Archives: Strange But True
Why is it so cold?
The last two days now, it has been freezing! From lovely hot sunny weather to down right cold! I don’t know what is going on around here, in a matter of a few days, it has gone from very hot to very cold. Welcome to Florida.
By the way, what was up with the squirrel in the caf yestorday? Yes, you read that right, there was a crazy squirrel running around the caf yestorday. Just chillin, having fun running between people’s feet. It was pretty cool.
So what are YOU going to be on Halloween? My roommates and I got our costumes last night. We have a ref, a gansta, and a flight attendent. (I would be the flight attendent.)
Health 101
I found this awesome website while bored on Mylynn. Yes, it is working right now. Anyway, this website is called Health 101. It is pretty cool, I had fun flipping through the website. Plus, I think it is wonderful for all freshmen or high school seniors.
So all lynn students, check out the home page of Mylynn, you can find a bunch of fun stuff on there. I normally skip right to the email section and then to my classes to do homework, but I think from now on, I might spend more time looking at the home page!
Blackboard
I have no clue what is going on with Blackboard at school but it seems to always be down. How is it that the students can never seem to access it when they need it? My roommates and friends are always yelling at their laptops because they can not turn in homework and sometimes it takes hours for us to be able to get to the page! What is going on?
I am going to have to hunt down an IT guy to explain this all to me. I don’t understand how we had only a few problems last year with the website and now this year, it seems that almost every day it is down for hours and hours at a time so I can never turn in my homework! Its like a horrible guessing game that I am losing at… badly.
I’m tired, its been a long weekend. JUST WORK PLEASE! I just want to send my homework in so I can go to bed. What is the point of working for hours on something and not being able to turn it in when you try to on time? Not cool Blackboard. Not cool.
8.8.08
Do you know what today is? Today is the day I become glued to my TV. That’s right, its the Olympics! HEAVEN! Of course I’m totally rooting for Michael Phelps. My cousin got me intrested in him during the last Olympics.
Swimming, soccer, and gymnastics. Ya, I’m going to be getting a lot done. I guess I’m going to have to stop for a few minutes and call Cristaina on Sunday since it is her birthday…. hmmmm…. must make time for that or I’m going to get an ear full.
The first few days back to school are going to be so exciting! I have so many presents to give people, like the awsome birthday presents for my two amazing future roomates.
The Dark Place
It’s the middle of the night and I’m about to talk about something that most people don’t ever speak of in public. The dark side of the first few weeks of college.
I remember my first few weeks of college feeling alone and confused. Why wasn’t I always happy to be free and running around like it seemed to be on every TV show and in brochures? I remember nights where I just wanted to run away from Lynn, to just go home to what I knew and understood.
I think this is really a big problem for international students. I’m American. I was born here, but I feel so much like a stranger because I spent 15 years overseas representing a country I never really lived in. I felt out of my element and just wanted to run back to what I knew. Not necessarily my house and back to my mother, but back to my comfort zone.
I think that is why Cristina and I are so close now. We met during that period of time where we just wanted to get away from this new crazy world. I felt 20 times better once I knew I was not the only one feeling the way I was feeling.
Some students cry each night. Some cry all day long. Others try and drink their problems away or get high. I used to get so upset that I would just hide in my room and just scheme at how I could get away from Lynn, even if it was for a day.
At one point, I started saving my money so I could buy a plane ticket to anywhere but Florida. All the new stress was overwhelming. Mom wasn’t there to fix anything and I felt like if I wasn’t happy my first few weeks, then I wasn’t ready for college.
I started to hate my mom for making me stay at Lynn. Cristina was always fighting with her family that she wanted to leave. The girls on my floor were always yelling at their parents late at night the first few weeks that they wanted to leave or they couldn’t handle it. Something was always wrong and panic was everywhere a freshmen could be found.
Seeing the upperclassmen was not much of a help. They always seemed to be so happy and set into their routine that it felt impossible to believe that they had once felt what I was feeling.
So what changed? I made friends and started talking about my feelings. I was open with my professors about how I was feeling so that they knew I was having a hard time adjusting to college life. I had made three great friends that helped me get through my first year. I ate lunch and dinner with them. I walked to class with them. I talked to them about everything. We supported each other through all the struggles.
