here, there, and everywhere

Serious Senioritis

2010-04-06T15:33:00.006-04:00

Alright, I have to admit, I am falling victim to a severe case of senioritis. Classes are winding down, it is finally sunny outside, and graduation seems so close. The last thing I can do is focus on schoolwork.

But, in more exciting news, Beckee and I have decided to go to Costa Rica after finals! I am beyond excited. The package we got includes two nights in San José, two nights in Arenal, and two nights in Monteverde. The exciting/terrifying part is that we have to drive ourselves from place to place. It is going to be quite the adventure. I just need to get through seventeen more days of classes.

Then, when we get back from Costa Rica, there are a ton of exciting Senior Week events going on! Tickets go on sale this week and are limited, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get to go on the Martha's Vineyard day trip and the Mohegan Sun overnight trip. It will be a nice way to wrap up my time at Suffolk.

Moving Right Along

2010-03-16T12:36:00.002-04:00

Happy Spring Break, blog readers!

So, the semester is more than halfway over, I have a week off from classes, and the sun is shining. I don't think I could ask for anything better.

As much as I would like to sleep in every day during Spring Break, it has been pretty nice to keep busy. I have been working here in Admissions, and tomorrow I will head home for a few days. I am especially excited to go home (minus the part where I go to the dentist) because I will be doing some of my observation hours for Teach For America. Before I go down to the Mississippi Delta for training, I am expected to do preparation work, which includes observation hours at nearby schools. Then, on Saturday, I am headed down to Florida for an Accepted Students Reception! I hope to see some of you there!

Then, when classes start up again on Monday it will be crunch time. I have lots to do before the end of the semester and very little time to do it. Between getting started on final papers, finishing my InterFuture work, and preparing to move 1,500 miles away, I have a lot on my plate. But, obviously I can't complain. It is a plate filled with lots and lots of very good things!

It's Pay Day!

2010-02-26T11:48:00.010-05:00

I have had a lot of time for blogging this week. That is definitely a good thing since my time as an Ambassador is limited and I really enjoy keeping this blog! 86 days until graduation!

I meant to write about this in my last post, but last week a bunch of us headed over to the Copley Society on Newbury St. because our fellow Ambassador, Julie, was chosen to show her work at their Annual Student Show! She is pretty fabulous. I am so happy we were able to celebrate such an amazing accomplishment with her!

I am looking forward to next week because starting on Monday, my mom and I are taking a weekly meditation workshop. It runs through the month of March and is at North End Yoga, an amazing studio that I went to fairly often when I lived in the dorms. Now that I'm living in Somerville (and am plagued by having to pay rent), though, I haven't been there in a while. I am excited to de-stress with this workshop, though, and it will be nice to see my mom a bit more often.

Short post today. Time to go to class. Have a safe and relaxing weekend, everyone!

Picking Up Speed

2010-02-24T14:47:00.001-05:00

Happy Middle-of-the-Week, blog readers!

For the first time this semester, I have been feeling bogged down with schoolwork and stress. I had been keeping on top of things like reading and assignments especially well, but lately it has been piling up. Hopefully this weekend I can catch up on everything so that the rest of the semester will go smoothly.

Of course there are always events on campus to keep my mind off the never-ending stress of school. Last night, Jonathan Kozol, education activist and author, spoke in the C. Walsh Theatre. I found out about it at the last minute, and am so glad I did. Kozol was so engaging, and especially relevant to me because of my plans to teach in the Mississippi Delta as a Teach For America Corps Member.

Tonight I start up again at my internship at Teen Voices. I will be working with a different group of high school-aged girls from last semester, and we will be working on an article about sexual health among young people. I was very excited when I found out we would be working on this section, since I did my InterFuture research on condom awareness and access in high schools.

I am so happy this week is almost over. It's been raining and dreary, and I am more than ready to have a relaxing weekend at my apartment. I will be working quite a bit at Banana Republic, but I am hoping to find some me-time, too. And then, before we know it, it will be March. Where did the time go? We are just about two weeks away from Spring Break, but for me that also means being two weeks away from my Praxis Exam. I need to take three Praxis Exams in order to receive my certification to teach in the Mississippi Delta, so it is extremely important that I pass. Needless to say, I am a bit stressed about it.

Time to leave the office and head over to Teen Voices. Enjoy...the rain?

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da

2010-02-16T14:42:00.005-05:00

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

It is a slow, snowy Tuesday in the office so I thought I would catch up on some blogging. The semester has gone surprisingly smoothly so far. I have yet to be too stressed out, and am keeping my fingers crossed that things stay that way. We just returned from a long weekend, so that definitely helped keep me sane.

Thursday night a bunch of us went out for fellow Ambassador, TJ's 21st birthday. There was a great turnout and it was nice to spend time with everyone. I also spent a lot of time working at Banana Republic and getting homework done this weekend, but ditched the studying on Sunday for a Valentine's Day celebration with some wonderful fellow singles.

But now it's time to get back to the daily grind. I had my Women in Literature class this morning, which I absolutely love so far. There are only twelve of us and there is a great dynamic between us and the professor. Then, I had an InterFuture meeting, at which we discussed our timeline from now until the end of the semester. Although I have been back from conducting my research in London for almost a year now, I am still working on the United States portion of my study, and need to finish up my project as a whole. I am aiming to have it turned in by mid-April. Eek! So much to do before then.

One of the most terrifying, yet thrilling realizations I recently had was that I will be leaving for Teach for America training (also known as Institute) on June 8th (just two weeks after graduation!). I am sad I won't be able to spend the summer with everyone in the city, but am beyond ready to embark on the next phase of my life. As much as I don't think I can take myself seriously enough to have a real person job and wear real person clothes and surround myself with other real people (the more I think about it, though, I'm not even sure what "real" means) I feel prepared. If there is one thing I have learned after almost eight semesters as an undergraduate at Suffolk, it is that I am capable of more than I ever thought possible. There have been times I have wanted to curl up in a ball and die (difficult classes, roommate issues, InterFuture conferences), but there is nothing more fulfilling than surviving all of these things, and being a better person as a result. That is how I know I'm ready.

So, here's to being ready for life. Or the next part of it, anyways. Enjoy the snow.

Hello February!

2010-02-03T10:53:00.004-05:00

I've been seriously slacking on my blogging this semester. With the new paperless system in the office, things have been a little hectic, and there is always tons of work to do.

The start to the semester has been an exciting one, though. I am loving all my classes so far (even my science requirement. Weird), and have enjoyed getting back into a routine. I worked a lot over Winter Break, but still felt like I had a lot of down time. It's nice to be back.

Since I do not work as an SU101 Teaching Assistant in the spring, I have a little more free time this semester. I decided to go back to writing for the Voice, and my roommate, Sarah and I have picked up our radio show for Suffolk Free Radio again (www.suffolk.edu/radio Fridays at 4:00!). This week, for the Voice, I wrote about an improv show I attended last week in the C. Walsh Theatre. Suffolk's improv troupe, Seriously Bent, performed with cast members from the Improv Asylum, and best of all, the show was free!

