freshman survival guide
TRANSCRIPT
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Undergraduate Fellows
Freshman Survival Guide !!
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Table of Contents
1. Balance 3
2. I Will Survive! Getting Through Your First Week 4
3. Packing for School 5
4. They're Here to Help 6
5. Five Ways to Get on Your Prof’s Good Side 7
6. How to Focus in the Age of Distraction 8
7. The Pryz Omelet Station 9
8. A C+ on a Philosophy Paper?!? 10
9. Sleep Strategies for the Sleep Deprived 11
10. Passions 12
11. Friendship 13
12. This is Not the Worst Case Scenario 14
13. Top 10 Things Not to Do During Finals Week 16
14. Tidbits of Useful Information 17
15. Live Like a Monk 18
16. Dungeons, Dictations, and a Dose of Wisdom 19
17. Interesting Things to Do around DC 20
Content submitted by members of the First-Year Experience Undergraduate Fellows Program. Additional content taken from the CUA Memes Facebook page.
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Balance Meghan Pettini
"Have lots of fun, but not too much fun!"
This phrase, and others such as "college is the best time of your life" and "you're
really going to discover yourself" were probably repeated to me over a dozen times by my
parents and older siblings before I left for college. And, like most eighteen-year-olds, I
shrugged my shoulders and continued what I was doing. But, to be completely honest, I
was scared to death of leaving for school. Coming from a tiny town in Connecticut where
everyone knows everyone, the idea of being on my own in Washington, D.C. was terrifying.
I was convinced that I had made the wrong choice to leave New England. How was I going
to adjust?
My solution during the first weeks and months of the year was to completely
surround myself with schoolwork. After all, I was attending CUA to learn, so I convinced
myself that getting a 4.0 was much more useful than breaking out of my shell. And sure, all
of my studying paid off academically, but it wasn't until I heard the wise words of Aristotle
in my FYE philosophy section that I understood what was missing.
In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle says that happiness is "an activity of the soul in
accordance with virtue." Happiness is not just a feeling that we have throughout our day; it
doesn't come from buying nice things or earning an A in all of our classes. After reading
this, the word balance immediately came to mind. After all, how are we supposed to be
virtuous if we aren’t leading lives that are consistent and steady?
I realized at that moment just how many great experiences I had missed out on
because I wasn’t willing to put myself out there. I was completely overcompensating in one
aspect (studying) while ignoring the part of myself that wanted, and needed, to experience
new things. And while I'm not recommending that one should disregard studies for social
life, I think that if one strives for balance, it will undoubtedly make for a great college
experience. It's so easy to get caught up in the small things that oftentimes we miss the
bigger picture. And for me, the big picture has come to include branching out and exploring
all that CUA has to offer.
I know, striking this balance is much easier said than done. In fact, it takes most
people their entire lives to even begin the process of achieving it. But, if there’s one thing I
would like you to take away from my story, I hope it’s that you decide to begin your career
here at CUA with the goal of attaining this balance, and keep it in mind throughout your
four years here. Make Aristotle proud!
I challenge you to experience all that you can during your time at CUA, whether it’s
by exploring the monuments at night, seeing the beauty of the cherry blossoms in April,
going on a mission trip during spring break, or interning on Capitol Hill. The opportunities
here are virtually endless. And maybe, while seeking that balance, you’ll also find Aristotle’s
idea of true happiness.
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Packing For School Wasn’t Quite as Easy as I Thought…
Bernadette Poerio
The entire summer before I left for school I was excited. I was excited to leave
behind my small-town roots in New Jersey, excited to make new friends, and excited to
experience college in general. In my naïve mind, however, the “college experience” entailed
one thing: sweatpants. For some reason or another, I had convinced myself that all college
students lived in a daily uniform of sweatpants and t-shirts. No one tried to enhance their
appearance; comfort was paramount over style. For weeks that summer, my mother
harangued me to get some nice new clothes, to which I replied, “Mom! Everyone wears
sweatpants! Duh.”
Probably because my attitude scared her off a little, my mother backed off and let
me live out my sweatpants fantasy until I arrived at CUA in late August of 2010. I assure
you, I did pack some normal clothes, but dispersed throughout these clothes were about
eight pairs of sweatpants.
