there is a place

I never thought I would be much of a runner, but during my college years I discovered how much fun it is. Getting started is another story altogether though — the only thing I know is that I like to run, to constantly challenge my body to do better so that somehow, my mind focuses more during the day as well. Anyway, when I first moved in my apartment I would jog in the neighborhood before work, but the stench of LA was so permeating — from a bus stop picking up people scowling about going to work to a local plant with smoke emissions — that I thought to run straight to the mountaintop just beyond my neighborhood.

One morning this longing to emerge atop the mountain so close only caused me to, instead of run through my neighborhood, get in my car and drive as far up the mountain as time permitted. I drove past my alma mater and beyond the 210, past a few mansions, and found myself at the parking lot of a small trail known as the Thompson Creek. The trail was so pretty, I had started running there every morning. A few neighborhood residents frequent there — an elderly man who walks his golden retriever and tells me to “make it a good one” when I run by him, a mother and daughter (the mother of whom always waves with her hand far above her head comically), and a few good joggers who make me look bad. At the beginning, that is.

Not only do I like to make my body feel good, I like the restful beauty that nature has to offer in the foothills of LA. The trails, trees, wildflowers, and nature are all a large part of me since my body has adapted to their trails. I think we all need to have places we know and love — it all has to do with self-discovery.

So I go there and self-discover. What is so immersive about this environment that makes one so peaceful and inspired? For me it is the quite beauty and discipline that comes with going there. I am certain you have your own places. And I would say go there every day if you can — it’s worth the hike.

caught off-track

[Priya runs down Routt Hall]
Sarah: Have you ever heard that every time you masturbate a kitten dies?
[Priya stops, turns around, runs back]
Priya: WHAT?! That’s horrible!

just ’cause we do analysis homework together…

Prof. Towse: Where’s Priya?
[Kat and Talya shrug]
Prof. Towse: What? Don’t you all live together?!

Kat’s lack of a better word

Lisa: You don’t have a penis!
Kat: [looks down] …You’re right, I don’t.

2+2=?

Prof. Towse: If we live in a world where (2+2=5), then we live in a world where Bush is smart.

I’m too anal retentative for my own good sometimes

Kat: It’s an eraser Talya. PLEASE do something else with your life.

nope

Kat: I wonder if my boobs are still on Talya’s drawers…

Oh, yes you can

Kat: You can’t jump off a building responsibly!
Talya: Bungee jumping: jumping off a building responsibly.

Don’t ask

Renee Towse: So, how’s your semester going?
[Prof. Towse wanders away, whistling innocently]
Priya: Uh… [pauses]….Good.
Prof. Towse: I believe the phrase ’shit list’ has been used.
Priya: Not to your face!
Prof. Towse: Yes, you said that to me.
Priya: I’m going to have to switch advisors again…

drunk math…the best way

Prof. Alongi: I urge you all to go home and perform the matrix multiplication, after you’ve had a good, stiff drink.