In very exciting and relieving news, a couple weeks ago I found out that I have been accepted as a 2010 Teach For America Corps Member! I have been assigned to teach elementary in the Mississippi Delta region, so I will be living in either Mississippi or Arkansas. It is going to be a huge change, but I am absolutely thrilled! The scariest part is that I leave for training June 8th, just two weeks after graduation. It is all going to happen so fast!

I am trying not to get ahead of myself, though. I still have a semester to get through, an InterFuture project to complete (eek!), and an internship to get through (starting at the end of the month I am returning to Teen Voices until May).

Starting Anew

2010-01-04T11:39:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year, blog readers!

I can't believe it is already 2010 - the year I will graduate from college. I am back in the office a couple weeks early to catch up on hours, but soon I will begin my very last semester here at Suffolk. I will save the sappy, nostalgic stuff for later, but it really will be hard to leave this place.

Break has been a much needed escape from classes and stress. The end of the semester was wonderful, though. Winter Ball was a blast and Haley and Rachel threw an Ugly Holiday Sweater Party at their apartment. I went home for a week during Christmas and spent a lot of time working and catching up with old friends. The picture on the left is me with my best friend Jamie at my house on Christmas day. I came back to the city shortly after Christmas and spent New Year's Eve here in Boston for the first time. My roommate and I went to dinner in the North End and to the Improv Asylum's New Year's show. Then, we headed over to my friend's apartment in Brighton. It was a great way to ring in 2010!

Next week, a friend and I are driving down to South Carolina for our friend's graduation from Marine Corps boot camp. It's going to be a long trek, but I am really looking forward to going. It will be a nice way to wrap up Winter Break.

Then comes time for classes! This semester I am taking Women in Spirituality for my Philosophy minor, The Built World for my 2nd science requirement (ugh, leaving this until the last minute was a terrible life choice), an English Honors Seminar and Women in Literature to finish off my English major. I will also be returning to my internship at Teen Voices where I will mentor a small group of high school-aged girls as they develop a section of the magazine. I had a great time there last semester and am excited to go back.

Time to go give a tour. Here's to one last semester as an undergrad!

Almost done

2009-12-02T11:40:00.004-05:00

Happy Wednesday, blog readers!

So, now we are back from Thanksgiving break and there are only two and a half more weeks until the end of the semester. I have been pretty stressed out since we got back, but after this week I think things will start to calm down. I just need to get through a couple research papers and presentations first!

My time at home was wonderful. I was lucky enough to be there for six days and it was so nice to just lounge around the house. I did make a pretty decent dent in my work, though. I also got to catch up with my friends from home which is always nice. We had a low-key Thanksgiving at my house, but then my family and I went to my best friend Jamie's house to have dessert with her family. She tried to take a good picture of me with my brother, but instead we ended up with this.

For the first time since I started college, I won't be spending the entirety of Winter Break at home. Instead, I am going home from the 20th-26th and then am coming back into the city for the rest of break. I am definitely looking forward to being in my apartment without the stress of classes!

Be in love with your life

2009-11-24T15:05:00.011-05:00

Long time no blog!

I can't believe Thanksgiving break is mere hours away! I am heading home tonight and am looking forward to a relaxing break from classes. Unfortunately, I do have a lot of work to get done while I'm home. This includes, but is certainly not limited to preparing for my Teach for America final interview next Wednesday!

Anyways, before we get into Thanksgiving break, let's backtrack a bit. The past few weeks have been filled with a lot of exciting things, especially Ambassador gatherings! Earlier in the month, Beckee had all of the Ambassador girls (and Andrew!) over her apartment and we had a blast. Then, last weekend, Kristin had all of the Ambassadors over for a classy potluck dinner party. We took five million pictures and had a wonderful time.

So, needless to say, I will miss being in the city with all of these wonderful people, but am definitely looking forward to cuddling with my dog on the couch for five days. Then, there are only two weeks of classes left when we get back, and then the Winter Ball! Things may be stressful, but there is certainly a lot to look forward to.

And with that, I am heading out of the office and back to the suburbs! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of good food and good company!

Oh, Halloween

2009-11-02T11:26:00.004-05:00

Happy November, everyone!

So, this weekend was Halloween. On Friday, I went home to babysit my brother while my parents had their annual Halloween Bash (they think they are 15). It was nice to spend some time with him and eat lots of leftovers from the party. I came back into the city on Saturday morning and went on a literary walking tour for extra credit for my American Realism class. It was a beautiful day for walking and I learned a lot! Now I just need to motivate myself to write a couple pages about it.

I spent the rest of Saturday catching up on my sleep and putting together my Halloween costume (I was an 80's aerobics instructor!). For the most part, I think Halloween is overrated, but I was determined to have a good one since it is my senior year. Josh, one of my best friends from home, had a Halloween gathering at his apartment in Brighton and I went with Beckee and Sarah. We saw a lot of awesome costumes and overall had a really good time.

Yesterday was another low-key day for me. I have been running myself dry during the week and love being able to just sit around and do nothing. It certainly makes it hard to get back into the swing of things during the week, though. This week looks like it will be a good one, though. Tomorrow night, Program Council is hosting a Sean Kingston and Girl Talk concert at the House of Blues and tickets are only $15! I am really looking forward to it.

This weekend looks like it's going to be pretty awesome, too. On Friday, Beckee is getting all the girl Ambassadors together at her apartment for a big slumber party. We had the idea weeks ago and I am so excited it is finally going to happen! There will be lots of food, truth or dare, and absolutely NO Ambassador boys!

Looks like there are a lot of exciting things happening this week! But for now, it's time to get back to work in the office and get through this long Monday of classes!

Fall is Here!

2009-10-19T11:24:00.018-04:00

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

This week seems to be dragging on especially slowly. I have had so much reading to do and so many papers to write over the past week that I am ready for a long nap. This weekend is Halloween, though, so I probably won't have much time to catch up on sleep!

Despite all the work I have had, I have still been able to take advantage of all things October. A couple weekends ago, I brought my roommate, Sarah, and my fellow Ambassador, Beckee home with me to go apple picking. We went with my best friend, Jamie, and my 4 year-old brother, John. It was a blast! My parents made us dinner and then we headed back into the city. Sometimes it is so nice to spend some time at home.

Last week, I started my internship at Teen Voices. I met the group of teenage girls I will be working with, and they were awesome. Together, we are going to be doing the Arts and Culture feature of the magazine, and I think it is going to be a really great experience. The girls seem very outgoing and mature, and I am looking forward to the rest of the semester.

Then, on Saturday, six of us worked at the Students with Students Information Session. It was the last one of the semester, so I was especially excited about it. Unfortunately, it was down pouring most of the morning, but luckily the rain held up while we were out giving tours. During the session, I spoke about studying abroad at Suffolk, and was reminded of how much I miss London. Applying to graduate schools there is one of the many things on my list of potential plans post-graduation, and there are some days when I feel like I need to go back as soon as possible.

