So welcome to Tulane to all of those who read my blog and emailed me over the summer. I know it’s more than you anticipated- you’re going to love the four years ahead of you.
Which brings me to the thing that’s been on my mind- my college career is officially half done. In less than two years I’ll be graduating and moving on and that’s a scary thought. This year I’m a resident advisor for Leadership Village and the last two weeks have been a lot of fun with getting to know the other Willow/Aron/Modular RAs and the other RAs in general. I’ve started a new chapter in my life and I’m enjoying every second of it so far.
It’s 2:35 am and I happen to have a desk shift here at the Willow front desk. In the last two weeks I’ve really seen a whole new side of Tulane and gained the respect of an entire new group of people. RAs here really do work hard and they have a LOT of issues to handle. Just today, as an upperclassmen RA, I was handling an erroneous placement that led to girls and boys living together, equipment problems, contractor problems, and more. Other RAs were dealing with pets on campus, switching mattresses and furniture, and irate parents. And this is as upperclassmen RAs.
Freshmen, make sure you thank your RAs because I can guarantee that tonight they have had a million calls while on duty, 3 hour rounds in just one building, and so many domestic disturbances that you would never even think about if you weren’t an RA. I really have a newfound respect for MY past RAs because they handled all my issues and the issues of 30 other residents with confidence and grace. It’s not an easy job but it can be very rewarding when a resident comes to you for help, waves at you from their balcony, or starts to talk to you when they see you on campus. It’s like making a lot of new friends all at once.
Being a resident advisor is going to be very interesting, I think. Tomorrow is upperclassmen move in, so I’m literally on my feet 7:30 AM to 4 PM. Right now is the calm before the storm and it gives me a little time to reflect on my thoughts. Being an RA is a wonderful leadership opportunity and I encourage many of you to think about applying to be an RA this upcoming spring. If you want programming exposure and to be in charge of planning and budgeting you should think about applying to live in Leadership Village.
I’ve already had all those moments I discussed earlier- the smiles, the waves, and the conversation. I already have my favorite moments as an RA with only 1/4 of my residence hall full. I can’t wait for the moments that await.
Welcome back to Tulane on behalf of your RAs!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Back in the Hometown
After a VERY hectic past rcouple of weeks, I am now back at home in Friendswood, Texas. The rest of the family is traveling around Russia with my family from India, and I’m stuck here in Friendswood, Texas . . . taking MCAT classes. Friendswood is a town with a cute little history museum, a principal who remembers teaching people’s parents, a couple of intersections of farm roads, and a mall on its outskirts. As you can see, there’s not much to do here but study!
Now to warn you pre-meds out there- the MCAT is going to ruin a summer, a semester, or both. Count on it, and factor it in somewhere. You are going to have to give up your travel and internship plans and sit at home and read your physics book while everybody else is having fun. That’s pretty much my summer this summer . . . . and honestly, I’m not used to sitting around. Because I’m so involved at Tulane, I’m used to running around from classes to work to meetings with a few gaps for meals in between.
And let me tell you . . . this is a strange feeling. I haven’t been here for this long since the winter of my freshman year and I’m about to start my junior year. This town has definitely grown up in the time that I’ve been gone and so have my friends. It’s a sad truth, but I feel like I’m not really a part of life here anymore. I moved here when i was about 8 years old, and this house was always the place of activity, of people running up and down looking for things, people needing rides places, and just a general hustle and bustle that comes with childhood years. 12 years later, this house is empty, and the memories float in the air. Though I have a few friends and extended family nearby, sitting here in this house without a single person to tell me to go to bed, to call me and ask me what I thought of some latest episode, or to wake me up in the morning because of inconsiderate yelling about who is going to be late where is just lonely.
So to all you kids about to start college- appreciate the noise of your lives this summer. You won’t realize you’re going to miss it until it’s gone. And then you’ll find yourself in a charming little Texas town with a long summer of MCAT studies stretched out ahead of you.
