Here's A Taste of Cal Day for Those Who Couldn't Make It Or Just Can't Get Enough Berkeley Love!

Cal Day

So this is pretty much what Cal Day looked like from my perspective! I had been up since 6:30 am working with the Undergraduate Admissions Office, helping out with transportation and watching over 600 prospective students' luggages while they explored the Berkeley campus. Plus, at 1pm I took a break and walked over to the Maude Fife room in 315, where an English major and professor conversation was held. Somewhat nervous--I have to talk about a paper that I wrote, which was chosen for The Folio, a new campus magazine.

I didn't take pictures at the panel because frankly I was way too nervous to pull out my camera. Think about it: THREE professors were there as well as two other English majors--one, the publicity officer for the English Undergraduate Association, and an English/PRE-MED student who wrote this fantastic essay about chemical reactions in poetry. It was a hot day for sure, but I think I sweated more in that hour than I did the whole day (that may have been too uncouth. Apologies!).

After that I headed back to Unit 2, which was where we work-study students chilled out and presided over mounds upon mounds of luggage. Every so often an elderly couple or a prospective would wander in, looking a bit lost. It was fun talking to them and giving them directions about where to go.

The day ended at about 6 pm with all of the buses headed to the Oakland airport. No lost students; no lost wits. It was a good day after all.

Phew, what a crazy week/weekend. Glad it's over, but I'm glad I did it. I have never been so excited to get back to paper writing (which is a good thing, because I have three papers within the next three weeks...).

So, being a regular student once again, I'll have a little bit more time to post these coming weeks. I walked past McCone Hall today and saw that someone strung a "FREE HIGH FIVES!" sign over the Sabertooth Tiger statue. So sad I didn't have my camera with me that day! That'll teach me.

Oh, but of course, I still high-fived it. Good day!

Why You Should go to Cal Day

1. COLD WAR KIDS.
2. Explore the English Department
3. Learn another language, in 30 minutes
4. Play in an outdoor science park
5. Find out if Cal is for you
6. Listen to live African music
7. Play on a pottery wheel
8. Attend a poetry slam
9. Visit/get free things from the MANY clubs and tables on Sproul plaza
10. See campus at its busiest

There are many reasons why you should go to Cal Day. For more, visit this website.

[M]ovement

Happy Friday everyone! I'm kind of relieved that Week 1 of April has finished. All the preparations for Cal Day, school work, studying... It's been pretty crazy.

I'm also especially tired this week because my swing dance group had 4 practices this week instead of the usual two--not counting the extra practice for Saturday as well as the dress rehearsal on Lower Sproul at 9 am on Sunday. Yeah, the Sunday one's going to be pretty tough, I can tell already. (Speaking of Lower Sproul, apparently there's a great big campaign going on to revitalize the buildings there, including the construction of a new Eshleman Hall and MLK--both of which are seismically unfit. Check it out, future freshman, and tell me: What's your take on it?)

The reason why we're having so many practices this week is because [M]OVEMENT SHOWCASES are coming up! That's basically the last big performance that my dance group does. For a recap, [M]ovement is a hip hop, jazz, and swing dance club on campus that is dedicated to giving free workshops throughout the entire semester as well as two free performances (If you're visiting campus this Monday and Tuesday, make sure to check out Lower Sproul at noon; that's when we'll have our open showcase). We're also having performances at Julia Morgan Theatre (down College) on April 15 and 16.

[M]ovement works pretty much like a family--we have club events as well as individual dance socials. In the beginning of the semester, you have to audition. I hear it's a bit difficult to get into the hip hop and jazz categories, but generally (and this is the best part of [M]ovement!) no experience is required. When I first auditioned for swing I didn't even know how to do a simple swing out, for example. Now I can do this!

Being in Movement for 4 semesters now, I can safely say that this is always a highlight of my year. I encourage anyone that is interested in dance, either beginning or professional, to take classes or explore the different workshops! There are TONS of options: Danceworx, Lindy on Sproul (swing dancing on Sproul Plaza on Saturdays! Who could ask for more?!), TruElement, PE classes, and many, many, (and I mean many!) more. Take a look around Sproul Plaza and you'll find out for yourself.

So, to complete the week of [M]ovement loving, tonight I'm going to the fundraising mixer at Blake's. You should go. I hear those people know how to dance.

Over and out.