And, like I said, this weekend is Halloween! I haven't exactly decided what I am going to be yet, but hopefully I will figure something out. I usually think Halloween is overrated because I never seem to have much fun, but now that it is my senior year, I am going to try to make the most of it and have a good time.

Is it Friday Yet?

2009-10-06T14:41:00.002-04:00

I have had the craziest few days. I guess there is no time for senioritis!

On Friday and Saturday I had orientation for my internship at Teen Voices. It was a very long two days, but I am so excited to start working. On the 16th, I will find out which teenage girls I will be working with and which section of the magazine we will be writing for. My first choice is a section called "The Road to College," which I think would blend nicely with my work here in Admissions, but I will be happy with anything! I will be working alongside two girls aged 14-18 for 10 weeks while we come up with a feature article for the magazine. Getting to know and mentoring the girls is also a huge part of my work there. Ah, I am so excited!

Then, on Saturday I went out to dinner with my grandpa, his wife, and her daughter, since they were visiting from Buffalo. We went to the North End (of course), and then did some walking around the city. On Sunday I went home for the day and we all went to brunch. It's nice to go back to the suburbs sometimes, especially when the leaves are falling.

Yesterday I made my way back to my apartment in Somerville and started my new job at Banana Republic. I am a slave to retail jobs, apparently. Everyone there seems awesome, though, and my discount is 50%! Between working there, in Admissions, and as TA, I would like to think that my bank account will stay afloat, but that discount is going to be very dangerous!

I am especially looking forward to the long weekend. I could certainly use a day off to catch up on work and sleep!

Mid-week!

2009-09-30T12:19:00.004-04:00

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Things haven't picked up in the office yet, so there's lots of time for blogging. I just came back from giving a tour, and it's starting to get chilly outside. Soon, it will be time for winter coats! Ugh.

Luckily, today is a fairly easy day for me. I just have one class after I leave the office, and then I'm free to go home. Tonight I need to do a ton of reading and plan for SU101 tomorrow, but hopefully it won't take too long. Tomorrow will be busy, but I'm looking forward to it because there is going to be a performance of August Wilson's Fences in the C. Walsh Theatre. I am going to write an article about it for the Suffolk Voice (http://www.thesuffolkvoice.net/). I wonder how many times I've shamelessly plugged the Voice in this blog. Too many. Read it.

In addition to writing the occassional news article for the Voice this year, I am also writing a bi-weekly column about my experience as a college senior. I think I will spend most of this year in disbelief over the fact that in eight months I will have a college degree, so maybe rambling about it will ease my anxiety. I am actually pretty excited to graduate and get on with the next phase of my life. For right now, though, I am focusing on what exactly that phase will entail. I have a number of potential plans, all of which I will jinx if I write about them here, so stay tuned, and keep your fingers crossed!

Goodbye, September!

2009-09-28T11:06:00.004-04:00

Good Morning, all!

It's officially fall here in Boston, and I really can't get over the fact that this Thursday marks the start of October. September flew by, and we are already three weeks into the semester! It has been a good start to senior year, though, and I am looking forward to the rest of it.

I have been having a great time exploring Porter Square, the area in Somerville where I live with my three roommates. It only takes me half an hour to get to school, and there are a ton of great little restaurants and shops near my apartment. Last night, my roommate, Sarah and I went to an adorable little diner and ate SO much. Over my past three years in the city, I think most of my money has gone towards food!

As far as commuting on the T goes, I have been pretty lucky, but on Friday I needed to come into work to give a tour and there was a disabled train in Harvard Station (the stop after mine), and it was going to be there for half an hour. So, after making various frantic phone calls and finding a cab, I made it into the city and found out that Meg was nice enough to bring the tour group out for me. I met up with them and took the tour the rest of the way, but it was a very nerve racking morning. Thanks for saving my tour, Meg!

This weekend I worked alongside seven other Ambassadors at the Students with Students Information session. We all love working this event, as it allows us the chance to really connect with prospective students and parents. A panel of Ambassadors spent the first half of the event speaking about various aspects of life at Suffolk, and then we took the families out on campus tours. The weather was great, and overall I think it was a hit! I am already looking forward to the next one on October 17th!

On Friday I will be starting my internship for the fall semester. I am going to be an Editorial Mentor at Teen Voices, a magazine made by, for, and about teen girls. I am going to be working on a section of the magazine with a group of high school girls who are on the Editorial Staff as they interview, write, and edit for the magazine. I think it's going to be a really great experience and it will certainly keep me busy!

Time to get some work done in the office. Happy fall!

Busy, busy

2009-09-21T11:03:00.006-04:00

Happy Monday, blog readers!

I can't believe we are already in our third week of the semester. So far, my classes have been intense, but I am enjoying them. I am not looking forward to reading 200 pages for Contemporary British Fiction tonight, though.

I think I can justify my procrastination, though, because this Friday was my 21st birthday. My parents came in for dinner and my best friend from home, Jamie, came into the city to go out with me! I was so happy she was here for it and that I got to spend my birthday with so many wonderful people! Then, on Saturday Haley and Rachel hosted an Ambassador gathering at their apartment. It's always nice to get together with everyone outside of the office. A good time was had by all!

On Sunday, I woke up bright and early to go to the InterFuture Research Colloquium. At this event, my fellow InterFuture classmates and I presented our findings from the research we conducted abroad. It was great to see everyone again and hear about how their research went. It was also nice to get feedback from staff members and get into the mindset of doing the United States portion of my study.

This week looks like it will be a busy one. Today I need to buy my tickets for the Sean Kingston and Girl Talk concert hosted by Program Council and tomorrow is the Temple Street Student Activities Fair where I will be working at the Venture Literary Magazine table. The Fair gives students an opportunity to learn about different clubs on campus, and to get free food and prizes. It's always a chaotic, but fun day. I also have a ton of planning to do for my SU101 class on Thursday. My instructor and I are assigning the Suffolk Scavenger Hunt to our students and it is my favorite class of the semester! We send them out in small groups to search for different places on campus. It was a huge success with our class last year.

That's it for now. Time to get back to work in the office. Enjoy the week!

American Soil

2009-09-14T11:16:00.002-04:00

Looking back on my last blog post, I can't believe it was almost five months ago that I returned home from London. The summer flew by and we are already getting back into the swing of things on campus. After a semester of doing my own research on my own time, it has been strange taking classes again, but I think it's going to be a good year. After all, I am a senior!

Coming back from London was difficult. Of course, I was a little homesick while I was there, but I would have stayed there all summer if I could have. I came home with $0 in my bank account and went back to work right away. I never stopped thinking about London, though, and can't wait to get back there as soon as possible. One major highlight of the summer was when my host family from London came to Boston to visit some old friends. It had only been a few months since I last saw them, but I already missed them so much and loved getting to see them.

