So...got back to my room from a "dorm social" at 1am. It was really...nice.
As with all gatherings, it was awkward trying to find people at first, especially since there was already a big group gathered in front of the steps by the time our Rules meeting got out. Then a girl I've seen before once (Rebecca) beckoned me over. She was with another girl, Ariel (like the mermaid), and standard attempts at introducing ourselves were made. Always the same pattern of "Hey, what's your name? What room are you in? Where are you from? [insert comment about weather] AND What are you thinking about studying?" Ironically, this was the first time anyone had brought up concentrations in an introduction, but I've talked about it so many times it was automatic: "Well...I like languages." Turns out she does too--in terms of syntax, diction, sound, and connotation, about how the arrangement or the choice of certain words changes the perception of the message being said. Really interesting stuff, and although it's not directly in the path I'm passionate about, it's definitely an interest I'd like to explore.
We started talking and then Rebecca left, and others joined. Our group grew and shed and swelled again to 4--consisting at last of the two of us plus Shehry (a Pakistani) and Sega[not sure how it's spelled] from Ethiopia, Germany, and (mostly) Wisconsin. A lot more intellectual stuff mixed into more casual chatting; Communism popped up toward the end, as did US Geography, World History, scarves, weather, debate, and Barbie dolls (brief mention when my name was given). For the first time, I guess, I finally experienced an interaction of brains here; it felt like a good, intelligent discussion at points and a nice, fun conversation at others. These last 48 hours (only that much? and probably not even!) have been really filled with speeches, and meetings, and rules, and general goofiness, but this was the first time I experienced a genuinely intellectually intriguing conversation. It was, to say the least, refreshing.
Which is why I'm still up at 2:30 am typing this up. :)
This, and the fact that I had to rebook my family's flight home since Irene has cancelled their Sunday flight. Yippee.
I probably need a windbreaker.
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