FALL BREAK

For the first year since I've been here, Tulane had a FALL BREAK! If you've been reading my blog, you've probably noticed the lacking frequency in my posts/the amount of stuff I've been doing. So, in my book, I needed a break.

Does this look break-y enough to you?

I spent my fall break in lovely Fort Lauderdale, Florida with the parental units! I started it out speaking at a reception in downtown Miami last Wednesday night for prospective Tulane students and their parents, basically talking to them about why Tulane rocks and stuff. It's kind of an easy gig for me, (cue semi-cheesy, but ultimately true, sentiment) since I absolutely love going to school here and had a lot of material from which I could draw. I met some cool students who hopefully will be joining me here next year!

After speaking, the trip varied between the following activities:

• Sleeping
• The Beach
• Sleeping at the Beach
• Eating Delicious Food (and reuniting with Jamba Juice...so good...)
  
• Catching up on my TV Shows (The Office, Parks and Recreation, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, 30 Rock)
  
• Exploring South Beach
• Taking Photos of the Crazies on the Beach for Photo Class

Needless to say, it was a wonderful weekend. It was great to see my parents for the first time since August, and was sad to say goodbye, but I know that I'll see them in another month for Turkey Day.

A couple more random thangs:

• While I was in Florida, I got an e-mail from Dr. Raybon, the choir director at Tulane, telling us that the Tulane-Newcomb Choir (the big choir at Tulane) would be singing at STAR WARS IN CONCERT on October 27th in the New Orleans Arena! AWESOME! Basically, it's this big concert event that has various clips from the six Star Wars movies with a live orchestra and choir performing the score, with Anthony Daniels (the dude who played C-3PO) narrating. We had our first rehearsal for the music tonight, and I'm pumped for next Tuesday. More to come on that!
• I got a job! I'm going to be a Secret Agent for kgb (not the Russian spy force), that text message service that involves people texting pressing/random questions for which they need an answer. My job is to answer their questions (AKA ultimate trivia extraordinaire). Super pumped for that.

See y'all later!

The Last Month in 5 Minutes or Less

Regrettably, I haven't posted in a while. And I was doing so well at the beginning of the semester!

Inevitably, life has gotten busy. Ridiculously busy. However, being the generally calm, cool, and collected person that I am, I'm not letting any of it get out of hand. Here's just a taste of what I've been doing in the last month - stories upon which I will elaborate in posts to come (I promise).

Without further ado:
BEN'S SEPTEMBER and first two days of October In 5 minutes or less:

PS - I know I need to shave. Getting on that in the morning...
SINGING. A lot of it.
As my avid blog followers may know (and I know I have them...hey Uncle Dave...), I'm a member of THEM a cappella, one of the two (soon to be possibly three or four? several new ones are in the works...) a cappella groups on campus. We're actually entering our 10th year in existence, and our 10th Anniversary Reunion Concert will be coming up in November!
This has been my first "start of a school year" in THEM (I joined this past January), and we've definitely made some great strides. We took three AMAZING new members (Anna, Jenn, and Matt - we love you), welcomed back a member from her semester abroad (yay for Nisrine!), had our retreat (esentially 9 straight hours of singing, give or take a 2 hour lunch break complete with a performance for the waitstaff and other diners at Okinawa Sushi and Hibachi Steakhouse), and have been digging deep into our vaults to bring back some old songs the group used to sing about the same time I was in my awkward middle school phase. We're also going to premiere some new stuff too, and I actually started arranging songs on my computer for the group over the summer! I mean, schoolwork is great and all, but, in all honesty, being a THEMber has become one of my favorite parts about going to Tulane. To be more general, a word of advice for prospective students, whether you end up at Tulane or at some other school (even if it breaks my heart...please come to Tulane!), I URGE you to get involved in something! You'll meet a group who generally has the same interests as you, who may become some of your best friends for life.
Biffles.
Cute.

Okay, maybe this is a little longer than 5 minutes, but it's quality over (lack of) quantity, right?

DRAWING. A lot of it.
Duh. I'm an Art Major. What else did you expect?

I'm taking the Drawing 106 this semester, which is the continuation of the drawing class I took last semester. Basically, we've graduated from drawing whatever our teacher tells us to draw to picking out what we get to draw! However, to quote a splendid film (OK, it's kinda mediocre, but doesn't the phrase "a splendid film" sound so dignified and borderline pretentious? I love it), "with great power comes great responsibility." My professor gives us obstructions/general guidelines for each drawing (the last project we had was supposed to be based on two found images, laid out on a grid, interchanging three [or more] boxes between the two) This semester in drawing (so far) has strengthened my abilities significantly. There's definitely a quicker turn-around time on drawings than I had last year, so I've had to learn to work with the same amount of care in half the time. Basically, I'm turning into a drawing beast and I love it.

Even if I did stay up until 4:30 AM on Wednesday night/Thursday morning to finish my latest creation. Which, if I do say so myself, turned out to be pretty ballin'.



