List highlights 4 favorite things about semester

Written by Abi Humber Tuesday, 23 February 2010 19:55

I really like to make lists. Grocery lists of food that will not fit in my tiny fridge, shopping lists of things I could never afford, to-do lists of things I will never accomplish...you know. The usual.

I make these lists during class, on the train, during church services, on the couch, with a mouse…. But today I’ve decided to make a list of favorites. I’m eating Sour Patch Kids (a favorite), and would like to tell you my four favorite things about this semester.

4. I have “Chicago-ized” my wardrobe.

I’ve always been content wearing a T-shirt and jeans, but since being constantly surrounded by trendy hipster types, I’ve been transformed. Leggings, tights, hats, scarves, mittens, dresses, boots, cardigans, skirts...

Read more: List highlights 4 favorite things about semester

Stymied by the mid-January slump

Written by Abi Humber Tuesday, 26 January 2010 19:49

Aaaaaaah! The mid-January slump! I hope you know what I’m talking about. Here in Chicago, it’s been disgustingly wintery for months—overcast, dark, colorless, freezing, rainy, snowy… bleck. I’m not a big fan.

I mean, the tall, dark buildings against a gray sky are beautiful for a little while, but monochrome gets really old really fast. I miss sun and green and water that isn’t actually ice and frolicking and freckles and my orange summer hair (except I actually don’t miss that particular hue at all).

Maybe I have no reason to declare myself a victim of the seasonal slump, considering that people in Alaska literally may not see the sun for months. But maybe I just want something to blame my grouchiness on.

Everything in...

Read more: Stymied by the mid-January slump

Return to classes has made life far busier than it should be

Written by Abi Humber Tuesday, 19 January 2010 19:40

The first week of classes has been insane. Between going to class, buying books, returning books, adding classes, dropping classes, attending meetings, participating in various activities, and trying to reconnect with virtually every friend I’ve ever made on campus, I’ve been pretty busy.

But I have not been too busy to notice the influx of new Swedish students on campus. I’ve mentioned before how the few Swedish exchange student sit at a round table at lunch, channeling the Cullen family from “Twilight.”

Well. The situation has only grown more intense. Not only have 20 or so very Swedish North Park students returned from a semester in Sweden, but they brought with them an equal number of Swedes who will complete a semester...

Read more: Return to classes has made life far busier than it should be

Do people want an honest answer?

Written by Abi Humber Tuesday, 29 December 2009 21:03

“How’s the big Chicago treatin’ ya?” “How was that first semester for ya?”

Ah, the small town grocery store questions. Working at Vogt’s has led me to become a pro at executing polite, amusing and appropriately small small talk. But when people ask me questions like this (which is about every three minutes), I feel torn on how to answer.

I know that, these days, “How are you?” isn’t really an inquiry about the status of the inner workings of my soul. It’s merely a greeting, like “Hey” or “What’s up?” Imagine me giving a totally honest answer…

Customer: “Well hey there, Abi! Welcome home! How was your first semester at college?”

Me: “Aw thanks, it’s so great to be home. Well wow…where do I...

Read more: Do people want an honest answer?