SoundBites

• Coming back from dinner on Friday nights to a packed living room of people watching iconic movies and tv shows while drinking wine. Danica has expanded my movie arsenal with the classics. I will never get over Johnny Depp in Cry Baby and the trauma that is Black Mirror.
• Friday nights where we're all a little bit rosier and a bit warmer on the inside and ordering Domino's en masse. Cheesy bread is overrated, yet Domino's pasta is a surprising competitor. Will we ever accept those who partake in pineapple on pizza?
• Having my Monday nights occupied by a really eccentric bunch of hooligans who war over whether Truly or White Claw is the drink of choice. Never would have learned to play Social without them. Also wouldn't have had to stand in the entrance of FoCo handing out missing garden gnome flyers with out them either. 
• Saying goodbye to my beloved '17s who have taught me so much about resilience and self-love and care. 
• Kelley and I never reaching our 100 day snap streak because we suck. I get that you're working in NY and have a career and stuff, but this is important, ok? 
• Never leaving my house for a period of three months while studying for the MCATs as one does when one is sufficiently fed and watered in confined spaced. 
• Spending my days after the nightmare of the MCAT volunteering at Elderhaus and being surrounded by so much compassion. I will never forget the times when she would actually eat what was put in front of her and the times when he sang Dean Martin's That's Amore. 
• Trying my hand at conducting the Dartmouth Chamber Orchestra, only to realize I don't know a damn thing about wind instruments. So I faked it based on the things I remembered old directors griping about. Can you guys anticipate the beat a little more, you're lagging a bit?
• Going to a brewery in the New Hampshire wilderness with 17's that are the kind of laid back cool I know I'll never be and making a pit stop at a pizza place hidden literally on top of a hill in who knows where. 
• Every frat boy meeting in history, but the one this past fall particularly. The birth of Chad was a revelation of the darkest parts of my soul. I will return to this earth as Chad, if I live in sin.
• 21 coming and going. Was still studying for the MCAT at this point, so no revelry was had. Someone ID me, please.
• Going to my first wedding to see my friend Tarryn from high school get hitched. Impressed at how Mormons know how to have fun sans imbibing. It was a lovely service for two lovely people who are ready for that part of life even before I've even shaken hands with a man. 
• Coming back to campus after a 6 month hiatus and feeling so loved by my circles. Solidifying the friendships I left with and letting go of the ones that I'm ready to move on from. 
• The copacetic vibe of this school years Theta CAB. My gosh is there a lovelier bunch of people in the world? Probably not. 
• Being the New Member Educator for our newest fledglings and sharing their energy and excitement. I adore the memes and the idiocy that is shared on the daily.
• Cabin retreat with my family on campus with an unanticipated 2 mile hike vertically in the dark to even get to the cabin in the first place. There were no lights. We did everything by moonlight like a bunch of witches. Wine, friendship bracelets, life stories, and breakfast on the patio in the morning. 
• My first protest to support DACA students on campus. A moment of definitive action that I'm proud of despite the feeling that nothing I do is enough to make change for a cause I believe in. A moment of fear in the face of a grown adult man, parent of another student, hurling insults and having the audacity to put his hands on my body in aggression. Feeling choked up because we are not supposed to engage, but feeling the dire need to hurl a verbal tirade back in retaliation.
• Stung for the first time in my life by a bee that flew into my shoe while apple picking. Surprised at how it was weak tea compared to the agony I thought I was going to be in. 
• Proceeding to go to dance practice after the fact because Street Soul has become such an important part of my life. Something I truly love every moment of. Learning to find beauty, power, and strength in the movements my body can produce. Relishing in the feeling of confidence that dance gives me. And finding new people, like Karen and Tiff, to admire and love for their passion and hilarious personalities.
• My first dance show at Chi Gam. Decked out in all black, matching shirts, and brand new kicks. A ridiculous number of people in a space, we would have all died if someone's vape had accidentally blown up and started a fire. 
• Taking on mentorship positions on campus and learning that I enjoy being a resource that others can rely on for support. Making relationships with 21's that I adore.
• Running around organizing a formal I'm not sure people actually wanted while stressed out of my mind. Rash all up and down my legs that basically consisted of burst capillaries due to my body attacking itself out of immune depression. Don't worry I'm not dead yet and the rash just left some faint bruising. 
• Working on a documentary for the first time for a class project and getting high praise from our famous documentary producer professor. Learning more about Jess' experience as a golfer and getting to collaborate in the one group project that didn't make me want to choke out my fellow compatriots. 
• Gaining confidence to pursue what I want, when I want it. Not feeling reservations about the body I possess and the space that I occupy. 
• Finally finding the balance between spending time with the people in my life and my academic and career commitments. Finding success from that balance.