FEBS! A Day in the Life of a New Feb

Author: John Glouchevitch '10.5

In my second class today, my sociology professor asked, "Why did you come to Middlebury College?" The question at hand was a question I had often been asked by friends and relations from my hometown, sunny Los Angeles. This was indeed my second class, which meant that I had survived the first and in all likelihood would survive the second. As to why survival was an issue, today was the first day of classes I've had in eight months. It is to be noted, that the ambient temperature when I left was around 80, and the temperature when I arrived was around 8. But I most certainly didn't come for the weather. No, I came because Middlebury fits like a good pair of jeans. Or perhaps in my case a Helly Hansen foul weather jacket. I mean, we've just started our relationship, Midd and I, but I'm already catching myself using the notorious "L" word. I know so little about this place, but I also know I'm not the only guilty party when it comes to throwing the word 'love' around. I hear it all over the place; "I love the food," "I love my room," or even "I love everyone so much." It is strange but wonderful to finally be here. At times it feels like Yosemite Sam is shooting at my feet, as my first days are going by in a cacophonous, joyful blur. I'm trying hard not to run up to everyone and say "Hi I'm John and I'm a new feb and I did a NOLS semester in the Pacific Northwest and I live in California but not really anymore because I live in Milliken and we should hang out and it is so cool to finally be here." Then there are of course other times where I'll find myself lying on my bed alone staring at the ceiling wondering where everyone else is. But there is comfort in knowing that there are probably 50 other Febs who are doing the exact same thing. I have a lot on the to-do list, simply put. Besides learning social norms (for example, does anyone use trays?), classes and learning a song for my a cappella audition tomorrow, I have 500 people to meet who have been here for a semester. Sometimes this is overwhelming, but I'm still going to bed grinning every night. I'm trying hard to pace myself, but there are a lot of things to do, sights to see, buildings to find and friends to make. Lets just say it's going to be a fun four years.