Saturday, September 27, 2014

A Life Update...(Because I've Been MIA For Waaay Too Long!)

I miss blogging.

I was walking back from the Science Center this evening, having been let out of my three and a half hour lab five minutes early, and instead of planning a complex schedule which would involve me eating dinner while reading Acts I and II of Much Ado About Nothing before sprinting to choir practice, I found myself missing the act of blogging. Of physically putting into words the emotions I felt while reading. Of not writing an essay on the form and meter of sonnets, of not writing responses to French literature from the Middle Ages, of not writing down homework but instead simply writing to impart a part of my soul.

Ever since beginning college a month ago, I've been meaning to put into words the experience of uprooting myself and beginning anew. It's thrilling. It's exciting. But it's also a lot more fearful than many let on. It's weird, really, how much I miss the little things. Opening the door for my younger brother when he got off the school bus. Seeing what outfits my mother would put together for work every morning. Loitering in the hallways with my best friend before class began. Running my hands across the spines of novels on my bookshelf just to feel their edges on my fingertips. Curling up with a lone book all weekend, just a blanket and a mug of coffee my constant companions.

I miss blogging. I haven't truly written a review I've felt proud about since arriving on campus. I just haven't had the time. If I haven't been studying or throwing myself into organization after organization, I've been socializing in the mad rush to find my best friend for life (because, apparently, college is where to find these people!). But, from now on, instead of leaving a post online for a week I do promise to regularly go back to posting new content. For myself, more than anything else. I need the break that blogging provides, perhaps just as much as I need the pleasure that reading gives me. I haven't found it difficult to read at least a novel a week since coming here but sitting down to discuss that novel? Now that I haven't been able to do as successfully.

Ultimately, this is a simple life update and a pledge to blog, to post, to read, to comment, to re-instate myself within the blogging community I've felt distant from this past month. Even if it's just to comment on blog posts and update my twitter account, I want to be apart of this. I've loved it, now, for two years, and I don't plan on giving it up. I apologize, truly, for being so absent this past month but I hope--and will sincerely be trying--to be present. And if you sense me slipping off the tracks, resorting to my state of reclusive reading and writing merely essays regarding French literature, do not hesitate to shoot me an e-mail and re-direct me to this post.

For those of you who began college recently, I hope you're adjusting as well as I am and are even half as in love with your campus and community as I currently find myself. If you aren't there yet--don't worry. It takes time. God knows I'm still adjusting and likely will be for the next two years (at the very least). For all my readers, friends, and the kind souls who've sent me encouraging messages this past asking me to keep up with blogging--thank you! Seriously, thank you for following me, for sticking with me, and for waiting for me to figure out--partially--this whole college-life-adjustment...thing. ;) You rock. And I'll be posting more often. Promise.

And to compensate for my absence, here are pictures!
Clearly, I've got my priorities straight and visited Wellesley Books, the local indie bookstore just a five minute walk from my dorm, during Orientation Week. This is their YA section...heaven! :) 
On the left you'll see sunflowers I was gifted by my Big Sister on Flower Sunday. Flower Sunday is a tradition where first-years are welcomed into the school and given a Big Sister since I'm attending an all-women's college and it was such an incredible ceremony. I don't have any more pictures since I was singing with the choir but I wish I did...it really was so special. On the right is my campus during sunset. It's gorgeous and the Galen Tower you see chimes every morning with music from the bells. It's kind of like that scene from Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" when Quasimodo is playing the bells and the entire city can hear the music. It's gorgeous. 
Again on the left you can see my campus, like side from the other side of Lake Waban. It's a three-mile walk around the lake--which is beautiful to kayak in, by the way--and the view of the campus from a distance is breath-taking. On the right is the sole picture I took of my first night out in Boston where I attended an improv-comedy show. It was also the night the Northern Lights were visible to the naked eye here in the Northeast (not New Jersey, my hometown, but definitely up here in Wellesley) so that was quite a sight to see as well. 
Last, but not least, on the left is Platform 9 3/4. (Yup, I attend Hogwarts. BE JEALOUS.) ;P And on the right is a gorgeous pond I pass nearly every day.

I totally should have taken more pictures while on the lake and kayaking and during Orientation week but...for now I hope this will do. I hope you're all having a wonderful day and I will be posting again very, very soon. :D

12 comments:

  1. My love, I'm really glad that you're doing well. College is going to be tough, especially with the double major that you're doing (I think?) It's a lot of work, but I definitely think you can do this. You're an amazingly bright and wonderful young woman and I believe in you!

