The Adventures of Laundry and Degree Navigator

Good evening.

So originally I was only going to make a cute little laundry priority list that describes how I decide what gets washed when the washing machines here are tooooo small, but then I got distracted by Degree Navigator...and spent around four hours on my laptop figuring out what to do with my life.

(But before I go on here's the list.)

1. TOWELS. I love being able to bury my face in a freshly washed towel.

2. Underwear. Because everyone needs clean underwear every day.

3. Shorts. I run out of them pretty quickly because I spend most of my time in shorts when I'm not out.

4. Jeans. I don't have a lot of jeans so I wear them several times between washes.

5. Everything else (shirts, socks, jackets, hoodies, etc etc) 

I also cleaned my sheets and covers today, so I had to put all the uncovered bedstuff on my music stand...

It's still there. Sorry Khea

BUT ANYWAY. Some of you might know that I'm a sciencey kind of person, so I wanted to major in chemistry and possibly food science and/or nutrition...but after really thinking about it and about the future careers I wanted to pursue, I decided today that I'm more into nutrition than food science.

And then I looked at the course requirements.

And added them all to my future courses.

My dear, what an extensive list you have...

...wait what

NUTRITION PLZ

Well technically not ALL of that's nutrition...I looked at the requirements for a physics major and it turns out I only have to take six more courses to get a bachelor's degree. And there's also still chem.

SO.

TRIPLE MAJOR???

I THINK YES

I THINK I MIGHT DIE

THAT'S OKAY

THIS IS RUTGERS WOOOOOO

But seriously, I'm so glad I came to Rutgers. On top of meeting all you lovely people and saving truckloads by not going to UCLA, I get the opportunity to do multiple majors. My Princeton friends will be jealous...but they really will.

...okay time for work.

-Sam(my)

Stuck in soft red chair

Hours pass, I never move

Thank God. I have dance.

What is sleep? Gaming binge

I am writing this at 3 in the morning. I feel like my sleep schedule along with my eating schedule is just screwed up. There needs to be a change. 

For the last week, I went on a gaming splurge since I had not played pc games since Runescape, which was back in 5th grade. So for 8 years, I went on a gaming ban and just went on my binge these last three days. It just so happens that these last couple days that I have been sleeping past 3 in the morning. This is unhealthy for me and I have therefore deleted all my games. 

Last night I was lying in bed thinking about the changes I needed to make and even though New Year's is not hear yet, these are my resolutions: 

-Sleep before 2 (I know this is far fetched even for me)

-Eat three meals a day

-No more games until winter break

-Eat with suitemates

Weathering the Storm

Over the last day, we have been experiencing the wrath of Sandy. High speed winds, power outages, etc. Yet, there is a positive spin on this situation. While we were "dorm-bound", it gave us the opportunity to spend more time with each other and not focus so much on the electronics and other factors that reign over our everyday lives.

When the lights first went out, I initially frightened. I had charged all of my electronics yet I still felt unprepared. I have never really experienced this before and as a young adult of this generation, I know that we rely on electronics to provide us with entertainment. However, I for the most part thoroughly enjoyed myself. From hiding from our RA in Yuna's and Kai's suite, leading George throughout the building with my flashlight, getting an awesome cardio workout by constantly walking up and down the stairs, and watching Wall-E (a little bit) and Goldeneye, the night was definitely eventful.

Honestly, it is times like these I am grateful to have such wonderful friends because if I was dealing with this by myself, I would have been a "basket case". Thanks for being there guys and gals!

Stay golden,

Frans

The Weekend and Sandy

Salutations guys and gals! This weekend has been wonderful. I will first give a shout-out to another dysfunctional family of mine: Kai (Robert), Laura, Sam, and Yuna! I just wanted to say how I appreciate each and every one of you. We have so many laughs and you guys definitely bring some of the "crazy" out of me, which is definitely appreciated. Friday consisted of pumpkin-picking (as decorations and possibly for pie). Then, a "haunted" hayride (we were those people cracking jokes and it was priceless) and a viewing of "Forrest Gump" in McCormick. Lastly, I am pleasantly surprised that I learned that I have a fellow "Mi Niña Bonita" fan! Laura, you and I know how to belt it out!

As for Saturday, I went to my first football game. Not personally a fan but I attribute that to never having been concerned with school spirit. In time, I will get to a point where I can scream until my lungs give out like everyone else. I also had an awesome time hanging with my friends from Metzger. I always love playing the Wii and I enjoyed watching my friends playing the game "Amnesia: Dark Descent" (even though like five of us were on the bed in terror). Also, Just Dance 2 and a movie at Livingston in the media room was very fun!

