Newsletter #8
It’s Cold in Maine
Hi!
It has been a long, long while since I wrote one of these (a month), and there is much to recap! So, without further ado, here is the rest of the newsletter!
I left off on Boxing Day, so I will pick up on whatever you call the day after Boxing Day? The rest of break was spent in Vermont, first in Wilmington, then in Weston (we have a thing for towns beginning with “W”). On our way up to Wilmington, Mom and I stopped in Williamstown (what did I tell you about the “W” towns) to say hi to the Klompus/Hetherington’s and eat breakfast with them, and Winston got to walk around.
The most important part of this trip was that we made it to Dot’s for chili. If you EVER find yourself in Wilmington, please do yourself a favor and go to Dot’s and get the chili. It is genuinely my favorite food in the world (ok, maybe not my favorite, but it is really up there). Their Blueberry pancakes are my second favorite. After Dot’s, it was a straight shot to Weston. Once there, Mom creamed me in Scrabble (twice); we were joined by Aunt Susanna and Uncle Scott (we were already in their house; their presence was just a bonus), and finally, Kylor and Dad.
The next couple of days were met with the promise of skiing, which was quickly dashed by so much rain. We did manage to get to Bromley long enough for me to ski with Siena which was such a treat! But then it started raining, which was sooo not chill.
Then it was New Year's Eve! And I had to trek to the Daks (Adirondacks)! I stopped in Lake Placid to carpool with Sasha, and then we made our way to Jacob’s house. Seeing everyone in one place again was the highlight of the year. To spare you the details, there were many a photo taken, many a shotski done, and a whole lot of singing, dancing, and merriment. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and the next morning, Sasha, Sierra, and I commuted back down to Lake Placid. Then I tried to make the solo trip home but got caught in a snowstorm! And it was about 30 minutes closer to Simon’s house than it was to mine, so guess where I went.
So, on the first day of the new year, I found myself in Williamstown. And there I stayed for like 2 days because the storm would not stop. We did puzzles, we watched Fantastic Mr. Fox and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, baked, made breakfast, and I got beat in Scrabbled again. I really might need to start training.
Alas, vacation was ending, so it was time to go home. I took the train from Poughkeepsie and reunited with the family. The next couple of days in the city were filled with desk building, donut runs, coffee with Morris, watching Landman (I highly recommend), and so much packing. The night before I left, we all went out for dinner for Dad’s 54th birthday. There was a tree in the middle of the restaurant and we really liked their flatware and mocktails (the waitress carded me and it was really embarrassing). After all that, I made my way to Maine and boy oh boy was I excited.
I am living in a Rand single with two windows, two closets and a new 3d printed lamp! (photos attached). So far being back at Bates has been wonderful and lovely, minus a quick little trip to the Auburn Urgent Care and the Lewiston Emergency Room for a ruptured ovarian cyst. I am ok now don’t fret. It has been really quite cold in Maine lately, but that hasn’t stopped me from walking to my car to go climb in Portland! I have not been skiing yet but that’s all going to change tomorrow because Mom, Dad and Kylor have come to Sunday River to ski!
I’m sure you’re all very interested in what I am taking this semester so without further ado, here is my 4.5 credit courseload.
Capitalism and Its Critics
My only 8 am and the only reason I haven’t missed a class yet is because Quinn and Simon will not let me (thanks guys)
So far it has been really interesting, we just got into Marx and I’m very excited to see where this goes
Plato: Love, Death, and the Soul
A seminar taught by Professor Cohen on Plato’s most influencial works
I have this class with Rohini and it is a blast
We’ve learned a lot about the dynamics between older and younger intellectual men in Ancient Greece (it was mostly sexual).
Modern Partnering
This is the first dance class I have taken at Bates and it does not disappoint
We are mostly learning how to interact with other bodies in ways that are mindful and comfortable for everyone
I am also realizing that I haven’t seriously danced in about five years which is about five years too long (I’m sorry Rebecca).
Tabla
I took tabla last year and I wanted to pick it back up. I think its a really good way to stay engaged with a different aspect of music than I normally partake in.
Tabla is indian hand percussion on 2 drums that you play while sitting on the floor
Voice
I figured I should also be taking some form of vocal instruction
It is really interesting and I have been relearning how to breathe
Independent Study with Asha Tamirisa
This is the main event of my semester
While I was abroad I realized that if I wanted my thesis to be on music production, I was going to need some concrete academic experience in that field, and since I missed the fall semester (when anything of that sort was being offered) Asha offered to help me out
We have been going over the mechanics of recording and are beginning to get into production ideas and artistic choices
I have been having a blast
This is not a normal course load for me, but so far I’ve been enjoying it. And if you were following along and doing the math and now you’re like, “Tamrin, how can you be taking 6 courses but only 4.5 credits??” Rest assured, the music lessons and the dance class are all half credit courses and so I’m only taking 3 whole credit classes (capitalism, plato, independent study).
All this to say; Hi! Thanks for reading, I love you all and I’ll have more music stuff to share with you soon! Perhaps in the form of a single that will be released during the process of my independent study!
I hope you are all doing well, and that seasonal depression isn’t hitting too hard. Tell me what you’re looking forward to! I will tell you that I am personally very excited for the temps to get to the 30s again.
With all my love and a few extra smooches,
Tamrin Ghai
Timmy Two Shoes
