Showing posts with label BC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BC. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Part 1: I remember: BC

It was as if things never changed... Things felt the way it did when I first arrived in Logan Airport; the fresh smell of the air, untainted by massive pollution, the rushed movements of Bostonians, hurrying to be punctual for appointments in their hectic schedule, Massachusetts drivers honking and being honked at by the 'T' drivers.

That feeling of awe that I felt when I first stepped into Boston College- amazed and captivated by the falling leaves during winter, trees and flowers which had lost their vibrant colors and leaves and petals, yet, maintained such a serene beauty amidst those dead branches. It was quiet. Students weren't rushing around yet because it was still winter break. And I walked through the main gate, past Corcoran Commons (before I knew that it was called 'Lower'), past Maloney (before I knew that the old name was Campanella Way), and stood in front of that beautiful grey-tiled staircase that seemed to go on forever. I remember feeling excited, but apprehensive; I imagine that that's how Lucy would've felt when she found Narnia in her cupboard. I remember walking up that unending staircase, taking in the smooth texture of the brass railings as I let my hands glide up the railing as I climbed the steps that lead to Middle Campus.

I remember feeling breathless when I reached the top. I remember thinking how unfit I was, panting, and wondering if I had to use this torturous staircase everyday to get to class.

I remember breathing a sigh of relief, as I found out that I could use the elevators in Maloney to get to Middle Campus. 

I remember walking around Middle Campus, soaking in the unpolished beauty of the Gothic architecture of Gasson and Devlin, reading the Biblical inscriptions on those buildings- "And the Truth will set you free". Time seemed to have stood still when the bells of Gasson rang, reminding everyone on campus of its majestic presence. And I remember how I loved hearing the sound of those bells ringing.

6 months later, and I still feel the same way I did when I first came here.  

It was as if things never changed...

That same feeling of awe, amazement, and the captivation by the beauty of Boston College. But, things did change. Those feelings are now accompanied with a sense of familiarity, love, pride and joy. They are now accompanied with a sense of belonging, of what it means to be an Eagle- a BC student. I still stand in front of Gasson, and I still love the sound of the bells ringing, but I stand here now with fond memories of BC. Memories of pulling all-nighters, memories of having Family Group in Gasson 201. Memories of having Communication Research Methods in Gasson 303. 

It was as if things never changed, but I now make a clear distinction between BU and BC. I laugh and poke fun at BU (no hard feelings!), and am proud of our strong rivalry. I'm proud of our Ice Hockey team who won National Champions, 3 times in 5 years. I've even managed to instill BC pride in some of my visiting friends, even friends who come from other colleges. And they start dissing BU as well, jokingly. Haha. 

It was as if things never changed...but they did. School ended a few weeks ago, and BC is once again empty, just like when I first arrived. But it's summer now, and the trees and flowers which were once dead now bloom with beautiful leaves and petals, showing a different kind of beauty to BC than when I first arrived. I now stand in front of Gasson with an Eagle's knowledge of BC grounds. Campanella, Lower, McElroy, Eagle's Nest, Devlin, McGuinn, Carney, Upper, Bapst, the Million Dollar Staircase, ONeil. And I stand tall, I stand proud. Proud because I've had the amazing privilege of being a part of BC. Proud because I love what being a BC student means. Proud because BC is part of my Alma Mater. Proud because I've had so much love from everyone around me, here at BC.

BC will forever hold a special place in my heart. And the people I've met here at BC will always have a special place in my heart too. 

Go Eagles! :') 

Friday, May 4, 2012

epilogue: BC

So. This is it. The very last day of undergraduate class at BC. No more Prof. Duggan, Miss Hedegard, Prof. Deese, and Mr. Burns. No more homework, no more ONeil, no more staying up at night finishing an exercise to be handed in for credit.


No more coming into class, sitting in those individual desks, and participating in discussions about Christian politics, or Communication research methods, or popular culture. 

But it is not the end yet. I still have finals, and my very last day at BC would be slightly more than a week from now. I remember how I first arrived, and how I was in awe of BC. BC now feels so familiar; I now laugh when people talk of Newton, or when CSOM is made fun of. I smile when I hear people grumble about the food at Lower, or at Mc, and how people say there are awesome burgers at Hillside. 

I now hold open the door for others, although they are like 10 seconds away from the door; I hate cramming into the bus when I need to get to my 9am class, but that's a part of BC- it's not something you can separate. 

More than that, it's the people whom I'll miss the most. People who've extended their warm friendships to me, people who've been so helpful. 

To these people, I say, it's my privilege being able to be your friend. It's a blessing to be helped by you (even if it's just holding the door open for me), to be loved by you. Thank you for being such a blessing, and impacting my life in such a positive way. I only wish that you can say the same for me, and that we can be friends for so much longer. And I hope that we'll be able to meet again, someday. 

I suddenly realize the finality of it all, as I write goodbye-cum-thank you emails to people who hold a place in my heart. To Megan, Elisabeth, Teddy, my FG, people at KRUP, my professors, BC admin- words cannot express how much I love all of you, and the thought of not being able to see any of you again kills me inside. 

It is with a heavy heart that I leave BC behind, that I leave all these people behind. The familiarity of walking through Maloney and ONeil plaza, the solitude found in empty classrooms in Gasson, the noise in Lower.  

I leave with the hope that I will come back to BC one day, perhaps, as a graduate student. I leave with all the love that's been poured on me. 

This is it. It's final. While part of me wishes that I never came here, a bigger part of me is glad that I'm able to be part of this loving community here at BC. 

I realized how bad I am at goodbyes, and how easily attached I am to people around me. 

But, God's been good to me. He's been good to me throughout this entire semester. The love that I have from all these people reminds me that God is always watching over me. 

Thank you, Thank You. :')

p/s: EMO SONG PLAYING. 1000 years. Wanna cry :( 

Friday, April 13, 2012

solitude

Gasson 303
It was 8.45a.m.  I rushed up the stairs, panting, till I reached 303. The hallways were empty; it was just like any other week. I pushed open the heavy door to reveal an empty classroom. It was just like any ordinary day. But there was something breathtaking about the way the empty classroom looked like: sun shining through the windows forming rays of light on the desks. I was reminded again, how BC was such a beautiful place.

But today was no ordinary day. There was something peculiar about the way the empty classroom felt so peaceful, so serene. Maybe I just never stopped to appreciate the beauty of solitude. I was always too busy running around doing something, being afraid to be alone doing nothing. 

And as my heart continued to marvel at the beauty of those empty desks, I realized that I needed to, in a sense, capture the moment. If only I could immortalize that feeling of peace and serenity in a picture...if only. 

And maybe, it isn't such a bad idea to sit alone once in awhile. Just, maybe :) 

Saturday, March 3, 2012

art

Gasson Hall 

Today's a beautiful day. Woke up to see snow in the yard, on the roads and the stairs leading up to houses.

I walk around everywhere, and I see art. And there's such a longing to capture on camera what I see through my eyes. I can just imagine the tone, the lighting, the spacial effects that the image is supposed to have.

Boston is a beautiful place for photography.
Boston College is a beautiful place for photography.

Will be off for KRUP in a few hours. 30 hour bus ride!
Looking forward to it (: (:

p/s: OMG. What if I need to poop during the journey! :( :( 
pp/s: OMG. What if I start snoring? OMG WHAT IF I DROOOL. :( :(