Archive for August, 2006

Rain In The Gorges

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/29/2006
in Journal
. 1 Comment

In all fairness, I have a whole long list of items about which I need to post. I also now have homework in all of my classes, so some things will have to wait for a bit longer. The first item of importance for this post, however, is to wish my little sister a very happy sixteenth birthday. It’s absolutely crazy to think that she’s that old–God, that means I’ve been in school for sixteen years–but I’m happy for her all the same.

Item the second: the aforementioned school. Classes started last Thursday, so I’ve had all of my classes at least once now with the exception of the weekly department colloqium, the first of which takes place this afternoon. In other words, I’m beginning to get into the routine of the first-year graduate student and starting to get used to the idea that I’m a Cornell student. The latter part, believe it or not, is what I still have the most trouble with. It’s just a name, yes, but it’s a name that’s got a lot attached to it. Kind of like how saying, “I live in New York” is still utterly bizarre and foreign to me.

My three classes are entitled Foundations of Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics (601), Methods of Advanced Mathematics I (610), and Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer (737). To my surprise, 737 has been the most interesting. Even though it’s my earliest class (8:40 a.m.), I find myself looking forward to it more than the others. 601 may get better as we get out of the introductory material, but still, it’s all stuff that I covered last year with Dr. White. Sadly, this makes things a bit boring. My least favorite class will definitely be 610 since it consists of such unpleasantries as tensors, linear algebra, and complex variables, all of which I know just enough about to dislike.

On the bright side of all of this, all of my instructors speak English well and are pretty upbeat in lecture. It’s maybe a bit odd for me to comment on this, but it was something of which I took particular notice. I haven’t even been told by other students that these professors are especially good instructors, so it would be a pleasant surprise to find that this is the standard here. (And in engineering! *gasp*)

Outside of class, several of us first-years have already started forming groups to hang out in. In my typical fashion, every person I hang out with is not in my subfield. As an undergraduate somehow I was buddies with lots of computer scientists. As a graduate student in fluids, apparently my closest friends are all going to be in dynamics and controls. The irony is staggering.

In other news, it’s been pouring most of the morning. I’ve seen less water in some creeks than I did on every sidewalk on my walk back from campus. The really amazing sight was from the footbridge over Cascadilla Gorge. There’s a spot on the rock walls where water usually trickles down the side of the gorge and into the creek (river?) that runs down the middle. Today there’s a veritable waterfall shooting out from the level of the engineering quad. Even though I was getting soaked, I had to pause for a minute to admire it and wish–for the millionth time–that I had my camera on me. If I’d had one iota of sense, I would have pulled out my new camera and taken a shot with it. But I’m just not that kind of clever. I’m sure that it will still be exciting when I head back up to campus this afternoon.

In the meantime, those homeworks are calling, as is the kitchen and the idea of lunch.

Shiny

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/22/2006
in Journal
. 3 Comments

Well, let’s try a quick review of what’s been going on recently:

  • My roommate is all moved in, and things are going well. We’re already making plans as to meals to try and outings and events to have with other grads once we get to know people a little better. We’ve been watching my Firefly DVDs and both enjoying that. It’s been awhile since I’ve watched them, but I find myself introducing virtually every episode with the comment, “Oh, this is a really good one!”
  • Orientation events have somewhat come and gone. The university orientation involved hundreds of new graduate students all in one room so that we could be addressed by deans and administrators with names like Sonny Power. Talk about hippie-ish. Other than some fidgeting, I survived those just fine.
  • Today’s department orientation was better, being a smaller affair. It began with lunch with the faculty, and I was surprised to find that there were several faculty members who made a point of coming over to me to say hello. I definitely didn’t expect that.
  • So far next semester’s courses will involve Foundations of Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics and Methods of Applied Mathematics I. I can tell how jealous you all are from here. Haven’t picked my last technical course, nor have I chosen any non-technical course for my personal consumption.
  • I’m already making friends with some of the other first-years. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun together.
  • To start the year out right, I’m showing Casablanca tomorrow night. Classes begin the day after.
  • The department’s graduate student organization is having a special welcoming event down on the Commons this Saturday. On the flier, they put the Snakes on a Plane logo, crossed out Snakes and a Plane and wrote in Graduate Students and the Commons. The following note was also added: Honestly, which is scarier?
  • After a painfully long wait tonight, I got a new cell phone and number. Those of you in my address book should expect a mass e-mail soon with my new contact info.

