Conditional BU Pride

Okay it’s that time of year when most BU students start getting really angry at the world for every problem they have and blaming it on, most predominantly, the weather. Let me start off with a quick monthly synopsis of what goes through our minds when we think about BU:

August: OMGG home sucks, I can’t wait to go back to Boston and see everyone!!

September: Great to be back but why is Boston so f-ing hot?! UGH. Party!

October: Boston is the best city in the world, BU is the best school in the world, & I am the best person in the world for going to school at BU in Boston. Like the artsy pictures of me jumping in leaves!?

November: Didn’t sign up for this rain! Ew, what is this 40 degrees?? What did I do to deserve this?! At least I can tweet about how pretty the first snowfall is soon. 2 weeks til home for Thanksgiving WOOO!

December: Back to BU. GET ME OUT OF THIS HELL HOLE. No. Hell would be better than enduring this snow. And the wind. And finals. Get me out of here, hit me with a snow plow. Why did I think it was a good idea to go to school in Boston!? Grade deflation reflecting in my GPA.

January: A refreshing 4 week visit home was the perfect reminder of why I go to school hundreds of miles away.

February: Okay the snow will stop in March right? I can last one more month.

March: The snow hasn’t stopped. That Spring Break I didn’t bother to plan ahead of time has turned into an $800 flight to Florida. Anything to get me out of this misery.

April: I’m still not going to classes because now the weather is too nice to stay inside studying.

May: Can’t believe I’m leaving already! BU is the greatest!!!!

And so on this pattern of thought repeats itself. Everyone comes back to school pumped for a great year, but slowly people become less friendly, classes seem more difficult, every form of public transportation is suddenly failing you, and overall your life is just falling apart because the weather, BU and Boston are all out to get you.

A short term example of this: (AKA this week’s weather forecast) Day 1: LOTS OF SUN. Day 2: rain. Day 3: rain. Day 4: rain. Day 5: SUN. You could have 2 tests each on days 1 and 5- guarantee days 2, 3, and 4 will seem like the worst days of your life. At BU, the weather is in direct correlation with mood. Rain/snow= manners are thrown out the window. You’re stabbed with umbrellas, doors slam in your face, people come late to class and shake their soggy jackets all over your notes. It’s a cruel world and BU isn’t here to hold your hand.

But at last, the sun does come out at some point in April and we’re here to enjoy about 3 weeks of it (give or take)-(but mostly take). The BU Beach fills with students skipping class and trying to get any color their hibernated, albino skin can absorb. Everyone is happy again and our faith in BU is restored. Yep. We’re only here for roughly 5-6 weeks of bearable weather.

And-As most BU students will agree, we have a (slight?) tendency to display extreme school pride to anyone not affiliated with the school (“Yeah I go to BU.” “Omg do you love it?!” “Oh yeah it’s awesome.” “Wooowowooow so jealous”). We leave out the part where we hate our lives and want to punch everyone in the face every time we have to walk through 4 feet of unplowed snow to get to class every morning. But when it comes to talking about BU with other BU students everyone complains their brains out (“I f-ing hate this school. I wish I could get out of this city and go to a ‘real’ college”).

So why do we even bother at all? I have no clue. I’m too busy enjoying the effects of global warming right now to figure it out. Happy 60 degree Monday everyone! Look forward to the inevitable impending doom of rain this week. (And then let’s talk about how much we miss snow).

the GSU

The GSU (or George Sherman Union) is a monument in every BU student’s life. An architectural conundrum masterpiece, the GSU is basically where it’s at for 99% of BU. If BU were the type of school to breed legacies, every future baby terrier’s first word would be “GSU.”

BU drills it into your head that the GSU is the place to be from the day you arrive by hosting the strangest mock student life activities imaginable. (Let’s be serious, BU Central needs to stop posing as BU’s hotspot for nightlife…don’t they close up at 10??…) I only wish I had been forewarned of the social awkwardness of the link at rush hour. For some real entertainment, eat your lunch in the link and watch how uncomfortable it is for everyone walking by to ignore the barking solicitors.

