Archives: Friends
Founders Day!
Yestorday was Lynn University’s Founders Day. Once again, I ate myself sick. Three years in a row, I found all the good tents and stations and threw caution to the wind. The last two years, I had to work so I really couldn’t fully enjoy all the events of Founders Day, but this year, I was free all evening to eat great food, chill with friends, enjoy the band, and well, eat more food. lol. I can’t remember the name of the company, but they created mini doughnuts infront of you, deep fried oreo’s and mini waffles. It was pretty cool, and the line showed it. Little face prints could be seen at toddler hight on the glass. I ate so much kettle corn, and I finally got a founders day shirt! I don’t have a shirt from the last two years, but I made sure to get one this year!
I’m looking forward to next years, mostly because Michelle will be home from her study abroad and we can take crazy pictures again in the photobooth! I would share, but she is holding the photos hostage until she returns!
Bake Sales and Breast Cancer Walks
Last week, Black Student Union held a dollar bake sale to raise money for our upcoming events. I had a lot of fun with the bake sale. I learned that my VP Megan is amazing at selling baked goods! She had people dancing in the student center, giving away bags of chips if they showed us their best dance move. At the end of the three days, we made a lot of money for selling all good for a dollar or under. We were shocked as a club that just by selling two brownies for a dollar or four cookies for a dollar, we made a lot of money for our next event, BSU’s kick off party. We’ve been a busy club for the last few weeks, can’t wait to see all the effort come together on the 27th.
Friday night, I spent hours trying to get my project finished for one of my classes by midnight. I finally put all the finishing touches, and everything was turned in, but I couldn’t get to sleep until 2am. That wouldn’t be so bad if the Sigma’s hadn’t signed up to set up for the Breast Cancer walk and we had to meet at 4:45 am. I tried really hard to go to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, but it felt like soon as I had passed out, my alarm was going off, and I was extremely confused. I rushed to get washed and dressed before my pillow called me back.
I made my way over to the school’s coffee shop, Christine’s. It wasn’t open but its a good meeting spot from anywhere on campus. We were wishing it was open, breakfast and coffee would have been great since most of us looked like we just walked out of a zombie movie. Ally was holding onto her coffee like a mother would to a small child crossing the street, she wasn’t going to let it go! Tova brought mini doughnuts which vanished as quickly has they came. Finally all dressed in matching outfits we packed into the cars.
Once we arrived at the walk, just like Sigma’s do, we rushed to all the areas that still needed to be set up. It may have been 5:30 in the morning, but we were caring heavy boxes, covering tables, and posting signs as fast as we could, then turning around to figure out what else we could do. FAU had some of their fraternity boys there as well, caring tables and opening boxes to lay out information. I watched as Mizner Park transformed into a sea of empowered pink. The numbers grew from a small 50 to hundreds of people with their children and pets. Survivors told their stories. My sisters were buzzing with excitement since this was our first year actually walking, normally we just set up.
At 9 am, with news cameras everywhere the 5 mile walk kicked off. It was great so see so many faces from Lynn, it was great to see the support of the community. I really enjoyed bonding with my sisters as we talked, joked, and reminded ourselves why being sisters is so great. At the end of the day, I learned a lot about breast cancer, accomplished more by 11 am than I think I ever have done in weeks (since normally on a sat I am just waking up at 11), and bonded with my sisters.
Its been a busy week and I loved every minute of it! Next weekend, I get to go home. I get to see my mom and my kitties, but before that, I better get to all this homework!
College: Best Time to Meet Yourself
For my 300th post, I was stumped at what to write. 300 posts about college is a lot. From my first day to my junior year where I am about to take my VCATS and the GRE.
I’ve learned that college is a great time to learn about yourself. I know I have said it many times before, but I’ve honestly learned more about myself in the last three years than I could have ever thought possible. Each year I look back and see how much I’ve grown, how my actions effected my life.
