Rockstock = Success

Needless to say, thing have been pretty crazy these last few weeks. Not only are we in the middle of final exams, but SAB had our biggest event of the entire school year last Saturday. Rockstock is the annual spring concert, and it is one of the most highly-anticipated events of the RU academic year. This year, we were especially excited for the concert because we found a band that countless students had requested—Jack’s Mannequin. Each fall, after our Fall Concert, SAB sends out a survey to the entire student body to see what types of musical acts they want to see in the spring. I have read the survey results for the last three years, and not once had so many people listed the same band as they did this year with Jack's. We were so eager to see how it would turn out, considering how in demand this particular band was.

(SAB with Andrew McMahon. He is kind of hard to pick out because he also wore yellow, but he is just right of the center.)

It could not have gone any better. There were no major incidents, and we received tremendous feedback. I was so happy that we were able to make so many other people happy. It is a tough job finding a band that everybody likes, but SAB did a fantastic job this year picking an artist that really appealed to a majority of the student population. I was also very excited for the opening band, Antennas Up. I’ve been friends with the band for a few years now (we saw them at one of our SAB conferences and they even played a smaller show at RU a few years ago), so I was really pumped to bring them back to campus and put them in front of a bigger audience. Of my four years here, I had a personal hand in bringing three of my favorite smaller, local bands to play at our big RU concerts (Treaty of Paris, Ha Ha Tonka, and Antennas Up). The sense of pride I felt about how well the concert went was amplified by the fact that I felt like I have really left my mark when it comes to connecting people with the music I love.

(Me and my friend Abby with Kyle, the lead singer of Antennas Up.)

One of the best parts about working the SAB concerts is getting to meet the band. Let me tell you, Andrew McMahon, lead singer of Jack’s Mannequin, could not have been any nicer. He signed multiple items (t-shirts, CDs, DVDs, etc.) for all of us workers, and was really personable and outgoing. Unfortunately, you sometimes deal with artists who are not very friendly. Luckily, we had a great experience with this show. Andrew has another band called Something Corporate, and I have been a huge fan of their music for years. He graciously signed my Something Corporate memorabilia during the meet and greet. He even stayed around after the show to sign things for a bunch of the students. We really had a great experience this year, and I am so pleased and proud. I have had the joy and the pleasure to work all eight SAB concerts of my undergrad career, and I am so happy that we ended on such a high note. I’m definitely going to miss it.

(After Andrew signed my favorite Something Corporate CD. I gave one to my sister, who is a big fan as well.)

Something Kind of Funny

Do you ever go to an event (say a speaker or poet or movie) and you expect to enjoy yourself but you’re completely unprepared to hear something that you really needed to hear? You don’t know it in advance, and you’re not even sure what it is you need to hear, but when you hear it, it just clicks? At least in my experience, this happens occasionally and it really makes me stop and think. Today, this wisdom came in the form of a simple phrase, “Don’t forget to breathe.”

Not too long ago, I received an email from the President of our campus’s chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Hispanic Honors Society. I have been a member since my sophomore year, and they host some great cultural events every semester. This specific email referred to an upcoming event featuring famous US-Latino author Daniel Olivas. The email also talked about a lunch before the event. As a college student, I always appreciate a free lunch. I guess I didn’t read the email that carefully because I thought it was just going to be a lunch with other members of Sigma Delta Pi. When I got to the room today, Daniel himself was sitting at the table, too. I was pleasantly surprised. He told us a little bit about himself, and then he spent this time asking us all about our experiences studying abroad and what we had learned. It was cool to hear of the experiences of my fellow students who had traveled to places like Costa Rica and Peru with RU. He asked some really interesting questions, and it was just a nice way to spend part of my afternoon.

After our lunch, we went to another building on campus so Daniel could give a presentation.  What a fascinating person! He has had so many cool experiences as not only an author but a lawyer as well. He is also a Latino Jewish American, and I can’t say I have met someone like that before. As a Spanish major, I have always been so interested in hearing personal stories about US-Latino citizens. A few years ago, I took a course called US-Latino Literature, and much of the time spent in class was hearing firsthand from local authors. Their stories were enthralling, as was Daniel’s. As he read out loud, the chapter ended with, “Don’t forget to breathe”.

It’s hard to believe, but I only have 22 days until graduation. These past few weeks, I have run the gamut of emotions when it comes to my impending life transition. I have also been occupied with papers, organization events, Greek Week, you name it. It has been a hectic time, and I have been all over the place. Sitting in a full room in the science center, listening to an author whom I’d only known for an hour, I felt like he was speaking right to me when he read that ending phrase. After the presentation, I purchased a copy of his book, The Book of Want, which he signed and personalized for me. At the end, he wrote, “P.S. Don’t forget to breathe.” At this hectic yet beautiful time in my life, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Take a step back, soak everything in while it lasts, and don’t forget to breathe.

