Today was May Day; the last Bryn Mawr tradition of the year, and the final tradition that I and the other seniors participate in. This year was actually Grand May Day; every four years, the school spends twice as much on the tradition, and it luckily enough coincided with my senior year.
The day starts at 7:30 or 8, when the students put on their white dresses (well, nobody has to wear a white dress, but most people do) and go to one of the dining halls (or the Campus Center in the case of the seniors) for a breakfast of strawberries and cream. It was a tiny bit cool in the morning, especially given the fact that I was in a short-sleeved dress, but the day ended up being really nice and warm.
There's a short break before the procession to Merion Green, where the Maypoles are. At around 9:30, the procession begins, led by a bagpipe player and followed by select faculty members, Traditions Mistresses, Songs Mistresses, May Queens, Maypole dancers (who got the position by signing up at 8:30 on Wednesday morning), and President Nancy Vickers. Rumor had it that President Vickers rode in on an elephant for Grand May Day, but, alas, this was proven to not be the case. However, the Traditions Mistresses did come in on horse-drawn carriages.
Showing posts with label traditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label traditions. Show all posts
Sunday, May 5, 2002
Friday, May 3, 2002
Another Day, Another Dilemma
I got up on the late side (surprise, surprise) today. After slacking, I turned in some money for a hoops race hoop (a Bryn Mawr tradition, don't ask) and went to lunch.
Today, I read an article that was posted in the Campus Center which dealt with employment opportunities for my graduating class. This has been a pretty rough year because of 9/11 and the recession, and more people are 'waiting it out' by going to grad school rather than getting a job; as a result, law school applications went up 44% from last year, which is a huge jump. That helps me not get too depressed over my less-than-stellar track record (aside from wait-lists at UCLA and USC, I haven't gotten even mediocre news yet)... though I was a bit lazy on filling out the applications, it's not just me. In any case, it's useful to have that statistic to deflect personal criticism.
Today, I read an article that was posted in the Campus Center which dealt with employment opportunities for my graduating class. This has been a pretty rough year because of 9/11 and the recession, and more people are 'waiting it out' by going to grad school rather than getting a job; as a result, law school applications went up 44% from last year, which is a huge jump. That helps me not get too depressed over my less-than-stellar track record (aside from wait-lists at UCLA and USC, I haven't gotten even mediocre news yet)... though I was a bit lazy on filling out the applications, it's not just me. In any case, it's useful to have that statistic to deflect personal criticism.
Saturday, February 23, 2002
Las Flores
Today was... interesting. After finishing the RA homework, I worked on my essay, finishing just in time to go to performances. They were pretty crazy this year, with fewer 'cute' skits. The infamous 'pimp strut' was especially bizarre, with one scantily clad contestant even wearing a snake. I think a lot of people were shocked by her outfit. Anyway, after performances, the dorms all had bedtime stories. As I stated before, I read 'Make Way For Ducklings' which was less humorous than some of the other stories, but was still cute and fun to work on.
I have just gotten back from the year's big party; I usually don't really enjoy parties, but I had fun at this one. I suppose I'm usually so inhibited that I feel too stilted at parties. I've loosened up a bit though, thanks to a few glasses of champagne. I bet I'll feel very ill and/or embarrassed tomorrow, but I have to say I had a good time tonight.
I have just gotten back from the year's big party; I usually don't really enjoy parties, but I had fun at this one. I suppose I'm usually so inhibited that I feel too stilted at parties. I've loosened up a bit though, thanks to a few glasses of champagne. I bet I'll feel very ill and/or embarrassed tomorrow, but I have to say I had a good time tonight.
Friday, February 22, 2002
The Saga Continues
Of course, on the day that Thursday class wasn't held, I got up bright and early. How typical.
