How do they do it?

Believe it or not, there are still plenty of events going on during reading week and even finals. I don't know how the members of these groups manage to handle rehearsal AND studying, but the results are pretty amazing nonetheless.

The Davenport Pops Orchestra playing a medley of Studio Ghibli themes (arranged by a DPops member!), including music from Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle, at their concert Fantasie

"Woodland Rituals" from Groove's fall show: World Tour 2007

Each college also has study breaks to help students get through those long hours . Master K had some amazing food at her house (think chicken nuggets, crackers and Brie, fresh sliced apples, homemade cookies, etc.) but we also had a fun gingerbread house-making break in the dining hall one night. My suitemate Sara and I managed to put one together without eating too much of the candy =P

Sara working on our house

Freshmen working on their house

Our completed house (front view)

Sky view (isn't the roof awesome?)

Just a few more exams to go, then home for a nice, long three weeks =)

Puberty and...Dean Salovey?

Bulldog Days 2007 was an crazy three days, jam-packed with activities from visiting 9:00 classes (if prefrosh chose to do so) to late-night festivities organized by various campus groups, or perhaps just staying up talking with friends and current students. With everything going on at once, it was impossible to see/listen to everything, but I hope everyone had a good time!

My Bulldog Days began with a Phoenix performance at Mosaic - unfortunately I don't have any photos of myself balancing three bowls on my head - but two of my favorite events came Tuesday night. For those of you who were elsewhere at 7 PM and 9 PM, a sampling of photos and videos from the Davenport Pops "Puberty Concert" and the Purple Crayon's "Dean Salovey" show. For those of you who were fortunate enough to be present at either or both of these, enjoy the good memories =D

Puberty Concert - Woolsey Hall 7 PM

DPops is undoubtedly one of my favorite orchestras...it was founded in 2005 (one of the founders is featured in a video below) and is completely run by students with a wide range of talents and interests. Even the conductors, who also do most of the musical arrangements, are students, so it's an awesome opportunity for anyone looking to expand their musical repertoire and skills.

"Toddler Medley"

The Spizzwinks(?) performing various childhood themes


Duel of Fates - Justin vs. the Common App

Many more videos...

Dean Salovey show - Davenport dining hall 9 PM

Where else would the dean be willing to come make fun of himself in an improv comedy show? Only at a school where the president shows up at the Freshman Holiday Dinner as Santa Claus...

He's right! Maybe he is the dean...

I know a dean when I see one!

Doc, things just haven't been the same since the incident

The blue phone put me on hold...

Honey, we just moved to Australia and you killed a kangaroo!

You're going to have to throw me, elf!


Aaaaaand...scene!

Holiday dinner, DPops, and more

Whew, what a weekend! Didn't get much work done on my papers, but lots to write about =P

Saturday morning started with a Phoenix "photo shoot," pictures that will go on our soon-to-be redesigned webpage, on posters for the spring show, etc. A sneak peak...I'm not sure why some of my photos are looking blurry in the entries, but if you click on it you should get a larger, clearer version.

left to right: 06-07 Artistic Director Betsy in a Daizu pose, Tanya doing ribbon figure eights, Zimo with silk fans (yes, the same ones that are in my profile photo)

After Phoenix came a quick brunch then off to the Mudd library to sift through the government archives for the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other documents relevant to my paper...working on this has opened a whole new world of historical research. There's an incredible amount of material to be gleaned and reading things like Dr. Kelsey's letters to the Merrill drug company (and vice versa) really make the story of thalidomide in the United States seem that much more intimately interesting, as if I was interviewing Dr. Kelsey right after she testified in the Congressional hearings.

Ran back to the room to get ready for the Silliman holiday dinner with my roommates, then we took the mini-bus up to the School of Management dining hall, since ours is under construction. There was an article in the Yale Daily News saying holiday dinners were somewhat excessive, but I personally really enjoy the tradition, especially since I haven't seen a lot of upperclassmen who are living in the Elm Street Annex or off-campus. It was lots of fun seeing everyone dressed up, getting excellent food (especially cheesecake for dessert! =P), and of course, listening to the Silliringers, who, according to Master K, had practiced for exactly 300 minutes total prior to their performance. A few photos:

Regina, me, and Atisha in the common room

The amazing fruit-filled cornucopia in the dessert room =D

The Silliringers preparing for their first piece

The fun continued with an excellent concert from the Davenport Pops Orchestra, playing "Sounds of America" aka cool stuff like the Pink Panther theme and excerpts from West Side Story. Check out their opening piece - Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man"- and a few other clips here.

DPops violin section

Today felt equally hectic - holiday musical brunch in the common room until 1:30, an Asian Idol contestant info meeting (I can't believe I'm getting myself into this...), and taking photos at YAGS to start preparing for spring show publicity. I'm horrible at juggling (mainly because I don't practice enough!) but it's awesome what some of these people can do:

Cool view from the upper balcony of pairs juggling

Paul juggling three clubs (he can do more, believe me)

But now, after several hours of editing photos/video and reading ridiculously small print in the government documents, it's time for sleep.