A Busy Day

Day 17

Sept. 8, 2010

Wednesday is a busy day for classes, but it was fun too. I love statistics. We use clickers so that the whole class answers questions and it is very interactive. This unit is about love, and we learned about how to get data for sensitive questions. We had to answer if we had ever cheated in a relationship, and at first hardly anyone said yes, even though it was anonymous. Then, we learned about a better method. We were all told to privately flip a coin, and if we got heads we said yes no matter what, and if we got tails we answered truthfully if we had ever cheated. Using this method, we got a much more accurate responses (after some basic math) because there was no way to tell if you were answering yes because you had cheated or because you had gotten heads. It was great!

Today I also talked less Swahili in Spanish class, and African Studies seems good too. We all had to sign release forms because we are going to be in an educational documentary about the African Studies department. It is a bit scary, though, because if you ask a question the camera points straight at you!

We had a fancy dinner for sophomores and people really dressed up! I had to go back and change because I was underdressed in my beach dress. That's my picture! Note my amazing still- sunburned back... A neat pattern, though!

After dinner I saw Matthew and we watched "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"- a very scary graphic foreign movie. It was interesting and disturbing to say the least!

Mark Zuckerberg Lived in My House!

Day 16

Sept 7, 2010

I had Spanish today, and I am definitely still trying to speak Swahili. I'll say something, and everyone will look at me strangely, and then I'll realize why. Oops.

In Kirkland house, we have upperclassmen Big Siblings to show us around, and tonight we had a scavenger hunt with our Big Sibs. We had to take pictures of ourselves spelling out K-I-R-K-L-A-N-D with our bodies, draw pictures, and know obscure facts. Did you know the creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, lived in Kirkland? And even Barack Obama applied and was rejected to be a tutor (an adult advisor who lives in each entryway)... And WE WON!!!, so I got this t-shirt.

You know you need a new camera when:

a. Your picture comes out like this

b. You think to yourself: Wow! That is actually a good picture. I like that effect...

Rockclimbing!

Day 15

Sept. 6, 2010

So, I went rock climbing today with Nick and a few other Harvard Mountaineering club members today in New Hampshire! I have to admit, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. I've been climbing indoors before, but... well when I arrived and realized how high these cliffs I was supposed to be climbing were, I was pretty intimidated.

After giving me the quick lesson on what to do, they started me off on on a route they said should be pretty easy. However, I got about five feet up, didn't know where to put my hands, and grasping onto the cliff with all the strength I could I said "Nick, I really don't think this is my sport!! Let me down!" But, then I tried an easier one, and it was actually pretty fun. I am definitely not a natural rock-climber, but I'm really glad I went. We spent the whole day there, but one big problem was my shoes were way too small and it made climbing pretty painful, so I quit early.

After it got dark we all ran down to a little pond, and went swimming in the dark. It was COOOLD, and so we all dipped in and went screaming and laughing back to the car.

The picture of the day is of the first cliff I was going to climb, but couldn't get up. Pretty big, isn't it? There is an actual picture of me climbing, but it is on someone else's camera, so I'll post it when I get it!

Fun in the Sun

Day 14

Sept. 5, 2010

All of the sophomores in Kirkland house went to the beach today to get to know each other. I met a whole group of girls who are really interesed in Africa and social entrepreneurship and we instantly bonded. I was really excited, because it is hard to find people who have similar life ambitions and see the world as I do. We talked of maybe doing a project or business together someday Wouldn't that be fun!

We played games and hung out, and it was a gorgeous day. The only problem with gorgeous days is on gorgeous days there is sun... and of course I forgot to put sunscreen on my back... and of course I was wearing a dress with a criss-cross back, and I think you can see where this is going- yep during the revolutionary war, I would definitely be called a lobster back...

Picture of the day: There were so many good ones, I couldn't choose.

1. All Kirkland sophomores

2. Meeting Tom, my house master

3. Wheel Barrow Race!

Harriette My Love

Day 13

Sept. 4, 2010

I went to Ikea with Matthew. Ikea is something else. It is HUGE and has just about everything. We got Matthew a desk an were about to leave, and then I saw Harriette. She was big. and green. and perfect! The love was instant, and now we have a fifth roommate. She is well behaved, beautiful, and never complains. Maybe I should replace more of my roommates with plants... Just kidding! :)

The picture of the day is pretty exciting! This, everyone, is our put- together room! It is still a work in progress mind you, but after having to put up the paper lanterns about a dozen times after they fell, moving the furniture around 6 or 7 times, and countless trips to bring back another box or item we forgot was in storage, here it is!

Meet the Africa Room!

Day 12

Sept. 3

SEPT. 3- Yay! No class today because I don't have class on Fridays! We were supposed to have a carnival, but it was postponed due to Hurricane Earl, so we had a girls night instead, with fingernails and unpacking. Unpacking has taken FOREVER! Days ago I was talking about carrying boxes, and I still am. What all did we pack in these things???

By the way, Hurricane Earl is such a disappointment. It rained a little, but it it is no even wind out here. These East Coast people don't know about rain! This "hurricane" is like every day in Seattle!

Picture of the Day: The Africa room. So, if you don't know, my roommate Miriam grew up in Ghana, and since I am an African Studies concentrator, we made a Africa room with all things Africa. I hung up fabric from Kenya, and Miriam has tons of figurines, soccer jerseys from the world cup, pictures etc. We even have a zebra beanbag.We are pretty excited about it!

I'm a Ballerina!

Day 11

Sept. 2, 2010

The pod arrived today! I spent the evening carrying boxes for Matthew into his apartment, and then he drove me and all my stuff to my dorm. I didn't bring much in my suitcase. For example I only brought one pair of really uncomfortable shoes, so it will be nice to be all settled in and able to walk around without getting blisters.

I also met with Swahili Class for the first time. I am going to be in a class of only two other people, and we are going to read real novels in Swahili! A bit intimidating but also very cool. Also, my friend Kiana posted the rest of her photos of me as a ballerina. I love having a professional photographer as a friend!