NAA IN THE USA

Okay so the point of this blog was to write about my time in the big USA as I attend Harvard University BUTTTTT freshmen fall was a little less ‘woo let’s spend all my free time on tumblr’ and more ‘row, eat, sleep, study, row, wait what am I doing here?’ 

However, It is now freshmen Spring and I think it’s time I make time for my tumblr. Since this is my second semester I feel that I am capable of handing this big responsibility. Well, I’ll at least try.

So my faithful readers (reader?) Naa is still in the USA but this time I’ll actually give you the down low on life as an undergrad at Harvard. 

Above you’ll see me providing light entertainment to the many studious students studying (SSS) in Lamont Library. This nerd playground is open 24 hours and equipped with a cafe (YES.) During exams it becomes a sort of hotel where people literally bring sleeping bags and pillows and doze in between their hours of study. Personally, I prefer a bed to sleep in but hey, each to their own. We accept all types of sleepers here at Harvard. Anyway as you’ve guessed by now when I am occupying this library I’m either doing handstands in the bookshelves or eating in the cafe. No biggie, I like to keep it real. 

A massive thank you to my family and friends for being who they are

‘It came to me that a love this true would always be in my mind’ 

I’ll be thinking of you every day. 

I am feeling so many emotions right now. Excitement for what’s to come, fear of the unknown and sadness for the people I’m leaving behind. But most of all as I spend my last few days seeing my friends and family, I am overcome and overwhelmed with the realization of how lucky I am. The people I’m surrounded by are amazing. They’re the reason I laugh, the reason I smile and the reason I get up each day ready to take on the world. And you know what, flying over to Harvard by myself and playing in the big league isn’t so scary when I think of them. It’s easy to believe in yourself when others believe in you. 

I feel like I could go on and on about how amazing Elle is (LESSSBIANNNN, am i right?! We were all thinking it) but to summarize, our friendship is so important to me and she’s the best friend I could have asked for. She’s going to do amazing things and in the future we’ve planned a road trip across the American states, ROUTE 66 HERE WE COME. We were all smiles and jokes right up until the airport where reality hit us that we were’nt going to see each other for a whole year..

Elle, you are my best friend forever. 

- Decide which panda to bring
- Pack plane letters without reading them in my room (impatient cheating - the worst kind)
- Pack snacks for plane because plane food is not my cup of tea (speaking of tea pack some green tea bags)
- When arriving in LA, DO NOT freak out and run around hysterically.. somehow get suitcases and find the second plane to Boston, at least pretend mum & dad are there
- Movies to watch on the plane: The Avengers, A Royal Affair, Marley, 5 Year Engagement, Unknown
- Don’t take too many plane selfies or else people will think you’re a loser
- Once in USA, speak as loudly as possible so people are nice to you because you’re Australian
- After what will inevitably be a teary goodbye, do not sit on plane sobbing or else people will think you’re depressed/debbie downer 
- Write in new recycled leather journal on plane.. do not giggle at your own jokes in your head or else people will think you’re a lunatic 
- Decided whether to bring snuggie/onesie/pillow on the plane with me.. NEED MORE HANDS! 

My chalkboard walls that I worried I’d miss so I took a photo for me to read when I’m homesick 

I literally have over 10 rainbow canvases like these ones.. unfortunately they are not suitcase suitable (S squared) good thing I have my scrapbook! NOW that is S squared! 

I am disappointed about 2 things though -Firstly didn’t meet the quarterback, so we’ll all have to wait till the fall, DAYUM. Secondly, while I did purchase some Harvard merchandise (jumper, SOCKS!!, cap), I did NOT get a full harvard leisure suit which was available.. till next time. 
On another note.. HAVE NO FEAR WOGS! Harvard accommodates for pasta-eating, subwoofa-blaring, muzza-loving people like you…

This cap made me laugh so hard just because if you go to Harvard or any of the Ivy Leagues you’re naturally considered preppy. Since I will be doing crew here, I am DOUBLE preppy. Yeah, get around me.. But then they’ve got these woggy caps next to the Ralph Lauren ones and it’s just like ‘good one Harvard.. I can totally see some muzza wearing this baby with his Adidas trackies, white singlet and gold cross necklace’. Classic image right there!

PACKING PROBLEM
I REPEAT HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM… I DONT KNOW HOW TO PACK EFFICIENTLY OR EFFECTIVELY. Who is an expert in packing here?? Seriously I need some tips/lessons/seminars because I am going to have serious issues with bringing all my stuff over here!

I LOVE COLLEGE
It’s just like I thought it would be! SO MUCH INDEPENDENCE and also so much partying AND studying and just living the life. August needs to hurry up because I AM READY to start my life as a college student (read this in an American accent, it’s funnier that way)

Expectations = NOT DISAPPOINTED 

So this year Harvard admitted an all time low number of students - 5.9% to be exact. Over 34 000 applied which is just insane so I’m still feeling amazed at the fact that I’m going to this University. It’s something that I worked really hard for and yet honestly, didn’t really think I could pull it off. Alot of people keep saying to me they’re so jealous and they want to do something like this and I guess my only reply is that I worked my ass off last year. I did hours and hours of SAT study as well as my Year 12 classes, I spent so much time writing the essays, doing the applications and making sure I was a good enough rower. Sure, everyone would love this opportunity, but not everyone will have it because it doesn’t come easy AT ALL.

You can talk talk talk on and on about how you want to do something but it’s all talk unless you actually kick into action. So my friends, I’ve realized that life’s way too short to ever feel unworthy, you have to be your own number 1 believer because otherwise why would anyone else put their faith in you if you don’t even rate yourself. I NEVER thought this would happen, never thought I was smart enough.. But here I am going to Harvard. *End of uplifting speech, apologies to those feeling a little queasy*

TO SUMMARIZE - Decide what you want to do and who you want to be and just do whatever it takes to get there. 

OMG GUYS GUESS WHAT! I HAVE TO DO A LANGUAGE HERE FOR MY FIRST YEAR. I thought my sophomore was joking but she apparently was being completely serious… it’s compulsory.. umm.. there’s a reason I didn’t do french in Year 12 and get a 50.. I asked if I could do English as my second language but it turns out that as an Australian I’m expected to know how to speak English fluently, oh well it was worth a shot!
So, I’m open to suggestions as to what I should do but I’m leaning towards Spanish because apparently it’s relatively easy AND it’s the 2nd most spoken language in the USA (weird right?) 

ALSO - Here’s some usa college slang for you
———————————————
Pre-gaming - means pres, so they’re like ‘do you wanna pre-game before the crush party?’ when I was asked that I was like ‘dude we don’t have time to play a basketball game or something before we go out….’ Turns out they mean DRINKING GAMES!
Jumper - So a jumper for us is like a warm sweater yep? Am I right? Can I get an Amen?? WELL NO! NOT HERE. A jumper is a dress with straps.. WHAT. THE. HECK.  
Sassy - I’m not exactly sure what this means but I was called it. I THINK it means out going/funny in a wierd way sort of. My spidy senses tell me it’s a good thing, relief!

I don’t remember the others but trust me THERE ARE MILLIONS so I will post about them as I recall them, seriously everything they say I’m like ‘not my mate…’

Harvard Yard on a sunny afternoon - This is definition THE GOOD LIFE