After meeting my roommate and suitemates and beginning the unpacking process I
realized something: my wardrobe was way too casual. I ignored this throughout most of
Orientation weekend and even throughout the first week of classes. It was only the first
night that my newfound friends wanted to go “clubbing” (in an entirely different story, this
night failed and we ended up at a District McDonald’s at 12 AM….) that I realized I was in no
way prepared for a night on the town. Or even a nice event in general. Panicking, I quickly
borrowed one of my roommate’s dresses and a crisis was averted.
The next morning, I called my mother and begged for her to send me some of my
nicer clothes. I heard a sigh over the phone as my mother begrudgingly complied with my
request.
About a week later I received the email summoning me to the basement of McMahon
Hall to pick up my package. I was thrilled at the prospect of my mother packing all of my
nice clothes and sending them to me. In line to pick up my package, I wistfully dreamt of
my clubbing future: me in cute dresses as my friends whispered about how fashionable I
was.
My fantasy was shattered when I got to the front of the line and was informed that
my package was 40 pounds. FORTY POUNDS. This was definitely karma for not listening to
my mother all summer. I reluctantly took hold of my package, lugged it back to my room in
Centennial Village, and dumped its contents on the floor. After all of my “nice” clothes
spilled out, a note flew to the top of the pile, saying, “I told you so--Love, Mom.”
This was the first of many lessons to take my mother’s advice; just because I was
starting a new life at college did not mean that I was yet completely independent. Two
years later, I’m a junior at CUA and I still need my mother’s help for back-to-school
shopping.
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How to Focus in the Age of
Distraction Jackie Ecle
I’m sure I’m not the only one who will admit that to an extent, I sometimes have
trouble focusing. If you have trouble focusing and get distracted easily, too, let this be your
guide! Let’s face it: we live in the age of distraction. Besides friends to hang out with and
people to talk to, we have endless websites to browse and many gadgets with which to play.
So unless you have mastered how to get your priorities straight, something like this can
really help you if you let it. Freshman year is probably the best time to learn how to say no
to distractions and truly focus on your work and other things that are important to you.
You owe it to yourself to really learn how to focus if you are a victim of the age of
distraction--and if you don’t learn it as soon as possible, starting now, you are robbing
yourself of a more fully lived life. Once you nail this fundamental skill, you’ll be successful
for the rest of your college years and for life!
Image source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonoberholtzer/2011/08/30/how-to-focus-in-the-age-of-distraction/
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A C+ on a Philosophy Paper… REALLY?!?
Timmy Le
The first few weeks of classes were going great and I started to become interested in
the vast amount of information that my instructors were presenting to me. From biology to
chemistry, and from philosophy to English, the new information was stimulating my mind to
a whole new level that I could never have imagined before.
Excited to be learning at a different level, I walked into my philosophy class Tuesday
morning at 11:10 am and my philosophy instructor, Professor Fayle, announced to the class
that our first philosophy paper on Plato’s Republic would be due soon and it was necessary
to meet with him with a draft since it would be our first philosophy paper that we would
write at CUA. I spent my weekend flipping through Plato’s Republic, looking for relevant
quotes and passages for the assignment before I proceeded to draft my philosophy paper.
The quotes felt so difficult and abstract that it felt like I was reading a foreign language. I
tried my best to remain calm and proceeded to write my draft with narrow comprehension
of the material that I presently had. I dedicated the whole weekend to the draft of my paper
as I tried my best to finish it.
A few hours later, I was relieved that my draft was finally complete, and I felt ready
to show it to Professor Faye. I walked into Aquinas Hall during his office hours to show him
my draft, and we discussed what I had wrote. Feeling confident after seeing him during his
office hours, I took his suggestions into account and made the necessary changes. Walking
into class the next day with my chin held up high and a smile on my face, I gave my
instructor my final draft about Plato’s Republic.
A few weeks had passed by and it was the moment of truth: the day we would
receive our philosophy papers back. As I walked out the door, Professor Faye handed me
my philosophy paper and I looked through it with confidence. To my disappointment, I
looked at my grade at the bottom of the last page: “C+” written in bright red ink.
I panicked because I knew I really worked hard on it. My confidence was shot and I
began to question myself and why I even needed to study philosophy as a biochemistry
major. Trying to regain my composure back, I pulled out the class syllabus and analyzed it.
