Countdown to Cornell (& Chicago)!

Sorry for keeping you readers waiting, and apologies again if I seem a bit incapacitated at the moment after the brain-draining SATs. Before I conk out again, I'd like to take a minute to express how amused I am that our momentous ILC events always seem to precede important exam days…but mostly to talk about Thursday’s orientation.

It was wonderful gathering in the library (seriously, I must admire what a well-equipped facility ECHS has) with the whole lot of bright ILC students, our parents, chaperones, guest speakers, as well as the people we wouldn't be here without: Mr. Ramsey, Mrs. Kronenberg , and Don. In every event I’ve attended, they have thoughtfully presented us with agendas, so I applaud their organization.

The evening kicked off with an overview of the wide range of experiences we're all in store of this summer.

We were introduced to Mr. Ellis of the Ivy League Connection Press as well as ex-ILC participants and now Ivy Leaguers themselves, our guest speakers:

Brown students Kiana and Cynthia & Yale freshman-to-be Austin Long (sorry I couldn't get you in there, Yueming! I have yet to discover the panorama camera setting).

Thanks to the generous Don Gosney and his convenient cart, we reviewed the important items to bring.

The super-important laptop security cable

What not to attach the laptop security cable to

Before long, breakout session time had arrived. Ms. Neal’s well-organized, in-depth review of our itinerary, forms, and questions was equally reassuring and stimulating. I’m still struck by incredulity that we’ll be making a stop in Chicago en route to Ithaca… shopping on the Magnificent Mile… visiting Northwestern and the University of Chicago. As my fellow Cornellians know already from my babbling, the former is kind of my dream school.

Just because everything will be all business from there on doesn’t mean I won’t be having tons of fun.

Just because we Hotelies were thrice reminded Thursday night by Ms. Sewellyn Kaplan, Ms, Kronenberg, and Mr. Ramsey respectively, that the Cornell Hotel course is the most difficult on campus, that class runs from 7 AM to 9 PM, that we will have virtually no free time even on weekends, and that we’ll be spending Independence Day not out celebrating freedom and fireworks but stuck in class… doesn’t mean I won’t be making the most of every valuable moment. I can neither express my gratitude nor excitement enough.

Stay tuned everyone! I’ll leave you with these tidbits from orientation, because the next time you hear from me, I’ll be off to Chicago!

Don, whom moments ago was taking a picture of me trying to take a picture

Gotcha, Kelly ~ Don

Waiting in the library

Ms. Sewellyn Kaplan wearing her Cornell hoodie

Mr. Ramsey pays the Cornellians a visit