Dear Readers,

When I was eight years old, one of my father’s coworkers showed me pictures of her alma mater, Cornell University. While I was already convinced by this age that I was destined to attend one of the Ivies, I was so starstruck by the clock tower and idea of living in New York that I decided then and there that this was my dream school. As a very wise friend and copy editor recently joked, “The eight-year-olds yearn for the gorges.”

Last week, I got to fulfill what felt like a lifelong dream when I traveled to the exciting city of Ithaca to support our women’s basketball team at Ivy Madness. I had an absolute blast cheering on our awesome team and felt very nostalgic reliving my tour bus days, but I gotta say: We really take Providence and Brown for granted sometimes. No hate to Ithaca or Cornell—I do wish I could’ve spent more time getting to explore—but the gloomy weather there certainly made me yearn for Providence skies. After almost two decades of waiting and imagining, I don’t think the campus quite lived up to what I had always dreamed of. That being said, there was nothing sad about this revelation, as it just reinforced my belief that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

This week, our writers share in my sentiments of nostalgia and joy. In Feature, Ivy gives us an encore to one of her pieces from last year, interviewing people on the term “bi non-practicing.” In both Feature and Narrative, we have beautiful musings on language from Michelle and Samaira, respectively. In A&C, Alyssa writes on connecting with loved ones through media and Ann Gray recounts her memories of playing mindless browser games. In Lifestyle, Ina writes about her passion for Chobani yogurts and the ways they’re intertwined into her life, and Sofia writes on her special connection to magnolias. As a special treat in post-pourri, your lovely team of managing editors are sharing some of the things that make us smile. Finally, before you go, don’t forget to complete AJ’s crossword!

As we count down the days until spring break, finishing those last-minute assignments and cramming a week’s worth of clothes into a tiny carry-on bag, it can be easy to feel like you’re drowning in the stress of midterms or the winter doom and gloom. When you can, take a quick moment to pop back up for air. Whether it’s out on the Main Green or in the depths of the SciLi, there are pockets of joy to be found all over campus, and I, for one, am always grateful for the little moments and corners of the school that show me how this was the place I was dreaming of all along.

Currently surviving off of caffeine and a dream,
Jessica Lee
Copy Chief