Shakespearean Escapades

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/18/2006
in Journal
. 6 Comments

I’ve just returned from Shakespeare Abridged out at the Cornell Plantations, and a wonderful time was had. I estimated correctly when I said I thought it would take about forty minutes to walk there (what with it being uphill most of the way and me not knowing my way about the north end of campus). The worst of it is the hike up to the Engineering Quad (you know, the part I have to do daily). Walking across campus proper was mostly flat until I got back to Beebe Lake and the waterfall. The campus was crawling with new freshmen and their parents, but once I turned to follow along the Lake, it was pretty much just me and the trees. And those three deer that I passed not twenty feet from. It’s gorgeous back there. I really have to go back (with a camera!) once the weather cools a bit. I’m sure when the leaves start turning it will be an all new kind of lovely.

After some minor detours and the aforementioned forty minutes of walking, I located the Shakespeare show. The lady I collected my program from and offered my donation to was shocked that I’d walked as far as I had. I believe her words were that “it was awfully intrepid of you”. She was kind enough to offer me a ride back to State St. after the show, which I gladly accepted. I wasn’t sure how long the show was supposed to be, and I wasn’t keen on walking back after dark, but I needn’t have worried even if she hadn’t offered a ride.

The show itself was very entertaining. The troupe was missing one player–she’s in the hospital right now–and one of their directors was filling in. Things flowed smoothly nonetheless. There was even a joke about how, in attempting to make Shakespeare something that modern audiences could relate to, writers had placed Shakespeare’s works in such strange locations as a lunar landscape or Cleveland, Ohio. I laughed more than anyone else present at that one, as you might imagine.

Although I liked the presentation of the tragedies (my literary favorites) and the transformation of the histories into a football game, I think the lumping of the sixteen comedies into one was my favorite. They had painted signs to show the different characters and what was going on. There was even a joke about The Cherry Orchard, and you can’t go wrong with that. Just like you can’t go wrong sticking Kafka references in a Mel Brooks show.

Afterwards, while awaiting Nancy, my ride, I helped collect chairs for the troupe. In doing so, I met a couple of the actors, who thought they’d seen me before. When I confessed that I’m new to campus, one of them declared that I must “just have that Cornell aura” about me. Maybe it was the Google t-shirt that gave it away. The other actor, John, is a mechanical engineering student. I’m not certain whether he’s a grad or an undergrad, but, in either case, I’m sure to see him again.

Nancy was surprised to find that I was new here (and yet at the show), but she figured that my newness to town might explain why I’d chosen to walk all the way there. When I explained that I didn’t know about the parking situation on the Plantations, she decided that I might be making some sense after all. We had a nice chat on the way back and she gave me her card and encouraged me to contact her if I had any “town questions” or anything else. It’s nice to find that people are so friendly around here. When I visited in March, I liked how friendly my department was, but, certainly, a whole town full of people like that trumps.

Have I been living in a city too long or what?

Imparting Wisdom

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/18/2006
in Journal
. 0 Comments

Today Cornell’s dorms open to the freshmen, which means that stores are crawling with parents and their soon-to-be college kids getting all those things that they held off on buying until they actually saw the room they’ll be in. It’s worse than before. Being me, I was silly enough to go out today to pick up a couple of the things that we need that I can currently afford–namely a dishrack and some filing tabs. While searching through the office supplies at Wal-Mart (don’t ask), I saw a girl with her family picking up various desk supplies, including a stapler. “I recommend getting a little stapler and keeping it in your backpack,” I told her suddenly. “Because you’ll inevitably be about to turn your homework in and will discover that you’ve forgotten to staple it.” I didn’t mention the likelihood that she might not finish her homework until after she’d left her dorm and stapler behind. I mean, her mother was standing right there.