The line at Starbucks is always way too out of control to be worth waiting in yet we still do without hesitation. Nobody even bothers with Jamba unless it’s to cure a struggle-some Saturday morning. The Union Court is the shining glory of the GSU with its smorgasbord of choices. You can essentially stereotype most people by their lunch of choice.

Loose Leafs: shedding their freshman (sophomore) 15 or hungry but don’t want to draw further attention to said gained freshman (sophomore) 15

Panda: these people crave and rave over panda when it’s brought up in convo but are actually homesick for some real chinese food (note: try Quan’s – open late and boasts a questionable but entertaining staff/clientele)

Charles River Bread Co: you either have to be really patient or just really love sandwiches to wait for this top-notch service

Rhetts: the easy-going burger and fry type just trying to put some good food in them. Respect. *And I WILL complete the Rhett’s Challenge before graduation*

Cranberry Farms: the most customer loyalty of the court, these people are down to earth for some good fake home cookin’. Employees greet their regulars (usually other staff) with smiles and an extra side of apple “crisp.”

bOwLzzZ n’ RoLLzz: for the adventurous- Bollz N’ Rollz sushi and such is the newest addition to Union Court (RIP Caprito Burrito). Not really sure what to make of this yet. BU students have been questioning it’s legitimacy since August when we learned there would be a designated line for just bollz and just rollz (srsly they go apeshit when you go in the wrong line. Don’t do it.). Rumors of an underground drug ring have circulated but I’m pretty sure bollz n’ rollz is just one more delicious BU meal that makes us question the cause of our indigestion…but we’re okay with it.

It goes without saying that if Union Court is the crowning jewel of food courts, then Allison is the queen of the court, she’s the shit. And if you haven’t met her yet then you’re not at the GSU enough. Hallelujah.

Since the neccessary renovations of the Summer ’10, finding a seat in the GSU has become an ever-increasing issue. If you don’t book it at Comm Ave. Running full speed from class, you might be forced to sit in the Back Court (so embarrassing). Or even worse, putter around the Academy Room waiting for the high schoolers to get the hell out so you can enjoy your food. The Greek section fills up with reserved tables almost immediately and that booth you think you’ve scored is taken up by one asshole with headphones doing homework alone and blocking your aisle space (are you aware of your proximity to Mugz???).

After a wonderful meal (interrupted only by seeing everyone you know) and having many full-mouthed conversations with approximately everyone you do NOT want to talk to, you spend the rest of your time people-watching (some of the best on campus), and listening in on the loud conversations that everyone thinks nobody else can hear…while you facebook the girl that walked by, who looked like the girl that was in your WR150 class, and who may have hooked up with that douchebag frat guy that you were already hooking up with.

As you exit, a friendly student judges teaches you how to throw out your garbage.

This may sound super negative but in actuality, the GSU jungle is a hectic, beautiful place where dreams come true and BU students come together to eat, work, and play together. In your spare time, snoop through the rest of the building- you’ll probably get lost because the layout makes zero sense but there’s actually some cool stuff to look at (ex. the giant, walk-through organ).

Despite everything, BU still loves the GSU for what it is and has stood by it through and through. I wouldn’t change this place for the world. (Until the East Campus Student Center opens…that place sounds LEGIT).

Drinking.

If you haven’t already guessed, we at SBUSL enjoy ourselves a solid bout of heavy intoxication. (See: Four Loko, TITS, Marathon Monday, etc.) In our opinion, you don’t need an excuse to drink. Excuses are for sober people. A recent article in the always informative BU Today claims that BU has decided to amp up its very effective ”booze-control” efforts for students. (Read the article for yourself, it’s actually quite entertaining: http://www.bu.edu/today/2011/drinking/).

Thinking way back to the summer before my freshman year, I was convinced (for foolish reasons I cannot even recall) that BU was not a “drinking” school and that I would have to make extreme cuts to my post-HS drinking schedule once I moved to BU. FALSE. One trip to Allston was enough to kick off my college (drinking) career in full force. (Do people really refer to Gardner/Ashford/Pratt as “GAP” now??).

