Season’s greetings from Res Life! We hope you have a wonderful holiday and look forward to seeing you in the new year! Check back in January for more posts.
A few weeks ago we took my trusty Chevrolet Silverado out to Sauvie Island to see what we would find.
A one hundred and eleven pound pumpkin caught our eye, and it did not let go. We collectively tossed it into the back of the truck and almost took a group photo but I think someone stepped in the mud and we got distracted.
The pumpkin charmed the floor with its elegant form. We would tell stories about the pumpkin, of all the cold nights it must have been through as it grew to its great size, dwarfing a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. We took guesses at how many rats could survive inside the pumpkin and for how long. We wondered if anyone would notice if a single rat lived inside the pumpkin and how long that single rat could survive without anyone noticing.
We thought about making some soup with the pumpkin, but then the idea that it might be rotten was brought up and I think everyone lost interest in making soup.
In time, she grew old. As December rolled around we knew it was near end of days for our old friend.
So, we played Smashing Pumpkins and took our friend out on a tarp on the front lawn and split her open with a baseball bat.
Pictured are her remains in the dumpster behind Anna Mann. A proper burial.
Where did you go to school? /What did you study?
I went to undergrad at University of the Pacific, in Stockton, CA. I originally wanted to major in Mathematics, in order to teach calculus, but ended loving my work with student affairs, so I ended up with B.A. in Communications with a minor in Mathematics and English. I went to Miami University (in Oxford, Ohio) for graduate school, where I completed my M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education, with concentrations in cultural studies and student development theory.
What drew you to Portland?
The Pacific Northwest is beautiful! Every time I visit Portland or Seattle, I have a number of excellent adventures. Portland has a ton of things to offer anyone looking to get out, and as someone who grew up on the coast, I’m used to the rain, so the weather is right up my ally!
What drew you to Reed?
Reed appeals to me on several levels. I loved my experience at University of the Pacific, so getting back to a small, liberal arts school was important to me. I also love the students here; they are motivated, critically involved in their education, and extremely bright!
How do you like living on campus?
Living on campus definitely has its perks. I have really enjoyed seeing and talking with students when I see them on campus the last few weeks, and participating in on campus events and traditions is giving me a good glimpse into the campus culture. Commons has excellent food.
Have you found any great places to eat in Portland?
Oh goodness. I have enjoyed every restaurant I’ve tried here so far! I went to Bamboo Sushi, which was excellent. I LOVE sushi, so Portland is a good place to be! I know there are plenty of good Thai restaurants in the area as well, so I’m excited to explore those options!
We’ve heard you like gaming. What are you playing right now?
I play League of Legends a lot! Mainly because it is easy to pick up for an hour or two, then put down. I also enjoy the teamwork and strategic aspects of the game. I usually play support heros, but I also love playing AD carries and AP mid heros.
Other than that, I play a lot of small games off of steam. A couple I’ve been playing recently include Don’t Starve and Orcs Must Die 2. Finally, nothing can beat a good romp on my trusty N64!
If you could spend 2 weeks anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Right now, I’d love to spend two weeks in Thailand. I have a lot of friends who have spent time there, and I have heard nothing but rave reviews. I’d love to go check it out for myself, and have a relaxing vacation!
If you were going to take 1 Reed class, what would it be?
I think I would take Anthro 307: Power, Subjectivity, and Political Imagination. I am very interested in issues of power and privilege, and this course seems like it would add to my knowledge within these areas.
What’s your favorite treat?
Hmm…That’s a tough one. I have a big sweet tooth, but one of my all time favorites is cheesecake! Any type will do!
What’s your sign?!
Haha. I’m an Aries: stubborn, passionate, fiery. My zodiac sign is the Dragon.
What can Reedies do to make you feel more welcome? What would you like from us?
Everyone has been so wonderful already! I’ve loved the outpouring of welcomes. From just saying hi, inviting me to campus events and programs, or having one on one conversations, I’ve had great interactions. I would say just keep saying hi to me! There are a lot of new faces, and I want to know each and every one of them!
Ladd and Abington (also know as Laddington) went for a night this November to the Reed College Ski Cabin. We had a luxurious night where we played board games, sat in a sauna, played foosball & ping pong, drew pictures of one another, and ate too much food. This trip brought our communities closer together.
However, our love for eachother did not merely grow from the list of activities above, but from the mutual love we all have for Beyonce Knowles. Throughout our trip we talked about her incredible talents. We danced to her incredible music constantly, we cheered to Beyonce at dinner (as you can see in one of our photos), we discussed the mysteries of her magical aura. A saying is often now said in our hallways, “What Would Beyonce Do” or for situations that require a little more sass, “What Would Sasha Fierce Do” (Sasha Fierce is Beyonce’s alter ego). I guess you could say we are, Crazy In Love.
So to kick off December as we’re rolling into that AGHHH time of the semester, Doyle-Quincy-Eastport I got together and kicked back with our good friend Courage to work out those stressful knots.
Within minutes into the event, most of the homemade warm apple cider was gone. Filled couches and chairs angled to accommodate the space around a humble laptop and speakers.
Despite some technical difficulties near the beginning, ultimately, we got sufficient amounts of the creepies (and this was a kids cartoon?)! What more beautiful way to relax on a Sunday evening than chilling with a pink dog.
Bon courage to all!
PS: Here’s a link to the show intro!
What: PIR Wonderland Light Display
Who: All ages, generally by car but with specific days to walk/bike. $16/car (cash only)
Where: Portland International Raceway, 1940 N. Victory Blvd.
When: Sunday – Thursday, 5 pm – 9 pm Friday & Saturday, 5 pm – 11 pm through Christmas.
Why: This is an absurd Portland tradition. The entire raceway gets lit up with ridiculous light displays from the 12 Days of Christmas to people playing basketball. There is always a little goodie bag with candy canes at the start, and it is always a lot of super-cheezy fun.
How: You will need to drive because this event is pretty far from campus.
More Info: http://www.globaleventsgrouppdx.com/wonderland/general.html
There’s no better pick-me-up for a chilly, winter afternoon than focaccia and The Big Lebowski*, am I wrong?
Happy nOgians chopped olives and mixed dough by hand before settling down and watching Jeff Bridges’ stunning performance as ‘The Dude’.
The Bat Kitchen filled with the sound of 80’s dance hits while the rest of the hall filled with the smell of freshly baking bread and smoke from the burning olive oil.
Unfortunately, the focaccia was consumed too quickly for any photographic evidence.
Happy holidays! As always, the Dude abides.
*No rugs or ferrets were harmed in the production of this event.
What: Santa Claws and Kitty Paws Cat Show!
Who: All ages, $4 admission
Where: Double Tree Inn at Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah, 97232
When: December 1-2, 9am-4pm
Why: This show, hosted by the Lewis and Clark cat club, will include up to 225 cats. There will purebred kittens for sale, cat toys and supplies available, a vet around for all your cat health questions, and of course, lots of pretty kitties to see. catscatscatscats.
How: Take the 75 to the Hollywood Transit Center and transfer to the MAX heading downtown. Get off at Lloyd Center.
More Info: http://www.lewisandclarkcatclub.com/visitorinfo.htm