She turned and brightened. “Thanks! That’s a really good idea! Are you a student at Cornell? What are you studying?”

“I’m starting graduate school there,” I told her. “I study aerospace engineering.” Bug-eyed look. “How about you?”

“Nutritional science. But I’m a freshman obviously.”

I smiled. “It’s okay. I remember the Wal-Mart run when I first started college.”

“Yeah,” she said. “You get to your room and start to unpack and realize that you need more hangers.” She turned back to the shelves. “Would you recommend an automatic pencil sharpener?”

“Actually, as an engineer, I prefer mechnical pencils. And,” I reached for a Mars plastic eraser, “I recommend these erasers. They don’t leave smudges.”

“Thank you!” she said as she snapped up a 3-pack.

I smiled again. “Have fun in college. You’ll love it.”

An Evening Jaunt

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/17/2006
in Journal
. 8 Comments

Many of you have already learned this first-hand, but I have Internet access now. It’s not in the comfort of my bedroom until we get a router and a lot of Ethernet cable, but it is high speed and I can use it from the living room, so I can’t complain. The cable won’t be hooked up until September 2nd, but that’s before House comes on again, so I’m okay with it.

My roommate was in town yesterday with a carload of her things, but she left again. She’ll be back for good tomorrow evening. In the meantime, things have been quiet. I’ve got my room pretty much set up. There are still odds and ends that need to find a home, but that will happen. The living room/kitchen still needs some work, but then, we’re waiting for dishes to arrive, so that may take a bit longer.

Having spent way too much time alone in the apartment, I decided to go for a walk this evening and explore downtown Ithaca. So I walked down the hill (and, believe me, it’s a substantial one) to the Commons, a pedestrian area lined with stores and restaurants. It reminds me quite a bit of Germany, actually. As I was walking around there tonight, the restaurants all had filled tables outside where people were dining and laughing and talking. Many of the stores were closed, but a few of the book/record stores were still open. I checked out Ithaca Books first and was quite impressed not only with their selection but with their prices. It’s a used book store, but everything was in good condition. Greg, I’ve got another reason you have to come visit. They had two-and-a-half full bookcases filled with French language books. Tall bookcases. I suspect that Mark would like them, too.

I stepped into Autumn Leaves Used Books next and liked it, too. On my way toward the door, an illustrated book all about Gnomes caught my eye. I flipped through it and had a bit of a laugh. Then, as I was putting it up, I noticed a book about Branson, MO and really just about lost it. They described Branson as “The Vegas of the Ozarks”. I didn’t think that was too accurate, at first, but after some reflection, I figured it was probably true. Then again, when I went to Branson, it wasn’t typically for the shows but for White Water and Silver Dollar City amusement parks. Although, the Shepherd of the Hillsoutdoor theater show does come to mind. Primarily, I remember that they set a building on fire in that. And, apparently, my parents went to see it when I was a baby and everything went well until they starting firing guns near the end, and then I was no longer a happy camper.

As I left the bookstore, I saw that the outdoor stage that’d been set up in the middle of the Commons now had a group playing there. I had to smile as I passed: there were middle-aged couples dancing together barefoot on the sidewalk.

I made the mistake of switching back and going down Seneca toward the lake after that. This led to finding Ithaca Guitar Works, which led to me going inside. I was good enough to leave without a guitar–just a good idea of what I’m probably going to get… eventually–but I did walk out with a $15 instruction book and CD. I’m hoping that those will let me move toward what I’d prefer to be playing. The old books I’ve got from when I played before are classical guitar and I’m interested in learning to play some of the music I like to listen to. But God knows I need a new and expensive hobby about like I need a gunshot to the head. If you couldn’t tell, I’m kicking myself over my lack of restraint.

Other than that, it was a very pleasant walk and I’m glad I took it. Beats spending another two hours in front of the television or the computer screen.