On September 1st, I moved into an apartment with three other girls in Porter Square. It's about half an hour from school and I have loved exploring the area. And it sure beats commuting! As for classes, they seem pretty good so far. I am taking two English classes for my major and two Philosophy classes for my minor. I also recently got a job at Borders to that will keep me busy, too!

Now, it's time to get back to work in the office! Here is to a memorable (and hopefully not too difficult!) senior year!

Hmm

2009-04-21T21:06:00.007-04:00

I don't like to admit it, but I have a terrible love for "The Way I See It" quotes on Starbucks cups. 83 days ago, as we sat in Logan Airport waiting to embark on our InterFuture adventures, Beckee and I read one by Youssou N'Dour. It said "People need to see that far from being an obstacle, the world's diversity of languages, religions, and traditions is a great treasure affording us precious opportunities to recognize ourselves in others".

Ain't that the truth. Goodbye, London.

Busy Bee

2009-04-08T07:06:00.004-04:00

I clearly have never lived in a warm climate because the fact that it is 60 degrees and sunny has me jumping for joy. I don't want my last couple weeks in London filled with gray skies and rain!

Along with April and Tram, the other InterFuture scholars I am here with, I have been making an itinerary for our last weeks in London so that we are sure to see everything before heading back to Boston! Last weekend we went to a comedy night at a local pub and it was absolutely hilarious. It was fun to experience English humo(u)r at its best, and we are planning to go back there tomorrow evening. On Monday, we bought tons of food and had a picnic at Alexandra Park near our house on Muswell Hill, and later we went to see yet another musical in the West End - Spring Awakening - for only 10 pounds! Today, the plan is to check out Little Venice (although my guess is that it won't have anything on the North End), and tomorrow we are going on a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre! There are also a few museums and markets we want to get to before we leave.

Three months ago I never would have thought that I'd still have sights to see in my last few weeks, but the time really does go by so quickly. You think you have all the time in the world, but somehow it slips right through your fingers. I have begun to check out graduate programs in London because I want to come back as soon as possible! And the best part is that it will be significantly cheaper to go to graduate school here than in the US. At the rate I change my mind, though, who knows what will happen?

My research has also picked up quite a bit in these last few weeks. I ended up going to that conference hosted by the Sex Education Forum and it provided me with mountains of information. I am also going into a school a few days before I leave to observe a sex education class and distribute my questionnaires to the students. Until then, though, I have been busy getting myself ready for the Amsterdam conference. We have to do a write-up of our project methodology - how we did our project, who we spoke to, what materials we collected, etc, and we have to prepare a 20 minute presentation on our initial findings. Unfortunately, there will also be a 10 minute Question and Answer session following each presentation, so it will take 7 hours for all 14 of us to present! As much as I am looking forward to being in Amsterdam with the other InterFuture scholars, I am beginning to realize that it is going to be yet another mentally fatiguing four days.

Spring Ahead

2009-03-31T11:49:00.000-04:00

I am trying to update more frequently so that I can tell of all my London adventures!

A couple weekends ago, April (the other InterFuture scholar I am living with) and I went up North with our host sister, Ella, to visit the University of Sheffield. While Ella attended an Open House-type event, April and I explored the city and did some shopping. Lucky for us, it was an absolutely gorgeous day! I have really enjoyed getting out of London and seeing other parts of England during my time here.

Then, early last week, two fellow InterFuture girls, who are studying in Madrid, came to visit London for a few days. It was so nice to see them and exchange stories of our lives and research abroad. One of the nights they were here, we went to see the musical Avenue Q and it was absolutely hilarious. I am hoping to get to a few more shows in the West End before I leave. They have great discounts for students.

I also had an interview last week with a health educator at a local school. I loved talking with her, and she even gave me the name of someone else to contact for my research. Tomorrow, I will be attending a one-day sex education conference hosted by the Sex Education Forum, a subset of the National Children's Bureau. The day will be filled with presentations on research and new approaches to sex education. I am hopeful that it will provide me with a lot of good background information for my report, and also an opportunity to network with local health educators.

I really love it here. If I had the money and the means, I would stay for the summer in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, though, I will be going back to work at Aeropostale as soon as I get home so I can start saving for an apartment! I guess that brings me to the fact that I decided not to go to South Africa. It was a really difficult decision, but it just isn't the right time/situation for me. I know I will get there at some point, just not this Fall. I am looking forward to being in Boston for the entirety of my senior year. Although living in the city will empty my bank account, I won't have to get on the commuter rail every day, and I will get to see my friends more often. I think it will be a great year. But, of course, let's not jump the gun - I still have 3 weeks in London!

Chaos

2009-03-21T09:21:00.005-04:00

The past week has been absolutely crazy! Last Friday my Mom and Aunt arrived in London and we spent the entire week sightseeing, shopping, and traveling! It was a lot different from the un-regimented, laidback time I have been spending in London for the past two months, but it was a nice change.

We spent Sunday as quintessential tourists: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, a bus tour around the city, and shopping at Harrods. I also took them to Camden Market, a huge outdoor market with everything you could imagine, and we had dinner at the Tate Modern, an art museum with amazing views of London. Then, on Monday it was time for Paris! We were only there for a few days, but it was absolutely beautiful. I need to go back some day. Over the last few days of their stay, we went on a tour of the Tower of London, had afternoon tea at an adorable hotel, saw Abbey Road, and celebrated my Aunt's birthday. It was really nice to have them here. I had been a little homesick, and it was the perfect remedy. Now I am ready to continue work on my project and enjoy my final month in London!

Everything!

2009-03-13T20:32:00.008-04:00

Hello!

I have just over a month left in London. I have been here far longer than I have yet to be here, and soon it will all come to an end. It's so depressing. I have been trying not to dwell on it, but despite how busy I have been, it feels like the days are slipping through my fingers. I need more time!

Anyways, in the spirit of focusing on the present, I will update you all on what I have been doing. Last weekend I went to Oxford, Windsor, and Bath. While in Bath, I was able to meet up with a friend from home who is studying there this semester. All three are beautiful cities, and I am so glad I ventured out into other parts of England. I plan to do a bit more exploring outside of London before I leave.

On Monday, I went on the London Eye with the girls I am here with, April and Tram, and Tram's boyfriend, Mike. At first I was worried about being up so high, but it moved so slowly that I could barely tell when we were at the top. I was able to get some great pictures of London. Then, last night we got cheap tickets for Wicked! It was such an amazing show. From the storyline, to the performances, to the set, it was an absolutely flawless musical and I am so happy I saw it.

A few hours ago my Mom and Aunt arrived at Heathrow. They are spending the night at a hotel close to the airport and making their way up to Muswell Hill, where I live, in the morning. I am so excited to see them (naturally, I have become a bit homesick) and we have a great itinerary. I will be sure to blog about their visit next week!

And of course I have been working on my project. I had an interview with a health educator at a school in East London a couple weeks ago and have continued to stay in touch with her. I have another interview scheduled, am doing loads of project-related reading, and quite a bit of writing, too. Overall, it's coming along smoothly.

