|
Post by elainekim on May 26, 2021 21:14:43 GMT
May 26th:
I saw the moon eclipse last night which was really cool. Since I stayed up pretty late it was hard for me to wake up, but I had a lot to get done today. I took a byrd to Whole Foods to get the last thing for Matthew’s appreciation gift and he came over and got it. I said bye to him which was sad since the next time I’m going to see him in person is in September. The dress that I had ordered came which I tried on and really love. It’s green and I like how it contrasts with the color of my hair. I’m currently writing this now because I’m going to have no time to do it later in the day. I’m rush packing as much as I can right now since I need to bring home as many things as possible or else I’m not going to be able to bring everything at the end of the quarter. The suitcase is lying empty on my floor right now and I’m getting picked up to go to the airport in about an hour. I can already tell this is going to be hectic and something is going to go wrong. I’m also a little stressed since I have to do my mock interview by myself at the airport, but I have faith in myself. I just hope security doesn’t take too long. I’m excited to see my family tonight since it’s been a really long time.
|
|
|
Post by ericrousso on May 27, 2021 2:04:40 GMT
5/26
Today was a pretty alright day. Hard to believe this is the second to last journal before we if/when! Definitely want to keep this up. But I promise myself a lot of things so who knows if that will happen. I got up at 10 to go to the gym, and then went to Michael’s with Emmy and Zz to purchase supplies for our active appreciation gifts. They are so awesome and know how rough it has been the past couple of days and decided to buy my lunch, which was so amazingly nice of them and I cannot wait to repay the favor. When we parted ways and I got back to my apartment, I met with Alexis and Hanna to go over some things for our mock interview. When we got off Zoon, I prepared more for the interview and began watching my philosophy lecture. By the time the interview came around, I felt well prepared but extremely nervous, as I feel like a lot rested on how I could display my professionalism tonight (especially due to the challenges of the recent week). It turned out good, so now I just have to absolutely obliterate the oral finals tomorrow. I am going over to Hanna’s in a bit to work on paddles / active appreciation, but in the meantime, I am going to try and finish up some work. I am meeting with my philosophy TA tomorrow to discuss my paper, but I am bummed out because this last grade really restricted the highest grade I can get in the course. I also just got my LS7A midterm back, which also was okay and not detrimental to my performance in the course, but I’ll have to do pretty well on the final to get an A in the class. With pledging out of the way, however, I suspect I will have more time to devote to studying/preparing. In a while crocodile.
|
|
|
Post by vidyapatel on May 27, 2021 2:49:46 GMT
May 26th: The week is going by so fast I cannot believe it. I started off my morning with a walk, 2 PA 60 lectures, and some journaling. It was nice to write down my thoughts. Then I had my shift at Sublime which was great because it was raining and I basically got paid for sitting and doing my homework. With the few customers that did come in, it was nice to talk and box orders to just take my mind off of things. At work, I was able to work on my outline, study for the mock interview, and time my script for a project. When I got home I took a nap which I never do but I guess I just wanted some rest time. I went to an office hour with my Professor about the midterm and he said he will review this weekend which made me less stressed about studying next week. After that, I did some homework, ate dinner, and prepared for the interview. Kylie and Nathan are both really dedicated and I wanted to make sure that the interview showed our brotherhood too at times when we could support each other. It was a lot quicker than we thought it would be, but my low energy during the interview calls for a night of rest. I hope things feel normal soon, but in the meantime, I hope to channel all my energy into ending the quarter strong. I owe it to myself to stay focused. Blows my mind the pledge process is almost done. I don’t even know what my life would be like without it. Goals for tomorrow: PA 60 research activity, 73C individual submission+citations, PA 60 lectures, study for oral interviews, and prep for active appreciation.