This One's for the Girls

During my years at RU, I have had the immense pleasure of gaining 100+ amazing sorority sisters. Being a part of Greek life has been a hugely special aspect of my college experience. I can honestly say that I would not have joined a sorority if I went to a bigger school. There’s something very different and unique about Greek life at Rockhurst. At RU, it is completely unlike the picture that is painted of sororities in movies and on TV. It’s hard for me to believe, but I recently celebrated my three-year Initiation anniversary. That special event was followed by my last spring formal dance as well as the Initiation of fifteen wonderful new sisters. As I look back on my time at RU, I can’t help but smile when I think about how much my sisters have positively impacted the last three years of my life. 
 

(Initiation day my freshman year. Hard to believe it's been 3 years already!)

I have to admit that I definitely had my reservations when I was considering joining a sorority freshman year. Everything I had seen or heard about Greek organizations indicated that it was not for me. During my first semester at RU, I had gotten to know a lot of great upperclassmen through SAB. After Recruitment (Rockhurst has Recruitment in the spring, not the fall), I was presented with the opportunity to join a sorority on campus. When I realized how many people I actually knew in that sorority, I began to reconsider my previously-held ideas. I liked and respected these upperclassmen, and their values and beliefs were very much in line with mine. I decided to give it a try, and I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only have I really enjoyed my time in my particular sorority, but I have enjoyed interacting with the other sororities and being part of RU’s Greek community in general. It is something in which I can really take pride, and I don’t think that can be said of Greek communities at all universities.

(Some of the seniors at our last spring formal dance)

(Our newly-initiated sisters and their big sisters)

Sometimes I hear about the Greek experiences of my friends who attended other colleges or universities. Many of them attend larger schools, and their experiences have been so different from mine. Unfortunately, many of them have not been as positive as mine. I believe the people at Rockhurst have made a special effort to ensure that the Greek experience is as positively rewarding for the students as possible. Being in a sorority at RU has provided me with leadership experience, knowledge on how to work with all groups of people, and an incredible support system. Our graduation stoles for our sorority just came in today. As I look forward to graduation, I think it is only appropriate that I will be able to wear my letters with my graduation cap and gown. It has been such an important part of experience, and something I honestly think I would have missed out on had I attended any school other than Rockhurst.

Only at Rockhurst...

This past week, I’ve really noticed just how special this place is. I have always known it, but the past week, I was pleasantly reminded. We found out a few weeks ago that they planted over 30,000 tulips on campus. Each semester, Student Senate sponsors a “Town Hall” forum in which major players from each department on campus are invited to sit on a panel. They give a brief update of the status of their work for the university, and then the floor is opened up to students to ask questions. This is a great aspect of RU- the open communication between faculty, staff, and students. Whenever I have had a question, there have been multiple people on campus ready and willing to help me figure it out. And it really helps when they provide us with venues like the Town Hall Forum.

But back to the tulips. They planted over 30,000 of them around our campus, and it looks just beautiful. I was having a hard time getting out of bed one day last week (it rained a lot, and I knew I had a long day ahead of me). I reluctantly got up and made my way to class. As I was walking to my psychology class, I was admiring the newly-planted tulips when I noticed something out of place. There, right in the middle of the sea of red tulips, was a small batch of daffodils. I am not sure if it was done on purpose or if it was a pleasant accident, but it definitely made my morning. Daffodils are my favorite flowers, and it really brightened my day. Had I not gone to class that morning, I would have missed that wonderful opportunity to smile.

Another special thing about RU is our President, Father Curran. I know I’ve mentioned this in previous posts, but I was reminded just how great he is this past week. Voices for Justice, the social justice club on campus, sponsored their annual Karaoke for a Cause. They invite representatives from campus organizations and departments to perform. Father Curran was the last act of the evening, and he performed a wonderful rendition of “Camp Granada”. As he was on stage, being silly and carefree, I said to my sorority sister sitting next to me, “This wouldn’t happen anywhere else.” She agreed with me. A couple of teachers also performed, and their version of “Sexy and I Know It” had the whole audience roaring with laughter. They ended up winning the show.

(The two professors who performed at Karaoke for a Cause. It was a blast!)

I honestly believe that you would be hard-pressed to find another university where the faculty, staff, and even the President of the school are so wonderfully connected to the students and so committed to making their college experience really awesome. I know it has been a tremendously important part of my time here, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Changing Attitudes, Changing Times

The past week has been filled with some pretty interesting changes, the first of which came in the form of changing my own attitude. Before spring break, I was asked to select an SAB representative for the Miss Paddy Murphy Pageant, a fundraiser sponsored by one of the fraternities. They were looking for a representative from each campus organization to participate and in turn help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. I decided to volunteer myself as SAB’s rep. We talked about it among the e-board, and I was the only senior female on the board, so it only seemed fair. I was nervous to say the least. Nothing like this had ever been done on campus before so I was apprehensive as to how it would turn out. I was also terrified at the thought of having to perform by myself for my individual talent. I feel pretty good about being part of group performances, but when it’s just me up there on stage, it’s a different story.

