orientation | Columbia chronicles

If you are confused about the headline to this post, you probably missed the last one. Here it is. You should totally check that out.

I am in a new season and it feels exciting, and so the most natural thing is sharing it all with you! I’m calling this year of grad school the Columbia Chronicles. I want to have something to call this next chapter and I also thought alliteration would be cute, but it’s definitely not an original idea. Let’s dive right in!

Wednesday August 16, 2023

I woke up daily to the feeling of trepidation. The uncertainty that comes to your doorstep and you must open the door to let it in. The cloudy rays of light filtered in from my bedroom window and I arose.

I did what I do every morning. I said good morning to my dad (my mom’s already at work by the time I’m up), brushed my teeth, washed my face, and got breakfast ready to go. My dad and I went grocery shopping the weekend before, so I had options.

Around 6:30, I had a delightful bagel with strawberry cream cheese, greek yogurt with peaches, and cold brew tea with milk and ice. 

After placing my lunch in my bag and getting on my rain jacket, I head out the door at 7:33 with the light rain misting down on me. A blessing, of sorts, or a bad omen. (You decide.)

I am surprised at how quick the commute passes, and I walk outside of the train station around 8:30, and quickly take a photo. I’m reminded of when I took High School Law Institute as a senior in high school. The Shake Shack is what I remember. I also remember that our professor (a law student) said that my cross examination was one the best written ones he’d ever seen. (I did fact check that he was a law student. My journalism skills are working!!) Can you also tell that I was meant to be a writer?

After walking around in awe, I remain self-possessed and find myself walking towards the journalism building for orientation. It starts at 9, so I’m a little early, which is always a good thing to be.

I settle inside the lecture hall, and it just feels difficult to start talking to new people. Eventually, I am approached by Winning (Yonseong) (but I believe she goes by Winnie), and that gets me out of my shell. It gets easier to talk as the room fills up. About 150 people in a room feels like a lot. Jelani Cobb, our dean, gives a lecture. 

I eventually find out that I’m not technically allowed to post anything my professors say or at any of the lectures. It’s technically “off the record.” I’m surprised but I shouldn’t be. I think a journalism school should be more open, but I guess a journalist really never reveals its sources.

The lecture hall is chilly and my brown jacket thin so I’m eager when a small group of girls (Caroline, Sarah, and the other person whose name I forgot *tears*) go outside and eat in the sun. I eat the salad I brought. I’m surprised by its deliciousness. It’s not the kind I usually make. The information sessions/lectures are much more than expected. Around 3:30, we get this lovely human from the Health Department who makes us laugh and is quick about his presentation, and we forget that the lecture hall is trying to freeze us.

Around 4ish, we’re allowed to leave for dinner, and I wander around Morningside. I am looking for a cathedral. I hadn’t really done any church hunting since being in New York. My life was full of uncertainties and that bled into my life with God. But now that I’m grounded in a place (for a brief season), I am determined to get connected. 

On my way to the cathedral, I pass a bookstore and like any bookworm, I browse. We all have passions. Mine happens to be stacks of books (which are EVERYWHERE in my room) and earl gray tea. The cathedral is really a CATHEDRAL. It’s big and imposing and the pigeons really like the front steps. I make my way to the sign that displays service times and I’m disappointed to find out that weekday services are online.

I make my way back to campus, and finish off my salad. The sky is still cloudy but decent enough to remain outdoors. Everyone is friendly and chatty and it feels like high school. I don’t feel judged (which is nice) and everyone is so open. The small class size leads to a curiosity and interest that I appreciate.

We have our first lecture of the semester, and there are many more to come. David Isay comes to speak on StoryCorps and radio, and somehow, everyone is in tears.

On the way out of the lecture, this girl says she understands a question I asked Isay on ethics and how our feelings play a role. Essentially, what do we do when we feel compelled to act in the face of what we see is unethical? She introduces herself as Gillian, and that makes a mark on me. Apparently, there are two Gillians and I’ve met one of them.

I get home by 9 and sleep by 12.

Thursday August 17, 2023

I wake up later on Thursday. Orientation starts 1 hour later. So my body rises at 7 instead. I feel sick and instead of drinking my cold brew, opt for a hot honey ginger tea. I once again eat yogurt, but this time I have more space for my quiet time.

I am currently in Psalm 119 and Jeremiah. It is unclear to me when I will finish either. Afterwards, I continue Googling Anglican and Episcopalian churches to see if there are any nearby with in person weekday services. Most are still on Zoom. I end my morning with Adonai by Chris Renzema (a hint of what is to come).

I see little blue flowers on my way out the door at 8:28 and stop for a photo. This day I am prepared for the cold with a long sleeve.

There are once again many presentations and I still freeze despite my precautions. On this day, however, I meet Ashley, a yoga enthusiast and we bond through book recommendations and openness to faith.

Miriam, a fellow UVA grad (it’s a small world), and I walk to Sweetgreen (for her lunch) and by the little Farmer’s Market nearby. I snag a muffin and delight in it. Later after a great deal of presentations. We take a tour of the journalism building. I huff and puff my way to the 8th floor, which proved to me that I should really get back into exercising. The view outside the classrooms on the 6th floor is incredible.

At home, I dive into dinner around 6:50.

Friday August 18, 2023

I once again have yogurt with peaches, but this time, I add granola! Friends, variety ‘tis the spice of life. I also have a quiet time but this morning I rush over to get to the bookstore. I tried to go the evening before, but it was way too full. The bookstore is empty when I rush in. Everything is easy to find and I pay and leave (Not at all my experience the night before). 

I walk over to the New York Public Library and easily get myself a card. I will definitely return to browse the selection of books. I can, truly, never have enough. On Friday, we have an insightful panel of recent grads. One of which worked on NPR’s Invisibilia (RIP) which I absolutely love. The panel went long, but I ordered Sweetgreen, so I walk over with Kate as we talk about comedies we’re loving. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Bowl. It feels cruel to compare, but this bowl was at least $7 more expensive than Roots and yet only provided me one meal.

I didn’t take any footage of my reporting class (it’s against the rules, remember) but my professors seemed nice and hopefully we won’t be fending for ourselves.

After class, I walk over to Joe’s Coffee. I wanted to try their lavender earl grey but that has espresso so no bueno. I instead try their matcha, which is not at all sweet. It’s decent matcha but I do wish it had more to it. (Also, this picture with said matcha is somehow my favorite!) I talk with Lilou (I’m trying to remember names, please bear with me). She’s Asian but grew up in France and we talk about the struggles of language and family and all the things.

Ashley and I find one another and go to the cathedral. We flash our student IDs and are admitted. There’s a section for poetry and injustice and the stained glass has so many tiny details. It is weird to think of Jesus with abs though. We decide to walk down to 96 Street to see the neighborhood. We talk about family and faith and the best way to experience a city.

We’re both excited. On our way out, a lady said that the weekday services are actually held in the chapel and we’re both eager to come back.

I get home, eager to see my dad but also eager to rest and enjoy the weekend to come.

Thanks for reading, friends!

Signing off,

Gigi