I love falling asleep to rain and it is raining a lot right now so goodnight!
|
|
|
Post by kylienakamoto on May 27, 2021 4:39:45 GMT
Wednesday 5/26/21
Today I did not sleep well because I was stressed for Mock Interviews. Again, MasterChef boy was there and it made me uncomfortable, especially when we’re all awake because they just lie there and talk and giggle so I immediately evacuated the room. At this point he is my third roommate bc he literally is in my room more than I am. I did some Accounting lectures, and then I walked to Alfred’s to get coffee with some friends. However, when we got there, all the tables were taken and they were also out of all food items, so we went to Corner Bakery Cafe instead. I was disappointed because I had been wanting to go to Alfred’s, but it’s okay. I had the grossest coffee at Corner Bakery Cafe. Well that might be an exaggeration but it was just not good. However, I would recommend doing work there as it’s fairly empty and it’s air conditioned. Just DO NOT get any of the coffee items. My salad and pastry were yummy though.
I did some preparation for Mock Interviews there and I was so nervous. When I got home, I hopped on zoom with Vids and Nathan to talk a little more about the interview. It was great to talk to them more since we had some of the same concerns and stresses. However, the Mock Interviews ended up going pretty well and all the Actives were so kind when they gave feedback. Now, the final stressor is Oral Finals and Written Finals which is veryyyy daunting, but at least they are the last tasks.
Also since I’ve been so stressed I’ve kind of been taking it out on my boyfriend so I feel bad. We got in a small argument today but it ended up being fine. I just get very insecure at times and take his words the wrong way. We also show love in different ways since I am a lot more affectionate. Even though I know he loves me, he has a funny way of showing it sometimes.
Also, I got a little sad today because today was graduation for all the high schools in my hometown. It was great for them to have an in-person graduation, especially because they missed out on their whole senior year. However, I can’t help feeling (selfishly) sad that I never got an in-person graduation. Yes, I know this is such first-world problem but I just got a bit nostalgic. Anyway, I am at Hanna’s to finish paddles and active appreciation and we are going to make rice krispie treats and brownies which I am veryyyy excited about.
|
|
|
Post by ayacohen on May 27, 2021 4:44:39 GMT
5/26: I had a pretty mid day today. I woke up at 8 AM, but couldn't get out of bed until noon. I wish I had more motivation to do stuff in the morning, but today was just really hard. I called my boyfriend to get motivated a little more, since I tend to walk around or do random stuff while on the phone. While we were talking, I got ready and walked down to Starbucks. It was a really beautiful day out, so I ended up being really happy to have gone out. The wind was blowing in a way that reminded me that summer was just around the corner, and my mood was boosted a little. My boyfriend was driving while he was calling me, so he was yelling at traffic and cars and it was making our conversation kind of on edge. That didn't help my mood much. I try not to get bothered by the small things, but lately, it feels like more and more about him is bothering me. I guess it's because we're both just super stressed, and two people in a bad mood will naturally not really uplift each other. I don't know, I really do love him and do whatever I can to make things work out. We've been together for 11 months, and the thought of him going to Santa Barbara next year kind of freaks me out. I want have these last few months that we have together to be really nice, since we won't live as close anymore. Anyways. When I was at Starbucks, my mood wasn't really great still. I highly considered just going home, but then Eric, Zz, and Emmy came by to eat with me. Talking with them really made me feel better about everything going on, and I ended up resolving things with my boyfriend later. We had a much more open conversation about my mental health and how that affects the way I react + communicate about things, and I think that made me feel a lot more at ease. By the way, I cannot believe this is my second to last journal. TO ANY READER, I AM SO SORRY ABOUT HOW DEPRESSING MY JOURNALS HAVE BEEN! I really use this space to talk about everything going on with me, because I have a really difficult time reaching out to people about things. Plus, I find it hard to stick to writing a journal when there's no incentive to. I have had a really nice time releasing a lot of my stress here, and I am honestly going to miss these journals. Maybe I'll make my own private, personal thread and continue writing these. It's been fun.
|
|
|
Post by hannasato on May 27, 2021 4:59:49 GMT
May 26th:
Today I woke up at 11 because I stayed up late to watch the eclipse last night and didn’t go to sleep until 5. I finished up my study guide for oral finals, started preparing for my mock interview, and made breakfast. Then I did a workout for an hour in the gym and ordered my groceries from Whole Foods because I am incredibly lazy lately.
