<p>Housing Day - the best day of the year at Harvard.</p>
<p>Didn’t anybody here get Winthrop? That’s my daughter’s (and JFK’s) old House and is a great old river House. It’s also the defending Straus Cup champion.</p>
<p>2012 Gets New Home</p>
<p>When Anneika M. Verghese 12 opened her door at 9 a.m. yesterday, she said she was more confused than surprised. The loud revelry of Leverett and Mather House undergraduates welcoming new residents on the floor below had already prepared her and her blockmates for what to expect. </p>
<p>Instead, upon opening their door, they found a giant elephant mascot sitting in the Wigglesworth entryway. </p>
<p>I was, like, the Republicans? Really? Verghese said. </p>
<p>But it was a non-partisan elephantthe Eliot House mascotthat greeted Verghese and 144 other freshmen assigned to Eliot. Before most classes began yesterday morning, first-years received letters informing them which of the 12 upperclassmen Houses they will reside in over the next three years. </p>
<p>This year marked the second time undergraduates, rather than College administrators, delivered residential assignments to freshmen. </p>
<p>Republicans or Elioteither way, I wouldve been happy, said Verghese, one of two Republicans in the three-person blocking group. </p>
<p>As early as 8 a.m., herds of upperclassmen began invading the Yard, brandishing signs with House slogans, shouting competitive chants, and donning quirky House t-shirts. </p>
<p>Despite the festivitieswhich started late last night with a River Run that got out of handand the procession of a menagerie of House mascots that would later meet them outside Annenberg Hall, not all freshmen were excited to see certain House delegations at their doors. </p>
<p>Immediately, we were silent. A few of us started tearing up, said Jennah R. A. Hiari 12, referring to how she and her blocking group took the news that theyd been assigned to Pforzheimer House.
But upperclassmen tried to alleviate freshmens disappointment, she added.
A guy walked up to me and whispered, I know, I know. But eventually, youll love [Pfoho], Hiari said. </p>
<p>Before noon, Annenberg was already the center of celebration. Outside in the chilly drizzle, students jumped on a multicolored moonbounce on the lawn. And inside the freshman dining hall, a student riding a unicycle weaved around the crowded tables, as freshmen broke off into exclusive House groups, some exchanging hugs with their future neighbors. </p>
<p>Danielle M. Gram 11, who delivered Housing assignments for Currier House along with barely-clothed Currier residents, said the raucousness reached dangerously high levels. </p>
<p>We were all shouting, Im from C-House, and everyone was so excited. One freshman almost had a heart attack, said Gram, noting the rowdiness of some students. But most freshmen were so excited by our nakedness, [that] they took off their clothes.</p>
<p>For a short, silly evaluation of the different Harvard Houses check out the latest “Harvard Hooligans” YouTube video entitled the “Houses of Harvard”</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - Houses of Harvard](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFtLmiHtgGk&feature=sdig&et=1237555074.45]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFtLmiHtgGk&feature=sdig&et=1237555074.45)</p>
<p>In addition to the Harvard Hooligan videos the “On Harvard Time” videos on YouTube can also be entertaining.</p>
<p>Both series are made by Harvard students.</p>
<p>KIRKLAND!</p>
<p>Another fun video, made by Mather.
[YouTube</a> - My House (Mather House)](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvFiw6aKPho]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvFiw6aKPho)</p>
<p>Son is in Eliot and says he couldn’t be happier. No blocking anxiety, but members of the block had some individual preferences (River houses for proximity to gym, quad for luxury, and others for location to classes). I think all are happy with Eliot, some ecstatic. They did their River Run a little early (papers, etc.) but got some great pictures of their Viking funeral ship (which looks more like the Santa Maria) being consumed by flames with the lights of Eliot in the background. Maybe it really was a good luck sacrifice. Question for gadad - are your daughters in the Tae Kwon Do club or is their studio near the quad. My son is a member of the club (but is only able to go occasionally).</p>
<p>My son and the members of his blocking group are all fairly easygoing. No angst in forming their group or in house selection. They all recognized that good and bad accompanies each house. His group ended up at Dunster - but many of their close friends were quadded - makes for a long commute between the two.</p>