It has been well documented, both on this blog and in my real life, that I love Mindy Kaling. She is near the top, if not at the very top, of my list of crushes. (not girl crushes, because, in the words of Mindy Lahiri, "I hate it when people say girl crush. Just say crush, no one's going to think you're a lesbian.") So yesterday, when I was just chillin' on Twitter, I saw that she was going to be speaking at Harvard Law School's Class Day. Now, I had no clue what Class Day was, but if Mindy Kaling is going to be in Cambridge, you can bet I'm going to be there too. When I realized it was happening the next day, and that I don't work on Wednesdays, it was settled. I was going to crash this sucker.
This morning, I almost didn't go. It was gray and rainy, and I woke up feeling gross. But I popped some Advil, ate a chocolate chip cookie, put on my best polka-dot pants, and started the 15-minute walk to Harvard. (By the way: living this close to Cambridge? It's the greatest thing in the whole world. Cambridge is the best.)
I had no idea what this whole Class Day situation would be like. I figured out that Class Day is basically like the awards ceremony the day before Commencement Exercises. Would I have to sneak in? Pretend to be part of a big family that was going in? Surely I wouldn't be the ONLY one just going to hear her talk. She's from Cambridge, after all.
It turned out to be the most chill thing. I just fell in line with the crowd that was filing in to Holmes Field, took a program, and sat down and pretended like I was "waiting on a friend"– something I'm getting really good at doing this summer.
I had to sit through some boring speeches, one funny speech from a moderately famous State Attorney, pretend to laugh along with some law school inside jokes, and clap for people I don't know (because if I sat there the whole time, alone, not clapping, someone would probably suspect me of being a suicide bomber or something.), because of course Mindy was scheduled to speak at the end. Probably how they kept us all there.
You know what is the coolest thing? In normal life, she talks exactly like Kelly Kapoor or Mindy Lahiri. Obviously she sounds a lot more intelligent and grounded, but it's largely the same. Her speech was hilarious– it's floating around online, you should watch it– and I'm SO glad I decided to go.
Harvard is really the coolest place. It's like that girl in school that you want to hate because she's so pretty, but she's actually so nice that you can't really help but like her. Obviously the campus is gorgeous, and you just feel smarter/cooler/more famous walking around. As I was leaving, I passed the Undergraduate Class Day, and Sheryl Sandberg was speaking. See what I mean– there are literally famous people here all the time! Last week Karlie Kloss was here, as I learned from urgent texts from Caroline and Mallory. ("FIND HER, NATS!" "MY SPIRIT ANIMAL IS IN YOUR VICINITY!") Anyway, I would have stopped to listen to Sheryl Sandberg, but at that point, my feet were frozen and I was just trying to make it to Starbucks before they gave out entirely. But still, how cool is Harvard?
On that note, in case you were wondering what the weather is like here in Boston? Here's how it was today, while I sat through an outdoor ceremony that lasted two hours:
This morning, I almost didn't go. It was gray and rainy, and I woke up feeling gross. But I popped some Advil, ate a chocolate chip cookie, put on my best polka-dot pants, and started the 15-minute walk to Harvard. (By the way: living this close to Cambridge? It's the greatest thing in the whole world. Cambridge is the best.)
I had no idea what this whole Class Day situation would be like. I figured out that Class Day is basically like the awards ceremony the day before Commencement Exercises. Would I have to sneak in? Pretend to be part of a big family that was going in? Surely I wouldn't be the ONLY one just going to hear her talk. She's from Cambridge, after all.
It turned out to be the most chill thing. I just fell in line with the crowd that was filing in to Holmes Field, took a program, and sat down and pretended like I was "waiting on a friend"– something I'm getting really good at doing this summer.
I had to sit through some boring speeches, one funny speech from a moderately famous State Attorney, pretend to laugh along with some law school inside jokes, and clap for people I don't know (because if I sat there the whole time, alone, not clapping, someone would probably suspect me of being a suicide bomber or something.), because of course Mindy was scheduled to speak at the end. Probably how they kept us all there.
You know what is the coolest thing? In normal life, she talks exactly like Kelly Kapoor or Mindy Lahiri. Obviously she sounds a lot more intelligent and grounded, but it's largely the same. Her speech was hilarious– it's floating around online, you should watch it– and I'm SO glad I decided to go.
The most gorgeous setting. That tiny little person on the right side is Mindy Kaling!
On that note, in case you were wondering what the weather is like here in Boston? Here's how it was today, while I sat through an outdoor ceremony that lasted two hours:
UM EXCUSE ME WHAT? They keep telling me we eventually get summer here, but I don't believe them. I literally thought I was dying this afternoon. My feet are still cold, as I type this 4 hours later.
I'm trying to pack as many little adventures into this summer as I can. I think I'm off to a good start. Don't worry, there will be many more to come!
I'm trying to pack as many little adventures into this summer as I can. I think I'm off to a good start. Don't worry, there will be many more to come!