[nat sound: students walking down Sheridan]
Welcome back to campus Wildcats!
[nat sound: ringing bells]
It’s time to embrace the New Year
[nat sound: feet crunching snow]
… and the cold.
[music: Inner Light by Kevin MacLeod]
This quarter, one of my classes is English 208: Creative Nonfiction Writing. Last Wednesday we read the works of Sei Shonagon – a Japanese imperial courtesan from the 990s. Most of her writings are lists about everyday life. “Adorable Things”, “Awkward Things”, “Things That Make the Heart Beat Faster”. Her lists depict baby sparrows opening their mouths to eat, men with too-big egos, and the sound of raindrops against window shutters.
It’s all so detailed, so personal, so necessarily normal.
Her lists are a recording of her life during Japan’s Heian Period. This audio story is a recording of our life during the year 2024 at Northwestern.
And given the approaching temperatures…
[nat sound: this week’s weather forecast from NBC Chicago]
The topic is “Things That Bring Warmth”.
Without further ado, let’s hear from the voices of Northwestern.
[nat sound: hot water pouring into a mug]
ALEX CARR: My name is Alex Carr. I’m a junior, and I’m studying journalism. And, something that brings me warmth is hot tea with a little honey and lemon.
MICHELLE JO: My name is Michelle Jo. I’m a sophomore, and I’m currently studying en- not environmental science, civil engineering.
[nat sound: fire crackling]
JO: I love a good fireplace, like a campfire when it’s snowy outside or cold outside and making s’mores with your friends is really fun.
For Weinberg junior Leah Patel, smell and feel come together when it comes to warmth.
LEAH PATEL: Something that brings me warmth is candles. I think also just the smell, it’s like good vibes and warmth. I don’t really like candles in the summer, so it reminds me of like winter.
RONALDO TINEO: After being outside, going into a really warm room.
That was Weinberg and School of Communications sophomore Ronaldo Tineo. He has a few more entries for the list.
TINEO: Coats and sweaters. I love really high quality knit sweaters. I just feel really cozy.
[nat sound: shower turning on and water spraying]
TINEO: I love when you do an everything shower, and then you also have brand new sheets, like clean. And then you just snuggle up in bed. Like I think that’s so much warmth.
TINEO: Hot chocolate brings warmth.
JO: Oh! Soup. A good soup is really good in the winter time.
Then there’s also the emotional warmth that your people bring. As Weinberg freshman Nathan Kim says,
NATHAN KIM: I think at Northwestern, warmth is brought when I’m able to interact with people that are able to connect with me. So that usually happens in Mudd. But, you know, when I talk to people that I can have really good conversation with, that brings me warmth. Because I feel like I’m meeting new people.
[nat sound: boiling water]
[nat sound: radiator noises]
Personally, I tend to find warmth when boiling a fresh batch of instant ramen or when sitting next to my dorm’s radiator, even when it starts yelling at me.
To those listening, I hope you all find your warmth during these next winter months. Stay safe out there.
[music: Inner Light by Kevin MacLeod]
For WNUR News, I’m Michelle Hwang.