I realized that this is just my first paper and that there would be more opportunities during
the semester to pull my grade up.
I began to see my professor more during his office hours and making as many
appointments with him as possible when I wanted to go over my drafts. Sometimes, I
thought I was being annoying by asking him to look over every single one of my drafts, but
I stopped feeling guilty about it when I realized that he had office hours for a reason and he
was there to help me succeed in philosophy even though I did not like it at all during the
first few months.
My relationship with my professor developed throughout the semester. I visited him
during his office hours to the point that we are now on a first-name basis. (He works with
the First-Year Experience and the Undergraduate Fellows.) As our relationship developed, I
started to enjoy philosophy more and the critical thinking that it evoked. I started to see the
relevance that it has on me as a biochemistry major and how important it is for me to have
a well-rounded education.
Despite the C+ on my first paper, I finished the semester well and earned an A- in
the course. So my advice for everyone is to try to make the most out of your professors’
office hours because they are here to help you succeed, not fail. Always keep your head up
because a bad grade is not the end of the world.
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Passions Sarah Seski
My first glimpse of the people in my class of 2015 at CUA was through the Facebook
page. I remember reading the other majors, sports, and clubs that people were interested
in, the different places my classmates were traveling from, all the different majors that my
soon-to-be friends would be undertaking here at Catholic. It was here that I became
inspired by a post that certainly changed my CUA experience for the better.
“Does CUA have a sailing team?” “Would anyone want to be on it?” These were
questions that I had wanted to post myself, so of course, being the sailing coach that I am,
I responded that I’d love to get a team going. I got really excited about it, and when I got
to school I organized meetings with the people from the Facebook post.
I began taking things more seriously. The first semester, I found out that I had to
accomplish many things to stay on track to get an official team. The organization has to
exist as a club, then as a team that practices for a year without school funding, and then
you can apply to be a club sport.
So step one: starting a club. You need X amount of people interested, a board of
officers, a teacher willing to support you, and regular meetings. The official paperwork
includes a formal constitution. All right, fine. That’s not exacting something to whip out in
a day but it sounds possible. But how does one fund such an expensive sport? Where would
we practice? Is this worth my time? Will I even get on the water by the time I graduate?
I’m pretty driven, so I was taken aback when I was warned that it would most likely
not be possible. Sailing is expensive and involves travel for practice. The school will not be
interested. The odds were not in my favor. The list went on and on.
I wanted to share this with you because I want you to know that at CUA the people
want to will help you succeed. (And I’m also doing a little recruiting!) I am now the captain
and founder of the CUA Sailing Team. We fundraised enough money by selling doughnuts
and roses to be able to get on the water for the year. We are going to start practicing in
the fall on Sunday afternoons using Georgetown University’s boats at the Washington
Marina, which is about 25 minutes from CUA. I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve
come.
The sailing team is looking to be a club sport by fall of 2013, and I’d love you to join
us on our journey getting there. But more importantly--I want you to create your own
journey here at Catholic! Join a club, start a club, play a sport, get involved! You will be
inclined to join (or start) what you are passionate about. If you use your passions to drive
you forward, with God’s help, you will be about to achieve more than you could ever have
imagined.
!̂ #!
Friendship Maggie Scheer
We were discussing the unfortunate existence of the half-walls in the Pryz. You
know, the ones that make sitting at the long tables up front a bit problematic?
Aesthetically, they are pleasing, breaking up a large room and sophisticating a
university cafeteria—not the most glamorous of places. Logically, however, I cannot say
that they are very functional. Most people choose to sit at the end tables away from the
walls, a much more maneuverable location for seconds-grabbing, but this inevitably
isolates seating that other parties could use. Furthermore, those who do make the ill-
fated decision to sit near the partitions must resign themselves to depending on the
goodwill of their compatriots or else sucking it in while squeezing, quite uncomfortably I
might add, past grumbling diners to retrieve more food. The architecture of the walls is
sound, but the practicality is lacking.
“President Garvey, tear down this wall!” someone said. We burst out laughing.
For history buffs or aficionados of Ronald Reagan, for my friends and myself, this was
an uproariously funny spin on Reagan’s famous speech asking Mikhail Gorbechev to
tear down the Berlin Wall in 1987.
