Jonas

Guys, I can attest from personal experience (aka today) that humans do indeed hibernate. But what is there to do besides eat, sleep, Netflix, repeat, when snow is piling up outside with 40 mile-per-hour winds whipping the flakes into your face? Seriously, I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when the tornado rips up her house.

being whipped away

This morning, I went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare some breakfast for myself and the rest of the IHPers. I fried two packs of bacon and basically ate one of them myself bc duh, that's what I do. Everybody seemed surprised by the fact that I cooked TWO WHOLE PACKS for thirty people, and I was like, "lol this wouldn't even satisfy the Stoddard fam for a Tuesday morning breakfast."

when I make Sierra or Moo a pack of bacon

The rest of my morning was me chillin' in bed--

Eating food, and watching Netflix. 

Later on, after dinner, Caitlin and I were absolutely desperate for coffee, so we legit made a Mount Everest-trek to the Dunkin three blocks away. I had snow up to my knees and my hair was frozen and I couldn't breathe because Caitlin was making me laugh so hard with her freak-outs about the blizzard. We legit got lost in front of the hostel, because walls of snow were blocking the sidewalk and we couldn't see since the snow was whipping our face and both of us were gasping for air. I cannot wait to escape this place. Which will be TOMORROWWWWWW.

That's right!!!! We fly out on Sunday at 11 PM for Dubai, away from this cold and snow and blizzardness. Yay!!!!

Also, after my post the other day about my smiling being unappreciated, I'd like to amend the assertion that no New Yorker appreciates my joy. I walked to Dunkin Donuts yesterday and flashed my happiest smile at the worker that looked like she was having a rough time. She grinned back, and said "your smile... it's nice." I was immediately like--

*tears falling from my eyes*

It honestly reaffirmed my dedication to spreading joy and love and metaphorical sunshine, no matter the reception or the silly looks that people give me. One person smiling back makes all the cold looks worth it! Use this as a reminder for yourself that smiling at others, that dancing along to a street performer's music, that living a joyful life, is one of the simplest but most impactful ways to change the world for the better.

Spreadin' the joy,

Aubrey

Psych

You might think it's my last day in the states, that I'm packing up all of my belongings, and that I'm reminiscing on how much I'm going to miss the United States.

But alas...

Nope. Winter Storm Jonas is hurtling towards New York and threatens to drop 12-18 inches of snow by Sunday morning. Which means... Our flight has been cancelled, and I'll be stuck in New York City until Monday, or even TUESDAY.

Other people are like,

But I'm feeling like,

why is this happening to me

Literally, I cannot handle this cold and winter and blizzard snow. How am I going to handle this?

... I mean that's rhetorical, because I love my fellow IHPers so much that I know their company and their amazingness will get me through this time.

Anyways, a summary of my last two days. Yesterday, my class visited Hudson Yards, a luxury development in Manhattan with apartments in the 8-digits--

the beautiful proposed Hudson Yards!!!

Their Vice President spoke with us for about an hour, and most of my classmates had some really pressing, intellectual, and critical questions about the impact this development would have on the city. Caitlin and I, on the other hand, were like--

where do we sign the lease???

Later that night, Caitlin, a bunch of friends, and I traipsed over to a laundromat to wash our clothing. It was a ~thrilling~ experience, especially as Caitlin and I had never actually been a laundromat before. The owners were half-intrigued, half-unamused with the antics of six random non-New Yorkers. 

Today was our final day of programming for New York. It included a trip down to Midtown East in Manhattan to a non-profit on the 19th floor of a beautiful building. We discussed our academic experiences over the last few weeks, and then presented some info on India--including a fun Bollywood dance. 

We had a delicious Italian farewell dinner and are now hunkered down in the hostel for the next day or two as the snow begins to fall. A bunch of us in the group spent the night dancing in the basement and having a fun time. 

I'm exhausted, so I'm wrapping this up quickly--but I'm very happy, very cozy, and feeling so loved. 

With my whole heart,

Aubrey