Welcome to Friendswood.
Now to warn you pre-meds out there- the MCAT is going to ruin a summer, a semester, or both. Count on it, and factor it in somewhere. You are going to have to give up your travel and internship plans and sit at home and read your physics book while everybody else is having fun. That’s pretty much my summer this summer . . . . and honestly, I’m not used to sitting around. Because I’m so involved at Tulane, I’m used to running around from classes to work to meetings with a few gaps for meals in between.
And let me tell you . . . this is a strange feeling. I haven’t been here for this long since the winter of my freshman year and I’m about to start my junior year. This town has definitely grown up in the time that I’ve been gone and so have my friends. It’s a sad truth, but I feel like I’m not really a part of life here anymore. I moved here when i was about 8 years old, and this house was always the place of activity, of people running up and down looking for things, people needing rides places, and just a general hustle and bustle that comes with childhood years. 12 years later, this house is empty, and the memories float in the air. Though I have a few friends and extended family nearby, sitting here in this house without a single person to tell me to go to bed, to call me and ask me what I thought of some latest episode, or to wake me up in the morning because of inconsiderate yelling about who is going to be late where is just lonely.
So to all you kids about to start college- appreciate the noise of your lives this summer. You won’t realize you’re going to miss it until it’s gone. And then you’ll find yourself in a charming little Texas town with a long summer of MCAT studies stretched out ahead of you.
Welcome to Friendswood.
Monday, April 30, 2007
My friends at Tulane
This year I think I’ve made a lot of influential friends here at Tulane. And no, I’m not just talking about the other people my age in my life, the people with whom I eat, go out, and waste time. I’m talking about the adults here at Tulane– I think I’ve formed some very interesting friendships through which I have learned a lot.
First, I’ve made friends with people in HRL, or the housing and res life office. One person I truly admire is actually leaving us next year to go to the illustrious Columbia University in NYC for his studies. He was an advisor for Residence Hall Association, which is the student body representing the various dorms on campus. This past year I was on the eboard for that, and I got to know this guy- Caleb. He plays in a band, he has long hair, he’s always smiling, and always encouraged us. At the last second when I decided I wanted to apply for RA, he wrote me a recommendation right away. He has always been there to steer our thoughts in the right direction and advise us even on personal matters. I’m really going to miss him.
I recently found out that I may be an RA next year, and this holds a lot of interesting new opportunities for me. As someone told me, it is the primary leadership role here at Tulane, and I’m truly thrilled about the idea of it. I also received another position- Program Coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, a position I would have to turn down for RA but appreciated receiving nonetheless. I do plan on being involved with OMA next year regardless. I’ve made friends with some amazing people in that office and they have all been so warm and understanding, advising me on what to do in the case that I did get the RA job with only my best interests in mind.
I love my friends here at Tulane- you’re about to see a picture of my friend Karthik whom I absolutely adore. He’s a goofy kid, but when you need him, he’s there. I love hanging out with him and the others, watching tv, studying, and strategically doing homework. But its my adult friends here at Tulane that have really influenced my last year. I’ve learned a lot from the great people surrounding me and I’m sure I still have a lot to learn from them.
Only here at Tulane did I get the opportunity to get so close to all these people. Because our school is small, it does center around the individual more than the whole student body. People like Caleb and the guys in the Office of Multicultural Affairs are there to get to know me and support me as my own person, rather than a representative of students at Tulane. This one -on-one interaction leads to friendships that I think are undervalued by many when considering choosing a college. Tulane University employees are not afraid to cross the bounds between staff and students and reach out to people like me.
And so I learned that friends come in all flavors- different backgrounds, different races, and even extremely different ages!