That's it for now. Cheers!

One Month

2009-03-01T16:36:00.003-05:00

I apologize for my lack in posting - it seems like there is always something to do in London!

It's hard for me to believe I've been here for a month already. I am trying to take in everything London has to offer because before I know it I will be on a plane back to Boston. As part of the InterFuture program, we have a final conference in Amsterdam before we come home, though, so it will be great to reunite with everyone after an exciting semester apart. After the conference, I think fellow Ambassador, Beckee and I are going to do a bit of European exploring, and then of course I will be Bay State bound once again.

As for what I have been up to lately, work has been getting done, but there is still a lot of free time. I am realizing more and more how unique (and strange) the InterFuture program really is. I am completely on my own schedule - I don't have classes to go to or any day to day obligations at all really. I just need to finish my research in three months, and how I decide to do that is up to me. It makes for a lot of down time, which has made me a bit restless since I'm used to always being on the go in Boston, but I am learning to embrace the chance to reflect on being here. The project itself has been moving pretty slowly, though, so I am hoping things will pick up soon. It has been difficult for me to gain access into schools to interview students and health teachers, but I do have an interview this Thursday so I am hoping it will go well.

Other than that, I am continuing to do the tourist thing and am also anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Mom and Aunt. They are coming in on the 13th for a week-long visit and I am beyond excited to see them. I am going to spend a few days showing them around London, and then we are heading to Paris!

Au Revoir!

From Across the Pond!

2009-02-10T17:47:00.006-05:00

Greetings Blog Readers!!

It has been far too long since my last post. Since then, I have enjoyed a relaxing Winter Break, packed (very lightly, might I add!), and departed for jolly old England! I have been here for almost two weeks now, and it has been wonderful. I live with an amazing family in North London. There are tons of little shops and restaurants right up the street, so I am basically in heaven.

Of course, though, I have been enjoying all of the touristy things, too. The nerd (and cheapskate) in me can't get enough of all the free museums here, and my jaw dropped when I saw Big Ben and the London Eye for the first time. That was when it really hit me - I am in London!

But then there is the research I am supposed to be doing. For anyone who needs a recap, InterFuture is an organization that gives undergrads the opportunity to do a cross-cultural study on a topic of their choice. I am looking at the accessibility and use of condoms among 16-18 year old students in the US, England, and South Africa. So, basically, while I am here I will be going to schools and conducting interviews with students and health educators. Then, I will do the same over the summer at home in the US, and hopefully again during the fall semester in South Africa (I am not 100% about going there yet). Anyways, today I finally started sending e-mails and preparing letters. I did promise myself a week of relaxation and sight-seeing before getting down to business, though, so I don't feel too bad about waiting.

Now it's time to go to bed. I will be sure to blog again soon!

Mucho trabajo

2008-12-01T16:37:00.004-05:00

It's the Monday after Thanksgiving and everyone is groggy and disoriented. The long weekend was a tease, especially since it is time to get ready for papers and final exams.

t was great to see my family this weekend. My aunts, uncle, grandmother, and cousins visited from Buffalo, so we had a full house. They all left yesterday, though, so things will certainly be quiet when I get home tonight. I worked all weekend, too, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The state of the economy is clearly lessening everyone's Christmas spending.

Tonight when I go home I have to write 11 journals for my Feminist Philosophy class (probably should have started those sooner), and I have two papers due later in the week. I am already counting down until the weekend. At least Friday is Reading Day, so there is extra time to study and finish assignments. Unfortunately, I do have to commute into the city that day, though, because there is a study session for my Spanish exam (I get 10 extra points on my final for going, so it's kind of worth waking up for).

As for next week, I only have two finals, so it will be a somewhat easy week. I also have to come in next Thursday because my SU101 students are presenting their final projects. They are such an amazing group and I am really sad that the class is ending.

What I am most looking forward to, though, is my departure to London! It is 58 days away and I cannot wait. I should probably take a look at my InterFuture Project Plan sometime soon, though. All that thing has been doing lately is collecting dust.

Gobble

2008-11-25T14:33:00.003-05:00

So, today is my last day on campus before Thanksgiving break. I am certainly looking forward to a reprieve from classes and commuting, but I am not sure there will be much time to relax.

Wednesday, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother from Buffalo are driving to North Andover to stay with us for the weekend. I love seeing them, but this definitely makes for a crowded house. It will be a nice weekend, though, especially considering that we are getting our Christmas tree on Friday!

Unfortunately, I am also working at Aeropostale on Friday. Black Friday. I wonder if I will get out alive.

Somewhere in there I am going to try to get a lot of my work done. All of my final papers are due within days of each other and I want to get some kind of start on them before next week. That is probably wishful thinking, though.

Ah, well. Thanksgiving is meant for good company and relaxation. Papers can wait.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Such is life

2008-11-13T23:20:00.010-05:00

What am I going to do with my life?

Lately, I have been especially plagued with this question. See, I am a planner. An overly compulsive, neurotic planner. I am also someone who is trying to come to terms with the fact that things hardly ever turn out exactly how I attempt to plan them. At any rate, I just typed "what should I do with my life?" into the Google search bar. I am distraught.

I know I have time. I am only a junior, and I plan to go to graduate school, so a long-term career is not anywhere in the near future for me. But I know that in a year or two when I sit down with grad school brochures and applications, I will have an ounce more insight than I would have had I not worried about it now. And so I plan.

But should I go to law school or get a Master's degree? And if I get a Master's, do I continue studying English, or do I pursue Education? And if I teach, do I teach high school? The funny thing is, I know I won't become an attorney if I go to law school. I want to go into public service. So, whether I become a teacher or a public servant, I will be poor and living in a box. At least that is cleared up for me.

I have also been considering what to do immediately upon graduation. Yes, this is over a year away, but once I come back from England I need to decided whether or not I will apply for graduate schools in the fall. I do think I will wait, though. I want to either get a job and work for a year after graduation or get involved with a program like AmeriCorps or Teach for America, things I have been looking into for a while now. Perhaps after taking this time off, I will be more sure about what I want to do.

Until then, I will continue to plan, dismiss any and all plans I make, and hopefully end up being substantially happy.

Overdue

2008-11-10T16:27:00.007-05:00

It is November. The end of the semester is upon us.

And Obama won the election. It is a very exciting time to be an American.

As far as school things go, everything is the same. I have five trillion papers due in two weeks and haven't really thought about any of them. Events of campus have been plentiful lately, though. Last week I wrote an article for the Suffolk Voice about John Sigler's visit to Suffolk. Sigler is the President of the National Rifle Association and spoke about Second Amendment rights and the election. Although I did not agree with many of Sigler's views, it was certainly an interesting opportunity to hear him speak.

For now, the biggest thing on my mind has been the pilot study for my InterFuture project. Last month I really dug into it, but I have been slacking lately. Between that and all of the end of semester assignments, I know I have my work cut out for me.

Short post today. Enjoy the week!