All that aside, I decided to volunteer because I knew that it would push me outside of my comfort zone. With only a few months left before I graduate, I figured there was no time like the present to put myself out there and see what would happen. I was pleasantly surprised. Although I was pretty timid during practices, I found myself incredibly excited the night of the pageant. Thirty minutes before doors opened, the fraternity men came to notify all of us girls that we had sold out the event. That really made me feel great, to know that I was helping out another organization as well as helping a very worthy charity. I found that I was only nervous during my individual talent, but that even subsided once I was out there. I am so glad I made myself go through that experience. I really ended up enjoying myself, and it is a memory from my senior year that I will definitely cherish. I learned that when you step outside your comfort zone, you will be pleasantly surprised. I think this change in my own attitude was pretty remarkable.

Another big change that happened on campus was the election of a new e-board for SAB for next school year. We have a great group of new student leaders ready and eager to take on their positions. I have no doubt that they will do a wonderful job next year. It just seems strange, though, to think that I won’t be a part of it. I have been actively involved with SAB pretty much since my first week at Rockhurst as a freshman, and I have been on e-board for 3 years. I really put my heart and soul into this organization and the work it does for the university. I’m really proud of what we were able to do while I was a part of it. I’m excited to see what they do with it next year, but I can’t help but feel like I am giving away a pet or prized possession. I know it will go to a great home, but I still feel nostalgic for it. Change can be scary, but it is also a good thing. I think this lesson will be very important for me in my last 6 or so weeks at Rockhurst.

 (SAB's annual E-board Christmas card picture, December 2009. I'm really going to miss being a part of this.)

 (December 2010)

(December 2011)

A Much Needed Break

Spring Break is just about over. I can’t believe how fast it went. The past few years, my mom and I went down to Clearwater, FL for Phillies Spring Training. This year, though, I just went back to St. Louis for the week, and it ended up being perfect. It was so nice to just relax for a week without running around. I got some homework done and got everything ready for the upcoming SAB E-board elections. It was also beautiful to be able to sleep in until noon. I haven’t had the opportunity for that in quite some time. At night, my mom and I hit our favorite restaurants around the city, my favorite being Chimmichanga’s. It’s a very authentic Mexican restaurant in St. Louis, and my mom always makes me order in Spanish when we go. It’s pretty silly and embarrassing, but I have secretly come to enjoy this tradition. Don’t tell my mom, though ;-)

I kicked off break by going to a concert by The Ataris. They are one of my favorite bands of all time, and I’ve been seeing them play shows for about 5 years now. I couldn’t have picked a better setlist myself, and I was able to get a spot right up front. It was perfect timing that I just happened to be home when they came through.

(Me with Kris Roe, the lead singer of The Ataris.)

One thing about this break that was memorable is the weather. It was beautiful! On Tuesday, a few of my sorority sisters from here at RU and I went back to our high school in St. Louis (Urusline Academy) to visit our old teachers. It’s always nice to go back, but every year, I’m surprised by how much has changed. Some things never change, though, and it’s always great to see my favorite teachers again. It was too gorgeous that day to spend all of my time inside, so my boyfriend and I went to the zoo. The penguins are my favorite, and there was even a baby penguin! Adorable.

(Penguins at the STL Zoo. They don't even look real!)

The highlight of my break, however, was meeting my childhood hero, Cal Ripken, Jr. He recently released a children’s book that focuses on the issue of bullying, and he was promoting the book at the St. Louis County Library. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I was born in Maryland and lived there until I was 8. My earliest baseball memories are of seeing Cal Ripken play in Camden Yards. I used to go to a sports camp after school when I still lived in MD, and we got to pick our own jerseys. I HAD to have the number 8 jersey, even though it came down to my ankles. I couldn’t really even play in it, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that I had Cal’s number.

(Me and Cal Ripken, Jr.)

After meeting him, my admiration is as strong as ever. He was such a nice guy- really relatable and genuinely appreciative of his fans. He spoke for a little bit at the event and he acknowledged how important it is for him to be a good role model. This is one of the reasons I always liked him, and the fact that he is using his fame to gain attention about such an important issue as bullying is just awesome. I think it’s really important to have good role models. Cal Ripken joins my mom and Fr. Curran (president of Rockhurst) as my major role models. Especially with everything changing in my life right now, the example of these people help me keep everything in perspective. I have to say that my break was perfect. Low key, but absolutely perfect.

"Giving Up vs. Giving In"

This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. I attended the mass service on campus at noon, and Fr. Curran (President of RU) performed the ceremony. I was really intrigued by his homily. He said that we often misunderstand the point of Lent, and we usually think it is all about giving up. We worry about what we will give up during Lent- soda, Facebook, using the elevator in Sedgwick, etc. However, it is actually about giving in to God and letting Him be the center of our lives. I was especially touched by this homily because I am the type of person that becomes easily upset when things go wrong, even when they are out of my control.

(The Ash Wednesday service that I attended. I can see myself in the very back lol. Photo credit to the Rockhurst University Marketing Department.)

