Despite how the school year barely began, most of us are already knee deep in work with under-eye circles darker than a cup of coffee. In an attempt to brighten things up in the midst of stressful times, I decided to create an appreciation list for where I spend a big chunk of my time: Berkeley. These things come from the UC Berkeley campus itself or are characteristic to the general city. Here are ten things that make me happy.
1) The carillon inside the Campanile
While trekking to office hours at the crowded hours of noon in the middle of the week, cacophonous levels of sounds from the Campanile struck my ears. The mental image of a musician trying their best to bang against the carillon keys as hard as they could (which is quite difficult due to the weight of the bells) popped up. A passerby remarked that the musician probably decided to have fun with playing knowing that no one would be able to stop them. I still don’t know why, but it was just something that revitalized me.
2) Dog spotting
I don’t really know why, but many owners like to walk their dog on campus. (Maybe our campus makes their dog happier.) But I may or may not have stared down dogs while passing in hopes of them spontaneously running into my arms.
3) Squirrel spotting
These curious and cute critters will approach you for a possibility of food. So far I’ve only managed to get close up pictures of them, but I’m convinced that I will some day befriend one.
4) A physical campus
Some academic institutions, such as New York University, scatter their buildings throughout a buzzing metropolitan interior. Thanks to the fact that there is a campus, I can run into and easily meet with friends even though we aren’t in the same major.
5) My current flatmates
Bless them for not judging me for how much I love my bed. I’m also glad that we can coexist without awkward silences.
6) Abundant coffee shops
After two weeks of 6 AM flat whites, I have a new appreciation for coffee. I'm glad that there is always a place to get a fix of caffeine regardless of what time it is.
7) Free laptop rental services
Moffitt Library allows for free four hour and fourteen day Macbook Air rentals. With this service I don’t have to lug around my boulder of a laptop and I can work outside without having to frantically scavenge for a wall outlet within two hours. I’m especially grateful for the latter. The feeling of the sun on my skin and the light breeze rustling my hair is sometimes a much needed alternative to an underground cubicle in the library.
8) The community
From the boy who told me where to find the prettiest flowers to the weekly Taco Tuesday group, thank you.
9) International House
I never expected to have a connection to the building beside the cafe where my American grandfather worked as a grad student. But without the existence of I-House I don’t believe I would’ve had the opportunity to form a lovely friendship that extends from Berkeley to Sydney. Also brownie points for the Spanish and Moorish inspired architecture.
10) The occasional pastel painted sky
I’m not talking about the orange mosaics that are reminiscent of flames from a beach bonfire. I’m referring to the pink and purple hues that coated the cute cotton candy cloud in the picture above.