Decisions, Decisions

2008-10-27T15:41:00.013-04:00

Last night I slept for ten hours. It was glorious.

Last week was pretty hectic, with quite a few assignments due and InterFuture Take III due on Friday, but it was nice to take a break from it all and go to see the Boston Ballet's Cinderella with my mom. We were lucky enough to get inexpensive seats really close to the stage, and the show was great! The picture to the right is from bostonballet.org. I was checking out the website and am already looking forward to their performance of the Nutcracker!

One of the major perks of living at home this semester is that I get to spend a lot of time with my three year-old brother, John, before I head off to London for three months. While he may get a little obnoxious sometimes, I have loved spending extra time with him this semester. This Saturday my parents threw their annual Halloween party (they think they are 15), so I agreed to John duty all day. Once I got home from working the Student to Student Information Session, we went to the playground and had a blast. Then, we had a "slumber party" in the basement. I will certainly miss him when I'm gone for three months.

Today I met with the Director of Student Activities to talk about an article I'm writing for the Suffolk Voice about adequate space on campus for club/organization offices and meetings. It was great to get to talk to him about Student Activities, as they are, in my opinion, the heart and soul of the Suffolk community. He even introduced me to a Graduate Fellow who studied abroad in London and suggested she and I get lunch sometime to talk about her experiences there. Ah, I absolutely cannot wait to go. It is all I have been thinking about lately!

The week ahead looks pretty good. Wednesday the Princeton Review is hosting a Law School Workshop here at Suffolk. They are going to talk about law school applications, resumes, and personal statements. I am definitely considering law school, but probably not right after I graduate from Suffolk. Well, I really have no idea. Sometimes I think about going to get my Master's instead. So many decisions. I figure there is no better time than now to start thinking about it, though, so I am looking forward to this event.

That's all for now, though. Enjoy the week.

Blogday

2008-10-17T14:18:00.005-04:00

Fridays seem to be blogday for me.

This weekend is a big one on campus - Family Weekend. Suffolk offers all kinds of activities for students to take part in with their families like Duck Tours and a trip to the Museum of Science. Tonight, I am attending Fall Fest, a variety show put on by the Performing Arts Office. Then, I'm spending the night in Boston and working at the Student to Student Info Session tomorrow morning.

As far as classes go, things are going smoothly. I had a midterm in my Race and Politics in South Africa class today and that went really well, and the due date for Take III of my nterFuture project has been extended. I can definitely deal with that.

Next week looks like it will be pretty busy. I am on the editorial staff of Suffolk's literary magazine, Venture, and we are having our first selections meeting. I can't wait to read the submissions we have received so far. What I am most looking forward to, though, is seeing the Boston Ballet's performance of Cinderella next Wednesday with my mom:)

I am surprisingly calm for this point in the semester. There is a lot of work and I'm constantly running all over campus, but the leaves are falling and London is only three months away. Ah, life.

ELEPHANTS!

2008-10-10T14:19:00.019-04:00

Happy Friday, blog readers! It is a gorgeous day in the city and I am looking especially forward to getting out of the office and giving a campus tour in a half hour.

Aside from catching a mild cold, I have really enjoyed this week. Lately, I was starting to feel discouraged by my commute. I felt like I was always on the train and never getting anything done. And, of course, I was sleep deprived. After a satisfying hiberation last weekend, though, I have begun to feel much better.

On Wednesday, I went to free college night at the New England Aquarium. I got to gawk at penguins for a while and was even able to see an IMAX fIlm (Wild Ocean) for free. Definitely a successful evening if you ask me.

The highlight of my week, however, was this morning when I was walking out of North Station and saw ELEPHANTS walking down Causeway Street. I really have not been able to contain my excitement. I guess the Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey Circus is in town for a few weeks. I've never been a big circus person, but I can definitely deal with seeing elephants on my way to school.

As far as school goes, things are pretty much the same. Professors are talking about midterms, and I can't believe we are almost halfway through with the semester. I have a lot of work to catch up on this weekend - Take III of my InterFuture Project Plan is due in a week and a half!

When I'm not working, though, I will be spending time at home. We have family driving in from Buffalo, NY today for a weekend visit, so the next few days are sure to be busy!

I need a vacation

2008-10-03T14:35:00.005-04:00

It just won't stop raining.

The days are starting to blur together and I'm losing sleep. The work is piling up, too. I guess the commute is starting to weigh me down. Hopefully I will be able to re-charge over the weekend and start fresh next week.

Tonight I am staying in Boston with my friend Sarah to see St. Vincent and Death Cab for Cutie at the Agganis Arena. Then, tomorrow night there is an InterFuture event at Suffolk. Current InterFuture scholars are going to present their research to us before they submit their projects. I am hoping that hearing current scholars present their work will push me in the right direction with my own. I have started contacting people for interviews for the United States portion of my project, so life is a little crazy right now.

Just a short post for today. I am about to head downstairs to give a tour at 3. Hopefully it won't be too chilly out there.

My Life is Full of Wonderful Cakes

2008-09-22T15:43:00.015-04:00

I really do love September. But I need to stop wearing flip flops.

The Temple Street Fair went very well last week. A lot of my SU101 students were there, and I was happy to see them signing up for clubs. I wrote an article about it for the Suffolk Voice. You should read it.

This weekend, I was lucky enough to celebrate my 20th birthday with my favorite people. Friday, I went to Al Dente, one of my favorite restaurants in the North End, with my fellow Ambassador, Beckee, and my friends Nick and Jess. Then, we went back to Beckee's apartment where the cutest surprise party ever was waiting for me:) And! Beckee made me a wonderful cake - a giant cupcake! When I first decided to commute this semester, I was worried about staying connected to my friends, but this weekend proved to me that I have met amazing people here at Suffolk who I will stay connected to no matter where I am.

Then, on Friday my boyfriend, Chris and I went to Villa Francesca in the North End (another one of my favorites!). It was a great night in the city. Afterwards, we went to Finale for dessert and got fondue! I am so happy that I got to spend my birthday weekend in the city - I love everything about Boston.

Now, another week has begun. I have a huge InterFuture submission due today, but I think I have it under control. I really couldn't be happier with the start of Fall weather and the great schedule I have this semester. Things are sure to get crazy at some point, but for now, I'm taking it all in.

Week 2 Begins

2008-09-15T13:11:00.020-04:00

Happy Monday, readers!

Lately, I have become quite the Food Network fiend. So much, in fact, that after watching Ace of Cakes, my mom and I decided to try our luck at a cheeseburger cake for my boyfriend's birthday this weekend. After finding pictures of many a cheeseburger-cake-gone-wrong in my Google searches, I was pretty worried, but it came out surprisingly well!

Now it is Monday, however, and I can no longer bask in my cheeseburger cake glory. Oh, who am I kidding. I am going to bask in my cheeseburger cake glory forever. But, anyways, today is a fairly laid back day. I just had two classes and am working in the office until 5:30. Then, after work I am attending free college night at the Museum of Science!

