Snowy Toes and Frozen Hands

It's been a while. I've been insanely busy since I got back to school. I'm still busy now, in fact, but I finally thought of something to write about. The weather is always crazy here, but winter in Ithaca is seemingly endless. It could be warm one day (and by "warm" I mean 33 degrees), then drop back down to 10 degrees the next. The snow comes randomly and in varying amounts. But there are good things. In fact, if you're going to live somewhere cold and snowy, Ithaca is a pretty nice place to be...as long as you remember your coat, hat, and gloves.

Things That Make Winter (in Ithaca) Worth It

1. The view of Bebe Lake from the Triphammer footbridge: I keep meaning to take pictures, but I keep forgetting to, since I'm only over there when walking to/from class. It's absolutely gorgeous...to the point where people make out on the bridge, even though it's 3am and 25 degrees outside. There are giant icicles hanging down, the frozen lake is coated in snow, surrounded by white trees, and you get to watch the water come crashing out from below the snowy surface...breathtaking. Ithaca really is gorges (sorry, had to say it).
   
2. Trees: It's actually pretty rare that you see the trees at the perfect time, before the snow has fallen off of them. But walking back at 3am, the trees were so beautiful, I nearly forgot how tired I was. Unfortunately, I was too tired to dig around in my bag for my camera. I regret that now.
3. Interesting snow sculptures: People make normal things -- igloos, snowmen -- but also some pretty interesting/phallic ones (the picture to the right is as-seen from my friend's window).
4. Getting to drink tons of hot chocolate: I have a whole tub of hot chocolate mix in my room, as well as mini marshmallows and whipped cream. Makes my day yummy.
5. Warm, cozy boots: I got a pair of super snuggly snow boots. However, the thing about this one is that way too many people decide that, because it's cold, they're going to wear their Uggs everywhere. But Uggs + snow = very ruined Uggs. It's uggly (though I find them pretty ugly to begin with). And aren't those things like $200? A tad costly to be worth ruining, in my opinion. Plus, I can't imagine they're very effective at keeping you warm when they're soaking wet. But anyway, Ugg rant over. Next item.
6. Skiing: I went skiing for my second time (but my first real time because the last time was in 8th grade, and I didn't get a lesson so it was just awkward) a little over a week ago, and it was so so fun. Even my friends, who spent 2/3 of the time falling, had That occasional day of sun: Even when it's freezing cold outside, waking up in the morning and having sun pour through the windows is the best. Everything sparkles, you remember that the big gray thing above is actually blue, clouds can be white...it's lovely. And the fact that it's so rare actually makes it even better when it does happen.
7. Tray sledding: Presumably, this (stealing a tray from a dining hall and sledding down the hills on it) would be most Cornellians' favorite part about the winter, but due to my unfortunate frostbite accident, which is partially attributable to tray sledding, I'm a little afraid of it. Hopefully I'll enjoy it more in the future.

It's practically March (4 hours until), which is an absolutely crazy thought. February flew by. I've been so busy, I can't even remember all of the things that have happened. In just a few weeks, we have spring break, and once we get back from that, it will technically be spring. So we'll see how spring-like April actually is.

Awesometastic Stuff

I was meaning to post last week, but honestly I haven't done very much lately (ahh break), so I haven't had much to write about. I have, however, done a ton of shopping...I have no idea how I'm going to bring it all back with me. Most of the things I bought were clothes, but I also got a couple other awesome things for my room. There are lots of awesome things out there, and I wish I could buy all of them, but I don't exactly have that kind of money to waste. So here are the awesometastic things I have or wish I had. :)

Awesome/Awesomely Random Things I Own or Wish I Owned

1. Tim Burton figurines: I got these at the Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA (which was awesome!). They came in 3-packs, and 2/3 were holiday gifts, so I consider that justifiable And my dorm needs some…spicing up. It’s pretty bland. So now I have…STAIN BOY! Tim Burton is a genius. Plus, the pamphlet from the museum exhibit opens up to a poster of Tim Burton drawings, so now I have a new wall decoration as well!
2. WALL-E figures: Equally wonderful are my new WALL-E and EVE toys. While Andi is quite disheartened at their inability to hold hands easily, they are quite cute. I was intending to only get the WALL-E one…but my dad got the EVE one. My dad likes toys far more than I do. But this time, that worked to my benefit.
3. Microbe plushie: Andi got me a stuffed sperm and egg for Hanukkah. My sister gave me a very weird look when I showed them to her, but they’re awesome.There are also other microbes, like flu, mono, etc, at ThinkGeek (which has a zillion other awesome but often overpriced things).
4. Aloe plant: My aloe plant hasn’t grown up yet…it’s still a few little sprouts. Or at least it was when I left. But maybe when I get back it’ll be bigger. Either way, aloe plants clean the air and look cool and stuff.
5. Dino vegetarian shirt: Bought this last weekend at Forever 21 (Andi found it, so credit goes to her). No explanation needed.
6. Mini robo vacuum: And now I get into the things I wish I had. It cleans up little crumbs and stuff! Perfect for OCD me. And it’s so cute. :)
7. Ice Invaders Ice Cube Tray: Because who doesn’t want little aliens invading their drinks? Unfortunately, a large ice tray would take up more than my half of the freezer.
8. Crazy Aaron’s magnetic putty: It’s like my other awesome putties, but MAGNETIC! Metal stuff sticks to it! I am too easily amused.
9. Mike Wazowski mug: I wanted to buy this at Disneyworld, but my luggage was too overstuffed, so I wouldn’t have been able to get it back easily. *sigh* There are also tons of other awesome mugs there, like the bottom half of Mickey. In general, if I could buy out the Disney store, I would…Mickey hand jar opener, ice cube tray, Mickey feet slippers (another thing I would have bought if I could transport them)…

