APRIL 17, 2015, 0600 EST: BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP! I swear my roommate is going to start throwing things at me if I let another one of my alarms go off (I actually have a theory behind all of that). Yes, it may be 6AM. And yes, we may have gotten less than four hours of sleep. However, by no later than 6:30AM I am ready for a 7:00AM breakfast. Do you want to know why? One word: BREAKFAST (Coca-Cola Scholars Style). Breakfast is hands down my favorite time of the day because when I hear it spoken, let alone think about it, I can’t help but smile. For, as a die-hard foodie, breakfast is also my favorite meal of the day.

For me, breakfast serves as a marker that the day has just begun, and good things can still happen. Why do you think everyone runs around trying to find a place that still serves breakfast, even if it’s 5 o’clock in the afternoon? Because having lunch is like throwing in the towel. This is my favorite meal because sometimes I like to use ‘I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter’ on my toast in the morning, and because when I eat breakfast, I like to be incredulous. How was breakfast? Unbelievable. This is my favorite meal because it’s easier to eat fruit (because it goes on bread), everything comes in layers or tiers, there’s nothing better than putting cold things on a toasted bagel, you can put bacon on anything, and you don’t even have to get out of bed to eat it.

I watch as other tired-eyed Scholars file in, fill their plates, chew, swallow, and light up (see, I told you it’s magical). A new day at Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend has officially begun.

Countdown

Posted: April 16, 2015

APRIL16, 2015, 02:00 EST: I’m lying awake. I’ve set my alarm (many of them, to be honest) that I can see counting down in my head… 3 hours 25 minutes… 3 hours 24 minutes… I’m tossing and turning. I can’t get comfortable. It’s too hot, then too cold. I haven’t finished packing, and I squeeze my eyes shut visualizing what’s already in my suitcase, and what I’m likely to forget (Toothbrush… don’t forget the toothbrush)… 3 hours 22 minutes… Now I have the audacity to try and match names and faces [by memory] from my sufficient Facebook safari of everyone I will be meeting in… oh man, getting up in 3 hours 18 minutes… it takes all of my reserve energy to not reach for my phone and check my mad [nonexistent] name skills with the Facebook roster. I don’t. My optic nerves thank me… 3 hours 15 minutes… I wonder if this is all actually happening. It’s real… 3 hours 13 minutes… I have butterflies in my stomach… 3 hours 10 minutes… I’m smiling. I’m smiling because next to the countdown to my dreaded wake-up alarm is the countdown to the commencement of Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend!

An Introduction

Posted: April 14, 2015

My name is Sydney Kamen, and I am a Washington, D.C. native through-and-through.

WARNING: I’m an optimist. You know, one of those people who smiles when the alarm clock buzzes at 5:00 AM to get to a 5:30 AM Crew practice. I know: I’m a freak of nature. At some point you may become frustrated with my early morning peppiness and seemingly perpetual happiness. I would be singing ‘Tomorrow’ rather than crying for help if I were the girl trapped in the pit in ‘Silence of the Lambs.’ Some people see an empty glass; I see a couple sips left. You can always count on me to help you find and focus on the up side of any situation rather than its worst-case scenario.

On the plus side, I like to laugh and make others laugh. I love wordplay, wittiness and puns. I love cheesy and terrible jokes. Sometimes I’ll try to make my own; I apologize in advance. My two Newfoundland puppies are irresistible. So are potato chips. I am a varsity snacker. I have the appetite of a family of four, and I strip the cheese off my pizza and eat it separately. I love every ice cream flavor, except strawberry. Don’t ask, I don’t know why. I love Ben’s Chili Bowl (a must for all of you future DC tourists), even though I’m fairly certain their half-smoke has caused permanent damage to my internal organs. I prefer breakfast for dinner, and I think that creamed spinach should not exist. On the other hand, I am totally fine with cottage cheese. To testify to the true foodie I am, I have intensely studied the languages [conveniently] corresponding to my favorite cuisines (Indian, Thai, French).

It is impossible to relay how grateful and honored I am to be able to call you all family now! We are going to build great things together!