I’ve learned that the end of the day, chances are you are going to get sick with what ever is going around campus. Swine Flu is really messing up my plans this year, trying to avoid sick students is hard, and the extra worry that they may have a flu that is killing people all over the world is not a comforting feeling. The fact that the school has spent money on hand sanitizers all over campus is a good sign that there is a large effort to stop the spread of germs.
I’ve learned that it is really annoying to have a car sometimes. Not the car itself, but people wanting rides. Sometimes, I find it hard to figure out if people want to be friends with me or just because I have a car. Some are very honest about why they are befriending me, they openly ask for rides to places, while others are more coy and it may take a few conversations to realize it. I know some people with cars don’t mind giving rides, but I can’t stand it. It find it so rude when people ask me because most of the time, they want me to bend to their schedule. I thought I was doing them a favor…. People without cars on campus seem to forget that cars run on gas and students aren’t taxi services. If you are going to ask someone for a ride, thank them. They didn’t have to take you to where you needed to go or take time out of their day when they weren’t heading in that direction.
I’ve learned that there are tons of unhealthy relationships going on in college. From the distractions, the cheaters, the liers, the stealers, the heartbreakers, and the flat out abusive. Like I said, college is the best time to learn about yourself and relationships are apart of who we are as individuals. I’ve learned friends and parents are usually the best bet to learn if someone is good for you. If your friends and family don’t like the new guy, he needs to hit the road.
I’ve learned that not everyone is designed to have a roommate and that not all types of people make good roommates. I have a single this year because I study better when I have my own space and can study when ever I can. I feel too stressed out when there are other people around when I am studying. I can have my room the way I like it so I am comfortable while trying to learn tough subjects like microbiology or organic chemistry. My grades inprove greatly when I am by myself in a room. Some students don’t do so well on their own, they need that contact or their grades drop. It really depends on the student. Some days I liked having a roommate but other days it was too distracting from why I am here at Lynn, to get an education.
And last but not least, I’ve learned to enjoy college! I really feel that this year is my year. We only have 4 years to be in this crazy artificial world that allows us to try new things and explore who we are in a safe mannor where we can learn from our mistakes where there are not lasting effects…. well, most of the time. Each year, I find myself tryin new things, exploring new options. I want to enjoy my 4 years of college to the max. I look back at high school as a waste of time, I don’t want to look back and see college the same way. So far, I am really enjoying college and I hope it keeps going the way it has been. I love being president of Black Student Union this year, planning events, seeing an idea on paper come to life. I love my sisters and all that we stand for as Tri Sigmas. I have awsome friends. College is what you make it, and I am working very hard to to make it the best 4 years possible!
Pressure
In college, there is a lot of pressure. Pressure to excel. Pressure to be the best. Pressure to balence everything in life and make it look easy. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell when the pressure is to much for a student one week to another.
There are student athletes, scholarship students, first in the family to go to college, the over achivers, its endless. For what ever reason, college students have a lot on their plates. It is always good to know that there is a support network out there, willing to be there for you 100% when you really need some one to talk to or to lean on, even if it is just for a day or through a tough week.
It is really important for parents to be there for their kids during college… BUT… that doesn’t mean keep treating them like little kids that they were when they were living at home. Finding the right balance to letting the little kid who used to try and stick their fingers in all the sockets in the house go to seeing the young adult that may need a little guidence from mom and dad every once in a while. College is a new chapter, not just for the student, but also for the family. Sometimes the pressure for mom and dad to let go can be harder than expected which can cause some tention between parents and students. My advice to parents, let go of the reigns and let your kid come to you. Its amazing how often your kid will start calling soon as they think you aren’t controling their life.
Pressure comes from everywhere in college. Its a new pressure, no one there to tell you when to go to bed, do your homework, clean your room, not to say stupid stuff, check your bank account. Grades become more important than ever for some, while others could hardly care what they get. Living with a person who is pretty much a stranger can be hard. Trying to always be the perfect roommate can the tiresome after… a week. Professors that forget that students have other classes can really be frustrating.