I think about six to eight weeks into college, I started to truly fall in love with Lynn. I started to see the beauty of college. I started to enjoy my classes and having my own space. I had my car by that point so I could get off campus. I started watching movies in Eric’s room, eating lunch with Cristina, and dinner with Rob. We started our own traditions which I miss now. Good news, go to the movies or order dinner. Bad news or a horrible day, ice cream at cold stone. I went on drives with Eric to just get out, went for Wendy’s fast food with Rob when I was depressed, and late night walks with Cristina when neither of us could sleep.
I started my own life. I wasn’t part of someone else’s plan for the first time in my life which I think is why it was so scary. No one was telling me what I should be doing, it was all up to me. I was discovering a lot about myself. Things like, I think dorm rooms feel so sterile like a hospital because there are no plants or pets. I’ve always had cats around me so not having my two little angels was strange. I had to call my mom to tell her about my day, not when she got home from work. I got to pick my future. I was discovering me, and let me tell you, it is scary getting to know yourself.
It’s ok to be scared. Terrified is more like it. Lol. I think I spent so much time looking forward to leaving home and getting away from my mom that I lost sight in the fact that in reality, your parents drop you off and say good bye to you. They leave a teenager and then you are supposed to turn around and suddenly become an adult. Frankly, we are all still little kids running around trying to learn how to be an adult. Why do you think I’m always saying that being an adult is hard?
So what’s my advice? Blast some music and dance in your dorm room. If your RA comes knocking, tell her that you are stressed and trying to learn how to be an adult. Find comfort food. Make friends that you can talk to about what you are going through because they are feeling it too. Play hookie every once in a while. Call home and tell your parents that college isn’t what you thought it was going to be, that it isn’t all fun and games. Tell mom about the hard biology professor or dad about how you can’t seem to get anything to make your room feel like home. Kick a soccer ball around. Sing, do whatever you have to to get through those first few weeks. They are rough.
I have so many people to thank for helping me get through those first weeks. I went to Stefano’s office near tears telling him that I wanted to leave and he calmed me down and informed me of all the great things about being at Lynn. He made me stick it out a little longer. Rich the RD who is always more than happy to give advice and lend an ear or two. My poor mother had to deal with who knows how many calls of me demanding to let me come home.
Listen, next year, I don’t have any classes on Friday. I’m going to make that the day that freshmen can come to me and talk about what they are going through. You don’t have to feel alone. I’ve done it and it was hard and scary. Find me around campus, and stop me to talk. We can get coffee at Christine’s or have lunch in the caf. How many times did I wish to have someone to talk those first few weeks! Stop me, stop any of the bloggers, they are totally cool, understanding, and best of all, they’ve been there! It’s ok to be…. It’s ok! Scared, angry, terrified, traumatized, lol.
They say that it only gets harder each year, but I think it can only get better. I am so excited about my second year. I have the best roommates in the world. I’m going to be surrounded by my friends and Michelle is moving into the dorms! I miss Lynn so much right now, you have no idea.
So keep emailing me at manderson5@email.lynn.edu and know that once back at school, I’m always there to help. Come talk to me, or just ask me questions, even if it is to find out what building you are standing in, hehe.
Planning for next year
There is so much to do for next year. I have to get my room assignment, find storage for my stuff, figure out what to do with my car, finish up my courses, plan my summer and find a job while I’m at it, meet with my adviser to plan my schedual for next year, Look for a job for next school year. There is a ton of stuff I hadn’t thought about! Ahhh! Growing up never ends! lol. How is my first year almost over? I only have a few weeks left. It’s… nerve racking!
So much has happened, I’ve learned so much, done so much, and yet, there is so much MORE to come!
One crazy weekend
My weekend rocked. It started friday night and kept on going. Now its monday morning… how in the world did that happen???
Friday night, I heard a bunch of giggly girls outside and I was like what the, its not even 9:30 yet! Where are they going? Turns out, they weren’t going any where, they were coming in and they weren’t girls. Six female alumne were standing outside my door all happy and hyper. I could hear them saying my name as they knocked. I opened to them gigglying and screaming with joy which only lead me into more confusion. Why are strangers outside my door on a friday night???
I had totally forgotten that it was alumni weekend. I was sick, my throat seems to be filled with tennis balls and my voice running far far away from me. So now I’m standing at my door, looking at 6 women old enough to be my mother, giggling at my door while I’m wearing who knows what as PJ’s.
One starts telling me that 20 years ago, she used to live in my room. AHA! Now I know whats going on! She’s holding a friends hand and they are just so happy. The four in the back seem to huddle together like its middle school all over again for them. I’m in a daze from a fever and so in my mind, I’m going insane. I was sure the end of the world was coming near.
