Now that I’m leaving what has become more “home” to me than my parents’ place in SoCal, I’ve started noticing things about Berkeley that I’ll miss when I’m gone (and other things I’m glad to be leaving behind, to be honest). Here’s a fun little list that those of you in Berktown– or Cal alums–will appreciate:
Things I’ll miss:
- Gamedays. The thrill, the sense of community, and of course, the free food
- Sunny days on Memorial Glade or in Willard Park
- All the cute puppies that people bring to Willard
- Sandwiches from Sam’s Deli
- Speaking of food, Gypsy’s (mmm cheap italian), La Med, La Bu (for disgusting but cheap mexican food), Smart Alecs despite their health code violations, cheese from Cheeseboard
- The seediness that is Kips
- Bear’s Lair and Honey Wheat Beer
- Random streakers/naked people– while not so pleasant to see, it’s so stereotypically Berkeley
- Pointless protests and people living in trees (see above)
- Tutoring my athletes :*(
- Going out with athletes, even though I was always the shortest and most out of shape one
- Becoming great friends with a few athletes and then celebrating their athletic successes along with them!
- The Main Stacks– we have a love/hate relationship, but they’re just so pretty
- Memorial Stadium. I’m leaving my heart there.
- World-class professors: Dr. McQuade, Prof Moran, Prof Picciotto, Prof Justice, Prof Muller… definitely my top 5!
- Random adventures, like finding a steering wheel on Durant
- Telegraph Avenue… what more needs to be said?
- Beat the Clock!
- The laid-back college culture in general. This holds true much more so on campus, than in the townspeople themselves.
- It being acceptable to wear leggings, a sweatshirt, and Uggs to class. Guilty as charged.
- Feeling great when I’m the only one in class who did my hair/wore makeup.
- Having a set goal/purpose. That’s a biggie.
- Catching the 1/51/7 just as you arrive at the bus stops
- Seeing 3 51’s arrive at the same time
- Happy Happy man!
- The dude on Telegraph and Bancroft who always says “Good morning beautiful” and makes me smile
- The seagulls that fly in when the weather is nice
- Oh hai, Campanille
- The lawn outside of VLSB on sunny days
- The ever so creepy “Campaign for Berkeley” posters- I want one of me, damnit!
- Playing in Ludwig’s fountain, especially when someone soaps it
- Chicken strips from late night. Yum!
- Getting dressed up for Cal Day/Gamedays and reppin’ my school.
- Oski. Particularly when he hits on me. So inappropriately hilarious.
- The Big C
- Bonfire
- Big Game!
- Go Bears chants and Cal songs
- The Men’s Octet (so good!)
- Ridiculously-themed frat parties
- Shopping for said parties/halloween
- Having to explain to my mom “Where the rest of my costume” is (thanks, mom!)
- Huffing and puffing by the time I get to Wheeler, oops.
- Ready to die by the time I get up to Evans/LeConte
- The creepy owner at the Derby Mart who was always a little tooo friendly
- Sandwiches at Sacks coffee
- Natalie, my English bff for 3 years now and my source of sanity this semester
- The other friendships I made that will hopefully last for a long time 🙂
- Scheduling classes so I don’t have to be productive until 2. Man, I’ll really miss that.
Things I won’t miss so much:
- Always being accosted for money by street kids
- Walking everywhere in heels when you go out
- Naked hippies
- Hippies
- People who make you feel bad because you’re not a vegetarian
- People living in trees
- Ridiculous protests that interrupt class, grr
- Midterms
- Finals
- Papers (so, all the stuff I came here for)
- Telebears
- Waiting for grades to be posted
- The bureaucratic red tape when you need to get something done asap
- Students who flaked on tutoring sessions
- The lack of chain stores… I wish Target were closer!
- No parking. Oh wait, I’m moving to Boston… crap.
- The crazy lady who lives above me and calls her kitty at midnight every night
- Construction in the building next door
- High school dramaaa (yeah this is #1)
- Bipolar Bay Area weather
- Earthquakes!
- 9.75% sales tax
- $3+ gas
- The Tang Center. No, I’m not pregnant, and I’ve had mono twice, so I don’t have that either. Now can we figure out what the real problem is?
- Hipsters
- Driving behind bicyclists going .5 mph in a 25-30 mph zone
- Driving in Berkeley, period.
- Moving every few months. Also, roommates/housemates from HELL. Never again, I tell you!
- Comcast Internet. Hellacious and expensive. RCN, here I come!
- Rain in May. What the eff?
- Crazieeeees. Although they’re often good for a laugh or two.
- Did I mention homework?
I’ll update as I come up with more 🙂
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One of my first ever gamedays!
Birds iViews 