First, I’ve made friends with people in HRL, or the housing and res life office. One person I truly admire is actually leaving us next year to go to the illustrious Columbia University in NYC for his studies. He was an advisor for Residence Hall Association, which is the student body representing the various dorms on campus. This past year I was on the eboard for that, and I got to know this guy- Caleb. He plays in a band, he has long hair, he’s always smiling, and always encouraged us. At the last second when I decided I wanted to apply for RA, he wrote me a recommendation right away. He has always been there to steer our thoughts in the right direction and advise us even on personal matters. I’m really going to miss him.
I recently found out that I may be an RA next year, and this holds a lot of interesting new opportunities for me. As someone told me, it is the primary leadership role here at Tulane, and I’m truly thrilled about the idea of it. I also received another position- Program Coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, a position I would have to turn down for RA but appreciated receiving nonetheless. I do plan on being involved with OMA next year regardless. I’ve made friends with some amazing people in that office and they have all been so warm and understanding, advising me on what to do in the case that I did get the RA job with only my best interests in mind.
I love my friends here at Tulane- you’re about to see a picture of my friend Karthik whom I absolutely adore. He’s a goofy kid, but when you need him, he’s there. I love hanging out with him and the others, watching tv, studying, and strategically doing homework. But its my adult friends here at Tulane that have really influenced my last year. I’ve learned a lot from the great people surrounding me and I’m sure I still have a lot to learn from them.
Only here at Tulane did I get the opportunity to get so close to all these people. Because our school is small, it does center around the individual more than the whole student body. People like Caleb and the guys in the Office of Multicultural Affairs are there to get to know me and support me as my own person, rather than a representative of students at Tulane. This one -on-one interaction leads to friendships that I think are undervalued by many when considering choosing a college. Tulane University employees are not afraid to cross the bounds between staff and students and reach out to people like me.
And so I learned that friends come in all flavors- different backgrounds, different races, and even extremely different ages!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Work, Work, and more Work
The last few weeks have been CRAZY here at Tulane.
I’ve had papers due, exams, lab exams, as well as finals approaching. It feels like everything is sort of coming to a close all at once, and every professor wants to squeeze everything out of the time they have left with us. This isn’t the actual case, of course, but it certainly feels like it! If you’re a college student who doesn’t plan too far in advance, you’ll find impending deadlines to be no fun at all. It’s just so much work- an orgo test, a Robert Frost paper, orgo final, physics final, brain and behavior exam, final papers . . . these are only SOME of the things I have to do in the next few weeks.
But after the next two weeks, finals will start, and the semester will be over. Summer will begin . . .and for most of us, that means an internship, a summer job, summer classes, or studying for the MCAT.
annnnd the hard work will begin once again . . . .
I guess this is just part of getting older. I know my parents don’t get a long 3 months off from life basically. I know they don’t get to plan their work day from 11 to 3. I know that it will happen to me too someday soon . . . but I’m not ready for it just yet! I sometimes wish I was still a freshman, because their fun years of finding themselves are still stretched out ahead of them.
But it’s been a fun journey . . .
Only at Tulane.
I’ve had papers due, exams, lab exams, as well as finals approaching. It feels like everything is sort of coming to a close all at once, and every professor wants to squeeze everything out of the time they have left with us. This isn’t the actual case, of course, but it certainly feels like it! If you’re a college student who doesn’t plan too far in advance, you’ll find impending deadlines to be no fun at all. It’s just so much work- an orgo test, a Robert Frost paper, orgo final, physics final, brain and behavior exam, final papers . . . these are only SOME of the things I have to do in the next few weeks.
But after the next two weeks, finals will start, and the semester will be over. Summer will begin . . .and for most of us, that means an internship, a summer job, summer classes, or studying for the MCAT.
annnnd the hard work will begin once again . . . .
I guess this is just part of getting older. I know my parents don’t get a long 3 months off from life basically. I know they don’t get to plan their work day from 11 to 3. I know that it will happen to me too someday soon . . . but I’m not ready for it just yet! I sometimes wish I was still a freshman, because their fun years of finding themselves are still stretched out ahead of them.
