{vintage shadows} feat. Lillian & Paige

A few weeks ago (before the snow fell), I, along with my two friends Lily and Gigi, decided to distract ourselves from our piles of homework to do a vintage inspired photo-shoot. We met up in the afternoon to play around with hair, make-up and clothes before catching the last few rays of sunshine and the long shadows that they bring. Here are the beautiful results!

{Lily}

 {Gigi}

The brief college update: We have now reached the hell-week known as finals. I have two self-scheduled exams this weekend and a portfolio to complete for my English seminar; then I am on mt way to MN! When my mind isn't focused on all of the studying I have to do, I am thinking of home. I find myself easily distracted in Anthropology (as is inevitable on most days), and am constantly making lists of all things want to do and people I plan to see. The countdown has begun. So adieu, et à bientôt--and good luck to my fellow college students on their exams!

{boston}

In my few months here, I've had the privilege of visiting the fabulous city of Boston three times (it's really only a nap away--a little under 2 hrs from South Hadley). The first time, I spent the day exploring and catching up with Eddie, a high school bud from the Coop, who's now attending Boston College. The second, I stayed at a friend's house with her family in Lexington for the long October weekend, and went into the city everyday by train--exploring Harvard Square, the MFA (Museum of Fine Art), etc. The third was another day-long trip in which I shopped and visited the science museum with friend, Gigi.

I will say the Starbucks on every block took away a bit of the city's charm (still a loyal Caribou customer), but the architecture beautifully displayed some of New England's fascinating history. Each trip was a blast; here's a plethora of photos to prove it!

{Apologies for poor photo quality...all pictures were taken with my phone}

{day by day}

Has it really been 3 months?! The passing of time is strange here. In many ways, it feels like I've been in school for much longer. I've developed a day-to-day routine, and its repetitive nature has induced a sense of familiarity. However that feeling doesn't usually last very long; with each new tradition, and every time I get lost in the library, I am reminded that I'm still new here. Mount Holyoke has quickly become a second home, and I am so blessed to get to spend the next 3 1/2 years here.

But most of the time, it feels like life is whizzing by. I can't believe that I'm almost finished with my first semester of college. I've learned many valuable lessons in these short months, and the world of 'almost' adulthood has definitely brought both challenges and freedoms. Until recently, I've done really well with adjusting to living so far away from home. The welcoming community along with the excitement of a busy, new environment on the east coast has kept the homesickness at bay. But now, especially as we approach the holidays and many of my peers plan their trips home to their families (I will be going home with a friend), it's a lot harder to ignore all the feels. It will be my first Thanksgiving away from family and the Midwest, and I can't help but think of what I'll be missing. Though I know it will be different, I'm sure it will be equally wonderful experiencing holiday traditions with another kind, loving family as my hosts. Regardless, I'm excited to be staying in an actual house with delicious home-cooked meals.

{obligatory dorm room photos-a bit late I'm sorry!}

{view of Upper Lake from dorm room: end of summer & prime time New England autumn}

{favorite lunch spot overlooking Lower Lake}

While technology has kept me quite connected to home, I hate that there are certain events I can't physically be present for. Brothers are getting their licenses. Friends are having choir concerts and performing in plays I want to see. Some cousins are getting engaged while others are quickly growing up (like the two little nuggets below). It's crazy to think that when I come home, so many things will have happened--for both me and friends/family in Minnesota. These darling twin cousins of mine will be 4 months older, and will have grown immensely in the process. Every time I get a photo of them and see how much bigger they've gotten, I realize how long I've been away. Homesickness has officially seeped into my being, and I'm counting the days until I board my flight back for intersession (Dec. 16!!). Nevertheless, while I miss family, friends, Minneapolis, and Caribou (it kills me that it doesn't exist here), I will make the most of every day in Massachusetts. Before I know it, my time will be up--and I don't want to waste a second!
XOXO,
    ~Sonia

{photos taken one month after birth, mid-August 2014}

{Setara--left, Negeena--right}

{Setara--bottom, Negeena--top}

{mountain day}

This week, I experienced Mount Holyoke's oldest surprise tradition: Mountain Day.  At 7AM on Monday morning the bells rang 100 times (I didn't actually hear them as my dorm is too far away) and received an e-mail from Lynn Pasquerella, the president of the college, stating that all classes were cancelled for the day. I could hear whoops and hollers from the open windows in my dorm hall, and was greeted with "Happy Mountain Day" by everyone I passed on campus. It's basically a holiday.

We hopped on the shuttle and were brought to climb the Mount Holyoke Summit, which is technically a glorified hill at 942 ft. But don't get me wrong, the "shortcut" hike up the trails was definitely steep enough to give us all sore glutes the next morning. The day was off to a foggy start, but dear Mary Lyon (may she rest in peace) brought out the sun by the time we made it all the way up. Waiting for us at the top was Lynn, with ice cream cups, free hats, and buttons. We spent a good 45 minutes enjoying the warm, breezy 80 degree weather and taking in the glorious view of farmlands, colorful trees, and even a few of the neighboring campuses. Before Monday I had yet to even take my camera out of its case; Mountain Day was the perfect opportunity to capture life through the lens!

{the first Mount Holyoke Mountain Day was held in 1838}

{tu-nguyen} Senior '15

A post long overdue...
This girl's got one of the kindest hearts and brightest spirits I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I missed her even before I left Minnesota, but I know we'll pick up right where we left off when I get back. Thank you for your friendship, Tu-Nguyen--you mean the world to me! Enjoy your senior year!