just amazing to be able to continue playing music at such a high caliber here in New York.
And yet another was a composer who studied at Juilliard with a professor before coming to Columbia--I'm sure I'll find out more on him later, but so far, I know he enjoys composing/conducting and plays the piano and clarinet.
The the pianists--my goodness there are so many of them! It seems like everywhere I turn, someone's playing one of the pianos in the various lobbies Columbia has to offer. And every time I hear that someone is playing an instrument, they seem to always say that they played piano first. Thank God for the public school system, which invited so many of these pianists to play other instruments also! These pianists are also accompanied by guitars, and there's a nice modern music scene here (like..actual modern music, not classical modern). Improv seems to be something enjoyed strongly.
It's just that these people, while so musically talented, are also pursuing other goals, be it Sustainable Development, Art/Architecture, or Neuroscience, while also planning to go audition for the CU Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, etc. So while being musical, they are also smart: qualities I feel go hand in hand toward being the "complete" person.
I'm very optimistic--today's been a great day.
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