As for tomorrow, the Temple Street Fair is taking place during Activities Period. This is when many of the clubs and organizations at Suffolk set up tables and hand out flyers to inform students of what they do on campus. It is a great opportunity for students to find out about clubs that interest them so that they will get involved! They also have food, games, and prizes, so it makes for a very fun afternoon.

I am also looking forward to Wednesday because the SU101 class that I am a Teaching Assistant for will be handing in their Scavenger Hunt findings! Last week, we gave them a list of things to find on Suffolk's campus and around Downtown Boston in order to get familiar with the area and the resources our community offers. On Wednesday, we are collecting their results and determining the winners!

And last, but not least, Thursday is my birthday! It is sure to be an interesting day, as I am spending the evening at my three year-old brother's pre-school ice cream social. He's super cute so I decided a picture of him was blog-worthy.

Then, on Friday I am staying in the city to celebrate with some wonderful people!

All in all, I love September. Enjoy the week!

Back to the Blog!

2008-09-08T13:16:00.007-04:00

Greetings readers!

Long time no blog! After a long and busy summer, another semester is well underway here at Suffolk. Books have been bought, classes have begun, and in my case, a Commuter Rail pass has been secured.

As far as the summer went, I had an internship at the State House and spent a lot of time catching up with old friends. I also went on two InterFuture conferences to plan and design the research topic that I will be studying when I go to London next semester. InterFuture is a study abroad program that gives me the unique ability to study a topic of my choice while I am abroad instead of taking classes. I am studying the accessibility and use of contraceptives among secondary students in London and potentially South Africa. Planning all of this certainly kept me busy this summer!

That was summer, though, and now it is time for school! Honestly, I was very ready to come back to Suffolk and get into the daily grind. So far, I love all of my classes. I am taking Spanish 201, Race and Politics in South Africa (to aid me in my InterFuture endeavors), Feminist Philosophy, and the Built World, a science class that I am taking online. And of course, I am working as a Trustee Ambassador in Admissions and as an SU101 Teaching Assistant again. These jobs have been, by far, two of the most rewarding things I have done with my time at Suffolk.

Overall, I am ecstatic to be back on the streets of Boston for classes, work, and club meetings. I am slowly growing accustomed to my daily rides on the Commuter Rail, too, so I predict that this semester will be a fantastic one!

Sigh of Relief

2008-05-01T14:54:00.006-04:00

So, here I am. I just finished my last final exam and have officially completed my sophomore year of college. Still, there is time to blog.

I was really surprised by how difficult my finals were this semester. In all honesty, I think I started to get comfortable knowing I could coast and still get by. I guess I needed a wake up call.

Most people have already moved out of the dorms or are leaving at some point tomorrow. Thankfully, I am not moving out until Saturday morning so I still have time to pack. With tonight being most of my friends' last night in the city, quite the itinerary has been prepared. First, a bunch of us are going to some indoor rock climbing place (mind you, I've never done this and absolute hilarity will ensue), then we're going to see Iron Man (not quite sure how I feel about this, but I will at least enjoy the company), and then we are going to hang out by the harbor until the sun comes up (version 2.0).

I'm pretty bummed about leaving Boston for the summer. Of course, I will be back in September, but this time as a commuter instead of living in the dorms. Being in Miller Hall this year has been especially nice since most of my friends live just a couple floors away. Taking the commuter rail into the city 4 days a week next semester will be a huge change. I think it will all be worth it, though, when I am studying abroad next spring.

Being home, especially for the summer, will have its perks. I do miss being in the suburbs, driving, and seeing my friends from high school. After many a hum-drum summer, I decided to make a list of things I want to do before my vacation is over. My list is now 38 items long and growing, so I will be keeping quite busy.

And here is the end of my final blog post of spring 2008. I think I am being a little dramatic (surprise). Ah well, here is to a happy, safe, and relaxing summer, and an even better fall 2008 semester. After all, I only have 2 more years left of the college life.

Nicole

Tourists are Everywhere

2008-04-25T15:44:00.004-04:00

I have never seen more people in the city (or anywhere, really) than on nice days like today. Where do they all come from?

Anyways, I figure the last Friday of the semester is as good a time as any to update all of you wonderful blog readers on what's been happening lately.

Last week the launch party for Venture, Suffolk's literary magazine went extremely well. The food was amazing and a lot of people did readings of their work. The SGA Leadership Award Ceremony was the following night, and was a success as well. The Voice didn't bring home Best Student Organization, but we'll get 'em next year.

As far as this week goes, things have been pretty low key. I just gave my last tour of the year and am getting ready to head back to the dorms for a weekend of studying. I am certainly not looking forward to my Biology and Spanish finals next week.

I guess that's it over here, though. Things have definitely been winding down these past few weeks. Only one more and I will be North Andover bound once again. Hopefully I will get a chance to blog sometime next week amid paper writing and final exams.

Until then,
Nicole

Blog Overload

2008-04-15T15:30:00.003-04:00

So, I am doing the unthinkable and blogging two days in a row. Maybe the end of the semester isn't as busy as I claimed it to be.

Tuesdays are always wonderful because I don't have to be up for anything until the Voice meeting at 1:00. Now, I'm in the office for a few hours before my Culturally Responsive Education class at 4:30. If only Mondays and Wednesdays were this laid back. After class tonight, though, I have a group meeting for a Spanish skit we are performing tomorrow. It's a big part of our grade, so hopefully it will go well.

Tonight won't be as laid back as the day was, unfortunately. I will be memorizing my lines for the Spanish skit, writing an English paper, reading Biology, and writing an article for the Voice. Hopefully I will get to bed at a reasonable hour. My sleeping pattern is atrocious.

I just got an e-mail about our end of the year Ambassador dinner. I really cannot believe how quickly this semester has flown by. The weather has started to get nicer the past few days, though, so I really can't ask for more. I'm hoping it will stay this way through summer. Another drop of rain and I might explode.

Enjoy the sun:)
Nicole

And So It Begins...

2008-04-14T16:04:00.004-04:00

Hola, blog readers. I am writing at the beginning of what seems to be a very hectic week. With only two more weeks of classes left, professors are piling on more work than ever. Of course, though, there is always time to blog.

Amid writing a research paper and preparing a group project, I will be able to enjoy some perks this week. Wednesday is the launch of Suffolk's literary magazine, Venture. I worked on the Editorial Staff of the magazine this year and am really looking forward to the event. Then, on Thursday I will be attending the SGA Leadership Awards. Nominated students, clubs, and organizations will be recognized for their active efforts and involvement on campus. It should be a good time. Seems as though there will be a lot of free food in my future.

This week also marks my very last Biology lab EVER. There could not be more of a reason to celebrate.

After these two weeks go by, I will have three final exams and then it will be time to move out of Miller Hall. I am not looking forward to the packing process, or to saying goodbye to everyone here, but it will be nice to get back to North Andover for the summer. If all goes well, I will have a summer internship along with my hostessing job I've had since high school. Keeping busy and saving money will be key.

