What are your thoughts on Gustav Mahler? No, but seriously, icebreakers aside, hi! I’m Eleanor. I’m currently a sophomore here at Wellesley.
I’m unofficially presenting you with the Flower Sunday flowers made for my little, because this is, after all, our first introduction.
A little bit about me. I usually just tell people I live about forty minutes from New York City, because it sounds slightly more interesting than saying I come from a suburban town in northern New Jersey. But really, I’m from Chatham, New Jersey and I went to Chatham High School.
I’m pretty sure I’ll be declaring a Biology major this year. Besides still not being over getting to touch a first edition Origin of Species in Special Collections last week, I’m also currently working in a biology lab on campus researching the genetic impact of invasive weevil species in the Galapagos Islands on native species. One of the thing that’s so great about Wellesley is that I was able walk into this lab as a dazed first-year and now I’m moving towards my own project already as a sophomore.
I mean seriously, who gets to (super carefully) pet a *first edition* Origin of Species?
Lab gloves off, I play the violin. I’ve been playing since the age when my teachers had to bribe me with M&Ms on the fingerboard to get me to hold the violin still.
At Wellesley, I take lessons for credit, meaning I spend a lot of my time in Jewett, practicing. It’s such a wonderful break everything else I do, and I’m finally playing one of my dream pieces this semester, which is very exciting, but also…I guess I’ll learn how far my hand can stretch. I’m also in Chamber Music Society, where I get to play in a small group. Last semester’s concert was pretty amazing, if I do say so myself and this year is shaping up to be just as good. I imitated a fly in Bartok. Yes, yes, it only sounds like buzzing. I didn’t dress up or anything.
Quality time with my love
What I love most about Wellesley is the people. Some days I feel like I should pinch myself or something, because I’m surrounded by so many friends quietly doing astounding things. And the conversations here I can’t see happening anywhere else: we can go from discussing the role of religion in modern life to whether or not chicken and strawberry jam is an acceptable substitute for turkey and cranberry sauce. What excites me most about Wellesley is the way everyone is so enthusiastic about what they do, and so eager to support others who want to do the same things.
I’m so looking forward to sharing my Wellesley experience with you. Stay tuned for weevil updates, fangirling over classical music, and more of my sophomore year.
Until next time, and as a certain British romantic poet said, ever lovely yours,
-Eleanor