Tip: Go for a morning run?

Hello!

I woke up this morning in a fright after the professor in my dreams told me I had failed all my exams. The impending stress of college applications is working its way into my subconscious! Unable to sleep again, I got up and ate some breakfast (Greek yogurt and a bowl of cereal), then went out for a run with a fellow Clarkie.

We ran a few times around Memorial Drive (I think that's what it's called). It was quite beautiful outside. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, and the temperature was not too hot or too cold. Running in the mornings is really quite refreshing, and I feel energized and ready for the rest of the day.

In other news, were visited by a few of the Welch Scholars, another group of summer program students. The Welchies are really outgoing and close knit with each other, and so I felt a little bit overwhelmed hahah. Afterwards, we watched Sherlock on one of the Clark Scholars' GIANT COMPUTER. Our group tends to be a bit more quiet, so we didn't say much throughout the movie, but it was nice to just be able to chill together.

Also, I recently purchased a pot and one of my suitemates purchased some instant ramen so we are going to feast soon! I might head over to the store and buy some spinach or scallions or eggs to put into it. Yum.

That's it for now! Ta ta

Truly,
Lucy

Tip: Write!!

Good morning!

I think it is really important to learn something new every single day, but I also know that it is hard to remember everything. So Tip #1 is to write down important memories and things you learn so you do not forget. 

So here it goes!

It is currently Day 4 of the Clark Scholars program. After a hectic move-in, orientation, and luncheon with the mentors, things are finally settling down (somewhat). I can already tell this summer is going to be extra special!

To backtrack a bit, I moved in on June 21st (though some scholars already moved in on the 20th). The housing situation is great! Everyone lives in a suite, which consists of a common area with a hallway that leads to four individual dorm rooms and two bathrooms. It is nice and spacious and everyone is super friendly :)

The common area

My dorm (pardon my mess)

Bathroom!

There wasn't much scheduled for the first few days, so I mainly just tried to get to know the other scholars. It been a crazy blur of new faces and interesting places. Everyone I have met so far has been quite nice, and I cannot wait to get to know them better. The campus is quite beautiful, with plenty of wildlife (by that I mean pigeons, crows, and squirrels). I met my mentor on Day 3. He is absolutely hilarious and I got to know him a bit better as we shopped for project materials. After shopping, we got some ice cream and went on a tour of the buildings. After assigning me some homework for the next day, he sent me on my merry way back the dorm. 

I spent a majority of the rest of the day completing the homework, but I did take a few breaks to eat and play some racquetball at the rec center with the some other scholars and our chaperone. I am absolutely terrible at racquetball, but it was fun nonetheless. 

It's really important to get enough sleep (at least 7 hours a night, right?) so bedtime for me is usually around 11. I woke up this morning at 7 for a run with two other scholars, who were both a lot more fit than me since I have not properly exercised in months, haha. It was pretty painful, to be honest, but I am determined to whip my lazy butt back into shape. The whole time I was running, I was just thinking about the delicious breakfast that I would be having afterwards at Einstein Bros Bagels. There is one a few minutes away from our dorm, so after my run, I showered and headed over. The servers are quite friendly (they let me customize my bagel however I liked!) and they remembered my name this morning after visiting them for the third morning in a row :') Since, the program pays for my meals, the breakfast sandwich and frozen coffee I got afterwards felt like a real treat. 

Delicious vanilla hazelnut frozen coffee with an egg white, turkey sausage, cheddar cheese, spinach, and mushroom bagel sandwich. 

...and now we are all caught up to the present! I will be meeting my mentor in a bit, so I will write more soon!

Truly,
Lucy