I could probably find a hundred more random things, but you get the picture. There are lots of awesome things out there. Some of them are worth owning, others not so much. But that’s okay. :)

2009? 2010?

I meant to post yesterday, when it was still 2009, but I was a bit busy (ie. 3 trips to the Verizon store, which ultimately resulted in getting a new phone!). 2009 was a year of drama, frustration and stress, but also happiness, fun, and change, both good and bad. I was planning on writing down my memories of 2009, but, honestly, there are too many things I'd prefer to forget. Now I am putting all that behind me and moving in to 2010. So here, in the most clichéd way possible, are my hopes and plans for 2010 (in, like always, no particular order).

Natanya's New Year's Resolutions

1. Find an extracurricular I really enjoy: I know, the first semester of college is supposed to be hard. But as I watched everyone around me struggle academically, I realized that academics aren't my problem. Sure, it was hard (astronomy was awful), but what was harder was trying to find other things I enjoyed. I suppose I could have tried everything--clubs, parties, athletics--but most of it was unappealing. I'm a member of two clubs, but do I really enjoy them? Most of the time they feel like an extra burden. Not to say I didn't like anything I did--strangely, work (at the Annual Fund, calling alumni) has become enjoyable because I get to take my mind off everything else, because I have to be so focused, suppressing all other stresses. It's what sports used to give me. This year was the first year since 6th grade that I didn't have volleyball. It was weird. But anyway, I don't know if work really counts. I feel like I'm supposed to be finding other things I like. I'm hoping to join a publication. I don't really want to have more writing assignments (between comp lit, French and soc, I think I have enough of those...I don't need more writing obligations), but I'd like to edit...so...that's my goal...
2. Post on here: I used to have a blog. And before that I had a different blog. Then I stopped posting on them. I don't want that to happen again. It would be nice to really stick with something I have no real obligation to--something that I'm not doing for college applications (not that I didn't enjoy my clubs in high school, but there was so much pressure) or for class or for someone else. Something I'm just doing for the sake of doing it.
3. Be friendlier: I know I can be mean, but that's not actually what I'm talking about. Whenever I pass by someone I sort of know, I always wonder whether I should say hi to them, or whether they'd think I was weird for doing so. But I've realized that when someone says hi to me, that feels nice, and it probably subconsciously improves my opinion of that person. I want to be friendlier, more outgoing. Maybe it's not in my nature, but maybe it's something I can change. Silence gets lonely.
4. Write a story: I come up with new story lines practically every week, but I'm too lazy to actually start writing. I know I said I don't want any more writing obligations, but I hoping I'll be able to treat this as something enjoyable, like it's supposed to be. I'm not planning on writing a book. Just a story. Just something complete.
5. Read...a lot: I'm planning on taking part in the spring/summer book challenge for an online group I'm in, but it's a lot of books, especially since I already have so many books to read for school. I also want to keep up with the group's "group reads." (This month is Catch- 22 and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I'm excited to read both.) Not to mention the zillion other books on my to-read list. Hopefully I'll be able to incorporate some of those into the reading challenge.
6. Write more letters: I wrote a couple letters (letters as in snail mail...email's no fun) to people last semester, and I want to write more this semester. Getting mail is fun. And I have a pack of 2000 animal stickers ($3 at Target? Yessss), and stickers make everything so much more fun!
7. Get out more: I spend so much time cooped up in my room. Unfortunately, since I'm not interested in partying, "getting out more" means, for the most part, spending more money on things like movies and plays. But based on the little getting out I did towards the end of last semester, I think it's worth it. Even just watching my movies on my computer with other people would be a step in the right direction. I don't mind being alone (frankly, it's easier), but I should probably mix things up a bit (because life isn't supposed to be easy).
8. Avoid having stupid panic reactions: My poor reactions resulted in frost bite. That was stupid. And painful. I'm going to avoid that in the future. To go with this, I want to avoid other stupid things I did this year. Make better decisions. Etc.

That's all. Now I just have to work at them... :)