Spring break is over, which is a little sad, but it was really great seeing all of my friends when they got back yesterday.
The rest of my break was really nice and relaxing. I went to Connecticut for a night to stay with my friend Bailey. It was nice to just get out of the city and be in a real house (where I didn’t have to wear shoes while showering!). For Shabbat dinner this week, I ate at the home of the family I tutor for. The best part of the dinner (besides home cooked food of course) was being a part of a family dinner. I love making and having dinner with my friends, but there is something to be said about spending time and being a part of a family. On Saturday morning I went to the synagogue where I work. Over lunch was talking to the mother of two of the girls that come to my program (I lead a program for 5-7 year olds) who is a Barnard alum. She asked me what I was studying. I told her I wasn’t sure, but I was considering History and education at Barnard and Modern Jewish Studies at JTS. She is a history teacher at a Jewish day school and was encouraging to follow a similar career path. It’s interesting that as soon as you enter college people start asking you the question what do you want to do with your life or “what do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a scary question, and as a Freshman (or senior) in college you don’t always know and you don’t have to know. Also this week the Barnard course catalogue for next semester came out and everyone is getting back their midterms from before break. These two events have sent many of my friends into a frenzy trying to figure out the answer to the question I was posed this weekend. Yesterday I had conversations with both my roommate and a friend about what they want to major in exc. It is stressful to think about, especially for List students who have to worry about majors, classes, and requirements for two schools. Fortunately, we also have amazing academic advising at both schools. As a Double Degree student, I have advisors at each school who are deans and know the ins and outs of the program and requirements I have to fulfill. So though picking classes is stressful, it’s nice to know the tremendous support I receive from my schools. Also last night I went out to dinner with two of my friends because one of my friend’s dads was in town. It’s always fun meeting people’s parents, and dinner was delicious. The best part was dessert (chocolate mousse) and they asked the restaurant to put a candle in it for me because my birthday is later in the week. Birthdays here are truly a week event and I am enjoying it already! Finally after a long week of midterms, it is spring break. Since I went home last weekend, I am staying at school for break. It is very quiet here, but it has been nice relaxing and not having much to do. I do have three major papers do later in the semester, so I have been working on those a lot, but other than that it as just been hanging out and sleeping. Also since there are so few people around, I have gotten a chance to spend time with some people who I may not otherwise really hang out with. Last night I went to MSRH to feed one of my friend’s turtles and decided while I was there I would make myself some dinner. (The dorm I live in at Barnard does not have a kitchen, but the JTS dorms all do. As a student living in the quad I am required to be on the unlimited meal plan, but the dining hall is closed for break so I have had to fend for myself as far as food goes.) While I was cooking my veggie burger and rice, a boy who I am friendly with, but by no means friends with came in to make his own dinner. We proceeded to have a great conversation about history (what we are both considering majoring in) and The Brother’s Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. We had a great time over dinner, and that is an experience I probably wouldn’t get during the regular school week.
Last weekend was also great hanging out with my friend Nomi who was in town. Her brother is a 5th year Rabbinical Student and so we spent a lot of time with JTS grad students which is not something I usually do. It made me realize the JTS community spans so much farther than just List, which is not something I have taken advantage of so far. We also went to Friday night services at the Start School Now housed inside JTS. I usually go to Hillel for services, but due to break Hillel was closed. Again, it was interesting to explore a part of JTS which I usually do not. On a similar note, tomorrow I will be utilizing another resource at JTS for the first time. I am writing a research paper this semester on the affect of Ramah Camps on shaping Jewish identity. The national Ramah office is housed in the JTS building, and tomorrow I am meeting with someone there to help me with my research. Being at List I have the unique opportunity to use the resources available at JTS. While I am at JTS tomorrow, I am also planning on taking advantage of the JTS cafeteria’s famous meat day! |
AuthorIn this blog, I will write about my journey as Spanish student in the U.S. college. |