What have I been up to?

It's been a while since I've last posted, so I thought I would do a post about what I've been up to.

(Not in chronological order by the way.)

My advising seminar FASAP (http://web.mit.edu/spair/fasap/index.html) has taken me to some amazing events.

For example, yesterday I went to go see the Berlin Philharmonic at Symphony Hall in Boston! (http://www.celebrityseries.org/CS_performers_2009_2010/berlinphil.htm and http://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/) Yesterday was actually a beautiful day outside. It felt like it was about a month and a half ago, sun in the blue sky and everything, instead of the cloudy fog that's been hanging over the area last week. Today the sun is out again and I'm just enjoying it for as long as it lasts.

Tomorrow, I'm going to see Avenue Q, a musical that I've heard described as an adult version of Sesame Street. Puppets are involved, and parental discretion is advised. It's been at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis before so it may sound familiar. (http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/baa.site/City.aspx?CityId=1372&EngId=4706 and the show itself http://www.avenueq.com/, reviews are available under a tab on this site)

Last weekend I saw Carmen at the Boston Lyric Opera (http://www.blo.org/2009-2010_carmen.html), which was awesome and my first opera experience in a different language.

The week before we watched a screening of Sin Nombre here at MIT. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127715/) The director Cary Fukunaga, who is an artist in residence at MIT this semester, (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1560977/) was here and did q&a after the screening, as well as came to our class and had a conversation with us. He's relatively new on the film scene; Sin Nombre is his first feature film. I definitely recommend it, although it would be painful to watch for those that have difficulty watching violent scenes. His next project is a film adaptation of Jane Eyre, so be on the lookout for that in the future.

Near the end of October, we went to a reading/talk by Merlinda Bobis on campus. (http://www.merlindabobis.com.au/, the au on the end is because she is based in Australia). She spoke about and read from her most recent novel The Solemn Lantern-Maker (http://www.merlindabobis.com.au/solemn.htm), which FASAP was fortunate enough to receive copies of for the students, and I got mine signed afterward! Don't worry Mom, I'm bringing it home for winter break and we can both read it then. I read the first chapter already and it's good.

Since I've last written, I also went to see Lenelle Moise (http://www.lenellemoise.com/) at the Theater Offensive in Boston (http://www.thetheateroffensive.org/oote_09/shows/womb-words-thirsting) on Halloween.

Outside of FASAP, I've been initiated into Alpha Chi Omega (the MIT chapter website, http://axo.mit.edu/, and Nationals website, http://www.alphachiomega.org/). Within AXO, I got a big sister and now am part of her family line.

Besides all of that, I've still got classes which I should start getting ready for soon. Since I left plenty of links to click on, I'll just end this post simply, with a picture of the view out my window this morning.

Oh, the life of the desk worker

As I type this, I am on a time clock, earning $9 per hour.

I'm not getting paid for blogging though, I'm being paid for working the front desk of MacGregor House.

Part of my job is what I just stepped away from my laptop to do: give residents spare keys when they lock themselves out of their rooms.

So far I've been working for 52 minutes and two people have needed their red keys.

That's a higher rate of keys locked in rooms than I had imagined.

Besides that, I've also accepted a package from a FedEx delivery man, given multiple residents their packages, answered a few inquiries, let a girl who forgot her id into the building, checked my email, snacked on some Cheez Its... you get the idea.

There's a lot of random (and important) stuff a desk worker can be called upon to do.

For example, I just got to check a returned movie back in. I hope she enjoyed the unrated version of Live Free Die Hard.

I also have lots of printer paper back here to give out when the printers are out of paper.

Like I said, lots of random stuff.

For all that stuff though, there's also a pretty fair bit of downtime in which to be online or study like I will be soon for that nasty physics test tomorrow.

The three day weekend is coming to an end, but after my shift I'm celebrating the night with some ice cream and then some studying. It's back to the daily grind.

It's DVA Week!

Just putting up a quick post about what's going on this week in my sorority. Below is the email forward...

THIS WEEK October 5 - 9:
Join the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega as we work to raise awareness of domestic violence!

Carnation Sales
Send a carnation and note to someone you appreciate!
Mon - Thurs, 9 am - 5 pm
Lobby 10
$1 (or 12 flowers for $10!)
or buy online: http://axo.mit.edu/dva.php

Luminaries
Join us in a moment of silence to recognize victims of domestic violence and their families.
Tuesday, 7 pm
Student Center steps

Charity Lunch
Grab a quick bite between classes! Meal includes sandwich, drink, and chips or cookie, catered by Subway.
Friday, 11 am - 3 pm
Lobby 10
$4

All proceeds go to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. To donate directly, go to http://axo.mit.edu/dva.php and scroll down to the bottom.

New this year! We will be selling carnations next to Emerge on Tuesday and Wednesday. Emerge (emergeglobal.org) provides a safe place for abused women in Sri Lanka to start a new life. The women make jewelry to support themselves, which Emerge sells in the U.S.

Contact dvaweek2009@mit.edu for questions, comments, or concerns.

I'm working the carnation booth in the morning on Wednesday and Thursday. Even though you may be far away from MIT, there are still ways to help support AXO's Domestic Violence Awareness Week. On our website (link above), there are links to purchase carnations online (I live in MacGregor! Yes you can send me a carnation all the way from the Midwest.) and also to donate to BARCC. They have payments set up through PayPal. If you want to stay more local, look for organizations in your area to donate to. Remember that every little bit helps, whether it's buying one carnation or donating a few dollars to BARCC, it helps.

Sorry to keep this post short, but I just wanted to make sure I got it up before carnation sales end. (They go through Thursday.) I have class in half an hour and then office hours for Dance Troupe to polish up the choreography.

The Pumpkin Patch!

Also known as what made my day.