College As I Know It: Part One

What I've learned since I've been here:

1. Looking fashionable everyday is extremely exhausting. Especially when you're only getting dressed to go out for 2 hours.

2. A spinoff from the first, wearing good shoes is absolutely necessary. Bought $30 boots, wore them for four days straight, my feet have never been so sore.

3. Cars honk all the time. Sometimes for absolutely no reason. Sometimes because you're crossing the street too slowly. Sometimes in the middle of the night to wake you up...

4. Everything is better with pretty stickers. Except for things that need to look "professional".

5. Writing letters is way more heartfelt than a phone call or a facebook message. But in a pinch, those will do as well.

6. Assigned reading isn't nearly as awful as it would seem. Getting up the energy to get off youtube/hulu/facebook/skype to actually DO the reading is another story...

7. In order to survive, I must sacrifice one of the following: sleep, social life, or good grades. No compromise.

8. Having snacks in the dorm is vital. Personal favorites include sour-patch watermelons, pomegranate limeade, granola bars, and mini chocolate chip cookies.

9. The tourists on the tour buses can see in my third floor window. Best way of dealing with the otherwise awkward, invasive situation: smile and wave fanatically. I like to pretend I'm in a zoo.

And last but not least,

10. Cleaning the hair out of the drain sucks. Even though it's just mine... and my roommate's...

To Those Who Fell, and to Those Who Carry On.

I went down to Ground Zero tonight, not really knowing what to expect, but knowing I should go. I took the E train to get there. Everyone else seemed to be going the opposite direction. I looked up at the signs and realized they all still said "Take E to World Trade Center". It really got to me that people got on that train every day to go to work. Some still do, but so many don't. Not anymore. I kept getting eerie vibes that I shouldn't be going, that it was wrong. The train ran really late. The train was re-routed to another line. Finally got on the train. It hit me again when I realized "World Trade Center" was the very last stop. Got off the train. It was too quiet when I got up to the street. Everything was a little darker, a little more looming. Saw plans for the new "Freedom Tower". Saw the 30 floors that have already been built of the "Freedom Tower". My friend looked at it and simply said: "I love America". I couldn't respond. Walked around. Saw those big lights up close. Went to the memorial. There were firefighters in uniform all over, people placing flowers, people just milling around, people lighting candles. I couldn't do anything but stand there, stare.

It's been NINE years. But it's still a reality here. I noticed a young man, sharply dressed, subtly placing a note from his pocket onto the fence surrounding the site. It was a powerful moment. Since last night, when I first saw the lights, I've been trying to process what it means. What WHAT means? I don't have a clue. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. It's damn confusing. Isn't everything.

An Overheard Conversation

While reading in the park today, a large group of black men congregated near me. Overhearing their boisterous conversation, I picked out one of them talking about Jello Shots (turning to look at them, I realized he was actually DRINKING the jello shots…), to which another man said, “Oh damn! My grandma used to make those all the time!”

I really shouldn’t have to explain why thats so funny to me. Oh the things that go down in Washington Square Park.

First Post, First Official Segment

After spending a few days in Washington Square Park, I've noticed many strange things go down there. And I mean strange. Just yesterday I witnessed three girls dancing promiscuously in sparkly bras and thongs while being filmed by two randy camera men. You know, next to the kids park. No biggie. Later in the evening, two European men decided it would be appropriate to take off their shirts and caress each other in the fountain. Also good.

Finally it occurred to me that I should document these ridiculous events. And so here I am. Presenting, the first ever Stephanie Dana Blogging Segment:

Ridiculous Things that Happen in Washington Square Park

Today's addition to RTHWSP is this picture. Here ya go.