Outside of classes

So, last time I told you all about my classes, but, even if I do have four courses and quite a few hours of class, don't worry, I'm still having a lot of fun outside of classes, I can assure you. First of all, walking over campus has never been this fun. The weather is finally really and consistently good, and, believe it or not, I'm actually getting a tan without burning! Yes, you read that right.

Also, the campus is just a wonderful place. I couldn't quite put a finger on what exactly it was before, but during a conversation with a German girl who was leaving after being here for a year it finally hit me: the campus is just so alive, so evolving all the time and full of energy.

I mean, for example, two days ago there was a strike by the workers here on campus, just the way a strike should with the walking in a circle, yelling "what do we want?" (followed by something unintelligible), "when do we want it?" "NOW!". Another example: this week the two dollar movie was "hotel Rwanda" (harrowing, but very good), and afterwards, the committee for action in Darfur was waiting for us to urge us to take action.

It's not just the activities, though, or the bustling on Bruin Walk, it's also that with the sun shining so many people are lying in the grass and walking around that campus is like one big living breathing animal.

I do get off campus sometimes, to go to Westwood (to see Sin City, for example, or to go to the Famer's market on Thursday, but often also just to walk around) and, lately, also to go to Santa Monica, which has become my favorite shopping place. Not that I buy that much, lately just two very nice shirts at the Gap and one sweater-jacket, oh, and "the Waste Land and Other Poems", but it's nice just walking around, looking around, spending two hours at Barnes and Noble with the boyfriend (yes people, I found someone who can spend as much time browsing in a book store as me), looking at the sunset from the pier...

Also off-campus, but this is already two weeks ago now, we went to Magic Mountain (=Six Flags), which was very very cool, and very very cold when we'd stayed until the end and waited for Maximo (who was kind enough to drive us back and forth) until 11. It's warm during the day, but at night...it can still get very cold, especially when all you have on is a short-sleeved blouse (or, in James' case, shorts and flip-flops). It was worth it though, the Goliath was amazing, the Scream a lot of a fun, and others looked so scary (esp. the déja-vu) that I passed.

Aside from that...Well, I'll be honest with you. I am in love, and much of my time is spent just hanging around at James' apartment. There will be even more of that going on in the coming weeks, as his roommate is on some trip to Ecuador.

I know I haven't said that much about James here, but that's because what I want to say would probably make you gag. Yes, people, he has turned this thoroughly cynical girl into a full-blown sap. I don't want to turn this blog sappy, so if you want more information and are willing to stand the sappyness, just e-mail me.

That's all, basically. Life is back to the routine, but it's a routine I love, filled with movies (in classes, but also at Ackerman, besides "Hotel Rwanda" I saw a sneak of "Sahara" and, finally, "Sideways") and sun and fun.

I don't want to leave...

Hedwig