It’s happened; I have conformed to the Wake Forest southern lifestyle. The “y’all” is now intermixed with my Brooklyn accent and, yes, I ordered that Vineyard Vine whale sticker online. Don’t get me wrong I love my little whale – I think it sits happily with my Batman logo and vintage Buddah bumper sticker…
I am your typical freshman and I am here to express the struggles and embarrassments of this grand ole year; New York style.
Girls from Brooklyn don’t typically run into so called “gentlemen” on the streets of New York. I’m sure you can imagine my endless awkward experiences whenever a typical Southern Gentleman opens the door for me. I mean, what is this?! I am accustomed to rushing to catch the door before it slams in front of my face. At Wake, I too frequently find myself looking like a deer caught in a four-door Jeep’s headlights as the kind gentleman smiles back at me.
And, then I think, Where is my train map?! I am so confused by this whole night-life system of transportation. I remember back to when my mom fiercely told me to never get in a car with strangers, right as I am hopping into a pledge car. For being a smart New Yorker, I am simply embarrassed by the lack of knowledge I have for the social world here on campus. I have now become the same foreigner I once made fun of in the busy streets of Manhattan.
It is hard enough being unfamiliar with the customs and traditions of the school, but being that clumsy freshman doesn’t help either. Yup, that was me who fell down a flight of stairs in front of everyone the other day. I heard the deep roar of laughter and a chorus filled with the fake, “Are you okay?” I sat and let the utter-failure that is my so-called life sink in.
I am from the street corners of Brooklyn and now I am lost in the infestation of Jack Rogers and Long Champ. It seems to be the common worry among all of us – but I wonder if this mess of confusion will eventually fade away or just stay forever. I am that awkward freshman from the north, the one who has not a clue about anything or where to even buy cowboy boots. But I have faith it will all work itself out – or at least that’s what my mom keeps telling me.
Till next time,
Brooklyn xoxo.