I met with Alexis and Eric to prepare for our Mock Interview and we ran through a few questions together. Afterward, I cooked lunch which was a fun break; I made broccolini and turkey meatballs with pasta. Then I went to my mock interview which I think went as well as it could have, I had a few blunders because I was nervous but I felt fairly well-prepared going into it and was very happy to see Eric win. Then I took a much needed nap and now I am painting paddles with my pledge brothers again for the night.
For the rest of the night we are going to plan active appreciation, finish up the paddles, and study for oral finals. Tomorrow I plan on cramming for a few hours for oral finals and baking some gifts for my baskets for active appreciation. This is my second to last daily journal which blows my mind because I honestly feel like the pledging process will never end and I will be writing these journals for the rest of eternity. But apparently that is not the case and by this time tomorrow I will be done with all of my finals for Hell Week and we will be that much closer to possibly crossing.
|
|
zzkhan
Junior Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by zzkhan on May 27, 2021 6:45:05 GMT
5/26: Hiiii! Today was quite the day! I woke up after coming home late last night from the ER again (LOL). No conclusion, again, so just lots of pain and more appointments lined up. Other than that, though, I’ve been distracting myself with all of the other fun things we have been up to, like painting my paddle for Chloe and working on Active Appreciation right now with my pledge brothers. We are also making some yummy surprises. Mock interviews today went really well. I’m proud of Aya, Emmy, and I because we did really well. I am really tired and am really behind in all my classes, but just in lectures. Other than that, my classwork and stuff is kinda going great, especially in my psychology lab class where we are doing an experiment and our results actually went with our hypothesis - so that was awesome and rare for a small undergraduate study LOL. Writing this before it turns midnight, and then going back to working on Active Appreciation. I think it’ll turn out okay! Tomorrow I need to do some work, study for oral finals some more, and then hopefully I’ll still be all good by the end of the day. I also got some ~goodies~ for Chloe from Michaels today so I am really happy and excited for Friday. I ate some popcorn, earlier, and then I made cereal and ate that too. I also made a quesadilla for dinner and I had it with a smoothie. Big yums. Okay bye!
|
|
|
Post by emmyshaw on May 27, 2021 6:46:22 GMT
5/26 Today I woke up right at 9:45 for class at 10 am. I then ate a strange breakfast concoction of a tortilla with sun butter and banana (lol). I then prepped my resume for mock interviews, and then I did the drag that is LS40 with my wack TA. I then called up Eric and got him to drive zz and me to Michaels to buy some things (don't worry, we bought him lunch). We then ate some lunch and Zz and I met up with Aya in Starbucks and talked over Mock Interviews. Zz and I then headed back to the flat and we did some work/prepped. We then had mock interviews, which actually went really well! Very easy when you have two very communicative and fabulous team members . After that I chilled for a bit, and since then I have been tying loose ends and studying at bit for oral finals tomorrow/creating the active appreciation presentation with my pledge brothers. I am currently at Hanna's, working with my pledge brothers. Today, my energy was pretty low, but my pledge brothers make everything better. They are so great and judgement-free, which I absolutely love. I am slightly nervous for tomorrow as I know I will definitely be tested. However, I figure I can study more with my p-bros today, as well as work on it tomorrow. This is my penultimate journal which is also extremely exciting! Tomorrow, I will have to actually buy groceries too (maybe). All I have is a 20 pack of tortillas, 2 bananas and a can of soup LOL whoopsies. Until tomorrow!
