The lack of updates can be attributed to finals and winter break following each other in quick succession.  But now I am back, and with plenty of news.  While finals at Reed were exactly what I expected, I refuse to worry about whether or not I passed my classes until January 9th.  Reed does not [...]

Continue reading about Vacation has turned into thinking in metaphor and worrying about narrative casualty…

When writing a paper, there are several things one just shouldn’t do.  After four HUM papers and an entire semester of Reed, I think I’ve more or less figured it out.
1) If you’re a music lover, don’t play music while you’re writing your paper, unless it honestly helps you concentrate or you can block it [...]

Continue reading about Five tips from the claws of humanities papers reach out and curl around your keyboard invitingly…

Shona on November 27th, 2008

Thanksgiving. A time of thanks and turkey. Mainly turkey.  And thanks for a break from college; I thought today would never get here.
I’ve decided that I’ve not spent nearly enough time with family since I’ve been here, but I doubt I’ll be able to spend more.  College students at Reed seem to get their time [...]

Continue reading about I’d forgotten how it smelled at this time of year…

Shona on November 13th, 2008

When I applied to Reed, one of the people that knew the college asked me exactly how many drugs I used.  The others, my classmates and friends, just branded it a hippie school that cost enough money to make my ears bleed.  I arrived at Reed fully knowing that there would be drug-lovers and fully [...]

Continue reading about It’s a culture of no pressure, no worries…

November 4th, 2008.
Everyone’s wandering around campus with excited looks on their faces, jabbering away about one thing and one thing only.  They’ve all got pins and needles; some people are optimistic and have a good feeling, others not so much.
We fucked up once, we can do it again.
But today is election day, and if Obama [...]

Continue reading about There’s an air of expectation floating above everyone’s heads, stirring even the leaves into excitement…

Welcome to NaNoWriMo! Pass out the coffee hopefully awash with plot bunnies.  I’m giving my word count to Portland this year to help beat Vancouver, who’ve challenged us! First, Vancouver; next, Seattle!  And then, the world… yes, you know how this is going to end.
It’s already started to be an interesting experience balancing NaNo and [...]

Continue reading about We’ve laid out the mat to welcome you to the time of crazy…

This is definitely one of those times, one of those moments that absolutely has to go into the “stupid but absurdly awesome ideas I did in college.”   Or at least aided and abetted.
My friends, with a divided double dorm room, just created a Narnia wardrobe.  I kid you not, my friends, Meg and Liz’s [...]

Continue reading about “Do you remember that one time in college when we…”

Fall break has begun! Reed campus was more silent this weekend than I have ever seen it.  Of course, I went out these past few nights, so I haven’t been around any of the wild parties.  If such things exist.  I’d rather sleep, frankly.
But at any rate, our week-long vacation has started.  It’s going to [...]

Continue reading about Rest and relax with your eyes closed and the music playing…

I am sitting in the Dorothy Johanssen house (the DoJo, tutoring center, in case you’ve forgotten) awaiting one of my discples.  She’s 15 minutes late and I’m wondering if I’ll still get paid for sitting here without any of my books or my computer.  (Which was, by the way, a really stupid move, but *I* [...]

Continue reading about Peppemint tea heated in a stylish green mug, steam curling in a silent atmosphere…

Shona on September 25th, 2008

The glimmer and glamor of college is slowly fading, mostly because Economics and Calculus are breaking my brain.  My brain is at that point where it’s begging for a break, especially since I have two tests in these subjects, one right after the other practically.  The problem sets due tomorrow is still unfinished and mostly [...]

Continue reading about The glitz fades far too slowly, if it ever does…