FILMMAKING. Learning how to do it.
For those of you not in the loop, I added a second major at the end of last semester - Digital Media Production. Basically, it's a major which gives students the opportunity to learn about the technical side of filmmaking/today's media. And, for a movie buff who's hoping to go into Animation/something artsy within the film industry, I'm loving it so far. I'm taking Video Production 1 right now as my first course within the major, and, less than one month into the school year, I'm getting legit experience in how to properly film a movie. You know, so it doesn't all turn out like "The Blair Witch Project"/that video that awkward kid in your high school French class made for a project, complete with horrible sound and references to his morbidly obese cat, Simba (if you didn't catch the drift, I was that awkward kid I'm talking about). And, it's not just any random script - I actually wrote the script we're filming right now, and I'm directing our class' first film. We're working in conjunction with an acting class, and after spending my high school years on the stage, it's cool to control a performance from a completely different angle. Directing is a lot of work, but it rocks.

K, so I have to go to bed now. I'm giving a tour in the morning, so I might have seen/met some of you who are reading this by the time you are currently reading this?

One final note, RIP Chicago 2016 Olympics...that was a Debbie Downer this morning...and a Debbie Downer to this post. Sorry. I had to include something about it since I'm angry about it. Kpeaceout. Bye.

SCHOOL SPIRIT

One thing that I haven't talked a lot about on my blog so far is athletics...oops? Tulane's a D-1 school, so when we do sports, we do sports BIG.

Try this big.

Yup, we don't play our football games in just any standard college stadium. We play them in the 72,000-seat, NFL-capacity Louisiana Superdome.

The same Superdome that houses games for the New Orleans Saints!

Needless to say, football games at Tulane are a LOT of fun. I went to a couple last year, and I was super excited for this year's season to start. So, I got really excited when I found out that our season opener against Tulsa would be aired on ESPN!

Well, that game was this past Friday, we lost 37-13 on national television, but that's beside the point! I had a blast going back to the Superdome for the game, and we packed the student section full for the game.

In terms of other sports, baseball season is also pretty spirit-inducing. Our baseball stadium is right on campus, so it's really easy to catch a game for a study break during the spring.
In full disclosure, we're not the best school in terms of our sports winning records...but for a kid who didn't really care about sports for most of his life, I have to admit that it's really easy to become an avid Green Wave sports fan!

Full Swing!

Officially back at school.

This is me being happy about being back at school.

I'm officially back in NOLA! It's great to be back in the swing of things, but I'm ridiculously busy now! It's a weird sensation from going from the summer (basically no commitments) to a full-on school schedule (basically infinite commitments for me...haha), but I'm glad to be back to being productive.

Right now, I'm sitting in my room in Leadership Village (AKA the closest thing to an on-campus apartment without living in the on-campus apartments). Even though I loved my room in Wall last year, this room has got Wall beat. The first floor (oh yeah, my room has two stories) is our study/lounge space - desks, a futon, a chair, TV - pictures are coming later (since I'm still progressively tidying up the room...oops?), and a spiral staircase up to the second floor. My roommate and I basically have our own bedrooms on the second floor (the staircase is in the middle of the room, and it divides it in two), and there's a balcony off the front. Basically, it's legit.

In terms of classes for the semester, I'm taking a Drawing course (with Aaron, basically the coolest professor at Tulane...in my opinion), an Intro to Photography course (just bought my photo supplies yesterday!), a Video Production course (basic filmmaking class - by the end of the semester, we'll have made several short movies), Fundamentals of Music Theory, and Introductory Psych. I'm REALLY excited about this semester in terms of classes and such, and will post some photos/drawings that I do throughout the semester!

Finally, things are starting to get in gear for my a cappella group! I'm the public relations manager this year for THEM, and I'm definitely excited for what this semester/year has in store for us. Actually, we're having auditions at 5 PM today, and I'm super excited to be on the other side of auditioning for a group for once!

With all that's been going on, I've barely had any time to actually get off campus and explore New Orleans! But, thankfully, yesterday, I had a little bit more free time - a friend and I checked out a camera shop on Maple Street (one of the neighborhoods/areas frequented by Tulane students), and had gelato at La Divina on the way back (mmmmmm). Last night, after I got done with stuff from the Activities Expo (THEM a cappella represent...what what?), I went with some friends from my dorm last year to Camellia Grill, one of my FAVORITE places to eat in New Orleans. It's on Carrollton Ave., and I HIGHLY recommend any visiting people to go eat there - it's cheap, it's delicious, and the waiters are HILARIOUS. After last night, I can confidently say that I feel like I'm finally back in New Orleans.

Peace out, y'all!
--BEN

Back to School Time!

So, three(ish) months went by in a flash. Wow. I can't believe it, but summer is over (as I know it), and it's time to go BACK TO TULANE!

Yessssssssssssss.

After a summer apart, I'm finally going back to New Orleans tomorrow! As I write this, I'm sitting in my uncle's house on beautiful Lake Martin, Alabama. My family decided to take a short vacation before dropping me back off at school, and it definitely has been a nice final way to catch my breath before jumping back into school mode.

I went tubing yesterday and today - however, yesterday, I made the stupid mistake of not wearing sunscreen...oops. Long story short: WEAR SUNSCREEN, KIDS. Or you transform into a lobster.

