Families weekend on campus always seems like a blast! In all the years I have been here, I honestly haven’t attended the event. It’s not because I am lazy, or have no desire to go, but rather because I fear I may start crying if I do!
Do you remember when you were in the school play as a child, and you’re searching the audience for your mom and dad, and they’re not there (my parents always run late! I hope they don’t read this!) …then that lump develops in your throat and you can’t hold back the tears… oh, and there is goes, you’re crying. Well, I fear that feeling. Perhaps I’m just melodramatic!

As an international student, my parents always seem to miss Families Weekend. It infuriates me! Now I’m truly going to sound like a baby, but I want my mommy and daddy there too! I don’t want to watch other families reunited and having fun! It would make me miss my family even more.
For those of you who’s family will be down for this fantastic event on campus, you should appreciate every minute of it! This tradition at Lynn is one of the events that makes Lynn the community it is.

And on that note, if anybody wants to adopt me for the weekend… just let me know!

Perhaps we should have a stand at the event, adopt a parent for the day. Teachers and staff could volunteer as families weekend parents, and perhaps ‘parentless’ students could make a small donation for their ‘adopted parent’, which could go towards a cause, such as an orphanage in the area?

Okay, so as I have explained, this week has been mad. Today, I have been running around trying to get my graduation forms and minor declaration forms signed. It is such a mission! You run from one side of the campus to the other and then back again (oh and then you forgot that you actually needed that other persons signature) so you run back…and they’ve already left for the day! and through all of this…I would have managed to wear my most uncomfortable shoes…the ones that dig into your foot leaving you hobbling around for the rest of the week!
So, I’m finally home… not quite relaxed, but ravenous for something to eat. And of course I’ve been too busy to shop for food (and you can’t rely on the men in your house to manage a quick pit stop into publix to stock up) (but somehow they manage to make their way to the golf course!). Any how, here I am, all I could find to eat was a 2 week old flax seed biscuit (which was not as tasty as it may sound) and I’m about to indulge myself by opening an eensey-weensey packet of fruit gummies (which have been neglected for the last month as I had previously over indulged in this specific treat)… Yah, just opened the packet… and was overwhelmed by a previous feeling of over indulgence/nausea…I’ll have to resort to coffee… it’s the only thing that has managed not to deplete in this household. But come on…try a gummy…you know you want to…

…too late, my hunger got the best of me (and the gummies!).

Well, today is one of those lazy sundays. Its roughly 3 o clock in the afternoon and I still haven’t gotten up! I feel terribly guilty but this weekend has been so busy, I needed a break.
Living off campus is an expensive affair! Don’t get me wrong, I love having my own place and eating whenever I want and whatever I want; however don’t be fooled when you decide to take the plunge! One tends to consider only the cost of rent and the main utilities and bills… not the food, the mission of finding furniture, kitchen ware, etc etc etc the list goes on! ALOT!

Well, I have been living off campus for nearly a year. I absolutely love it and am happy I took the plunge… but it has its good side and its bad. Don’t be fooled, utilities are expensive. I share a two bedroom with my boyfriend (previously we also shared with a friend of ours, but she fell pregnant and moved out…long story, for another day). Anyhow, so, when you sign a lease with someone…make sure you have some sort of security.
So, between my boyfriend and I, we spend roughly about $80 electricity, $70 for cable and internet, $60 for water, and about $400 on food.

Obviously thats for two people, but it should give you an idea. Furniture is another thing no one thinks about! A mattress is ridiculously expensive, let alone all the little things you don’t budget for, but need! And then there’s cleaning supplies and things that break, and all the little extras that you absolutely have to have along the way!
But thats life, and I suppose its worth it. However, I recommend you wait until your Junior year before moving off campus. I feel so disconnected from everything that happens on campus, I miss the sense of community and seeing my friends. But living off campus, I like the quiet, the independence, and the stability.

So, keep in mind if you are planning on moving off campus… SAVE SAVE SAVE!!! it’s an expensive affair!

Now that the blog is up and running, my photo is up, and you can put a face to the person behind these blogs; I thought I should give you an idea of who exactly I am (the 411 so to say).

Well, My name is Ashlea and I am twenty-two years old. I have no siblings, but am very close to my mom and dad (see photo attached). I have been attending Lynn since my freshman year. Prior to that I lived in South Africa. I had lived in Cape Town all my life, and still consider it home. I get many questions about my life in South Africa, so let me give you an idea of what it is truly like.

South Africa is the most beautiful country I have seen to date. Cape Town is a coastal city surrounding a huge mountain with a flat top, conveniently named ‘Table Mountain’.

Cape Town has a population of roughly 3 million and the climate is Mediterranean. Cape Town and the surrounding area is famous for beautiful vineyards and manufacturing world class wine. We do not have animals roaming wild and free, however there is a national park in the Northern part of South Africa, where animals do live in the wild. During the summer I went home to South Africa and visited the Kruger National Park. I have been there on many occasions and it is one of my favorite places. You will see some photos I took on my trip.

My high school started off very small. When I arrived there were only 30 other people in the entire school and it took place in a house less than a block away from mine. I grew up in a horse riding community and I rode competitively from the age of five onwards. My main discipline was Showing, and Show jumping and I was part of the South African Team. I also love scuba diving. I have done a lot of diving in South Africa, however the water temperature in Cape Town requires 7 mm thick wet-suits!

I’ve known that I have wanted to be a journalist since I was a child. I had always loved reading and writing, but my interest grew when I realized how through words, one can help open the eyes of others. I wanted to make a difference, to give back to my country in some way. I came to the United States for Lynn University. I had looked at many other universities, in South Africa, Canada, and the USA. Lynn stood out from the rest. The International community, the broadcasting program, and the location are a few things that caught my attention.

I will be graduating in December, a semester earlier than expected. I have applied to Lynn’s graduate program (MSc communication) and have also signed up to a graduate assistantship. I suppose I wasn’t quite ready to leave Lynn just yet!