Tomorrow I’ll probably try to run a couple of errands. In the evening I’m heading up to Cornell Plantations, where a local theater group is doing a free performance of Shakespeare Abridged. I’ve never had a chance to see that particular show, and I’ve heard people rave about it for years, so I’m looking forward to it.

Moving In

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/14/2006
in Journal
. 1 Comment

Here’s a brief update on my current state of being:

  • I’m in Ithaca, and I’m mostly moved in. There are officially four boxes that haven’t been fully emptied–which is not to say that everything’s in its place, just that there’s a hell of a lot more open space in my room than there was 36 hours ago.
  • I’ve got no idea when my Internet access will get set up. I still need to call the roommate and find out her thoughts on Internet/cable packages. But, for now, I can walk to campus and use their secure wireless Internet connection. Happy dances of joy!
  • My first walk to campus from my apartment has taught me one thing: I will have amazing legs soon. Ithaca puts living Top of the Hill to shame.
  • Considering how I felt four months ago about living with my family all summer, I surprised myself with how sad I was to watch them leave yesterday.
  • On the list of 10 Uncool Ways To Spend Your First Night In Your New Apartment, there’s an entry for ‘having a fire alarm at 3:45 a.m.’. Waking up to some weird foreign noise, only to figure out that it’s a fire alarm and you need to grab your (packed) glasses and keys and get out, is not fun. And, frankly, that wasn’t the way I planned on meeting my neighbors.
  • My apartment’s leather sofa is very comfy–visitors are welcome! :-D

Scribbles

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/10/2006
in Journal
. 0 Comments

In my packing, I came across a couple of items scribbled on paper that I’d completely forgotten:

“It is the warmth of light that dances in a Fairie’s heart and brings her joy with each new day.” — from a Post-It note

And, secondly, a poem I don’t remember writing, but all the same, I signed and dated it. Shared with apologies because I’m no poet.

Alo Nalá Seno Erus

In their beds the children cry
Silken tears
For the starless night that clouds the sky.
They whisper of old, of
Forgotten fears:
Does darkness again stretch forth his hand?

Once threatened the young no
Longer forget
The darkness they never saw.
In their hearts a light unsullied
Is kept
Where shadow’s touch shall never fall.

Though fear may tread there still
And close they cower
Fleeing an enemy that dares not strike.

For high above a star peers out
With silver power glowing.
Praises, songs, and cries of joy
From lips of young are flowing.
A Kalis dé Jaera, Star of Hope,
They whisper. So promises are
Kept to them and darkness held away.
Their light his touch will never mar.
For to them an oath was made:

Adotair morienor netrim
Nalá seno erus.

Though darkness falls,
Light shall come again.

-Nicole Sharp, 22 May 2003

And now back to my previously scheduled packing.

Quotable

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/9/2006
in Journal
. 0 Comments

Mostly here so that I can remember it:

“There are no new stories, just new interpretations.”

Amid The Packing Boxes

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/9/2006
in Journal
. 0 Comments

I’ve only got a couple more days here in North Carolina. It really is amazing how time flies–although I suspect that the bits of traveling I’ve done this summer have sped things along. Right now, life is full of packing boxes and shopping for housewares. The big move-in date is set for Saturday, so I guess things will be extra silent from me after Thursday night because we’ll be driving to New York Friday and then I won’t have Internet access until God-knows-when. If I get desperate, I’m sure I can run up to Cornell and hijack a public computer or possibly get my laptop set up on their wireless network.

I’m just listening to an audience recording of the Frames’ recent performance in NYC. (ETA: Now available for download.) Can’t wait for their new album. In the meantime, though, I shall just have to make do with my obscenely large collection of live recordings.

For the moment, I’m just feeling listless.

Where’s Nicole?

Published
by
Nicole
on 8/2/2006
in Journal
. 0 Comments

Tomorrow, unless events detain me, I will be leaving to visit Mark and co. I’ll be back at my parents’ place Sunday or Monday for breakneck moving preparations for the following weekend, at which point, I’ll be off to Ithaca for good.