Additionally, in an act of solidarity with this year's incoming freshmen, I've been reading Tulane's Summer Reading Project book - The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. It's a phenomenal book - very complex, but I'm digging it. Almost done, and will post my full thoughts later.

However, I can't stress enough that I'm SO EXCITED TO MOVE BACK TO SCHOOL TOMORROW! I will post another blog once I'm all settled in with plenty of photographic documentation of my ballin' dorm room. But, for now, Tulane, I can't wait to see you!

Mid-Summer Update!

SUMMER.
Just had to get that out there.

I hope you're reading this in a place that has better weather - it's been cold and rainy for the last two days here (grrrrrr). Chicago weather needs to make up it's mind - it was cold for the first month I was home, and then, it turned unbearably hot. Mood swingy, much?

I hope all y'all are having a great summer so far! Mine has been pretty uneventful - I've been working a lot. I guess people really like ice cream? I've also been hanging out a lot with my friends from home. And riding my bike. A lot. We've got great bike trails in my county (the Prairie Path - it's pretty legit), and I never really appreciated them until this summer. I guess I'll be biking a lot more when I get back to school, too...Audubon Park, here I come!

Oh, wait - there have been two kind of significant things so far this summer.

1. My cousin Robyn got married on July 3rd! We got to stay at my uncle's lake house in Culver, Indiana, for the four days we were gone - which meant lots of tubing and lots of sun. It was great to see everyone all together, and, if I do say so myself, I was pretty much a dancing fiend at the reception. (brushes imaginary dirt from shoulder)
2. Not so fun - I have tendonitis. Yay. I started running before I left school, but let's just say I'm not from "runner" stock. So, these whole orthopedic shenanigans = lamesauce. OH, and I have to get new retainers! Grrr...orthopedia AND orthodontia all in one summer. Lots of ortho.

Even though I'm loving summer/Chicago/the perks of living in my house, I do miss Tulane/NOLA. I miss not being able to walk to the front of campus to hear the clanging of the streetcar bell as it passes Gibson Hall. I miss Café du Monde and beignets. I miss my Tulane friends. Grr.

BUT, I'm pumped to come back in the fall! I'm excited to meet all y'all new Freshies! If you see me walking around campus (you can't miss me - I have a bright orange messenger bag and I probably will be tripping over myself while talking loudly to someone on the other end of the quad), tell me you read my blog! I enjoy hearing from my readers! And to all you kids just now starting the application/college search process, come visit! I'll say hi and (potentially) give you a high-five.

A Year in Review

Right now, I'm sitting in my basement in good old Wheaton, IL. The rest of my family has gone to bed, and the only sound I can hear is the dryer running in the next room. I'm wearing jeans, a long sleeve shirt, and a pair of thick socks. The weather outside? 52 degrees.

Judging by the last two sentences, it's hard for me to believe the following statement: summer has arrived.

It is FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZING here. I spent the day in Chicago and had to actually sort of bundle up. It's MAY.

Coming home from college is always a strange experience. Usually, I feel like I've never left - the house hasn't really changed, Mom and Dad are still the same, my cats (Simba, a living version of Garfield, and Cassie, the cat who is afraid of anything and anyone) are still sprawled out all over the couch. But, I get the same feeling going back to school. Flying into Louis Armstrong International Airport, seeing Lake Pontchartrain and the Superdome for the first time, I get so anxious to get back to campus and start up my life. I lived in two distinct circles, but felt at home in both.

Now, after a week of finals, a bunch of packing, and a two-day car trip, I'm back living in my home circle for an extended stay. Yes, I love home, and I'm glad that I'm away from the stresses of homework and classes and that stuff for the next couple of months. But, I don't think I'll really be a whole person during those months. You see, the second circle, although a relatively recent development in my life, has impacted me irrevocably.

The second circle challenges me to work, to achieve. The second circle has some of the strangest, and yet most lovable, people I've ever met. The second circle makes me feel like I'm living abroad, since it's so distinctly different from the first circle. The second circle has beignets, Jazz, the streetcar, Mardi Gras, Crawfest, Granny Cart Lady, St. Charles Avenue, live oak trees, and some of the weirdest street names known to mankind (Tchoupitoulas? What were the French thinking...).

And, yes, the second circle is A LOT WARMER.

My freshman year at Tulane was probably one of the greatest of my life so far. I grew so much, learned so much (in and out of the classroom, about myself, about others...), ate so much (did I mention beignets?), sang so much (THEM a cappella rocks my socks), worked so much, relaxed so much. I was constantly changing.

So, for now, I return home with all of my dorm stuff, memories of freshman year in hand. I'll stay in Wheaton for the summer, scooping ice cream at Tate's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop (stop by and holler at me if you're in the area!), and reuniting with my friends from my high school years.

But, throughout my summer, I'll keep Tulane and New Orleans in my heart. It's given me so much for the last 9 or so months of my life, and for that I am thankful. For that, I'm insanely proud to call New Orleans my home-away-from-home.

So, bye bye, Tulane! It's been fun. See you in three months! And, as always, laissez les bon temps rouler!

Oh, and I'll be updating this periodically throughout the summer. Just so y'all can creep. Peace out!