Accounting101

There is something special about people in accouting101 Wharton course. They're not like everyone ,and not in the good way "different". After a semester observing them, I've been thinking more and more of describing the stereoptypical Wharton student. 

The auditorium is fairly divided into girls and boys, but for some reason I only see reasons to target boys. They are most generally of the "fratty" type, meaning frat brother stupid looking. However I would lie if I said they aren't smart, they understand quickly but let's put it this way: they don't bear the looks of the refined minds. They all dresshe same, in such an unoriginal way I can't even think of specific words to describe it. Same with harcuts. I'd be very surprised if I heard them say something interesting.  I'd be very surprised if I heard them discuss something else than campus or greek life. Another reasons to target boys is that they are the ones to eat gross food at 9am, filling the auditorium with a now on characteristic smell of cheese omelette bagel sandwich. Oh the power this sandwhich has to instantly disgust me!

I now wish to tell the story of Drowsy Blong Guy. I couldn't think of a more passive looking person. Maybe it's the early hour in the morning. Maybe he's just like that. The mystery will remain, as I only have accounting at 9am twice a week. He is tall blod boy with a childllooking face, a baby who grew up too fast and it's a little montrous. But undoubtly, his sleepy eyes are the best way to describe him. The class isn't that big and you eventually spot faces (let's not lie, even went you concentrate hard in class, people watch still has a fair amount of your attention). I noticed him because he seems to come in class to fall asleep and  frankly, it annoys me because it makes him look even more stupid. Not that long ago, I sat behind him, or more precisely he arrived late and sat in front of me. That day I thought I would have a peaceful class, because I had managed to escape sitting next to a morning sandwich eater this time. But by the middle of the class, Drowsy began to drowse, his head going back, and forth again as he waked up. No exageration, the movement would resume the cycle every 4seconds, keeping my concentration away from the professor. I was annoyed. I laughted a little with my neighbor and said quite loudly "it's soooo annoying". Miracle ! Drowsy heard, said sorry and put an end to it all. "You were falling asleep on my desk", I explained to him, in a  rather kind way to balance my initial tone.

Why am I telling the strory of Drowsy, the guy in accounting ? - one can wonder. Well, I think it is a perfect example of bad time management, a relatively common flu here at Penn. Why isn't he just taking a good rest one morning, instead of insisting on coming in class to fall asleep? 

Maybe he just doesn't want to miss the morning smelly sandwich. 

Vote ! Michelle Obama at Penn

Mayor Michael Nutter

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama came at Penn to tell people to vote the next day. It was a cold day and we had to wait long hours before she arrived. Other democrats such as Philadelphia's mayor Michael Nutter, spoke before her. Similar speech about the Republicans being the bad guys. By the time the First Lady arrived I was to frozen to appreciate her speech. It was nothing very extraordinary anyway. A lot about being a mom and caring for the world your children will have to live in;

College housing

Kitchen

Living Room

My bedroom

Thanks to my lovely roommates our kitchen is super equiped as you can see on the pictures.

Rain boots fever

Trying to resist the trend. As soon as a grey cloud shows up in the sky, girls rush to their rain boots. Black, green blue, plad, spotted...every version can be found out there. I was told it should be a key component of my wardrobe to survive in Philly's rainy autumn and muddy winter. But how is it that boys do well without these uggly plastic shoes? Makes me believe it might be nothing more than a fad. I'll wait and see if my feet really get wet before purchasing a pair of these.

CSSP - Community School Student Partnership

I joined the family ! I had read about the CSSP ( Community School Student Partnership) even before arriving here and I  am not disapointed about the additional information I now have.

From now on, on every Friday from 3 to 6 i'll be a after school mentor in a community school of West Philadelphia.

Community School Student Partnership offer to Penn students the opportunity of tutoring in community schools of West Philly where the rate of children able to read is disgracefully low. Students can volunteer or be work study in one of the programs (after school tutoring, reading initiative, recess program ...). 

Why "family"? Because CSSP tries to create this kind of atmosphere and to be full of positive energy. As a future mentor I went to training sessions to learn about the culture of the organization. It's basically about being positive (this includes chants, dances and vocabulary all staff member and children know and use to communicate with each other).

What is a comunity school ? 

According to a reliable source (i.e. wikipedia, hmm hmm) : 

(...) don't read everything unless you are very curious, the key concept is the idea of school as centers of community life. I guess you can identify it to a movement, its supporters do try to influence politics. 

"According to the Coalition for Community Schools, a branch of the Institute for Educational Leadership, a community school is "both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources" with an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, leadership, and community engagement. Community schools are generally public, i.e. government and tax-payer funded, though many private and charter schools have also adopted the model. One of the difficulties the movement has encountered is the sheer diversity of institutions claiming to be community schools. This, coupled with the decentralized structure of American education, has hampered efforts to quantify the number of community schools nationally extant.

The movement gained momentum in the Chicago area, where the Federation for Community Schools is working to disseminate the model throughout the public-school infrastructure. With the appointment of Arne Duncan, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, to the post of Secretary of Education, the concept of "schools as centers of community life" has become part of the national education agenda. Currently, many local, state, and national organizations seek the establishment of community schools throughout the country. Of these the most prominent non-profits are the Coalition for Community Schools, Communities In Schools, Schools of the 21st Century (an initiative of Yale University), the National Community Education Association (NCEA), and the Children’s Aid Society. The United States government (through the 21st Century Community Learning Center) and various state governments also provide funding and policy support for community school initiatives."

Italian Market

Every Saturdays and Sundays the Italian market takes place in South Philly. Last week I went to have a look. Not surprinsingly, it turns out the market is nowadays held by Mexican people. Fruits and vegetables are really cheaper than elsewhere and you get to walk in really cute streets. However, it's not very close from University City so it's not something you can do in a regular basis. It's also a great place for brunches but the waiting list is long. The best thing to do is register on a list and have a walk around but you have to be careful not to miss your turn like it happened to me ! 

The sandwich I eventually ate after missing my turn on the waiting list for brunch

Rooftop

It's the best place to study at night. Located on the 25th floor of every high rise. 

Best view of Philly and the pleasure of deep silence surrounding you. 

 

Rodin, rooftop: the view, my reflection and my laptop

 

View from Harnwell