But it’s been a fun journey . . .
Only at Tulane.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Bulgaria
This spring break, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit my aunt, uncle, and five-year-old cousin in Sofia, Bulgaria!
It all started when I decided to go to Russia for spring break. I wanted to see my parents, and they were going to be there. And then on Monday, we bought tickets for a Thursday flight to Sofia, and the adventures began!
On the first day, we saw many of the sights in the city on our own. We visited four different churches from different time periods in Bulgarian history, ranging from fairly modern to Byzantine times. We saw the Parliament building, the library, and the gorgeous view of Mount Vitosha from the city. We also then bought ski pants for me to try skiing the next day.
On Friday, that’s what I spent my day doing- skiing! My small cousin Aryan was skiing with his little school and many other local schools in the area and I tagged along. To be honest, many of the little children were MUCH better than me, but I still had a lot of fun. I only fell twice getting off the drag lift, which I don’t really count as falling because it wasn’t as though I fell while actually skiing.
On the third day, we drove about two and a half hours outside of Sofia to see this beautiful monastery and several lakes. The scenery is really spectacular in Bulgaria. The mountains are everywhere and the countryside is scattered with orange colored trees and green grass with the snowy peaks in the background. We also stopped to see the monument of the bells, which is a monument dedicated to international children’s rights.
On the fourth day we took a walk around where my aunt and uncle live, which is in the city center, took pictures, and then went back. I was sad to leave, but spring break had to come to an end!
And now I have a midterm tomorrow and LOTS of studying to catch up on . . . but the escape sure was nice for a few days!
It all started when I decided to go to Russia for spring break. I wanted to see my parents, and they were going to be there. And then on Monday, we bought tickets for a Thursday flight to Sofia, and the adventures began!
On the first day, we saw many of the sights in the city on our own. We visited four different churches from different time periods in Bulgarian history, ranging from fairly modern to Byzantine times. We saw the Parliament building, the library, and the gorgeous view of Mount Vitosha from the city. We also then bought ski pants for me to try skiing the next day.
On Friday, that’s what I spent my day doing- skiing! My small cousin Aryan was skiing with his little school and many other local schools in the area and I tagged along. To be honest, many of the little children were MUCH better than me, but I still had a lot of fun. I only fell twice getting off the drag lift, which I don’t really count as falling because it wasn’t as though I fell while actually skiing.
On the third day, we drove about two and a half hours outside of Sofia to see this beautiful monastery and several lakes. The scenery is really spectacular in Bulgaria. The mountains are everywhere and the countryside is scattered with orange colored trees and green grass with the snowy peaks in the background. We also stopped to see the monument of the bells, which is a monument dedicated to international children’s rights.
On the fourth day we took a walk around where my aunt and uncle live, which is in the city center, took pictures, and then went back. I was sad to leave, but spring break had to come to an end!
And now I have a midterm tomorrow and LOTS of studying to catch up on . . . but the escape sure was nice for a few days!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Ode to Ochem Lab
So on Wednesday, like every other Wednesday, I found myself stuck in ochem lab without any good results and long after most of the other lab groups had left. I had to go to work after lab, I had a volunteering opportunity that I had just missed, and everybody else’s product was yellow while ours was . . . gray. We had restarted our experiment twice because the first time, it had turned green. The second time, it turned green again, but this time we KNEW it wasn’t because any of our glassware was unclean. Our TA, who now understands our overall lab inefficiency, allowed us to keep the second trial running, hoping our product would turn yellow-orange. And it turned gray.
Now you’d think that in a lab like this, I’d be utterly miserable. You’d think that I was watching the time slide away from me, seconds into minutes into hours. Believe it or not, this isn’t the case.
