Flying theatre brunches

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April is probably the most hectic month of spring semester. Classes are coming to an end which means final projects and the second round of midterms are in full swing. Homework for every class seems be much more challenging and thus take much longer than it did a couple weeks ago. Registration period is nearing which means students are excitedly searching for classes to take next semester and playing tetris with their schedules to fit in all their desired classes. Club leadership and student government elections are coming to a close so the many transitions of leadership have begun. Meanwhile the weather is getting warmer and everyone just seems to be a little more excited to engage in non-academic activities.

But there is so much to be done. However, it’s critical that students to take a step back, take a deep breath, and find enjoyment in their day to day life. It’s just as important to enjoy our time in college as it is to cram as much knowledge as possible about quantum theory and Euclidean rings (and the list continues…)

Here are some fun things I’ve done recently that haven’t necessarily been the best for staying on track with my schoolwork, but really pretty great in terms of creating fun college memories.

Traveling

This past year, I’ve been on an airplane when I [maybe] should’ve been in class on three occasions and my fourth and final adventure is coming up this Monday! Personally, I love plane flights and in particular, I enjoy late night flights and am rather fond of the west coast to east coast redeye trip. I tend to get motion sick so I’m unable to do much while I’m on a plane. I end up spending my time sleeping or staring out the window and listening to music. That might seem a little boring, but honestly, being forced to do absolutely nothing for a period of time during the school year can be a strongly therapeutic experience. I also love looking out at city lights, and there’s really no better view than the one you’ll get out of an airplane window.

view of Indianapolis from airplane window

A blurry picture of Indianapolis at night from my airplane window.

Indiana Central Canal with clouds

A picturesque view of the Indiana Central Canal.

And, of course, being able to get out of the Mudd bubble is always exciting.

Theatre

Ever since I was little, I loved the idea of theatre and playing pretend to live a life unlike the one I live in real life. Unfortunately, being the theatrically untalented individual I am, I never got to live out my dream of being on stage, but I have had the pleasure of attending over half a dozen theatre productions at college since I got here! There are a number of theatre groups across the 5C’s that put on regular on-campus productions every one to two months. The talents in these shows are phenomenal and often, I’ll forget that the actors on stage are college students just like me.

three students at the theatre

Owen Gillespie (’20), Mae Lee (’20), and I wait for the show to start!

This past weekend, my friends and I went to see a rendition of a Midsummer’s Night Dream, which stared two of our Mudd friends!

Here’s a cute picture of us post-show:

students pose outside the theatre

Our stars, Lotenna Nwobbi (’21) and Madeleine Kerr (’20), (no longer in costume but still in full stage makeup) pose with us after the show.

Downtown and the Farmer’s Market

One of the main reasons I don’t think I could ever leave the wonderful state of California is the fact that it is one of the few places in the world where fresh produce is accessible in all seasons. The farmer’s market in Claremont is open every Sunday morning-afternoon year round. At the market, you can find grocers with their seasonal goods including fresh vegetables and fruits. There are also booths selling things like locally sourced honey, jams and spreads, freshly baked bread and pastries, pulpy fruit juices, and even flowers and succulents!  A couple of my friends and I went to the maker this past weekend and each giddily came back with some goods.

Julia and friends with flowers at the market

My friends and I pose with some flowers at the farmer’s market! 

We stopped by Frank dining hall (at Pomona) for brunch on our way back and enjoyed some yummy food to celebrate our successful acquisition of other yummy foods at the farmer’s market.

So, yes, there is a lot of work to do at college, but there are also lots of other non-work things to do–near and far from campus (including flying to new places, going to the theatre, and brunching with friends)! 🙂