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.