I want to share something special from the other side of town:
That Bitter Phlegm? Concentrated Elegance
Columbia girl: I fucking hate people who go to NYU.
Columbia guy: Me, too. They're so, 'Oh, look at me! I'm so artsy and don't shower.'
Columbia girl: Yeah, and they smoke weed and do acid! Coke is so much classier.
--Tom's Restaurant
Overheard by: Liz
Yes. I love "Overheard in New York" -- it's always incredibly entertaining, but please, by all means, do not, I repeat, do not take it for the grander population of New York inhabitants. And, let's not get carried away with how our neighbors up the river (the Hudson, that is) think of us. A lot of people I've met actually wonder what's better: Columbia or NYU? Really, as I'm sure you know, the two colleges are extremely different.
Artsy? Yes, NYU is artsy. We have an acclaimed Arts/Media program (this includes Film/TV, Studio Art, Communications, Music, etc), and, you know, look at us! So, in a sense, when we really are too busy doing artsy things, it's only natural we forget to shower.
...Just kidding.
In all seriousness, I think that a good chunk of people who attend the school make sure they look "nice" for class just because you actually are immersed in the city when you attend class. You know? We're not enclosed in an itty bitty square with a fake yard. We pretty much expand around New York City, which is how, I think, we can have such a good artsy program, because, I mean, how can you not be influenced in a city as iconic and beautiful as this?
I also have been loving the fact that one of my professors has brought in special guests to class to talk to us about their real life jobs (take that Columbia). Whether it be the head of the CBS Marketing department, or journalists from various New York City publications, it's very, very exciting to see all the possibilities that have been laid out for me (even though I'm still pretty excited about making French Propaganda films).
Just imagine: in a matter of ten, fifteen years, I could be in that sort of a position...to know a journalist of something something, or a producer of blah blah blah...it's just so mind-blowing that all my professors toss out their fellow colleagues randomly. "Yeah, my friend who films Survivor, she lives in LA, she's pretty awesome."
It's mind-blowing that I'm expected to do something with myself in a matter of ten years' time. I know it's a lot to take in at the moment, but it's just incredible the amount some people have accomplished. It's really scary to think of the next steps we'll take with our lives, with each day that passes, each semester that goes by...I often wonder if I'm making the right choices, if I'm working towards an achievable goal?
What, might I ask, can there possibly be waiting for me after college? I know I'm still a couple of years away from that, but the thought excites and frightens me. I know, I know, you are in college to try to find your interests, see what tickles your fancy, etcetera...But sometimes you find yourself interested in so, so many things, and you want to do so, so much to potentially fulfill your so very, very "ideal" future that you have no way of predicting.
Lots of people I know say they want to major in ________, but then they sigh and say, "but that will get me no where."
Eh...you won't get "no where," per se. You're doing something you're truly interested in, and isn't that what you're supposed to do in life? Enjoy?
I've said too much. It's just an ugly day, and all I want to do is finish two papers this weekend. That's all, not too much to ask, is it? IS IT!? French essay, and Media Crit paper...
(insert heaving sigh)