It's finals period and there's (practically) no good in this world

Oops, that's my life.

It's that most crucial time of the year -- finals period -- and like any good Harvard student, I'd like to stick my head in the sand and wait for the next week to pass me by. This time is already awful enough, but this year, Harvard seems to be going out of its way to make things even more unpleasant. Here is a list of ways that this school has managed to piss people off and make life harder within the last few weeks -- a sort of "what not to do ever again," if you will:

**All examples include a Target Unhappiness Population (TUP), which outlines who exactly bears the brunt of each atrocity. 

1. The Bells - So reading week is really the optimal time to invite a Russian bell ringer to give master classes? I understand that the Lowell bell tower is impervious to the Massachusetts noise ordinances, but that doesn't make it appropriate. And for the record, I didn't like today's Sunday ringing either.

        TUP - The entire River community

2. Gym Hours - So the MAC closes at 1pm and noon this weekend? In the middle of finals? When people most need to run in place and pick up heavy things to relieve stress? Awesome idea. Thanks.

        TUP - Anyone who ever works out

3. The Printer Fiasco - Last Friday, on the first day of exams (and the optimal time for most papers to be due), the printing situation looked like this: 

- Winthrop printer - broken (it still is)

- Lamont Library cafe printer - broken

- Crimson Cash (like, the money we use to print in public places) - system down

If you want my papers, FIX THIS.

        TUP - Humanities kids everywhere

4. Lack of Mammals - During finals periods, UCONN libraries bring in puppies and Mount Holyoke has rent-able bunnies (and I've heard of similar programs at other schools, too). Harvard has provided its students with no mammals (yes, I've heard there's a rent-able dog out there somewhere, but if I can't see it, it's not accessible).  

          TUP - Anyone who could use a small mammal to combat stress

It seems the only way Harvard knows how to deal with this time of year is to add more cake to the dining hall menus (which is a problem, because of number 2). It would be great if this school could get it together just a little bit more for the most stressful time of the year, here. 

On a last note, BIG THANK YOU to the tutors, housemasters, student groups, etc. who have picked up the College's slack to throw study breaks, organize fun activities, and generally make the lives of all students a little better.

Image source

Time's up. Welcome home.

First semester is FINALLY OVER.  After sitting through approximately 4 hours of final presentations, I left the lab at 6pm, packed my bags (read: hastily threw some clothing into a duffel) and peaced out of Winthrop, out of Harvard, out of Cambridge, and out of Massachusetts. By that point, I was willing to walk home if I had to. Talk about the longest semester ever. And the most stress-filled two weeks ever. Admittedly, I turned into a bit of a cray-cray, but that's temporary right? It goes away with R&R, right? Right?

Me, during finals week.

I even felt stressed out on the ride home. Which is completely irrational, because the semester is over, my classes are finished, and I was on my way home to the wonderful land of marvels and happiness called Connecticut. Oh, that's right... But it's home, and there's a decorated tree, and a Dicken's Village, and stockings, and cookies, and garland. 

Dickens Village: Too adorable for words, no?

So instead of shopping for gifts or baking cookies or writing Christmas cards or doing anything remotely festive or productive, I'm sitting on my arse watching Ace of Cakes because Duff is a boss and his cakes are SWEET (pun alert). Seriously, this show is captivating. It's (kind of) fulfilling my desire for sweets while getting me in the holiday mood as I watch them decorate a four foot cake Christmas tree. This cake is almost me-sized. Just picture a cake that's as tall as I am. So.Much.Cake. 

Badass, Why is he So.Cool?

Now that I'm home, I don't have a dining hall to camp out in, so I've moved to the double-wide reclining chair. Yeah, it's made for two people, but no way do I share it. It's mine. I need to spread out. Okay, time to decompress. I will become one with the recliner. This is zen. Poorly upholstered zen.

I take up a lot of room, kay?