My Best Week In Berkeley Yet...

Well, the past week and a half here in Berkeley have been really great!
My best friend from Spelman flew to California for her spring break and I got the chance to show here what I have been up to for the past 3 months.
When she arrived, the first place I took her was C.R.E.A.M. (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) [Yes, it is a play on the rap song by Wu Tang Clan...] This is a place right around the corner from the campus where you can get homemade ice cream sandwiches for $1.50! They take the cookies out of the oven as you come and order them, which means they are still hot.
She was instantly addicted, just like everyone else here on campus. We also went to Doe Memorial Library to do some studying (just because she was on break doesn't mean that I was... Sigh)
Well, the next day, I took her to class with me. We went to Politics and Social Change Lecture and discussion. It was pretty funny when I explained to my professor what she was doing in class. He laughed a little, almost as if to say, "Your friend flew across the country for spring break, and you actually came to class..." which was pretty funny indeed. In all honesty, the thought of not coming to class didn't really seem like an option up until that point. (And by then, I was already there so... Might as well stay.)
During discussion, she was actually called upon to answer a question, which was pretty funny. She also started to meet and talk to the various people that I have been spending time with since arriving in Berkeley.
We ended the day with going to my Twilight Decal (she's just as big a Twilight fan as I am, so she really enjoyed herself.)
Once class was finished, we made a stop at Crepes-A-Go-Go, which is absolutely fabulous. (I can tell you now, a good portion of this particular blog is going to be about food in Berkeley. Because that is sincerely one of the best parts of being in Berkeley. THE FOOD!) I had and apple sauce and cinnamon crepe with powdered sugar and whipped cream. She had a nutella crepe with bananas and strawberries. We basically had breakfast/dessert for dinner. Ah, the life of college students...
On Friday, we went to my two classes, Yougartland and then Cheeseboard Pizza. Which was delicious. It was the best pizza I have ever eaten in my life. We went with my floor-mates, which automatically means it turned into an adventure to say the least. We ended up eating pizza in the median of the street... (Which was actually pretty awesome. If ever you get the chance to eat gourmet pizza on a median, do so. It's a near death, crazy nonsense that is worth it. Lol. [For my parents who I know are reading this... Obviously I lived. Which means you can stop worrying now. Lol])
Another great thing about Cheeseboard is that they have a live jazz band playing as you eat. So, they open up all the doors and windows until the whole street is flooded with music. And, it was one of the places that I was instructed that I MUST try while I was in California. I worked at a restaurant last semester, and the Chef and both managers/owners have all lived or spent a good amount of time in the Bay Area. They gave me a list of things to try, which I can publish later. And so far, all of their suggestions have been great. (If only I'd have known about the huge pillow fight in SF that takes place on Valentine's Day... I would have made a little detour there... So, if you come to Berkeley during that time, check it out.)
Afterwards, we went to CREAM again... Yummy *greedyface* And we went to Rasputin Music/DVD store to see what goodies they have. They had tons of movies and cds "on the cheap". (But it was all legal, I swear.)
Now, Saturday was the most awesome day! We woke up early and caught the BART to Union Square in SF and spent the entire day shopping. I am telling you, you have never seen a mall like the Westfield Shopping Center of San Francisco... It was beautiful. The design... the architecture... The stores... It was beautiful. We literally spent the whole day wandering around, trying things on and having a great time. Also, there happened to be a St. Patrick's Day Parade going on, which was pretty fun.
I have to say that overall, it was the best week that I have spent in California. It was amazing because, it's very hard to sum this experience up and describe it to others. But, to have someone share a little part of it with you... And, to have you best friend pick up and fly all the way across the country in order to visit. It's pretty amazing. It makes you feel special.
I'm glad that she came to visit and I'm glad we participated in so many activities together. There were a lot of things we did that I kept saying I was going to do but that I hadn't done because I kept thinking to myself "I have 5 months, it doesn't need to be done all at once." Like, going to visit the school's Campanile. (You must look this up on the internet. It's not possible to describe it in words. But basically, it's a large tower in the middle of campus that holds the bells that are played every hour. Also, everyday at noon, they play a mini-concert for the campus. So far, I have heard they have played some music by U2 and the theme song to Harry Potter... Which is pretty awesome.)
Other fascinating things that have taken place was taking my midterms. I took my midterm for Virtual Communities and it was pretty easy. Plus, he gave us extra credit for writing the word Mardi Gras at the top of our paper next to our names. Then, we learned about internet crime such as "Firesheep". I think it should have been renamed internet paranoia week. Because, it was enough to make you feel like the internet is NOT your best friend... But, obviously I have moved past these feelings because here I am blogging.
I also had midterms for my Sociology of Culture and Politics course.
I also managed to score really well on my first quiz in Society and Technology.
It's interesting to be doing so well as far as grades here this semester. Although it is definitely hard work to stay on top of everything, I have to say that, thus far, this is the best semester academically that I have had in college. I thought it would be impossible to adjust to the rigors of being at Berkeley. However, it's not only been manageable. (Although, I must admit, I was getting a little bit desperate for Spring Break. So MUCH reading... So much.)
This adventure in Berkeley has truly been worth it for me. It is teaching me a great deal. But the education seeps out of the classroom and into the aspects of my life. I have learned that, I am strong enough, courageous enough, to fly across the country and be successful. I don't have to feel afraid to "Go big or go home". And, I am glad that I have Spelman to thank for making this opportunity possible for me. I know that, had I gone anywhere else for my undergraduate years, I would not be on the path that I have found. And honestly, I know that any other one, would not have been as excellent or fulfilling.
I have the take the time to be slightly existential here...
Before Spelman, I allowed the people and the world around me to TELL me who I am. I depended on that external perspective to know exactly who I was supposed to be. Being at Spelman has been like someone handing the mirror to me and telling me, "Look and see for yourself who you are." I have been finding out who I am on my own terms. And being at Berkeley has been an extension of this discovery.
My only hope is that, I can take this gift and use if for others. It would seem like a useless gift if it stopped at just me. So, my next goal is to find ways to pass this gift of discovery on to others.
So, of course, I will close with my usual quote. And this one, I think, is perfect.

"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time." -Anna Freud

P.S. I am only hours from turning 21!!!! And I will be spending my birthday in Palo Alto, California!!!! (