Thursday, October 8, 2015

Monthly Rewind: September

Guys, how is September over already?

3 Things About My Life This Month


1. Flower Sunday 

Flower Sunday is my favorite Wellesley tradition--and there are many!--but this is easily one of my favorite days of the year. Flower Sunday is a ceremony where the entire Wellesley community gathers in the chapel during the first Sunday of the school year. It's a beautiful ceremony, one where every member of our Multifaith Council shares a little bit about their culture and the choir, which I'm part of, sings as well. The best part about Flower Sunday, though, is that every upperclassmen is assigned a Little, a first-year who joins our family and we all have brunch together afterwards. It's one of the few times you'll see the entire study body as stress-free as they are, that first weekend of college, and it's a time that reminds me how much I love it here. You can see, here, a picture of myself and my best friend, who also happens to be my fellow Little. The two of us were assigned to the same Big last year and I definitely consider her to be my sister.

2. Family and Friends Weekend

My mom visited for Family and Friends Weekend and it is such a different experience to have your parent visit your college during your second year. I remember crying when my parents drove up for Family and Friends Weekend last year but this year I took my mom around Boston, MIT, and Harvard Square, she attended my Choir Concert, treated my friends and I out for dinner, and we saw Inside Out together in the cinema on campus. It was so, so much fun and though I don't miss my family the way I used to, as a first-year, it reminded me of how much I love and really do miss my mom.

3. I didn't read much this September

I just...didn't. I am deep in the heart of midterm season right now and my stress levels are sky-high, hence the lack of posting these past two weeks. And essentially this whole month. I finally got into a routine balancing my student leadership position, two jobs, two e-board positions, and a full course load when, BAM, midterms were dropped on us and to add insult to injury, I've had a paper to write and turns out that having a midterm doesn't mean that I don't have homework or problem sets so...it's been a tough month, to say the least. I've been trying to eat healthier and work out more but somehow that means that reading has really fallen on my list of priorities, which I feel terrible about. And if I don't read, I don't blog and the vicious cycle of my internet absence continues... Also, I am so bummed that I haven't had the time to read Six of Crows yet, among other amazing releases that have been hitting the shelves! Friends! Where do I find time? HALP!

Best Book I Read This Month


Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee: This is a Western that I expected to love, had mixed feelings for about half-way in, but wound up thoroughly enjoying by the end. I have a lot to say about this one, especially its attention to diversity and general brilliance in portraying male/female dynamics so look out for a review of this sometime soon! 

Most Popular Post This Month


Just Another...Book Crush (#19): The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler: Sarah Ockler is one of my favorite authors and The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is still my favorite book of the year so I was beyond ecstatic to have her on the blog this month and her post is so beautiful. Seriously. If you haven't read it already, read it!

Post I Wish Got a Little More Love


Mini-Reviews: I honestly thought these mini-reviews would get more love since they're recent, popular, and I usually write such rambling reviews that I feel like people jump at the chance to read a condensed version of my thoughts. Also because my mini-review of The Boy Most Likely To sparked an entire e-mail exchange with Huntley Fitzpatrick, who is one of my favorite people in the world, not to mention author, so I hoped that my review would inspire similar conversation in the comments. (Especially because Huntley's e-mail seriously made my week, if not my entire month, in terms of pleasant surprises, much-needed pick-me-ups, and book-ish tidings.)

Obsession of the Month

How to Get Away With Murder! I've seen the entire first season (and am all caught up with season two as well!) and I am obsessed! If you like crime/law dramas with seriously attractive people, talented actors, and a diverse cast then this is the show for you. Also, how bleeping amazing is it that Viola Davis won an Emmy for her work on this show? So. Well. Deserved. (Also, for fans out there: Coliver! I will sink with this ship, I swear...)