    Definitely take regular breaks to enjoy a good book and to blog. There's just something cathartic about putting your feelings into words, and you know we love the things you write.

    Hope I hear from you on GR soon so I can hear more. <3

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  2. I MISS YOU TOO Keertana! *glomps* Haha, ah well. It's always nice to read life update. I'm glad that you're enjoying college life so much - the sunflower is so beautiful! Such lovely tradition. <3 It seems that you're having a hectic college life. When you finally have time to sit back and relax, we're definitely hear from you! <3

    PS: so jealous of the YA section in your indie bookshop! And funny, my campus also has lots of lakes. Shame, there's no kayak in sight though! :P

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  3. Aw, I'm so jealous you go to Hogwarts. How did you manage that one?! ;0) I'm glad that you are enjoying college and thanks for the fun photos!! You have such a gorgeous view around your campus. And I'm super jealous that you're so close to a bookstore too. I'd love to be able to walk to one where I live. I'd have a huge issue with buying too many books though, I think. haha

    I do hope you can start blogging more!! :) College is crazy. I'm still in it and it's all online, so it makes blogging even more difficult since I'm online all the time for school anyway.

    -Lauren

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  4. You're doing better at staying around this month than I am, and I'm not even in school. I love seeing your pictures and hearing a bit about your college experience. I'm going to write you that BLLB email soon so we can get back into our discussion. Discussing books is my favorite too. Hopefully, we can actually meet one of these days. xo

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  5. You're doing better at staying around this month than I am, and I'm not even in school. I love seeing your pictures and hearing a bit about your college experience. I'm going to write you that BLLB email soon so we can get back into our discussion. Discussing books is my favorite too. Hopefully, we can actually meet one of these days. xo

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  6. I think being away from everything familiar and comforting would be the hardest which is probably why I never went away for college. ;)
    I am happy to hear you are adjusting and doing well though.

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  7. Huge transitions definitely do make it harder to keep up with college - I'm experiencing the same difficulties myself as a grad student, but no one's going to blame you. Life is supposed to get in the way of blogging from time to time. And it certainly sounds like you're not only busy enough, but busy doing some really fun and interesting things!
    And I've heard nothing but praise about Wellesley from a friend who attended there. I hope you really enjoy your time spent there.
    I will look forward to reading your posts, whenever you find you have the time to write them. :)

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  8. Aww don't worry Keertana, I totally get how busy college can be, but seriously you have done amazingly so far with the posts that you have been able to share with us. I don't think that I would have been able to get out the amount of posts that you have, so well done with that. Your college looks absolutely gorgeous Keertana, thank you so much for sharing some lovely photos with us. I look forward to reading more posts about your college or anything you write soon!

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  9. I'm so glad you're adjusting to College life well, Keertana. I hope you don't feel too bad about your inability to blog more. School is always a priority! That's one of the best things I missed out on in life. I didn't go to further into my schooling, so I really hope you'll find the time enjoy it as much as you can.

    Have a lovely week, and thanks for the update. :)

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  10. I'm so jealous, Keertana! I would love to live in Boston for a time. I don't know if I'd like to stay there forever, but it would be nice to get to "know" a city so rich in history for a while. I can't blame you for being homesick a bit. We each get used to our routines but you might find new things you love by this new experience. I would imagine blogging and the friends we have here provides some "home" comfort. Please don't feel guilty about scanty blogging. School is definitely more important, and you're reviews have been top notch as usual! Lovely pictures.

    Also, the Shannyn Schroeder's novellas are on Netgalley if you're interested. I'm not sure about the first one but the second two are. That way you can try her out without spending money before deciding if you want to fork out the cash. :) (I just got your comment while I was visiting your blog). :)

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  11. It's so good to see you post an update, Keertana! I like hearing how your life is going, even if it is largely crazy. I hope you're loving college and settling in, it IS a huge change and I'm glad you appreciate those little things. Honestly, I can't believe you're still finding as much time to read for enjoyment as you are--I certainly never did in school. But then I never understood how you read and wrote as much as you did in the first place. I DO hope to see you around more, especially if it helps your sanity, but please prioritize college life! Your campus looks gorgeous.

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