Classes -- #1 Ten Things

Ten Things: An Archaeology of Design
     Taught by Michael Shanks this class looks at the history of design through the close exploration of ten things. The website is here. Although an 8am lecture (no students thought this was possible) the material is very interesting. Professor Shanks looks at the "things" in very different and nuanced ways to describe their significance. So far we have explored a prehistoric hand axe (humans as cyborgs), pyramids at Giza (the machine and function of management), ancient Greek perfume jar (looking at cutting edge design in its earliest state), and a medieval castle (the nature of military function). In the future we will be looking at a Wedgwood teapot, the electric light bulb, Eddie and Joan Hall's Bentley, the Leica Rangefinder IIIc, the computer mouse, and Gordon Murray's city car. Our project in the class is to think of an 11th thing and speak about the importance of its design. I will be working with my lovely roommate, Maia.

The Blog

I am really going to try my best to keep writing about the great events I get to go to. I realize that blogging is also a way for me to organize my photos and have memories of all the great experiences I am a part of here on campus. So I am going to keep it up! :)

Rally is BACK!

New year, more rally gear. 

The best Stanford traditions come with the craziest costumes you can think of. Here is one of mine from last week. You can't see my pants, but they were some really patterned leggings I love having for yoga. 

#GlitterNedNation 

Party on the Edge

One of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far has been the planning and execution of Party on the Edge at Cantor Arts Center on Thursday, October 2, 2014. 

I spent my summer as the student engagement intern at the museum and my big project was planning this annual student party at the beginning of fall quarter.

I was really working on reinventing the party. It was the first time a student was working on it and I wanted to get that student flavor into the party. I created a survey to find out what students wanted. It was really important to get the student perspective, especially on food. We added lights, DJs, more give-aways, and the favorite student foods. 

The party is a celebration of the arts so we gave students the chance to make some art. Here you see students creating Jackson Pollock t-shirts to take home with them. 

We had performances from a diverse range of student groups from acapella to hip hop. 

The party was a HUGE success! In previous years we have had around 1500 students and this year we had 2700 students roll out! It was amazing.

Here are some pictures of the party (it went throughout the entire museum):

Afterwards I was pretty satisfied but also exhausted from being at the museum from 1pm-1am that day.

Trying to Catch Up - Cardinal Nights Carnival

The second event for my job at Cardinal Nights was the Carnival. It was after the first day of classes. 

We had a hot air balloon, pizza, free t-shirts, cotton candy, popcorn, slide, video game truck, bean bag toss, and even more! 

I was a little over excited about the cotton candy machine. I had never had hand spun cotton candy and now I had a chance to make it all night long. It is not as easy as it looks but I got the hang of it. 

Trying to Catch Up! - NSO

I worked NSO (New Student Orientation for the Freshman) for Cardinal Nights. We brought in Adam Trent, a magician, to do a magic show that sold out in Memorial Auditorium. 

I had so much fun because Eli has been doing amazing magic tricks at home and I have always loved watching Poppi do magic. 

Adam was incredibly funny, very witty, extremely entertaining, and, of course, talented. 

He is going on Broadway this winter with the Illusionists. 

The freshman bring so much fun and excitement! It was wonderful to welcome them with our first event.