How had I found such kindred spirits? Interested in politics and history, watching
‘80s movies and going to mass, I quickly discovered that I am not as weird as
elementary and high school had led me to believe. At CUA, I have made lifelong
friends.
Some of it was luck, like waking up from getting my wisdom teeth removed and
twenty minutes later groggily reading a Facebook message from a girl who’s also from
the Chicagoland area (who knew that other Illinoisans had heard of Catholic?) and later
finding out that she’s in my politics class. Some of it was depressing, like celebrating
my eighteenth birthday the first week of classes, before I knew anyone well enough to
tell them and before they knew me well enough to care, yet five miraculously kind girls
took it upon themselves to walk to CVS to pick up candy and a card for me. Some of it
was scary, like realizing that my parents were going to have to leave me, which meant
I should probably introduce myself to somebody—anybody—so I wouldn’t have to eat
lunch by myself. But all of it was easier knowing that everyone else had to make new
friends too.
Aristotle teaches us (yes, I’m going there, but bear with me for just a second)
that there are three types of friendships: those of utility, those of pleasure, and those
of virtue. I found that my first friendships in college were those of utility—I don’t want
to sit alone and neither do you, so we’re going to sit together. Then I developed
friendships of pleasure—I would enjoy talking politics at this particular moment and so
would you, so let’s talk politics together. Finally, I discovered virtuous friendships, the
kind of friendships that last not because the two people are alike in every way but
because they are different, not because they gain something from the relationship but
because they give something to the relationship, not because they want for themselves
but because they want for the other.
All this happened in less than a year, and it’s still happening! All it took was a
little bit of confidence, a pinch or so of daring, a dash of serendipity, and 100% me. I
say “all” as though it were easy, which it was not, but I cannot help but remember a
small piece of advice my uncle gave me before high school: Be the type of person you
want to meet. And guess what? If you’re being yourself, you’re also following that
advice. So here’s me wishing you confidence, daring, serendipity, and the strength of
mind to be yourself.
!̂ $!
This is Not the Worst Case
Scenario Matthew Yost
When I turned 13, my right of passage into the teenage years ahead was marked by
a book, given to me by my parents, entitled The WORST CASE SCENARIO Survival
Handbook, a lovely read that taught me everything I know about escaping from runaway
camels, UFO abductions, and piranhas. And, the title of this gag gift was partially in all caps,
so I knew it meant business.
The message that came along with the present informed me that the survival guide
we’d really need was one that guided me through the perils of being a teenager. Sure,
knowing how to navigate a minefield is important information (I guess…), but what if the
perils you are bound to face are even worse? What if you have to combat hormones and
homework and, dare I say it, girls?! I was further perturbed by the disclaimer in the front of
the book, also in all caps: “DO NOT ATTEMPT TO UNDERTAKE ANY OF THE ACTIVITIES
DESCRIBED IN THIS BOOK YOURSELF.” But the illustrations shown under “How to jump
from a moving train” make it look so easy! And why would the book teach me how to say
“Do not make me angry” and “I do not wish to hurt you” in five separate languages if I
weren’t supposed to use that knowledge?
Unfortunately, there is no survival guide for everyday life. And we wouldn’t have the
option of not undertaking the activities described in that book, even if it did exist. Although
countless self help books and Hollywood films claim to tell us everything we need to know
about being ourselves, they will always ultimately fail. The reason for this gets at something
fundamental about our human lives.
A phenomenal Google search once told me that survival is “the state or fact of
continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult
circumstances.” Freshman year definitely classifies as “difficult circumstances,” but you see,
surviving is not just about continuing to live, but continuing to exist.
As you enter college, you’ll find that surviving is not a question of living or dying
(eating at the Pryz excluded, of course), but remaining existent. But what does it mean, in a
human sense, to exist? Unlike anything else on this goodly frame, the earth, humans are
possessed of their unique personalities, memories, and experiences. We are defined not by
our genus and species, molecular composition, or any of our innumerable biological
intricacies, but rather by the intangible soul that makes us truly human. As remarkable as it
may seem, I am going to throw something out there: that spirit doesn’t change when you
pack your bags for college.
Without belittling the vastly new experiences each of you will be tackling, and
without denying the difficulty of the transition you face, I wish to assure you that you will
always remain the same person you have come to know over the past eighteen years or so.
