I’m standing out here in the cold; Doin’ my best breaking the mold; And occupyin’ for education; Yeah, it needs to be told; Because it’s wrongly mistaken.

Am I a freestyle rapper now? Not at all. But you might hear something of the like at the De Anza College main quad Tuesday night … just not from me.

I didn’t leave school grounds once my Tuesday night speech class adjourned. Instead, I went back up to the main quad with my sleeping bag and pillow and joined Occupy for Education at De Anza. I have never camped out before so I knew this would be an experience. 

There was already a collage of green, blue, and gray tents set up, so I plopped my stuff inside one and quickly joined a few students who were sitting in a circle conversing. I decided to be bold and introduce myself to the five sitting around and let them know it was my first night occupying. After that, it was easy falling into their discourse. We talked and gossiped about school and different classes and teachers. It felt like a tight-knit club that was hanging out, so it wasn’t intimidating at all, and everyone was really easygoing and open to newcomers.

The fun really began when Peter Chydez, 21, and a couple of guys free-styled and beat-boxed, improvising creative and impressive lyrics. It was like karaoke, but when you support and encourage rather than tease or laugh. I was fascinated at the talent since I couldn’t think of anything on the spot. 

Soon the chilly campus reminded us to warm up with dinner – chicken flavored instant noodles. The steam touching my face definitely helped warm up my cold nose. My after-dinner activity consisted of assembling a tent, which I had never done before, for a fellow occupier. 

I grabbed one end of a support and squeezed it through the bottom loop while a guy applied the same on the other side. Adding the slippery canopy covering gave the tent its final touch.

Tired, I fixed my sleeping bag inside the tent I would be sleeping in that night – it could fit a family of six – and ended up crashing almost instantly. Usually, everyone goes to bed around midnight – morning classes would be my guess as to why. I had planned to stay up later, I swear.

Despite the cold I stayed warm throughout the night with the addition of two communal blankets. De Anza’s squawking crows never stopped reminding me where I was.

Around 6:20 a.m. I could hear a crowd of footsteps careening around the tent and someone yelling mockery, —Occupy a job! — followed by a punch to the tent right above where I was resting. I rolled my eyes and went back to sleep. 

Come morning I can say it was really convenient being at De Anza without having to deal with traffic and parking. Being able to roll out of a bed with a chiming 8 a.m. bell just added to the experience.