Sunday brings us news of Sandy and how classes are cancelled! This provides us with a much needed reprieve from work and classes! However, as we are dorm-bound for the next two days, I want to put a positive spin on things and say this is a great opportunity for our suites to have some quality bonding time. You guys will get to see me a lot more since I will be here and this gives me more time to talk to everyone, which I am happy about! Rain, snow, sleet, or hail (or in this case a hurricane), right now, nothing can bring me down!

Stay golden,

Frans

There's A Storm Coming, Mr. Wayne

Do any of you remember those times in high school where we had "breaks?" Depending on the month, sometimes we would have a break every two weeks or so, even if it was for some dumbass reason like teachers in-service or Columbus Day. 

Now at Rutgers, we almost hope that we have a storm that floods route 18 simply because we need that one miniature break from the tussle of college life. Even though we do have the weekends to rest and recover, most of it is spent studying or working on essays that time for a social life is limited. 

Don't get me wrong, I like to eat with friends, I like watching late night movies but I'm afraid of falling behind.    I realize that I eat faster when I'm eating alone and sometimes I take out a book to study while I'm munching. I feel like it would be simply rude if I did that while eating with a group of people. The invite is definitely appreciated, it makes me know that you guys still keep me in mind. Who knows, maybe if I ever finish my five chapters, I'll join you guys XD. 

I am great in bed, I can sleep for days.

Chris Xia

An Unexpected Family Bond

Since I have been to Rutgers, I am happy to report that I have made a lot of new friends. This is definitely a far cry from the shy kid from North Arlington (basically me about a year ago)! I would like to mention a certain group of friends that I honestly did not expect to meet let alone bond with as much as I have: my commuter family.

I honestly did not think I would meet any commuters because I know how they must commute to Rutgers to go to classes and stuff and then return home in the evening. Yet, that was not the case the night of the carnival! This is where I give a shout-out to my first commuter friend (who I met on Facebook), Basil. He was the "catalyst" for me when it came to meeting commuters. Since that first night, I have had the honor of meeting many commuters and spending time with them frequently. When I say we are family, I mean it literally (because we have actually made up our own family tree) and wholeheartedly (because they are amazing).

I would like to mention a few more people who have definitely impacted my Rutgers experience (and life) for the better:

Reinier- You are definitely one of my closest friends that I've made since I got here. I feel like we bonded so quickly which I take as a good sign. I consider you a brother and always know that I am here for you!

Manraj- You are one of the funniest people I know. You truly make me smile a lot every time we hang out and I am glad to have met you that day at the RSC.

Nishant- My "stepfather", I can't believe I only met you a few weeks ago at Stuff Yer Face! I feel like we have gotten to become great friends in such a short time and I know we will continue to be friends!

Praveen- I also can't believe I met you at Stuff Yer Face a few weeks ago! I always feel like I could talk to you for hours about anything!

Jessica- Remember how you say you are the shy one? Well that day I met you and Manraj at the RSC, I was super nervous! However, I was really fortunate to have met you and I am glad that we are friends!

Since I can't write about my entire commuter family, I will say this to the rest (as well as the people mentioned earlier): you guys do not truly understand the joy I feel when I hang out with you guys and gals. I know our friendships and bonds will endure throughout our time here at RU and beyond that! I love all of you, sincerely.

Stay golden,

Frans

first blog! ^^

Hey guys,
Wow. This is kind of cool. I have never really done this before because no one really cared about my life or what I had to say. First blog post and I am excited!! hehe.. except I do not even know if I am doing this right.. Well, here I go..

Well, I am really glad that Chris brought me to McCormick that day when there was a huge carnival. I would not have met such a great group of people. I have to admit that  I was definitely not that excited to come to Rutgers especially after being wait listed and then rejected by my top choice, Cornell. I really needed a fresh start after middle school and high school drama. The misery from my town was literally consuming me. That is why I started going to the city constantly. The city was the closest but also the farthest place I could go in order to escape my life. However, the city was not enough.

Cornell was my way out. It was sort of my sanctuary. I would visit my brother up there at least a couple times a year and it felt rejuvenating. I felt so much more free and happy.  In high school, I rarely ever opened up to people and when I finally felt like I could open up, they would leave or not even care. I kept to myself and was always trying to make others around me happy with my bubbly personality. I would always tell myself X amount of years till Cornell. So, when I found out in Florida that I was not going to Cornell, I actually started to tear up a little bit and I honestly hate crying in front of people. Ironically, I was in the happiest place in the world and I was crying.

So, when it came down to deciding where I should go to college, Rutgers seemed like the best choice for my parents. I was upset for a little bit but in the end I tried to have a positive attitude even after I found out I was going to live in one of the worst buildings on campus and I had a smelly roommate.