Back to the article- is this a joke?? Srsly. In my years at BU I have been hit on by officers of the Boston Police Department (my favorite being the ones on vespas), received drinks bought by police officers, and even found a picture of me posing with one amidst shattered glass from a broken into car in front of the bar I had stumbled out of. A “higher police presence” is really going to do the trick. Clearly the authorities in and around BU are something to be feared.

Regardless, there will always be one watering hole for the underage to talk/flirt/buy their way into no matter how strict BU attempts to get. Go ahead and tell me I’m not a Gemini and that I spelled my name wrong, there are plenty more fake id’s where that came from asshole. Think back to the freshman shit show that was Daisy Buchanan’s (if you’re old enough to remember that one). That place was fuming with freshman and desperate sophomores for awhile until it got one too many raids and had to buckle down, becoming a joke of the past (“I’m going to Daisy’s with my floor where are you??” “Daisy’s?! HA, I’ll be at T’s“).

Some BU students like to take things a bit too far (if there is such a thing). That is what transports are for. If you haven’t been transported once in your freshman year (and only once, more than once would just be embarrassing) at BU, you’ve seriously missed out. For those that don’t know what a transport is, just stop by Warren on a Friday at approximately 1am. It’s prime time for those freshman that pre-gamed just a little too hard and had to head home early to be rolling back in. As you arrive, security will promptly snatch your Terrier Card and restrain you on the disgusting couches until an ambulance arrives and whisks you away to Boston Med (at least I think that’s where I was…). Were my parents happy to get a phone call at 3am requesting my medical insurance information? Probz not. But it was a small price to pay for BU’s drunken right of passage. (Note to future transportees: BU is kind enough to pay for your cab home from the hospital, so make sure you get a token on your way past security).

Moral of the story: BU students like to drink. Don’t be discouraged that we’re not on Playboy’s Top Party Schools List, we might not have weekly “dagers” on our front lawn but you can still find a BU student rolling out of a cab that they didn’t pay for on their way to get “drunchies” at T. Anthony’s (or Quan’s) any night of the week. It’s sweet of administration to be concerned about our well-being, but we go to BU- we’re smart enough to find ways around the system. So thank you for providing a detailed list of when/where you will be enforcing so we can go anywhere else but there.

Helloooo we’re baaaaack

BU students (that know what’s up) have moved back in for over a week now. With classes starting today you may have been wondering, “Will SBUSL ever return?” To ease your concerns, yes. We are back. A lethal combination of having no real responsibilities and an over-eagerness to extend our vacations to Blackout City during the last few days of summer has held us up. Sorry we’re not sorry for partying but it’s syllabus week Terriers, so who are we kidding?

This is our last week to party it up until we actually have to do work for our classes. So until syllabus month week is over; rage harder than ever before and live it up because soon homework will almost make you not want to go out, but who cares anyway because classes don’t actually matter. When deciding to go out or stay in, just go out.

I’m Out.

So I posted this on the Twitter feed, but I’m done with SBUSL, and onto post-grad life (sob/puke). I scored a pretty lucrative job in the fashion industry way back in November and start in 12 days (again, puke/sob).

New people will be taking over in the fall, and I have full faith in their abilities to continue to make all of you laugh, cry, or enraged.

Omni vitii bonii haberent!

30) Graduation

The talented Matt Rickett of New Wave Magic (and COM ’11) graciously agreed to write a guest post on graduation for Stuff BU Likes. I think everyone will agree that it’s appx 1 million times better than the garbage that I’ve put up here over the past two years (let’s recall that there have been posts consisting entirely of pictures of baby animals).

You can read Matt’s blog here, or follow him on Twitter. If you need a writer for your everyday/out of the ordinary writing needs, that’s his jam.

Read what he has to say and actually take note of his message – it’s one that we all should take to heart.

“To have a reason to get up in the morning, it is necessary to possess a guiding principle. A belief of some kind. A bumper sticker, if you will. People in cars on busy freeways call to each other Boycott Grapes, comfort each other Honk If You Love Jesus, joke with each other Be Kind to Animals – Kiss a Beaver. They identify, they summarize, they antagonize with statements of faith: I Have a Dream, Too – Law and Order; Jesus Saves at Chicago Fed; Rod McKuen For President.”

