Griselda Chavez

I think something that is also incredibly special about this event is that a group of us, ’24s (freshmen), were able to help create and organize this event with OPAL (Office of Pluralism and Leadership). The office was incredibly kind and helpful to us during the process and super willing to provide us with the necessary funds to not only decorate the room and altar but also give goodies to attendees. Despite only being freshmen, we were still offered the necessary support to host an event that connected us back to our culture and home. It felt incredibly nice to be surrounded by people who were interested in wanting to learn about some Latin American culture and participate. Not only that, but it felt like a piece of home was with me through the lively music and beautiful decorations. Huddled in Collis One Wheelock, several of us were able to paint ceramic skulls and adorn the altar with vibrate decorations while providing a space for us to interact with others. 

On Saturday, a friend and I decided to participate in an event hosted by Dartmouth’s Programming Board and carve pumpkins that we then placed outside our dorms. My friend, Ericka, opted for a cat-styled pumpkin, gaining inspiration from her cats back home while I attempted to write “Boo” with a ghost in the center. As you can see, my pumpkin didn’t go as planned. I never realized how much college kids still enjoyed participating in these small traditions, so it was very endearing to see a group of us in a tent as we attempted to forget the cold and create our masterpieces. Despite my hands feeling completely frozen at the end of the night as I continuously carved out the inside of the pumpkin, the experience was worth it! 

Compared to home, Hanover feels a lot safer for me, mainly because of its small location. It feels oddly empowering being able to walk by yourself in the afternoon or late at night and not have to worry as much about where you're walking. This is a privilege that I realize I am definitely going to miss when I go back home which is why I have decided to not waste a single moment of perfect weather to walk around town. Walking around town, I've realized how comfortable and used to the weather I have become, slowly coping with the New England weather more each day. The pretty, clear skies of Friday offered beautiful shades of pink and purple that accompanied me in my small town adventures. Wandering around town, I visited Lou’s Restaurant & Bakery to purchase one of the most loved apple cider donuts along with a glazed donut. It felt incredibly warm and perfect for the fall weather. It was a perfect treat for the last weekday of classes.