I had been struggling to think of a physical thing I would give up during Lent, but this homily completely changed my thinking. I have decided instead of “giving up”, I will be “giving into God” by trusting in His plan for me. I will be making a conscious effort to surrender those things that upset me, especially when they are out of my control. The day before the Ash Wednesday service was a pretty rough day for me. I received a very low grade on a test. I take my grades very seriously, and I was incredibly upset by this grade, especially since I felt prepared for the exam. It was a very emotional experience for me, but Fr. Curran’s homily the next day really put things into perspective for me. I often find myself upset over things I can’t control, and sometimes it really affects my day. During Lent, I will be making a conscious effort to not let these types of things bother me.

I can think of countless examples about things in my life right now that upset me but are beyond my control. Since I am a senior, I was not able to participate in the NACA National Conference on behalf of SAB in Charlotte, NC. This is the first semester since my freshman year that I won’t be there, and I am so nostalgic about it. With my new Lenten attitude, however, I have been able to find peace with this. I may not be able to attend the event, but that gives four awesome, up-and-coming e-board members the chance to take in the experience. I have no doubt that they will do an awesome job, and I am so excited to hear all about the conference when they return later this week.

Tomorrow is my 22^nd birthday, and I can’t help but feel like my life is flying by me. I have been reflecting on the past, and I feel very sentimental. With my new Lenten attitude in mind, I have let go of the uneasy feeling associated with the fact that I cannot slow down time. Instead, with God’s help, I can turn toward the future with a secure optimism, knowing that the best is truly yet to come. I know that the rest of the semester will be filled with some very exciting things. I can't wait to see what this semester (and beyond) has in store for me.

A Whirlwind Start

Second semester has started off with a bang! So much has happened during the past few weeks. On February 11, my sorority had its annual Northern Lights dance. This is the first dance during the school year that our pledge sisters get to attend. I know it sounds cheesy, but this is one thing I had really missed from high school. I love the opportunity to get dressed up and then hang out and dance with my friends all night. It is just another great part about Greek Life here at RU. This year, Northern Lights was at the Kansas City Zoo. It was a really cool venue, and everyone had a blast. I can honestly say it was the most fun I have ever had at a sorority dance here at RU. I knew it was my last one, and I definitely made the most of it.

(At Nothern Lights with some of my sorority sisters)

The next weekend was Mardi Gras, and I returned home to St. Louis for the parade festivities. My mom, sister, and I like to go every year. We sit in the family section, which is very different from the “rowdy” section. This has sort of become a family tradition for us. My birthday is at the end of February so the parade is usually right around that time. We have been going to the parade since I was in third grade, and we always have a great time. I love seeing the creativity of the floats/ parade participants. My favorite one this year was from the Banana Bike Brigade in which they very creatively put their dogs on a bicycle. We had a wonderful time, and it’s always nice to be home for a weekend.

 (My sister, my mom, and me at the Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis)

(I thought this was so creative!)

This past Wednesday, SAB sponsored an Open Mic Night here on campus. We had about 10 student acts perform their various talents, most of which were singing and instrument playing. I love this event because I really enjoy seeing the talents of my fellow RU students. There isn’t really another time or place for this to happen, so it’s definitely a unique and special experience. We had a great turnout, and all of the acts were truly awesome. It takes a lot to get up on stage and put yourself out there, but they did a tremendous job. Open Mic Night also served as SAB’s Rockstock Reveal. Rockstock is SAB’s biggest event of the entire school year: it is our annual spring concert, and it is even bigger than Fall Concert. This year, we will be having Jack’s Mannequin play a free show on campus at the end of April. SAB E-board has known about this since November, but we had to keep it a secret. It was really difficult but totally worth it. Everyone is super excited about the concert, including me. It will be the perfect ending to my last semester at RU.  

Welcome Back!

Hello there! It’s been a while since my last entry. I was enjoying my incredibly long winter break with my family and then I’ve recently been getting back into the swing of things here at good ol’ RU. My break was pretty wonderful. I spent a lot of time catching up with my family and hometown friends. My sister graduated from SEMO, and that was a very exciting time for our family. My dad and Uncle came to St. Louis from the East Coast, and it was great to see them.

(Me, my sister, and my mom at my sister's graduation from SEMO in December)

We wrapped up break with a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate my mom’s 50^th birthday. It was my first time being in Vegas since I turned 21, and it felt pretty cool to sit at a slot machine with the rest of my family. I have an uncle, aunt, and cousin who live in California. The rest of my family is out on the East Coast, mainly in New Jersey and Philly. It was really great to have everyone together, since it doesn’t happen very often because of the distance. I really enjoyed being with them, and I definitely miss the times when we all lived on the East Coast and the family get togethers were more frequent.  Among the highlights of the trip was my ziplining adventure. I rode a zipline above world-famous Fremont Street. I’m kind of afraid of heights, so this was a personal victory of mine, as the zipline was very high. It was a great vacation and the perfect ending to my winter break.

(Zipline above Fremont Street. I'm the zipliner on the far right.)

When I got back to campus, we launched right into sorority recruitment. I really like the fact that RU delays recruitment until the spring. It gives the freshmen women a chance to become acquainted with the school and to really settle in before they have to choose which sorority they want to join. Greek life in general is so much more relaxed here at RU. I know that if I went to a bigger school, I never would have joined a sorority. It’s just so different here, though, because you can really be yourself and still find an organization that makes you feel comfortable.  We added a wonderful class of new pledge sisters, and I am so excited to get to know them better this semester!

