When I first heard YOLO (You Only Live Once), it was pretty stupid. But then it became funny in an ironic way. Then came YOSYO (You Only Senior Year Once), and that was pretty stupid too. But then the undeniable truth of it started weighing down. I’m unbelievably grateful to have a wonderful job opportunity after graduation in my favorite city (New York, New York - although I’d totally welcome a job transfer to London hahah). As many gains as next year will bring me, the truth is that entering the world of professionalism does bring a few losses here and there. For example, I can’t wear my favorite Urban Outfitter’s Smush nailpolish with an Essie No Place Like Chrome fourth nail accent (so punny!). And I probably will shy away from my quirky owl earrings. I definitely can’t wear my ridiculous beanie from Brussels with a giant red snowball on top because a) it will mess up all that professional hair and b) it looks ridiculous in any given circumstance. Worst of all, I can’t die the back strands of my hair dark blue or purple. Never mind the fact that I really only had that urge once I realized I couldn’t do it in a year…but still.
I literally almost printed this picture out of Selena Gomez (aka a Disney princess who was also dating JBiebs #intouchwiththetweens) to give to my hair dresser before my friends kindly informed me, “Uh..I don’t think that would match well with your JCrew outfits..” Truth.
Most of all, though, is realizing that in a short 4 months, I’ll be leaving Philly behind. And despite only being in Manhattan for two summers and London for one semester, I know the both of those cities far better than I know Philly. That’s why, this year I decided I had to leave campus at least once a week. While I didn’t get a chance to document the first semester, I’m determined to document my last. To catch up for lost time, though, last semester I was able to go to:
Week of Aug 27th & Sept 3rd: Everywhere with the Brits! All over DC, NY and Philly!
Week of Sept 10th: Double event! First went to Frankford Hall , a modern Biergarten by Steven Starr, with some then-new friends and now-regular friends! While everyone got gigantic pints, I happily enjoyed some Spicy Bratwurst. Also, note how tan I was. I’ll get back to that one day….
(Photo Credit: Chloe S.)
Then somehow got roped into seeing this dude called…Bon Iver? I actually barely knew him when I went to the concert, but was a huge fan by the time I left. The live performance was so spectacular! At one point I realized: “I brought my Venture Capital homework to a hipster concert…does that make me ironic?”
Week of Sept 17th: Went downtown to get a new and dashing haircut! Also went on Baltimore Dollar Stroll which I don’t have pictures of, but was pretty awesome. Essentially all these restaurants along Baltimore sell little items/samples for $1 each. It’s a great idea in bringing the community together
Week of Sept 24th: Mid-Autumn Festival in ChinaTown! I can’t find the pictures we took from this, but surprisingly Matt of all people introduced us to an amazing hand-drawn noodle restaurant: Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House. Phenomenal! I highly recommend it.
Week of Oct 1st: Greek IV Apple Picking! One of the best events we’ve done so far. As a California kid, the only thing I had ever picked was persimmons or strawberries. Actually, I can’t tell if maybe that’s just a sheltered kid thing… But this weekend, I got to meet ALLY. One of the coolest girls ever, and I’m seriously so blessed to know her. Girl just randomly signed up for our event and is now helping us plan events behind the scene!
Week of Oct. 8th: Sad, sad week. I got horribly sick, died, and missed a thousand events including Restaurant Week, the free students’ Philly Orchestra concert, a date to the Lil Pop Shop, and a Chi O Seniors’ Happy Hour.
Week of Oct. 15th: Fall Break! Amy and I went to Boston/Cambridge to see Maegan, Tsuki, Becca, and the Head of the Charles Regatta! We awkwardly became temporary members of the Kansas crew team during their lunch at Quincy Market when their entire team sat around us too hahah. and then I visited Kelsey up in the Bronx.
Week of Oct. 22nd: Homecoming weekend! I decided this weekend of all weekends, I didn’t exactly need to leave campus. We had a great game vs Brown. Sad fact is I had to Google that because I couldn’t remember hahah
To be continued…