Random Update (3.25.13)

On Friday morning I sat down with Jennie, a senior who went to the school I'll be at in Barcelona. I get more excited to go each day, but it's also kinda weird that over half of my physical time at Boston College is already over. Actually, it's really weird. That afternoon I played soccer in the bubble for a little while, until getting kicked out around 5:00 PM by the stupid BC bubble staff even though no one was scheduled until 8:00 PM. And no one I mean no one was in there for us to bother by playing soccer. I don't want to talk about that. It gives me a headache. Anywho, I went back and took a shower, and then Lorena, Jim and I took the T downtown to Wilbur Theater to see Demetri Martin. He was hilarious. And we all got his book autographed after the show.

On Saturday I spent a few hours in the library with Lorena and her friend. She edited my short Spanish paper after I finished most of it. Then, it was off to Chipotle around 3:30 PM for a late lunch with Miguel and some other people. Around 5:00 PM, we played soccer again. It was a smaller group, maybe around 20 total. However, 7-8 varsity seniors came out to play and really stepped up the level of play. That was great. After 2 hours of soccer, I ran over to an acapella concert that a few friends of mine sing in. They are called The Acoustics. Best song of the night was "Creep" by Radiohead. The dude killed it. It was great. After getting back and showering, Jose and I went over to Voute, a residence hall on campus, so see some friends and enjoy some Venezuelan cooking. Fried cheese balls and empenadas. SO. GOOD. Also, my friend Nick played "Creep" on guitar which was awesome, too (Nick was my roommate last summer). After the cheese balls and guitar, Jose and I went off campus to one of his friend's apartments, where I got to practice speaking Spanish, which was great. I love opportunities like that. Also, Spanish music. Love that too. 

Sunday we had club soccer practice at night. And that morning I did laundry. I had a HUGE blister on my left foot that still hurts today (Monday). No soccer until after break, methinks. 

I still don't think it was real.

Random Update (3.20.13)

I just got lunch today with Jeff, my roommate from last year. I think Jeff says it best: "Today does not feel like the first day of spring." Yesterday we got about 8" or 10" more snow, and all morning classes were cancelled. It is so cold and wet and nasty outside. I picked a good year to run the marathon, because I don't think I would do any of the training runs in this kind of weather. However, people running this year probably won't have to run in 90+ degree heat. 

Last week was pretty nice. I had a physics test on Tuesday which was pretty easy, and also a problem set due in my economics class. But as for school work, most of that had already happened before spring break.

It was a big, sad week for professional soccer. Arsenal beat Bayern Munich, but still did not advance in the tournament. A couple club soccer teammates and friends went to Roggies for some food and the game. It was a great game, especially after Giroud's early goal. But still, I had a headache for two days afterwards. 

It was a big, awesome week for BC soccer. We played pickup in the bubble (the bubble is the football field with a big bubble over it) on Thursday and Friday, plus club practice on Saturday. I was exhausted on Saturday night. 

On Thursday after soccer, I got food with some of the guys who played, and then had a Spain mentoring sessions with Ethan and Both, two seniors who went abroad last year. I could listen to those guys for hours. 

Sunday a big crew went into Boston for St. Patrick's day. We missed the parade, but got some pizza and then had dessert at this chocolate place that was really good. Here's photo.

Alex, Kara, Angela, me, Jonathan, Rafa, and Miguel

Yesterday I managed to walk through the nastiness to the Office of International Programs (called OIP for short) and dropped off my packet of paperwork for Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. I hear back in May with my official, final acceptance, so it is now time to sit tight and enjoy BC. 

This Friday, Jim, Lorena, and I are going to see Demitri Martin. Oh. Yeah.

Random Update (3.10.13)

Spring Break! Here goes.

Friday: Left with Pat's cousins for Portland, ME. Alex was late, and we hit heavy traffic. Five people + luggage in a Toyota Corrolla made for a tight back seat. We stopped at McD's on Route 1, and eventually made it to Pat's house around 8:00 PM. We unpacked and took showers, played some ping pong and darts in the basement with Pat and his younger brother, Tim (Junior in high school). Later that night, we played an insane board game called Arkham Horror. It is a board game based on H.P. Lovecraft's stories, so, it's pretty wild. 