Anyway, after wasting my time, I headed to the Barnes and Noble and Acme (yes, there are Acme supermarkets here, but they don't sell anvils) to get a 'bedtime story' book for tomorrow night's hell week tradition and some alcohol for trials (seniors were requested to bring some). I got 'Make Way For Ducklings' as a nod to the Saturday duck pond run. On the way, I bumped into the infamous 'Barnes and Noble Guy', who was working at the counters. Here's the BANG (don't you adore acronyms?) story... I used to go to Barnes and Noble a lot during my freshman year, but this guy who worked there kept on following me, and asking if I needed help or about the books I was looking at. Needless to say, I learned to take the longer walk to Borders eventually, and didn't see him after my sophomore year (on Halloween, appropriately enough). I figured that he eventually found a job somewhere else. Well, I bumped into him today, and he observed that I hadn't been around lately and asked whether I was a student. I tried to be polite, but it was a weird, uncomfortable situation. Heh, poor guy.
I then went to the Acme; however, I learned something about Pennsylvania state law that day. Apparently, they only allow liquor stores to sell alcohol. I guess my lack of knowledge just goes to show what a party animal I am. I didn't have the time to get the alcohol, so I just decided to let it be. I rushed back to my fencing class. Because of Hell Week, the frosh were dressed in different outfits according to their 'home dorms' (such as the Denbigh Debutantes, the Rhodes Rodents, the Rockefeller Rock Stars, and, most famously, the Pembroke East 'whore corps' - the legend is that the dorm used to be a brothel or that the women living there, uh, sold themselves to get money for the war effort). During class, one of the girls had to say a Three Musketeers line whenever the teacher uttered the word 'fencing'; she learned to spell it out pretty quickly.
Anyway, after wasting my time, I headed to the Barnes and Noble and Acme (yes, there are Acme supermarkets here, but they don't sell anvils) to get a 'bedtime story' book for tomorrow night's hell week tradition and some alcohol for trials (seniors were requested to bring some). I got 'Make Way For Ducklings' as a nod to the Saturday duck pond run. On the way, I bumped into the infamous 'Barnes and Noble Guy', who was working at the counters. Here's the BANG (don't you adore acronyms?) story... I used to go to Barnes and Noble a lot during my freshman year, but this guy who worked there kept on following me, and asking if I needed help or about the books I was looking at. Needless to say, I learned to take the longer walk to Borders eventually, and didn't see him after my sophomore year (on Halloween, appropriately enough). I figured that he eventually found a job somewhere else. Well, I bumped into him today, and he observed that I hadn't been around lately and asked whether I was a student. I tried to be polite, but it was a weird, uncomfortable situation. Heh, poor guy.
I then went to the Acme; however, I learned something about Pennsylvania state law that day. Apparently, they only allow liquor stores to sell alcohol. I guess my lack of knowledge just goes to show what a party animal I am. I didn't have the time to get the alcohol, so I just decided to let it be. I rushed back to my fencing class. Because of Hell Week, the frosh were dressed in different outfits according to their 'home dorms' (such as the Denbigh Debutantes, the Rhodes Rodents, the Rockefeller Rock Stars, and, most famously, the Pembroke East 'whore corps' - the legend is that the dorm used to be a brothel or that the women living there, uh, sold themselves to get money for the war effort). During class, one of the girls had to say a Three Musketeers line whenever the teacher uttered the word 'fencing'; she learned to spell it out pretty quickly.
Thursday, February 21, 2002
Fire And Brimstone
This morining, I talked with the Real Analysis II professor about my situation; she's allowing me to take the class on a trial basis and advised me not to drop Topology just yet. I'll be taking a (take-home) test on Friday, and if I'm up to speed with the rest of the class, I can join the class. hopefully it'll work out. I went to a session of the class as well. Considering that they're just now working on something that is bandied about like common knowledge in the Topology class, I think might be easier just to catch up in Real Analysis.
I then had my other class (Abnormal Psych) and Chorale. Since today is the beginning of the hallowed Bryn Mawr tradition of Hell Week, there were a few interruptions by frosh who had been made to perform there. The most memorable was one girl who sang a Marilyn Monroe style 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' to the Chorale director. After getting back, there was schedule copying in the dorms; it was kind of sedate compared to my first-year experience.
