The Aftermath

Hello, everyone.

You've probably already had a million discussions about the election and read way too many articles and posts about it, but I'd like to provide my own input based on my personal feelings, things I gained insight on in class discussions, and various other sources.

Thank you to my MHC seminar professor and my Creative Writing professor, for allowing class time to process and discuss the week's events in a safe environment. (Woohoo for group therapy!)


Literally everyone has said this already, but WOW, what a crazy few days it's been. The election of 2016 is finally over, and half of the country is in shock (myself included). The other half is genuinely happy that the change they wanted will be coming to the country.

To those people: I have no right to say that my sadness and anxiety is more important than your happiness and excitement. My feelings are do not take precedence over yours because I believe I'm in the right. You're right to you, and I can't deny that from you. You have your own jobs, families, and lives to be worried about, and those vital influences told you that Trump was the right president for you. I accept that, and I'm sorry that there was so much tension between the two sides of this election.

However, I'd like to address the people who were more excited about the fact that they could now use Trump as an excuse to further encourage racist, sexist, homophobic, and other targeted rhetoric/actions. I am not naive enough to think that racism, sexism, homophobia, and other types of hate and prejudice did not exist here before, but the things I have seen and heard of are outright rage-inducing and heartbreaking. Humanity has disappointed me, and I feel for those of you who have also been crushed by this backwards progress.

On the other hand, humanity also reminded me to remain hopeful. We have broken records as 6 women were elected who are the first of their race/ethnicity/religion to be in Congress. Strangers have left encouraging words for others to read in the subway, reminding each other that the world keeps spinning as long as we have hope and are kind. Somewhere out there, the first woman president of the United States of America is making plans, and isn't that just amazing? Because it will happen; I have faith in that.

Keep your chins up, guys. Find comfort in those around you, and comfort them in return. If you see anyone getting harassed, simply ignore the hate, go up to them, and start a discussion about the weather. Speak out, whether it's on Facebook, Instagram or Tumblr, or with art and music instead of words--anything.

Don't lose your voice just because you think that hate will drown it out. Trust me: it won't, and it can't.

Have a hopeful week, guys.

I've Never Crammed So Hard in My Life

Hello, Macaulayans! (Macaulians? Macaulayeans? Let's make this a thing, guys)

How are midterms treating y'all? I just finished with my testing today, and guys, let me tell you: I've never crammed so hard in my life as I did yesterday for this test. I had my Classical Mythology (CLA 101) midterm today, and for those of you who don't know: there are a heck of a lot of names and stories to remember.

Who was this guy's parents? Why did this girl get turned into a tree? How did one goddess get revenge on the other? Where was this god born? Why did Hera stay with Zeus even though he cheated on her with literally every available (and not available) woman/maiden/man/youth out there? (Just kidding, that last one wasn't a question, but the answer: Hera = goddess of marriage, so it'd be against her nature to leave Zeus. Zeus, obviously, did not particularly care about this whatsoever.) 

If these questions sound particularly interesting to you in any way, definitely take some Classics courses! I just wanted to take this because, you know, percyjacksonandtheolympians.

Anyways...

Now that midterms are over, I've been stressing out about my schedule for next semester. According to literally all of the upperclassmen I've talked to, even if you have a perfect schedule in your shopping cart and you click enroll at exactly the time your registration opens, somehow your classes will already be filled and you'll have to stress out about finding new ways to keep it.

Thank you, upperclassmen, for your encouraging words of wisdom.

My plan for next semester: 2 English courses, the MHC 15000 seminar, a Political Science course, and a Religion course. I'm going to drown in reading and papers, aren't I? But hey, after next semester I'll be basically done with all of the Hunter requirements except for language (and the stuff that MHC 20000 will cover). Taking classes that have overlap in core requirements/major requirements/minor requirements makes everything seem so much more productive.

Sorry I don't have pictures for this post! I'd put one up of my relieved, "I'M DONE!!!" face after that midterm, but no one needs to see that. Ever.

If you guys still have midterms, good luck!

Woops...

Hi everyone!!

So sorry for the lack of posts (I can't believe it's been exactly a month since I first posted). It's been hard for me to function as a responsible, studious college student because all I want to do is curl up in bed and nap between watching Netflix and Youtube videos. But you know, life happens, so.

Besides my sad attempts at becoming a functioning adult, I've been caught up in midterm season, as I'm sure all of you are as well. Thankfully, I only have two tests--one was yesterday, while the last one is next week). That German Fairy Tales midterm was not as scary as I imagined it to be...

Quick plug for German Fairy Tales! The class is fun, there's nothing too stressful, and Professor Zimmerman is great, so anyone who has room for it in their schedule should take it! (I think it's only available in the fall, though.) Just one warning: prepare to have your childhoods ruined... 

But anyway, I just thought I'd share a couple of things I learned in the two months since I started college:

• Zabar Art Library is great for napping (and studying too, I guess)
• Elim's and Hale and Hearty are my favorite places to eat (and they're right next to each other too!)
• Never forget your headphones at home: you never know when class will end early, and you need some Netflix between classes
• If you don't take your hair out of the shower drain, IT WILL FLOOD and it will be gross. Don't do that.
• Planning out your schedule weeks before they even announce the enrollment dates makes you feel very accomplished (I also made an alternate one, just in case)
• Meeting up with friends for lunch / breaks is a great way to stay connected, especially if you don't have any classes together 

So yeah, I'm sure that list will get much longer as time goes on. I'll be posting more regularly from now on, I promise!

Good luck to everyone on their midterm tests/papers/projects!!