(Some of my sorority sisters and our new pledge sisters. We went ice skating at Crown Center on Bid Day.)

I have to admit that I was pretty emotional about starting my last semester here at RU. Truthfully, I didn’t want to come back from Winter Break because I knew this semester would just fly by. And it has. I can’t believe it’s already the middle of February. I find myself feeling sentimental pretty much every day. I have had such a great experience here at RU that I know it’s going to be very difficult to leave. I have made a promise to myself to truly make the most of this semester. I look forward to sharing my last semester with you as we will be companions on the journey.

¡Ay Yi Yi!

I apologize for not keeping in contact with you recently. The last few weeks have been pretty insane, as is customary for this time of year. Right before Thanksgiving break, I had my Spanish Capstone that took a lot of my time and energy. At Rockhurst, students complete a senior Capstone project in order to earn their degree. Each program has different Capstone requirements. For Spanish, it consists of a 15-page paper and 30-minute presentation on a topic of your choice, all in Spanish. To say that I was nervous for the presentation was an understatement. My Capstone supervisor and the other students in my class were very helpful and supportive, though, and that made it so much easier.

I have to say that I have really enjoyed the Spanish program here at Rockhurst. After the few basic grammar classes, the rest of the classes are really awesome. For example, I have taken two different film classes, one highlighting movies from Spain with the other showing films from all Latin American countries. I also took “US-Latino Literature”, and I thoroughly enjoyed that class. In addition to reading about the US-Latino experience, we also had local authors come in to class and talk about their personal struggles and triumphs that came as a result of being torn between two very different cultures.

During these classes, I was exposed to two great artists that ultimately ended up being the subjects of my Capstone. For my Capstone project, I chose to research Francisco de Goya (a Spanish artist from the 1800s) and Isabel Allende (a contemporary Chilean author). While these two artists represent very different countries and types of art, they are both connected by a profound theme. Because of political reasons, each artist was forced to leave their homeland. When they were in political exile in other countries, they created their most famous works. The theme of my Capstone was to show how political exile can be very inspiring instead of just oppressive. I really enjoyed the research, and I was very inspired by these two artists.

(The poster for my Spanish Capstone presentation)

After the presentation was over, I obviously felt very relieved to have survived through the stressful experience. However, I felt more than just relieved… I truly felt a great sense of pride in both the university and in my accomplishments. Because of the support I received from all of my Spanish teachers during my time at RU, I knew I was more than prepared for such an endeavor. Hearing their positive comments at the end of the presentation validated my hard work and also increased my appreciation for the Spanish program and professors. I have genuinely enjoyed that part of my RU experience. It will help me so much in my future career, and it will also provide me with great memories of everything I have learned.

Truly Grateful

This past week, I was fortunate enough to find multiple ways on campus to commemorate Veteran’s Day. Last Wednesday, there was a card-making night hosted by Panhellenic, the organization that oversees all of the sororities on campus. We were able to meet some of the new freshmen while bonding over card-making. Some girls made Christmas cards for a retirement home, while the rest of us made Veteran’s Day cards for a local Vet hospital. This past Saturday, SAB hosted a Christmas-themed Second Saturday event, and we also asked students to write Holiday cards for those currently serving overseas.

Every time I write a card to a Veteran or a member of the active military, I am filled with a sense of true gratitude. My stepbrother, Jesse, is currently serving in the Army in Afghanistan. Every single day I think about him and his friends, and I hope and pray that they are staying safe.  Before my stepbrother was deployed, I did not feel connected to the war because it seemed so distant. Knowing that someone I love is actually there shed a whole new light on the situation. I have always been grateful for our military, but this has deepened my appreciation. They have made such a great sacrifice for all of us, and it is something that I hope I never forget.

(My stepbrothers, Lucas and Jesse)  

(Lucas, me, and Jesse last November)

A few months ago, my sorority sisters and I devoted an entire day to making cookies and cards for my step brother and his troop mates. It was an awesome experience to have my sisters helping me to make things a little bit more like home for my stepbrother in Afghanistan. Our package made it over there surprisingly fast, and Jesse said that he and his friends truly appreciated it.

As Thanksgiving and Christmas draw near, I find myself filled with sadness for those serving in the military because they will not be able to spend the holiday season with their families. I am reminded of a familiar Christmas song: “I’ll be home for Christmas… if only in my dreams.” As we prepare to gather with our families around a table full of home-cooked food in a warm house, let us take some time to remember those who are sacrificing their holiday get-togethers with their families in order to serve our country.

Regardless of your opinions of the war itself, I think we can all agree that the individual people in our military need our support. When you are with your family the next few weeks, take a minute or two to write a few letters to our troops.  There is a great organization called “A Million Thanks” (http://www.amillionthanks.org/) that will mail your letters for you. Such a simple act of kindness will have a huge impact on a deserving soldier.

