14W from the eyes of our Hawaiian

Thoughts on the first week of 14W? Cold, hectic, crazy, fun. 14W stands for the 2014 Dartmouth Winter term and it’s safe to say there was no easing into it. Between reading multiple syllabi, surviving 7:30 a.m. conditioning, and having our wet hair freeze, we have had a lot of adjusting to do. 

While a lot of the upperclassmen are studying abroad in Spain or are taking part in some rad internships, the freshmen, accompanied by the lovely Maura and Schoney (Alex Schoenberger), have been busy in the library and the gym. 

The neat part about volleyball training in the winter term is that there are only three 40-minute sessions with a group of six or less girls per week. The whole focus of each session is to focus on our technique, something that we don’t get to concentrate as closely on during the busyness of season. Aside from position and skill training with the coaches, we have also gotten to get a few reps with our men’s volleyball club team, which pushes us to play at a faster paced game. In the weight room and conditioning, Kayleigh is pushing our limits, seeing how much we can improve in our strength, quickness, and agility. Winter training is about improving our selves so that can be better for the team and we plan to do that! In regards to the weather, well that’s a whole other story. 

Coming back up to Hanover for the winter term was a pretty big ordeal in my house. Being from Hawai’i, ‘winter’ has always meant Christmas and larger waves to surf on. I’d never really associated the term with drastic weather changes. I found myself purchasing this ‘New England’ uniform that everyone seemed to have. Whether it were these so called ‘bean boots’ (a type of snow boot) or a long North Face down jacket, there seemed to be a very long list of warm clothing that I had never been accustomed to wearing. However, as much as I miss the 70-degree weather back home, I actually have come to really enjoy the cold. 1. It is extremely refreshing to have cool air blowing against your sweaty face after early morning training. 2. More importantly, it gives me a reason to dress up in cute, warm winter outfits. On top of those reasons as to why the winter is actually really awesome, the fact that I am experiencing the winter with my teammates is what makes the extremities of a Hanover winter bearable. Trekking through the icy slush and freezing temperatures becomes amusing adventures when we’re together (especially with the ever-so coordinated Lottie). 

-Julia Lau ‘17