The past few days have definitely one of those stereotypical incredibly stressful college workload situations. I have my first organic chem test on Thursday, and all anyone seems to be able to talk about in that class lately is how hard our professor's tests supposedly are (an aside, this kind of semi-paranoid discussion about professors is definitely one of my pet peeves), and I just had an abnormal psychology test last week. This was combined with a series of either unavoidable social obligations, making me quickly fall behind in my neuroscience class. That would have been sort of OK except that we have weekly problem sets, and the one due tomorrow was totally kicking my ass since I hadn't had time to study the material sufficiently. Also, this is definitely the most challenging class I've taken so far - which I love about it, but that makes it a bit less compatible with busy schedules and poor time management.

Consequently I stayed up till 1 last night at then woke up again at 7, and have spent all my time in between classes at the library. On the bright side, work is very quiet at my lab, so i'm now situated in my comfy chair at a nice desk next to a giant window (I think having my own space, albeit off campus since I work at the NYU medical center, is one of the biggest benefits of working in a lab) and preparing to hit the chemistry books again.

- Celine

Fulfillment

As a Macaulay student, I do actually enjoy my academic workload, at least, most of it. Usually, completing an essay or project leaves me with a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, because I've actually learned something and done something that I feel is valuable to my education (and perhaps to others as well). But it's still nice to have projects outside of my academic life that can bring me fulfillment. Today's a good day, since two projects I've been working on finally got off the ground. First of all, the Macaulay Scholars Council website is up and running: check it out here. Second, the first clues for the Cultural Passport Scavenger Hunt were released. I had the idea for this event before I was even accepted into Macaulay, and I'm so excited that I was actually able to organize and run it. Prospective students can't compete for the prize, and you don't yet have the cultural passport to get in for free, but play along if you wish! More details about the event and the first two clues are posted on the MSC website mentioned above. Happy hunting!

in need of a little ohm.

so despite all the stress that I'm feeling (tests! quizzes! papers! visits to museums to write these papers! homework! catching up on all the homework I missed from the english 220 class I just switched into!) I dragged my butt to yoga yesterday and warrior I, II and III'ed myself into a little more zen. I was having some really crazy thought drifts during saravasana but it's all good. I think that just means I need to get a little more sleep.

my friend lexi dropped by on her way back to philly from RIT, so we spent the day doing brunch, some shopping, relaxing and catching up. definitely what I needed.

oh, note from above: I just switched into an english 220 class (yes. I know what you're thinking: didn't I miss, uh, a THIRD of the semester??? yes. I did. it is fine though, fret not.) and I am LOVING it. even though I only had it once, it seems like it's going to be fantastic. for one, we are reading shakespeare right now and man do I miss that man's writing. I love shakespeare. I have read so much by him (I think like 8 different plays? and I've seen a bunch too.) and I always get so (weirdly) excited when I read him. like, I can't read it without smiling. is that weird? probably. do I care? nope. oh and we're reading WATCHMEN, THE COMIC BOOK for class. please. the professor seems great, he's such a character and I have the silliest people in my class. like the kid who keeps gesticulating as he hears shakespeare being read aloud. and said "that guy is druuuuuunk" while we were discussing the tempest. I can't stop from laughing. anyway, it's great to be out of mindless english 120. I am so glad. so, so, so glad.

I also got really excited during my art history recitation group...as in, my ta said she wouldn't call on me anymore so that other people could get a chance to talk.

I don't know. I'm getting really excited for school again...maybe just these classes but still. I'm glad that my love is back. I love learning. who knows, maybe it's just the shakespeare that's getting me so pumped.