I feel for the athletes. Always traveling or on the field praticing. It’s endless for them. Trying to do homework on a bus. Studying in between class and pratice. Then the students on full scholarships. Most of the time, their parents are on them about the grades. Constantly checking up on their assignments, reminding them that they have scholarships to keep.
I’ve been saying for the last two years, college is easy, its everything else that makes it hard. Sometimes blowing off some steam is the best option. Skip a day of classes to sleep in and catch up on some much needed sleep. Go out for a night on the town and not worry about being a little extra sleepy in class. It may be hard to explain to parents and professors, sometimes even friends, but know yourself. Know what you need as student is so important. Taking a break can do a lot of good for the mind, body, and soul. Now, I’m not saying a break every other day, I’m just saying that knowing when to take a break can help in the long run. College doesn’t get any easier after freshmen year, its best to learn how to deal with the stress right away. For some, its simply asking the parents to chill on the lectures, for others its a day planner and a special treat at the end of the week/month. Sometimes just talking about it to friends can really be a relief… just as long as your friends are willing to listen and take you seriously… but thats another post.
The only advice I have is, find what works for you when you are stressed your freshmen year and you don’t have to be perfect. Just do your best and remember, you are supposed to ENJOY college. What do adults always tell me, something about it is supposed to be the best time of your life…
Alone Time
I’ve been really enjoying having the condo in DC to myself for the last two weeks. It feels good to be home and really have my own space, privacy, and well, bathroom! I have a kitchen! And a TV! Don’t worry, I’m getting a TV next year for my dorm room, but no fancy cable sadly with a cool remote control.
I’ve enjoyed sleeping in, and cooking all my meals. How I’ve missed cooking! Sadly at Lynn, we do not have community kitchens to allow students to cook. Although, that wouldn’t be a bad idea for the future… hint hint Lynn.
In the last few years, I’ve learned that I really enjoy my alone time. I would have never thought 5 years ago that I was happy being by myself. I always thought that I was a social person, but now, I’ve figured out that I am a very social person after I’ve had my space and my alone time to chill, watch TV, cook, read a few books, play with the cats, explore some new thing. Once I feel like I’m personally recharged, I’m ready to go out, chill with my friends, party, what ever.
I realized that I hardly ever get this alone time in college. Reason why I can’t have roommates, cause they get mad when I go into my own world and really just stop talking, cause I’m chillin, doing my own thing in my own time. All of this can last for about a week so I’m prety much off the grid and sometimes it drives my friends crazy, because if I don’t get my alone time, I get seriously… well, grouchy.
As I get older, it is fun learning about myself. Just like everyone else, I’m learning and growing as a young adult. I’m def learning about myself, who I am, who I want to be, what kind of people I want in my life, what kind of life style I want to live, and college really as been a great environment for me to figure it all out in.
Saying Good Bye
A lot of my friends and sisters are graduating this weekend. Its sad to say good bye to everyone.
A long list of my sisters will be handed their diploma, 4 years of hard work and 4 years of being great sisters. It’s sad to see them go, but its great to see them moving on with their lives.
It is also scary for me. How have two years flown by? That means I only have two years left!
At the moment, I am enjoying a mini vacation at the Marriott near Lynn, soon as I get back summer classes! It will be Zoology and Animal Science!
Gongrats class of 2009! *sniff sniff* Come back to visit us at Lynn for Alumni Weekend!
Spring Break in Baton Rouge
I’m spending my spring break in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Exciting stuff. I have tons of photos but no time to load them onto my computer!
Lynn University has their spring break a little early, so everyone I know that doesn’t got to Lynn, still have classes. I’m visiting one of my friends from high school, Jarrod, but he’s got midterms this week so today he’s a little busy trying to get some studying in.
Oh I forgot to mention, I’m at LSU. Its a great school, with abou 30,000 students. I can’t even picture going here. I get lost in the dorms! The school is so beautiful, the campus is filled with great buildings and willow trees. There are students everywhere you look and the dorms are constantly full of noise at any hour of the day. Just being here for a few days is making me miss Lynn and the environment at Lynn.
