An A at Harvard

“I can answer the question, if you want me to.” Harris said. “The median grade in Harvard College is indeed an A-. The most frequently awarded grade in Harvard College is actually a straight A.”'

~ The Harvard Crimson

Actually insane. Guess there's more truth to the whole "would have been an A at Harvard" sentiment that exists at Princeton than I thought.

In a way I'm thankful for my Bs and such though. I mean, I would much rather have an A in the end, but having to have the experience of struggling so much for a grade, and still not getting an A... It's really humbling. It really makes me realize that not everything can be done in my own power, nor should everything be able to be done in my own power. That maybe, working your hardest sometimes really isn't enough. It's a pretty miserable truth but one well worth knowing.

Of course, that's not to say I wouldn't appreciate the 3.71 that GradeDeflation.com says I would have had I gone to Harvard... xP

Eventful Days

Car crash on the way back to Princeton yesterday. No one was hurt, thank God. People are still recovering from minor concussions (headaches and such) but nothing seems to be serious. And a huge blessing from Kaite's dad, who showed up to drive us the rest of the way to school!

Gas leak at school today - all of Wilson was evacuated and Frist for a while as well. It was inconvenient as I couldn't get back into the dorm, but again thank God that no one was hurt. And I was able to pick up stuff from my dorm right before class at 1:30pm, so my day wasn't even much impacted!

Stella ❤

Slept on the ride back instead. =P But yesterday was lots of fun - we played MarioKart and Telestrations and just hung out really haha. I got to finish my chem pset too, which was nice if not exactly fun. xP

Went Black Friday shopping today! So many stores to go to - didn't have too much time though (or money, all things considered). Bought two sweaters at Old Navy, and working on a pair of boots from DSW. But favorite purchase was definitely a ukelele. Yup, I got a uke! She's super super pretty and I have no idea how to play a uke, but I'm going to learn! Named her Stella. =] Wayyy too excited for the (lack of) time I'll have to learn haha... But it'll be fun!

A couple more days of rest, then back to Princeton! But then just two weeks until winter break. Jeez, time passes by so fast...

A Turkey Thanksgiving!

Had an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving full of food, friends, and fun games. =] Bit tired and getting up for shopping tomorrow, so I'll write more tomorrow (perhaps on the drive back?). I've been so blessed to be able to spend this Thanksgiving with Matt's family, if not my own. God is wonderful.

Conversations and Thanksgiving

I've only recently realized how much I've talked throughout my life without actually saying anything. I really do crave deep conversations, I just sort of suck at them. But if anyone ever wants to talk, please pull me out of my comfort zone!

On another note, while talking to Christie today, I really just was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of things I have to be thankful for in any given day. A warm bed, food and clean water, a loving family and supportive friends. A wonderful fellowship and a great university, being able to pursue something I love, the convenience afforded by technology and the comfort of home away from home. An absolutely amazing boy whom I love and who loves me back. And above all, a gracious and merciful God who knows me better than I know myself and who will always provide for me as long as I ask (and who answered my prayers with a decent/average score on biochem and a 10/10 on a physics quiz I felt unsure on!).

Sending off a letter today to thank a family for funding my financial aid, grabbing some late meal, then just chilling and watching a movie with friends.

What a wonderful way to start off a Thanksgiving break.

Bonfire: Round 2!

Once again, it was freezing. Unlike last year though, I stayed away from the front to avoid having my face melt off.

Last year seemed more exciting with the effigy and such, plus it was the first time in a while, but it was still pretty awesome. =]

Voiceplay

These guys are on Season 4 of the Sing-off. I know who I'm rooting for in addition to the Footnotes now! Eep they're so good ❤

Recovering

The biochem exam was pretty horrible, and I haven't studied for math or physics on Monday. But despite all of this, I'm happy. =] Treated myself to some Naked Juice (and roasted seaweed!) and brought some over for Matt and Jeremy too.

Seems like a pretty good way to recover from bad exams - I think I'll just do this in the future. Treat yourself, then treat someone else. =]

Thank you God for getting me through this and helping me to not dwell on my mistakes or what I perceive as failures.

Classes

Somehow, I always find myself in classes that aren't my major, that I don't technically need, and that are filled with students from the major to which it corresponds. I mean, with ECO202/ECO310 it makes sense, since those are required from econ majors, but I found out recently that Civil Liberties is generally full of WWS/policy students. Makes sense now, considering how talkative some people in precept were.

This also partially explains why my semesters have been rough - that is, my taking classes for my major (so thus with the premeds and engineers), and also taking random classes in other people's majors that happen to be popular for said major... Well that, and my lack of time management/study skills (derp), and the fact that I'm a chem major (which is actually thought of as one of the hardest majors - what?).

In any case, academic advising with Professor Kelly tomorrow - tentative schedule for spring below! Yay for 8:30am classes again... At least my Thursdays and Fridays look nice?

Up late biochem cramming, but nothing is being absorbed. I should go sleep. Derp.

Bonfire #2 Secured!

Bit late, but =D!!! Two years, two bonfires! And an Ivy League Championship this year!

On Phone Calls

"I just don't like phone calls because people can bother me whenever they want."

In a way, it's a valid point. I get annoyed if my phone rings while I'm in the middle of the pset. I get annoyed sometimes when someone I haven't heard from in a while texts asking for help.

But on the other hand, it's a blessing to be bothered. It means people trust you, that they want your help, and that they believe you're there for them. Most of the time it's not that they think you're at their beck and call, but just that they know you'll be there to help if they ever need it.

It's special being trusted. And honestly, I sort of miss phone calls. Texting gives way to multi-tasking and not really paying attention to the conversation (not that calls don't also have that problem, but a 15 minutes lull in texting is generally acceptable whereas a silence of that period on the phone would be... awkward).

Phone calls seem a bit dead - they don't come around much unless it's for business or from parents. It's a bit of a shame, really.

Thank you for an amazing night yesterday. ❤

Still have two tests and two quizzes to start studying for, and an econ pset to finish. But somehow, I feel almost at ease. It's wonderful. =] (Come tomorrow though...)