In conclusion, I am glad I chose Rutgers because I got to meet all of you! I am still thinking about transferring but this time if I do not get into Cornell, I do not think I will be upset because, I know I have such great friends at Rutgers who care about me and each other. I never thought that I would have a little family at  Rutgers but I guess that is the great thing about life: it is unpredictable.  I feel like I have known all of you for at least a year even though it has only been two months. I hope the next couple years are the best years of our lives and I hope we create an everlasting friendship!

~Yuna

A New Me and a New Family

In high school, I was always a very timid "nerd". I never really took any chances or stepped out of my comfort zone. Thus, I did have a hard time making new friends or even striking up a simple conversation with someone new. It wasn't surprising that I was going into college feeling extremely nervous.

I want to preface this by saying I tend to expect the worst or over-analyze  Therefore, I headed towards Rutgers that first day wondering if anyone would even like me, would my roommate and I get along, how would I feel about my suitemates, what I would do now that I had this newly found freedom, how would I deal with all of these responsibilities and choices, etc. Looking back on my first week, I will admit that I still had my high school "mentality". I regret that the first few days, I did not partake in certain events with my suite (i.e. "floor-hopping" in order to meet new people).

I will also confess that I was skeptical when it came to any type of camaraderie forming within our suite (let alone with anyone else) because we were all so different form one another. Yet, for the first time in my life, I was happy that I was wrong. From the moment I stepped into my room and met my roommate for the first time, I knew I was going to like where I was living. I feel like our 9th floor suite and the 7th floor suite (full of some of the most wonderful individuals I have ever met) have become a family. We can go to dinner, watch a movie, or even just hang out and talk about each person's day. You guys have helped me so much in my metamorphosis into a "social butterfly" and I want to thank you all for that.

We have only been at Rutgers for about two months but I know that this year will be amazing because I have  all of you by my side. I am eager for what's to come in the ensuing school year but instead of being nervous and pessimistic like I used to be, I am hopeful and I can't wait!

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time and I will probably use it many times in this blog: "stay golden". While we are all unique, each of us is wonderful just the way he/she is.

Sincerely,

Frans

I wish my life was like this...

"Most inaccurate student life video ever"

Gauntlet Day

Hello. This is orgo class.

Today was unexpectedly intense. Seidel's soothing German accent usually puts most of the class to sleep but today ve plowed thsrough a lot of mechanisms vith acid und base catalysis und udder unusually involved reactions. Actually, he usually teaches pretty quickly anyway. I hear he drinks a lot of coffee.

The guy sitting to the right wearing a gray shirt (leaning back) is my friend from Ancient Greek language class. Coincidentally, he lives in McCormick too (but on the fifth floor) and we share both our hardest classes (Greek and orgo) and freak out together on the bus from College Ave to Busch. This is a bit of our conversation right when we were about to leave the bus:

Me: So are you going back to McCormick?
Him: Yeah, I have to go call my sister.
Me: Oh?
Him: She just broke up with her boyfriend and she's being an idiot about it so I have to yell at her.

HAHAHA I LOVE THIS KID.

Oh right...I almost forgot about the title of this post. For me, Wednesdays are my "gauntlet days." Wake up at the crack of too-early-for-college, take a bus to the distant lands of Cook-Douglass Campus for Colloquium, take another bus to College Ave for Greek, take another bus back to Busch, eat lunch if I'm lucky, go to orgo lecture AND recitation immediately afterward, and then finish classes with calculus. Then dinner and a nap before I go to Chinese Christian Fellowship at night (but that's fun, I usually celebrate after I get out of calc).

Sorry if I bored you >______<

There's only orgo recitation and calc left for today. Let's do this.

-Sam(my)

P.S.: I think I'll write a haiku every time I post. Just for giggles.

Unfamiliar

Faces all around me...wait

I'm in the wrong class

"Where's Janice"

Before going to college, I was rather afraid that I wouldn't make any close friends or be in our own little social group. I saw how all my friends that went to college early already started making their own little friend circles. I guess I was wrong from day one. This is where my intentions were different. I wasn't floor hoping on the first day hoping to meet pretty girls or anything. I was actually trying to hold onto old friends in fear of not making any new ones.

That’s where the phrase "Where's Janice" comes from.

It's funny though, how this fear is what made me travel down to the seventh floor to meet some of the best people in McCormick. We're not super clique that we have to spend every waking moment together, but at the same time, we can celebrate birthday parties or watch movies together late at night. It's a good balance.

Originally, I had wanted to transfer but after meeting y'alls, i had second doubts as to would I really?  I'm really glad to have met you all, and this co-op blog is just for us to read. I mean, you could use twitter to make tweets less than 150 characters, make status messages on Facebook that the whole world can see, or tumble pics about your most emotional feelings, but  this blog is more of a medium for just the seventh and ninth floor suites. Post something funny that happened, like Antony's pants story, or how Ajeet fought a bear, or just update us on how you feel about college.

Love you all,

Chris

(Credit Neha)