Words IX, Spring Semester 2010
July 4, 2010
I do apologize for the abrupt change in blog-styles…I seem to be less narrative with this second wave of posts.
The first highlight of my second semester at Olin is actually something that I had no part in, except that of the recipient. Some may know that the 31st of January is my birthday. Some did not know, for I removed my birthday from my Facebook profile as soon as Winter Break came to a close. There were a few who did know, and remembered. Kelsey was one such person. There were others, too, and some very worthy of mention, but that would distract from this story. This story has to do with, primarily, Kelsey and her initiative.
You would know, from my previous posts, that I am the mastermind behind the three birthday parties for our three professors. For each and every one of the surprises, I rallied the class to celebrate the joyous occasion, and etched myself as an icon of the Olin Class of 2013. Well, Kelsey and the rest of the class decided to do something for me, in return, and planned that which they called Project “Zed”. Kelsey knew of my favorite band, Westlife, and rummaged through all Westlife’s songs sifting out all the romantic parts of songs (or, if that were impossible, the whole song entirely), compiling them into a .doc file. Then she remixed them with Kory, and they made sure everyone in the class who was planning to attend knew the songs.
On the day before my birthday, I decided to wear my favorite purple shirt. It was exciting because I was planning to wear it the next day too, giving the excuse that it was my birthday and I could wear whatever I wanted. People decided to act as if they didn’t know it was going to be my birthday the next day, which was interesting. I sat in a couch in the WH 2 lounge for the evening, working. When midnight struck, a few people wished me happy birthday, and the order in which they did is as follows (oh hey, what else would you expect from me? By the way, besides the times and names, all else is by memory, so I hope I’m correct):
1. 0012h – Rachel Fox, Monje, and Trevor: It was the night of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and they came back obviously in costume and character. Three birthday wishes. Maybe a hug or two as well.
4. 0028h – Jackie: Rocky Horror as well? One birthday wish.
5. 0048h – Vidie and Margaret-Ann: Walked by and wished me a happy birthday. I asked how Marganet-Ann knew, and she lied: she said she saw it on Facebook…I removed it from Facebook, remember? One hug and two wishes.
7. 0059h – Molly Grossman and Ilana: They went to the MIT ballroom dance team’s winter ball and just came back. One amazing birthday hug and two wishes.
A total of 12 people before I went to bed at 0210h.
After I woke and showered, I heard sounds outside my room and looked out the peep-hole. Apparently a really huge birthday poster was posted on the wall opposite my door. I smiled. I got ready, and went out to get brunch at 1218h.
After brunch, I went back to that same couch in the WH 2 lounge, and people started to ask if I slept the previous night, because I had been in the same position, wearing the same clothes, working, the night before. At some point around 1412h, Molly Grossman came by and decided to sit next to me, and we talked. For some time we talked, and then Kelsey came by and requested my help with something, and we all walked out, only for me to walk into a birthday ambush of people in the WH 2 antelounge. :)
They started singing some parts of Flying Without Wings, Moments, and More than Words. I would have had a recording of it, but the video camera decided to not-work at the end. The singing was beautiful, the people were sincere (those whom I had expected not to show up did not). I was touched. After receiving my gift: a wire-art phoenix made by girl Casey, I was asked to sing something. So I sang a song of tribute and gratitude. :)
I’m glad for the way things turned out. :)
This update of Words ends here. :)
