Update from the Original WAKWIR 1.O

 Good morning (or afternoon) and welcome to a beautiful hot sunny day in Philadelphia, here at the Wannaskan Almanac! Today is June 13th.

BOOM! I’m back. My lovely mother has once again successfully bribed me into writing a post for her, this time in return for a free month of Apple TV + so I can watch Formula One. Nevertheless it feels quite nice to return every once in a while, to drop in and tell the world what I’ve been up to, and what I will be up to. Let's get into it!

To start off, I am (mostly) done with my sophomore year at Drexel University. I just finished my finals for spring term yesterday to conclude a nice, busy year. It's been full of gen-eds, monotonous classes required for my major, and some fun recording classes in the music studio here and there. I’m only mostly done with my sophomore year though, since Drexel is an all year round school I’m required to spend the summer here taking classes, but it’s pretty low key.

For those that aren't aware, I have been majoring in Drexel’s Music Industry Program, with a concentration in Recording Arts and Music Production. In my freshman year at Drexel, I learned a lot of the basics such as learning how the industry works or learning how to use different softwares. While there is constant review of concepts we learned freshman year, this past year has dug deep into practicality. I learned how to operate an SSL studio console, I learned a plethora of recording techniques, stepped up my microphone knowledge, and much, much more. Recently, I took up a Studio Maintenance Work Study position, which has taught me general studio cleaning procedures, soldering, microphone/gear repair, and building XLR cables.

I am convinced that I have the coolest major. All I do is have fun, learn more information, and have even more fun.

I’ve done plenty of other things this past year too. To get into the Philly sports spirit, I went to my first Phillies’ game (and first ever MLB game at that), coincidentally against the Minnesota Twins. I found myself torn because I didn’t know which team to support, although one of my friends lent me a Phillies jersey to bribe me to a side (Phillies won).

To continue my music journey from high school, I joined the Drexel Jazz Orchestra playing bass trombone, and it has been the biggest delight to play an instrument again. Every now and then I’ll also take the odd Chinatown trip, south Philly exploration, or flea market adventure. Or anything in Center City.

Earlier in April, my older sister and a few of her friends visited me here, and we did plenty of things such as seeing Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, visiting Penns Landing and seeing the Ben Franklin Bridge, and going into a few niche book stores to find the store cat. And we ate cheesesteaks. It was a must.

I love Philadelphia, and honestly, I’m not even sad that I have to be here over the summer. The classes I’m taking are light and interesting, (and most importantly easy), so it will be a nice breather. No classes on Fridays as well, so that's a bonus. The classes I’m most excited about is one called “The Beatles”, which literally is just a class all about The Beatles, and Photography. I’ve always been interested in photography, but I’ve never had the previous chance to really dig deep into it, so that will be fun as well (I’m also taking it with a friend. Bonus!). Let’s hope my mom lets me buy that Sony a6700 mirrorless camera (Apparently I’m known in my family to make large and irrational purchases).

What has me most excited though for the summer are the big events. Philadelphia will be bustling with activity this summer; the FIFA World Cup, and the semiquincentennial. Philly is hosting six world cup games, including a round of 16 knockout game, so as you’d expect, half the city is decorated in FIFA flags and advertisements. While I don’t have a World Cup game ticket myself, I definitely will be checking out the FIFA fan festivals they have set up around the city. And as Philadelphia is the birthplace of the Declaration of Indepence, on top of America 250, you and I can only imagine how crazy it's going to be this summer. I’m so ready.

Lastly, I’m also excited for the UP4014 Big Boy Steam Locomotive to arrive in Philly. It is the world’s largest operational steam locomotive (look it up), and the Union Pacific Railroad is taking it on a coast to coast tour for the first time ever for the semiquincentennial.

So what does the summer hold? So much! I’m so excited. Most people say that New York is the greatest city in the world, but in my (heavily biased) opinion, I think Philadelphia tops it by a long shot. But before I get to taking on the summer of my life (as of yet), I think I’m going to take a quick breather, relax, and decompress from a busy and draining finals week and enjoy my week-long break between terms.

Hope you all enjoyed the update (you’re welcome for the post mom)

David, Aka WAKWIR (1.0)

(Wanaksan Almanac Kid Writer In Residence)

PS. I guess it is always sunny in Philadelphia, it’s been over 90 degrees here the past 2 weeks, with no cooler days in sight in the near future!