I actually enjoy organic chemistry lab! The lab is long and sometimes the results don’t turn out, but I know when I get there, I have a lot of fun. Our lab “team” is comprised of two different lab groups, and we have a ton of fun rescuing each other from potential dilemma. We’re always nearly the last ones to leave but I honestly don’t even notice how long it’s taken until I see that we’re the last ones left. My lab partners, Gino nd Karthik, are entertaining through and through and working with them is always a great time. Our TA seems to think so– even if he’s stuck in lab ’til the end, he seems to love hanging out with us as well!
(Here’s Gino working hard and Karthik . . . .chilling. But to be fair, as Karthik says, this picture isn’t representative of the actual work they do in lab!)
Organic chemistry lab, above all else, does teach you the essential skills involving team work. I personally have learned a lot from my two lab partners and the other kids in our lab “team.” I’ve learned how to work together smoothly, how to not take control in every situation, and most importantly, how to troubleshoot (aka make it up as we go along!).
(The three of us and our TA Lee in the last stages of last week’s experiment)
So this is my ode to organic chemistry lab– trust me, it’s not as bad as you think. You might actually . . enjoy it. =)
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Step Show and Food Fest
On Wednesday was the Step Show held by the Office of Multicultural Affairs for Flava Wave Week here at Tulane. Basically, this was a week for all multicultural organizations to step forward and make known their presence on campus through events like food fests, poetry readings, and STEP SHOWS.
My wonderful sorority, Delta Xi Nu, does in fact have a step team, and we stepped and strutted at this year’s step show. Our girls were joined by the boys of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, or “dorks til death,” as they call themselves. The combination of the talented girls on our team and the comical boys on theirs made for a VERY entertaining show. They were followed by a step team made of Office of Multicultural Affairs Ambassadors, or people assigned to have little sisters and brothers in incoming freshman classes. It was a very fun event for everybody involved!
And we fly Xi Honeys sure can step!!!
Also this week in Flava Wave Week, we had a food fest courtesy of the Asian American Student Union. It was free for members and $5 for all non members. This particular Food Fest was exciting for me because not only did I run into my usual group of Asian friends, but into a guy named Hameed.
Hameed used to be the graduate hall director for Wall Residential College last year, when I was its president. He taught me a lot about leadership, and I’m still grateful for all the lessons I learned. We had a very strange relationship, as we had a professional relationship because of Wall Residential Hall Government but an odd friendship as well. He moved to Miami after he graduated as a BME during Lagniappe, and now is working full time. It’s always a shocker to those of us still in college that the world beyond these borders exists, that people do get up at 9 and work til 5, and that being an adult is NOT all its cracked up to be.
But it was a great treat seeing him, even if we were reminded of all that! Here’s to you, Hameed!
My wonderful sorority, Delta Xi Nu, does in fact have a step team, and we stepped and strutted at this year’s step show. Our girls were joined by the boys of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, or “dorks til death,” as they call themselves. The combination of the talented girls on our team and the comical boys on theirs made for a VERY entertaining show. They were followed by a step team made of Office of Multicultural Affairs Ambassadors, or people assigned to have little sisters and brothers in incoming freshman classes. It was a very fun event for everybody involved!
And we fly Xi Honeys sure can step!!!
Also this week in Flava Wave Week, we had a food fest courtesy of the Asian American Student Union. It was free for members and $5 for all non members. This particular Food Fest was exciting for me because not only did I run into my usual group of Asian friends, but into a guy named Hameed.
Hameed used to be the graduate hall director for Wall Residential College last year, when I was its president. He taught me a lot about leadership, and I’m still grateful for all the lessons I learned. We had a very strange relationship, as we had a professional relationship because of Wall Residential Hall Government but an odd friendship as well. He moved to Miami after he graduated as a BME during Lagniappe, and now is working full time. It’s always a shocker to those of us still in college that the world beyond these borders exists, that people do get up at 9 and work til 5, and that being an adult is NOT all its cracked up to be.
But it was a great treat seeing him, even if we were reminded of all that! Here’s to you, Hameed!
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