Saturday: After a lazy morning, I brainstormed for a summer grant application I'm applying for through BC and thought about/investigated summer things to do, like NYC and internships and stuff. That afternoon, Pat, Alex, Tim, two of Tim's school friends and I went to the YMCA and played 3v3 basketball and soccer. It was a little chilly outside, but it was very fun, and we beat the high schooler challengers (they wanted practice for their intramural league). We went back to the house to shower, and then Pat's dad cooked some steaks and fries. After dinner, we went bowling with Alex, Pat Tim, Tim's friend, and Tim and Pat's little sister, Mary (11 years old, a Jane-type person). I bowled my first turkey and scored a 173, which was surprising. Alex lost to Mary, which was not too surprising. I actually won some money off of that (not really). After we got back, Alex, Pat, and I watched The Incredibles. Such a quality film. 

Sunday: Another lazy morning, although I believe Pat got up to get a haircut from his mom, who was repaid by Pat going to church. I brainstormed things for an hour or so over breakfast. That afternoon, Alex, Pat, Tim and I played Dominion, another board game, but more medieval and not-Lovecraftian. Around 6 we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for some buffalo wings, which were quite tastified. After dinner we played Spectrum, a card game similar to Spades, with the same crew + Mr. Jerome and Mary. Later that evening, Alex, Pat and I watched the classic 1978 animated Lord of the Rings. Compared to the modern version of the early 2000's, it was a comedy. We laughed heartily. But back in its day it was nominated for a Golden Globe, believe it or don't. 

Monday: Blueberry cake for breakfast! And lunch. And late night snack. We played some darts and ping pong, some spectrum, and late into the evening I had some coffee ice cream with raspberry syrup on top. Wow, what a combination of tastes. 

Tuesday: Alex, Pat, and I got up at 8:00 AM to eat, pack, and go to the airport around 10:45 AM. We flew through LaGuardia, which was supposed to have a Five Guys joint, but didn't. Before the plane to Jacksonville, I had to check my bag because there wasn't room in the overhead space. So me and a nice guy from New Zealand waited for them to check our respective bags while everyone else sat seated in their sitting seats. Soon we landed in JAX airport, and met up with Zach, Veb, Hannah, and Granny! Granny is awesome and really funny. What a lovely person. The drive to the house was a little over an hour. She made spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner, and afterwards we watched Granny's favorite modern movie, The Other Guys. That's a funny one, folks. Mid-movie, we took a driving tour of the town of St. Simons Island, and finished it when we got back (plus ice cream!). Then we went to bed. 

Wednesday: Angela arrived early in JAX, Hannah and Granny went to get her. I brainstormed more in the morning and started writing the grant proposal. Granny had gathered together 7 bikes (1 recumbent- Pat claimed that for his own) and we attacked the beach with blankets and a soccer ball. It was so unbelievably windy. Pat and I had to build an impressive wind shield to rest comfortably in the sun. Also, the soccer ball disappeared! We think it got blown outrageously downwind and out to sea by the wind while we weren't paying attention. Afterwards, we biked to Sal's Pizzeria for some good, good pizza. When we got back to Granny's house, we played Spectrum while people took turns showering. After showers, we went to Chic-Fil-A (YES!) and introduced the deprived people of New York and Maine to the chicken sandwich. Then we went bowling with everyone. After a low-100's performance, Pat and I decided to have a speed competition with the 6lb balls... I believe he won with a 24.57 mph throw. However, we both developed powerful techniques which, when they hit anywhere within two pins of the center, were extremely successful. And throwing bowling balls that fast makes really cool noises. When we got back to the house, we played Balderdash and watched Rat Race. 

Sal's pizza.

Beach ballin.

A disappointing shot.

The Great Wind Wall. 

Thursday: Lazy morning, we got going around 1:00 or 2:00 PM. We biked to 'the village' where there are some shops and the pier and water and overall nice things. It was sunny and really nice out, we threw a frisbee around in the park, and then walked over to mini golf. I lost by one stroke because on the last hole, my ball hit a piece of mulch. It was tragic. We went to a nice little coffee shop and I had a delicious apple pastry thingy with sugary coffee. Coffee isn't too bad. I feel so old saying that. After biking back to Granny's, we showered and then had some bar-b-que sandwiches. Later that evening, we all went to a bar/lounge called Rafters and played some darts and pool. After the festivities, Alex taught everyone how to play Truco, a Brazilian card game. We played until 3:00 AM. 

