Sunday, November 06, 2005

survival mode

What a crazy week! I knew I had a decent amount of work to get done, but suddenly the deadlines ganged up on me… Lots of reading, a bit of writing, two papers to revise, and a test. I had been working ahead—honest—but things kept getting in the way, like doing dishes. (After a while, I ignored the dishes. Guess what I’ll be doing in ten minutes.)

So last week was a lot of sleep deprivation and a lot of caffeine. After a while, I felt like I would die young, so this weekend I’ve made it up to myself with sleeping in and movies. Um, what about the work for next week?

One of the more fun distractions last week was Light in the Night, the Calvin apartments’ annual Halloween event. We all decorate our buildings, doors, and selves, and pass out candy to about 700 trick-or-treaters. I had a blast seeing so many kids come through.

Favorites? One was either Al Capone or Dr. Livingston, I couldn’t tell which. (But I’m betting Al Capone.) Then there was a little boy under a red umbrella, with pink crepe paper tassels around the edges. “And what are you?” I asked. “A jellyfish!!” he cried, reaching for a Tootsie Roll. And then I died laughing to see John Witte, our dean of Residence Life, with his son—dressed up as John Witte himself, in matching clothes, complete with cell phone and name tag.

Anyway, it was a great break from work. Oh, and I dressed up too. We covered our door with aluminum foil (yes, because it was quick and simple and festive), and decided it could be a Snow-White-esque mirror. That fits under our building theme of “castle” somehow, right? So I dressed up as Sleeping Beauty… wearing pajamas and jewelry, a robe, and an eye mask. (Get it? Sleeping.)

No, not obviously a princess, but I was comfy. (Got a lot of strange looks, too. But no one really wanted to ask what exactly I was trying to be… they just stared at the eye mask and said thanks for the candy. Standing near a king, a knight, Aladdin & Jasmine, and a princess, I looked like the castle bum.)

Sleeping Beauty, in between an oceanography reading and adolescent lit:

And the neighbors:

The amazing door:


My apartment also took a trip to Robinette’s orchard early last week. It was beautiful autumn weather (though today it decided to act like November… cold and grey and rainy), so we went for cider and pumpkin doughnuts, caramel apples and kettle corn. A much-needed study break.

The girls (Amanda and Laura):

And Kim:

So early last week was fun… the last bit was just a lot of work. Next week? Another challenge! (Why not?)

I have the usual amount of reading and small assignments, as well as two papers and two revised papers due. Plus… my parents are coming! I’m so excited to see them. It feels like ages since early September, though I guess it’s just been two months. Still. When they’re here, I don’t exactly feel like writing papers, so I’m going to try again (ha ha ha) to work ahead. I know we’ll all just want to talk and catch up, so I’ll see what I can get done by Wednesday!

I’m also launching an offensive against the dreary November weather, by dragging my afghan around, knitting a bright red scarf, and tacking up cheerful pictures from Dialogue (Calvin’s literary magazine) and Gourmet magazine.

But for now? I’m off to do dishes.—jl

Posted by Jenn Langefeld on 11/06 at 05:46 PM
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