Weekend Review

This past Shabbos I attended my Senior Shabbaton (weekend retreat). It was an interesting experience on many levels, most particularly because it was so refreshingly low key. I have nearly always returned from such school gatherings stained bone deep with exhaustion, but today I suffer from no such adverse afflictions. To be honest, I can't quite decide if I enjoyed the experience or not- I am most unequivocally not the sort of person who is at ease in social situations, however innocuous. Spending a night away from my own bed and bathroom is also not a prospect that makes me particularly comfortable, nor is it pleasant for anyone to suffer through a screeching headache from lunch until dinner. However, if I did not quite adore the experience, it certainly was a considerable improvement on the past formula. There was a lot more laughter and a lot less emotional discomfort than in any previous Shabbaton, and for the first time there was Taboo, which I found to be an excellent game. I did not consider not going (Senior Shabbaton, after all), but for the first time I do not regret my decision.

In other news:
~This is the last week of in-school practice for Production. My throat is in tatters and the drama is horrendous (to the extent that I feel lucky not to be in the audience), but I can't help but to feel excited. (My newfound proclivity for optimism is frightening me, by the way.)

~I've finally sent out my application to Stern, with a remarkable 48 hours to spare. Now I have only one more acceptance letter to worry about...

~Speaking of which, this Tuesday is the Red Letter day for Seminary responses. I received one letter this past week, an appreciated but disturbingly brusque form informing me I had been accepted. (It went along the lines of, "We like you. Come. Give us money," as my sister said.) I have one more Seminary letter coming. It should be interesting to see the verdict...

~Aurthur Miller, a great American playwright, has passed away. This is a sad and strange occasion for me, as to my knowledge he is the first author whom I have read who has passed away during my conscious years. I wonder if my English teacher will bring it up tomorrow. Somehow, Mr. Miller always seemed immortal.