I then met with other dorm seniors to talk about the Trials skits. A bit of background: Thursday night trials are when the frosh are 'tried' for various quirks and faults. The sophomores push for harsh punishments, the juniors try to be nice, and the seniors are the arbitrators and also 'swear in' the tried frosh. The seniors also orchestrate the evening with a theme and 'skits'... high school is our theme this year. In accordance with the theme, the sophomores are supposed to be bullies and the juniors will be nerds. The seniors do the 'performing'. Though most of the assigning of parts took place on Sunday, when I was 'very busy' and couldn't attend the meeting, there were a few spare parts up for grabs. I ended up getting the prom king; I borrowed a suit from a hallmate (though I have to pin the pants up for them to fit properly) and made a spiffy little crown. It should be fun, and I'll have to post pictures if they come out.
I then had my other class (Abnormal Psych) and Chorale. Since today is the beginning of the hallowed Bryn Mawr tradition of Hell Week, there were a few interruptions by frosh who had been made to perform there. The most memorable was one girl who sang a Marilyn Monroe style 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' to the Chorale director. After getting back, there was schedule copying in the dorms; it was kind of sedate compared to my first-year experience.
I then met with other dorm seniors to talk about the Trials skits. A bit of background: Thursday night trials are when the frosh are 'tried' for various quirks and faults. The sophomores push for harsh punishments, the juniors try to be nice, and the seniors are the arbitrators and also 'swear in' the tried frosh. The seniors also orchestrate the evening with a theme and 'skits'... high school is our theme this year. In accordance with the theme, the sophomores are supposed to be bullies and the juniors will be nerds. The seniors do the 'performing'. Though most of the assigning of parts took place on Sunday, when I was 'very busy' and couldn't attend the meeting, there were a few spare parts up for grabs. I ended up getting the prom king; I borrowed a suit from a hallmate (though I have to pin the pants up for them to fit properly) and made a spiffy little crown. It should be fun, and I'll have to post pictures if they come out.
Sunday, October 28, 2001
Anass Athena Thea...
Today I woke up pretty early. I spent most of my morning getting grad school applications together, a long overdue task. I got sort of lazy in the middle of the day, though.
Tonight was Lantern Night, one of Bryn Mawr's traditions. Luckily, I was able to get a ticket, so I made my way to Thomas Hall, where the ceremony was being held. I had a ticket for the roof, so I had to climb through a window to get there. I also tried to take photos, but I think things were so dark that it was futile, despite the 1600 film I brought. After waiting a while, all the lights in the building were turned off, and things were almost silent as the frosh proceeded onto the courtyard. The songsmistresses chanted a song in Greek as sophmore 'runners' ran and gave the frosh their traditional Bryn Mawr lanterns. This year's class has red as it's class color, and consequently gets red lanterns; my class color is dark blue (what a fun fact!). The songsmistresses led everyone in another Greek song as the frosh proceeded off. Next is step sing, but I opted out of that because I was cold and wanted to go back to my room.
Tonight was Lantern Night, one of Bryn Mawr's traditions. Luckily, I was able to get a ticket, so I made my way to Thomas Hall, where the ceremony was being held. I had a ticket for the roof, so I had to climb through a window to get there. I also tried to take photos, but I think things were so dark that it was futile, despite the 1600 film I brought. After waiting a while, all the lights in the building were turned off, and things were almost silent as the frosh proceeded onto the courtyard. The songsmistresses chanted a song in Greek as sophmore 'runners' ran and gave the frosh their traditional Bryn Mawr lanterns. This year's class has red as it's class color, and consequently gets red lanterns; my class color is dark blue (what a fun fact!). The songsmistresses led everyone in another Greek song as the frosh proceeded off. Next is step sing, but I opted out of that because I was cold and wanted to go back to my room.
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