I will be leaving the office soon and taking a much needed nap. Then, it's time to hit the books and get ready for the week ahead.

Nicole

I Need an Umbrella

2008-04-04T11:12:00.006-04:00

Rainy Fridays seem to be a running theme here.

Lots going on this week. The 50th issue of The Suffolk Voice was a huge hit. From now on, the online publication will be coming out twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) instead of the usual once a week. We're moving up in the world.

Also, last night I went to the Performing Arts Dinner Theater Performance of Murder on the Campaign Trail. We were able to pay for it with our meal plans and the performance was great. A good time was had by all.

And of course, tomorrow is the accepted students Showcase for the Business School. I'm beginning to think that I will spend the entirety of Sunday sleeping.

Oh! And, last but not least, in the happiest bit of news from the week, I have been accepted as a 2009 InterFuture scholar. InterFuture is a unique study abroad program where I will be given the opportunity to design and carry out my own independent research project while studying abroad. It's going to be very intense, but I am so excited!

Time to go work in the office.

Enjoy the weekend!
Nicole

I Love Fridays and My Friends

2008-03-28T14:26:00.007-04:00

What better way to spend a rainy Friday afternoon than to update my blog?

Most of my weekend will be filled with writing papers and working, so I am looking forward to milking this wonderful Friday for all it's worth. Tonight I am headed to my favorite spot in the North End, Al Dente, for my friend Jess' birthday. Then, we're going to get together with some others for what I imagine will be an enjoyable evening. I feel so lucky to have made such meaningful friendships here at Suffolk. In the past two years, I have met some of the most amazing people I know.

Sunday will be sure to set the pace for the chaotic week ahead, as I will be up bright and early to give tours at the accepted students Showcase event. It will be a long day, but it is always nice to spend some time with the Ambassador group.

Aside from papers and exams, there is a Dinner Theatre performance next week, as well as the 50th issue of the Suffolk Voice (yes, I mentioned this before, and yes, I will mention it again). At least there are a couple fun things to get me through the week.

So, here I am on this rainy Friday keeping my fingers crossed for a relaxing, sunny weekend. With a friend's birthday to celebrate and Showcase on Sunday, though, I will without a doubt be in good company, and really, what more can one ask for?

Happy Weekend,
Nicole

I Am Technologically Deficient

2008-03-26T16:53:00.010-04:00

Greetings blog readers. I just wrote an entire post and then it disappeared. Happy Wednesday to me.

Anyways, I have returned from Spring Break and am getting into the daily grind again. I enjoyed being home for a week with my family, but it is nice to be back in the city with everyone. After all, there is only a month left in the semester. I really cannot believe that this year went by so quickly.

I left for Spring Break on an especially happy note, as my friend, Brian LeFort was elected President of the SGA. Beckee (my fellow Ambassador) and I ordered a cake with Brian's picture on it from Mike's Pastries in the North End and celebrated with a big group of friends. It was a wonderful way to kick off the weekend.

Next week looks to be a little crazy with a Biology exam and two papers due. Also, next Wednesday will mark The Suffolk Voice's 50th issue. I have been writing for The Voice since November and have loved every minute of it. For such a young organization, The Voice is constantly expanding and making a name for itself on campus. READ IT! http:www.thesuffolkvoice.net :)

That's all for now, though. Enjoy the week!

Nicole

Stress Free Life

2008-03-07T13:33:00.007-05:00

Good afternoon, all. It's another beautiful day in the city, and I'm enjoying a shift in Admissions with my lovely fellow Ambassadors.

SGA Executive Board elections are next week, so yesterday was the first ever SGA Open Forum. It was actually really interesting to hear from the candidates and ask them questions. One of the students running for President is a good friend of mine, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! When students aren't involved on campus they often feel disconnected from the SGA and the Suffolk community, but I really think he could work to bring the student body closer together. No matter where one ends up for college, getting involved can make a world of difference. Through my work as a Trustee Ambassador, SU101 TA, Voice writer, and Venture Editorial Staff member, I have had some of the most amazing experiences and made some of the greatest friendships.

The rest of the week went well. No exams or papers due, so things were carefree and I couldn't be happier. Tuesday I spent a couple hours helping conduct interviews for next year's SU101 TAs (SU101 aims to help students with the transition from high school to college). It was fun to be on the other end of the interview process and hear from students. Then, on Wednesday I enjoyed a trip to the MFA with one of my friends. We get free admission with our Suffolk IDs, so it's definitely something to take advantage of.

Next week might be a little more hectic. I have more TA interviews, an English midterm, and a Spanish essay due. I also have to go to Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology for my Biology class. So, school is definitely keeping me busy. Classes for next semester are available to look at online now, so I've been planning my classes for the fall. I think I am going to take two classes for my English major and my second Science requirement. I'm not sure what my fourth class will be, but I still have time to figure it out. Hopefully I will be able to sort things out after I go for advising. Every student is matched with a faculty member in their department to help them plan what classes to take. It's been a great asset to me here.

Other than that, not much else is happening. Tonight two of my friends from home are coming into the city to visit me so that should be exciting!

Here's to a happy weekend,
Nicole

Happy Monday!

2008-03-03T15:56:00.013-05:00

I've had an especially busy, yet enjoyable start to my week. Mondays are always the most hectic, with three classes and work until 6, but I'm in the home stretch. On a very happy note, it has been gorgeous outside today and I am ecstatic! 48 degrees!

Tonight will be spent reading up on my Biology (ugh) and writing an article for The Suffolk Voice (link to the right!). Lately, I've been writing articles about different Beacon Hill attractions. Sometimes we get so caught up in classes and work that we forget about all the city has to offer, but I've been venturing out to boutiques, restaurants, etc. and reporting my findings. It's been a great way to take advantage of the city. There really is nothing better than being in Downtown Boston.

This weekend was very low key. I must admit, though, I spent a significant amount of time getting food in the North End (more than once). Between the pasta, pastries, and pizza, it's impossible not to eat there constantly. Yesterday I just hung around the dorm and caught up on some homework. I'm really going to miss living in Miller Hall next year. At least I'll still get to take in that 19th floor view whenever I give tours!

So, on this 48 degree Monday, I am pretty content:) I'm sure the week will bring some chaos, but with the sun shining and my new affinity for cranberry apple tea, I think it's going to be a good one.

Nicole

Finally Friday...

2008-02-29T12:38:00.015-05:00

So, here is my very first and very exciting blog post. I'll keep it short for now and introduce myself. My name is Nicole and I am almost halfway through with my Suffolk career. I'm an English major and couldn't be happier with the courses I've taken, the professors I've met, and the classmates I've worked with. I've been lucky enough to live in Miller Hall for the past two years, but am heading home to live in North Andover next semester in hopes of saving money for my study abroad endeavors next Spring. For now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for warm weather, filling out internship applications, and attempting to regain a healthy sleep schedule.

That's it for today, though. I'm working in Admissions and documents in need of filing are calling my name.

Nicole