Friday: Lazy morning again (theme of the trip), we biked to the beach, where it was less windy and much warmer. We left to catch a 4:00 PM showing of Oz, which is a decent movie, if you aren't a harsh movie-going person. It is geared towards a younger audience than ourselves, though. After biking back to Granny's, we had some homemade shrimp and grits, which was really delicious. Later that evening, Hannah and Angela and I went to go pick up a pizza and a card + gift for Granny. After everyone signed the card, we presented Granny (her name is Ms. Delea, by the way) with her gift, which she really seemed to appreciate a lot. Around 10:30 PM we all drove over to a gelato place. This one flavor called 'summer peach' was really, really good. Tasted like summer. After dessert, we played a final game of balderdash before relaxing on our last night in St. Simons. 

Saturday: Departure! Just a lot of traveling. Pat and I would have arrived after midnight on our original flights, so we decided to switch to tickets on the direct flight (which Alex was going on) for $50. Since we arrived back earlier, we could take the T back to campus, and avoid a large taxi fee. So it kinda evened out... saved about 3 hours of a layover in JFK, so that was worth it too. 

Everybody on Friday afternoon: Zach, Pat, Hannah, Veb, Angela, me, and Alex.

Random Update (2.24.13)

It has been a while (maybe even two whiles) since my last post, I do apologize. Let's bring it back to Wednesday (the 13th). 

After counting concentric interferometer rings in a modern Michelson-Morley experiment with Olivier, who's from Amsterdam, I went down to Cleveland Circle with a bunch of people to watch the Real Madrid vs. Manchester United champions league match at Roggies (a bar/restaurant). It was basically the most expensive game in the word soccer in terms of player salaries, transfer fees, television rights, etc. Since it was a soccer game, though, they tied 1-1 (boo, we want a team that wins). I ordered a pizza and enjoyed that (I missed lunch on purpose, the game came on at 2:45 PM). (I've been using a lot of parenthetical statements). I am not usually around pubs in the mid-afternoon. However, watching soccer games with soccer people has taught me a few things about bars in the mid-afternoon. Namely, the people who don't come to bars in the mid-afternoon to watch soccer are very sketchy.

Friday night I went with Alex and a few other people to a house on Co. Ro. (college road) and that was a lot of fun. A friend of ours from Duchesne had just moved into her new room and was having a shindig. Let's see, then Saturday (the 16th) I went with Alex and Vinny to our friend Sebastian's apartment in Cleveland Circle for his birthday bash. I got to practice speaking Spanish mucho, because I was one of the few united statesmen there (because American is too vague a term at this party). On Sunday, I somehow danced. Five of the eight roommates danced: Pat, Zach, me, J.M. (choreographer) and Veb (choreographer). It went by really quickly. I think the song was about 2-3 minutes long, but it felt like 30 seconds. We were in the 2nd act, so we sat in the crowd and watched the first act. The show was called "Parampara" which means happiness or something in Hindi (it was the South Asian culture show). Here're some photos.

J.M. and Veb doing a jump kick, I'm on the left.

Zach being confused. Jajaja.

85% of the group, after the show.

Now I am finally back to the beginning of this past week. On Tuesday, me and Will (from club soccer) and Airen went to Roggies again to watch the Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich game. Final score was 1-3, despite my lucky classic Arsenal jersey arriving. That night, Miguel, Alex, Luiza, Christine, Jonathan, and others made their way up to Upper campus for free Samba lessons from the Brazil club (Alex and Luiza are from Brasil). After that, Christine and I went to the Boston College vs. Maryland basketball game, which we won 69-58! It was a great game. This one skinny guy named Odio had 6 blocks and dunked right in Maryland's huge center's face. It was really fun. 

On Wednesday I studied for my Macro exam, which ended up being extremely easy (finished in 15:09, my friend Matt finished in 14:30). On Friday, I spent Christmas cash at Fogo de Chao, an amazing Brazilian restaurant. Alex, Jim, Veb and I suited up and went out to lunch. It's $30 flat for all you can eat meat. And it's good meat. And they have cheesy bread. And amazing mashed potatoes. And fried platanos. And deep-fried bananas. Oh my goodness. Alex had been before, and convinced the rest of us to go as well. Wow, what a meal. Then that night, our 8-man sponsored a Duchesne West reunion (the dorm we all lived in last year). It was nice to see almost everyone together, because for some reason, that sort of floor/hallway dynamic is completely lost by sophomore year. We are not as close to everyone on our hallway this year as we were to people on our hall last year. Which is unfortunate, but then again, you can only have so many friends before you have too many friends and not enough friends. If that makes sense. It does to me. Kind of. 