|
|
|
Post by nathanklassen on May 27, 2021 8:13:07 GMT
Journal 05/26: Hello all, I am still in the midst of studying for both the finals that are tomorrow and my quiz on French, so pardon my tardiness. Today was my first full day back in Fairfield and taking classes again. In French, I learned how to complain, which seems to be important to know as one stereotype of the French people is complaining. (After my class discussed it, although there is a bit of merit to this claim, Americans can also be plagued with too much complaining, but constantly addressing certain issues can also be beneficial, e.g. politics and social issues.) My afternoon was spent working on my paddle for my big and I went shopping for both my adopted big and big gifts, and there is only a little left to do to complete both! The start of my evening was spent studying and collecting my thoughts for the mock interview. I did a good job until I was thrown off guard by one of the questions asked. I was ready to give the interviewers more insight into who I was as an applicant, that I was not prepared to answer the question of “what is the best color”. I think I answered too quickly as right after I realized I could have shown my knowledge of the company and given one of the colors in their logo. Including my relatively quick pace of answers probably caused me not to get the position, but I was very appreciative of the feedback regarding my interview skills and resume to improve for real scenarios. I still plan on going through the entire pledge binder, just reading it over, as well as the different study guides we have prepared for tomorrow. I will also need to wake up early to get my second vaccine shot and I hope that does not incapacitate me or give me any feverish tendencies as tomorrow is a really important day. Sadly, I need to wake up in about 6 hours and I still have tasks to complete so we will see how that goes. Hope you all get a great night's sleep, in lieu of mine– Nathan
|
|
|
Post by alexisp on May 27, 2021 19:47:03 GMT
5/26
Today went as I would have expected with just a small twist. I definitely feel very overwhelmed with everything that is going on and definitely feel like there is not enough time to do everything but I really hope by this Friday. I can just relax. I feel like Its getting harder to keep pushing right now and do not know where to find my strength right now. I will obviously keep going but I think it is apparent today that I am starting to lose my motivation and it is showing through everything that I am doing right now. I want to get all my work done and give everything I need to do 110% but I am worried that I won't give enough effort to make it through tomorrow. I hope that I can make it but overall I will be ok if I just end up not being able to achieve the things I want to. I hope today I can finish my project and have a rough draft of my paper enough to get closer to completing my school year faster and have enough time to be able to study for tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by elainekim on May 28, 2021 0:23:08 GMT
May 27th:
It’s insane that this is really my last journal. At the start, it felt tedious, but after doing it for a while, I’ve grown to really enjoy reflecting on my day. I feel like it’s a nice way to think about how I’m spending my time and what I’m doing. Some day, a while after the pledge process has ended, I think I’m going to go through this thread and read some of my journals to see what kind of person I was and became through pledging.
I got to hang out with one of my high school friends today which was a lot of fun since I haven’t seen her since the summer. We got food and went to a new boba place that opened up in my town. I took a fat nap when I got back because I stayed up really late watching this show called Invincible that’s been on my list. But after I got up, my pbros and I finished up the planning for active appreciation. I feel like our slide show looks really good and has a cool theme. Some of the slides are literally so funny and I think the actives are going to like it a lot. I forgot to take a picture of my paddle before I left to put on my slide which is a bummer, but since Matthew hasn’t even gotten it yet, I can just say it’ll be a surprise. It’s also weird to think that hell week has gone by this fast and that this is our last big test. I still feel a bit unsure about some things so I think I’m going to review the information before I go in two hours. Even though we haven’t even ended the week yet, I already feel a weird sense of nostalgia when I think about when I first met all my pbros.
I guess this is it though! Wish me luck on the oral final tonight and if I’m able to cross! Farewell <3
|
|
|
Post by kylienakamoto on May 28, 2021 5:01:12 GMT
Thursday 5/27/21
Wow I can’t believe that this is my last journal!!! Today I woke up feeling very tired after a fun but long night at Hanna’s. We had stayed up late preparing for Active Appreciation but at least we made yummy brownies hehe! I had long classes today and mostly just spent the day studying for Oral and Written Finals. I really need to go to the grocery store but I’m so lazy, but my bank account is not happy with me going out to eat so often.
Oral finals were not as bad as I thought!!! And neither were written finals. I am soooo relieved it’s basically all over and it was so cool to talk to Micah and Christian. ANYWAYSSS I love my p-bros sooo muchhhhhh.
