Had the best Downtown “adventure” with my friend Mannat today :)
Our Saturday ritual Jacks and Joe (this time I got the chocolate chip pancakes. SOO good!) , then off to the LA Central Public Library for some hardcore Neuro studying. Then we hit up Arca’s cafe which had decent Panera-esque sandwiches (not nearly as flavor rich, but they’ll do) with the worst service. And after picking up Tim Gunn’s Guide to Quality, Taste, & Style, we headed to one of my FAVORITE spots in Downtown—Angel’s Knoll.
I love the side bench aways off from “THE bench” from 500 Days of Summer because it’s almost never occupied, it’s shaded, and the view is still pretty spectacular. We had a nice reflective breather before we boarded our bus back to campus.
It’s funny how much things change, yet stay the same. Angel’s Knoll is the same place it was a few weeks ago when I had gone, but yet so much has changed that it and I are no longer the same.
On my last Downtown adventure, I had longboarded about, studied furiously for my Molecular Biology exam, and freaked out about Diwali. And now, just a few short weeks later, my exam turned out great, USC Drishti has submitted an entry to a national competition, and I don’t think I will be longboarding again for a very long time.
The only thing constant in life is change.
Broken Bird, Stranded In Motion.
Been having a LOUSY few days yesterday and today—but my friends and APASS family & support have got me through it.
I woke up at 11:05am on Wednesday— 5 minutes into my first class. I NEVER wake up late! I wake with the SUN. I FREAK out, shower, get ready, jump on my longboard… it’s 12:00pm. Already late to my SECOND class, I swing by Tommy Trojan, hoping to run into QUASA for a free T-shirt that says : “STR8 AGAINST H8.” No luck. Go to Latin class, and then sprint out of there to get back to Tommy Trojan, convinced that they may not have set up at 12:10. nope, too late. I longboard spritely, but I hit against a rock. The relatively new, slide-loving Orangatang wheels can’t grip the concrete and I lie spread-eagle on the ground, board flying behind me, backpack flying forward.
I took inventory— made sure my phone wasn’t damaged, my board wasn’t damaged, and then looked at my wounds. Thankfully, the only real problem area was my knee. Problem? the only real PROBLEM AREA is MY KNEE! Might I remind you that the banquet culminating all my HSO work & USC Drishti work is ON SUNDAY @ 6pm?
How can one dance Bharatanatyam without bending one’s knee? YOU DON’T. :(
After seeing the gashing wound on my knee, I headed straight to the pharmacy, then APASS. My APASS Family, though partially grossed out, were SUPER helpful in getting me help to clean up and dress my knee so that I could leave and go to class.
Though later on yesterday, I would forget my phone and a host of other mindless stupid things, my friends got me through it. I got Drunken Noodles delivered to Leavey, studied, and then I took campus cruiser home with a very nice driver who asked me how my day had been. I’ve been trying to answer honestly instead of generically when someone asks that because … why lie?
Then I woke up for today. Got ready and dressed, went to Starbucks and ordered a VERONA BLENDDDDDDD (dark cocoa, roasty sweet)!! After my Modern Russian Art class however, I had a less than pleasant phone call with the company I ordered costume pieces (blouses and leggings) from for Sunday. It resulted me being very anxious and nervous about the costume situation, and in 3 calls to different departments of American Apparel. Long story short, American Apparel is now my backup plan. but yet again, when I felt at my wit’s end— APASS intervened! Talking it out helps to ease the worry. And on their behest, I ran over to the health center. Turns out my cuts aren’t infected or miscleaned—and I should be okay in a few more days. :) The nice nurse also gave me extra of everything, in addition to great advice, so I can fix myself up for days.
After class and lab (where Sydney and Sean make for a great lab team; Sydney and my chats with Aprill about fashion make my day sometimes :P), I headed back to APASS to fix up the flyer and talk to Dannyboy and Mace. Got some Earl Grey boba from Kevin, and generally just got some APASS lovin’.
After getting recharged, I went surfing to find SOMEWHERE to buy costume pieces, and I found this GREAT warehouse store on adams. Booked a zipcar, and I am going tomorrow to hunt down 11 blousepieces and 11 leggings for Sunday. Hopefully they’ll have what we need and I won’t have to go to AA Downtown. :)
Dance practice was great too. I love chatting with Drishti dancers! I feel like our team has already done some mega-bonding, and post-Diwali, we are OVERDUE for a yogurtland trip or a movie night. :] <3
Late night chats with Mannat over mozzarella sticks are also bomb. noms and discussing our non-existent love lives are a constant fuel for our EVERY DAY friendship <3
In general, I am glad that my worst days are actual not THAT bad. I could be in Somalia— without infrastructure. (amnesty international) Or in Haiti without water. (charitywater.org) Or experiencing a heat wave instead of this nice autumnal chill. :)
I’m also super thankful for the people and chance reunions I have had these past few days! Thanks for making my week bearable and livable. Especially APASS Family. <3
I don’t know what I would do without that constant support and care!
-Maithreyi
(Title a reference to “Broken Bird” by Jack’s Mannequin. Their new album has been on repeat in my apartment since it was released. It’s amazing.) <3
RELEVANT.
i love my friends <3
