Back at Vassar again

OK, so I'm sorry for not giving you guys any updates lately. I've been back at Vassar for the last 3 weeks almost, getting readjusted and getting used to the idea that I'm a senior this year. Trippy.

It's amazing odd to be back. Everything seems just like how I saw it in my head while I was away: the green of the library lawn, the gentle afternoon sun reflecting off the surface of sunset lake, the crisp, cool late summer nights and all things Vassar.

Nick, the other men's rowing captain, and I started doing preseason practices to get in shape for an intense fall season. We've been back on the water and nothing beats time on the water. Rowing on my little piece of the Avon at Saltford made me forget how big rivers could be, especially a stretch like the Hudson. The feeling of breaking through the mist on a brisk Poughkeepsie morning is something that I've missed so much, and most people would call me crazy for missing rowing at 6 in the morning, but I have, and it's great to be back.

With senior year comes all the trappings and pomp of it, most especially Convocation. My housemates (two from last year, Reese and Olivia and a new one, Andrew) bought our gowns and caps, and made our way over to the Chapel last Wednesday to be convocated, I guess. It was so surreal to march with the freshmen looking on, when three years ago I was watching the Class of 2007 marching with their robes, not knowing that my time would come sooner than I realized. Sitting among the sea of caps, the tassels hung everywhich way because nobody was sure what side they went on reflected the insecurity that we all have going into this year. Some of us have job offers, but don't know what the world outside Vassar will hold. Some of us have absolutely no idea what we want to do, but have started looking, taking each step with trepidation and reluctance. Some of us are looking at graduate schools but are unsure if we will be accepted, or what we will do once there. We are three years wiser, but I feel that the beginning of this year is like the beginning of twelfth grade, not knowing where to go just yet, but feeling that the year is full of promise.

After Convocation, my house and I went to the top of Main building to participate in a Vassar tradition: the ringing of the bell. Vassar tradition mandates that for juniors to fully rise to become seniors, they have to ring the bell on the top of Main building. After waiting on the fifth floor for near an hour, we finally made it into the core of the building, with permanent marker written on every surface from the generations, marking each passing class down to this one. It was pretty sobering to look down from the top of Main on the residential quad, the main gate, the library and the rolling green hills that surround this place I have come to call home and realize that I only have one short year left here. But going abroad and coming back to realize this short season left will make me cherish it even more than I would have. So, here's to a good year, good friends and good times. Until next time, because I've got practice in the morning.