- Ordinary People by Judith Guest

For the past sixteen years – whether you know it or not – you’ve been laying the foundations of a house. This house will be you. And, on the Sunday morning of May 22^nd, 2011 you will begin constructing your house the moment you open your eyes. The moment you make a choice either to sleep forever – completely ignoring the moving, changing, and confusing world outside – or to wake up and be someone.

The moment you wake up on this impending Sunday – hung over and potentially still drunk – everything you do from then on will be for you. No longer will you acquiesce to the desires of Professors, coaches, TAs, RAs, and Dorm Security Guards. There is no one left to impress – save for the people you want to. You have earned the power of choice. But, this choice and how you use it says multitudes of who you are and what you stand for.

So, I hope you’ve laid your foundation properly.

The key to not being overwhelmed – should you choose to participate in life – is to know why, exactly, you get out of bed in the first place. Why wake up? Why not just lie there and sleep – unable to be contacted, to disappoint, to shame, to be vulnerable. Why subject yourself to this cruel, unforgiving, and dispassionate world? Knowing what gets you out of bed, and knowing why these things get you out of bed, is paramount in understanding yourself.

Knowing who you are is like hiring the best architect or interior designer for the house you’re creating. Who else would know how to design the kitchen or where to place the master bedroom? Who else would know what off shoot of burgundy the dining room should be or what wood your dresser should be – cherry or oak? By understanding why you choose to live you understand what makes you … you. This is an incredibly powerful asset.

By understanding you, you are now invested with the power of change, with the power of editing and revising. We, like a great work of art, are beings of constant flux. We ebb and flow with the path that Life puts us on. It’s imperative, for our happiness and our prosperity, that we understand – truly understand – who we are, where we’ve been, and where we are heading. This can only come through the introspection that is necessary of analyzing why we get out of bed every morning.

So, when you’re two years into the “real world”, unemployed, and scratching for reasons to wake up – think about what’s gotten you up for the past twenty something years. Think about what keeps you up at night. What you day dreamed about while strutting down Comm. Ave on your way to class – looking good and feeling even better. Who are you at your best and what brought you there? Knowing yourself is not only a tool for improvement and understanding, but perseverance and strength.

The same can be said for when you’re two years into the “real world” and realizing that this job you were so excited for isn’t what it was supposed to be. You start to feel that horrible, sinking, feeling that creeps in at night when you begin to realize that your hopes and expectations are nowhere near being met. Knowing yourself gives you the power to make the change you need because of the faith it puts in yourself.

Because – sometimes – change is a choice, too.

So, lets say by now you know who you are – hypothetically – now what? You put it into action i.e. you get a fucking hobby.

We are creatures of creation – just look around. You are surrounded, everyday, by edifices we’ve constructed. Buildings, art, food, roads, cars – all manmade. We thrive on purpose and when that purpose and creation is involved in something we love – a passion – then that leads to internal happiness unparalleled by any other experience.

A happiness that can keep you up at night and out of bed in the morning, that grants you peace of mind and a foundation to stand on. A happiness that is contagious, inspiring, and separates you from everyone else.

I urge you all to be someone – at the very least. To be constructive with your cognitive energy and not spend your time on Facebook or Twitter. To not get sucked into the terrible toxin of reality TV – a unique phenomena that has, unfortunately, taught us Millennials that you do not have to be worthwhile to be “famous”. I urge you all to make yourself vulnerable, to get out of your comfort zone, to participate in the world that is outside your window. To make a difference, an impact, to embrace the pain.

I hope you all – in complete sincerity – fall flat on your face in failure then rise to be better than before. You are human – malleable, plastic, adaptable, and changeable.

You are not made out of glass.

We are given no purpose when we enter this world, we are given no set of instructions, and no path is opened for us. We are merely given a toolbox and ourselves and must make do with what we have, make the best of what God gave us.

Doing this successfully only comes from knowing why the Hell you got out of bed this morning.

Last day of classes. I’m a senior.

I want to simultaneously celebrate and puke. The real world starts in a month? Shut up. Don’t make me.