I think Professor Helen Vassallo said it best when she declared that “It grabs you fiercely by the throat in the very first scene and never lets go.”

Tonight I was fortunate to grab a seat at WPI’s department of humanities and arts and masque’s presentation of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (and a pretty good seat at that). I knew exactly what Professor Vassallo meant when I suddenly realized when the lights came up for intermission that I had been in a trance for the last approximately 45 minutes by the dark set in front of me and absolutely captured by the drama.

Knowing only one person in the production as I walked into the theater, I was surprised to see just how many of the actors/actresses I noticed from around campus! It was quite dramatic to see them transform totally into the characters I recognized from my  11th grade English class reading.

As this was my first WPI theatre production, I can certainly say it will not be my last and will admit that I feel as though I had missed out my last two years here. I won’t give anymore of the play away – certainly not, since you still have Friday and Saturday to come see it for yourself!

As you start to feel the bite in the air- it’s bound to happen. That is, the end of the fall sports season.

Women’s Soccer: As with most every year we found our ticket into the tournament. However, what was different than most years was our seed number. In the past several years (before I even got here even) we’d consistently just make the tournament as the #8th seed and then play the #1 seed in the first round. This year however we were 4-5 in league play and came in #6th! This accomplishment made us bear the loss to MIT in the first round alittle bit better. Also, the fact that we could still cheer on the men’s team eased the pain a bit too.

Men’s Soccer: We hosted the first game of tournament for the men’s NEWMAC side of things. It was certainly a breathtaking win! I was lucky to have gotten to see all the action. That night last week I had meetings all through the afternoon and night but had only a 45 minute time block free. The question was either dinner or men’s soccer game: I obviously chose the game. I was there right in time for half! It was tie 1-1 and with less than 3 minutes left there was a PK that we nailed to make the score 2-1 and gain the win to the semi finals!! This past weekend I also attended the semi final game on the road at Babson with some of my friends. They played a great hard game but this time they were on the losing end of a 2-1 score.

Not to worry too much – I’ll certainly find things to do with my time. Basketball season is right around the corner: Kicking off with a tournament on November 15th!

I was a spring 2009 freshman when I came to WPI, and coming from a tropical country were there are basically just two seasons, Hot and not so hot, and then being submerged in the New England winter well lets just say it was an initial shock to my system. I think I adjusted quickly because seeing snow for the first time was OH SO FASCINATING!!!!

However being here for almost a year I have grown to appreciate the changing seasons for they each bring new things. Now if you’ll just glance my pic to the left you’ll see I’ve compiled a little mosaic of pictures I have taken since January, so you see Winter, Spring, Summer and fall (which is almost over now). After winter is over and the snow melts the complete transformation of the landscape that comes with spring is almost breathtaking. Its all just FAB.

Winter however is just around the corner and it has snowed freakishly twice already. Nothing permanent but snow nonetheless. Maybe later in the season I may finally give Skiing a go, for they say when in Rome one should do as the Romans do.

And to that end, I have just done most of my winter shopping.

Being from California, I’m not yet used to the fast approaching New England Winters (temperatures below 30), and *gasp* snow.  So, I went to the mall and picked up a knit hat, ear muffs, thermals, and snow boots to augment my amazing 3-in-1 jacket that weighs like 10 pounds.  The only thing I’m wanting for still is good snow pants, but that’s coming still.  The point is that it’s getting cold here in Worcester, as it usually does around this year.  For those of you who like the cold, then get over here, you’ll love it.  For those of you like myself or my Physics partner who is from the Virgin Islands, it will take a bit of getting used to….and a lot of layers.

My point is, be prepared.  The leaves changing colors are a beautiful sight, and the smell of the chill and the feeling as it gets closer to snowing is a feeling that is unlike any other.  But, you should definitely make steps to making sure you can enjoy yourself here despite the cold…this means shielding yourself.

My suggestions, unless you are a crazy person from Maine like my roommate, is to have a good pair of thermals (top and bottom), good snow boots, warm socks, a snow jacket, appropriate pants, snow gloves, and something to cover your head/ears.  If this is too much to ship out with all your clothes, like it was for me, you can find all these things here in the various malls and thrift stores for pretty cheap, so you needn’t worry too much about hauling it all here via plane or car.

Now, my readers, I’m off to cuddle up under a blanket….I want my non-freezing winters back….