Yesterday, Miguel, Alex, and I went into Boston just to kind of get away from BC for a little. We got some Chipotle, then went to Newbury Street where I spent more Christmas cash on some white pants at H&M (I borrowed J.M.'s for the Parampara show; I felt I needed to invest in my own). Miguel tried to get a haircut, but it was closed, so we ended up going to an Italian cafe, getting some coffee, and watching the 2nd half of the Sevilla vs. Barcelona soccer game. Last night, J.M. persuaded me, Christine, Hannah, and Angela to go to a Latino dance team party. He gave me a crash course in Bachata, and it was pretty fun. I got to wear the new white pants. Pretty sure I wouldn't actually have gone if I didn't buy those that same day. 

Today I did some physics lab homework and messed around on my keyboard (came in the mail on Friday, merry Christmas, me) trying to learn "Flapper Girl" by the Lumineers by ear. It's tricky and I resorted to youtube for a few of the left hand cords. I am prepared to spend a inordinate amount of time perfecting this song. 

Random Update (2.12.13): Basketball Edition

Sunday morning my roommate Zach reminded me that BC was playing #4 Duke later that evening in basketball, and asked if I was planning on going, because he had bought season tickets. The search for a ticket began. Some nice guy on Facebook was selling one (point for Facebook) so I handed over a crispy Christmas Andrew Jackson to the conveniently located fellow and was overall quite pleased. Pat, Jonathan, and Rafael scrounged up tickets, too. We got some chow in Lower at 5:30 PM and then navigated our way through the walls of relocated snow that lined the narrowly dredged walkways around campus, arriving at Conte, the Basketball/Hockey arena.

The first half was a defensive showing. It finished 27-27 at half, with Duke getting the last basket (I think they dunked it). Duke has a monster of a center. Plumlee #5, the guy is massive. The double team worked first half, but he could not be stopped. Also, Stephan Curry's brother, Seth, had a great game. He was probably the most skilled guy out there. After going down halfway through the 2nd half, BC kept it close and managed to take the lead again with about 4 minutes to go thanks to some key baskets by Ryan Anderson and free throws by Olivier Hanlan. With just under 30 seconds to go, the game was tied and Duke had the ball. Big man Plumlee was fouled, and went 1-2 from the line to make it 60-61 with 20-something odd seconds remaining. The student section was packed at this point. Everyone was crowded in, ready to storm the court. BC took the ball down, and got a really poor shot away. The buzzer went off during the fight for the rebound, and that was it. So close! Zach, Pat, Jonathan, Rafael, and I were going nuts (we also got free golden Afro hats! Worth $20 right there), but #4 Duke held on. It was by far the most exciting basketball game I've ever been to. 

Plumlee with the ball to the left of the key.

Random Update (2.10.13): Blizzard Edition

A few of us took a trip to Cleveland Circle, an area with some stores and food places, yesterday afternoon to eat burritos and see what the blizzard left behind. The burrito place was closed, but the burger place was open, if anyone is keeping score. 

Entrance to the Res. A few brave soles tried going that way. 

That's a lot of snow. Also, that's Miguel. 

The Reservoir + frozen+ snow on top.

Again.

Miguel, Jim, Angela, and me. And the reservoir. Again.

View from me and Pat's window. 

We decided that 7/11 uses street snow mush in their coke-flavored Slushies.

Random Update (2.6.13)

Last weekend was the Super Bowl, and there was a lot of hype surrounding Beyonce, power outages, and a decently entertaining match. Unfortunately, I left halfway through the fourth quarter to go play soccer, so I missed the end. I heard Baltimore won. Also, I went to a basketball game on Saturday with Jonathan, we beat Clemson which was cool. The roommates and I have been playing a lot of cards and dominoes, watching a lot of M*A*S*H, and listening to a lot of good Spanish music in the late evening after class and homework is done. Oh and smoothies. I love me my smoothies. And brie. Brie too.

Go eagles.

Final score. We went ~56% from beyond the arc. Crazy three's. 

Gasson in the snow. Some sight.

This coming weekend is going to be busy. We have many people visiting. J.M.'s brother, Veb's brother, two of Zach's friends from home, and Luke! So excited. The common room or living room will be very full. It will be extra fun because 5/8 of us are dancing in the 'culture show.'  Even me... yes. Even me. J.M. and Veb choreographed it. The show is Saturday night, and should be a lot of fun.