An Early Christmas Present

Three words: World Cultures Day. It is an annual campus event, and it is truly one of my favorite days of the entire school year. Students and faculty take over the convocation center to bring fresh and diverse perspectives to RU. They present information on different countries throughout the world, and many of them prepare dishes native to that specific country. You can virtually travel the world in one hour. My favorite part is to see the faces of the newer students who have not yet experienced the awesomeness of World Culture Day. The sights, sounds, and smells are overwhelming… but in the best way possible.

(My friend Claire serving a traditional Puerto Rican dish)

Each year, the event kicks off with a touching prayer service. Sadly, there are many disagreements between countries in today’s world. During the prayer service, we come together to ask God to help us heal those broken relationships and to bring peace to all, in effect making God’s good world better (another important Jesuit ideal). Additionally, there were dancers who performed cultural dances. My favorite one was a traditional Philippine dance in which they welcome the rainy season. I always enjoy this day of festivities, and I will definitely miss it when I graduate.

(The dancers performing a traditional dance from the Philippines)

As an International Business student, I have always been interested in different cultures and customs throughout the world. Due to a number of factors, mostly cost and time, I have been unable to study abroad during my time here at RU. That is probably one of my biggest regrets of my undergrad time. I’ve known a ton of students that have travelled abroad through RU and have absolutely loved it. One of my sorority sisters will be spending a year between Spain and Argentina. I would love to go to a country where I could actually practice my Spanish. I will be staying at RU for my MBA, so I hope to finally take advantage of the business school’s trip to Spain. The first step in making God’s good world better is to experience all that it has to offer.

Impressionists, Poets, Penguins- Oh My!

It has been quite an eventful week. Thursday- Sunday, I was in Tulsa for NACA. We saw some pretty incredible acts. We are bringing Melissa Villasenor to campus in April during Hawk Wild Week. She is a hilarious impressionist whose impressions are spot on. She did Wanda Sykes, Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera, and Owen Wilson… and all of them sounded perfect. What a wide range! I remember seeing her on America’s Got Talent this summer, but when we saw her in person, we were dying! She was SO funny. I can’t wait to share her with the campus in April.

(With Melissa Villasenor)

We also booked a few comedians and a spoken word poet for the fall semester of 2012. It was so strange to book acts for after I graduate. It’s sad to think that I won’t be here anymore to see the talent that we book. It really put things into perspective on just how close graduation is. I am disappointed I will miss the poet. His name is Carlos Robson, and his poems were just incredible. I remember being really touched by one about the challenges our soldiers face. My stepbrother is currently serving in the Army in Afghanistan, and I really connected with this poem. Carlos was able to beautifully tell a story without being political, which I think is rare. Look out for Carlos, coming fall 2012.

I had a blast at NACA. It was great to pass the torch onto our younger members of e-board. Upon our return to campus, it was time for me to prepare for my sorority’s philanthropy week. The philanthropy that we sponsor is the American Heart Association. We had some great events planned for the week to raise money for AHA. My favorite was Hoops for the Heart, a student vs. faculty basketball game.

(The penguin suit at Hoops for the Heart)

The mascot of our sorority is the penguin. I was a co-host for this event, and I wore the penguin suit. It was really a freeing experience.  When you’re in a costume, you get the courage to do things you might not normally do. My penguin disguise allowed me to come out of my shell. I was dancing like it was nobody’s business. We had a really great turnout, and we raised a lot of money for AHA. As a senior, I was happy to see the success of the event. Our sorority is still learning the ropes here on campus, and I think we did a great job. I have absolutely loved my experience with RU Greek Life. I will miss this part of RU so much, and I can’t wait to see how much our sorority continues to grow in the future.

NACATTACK!

It’s that time of year again. Every October, SAB prepares for the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Regional Conference. This conference serves as an opportunity for members of SAB to interact with students from the programming boards at other schools, network with professionals in the talent business, and watch performances by countless musicians, comedians, poets, and magicians that we hope to bring to RU’s campus in the future. I, along with 5 other members of the SAB e-board and our advisor, will be traveling to Tulsa, OK tomorrow morning for a three-day whirlwind of educational sessions, showcases, and meet and greets.

NACA is one of my favorite things about SAB. This will be my 6^th NACA during my time here at RU. I have been to three national conferences in Nashville, Boston, and St. Louis, as well as two other regional conferences in Texas. Even before I was a member of the executive board, I was chosen to attend a NACA conference my freshman year. It was a huge honor for me to be selected by the upperclassmen on the executive board who saw enough potential in me to believe that I could contribute to the conference delegation. Choosing to get involved on campus right off the bat truly paid off. I showed my dedication to a campus organization as a freshman, almost from day one, and was rewarded with this honor. NACA is what inspired me to run for Concert Chair, VP, and eventually President.

My biggest piece of advice: find an organization that allows you to do what makes you happy. Then, put your heart into it, and you will get so much more out of your college experience. You will meet great people with whom you will form lasting friendships. You will be given opportunities to foster your own leadership abilities while also helping others become leaders as well.  You will create memories that will hold a special place in your heart.