3 Things I'm Looking Forward to in October


1. Fall Break! I'm visiting one of my best friends in New York this Fall Break, which I'm really excited about, though I'm also looking forward to reading on the bus and sleeping a ton since I'm going home for two nights as well. I need this break. I've taken on too much this year and I desperately need to re-charge. 
2. Navratri! Navratri is an incredible time of year for Hindus because it's one of our longest holidays and it's in celebration of female strength which, being a Wellesley student, I am all about. To celebrate Navratri we participate in a dance known as Garba and I'm really excited to be attending at least one Garba this Navratri. It's so, so much fun (not to mention an excuse to get all dolled up!). 
3. Halloween! I'm not big on dressing up for Halloween (read: I am not creative enough to create mainstream costumes that people will recognize) but Halloween means pumpkin carving with the Choir Officers, celebrating Choir Halloween (as you can tell, my life is basically Wellesley College Choir...) and, of course, attending a truly spooky Halloween party. So, needless to say, what's not to be excited about Halloween? (Also, candy!)

How has your September been? Is anyone else as stressed as I am and unable to find time to read? Tips to keep me sane this Fall Semester? Any festivals you're looking forward to? Any How to Get Away with Murder fans out there? Plans for Halloween? I want to catch up with everyone so let me know in the comments below! 

11 comments:

  1. That sounds like a very fun event! I'm so happy you got to spend some time with your mom as well, Keertana. It's okay that you didn't get to read that much in September, heck you've got school and other stuff to worry about. :) We're here, regardless.

    Have a wonderful October!

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  2. Keertana, I feel you on the busy-ness! I started college 2 weeks ago and I've barely had any time to read. Strangely, I've only been in the mood to read physical books. But that's so awesome that Garba is coming up, I've always wanted to participate! I don't think my school does anything like Family & Friends Weekend but it would be very emotional, I can expect!

    Best of luck in October, Keertana! Keep on doing what you do best :)

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  3. Sounds like you are doing great! I love how you compare how you felt and how different things are this year. I would also love to see you dance! I bet you look beautiful!

    Not doing much and I haven't been into How to Get Away With Murder. I just didn't get into the first season but it probably picked up from where I left off (figures! LOL).

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  4. Love hearing about all your college experiences. I'm amazed at how involved you are in extracurriculars. The only time I could ever really read in college was in the library when I was taking breaks from studying. Enjoy the semester!

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  5. I feel like I have too much going on sometimes too. It's a lot, I understand. It sounds like you have some fun things going on though and that's great! I really hope you enjoy NY and visiting with your friend. How exciting! I don't watch How to Get Away With Murder, but I my sister loves it. I'm sure I would too but I can't keep up with most shows - no time.

    -Lauren

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  6. It’s a wonder you find time to blog at all with so many things going on in your life, Keertana. I hope you’ll get so much needed re-charge this Fall Break. No time to read. I understand you completely; I’m so behind on my reading challenge this year. I glad to hear you had a wonderful time with you mom. It was interesting to hear about Flower Sunday, it’s great that your university has traditions.

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  7. Wow, that is beyond stressful. I feel for ya!

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  8. University is a really hectic time, so it's understandable you don't have as much time to read and blog, Keertana! And that's okay, we definitely forgive you ;) HAHA! I started blogging in my last year of university and don't ask me how I managed that because I don't know. Glad to know that your family visited and it was so much fun! My mother moved into our new apartment in another city when I started university because my father insisted she come with me. HAHAHA. Parents, I tell you >_< And Flower Sunday sounds so amazing :O :O :O :O WHY DON'T WE HAVE THAT HERE D:

    Faye at The Social Potato

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  9. I love this recap post Keertana! I totally understand how crazy things can be at uni, I remember not having time to read at all, well the books I wanted to anyway, and I hated it. I hope things get a lot less stressful for you soon and you're able to devour all the books! I'm hopefully planning to go to my first garba this week and I can't wait! I hope you have a great Navrarti!

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  10. I love How To Get Away With Murder! This season is so exciting, I can't quite guess what would happen next, are you all caught up on it?

    I have heard a lot of fantastic things about Under THe Painted Sky, glad you also give it a thumbs up!

    Aentee at The Social Potato

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