During the first semester of my tenure at CUA, I realized with a mixture of trepidation,
excitement, and pure shock the remarkable rate at which I was changing. I acquired new
friends, my faith grew, and my intellectual life thrived. I began to view the world in different
ways at exponentially increasing speeds. Come December, I was afraid to return home and
see how the “new” Matthew would interact with an environment habituated to the “old” one.
Incredibly, the false dichotomy of “new” and “old” collapsed within the first 12 hours home.
Though I had grown and matured, the “I” was a constant in the equation.
One of the most entrenched human fears is the fear of the unknown. What if I don’t
make friends here? What if classes are too difficult? Although my own understanding is
limited, I would posit that the root of these woes lies in an underlying fear that the self is
inadequate. As such, we can rephrase our worries as “what if I am not liked by people
here,” or “what if I am not smart enough for my classes?” I find these fears preposterous.
!̂ Z!
If there is one survival tip I could offer you, I would not pull it from the book I
received on my thirteenth birthday (although I must admit that the section entitled “How to
pass a bribe” has come in very handy here). No, I would tell you this: laugh at these
unfounded fears, do not be afraid to excel in this brave new world, carpe every single diem.
I have found so much fulfillment and pleasure at CUA, and this was not because something
changed in me, or my hidden inadequacies were somehow glossed over by the miracles of
collegiate life. Rather, my own unique traits have been magnified and enriched, and
continue to grow and develop with every passing day. I know that CUA holds that potential
for each and every one of you, and I eagerly anticipate watching you all flourish and come
to discover the beauty of your true self.
!̂ [!
Ten Things NOT to Do During Finals Week
1. Don’t drink too much coffee.
2. Don’t leave studying to the last minute.
3. Don’t forget to review right before the test.
4. Don’t forget to eat three times a day (at least).
5. Don’t complain about finals to your professors.
6. Don’t get wrapped up in percentages and grades.
7. Don’t forget to take time to relax.
8. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
9. Don’t put too little pressure on yourself.
10. Don’t fall asleep during your final.
!̂ \!
Tidbits of Useful Information Katie Curtin
1. I always have had my own bedroom at home. I had two closets for my clothes. We also
had a “playroom” where we used the computer and video games. Upon arrival at CUA, I
received my key and went up to check my room in Ryan. I nearly fell over when I realized
that I had to put all my stuff in this room AND MAKE ROOM FOR SOMEONE ELSE. Needless
to say, creative storage solutions are a must for a college residence hall.
2. My mother lectured me and my roommate about our rights in our room. She told us to
remember that schoolwork/studying/tests/etc. trumped everything else. So, even if one of
us had free time and wanted to watch TV, have friends over, keep the lights on, etc. and
the other of us had schoolwork, the schoolwork won out. It is a good rule to live by and
never make an exception for. After all, we are at CUA to learn.
3. Remember that you must manage your time for all of your classes. Think about the next
day for sure, but you also must think about the next week, month, and even the whole
semester. Stay current on everything and if you can get ahead, it’s for your own advantage
to do so. Keep your head on straight and realize that sometimes there might be some social
life sacrifice that needs to be made.
4. Go to the memorials and monuments at night. They are the most impressive with their
lights. I like the walk between the Washington Monument and the WWII memorial. The
Washington Monument is so impressive with the lights and the WWII memorial has water
spouts with spotlights under the water.
5. STAY HEALTHY. Unfortunately Health Services knows me very well. Be careful walking so
you don’t break toes and end up on crutches. You would be surprised just how big and how
many hills are on this campus when you have to navigate it on crutches. Get enough sleep
and eat healthy so that you don’t end up getting sick and taking tests and going to class
with 103-degree fever.
6. Learn the Metro system--it can get you anywhere in D.C. with minimal cost.
7. Take advantage of the cultural and sporting events of the city. You can see famous
musicals, go to concerts, and take in a professional sporting event (the Nationals are doing
well this year).
8. Get involved with CUA. Choose 1 or 2 of your passions and pursue them. My brother
became a DJ at WCUA Radio as well as running the engineering at the station. I became
involved in several areas of the school involving leadership, sports, and social events.
9. Make the most out of your college experience. These are four years that you will
remember for the rest of your life. Make them count.
!̂ a!