 (NACA Nationals in Nashville- February 2009- my freshman year)

(NACA Regionals in Arlington- October 2010- the conference was right across from the baseball stadium, and the World Series was there the same time we were.)

This will be my last NACA conference. I have so many great memories from past conferences. One year, while on the shuttle from the airport to the hotel in Arlington, TX, I found a sweet potato. Yes, a yam. I took it into the conference with me. For the whole weekend, our group of students played practical jokes on each other, such as putting the yam under each other’s pillows, or slipping it into each other’s backpacks. I will never forget times like this one.

(The infamous yam)

I recently purchased a framed piece of artwork from a local craft fair with the quote, “Enjoy the little things in life… for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” Even seemingly insignificant things, like finding a yam under your hotel pillow, have now become memories that I will treasure for many years to come.

For the Love of the Game

Last week was quite exciting. I am a huge fan of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, and as of last week they were still in the playoffs. Even though I now live in St. Louis, I am not a Cardinals fan. I am originally from the East Coast, and my mom’s entire family is from Philly. Growing up, we frequently visited the City of Brotherly Love, and my childhood is filled with Philly memories: running up and down the stairs of the Art Museum like Rocky, being downtown for the St. Patrick’s Day parade with my grandfather dressed like a leprechaun, and, of course, eating Rita’s water ice and Pat’s cheesesteaks until I could no longer move. To me, being a Phillies fan isn’t just about baseball. It’s about holding onto a part of my childhood that seems very distant now that I live in the Midwest.

(The St. Pat's Day Parade in Philly in 1994. I'm the one in the front right. I know you're jealous of my bowl cut lol.)

Before the big loss to the Cardinals on Friday the 7^th, it still seemed that the Phillies might go all the way. My family was fortunate enough to come across tickets to the NLDS game on Tuesday the 4^th. My boyfriend (who is a Cards fan) and I drove out to STL after class on Tuesday for the game. This was my first Phillies playoff game, and I was overwhelmed. It was incredible just to be in the stadium while my favorite team battled to continue on the journey to the World Series.  It was an amazing game, and they won that night. My mom and I had to quietly celebrate the victory since the stadium was filled with Cards fans. 

(My boyfriend and I at Game 3 of the NLDS at Busch Stadium.)

Unfortunately, the Phils ended up losing the series on Friday. It was pretty upsetting. Contrary to what Tom Hanks might have said, there is crying in baseball. It was hard to understand why the team with the best record in baseball wasn’t going to the World Series. Like Charlie Manuel, the manager of the Phils, said after the loss, “I feel empty inside.” It was a difficult loss to say the least, especially since I had no other Phillies fans with whom to commiserate. However, I look forward to next year, especially Spring Training. This will be my third year in a row going to Phillies Spring Training in FL.

Many students at RU are from St. Louis, and it is difficult to find support from other Phillies fans in the middle of KCMO. However, there is at least one other Phillies fan at RU to whom I can always turn when it is time to celebrate our victories or lament our losses. That fan is Father Curran, the President of the University. When I think about my RU experience, I can’t help but realize that RU is truly a special place. How many schools have you heard of where the President of the university regularly interacts with students, eats at their lunch tables, and helps carry their fridges and microwaves on move-in day? Fr. Curran’s involvement with the students is truly unique to RU. It is one of my favorite things about Rockhurst, and our shared love of the Phillies is something I will always cherish.

Until next year, I have chosen to be a fan of the game, recognizing that anything can happen in baseball. Only 4 months until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Clearwater :-)

Bittersweet Symphony

I knew that my senior year would be filled with bittersweet moments. I didn’t anticipate them quite this early in the school year, though. Last night, SAB sponsored the annual homecoming dance. It’s similar to most high school homecoming dances. Everyone gets dressed up and grabs a group of their friends to celebrate school spirit with a night of dancing and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, but there were multiple times when I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.

One such moment occurred during the Run DMC song “It’s Tricky”. Since I was a freshman, this song has been very important to my friends in my sorority and me. It has become more or less “our song”. When the DJ played this song last night, all of us gathered in a big group and shouted the words like we have always done. The same feelings of excitement and belonging rushed over me. However, a new emotion was in the mix as well: sadness.

(At the dance with some of my sorority sisters)

In the middle of the song, I felt sad that this would be the last time I would get to sing this song with my friends at homecoming. I became incredibly nostalgic for the girls that had graduated last May and were no longer there to dance with us. I realized that, next semester, I would be one of those girls. All at once, I felt happy and sad; happy to be able to enjoy another moment like that with my friends and sad that we probably won’t get the chance to do it again.

Toward the end of the dance, other members of the SAB executive board and I were sitting at a table waiting for the last few songs to be played. As usual, the DJ played “Don’t Stop Believin’”. Watching the students, many of whom were freshmen, belt out the song with their friends brought a smile to my face. I couldn’t believe that I had been in their shoes just a few short years ago. My time here at Rockhurst has gone by way too fast. I find myself lost in my life’s timeline, wondering where the last few years have gone. However, my time has not been filled with regret. Quite the contrary.

