Hello! It’s nice to meet you. I’m Cynthia – no nicknames, no silly business. I’m 19. I was born in Canada, and I grew up in Shanghai, China. I spent a good 12 years of my life in Shanghai American School, and now I’m here – a rising sophomore at Wellesley College. My first year in college was a little different from what I expected, though I still came out of it with some wonderful friends (who may or may not be reading this too).
Who are you, then? I mean, I’ve done my introductions – it’s your turn. Are you older or younger than me? What got you to this page? Whether you are a starry-eyed potential applicant or an alumna looking for some nostalgia, I hope you can feel that you’ve come to a somewhat-right-place for you.
For my first post, I want to share a memory. Here’s a little token from Wellesley that I will never forget – Flower Sunday 2020. Apparently this day is a bit different in person – you know, flower bouquets, crowds in the common room. For me, last year, I was just sitting tight in my dorm room, waiting to be assigned a Big (basically a xuejie, a sib to show you the ropes, or someone who could become as close as a sister to you).
Three, Two, One, and Tatiana Ortiz (This year’s Stone Davis 4th Floor RA!) popped on my screen!
She’s a lovely human being who has one too many allergies (oof) and loves filling her room with essential oils. She is an incredibly talented violinist (seriously) and she always makes an effort to put a smile on your face. It’s been almost a year since she gave me a porcupine plushie called Didi on Flower Sunday.
When Flower Sunday rolls around this year (next week!), I hope I could be as supportive of a Big as she was to me. Perhaps I’ll be your Big and you’ll be my Little, who knows? Life has a curious way of playing on coincidences.