Fall break, and I’m sitting on my childhood bed with my violin at my feet.
I would have updated sooner, but the academic push up to break has demanded nothing less than my full, unwavering, attention. A chemistry exam that was quite frankly brutal, a partial scientific paper on sgRNA transformation, on top of the “weekly maintenance” for classes and my thesis that on its own takes up nearly all of my time… I practically had to heave myself across the finish line. Well, on to a Bolt bus to New York City, more literally. I needed a solid day to breathe and get my thoughts in order. And to go shopping, because after tramping around in Europe for four months, and Boston for two, the majority of my shoes have sadly reached the point of no return. Now, I have nice new boots and sneakers without holes. Quality of life improved: check.
The final leg of the journey home to NJ
I am actually very excited about the next week or so, whirlwind as it may be. It’s kind of the perfect week, and not just because I only have three days of classes. My Danish host family is coming to NYC, my family is coming to Wellesley, and I get to see my violin idol in concert!!! I don’t know what it was that caused all of these wonderful things to converge in a seven day span but I am just so thankful they are happening.
The highlight is that MY DANISH HOST FAMILY IS COMING TO VISIT! All four of them! Well, they’re coming to NYC on vacation, but I get to see them for lunch! How amazing is that! I am so very excited to see them, and so I will be making the trip down to NYC two weekends in a row. I only wish they could take me back to Copenhagen with them, because I miss Denmark (and them) nearly every day. My life here in America is so much…faster, as if I’m leaning forward all the time. It’s different, and even though I’m adjusted, it will be wonderful to see my Danish family again.
It’s also parent’s weekend next weekend, and so my mom and aunt are coming up since, as I was reminded, it’s my last parent’s weekend at Wellesley. They’re only staying for Friday night, and then we’re driving back to NYC to see my host family. My aunt has never seen the campus before, and so I’m excited to see her reaction, because campus is actually sparkling. Wellesley during fall is spectacular. Lake Waban, sparkling in the sun with the leaves of the trees finally starting to turn, is nothing short of perfection. I went to President Johnson’s house the other day for the senior reception, and it was just such a beautiful lake view in the perfect golden light.
Just casually lounging on the President’s balcony (thanks for having us PJ!)
The lake on the walk back!
Have I mentioned how obsessed I am with this lake?
Finally, I’m seeing my actual violin idol, Hilary Hahn, perform with the Boston Symphony on Thursday night. I’m going with my closest Wellesley friend and I am probably going to cry during the slow movement of the Dvorak violin concerto. Everything she plays just has such clarity about it.
So much to look forward to, but in the mean time, I have a lot of academic work to do in preparation for the large quantities of good times coming my way. I’ll let you know how everything goes!
Ever lovely yours,
Eleanor
