green design

As a continuation from last semester's St. Olaf landscape project, I've been thinking a lot about the design of our campus. Environmental issues weren't really on the radar when Holland or Mellby were built, but the structures still incorportate a lot of light, are inviting, inspire intellectual activity (this is mostly attributed to the Norman Gothic architectural style of this building era), and are solid pieces of architecture.

Wendell Berry gave these critera for intelligent and ecological building design:
*right scale
*simplicity
*efficient use of resources
*close fit between means and ends
*durability
*redundance (as in there are backup systems in case something goes wrong)
*resilience

Are these characteristics exemplified in our campus buildings?

What about Buntrock Commons which makes an effective use of natural lighting, carpet squares that can be easily replaced, cleaned, and reused, durable furniture and building materials (e.g. limestone is much more durable than brick and was once produced locally), but it very grandiose and perhaps too ambitious for a campus center? Is it an efficient use of resources for the college? Will the new Science Center be well-designed? What about the older buildings? Holland Hall, Old Main, Mellby Hall, Rolvaag Library? Do these exemplify good design values?
What kind of impression does our overall campus plan (look, placement, landscaping) have on visitors and students?

I'm very curious to see what you all think...

and now it's time for our staff update!

This will have to be short since "A Sand County Almanac" is calling me to bed... to read in bed!!! It's a favorite pastime of mine to curl up under the covers and enjoy a good book.

In the last few days, I have:
-decided to go for the SHC position
-written 7 (yes, 7) papers including a long outline for a presentation and an even longer application to be an SHC
-written recommendations for my excellent friends so that they too may partake in the goodness that is student staff
-hosted an Un-Birthday Party for Mellby with my fellow RAs... it was quite the soiree and I ended up with a "Playdough" award from the Hall Council for my ability to make event happen
-smashed it up (SSB: Melee) and actually won a few times against the avid gamers of Mellb
-listened to a lot of John Adams
-eaten a considerable amount of chocolate (white, milk, dark, truffle, kiss, toblerone, hot, etc.)
-let my room get "Past the Point of No Return" (only Phantom fans will get that)... but not in that good panty change way!
-had my SHC interview which I actually think went pretty damn well
-learned more new things about myself (my one big breaking of quiet hours with my residents!)
-gotten really excited at the prospect of more res life staff-age next year
-considered dropping my terrible feminist theology class
-bought Grant and myself t-shirts in honor of V-Week: mine says "I heart Vaginas"
-finally had a moment to chill out and thus the blog update

I think that's all from my side of things.... I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I'll be going home to read for the Chaska Invite and frolic with good friends in Chan on Friday eve. I can't wait! Ciao for now.....

I love my floor

Tonight we sang Disney songs to one another while talking about Gerry, LOTR, the craziness that is my room, my SHC application, and breaking quiet hours. Oops! I love my floor so much. I almost wish I could wrap myself in the warmth of these wonderful people and remember that, even when things might get sad, things like friendship and love break all boundaries. What if I hadn't been in Mellby this year? My life would be less rich for not knowing the girls I'm priviledged live with. I love you all.

what to do?

This post is looking for advice:

I am not sure whether to apply for a Senior Resident Assistant position next year or for a Student Hall Coordinator position.

As an SRA I would be doing a very similar job to what I'm doing now. I could try to live in Mellby next year, the building I've loved even more than my house at home. There's a chance I wouldn't make it in, but there's a chance I would. I know I could do a great job.

As an SHC, I couldn't live in Mellby. I would be in a higher leadership position, helping to actually run a hall and I'd get $500 more. I would get place probably into either Larson or Rand (neither of which I could love like Mellby). It would be more of a challenge but it might break my heart not to be where I really love.

What do I do!? More prestige in a strange building? What's comfortable and warm? Comments appreciated.

a room of one's own

There's something infinitely calming in a room of one's own. Mellby 312 is an absolute mess at the moment but after a week and a half touring, it's a welcome break to be alone. Classes are very difficult this semester but the subject matter is so interesting that I don't really care. My "Saving Wild Places" prof is a young woman. We call her Emily... it's inpsiring to have someone so young and knowledgeable and fun! It makes me think that I can do anything I'd like. Before, I wasn't so sure that I wanted an environmental career but this semester is already showing me that I think in terms of nature and our relationship to it. I'm so glad I switched ES tracks. This is the most fun I've ever had with classes in college! I think I'll keep taking more ES courses next year, even if I don't need them. I'm not sure about Feminist Theology yet. The readings haven't really inspired me the way reading Grass Roots by Paul Gruchow (who lives here in Northfield but is a nationally acclaimed writer) has. Ah well. There's plenty still to study so perhaps Feminism will spark something in me. Right now we're on the more theological, radical side and that gets dull after about a page.

Recently, I've been trying to change the whole philosophy by which I live my life. I've been taking a lot more time to think about the way I move from place to place, how I greet people, the way I read, how conscious I am of what I eat, and generally the pace by which I live. Usually, I am rushed and in a hurry and always stressed out. When people ask how I am, the best response is usually "ok". But, as a new project of sorts, I am doing everything more deliberately from taking a bite of food to knitting to talking on the phone with Jimmy. To live in the moment seems a precious and worthwhile pursuit. I have never appreciated college more and though I'm not as happy as I could be (what with Jim far away) there's this sort of inner peace that seems to keep me going. Is it zen? Is it simply "being here now" or just a heightened state of consciousness? I'm not sure... but I can say that there is something truly wonderful about a simple, peaceful existence. Simplicity is yet to come but the tranquility is coming slowly.

band tour postlude

Did you know it was colder in TX this past week than it was in MN? Another charming bit brought to you by global warming. It seems the currents are getting stranger and stranger and everyone's weather is being turned upside down. On the upside of this down, it means that coming back to MN wasn't too much of a shock. Another good reason to be back is that now nearly everyone is on campus. Jacob is back -- Meg was here starting in Jan, but it still feels novel to have her around. The tour was a huge chunk of time, but contained some of the best bandie bonding time ever. I didn't expect to, but I really miss the band people!!!!!! I do NOT miss the 8 hour bus days... After tour it's nice to be back in a more normal, less mobile place. Suddenly my floor is hopping with the sounds of people giggling and catching up, though I have the unfortunate job of telling everyone to be quiet after 10pm. The hall is finally starting to quiet down... it's good to be back in Mellby where I feel comfortable and at ease.

I am still keeping in close touch with Jimmy. I can't believe he's as far away as he is! Like everyone else on campus that gets to catch up with people now that the new semester has started, I keep expecting to see him. But alas, unlike all the happy, hugging people, I won't see him for quite some time. At least there's a fabulous eastern europe spring break trip to look forward to! w00t! It's Noah's birthday today -- he's 15. He just keeps getting bigger, it's insane. He got a gen 3 ipod for his birthday. So now he's more gadgeted than I what with his nifty camera and such. I think I'll peek for digital cameras on Craig's List. Canon=my secret camera lover.

TOMORROW NIGHT IS THE ST. OLAF BAND HOME CONCERT! Don't be a square, get your bum down there! :)