So the two in front keep going on about how they used to live in my room and I kind of just nod, not really hearing them, while one of the four in the back keeps saying, “its not even 9:30″ and looking at me funny. I start getting frustrated and think to myself, what in the world is that supposed to mean??? Another one whispers to the other one, “maybe she’s not alone?!” and I hear the other three start oooing. I finally speak up.
“No, I have a FEVER! I was SLEEPING!” Suddenly, they all realized that they had intruded on my personal space and started to retreat. They apologized like crazy and scrambled away. Ask my friends, I’m not a very nice sick person. Better yet, ask my mother. lol. I really do not like to be disturbed when I’m sleeping and even worse when I’m sick.
I was cool with the Alumne coming to see their old rooms, but I got a little ticked off with their friends commentinig on my life. Luckily, I was sane enough to know to hold my tongue. They were going on and on about why I was so sleepy at 9:30 at night. I was starting to think it was a crime to get some rest on a weekend.
On Saterday, Tri Sigma had a lunch for the Alumne Sigma’s. It was AWSOME!!!! I wished they could have staid longer! Six of them showed up… hey, whats with the number six? lol. A.D.D. moment. Anyway, six of them showed up. They were so nice and so… amazing! A chapter founder showed up! How cool is that? She spoke about starting the chapter at Lynn and how it was a lot of hard work but coming back to see that it is still going strong made her really happy, which in turn, made us really happy to know that we were doing a good job. We took pictures and talked… and the birds ate the veggies. Do not ask why, but our birds at Lynn are a little crazy. We got attacked by birds for carrots! Come on now!
Having the six sisters come back was a great moment for me. They want to help us so much, teach us songs, and give us information, tips, or tricks that will help us in many area’s of Sigma. Plus, I got to spend time with my sisters which is always cool. I must say, my life would be a little boring without a little Shannan, Janae, Lauren F., and Sam in my life each day. My sisters rock.
Now sunday, that was a lazy day! I slept in late, washed clothes with Cristina, went to dinner with Eric, and chilled with Rob and Cristina in Rob’s room. What more could I ask for from a sunday? It was perfect! Cristina was helping me with my homework, yes, she rocks like that. It pays to have a sexy nerd as a best friend. lol. Rob was being goofy but always helpful. He carried my bag of clean clothes to my room for me! hehe. That bag was HUGE! As Iggy the RD said when he saw it, “that’s a LOT of clothes!” I just had to laugh.
I can not honestly tell you what Rob, Cristina, and I were talking about last night. We were being our usual selves…. if that says anything. We watched some video’s on YouTube and I took a quiz for Geo Political which Cristina thought was a game. Lol. Apparently guessing the answers to my quiz questions is fun for her. I on the other hand like to know the ANSWERS. haha.
Ah, now its monday. Where did the weekend go?
Sick
Freshmen 101 tip: Chances are, you are going to be sick a lot your first year of college. It is crazy, but even people who normally don’t get sick are always sick here. Once a cold hits this campus, count your blessings! I already know if Cristina gets sick at the beginning of the week, there goes my weekend. I’m sure to have what ever she had by friday.
Mommy isn’t here to take care of you. And mommy sure isn’t here to tell you to eat your veggies, go to bed on time, and not to over work yourself.
Get friendly with the school nurses, chances are, you are going to be seeing them a lot your first semester.
The never ending week
How is it only wednesday??? This week refuses to end! I’m not the only one saying this… phew! I’m not crazy. I feel like this week has been the longest week ever!
How many meetings did I have today? I think it was like 5 or 6. Honestly, will this week end!?
Worried Sisters
Michelle called me a little while ago to see how I was doing. She got worried since I had missed three classes that I share with her and she knew something was up. I told her what was going on and she is going to send me all my homework. Being part of Greek Life can be great sometimes. I had a frat guy last night stop me to see how I was doing. Just, everyone takes care of everyone in the greek system. I’m just glad only one of my sisters called me though! Try having over 40 girls worried calling you every few minutes. I would get no rest!
The ER doctors thought it was funny that the only person with me at the hospital was my ex boyfriend. lol. Hey, I found it amusing too. Life can be funny sometimes and I’m glad I’m slowing down long enough to notice how funny it can be!
I guess I should call Cristina so she doesn’t break down my door from worrying to much.
