Note: There is a nifty Spotify playlist at the end which you can play while reading this blog! Isn't technology great?
As an introvert, I've never been one to have a ton of friends, so the ones I do have are extremely important to me. So I was incredibly lucky when the stars aligned and my best friend Marilyn had time off for Easter Break, and decided to spend that time visiting me! Her trip came a few days after my spring break ended, which made leaving home for Oberlin easier, since I had something to look forward to. I hadn't seen Marilyn since mid-January and had it not been for this trip, I wouldn't have gotten to see her until mid-May.
Marilyn and I became friends in 2008 (and if you've been keeping up with this blog, you'll remember this as The Year Everything Changed For Me). We met at theater camp. We were both in the same group. Somehow while we were both walking over to one of our classes, we started making small talk. She was listening to music and I asked her what she was listening to. It was Queen. Wow, someone else who likes classic rock! Naturally, we bonded. Miraculously, we were able to keep this bond despite never actually going to school together. (Thanks AIM!) She is my twin - and I don't mean that in a cheesy sense, I mean that like we have the same personality and interests and opinions on pop culture (aside from The Big Lebowski and Frozen - I love them, she does not).
My aunt and I went to pick up Marilyn at the airport on Thursday. Luckily, I didn't have class that day because I only have one Tuesday/Thursday class and it was canceled, so I had the time to retrieve her. Once we arrived at Oberlin, I gave her the grand tour of the campus. We went to the Feve for dinner, where we had fried pickles and mozzarella sticks and sandwiches. We hung out after that, and then later we went to Fourth Meal. Marilyn was overwhelmed by everyone looking like someone she knew, only a lot more hipster. Yes, Oberlin does have a very large hipster population.
I took Friday off so I could a) sleep in b) give myself a four-day weekend and c) use the whole day to show Marilyn around. As much as I like Oberlin as a town, there really isn't a ton to do here, so it really didn't take up much of our day. We started at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, which is always a good time. For a small little school in rural Ohio, Oberlin really has a class-act collection of art. If you haven't been yet, I'd highly suggest a visit. After the Allen, we went to Ratsy's, the antiques/vintage store. I'm a big fan of Ratsy's, especially their collection of old magazines. Did you know the Muppets used to have their own magazine? Did you further know that Olivia Newton-John was on the cover in the winter of 1985? Now you do! Thanks, Ratsy's! We hit up The Local for some tea and bagels and felt like real coffee shop girls. We went back to Barrows to catch up on some Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. Friday is bride day on TLC.
Saturday was all about the rock and roll, man. My uncle picked us up to take us to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. I have been there several times, and every time, I never fail to get completely overwhelmed. But how could I not? I saw various Beatles memorabilia, costumes that Beyoncé and David Bowie wore, Michael Jackson's glove, Joey Ramone's jacket, Madonna's high heels, Taylor Swift's guitar, and a whole exhibit on Paul Simon. I furiously fan-girled during my entire visit. It took up most of our day. We went back to my aunt and uncle's house in Sandusky and stayed overnight.
Sunday was Easter. It was kind of weird not celebrating a holiday with my mom and dad, even though we aren't religious. But getting to spend it with my Ohio family was the next best thing. After an early dinner, we returned to Oberlin full of ham and treats from the Easter Bunny (aka Aunt Phyllis).
Unfortunately, my Harry Potter ExCo was canceled, but Marilyn would have loved it. She's the only person I know who ever gave me a run for my money in Harry Potter Scene It. Harry Potter is a big cornerstone of our friendship. So instead, I suggested we get a cheap meal from Kim's Grocery and watch a movie that I was long overdue to see, the 1986 classic Labyrinth. Armed with our five-dollar beef bulgogi rice bowls and an enthusiastic attitude, we embarked on this quest through...the Labyrinth world? I mean, it's just referred to as the Labyrinth in the movie, but it's gotta have a name, right? Bowieland? Jareth World? Goblin Village? Regardless, we were swept up in the ridiculousness that is that film and thoroughly enjoyed watching it (although I'm still not sure if I understand the logic/plot???). I especially enjoyed seeing David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, as Marilyn can attest.
This whole scene had me feeling some kind of way.
Monday wasn't much of a day, as I had to attend all the classes I skipped on Friday, and Marilyn and I had to part ways in the early afternoon. Overall, I think it's safe to say that we both had an awesome time. It was really bizarre to have someone from home here. Seeing my Oberlin friends interacting with Marilyn, seeing Marilyn walk around campus...all weird, but all good. As painful as it was to see my friend leave, it was worth the five days I got to spend with her.
Music is a large part of our friendship, so I decided to create a playlist from the music that has most defined our relationship.