I don’t really have anything left to say. Hmmm my bank account is hurting rn. I ordered some clothes and I am so excited! I also ordered some gifts for Aku but sadly they won’t arrive before Active Appreciation. I am sooo jealous of her rn because she’s at the iHeart Radio Music Awards!!! She got to sit front row and got to see so many celebrities. IDEK HOW SHE FINDS THESE EVENTS but she is so coooollll and amazing if you’re reading this ILOVEU and take me with yoU next time!!!!! I want more brownies. I will see Eric in one second. I love UCLA. I love dinosaurs. I love chocolate. Brownies. At Hanna’s. YAY We still have brownies left from yesterday. Sooo gooey. #love #you #alll everyone have a great night!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by vidyapatel on May 28, 2021 5:02:17 GMT
May 28th:
I am in fact crying while writing this. The past 7 weeks of my life have been an absolute whirlwind and I literally do not know what my days are going to be like without pledging. I am a better student, better friend, and better person as a result of this process. I am walking away with the greatest 9 best friends and walking into an opportunity that I will be able to keep and grow for the rest of my time at UCLA and beyond. I feel so lucky. That is still the only word I can use to describe this entire process. I will continue journaling because I loved this a lot even though most days it was my planner. It kept me on track and gave me a constant amidst the process. From the first day of rush to this moment my excitement about this fraternity and all the wonderful people in it has not died down at all. I have the 2 greatest bigs who feel like 2 big sisters. I have 2 amazing parents (Christian and Micah) who truly made this process as perfect as possible. And I am walking away with a stronger, more confident version of myself. I am so beyond grateful and excited for what the future holds. A year ago I was filled with so much excitement to go to my dream school but today I am filled with so much excitement to meet my dream friends. I love everyone and I am so lucky for this opportunity. Thank my lucky stars every day for this. Xi or Die for life.
To any of my pledge brothers or Christian and Micah reading this- thank you would not be an adequate way to express how grateful I am for you.
|
|
|
Post by nathanklassen on May 28, 2021 5:10:45 GMT
Journal 05/27 Hello all, I am so glad I can consider this day as a day of lasts: last day of pledging, last day of journaling (sorry doing this has not been a highlight of my day), and last covid vaccination shot. Again, I will start off my day after midnight, staying up till 2 AM to try and diligently study all Kappa Alpha Pi-related materials and finishing my paddle for my big. After a brisk 5 hours of sleep, which I only make a point of because I run on 8 hours of sleep normally, I had to get up and go to the hospital to get my second shot. I was definitely nervous for this one as I've heard how the second shot takes a lot of people out as they will have flu-like symptoms and their arm becomes really sore. immediately after I got my shot I started feeling the pain in my arm and I tried working out this afternoon to try and subdue or overcome that soreness. During my political science class I learned that I had been one of the top scorers for the midterm, so go me, and also a good job to Kylie because we both did well. The thing is, that was from week six... when I had actually paid attention to the material. In a week my final will be due and I have no clue what the topics will be about or even how to address them. Luckily, our professor said that we can use the undergraduate Writing Center. I have never used its resources before but I hope this will be able to secure a good grade in the class. I have never been particularly good at handling stress. I am very diligent about working and staying organized and want to make sure everything gets done to the best of my ability, which was true during the pledge process as well. I think it will be good to channel that energy in my academics again and stop worrying about what I will be doing between 6 and 8 p.m. every day of the week. Sleep tight besties – Nathan
|
|
|
Post by ericrousso on May 28, 2021 5:41:17 GMT
5/27
This is so exciting. The last journal. I cannot wait to continue doing this after pledging wraps up. Today was such a nice day. I woke up pretty late, just in time to hop on my LS7A lecture. After the lecture, I took a shower and watched my philosophy lecture. I am nervous about philosophy because my grade might be in the tank but that is okay because I still have the chance to recover. I will talk with my philosophy TA and try to snag a better grade. That is okay if not though. After philosophy, I went to Kelton to pick up dough to bake Challah bread, which I will do sometime soon. #ChallahForHunger. I also got a Frapp from Starbucks which was delicious and I cannot wait to have it again. When I got back, I did some more Philosophy and LS7A. We then had oral and written finals, which I think went well. I am excited for active appreciation tomorrow. I am about to go to Hanna's to paint paddles and finish up active appreciation. Love you guys always. Such great memories from the past few weeks that I never want to relive. But great nonetheless. Goodnight fam.
|
|