The biggest reason I am going to miss Rockhurst is that it has become home to me. In this school, I have found a place where I truly belong. I’m not referring to membership in a particular club or organization but to the school as a whole.  I know this would not have been possible if I had gone to a larger univeristy. Because of RU's size, I have really been able to find my place and to grow as a person.

Throughout my experience here, I have been blessed to make strong connections with other people in the RU community. The friends I have made will forever have a place in my heart. I am so thankful for the staff members who have watched me grow as a leader and who always encouraged and supported me. After the dance last night, I have been reminded of the importance of treasuring my time here at Rockhurst. May is going to be here before I know it, and I plan to cross that stage at graduation knowing that I took advantage of all RU had to offer, most especially the relationships I formed with others.

Finding God in a Hammock

Without delay, I have to share the exciting news of the newest addition to the RU campus: hammocks. Today, they popped up all over campus, and they are a thing of beauty. I’m not sure who was behind this, but I definitely approve. On my way to class this morning, I saw Physical Plant setting them up outside of Corcoran. They were directly across the sidewalk from the hospitality tent that is being set up for the upcoming Family Weekend events, so I didn’t really think anything of it. I thought they were part of the weekend festivities. I also had a big exam on my mind and that hot new song by Pitbull and Neyo was playing on my iPod, so, needless to say, I was a little distracted.

On my way back from class, around 3:00 this afternoon, I saw more hammocks outside the back of the XL dorm. The icing on the cake occurred when I got down into the Townhouses (THVs). There, in all its glory, was an oversized hammock not 20 steps from my front door. It’s almost as if it were meant just for me. I looked around to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I ran into my THV, dropped off my backpack, and then ran back out to inspect the hammock, afraid I would miss my chance to enjoy it if I didn’t hurry.

Now, I must admit that I am not the most graceful person and I had had a challenging experience with a hammock at a family reunion about 10 years ago. I had never seen a hammock this big, so I was analyzing my best entry strategy. I found the perfect balance right in the middle of thing, and I took a deep sigh of relief. This week has been difficult. I had two pretty challenging exams, and my car had broken down. Lying in that hammock with the late September breeze blowing on my face made all of that disappear. I put Bruce Springsteen on my iPod and closed my eyes, enjoying the opportunity to slow down for the next half hour.

I couldn’t help but think of the theme for this academic year: finding God in all things. Today, I found God in the middle of a hammock after a challenging week. Where have you found God this week?

Leading by Example

SAB has had some pretty big events the last few weeks that went so incredibly well. When I reflect on Fall Concert and the Hawks & Buckets game show, I feel very proud of not only the attendance at the events but also how the executive board and general members have been positively affected by these events. An important ideal held by the Jesuits is that every single person can be a leader. Additionally, each person has the responsibility to help develop the talents and gifts of others to help them become leaders, too.

(Hawks & Buckets the Game Show. Students had to pick randomly numbered buckets in hopes of finding the bucket with fake cash. The other buckets included items like evaporated milk, baked beans, and BBQ sauce. The buckets were dumped on the heads of the students. Prizes included an iPad, a Wii, and cash.)

I see this at every event that SAB sponsors. Not only are the members of the executive board settling into their new leadership positions, but they are helping the general members (most of whom are freshmen) find their place here at Rockhurst while encouraging them to develop their own interests and talents. I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of freshmen that consistently come to our meetings and events with a willingness and passion to help the event run smoothly. They probably don't know it yet, but they, too, are taking the first steps to becoming leaders here at RU.  I truly believe that many of these enthusiastic freshmen will be the ones that comprise the executive board next school year.

On a side note, I have to take just a minute or two to celebrate a personal accomplishment that came with Fall Concert. Since freshman year, I had made it my personal goal to book the band Ha Ha Tonka (HHT) to play at Rockhurst before I graduated. Every time a new concert chair was elected in SAB, I made sure to forward them as much information as possible about the band in hopes they would be added to the bill for one of SAB’s major concerts. Sadly, this was not an easy task. Even when I held the position of concert chair in the 2009-2010 school year, I was unable to bring the band to RU. Many things stood in the way of accomplishing my goal- conflicting schedules, genres that didn’t match with HHT’s sound, etc. When we were planning this year's Fall Concert, I once again threw HHT’s name out there. With a little luck and some strong convincing, we made the band an offer which they later accepted. My dreams were becoming a reality. The true icing on the Ozark rock cake came when I got to personally introduce the band before their set. Seeing Ha Ha Tonka play some of my favorite songs on my school’s campus made me so proud, and I was so glad to finally be able to share their music with my classmates. I had waited three years for this to happen. It was definitely worth the wait.

(Ha Ha Tonka playing at RU's Fall Concert on 8/27/11)

In conclusion, being involved with organizations on campus has given me the chance to become a leader in my own right. I have learned how to work with all types of people, and I have been able to see my dreams become reality. Even more importantly, I feel like I have had at least a small influence on others, hoping to help them realize their own potential and dreams. And that is a legacy I can feel good about :-)