Live Like A Monk Sophie Gorman
If your experience of the few months before college was anything like mine, you will
have met people, who, upon hearing that you were going to THE Catholic University of
America, gave you a blank look and said, "Wow, so are you, like...a monk or something?"
Obviously, being a monk (or sister, or priest) is not a requirement for enrollment at
CUA. However, the consecrated religious life has a few principles that are very useful to live
by, especially for your first few months at college. Monks take vows of poverty, chastity,
and obedience, and those are helpful words to keep in mind while getting adjusted to
college.
1. Poverty
No, I don't mean you should get your food out of garbage cans, but do think before you
spend money. It can disappear a lot faster than you think it might, and it's better to finish
your first semester with extra money than to find out you have a huge credit card bill to
deal with in addition to your student loans. Things to watch out for include electronics,
meals out, and alcohol--all things that people who have more money or less sense will be
buying large amounts of, and which can be very expensive.
2. Chastity
College is a time for figuring a lot of things out, but don't get too carried away and do things
you'll wind up regretting later. Take the first month or two of college to get your head on
straight. Some of the people I met at Orientation and spent time with are now no longer my
friends. Don't decide that someone is the perfect guy or girl after having known him or her
for three weeks. (And girls, don't go back to a guy's dorm room without bringing along a
friend, even if he says his roommate is there.) I'm not saying you should never date in
college, but don't let your enthusiasm for a new home and new classes spill over onto a
person who's not actually worth it.
3. Obedience
What? But college is great because you don't have to obey anyone, right? Wrong. Your
teachers tell you what to read and when to turn in assignments, your parents tell you when
to call, and so on. These are instructions you should obey. Do your readings. Call your
parents (unless they're being totally unreasonable and want you to call six times a day or
something). Read your Cardinal Mail. You don't want to reach Thanksgiving break failing all
your classes, with your financial aid in jeopardy because you forgot to fill out a form, and
have your parents already mad when you arrive!
Remember, it's always easier to relax your rules than it is to tighten them. Be conservative
(but not straitlaced or puritanical) for your first few months at college. If later on you decide
your budget will stretch farther or you can afford to skip some readings, great! You won't
have to make up for poor judgment earlier in the semester, and you can relax your rules
guilt-free.
!̂ b!
Dungeons, Dictations, and a Dose of
Wisdom Katelyn Hannel
I can remember the first time I visited CUA. An admissions counselor pointed out that
cool model of Philadelphia on the wall in McMahon. A Cardinal Ambassador from my home
state of New Jersey introduced the major locations around campus. And as a prospective
music education major, I took a tour of the music building, Ward Hall.
First impression? I thought that it was old and dingy and weird. I hate to break it to any
incoming music students out there: that opinion hasn’t changed. I still think it’s old and
dingy and weird.
But after a year, for some reason, I love it.
There are those quirks that, if nothing else, make for good conversation: the fact that
you have to go downstairs to go upstairs, the fact that you have to go outside and then
back inside to get to the music library, the fact that the practice rooms affectionately known
as the Dungeons actually do feel like dungeons. There are also the random things that pop
up around the building, like the duck stickers I found inside a grand piano and the oranges
on a chair inside the elevator. Then there are those cherished awkward moments, like when
you’re heading to practice and have to walk through a reception in the lower lobby, or when
someone walks in on you practicing because the window was covered, or when you go to
class with mud on your clothes because you slipped down the hill.
But Ward is also what encompasses much of my life as a music major. It’s where I’ve
met some of my closest friends and where we’ve sat together in JP Hall, doing harmonic
dictations and singing on solfege and keeping each other awake on Monday afternoons. In
contrast, it’s where I’ve spent hours in solitude, sitting at a piano, trying to get my fingers,
wrists, and arms to move in such a way that makes a bunch of notes on a page actually
sound like music. It’s where I had my first college class – 8:10 am Ear Training and Sight
Singing – and where I will have my solo recital at the end of senior year. And for all the
time in between, well, life in the School of Music certainly gets me up early and keeps me
up late! (You’ll see what I mean…)
So remember that what makes something different is what makes it special, and that
there can be treasure where you least expect to find it. CUA has lots of oddities like Ward
Hall. With time, you might find that it’s their oldness and dinginess and weirdness that
make them what they are and make CUA feel all the more like home.
(Think I was kidding about the ducks inside the piano? !)
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