Phew!
It has been quite an eventful week.
Monday was my 21st birthday! I had a lovely day – definitely not what I imagined it to be, but still very special. The first part of my day was filled with meetings and class, but after I had time to celebrate. My parents and I ended up going for a sunset walk along the beach, eating dinner, and then cutting cake. My friends also surprised me with a Zoom call (they’re the best), and I felt so, so loved. All in all, ‘twas a memorable birthday.
Quite the dramatic sunset!
Tuesday onwards was a bit of a blur for me. It was election day (which turned into a week?!) and I found it quite hard to focus during the week. Refreshing the New York Times on my phone every 20 minutes understandably kept me a bit on edge. My group chats were also active, sharing any tidbits of information and knowledge we could find. Oh, and also memes about how slow Nevada was at counting ballots! That was some much needed comedy relief.
Luckily, my professors were understanding, and despite all that was happening, our class still managed to have productive discussions. In my health activism class, we talked about the history of public health, the confusing relationship it has with medicine, and more. Super interesting, for sure!
Wednesday morning, I woke up early to the light outside window glowing a brilliant shade of red. I scrambled downstairs, went outside, and realized the sunrise was absolutely breathtaking. Usually, I’d be upset that I woke up at the crack of dawn, but this sunrise made it worth it. A moment of peace and quiet during the crazy week.
The sunrise (no filter)!
When the election was called, I was actually on a Zoom call with 60+ Wellesley alums and students from all over the world. I cannot think of anything more fitting. Alums and students on the call started celebrating and cheering; Cars honking their horns on the streets could be heard in the background. It was joyous, and spectacular, and something I’ll remember for a long time. The collective sigh of relief and celebrations felt amazing, but the reminder that there’s more work to be done hung in the air (Georgia runoff, anyone?).
Our family celebrated last night and also tuned in to watch the Biden and Harris victory speeches. As an Indian-American, watching Kamala Harris get elected as Vice President was inspiring. A woman near the top. What a concept.
I woke up today feeling refreshed and well rested. It’s been chilly in San Diego all weekend, and cozy weather makes me so happy (especially since it’s always sunny here). A rainy and windy Sunday morning was exactly what I needed, as it was the perfect way to start the new week.
Wishing you a good one,
Shreya