Here, it is extreme security. I guess it is a must when there are 30,000 students, but at Lynn, at least you can easily go see your friends! Or just go to the rest room! At LSU, you need a key to get into the hallway you live on, and it does not work on any other floor, (not so at lynn, if you live in that building, you can get into any wing of that building so you can easily go see your friends.) I got stuck in a stairwell for 25 minutes because my friend didn’t hear his phone and you can’t get out of the stairwell without a key unless exiting the building into the freezing cold. Then you need a key to get into the restroom. Its crazy!
Well, I’m off to get some quick studying in myself and then maybe find something to eat.
A Chocolate break
Today in class, as I fell asleep about 6 times in the very warm room, I was awaken to find out we were switching rooms. No big deal, I was thankful for the fresh air and the cold lab that was sure to keep me awake.
While walking back to the lab, Michelle sniffs the air and then informs me that there is a chocolate fountain in the area. lol. So now we are both sniffing the air for the smell of chocolate.
Once in the lab, I notice that about half the class is missing. It wasn’t a hard guess where they were when they slowly started showing up back in class… with plates of fruit dipped in chocolate.
Michelle, Wideline, and I start chattering in our corner about the random event. A student walks back into the room, which Wideline was more than happy to infrom that they were being crazy for walking out of class for chocolate, but her argument did not last long. The moment she saw a chocolate cupcake, the rest of her comment was long gone from her thoughts. Michelle of course turned towards me, looking very serious, to only inform me that I was to “stay behind and take notes.”
So off the two of them went to explore the magical area in ASSAF where the chocolate fountain was located. Still in shock at the madness, I take a look around the room to see more than half the class eating who knows what, and about 2 students actually listening to profesor Ahmed. He suddenly realizes that something is very wrong and looks around to find his students in what to him must have looked like a huge mess of 6 year olds. There was liquid form chocolate all over the lab. And just what did our professor have to say? “Hey, were did you guys get that?”
Not long after his sudden realization that his students weren’t listening, was Professor Ahmed getting his own plate, thus ending the class.
Wideline brought me back a cupcake and we all packed up our stuff. As I passed the booth with all the goodies lined up nicely, I found the source of all the distraction, the library! Now, I thought they were supposed to help us learn! Oh well, I got to hand it to the library staff, they sure do know how to get the students attention!
I must say though, Professor Ahmed had the last laugh at the end of the day. We are still bio majors, and so all he had to do was pour some strange liquid into a bowl with some purple powder which caught fire and filled the lab full of smoke for 15 minutes to get our attention back. I’ve got to hand it to the man, he knows how to keep his students!
A new year, a new semester
I am very excited to get back to Lynn. I spent my new years at The Palm Restuarant. I had a wonderful time and brought home a doggy bag for my two cats who were more than happy to take some fish off my hands.
Now, it is time to go back to school, and start having a great time learning amazing stuff about science. Making metals heat up from chemicals, figure out sound waves of people talking in the room, or how the human body is able to move from place to place.
I have a new room now so I have to get that all set up.
I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things as my grandmother would say. Although, I’m not looking forward to going back to caf food after having so much good food at home. Oh well, at least I get to be with my friends again and I only have to buy one new textbook this semester. Thank you Anatomy II, Chem II, and Phyisics II. hehe.
No fun in Miami
I just got back to campus after dropping off my sorority sister Michelle at the airport in Miami. Of course, she can do nothing the simple easy way. Well, I tried to drop her off yestorday but she ended up having a problem and having to catch the flight tonight. So yet again, we made the trip to Miami. She got on the flight this time. Now I’m sad. I’m not going to see her for 5 weeks because she’s going to be doing an internship down in Brazil. I have the keys to her car so while she’s gone and when I get back from winter break, I am going to be starting her car once a day so it runs smoothly when she gets back.
Now I am going to relax for a few minutes before I finish up some stuff and set up my room.
