So you're interested in MIT. (Why else would you be reading these blogs) You've heard from various sources that things are hard, that people don't sleep, and perhaps that Chris M. is pretty smooth with the ladies. So why should you spend $50,000 dollars/yr to come here?( Seriously, admit it, that's more money than you've ever seen in person)

While there a bunch of reasons like cutting edge research blah blah blah you all know that stuff from the pamphlets you read over and over again (I'm on to you.). There is one reason that wasn't clearly explained beforehand to me, even all the way up until it was happening. That awesomeness, my friends, is IAP.

IAP stands for Independent Activities Period, but it may as well stand for "Introduction to Awesome, Pshhaw!" (Ok, that may not be as good.)

The point is, IAP is great, you get a chance to explore and do things you don't have time to do during the normal semester. What do I mean by that exactly? Well since you asked, here is a list of things I've done thus far for IAP not necessarily in chronological order:

1. Moved rooms
2. Played SNES games
3. Played Rock Band
4. Eat new places in Boston (EDIT: an important "at" was omitted leaving it to appear as though I have consumed some local areas. That is incorrect. It should read "Eaten at new restaurants in Boston" to avoid confusion)
5. Seen lots of movies (prior to this, the last time I went to a theater was July....)
6.Traveled to New Hampshire
7.Participated in Mystery Hunt
8.Read some books.
9. Taken a Physics course
10. played in the snow.
11. Played in the snow.
12. Played in the snow.
13. Stayed up all night for fun.
14. Woken up at 2:00 p.m. (new record!)
15. Made .001% progress on my personal goal of trying every flavor combination of Frozen Yogurt
16. Hooked up a Bose Home Theater System in my room.

And still more to come, after my final on Thursday, I'm headed to New Hampshire/Canada to celebrate my birthday with skiing/snowboarding/sledding/snowmobiling/falling down in the snow and then to Montreal for La Fete des Neiges de Montreal, one of the largest winter festivals in the world!

IAP is awesome!

Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)

Actually, "Introduction to Awesome, Pshhaw!" is plenty good.

Posted by: 0 on January 27, 2009

Great Post!

Posted by: Cody Dean on January 27, 2009

"...prior to this, the last time I went to a theater was July"
Seriously?

Oh and point no. 16 is :O (level of cool-ness)

Snively just instigated people to post more. Lol.

Posted by: Tree on January 27, 2009

"...woke up at 2:00pm..." Now that's something.

Posted by: Edem on January 27, 2009

@Edem - no, that's really not... waking up at 5 (pm), now that's something.

Posted by: Nicole '10 on January 27, 2009

4. Eat new places in Boston

You ate places in Boston?! D: I have loved ones up there, sir.

Posted by: 0 on January 27, 2009

chronologic.

Posted by: anon on January 27, 2009

@Anon
LOL don't worry, your loved ones are safe. =)

(and I fixed it)

Posted by: Chris on January 27, 2009

@Chris: It'd have been okay if you hadn't fixed it, there are some places in Boston that could probably use eating.

Posted by: Cam on January 27, 2009

You always write awesome blogs, Chris and this one is no exception. I only wish I will also be enjoying IAP next year. I am really very anxious about decisions. Anyway, your IAP list is super cool. By the way in which dorm do you live in ?Enjoy.

Posted by: akhila on January 27, 2009

just a question out of curiosity...
how on earth do you find the time to actually write witty/informative/'increase my love for MIT every time I read them' blog posts so frequently? *breathe*

I am a freshman applicant for fall 2009, really awaiting my decision!

Posted by: Isra on January 27, 2009

I'm worried: Doesn't anyone host a liquid nitrogen ice-cream booth during IAP? I mean, the ordinary mortals in Boston might be into it too.

And uhm, "smooth with the ladies"?

Posted by: Ahana on January 27, 2009

Simply Awesome!

Posted by: Dhvanit on January 27, 2009

great post

to bad i can only dream of IAP ='( LOL... hopefully i get admittted for class 2010

(MIT addict)

Posted by: simplydifferent on January 27, 2009

Hey Chris! IAP Seems to be really fun (hopefully, I'll be able to live the experience :D ), and I hope you keep enjoying it.

I have a question. Is MIT open to the public (tours, guides, etc.) during Easter break? I need to know because I'm planning to visit the campus during that period.

PS: Also other MIT community people can clear my doubts .

Posted by: Julio ('14?) on January 27, 2009

Lol. So IAP is also the time to laze around for another few weeks. Awesome!

and don't worry if you haven't seen a movie theater since last July. I had gone for WHOLE FOUR years without watching a movie theater (but a friend finally took me to a movie theater last month). I bet you can't beat that. lolz. :p

Posted by: Sheila ('13?) on January 27, 2009

Was #2 on a SNES?

Posted by: 0 on January 27, 2009

i want liquid nitrogen ice cream...

Posted by: '13 hopeful on January 28, 2009

just pour salt into a bucket of ice. (and then make the ice cream)

Posted by: Tiffany on January 28, 2009

@Julio:

There is not Easter Break (spring break is the end of March), so you should be fine.

Posted by: Becca '12 on January 28, 2009

Thank you Becca

Posted by: Julio ('14?) on January 28, 2009

That sounds awesome! I hope you have fun on your birthday. Also, how long would it take to get to New Hampshire and Montreal from MIT if you're driving? Flying?

Posted by: Anne on January 28, 2009

@Anne

According to convertunits.com, the distance from Boston New Hampshire is 77 miles and it says that if you travel in a straight line (at a speed of 88 mph) you would need 1 hour and 24 minutes (traveling by car).

And for the distance between Boston and Montreal: 251 miles and it would take you 30 minutes flying and 4 hours and 34 minutes driving.

Of course, the results may be different with a different route,weather,speed,etc.

PS: You should check the website, just so you can clear all your doubts. convertunits.com

Posted by: Julio ('14?) on January 28, 2009

are you in 8.223?

Posted by: lulu on January 28, 2009

Waking up at 2pm is a personal best? For shame. I almost hit 4pm this year!

Posted by: Jenny '11 on January 29, 2009

So true about Snively dominating the homepage ^ ^
And enjoy your birthday!

Posted by: Ashwin on January 30, 2009

@ Chris
What are SNES games?
You watch Top Gear?! "Yayy!!!"

Posted by: Vaibhav on January 31, 2009

lol, cute. its pretty sunny in arizona. do you have alot of wet socks from playing in the snow?

Posted by: KayCee on February 7, 2009

Add a comment

Comments have been closed.