Mentor/Mentee Scavenger Hunt

The scavenger hunt was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it more this year than last year, partially because I knew the answers to the clues, but also because I knew my peers better (fellow mentors, and group we teamed with). The weather was lovely, and it was fun to introduce the mentees to Ohio State, and where different places are located. The time seemed appropriate, and popsicles are always a delicious way to end a group activity!

Rocktober

So, this was a week ago now that I went to Rocktober, which is a swing dance event in Columbus.  I didn’t feel the need to pay the money for the lessons, but I went to the dance on Friday and Saturday night and I had a lot of fun.  I’ve been to a few of these dances before – none of them so blissfully close – and it’s been an interesting progression from too shy to ask people to dance to barely dancing because I’m talking to other people.  Other than really enjoying swing dance by itself, I find the swing dance culture very interesting.  There are a decent number of people who are willing to drive hours and hours away for a few hours of dancing.  This creates a dedicated and (often) talented group of travelers who only know each other from dances.  And when you think about it, they are spending most of their time dancing, not talking with other people.  So these travelers only really have a vague understanding of each other.  But I believe dances are about the dancers just as much as they are about the dance and if you don’t create friends easily, you will spend a lot of time staring at the ceiling.  Therefore, most of these people do create friends, of a sort, easily.  So, the culture manages to be very close and oddly distant at the same time.  Anyway, Rocktober was enjoyable, even if I was tired, and I enjoyed what swing and blues dancing I did and enjoyed talking with people just as much.

--Sarah Barringer

Live action graphic novel

Last night was the showing of the breakthrough idea of the live action graphic novel. The show was very enjoyable and there were many laughs shared by the audience. The actors were brilliant. They all did many different voices, ranging from a french time traveler, russian informant, and a mad scientist. The show was well worth the time and money and i would encourage everyone, who gets the chance, to go and see these amazing actors and their performance.

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast: The Smash Hit Broadway Musical

Beauty and the Beast is the story of finding love. This production produces laughter and tears among those in the audience who had fallen in love with the story and its characters during their youth. I'll be the first to admit that last year was the first time I had ever watched the movie. Unlike other Disney movies, the story of Beauty and the Beast moved me. The performance centers around a prince, who had transformed into a Beast when he turned away an enchantress disguised as an old beggar, and a young woman named Belle seeking to find importance in her life. For Beast to become a prince once again, he must fall in love with his prisoner and win her love in return. Though the story appears dark and cruel, the musical numbers and characters give the story life and allows the audience the chance to witness the magical castle in which Beast resides. Belle finds herself in the presence of a number of hilarious characters that include Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts. They all produce great laughter and enjoyment! Ultimately, the cast sang their songs perfectly and in a way that, I believe, won the audience over. Several scenes, such as the scene with the mugs and the "Be Our Guest" sequence, were entertaining to watch and used special effects to interact with the audience. This was one of the many great plays that I have had the pleasure of seeing because of the Humanities Scholars Program. In addition to watching the play with each other, we were also able to talk with members of the cast. I was astonished to see that the actress who played Belle came out to greet us! They had great words of wisdom and stories to share. As always, I'd like to thank you again for allowing us to go to such a great performance. I can't wait for the next great performance!

Potluck and Movie Night!

Last Wednesday I attended the potluck and movie night. Not too many people came, but that was their loss because I got to eat even more Cane's, cookies, cupcakes, chips, pretzels, and much more (I know people will go next year now that they know what they missed!). We watched "The Prestige," a movie about 2 magicians who are essentially fighting it out to be the best at what they do and royally mess up the other's life.  People die, get their fingers blown off, create cat clones... what more could you want from a movie? Everyone should attend next year! Maybe we'll get lucky and have another one spring semester!

Cartoon library tour

The cartoon library tour was a great opportunity to learn about an art form that is often thought to be childish and sophomoric. The art form in its self can be very beautiful and engaging. The tour guide for the event was very entertaining and knowledgeable about the subject. Overall it was a great event, I just wish more people would have shown up.

Study Abroad Expo

It took me a little while to find the expo because I assumed it would be on the main floor, which it was not.  However, after trekking up a few flights of stairs, following people with large amounts of papers (which I could only assume came from the expo), I did find it.  It was not set up quite as I expected it to be.  To some extent it was organized by locations you might want to travel to, but there were also booths for organizations and credit-courses and a few things I’m not certain what were.  I was most interested in the winter break, spring break, Maymester booth – all of which appeared to be set up so you took a course either before the break or during part of Maymester and then went to study in another country during the break or the rest of the Maymester.  Although I think I would enjoy a semester in another country, I have done as much before and I would rather not loose time I could be using to take classes.  So, doing a shorter trip seemed like a better idea.  I also like the idea of taking a course and then visiting the place you have studied – something I have also done before and rather enjoyed.  The two classes I happened to see where a nursing course in Nicaragua and a Medieval art class in Paris.  I rather find the Paris class an interesting concept and even though I don’t plan on doing so now, I will keep my eye open for the opportunity to travel during the break, most likely in connection with a class I have taken.

Sarah Barringer