tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601550504542752172024-03-13T21:36:37.551-07:00College Life in the 802 Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-40093992245356353692014-12-11T09:32:00.000-08:002014-12-11T09:32:13.671-08:00Finals Week: We're All in This Together<br />
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This car is just BURIED under snow after last night's storm. You can hardly tell it's a car. How metaphoric... that's kinda what finals week feels like. We're all just buried with so much work that you can hardly tell we're people :)</div>
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Today is Thursday, which means it's exactly one week until I fly back to Minnesota for a nice long winter break. Because I will be going to Middlebury in February, this is my last week at Saint Michael's for a long long time. I envisioned that I would take this week to explore new spots in Burlington, visit and connect with professors, hit up Smuggler's Notch for a snowboarding day, spend time with friends, and pack up my dorm room. But then the preparation for finals began and I came to my senses and realized that free time would be scarce and all my focus had to go into surviving the week without losing my sanity. Ask any college student; that's what finals week is really about. </div>
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During finals week, it's absolutely socially acceptable to lock yourself into an isolated study room in the library basement for multiple hours at a time (no contact with the outside world). It's also acceptable to wear pajamas anywhere, rely on coffee like it's keeping you alive, cry into your textbooks, and to continually come to the conclusion that we should all quit college and just work at Dunkin Donuts for the rest of our lives. People go a little haywire during finals week. It happens often: Students go from "I'm going to have a killer GPA on my resume," to "I'm just hoping to make it through the next couple days without chucking my laptop against a wall and setting fire to my incredibly overpriced textbooks." I may be exaggerating a little. But maybe not. </div>
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This term, my finals schedule includes two exams, one cumulative and one not, two final papers, two presentations, and one self-reflection memo. I also have the bonus stress of having to pack up my whole dorm room and fit it in the car, as well as meeting with the associate dean, registrar, and my advisor, to make sure all my paperwork is in order for my semester exchange. I am trying to sustain low stress levels; it's not easy. But I did invent this super tasty tea latte drink that I can make in my dorm room; Trader Joe's Holiday Vanilla & Cinnamon Black Tea with a shot of caramel creamer. It's delicious and I drink about five mugs a day while sitting in my rocking chair watching the snow fall. Instant stress reliever. </div>
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Let me tell you about one of my favorite learning experiences this year. For my Reporting for Media Class, our final project was to write a feature article with intent to publish it. It was really hard for me to decide on a topic; what in the world should I dedicate the whole semester to writing about? Because I'm currently in a conundrum wondering whether I want to go into marketing, I decided to delve into that subject. I wrote my article about how the state of Vermont is marketed to tourists, and how that image is different from the true essence of the state. We often perceive Vermont as a nostalgic, traditional; in contrast, it's actually a very progressive and entrepreneurial state. Anyway, for the article we had to conduct a number of interviews. I was lucky to get in contact with two guys who work in Vermont's Department of Tourism and Marketing, down in Montpelier. When I made the trip to Montpelier to visit them, the building they were located in was so huge I actually got lost in it for about 20 minutes. I am so directionally challenged. It was so official, I even had to register and get a visitors badge before getting in. But when I finally found them, Greg and David were so easy to talk to and so eager to help me with my article, the interview actually lasted over an hour and a half and was more of a conversation. It was really cool and helpful for me to see the what the daily work of someone in marketing is like.<br />
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Another little adventure: this is <b>so</b> Vermont. Last night I ended up trudging two miles back to campus (from Winooski) in the middle of a blizzard with a random lady who kept speaking French to me. It was crazy. The roads were so bad that the bus got stuck and had to drop us off. And when I did get back to campus, the power was out in my dorm!! You win, mother nature. Good luck with finals, everyone!! Hang in there! :)</div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-63116433743351386762014-12-05T10:55:00.006-08:002014-12-05T10:58:50.013-08:00Winter comes to Vermont<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Well, Thanksgiving Break came and went so fast that I barely had time to savor the pecan pie. We had a week off this year, instead of three days like last year--but of course it still flew by. Nonetheless, I had a spectacular break!! My mom flew in from Minnesota to spend it with me--I hadn't seen her since August, which is three months ago, and we all know that is way too much time to spend without your mom. One of the biggest problems I faced with my mom here was where in the world to take her to eat. Vermont, particularly Burlington, is jam-packed with amazing restaurants. Which, by the way, is no doubt the reason I am so broke. Burlington is known for its localvore scene, which means a lot of the food is fresh and local, so you can feel good about eating a lot of it. Which is what we all want, right?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best combo for an afternoon pick me up-- Carmel Lattes and creme brulee at Muddy Waters</td></tr>
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On the first day we woke up slow for a late brunch at Sneakers Bistro, which is a hopping little place in downtown Winooski, just off the roundabout. Sneakers just won an award for their fabulous Eggs Benedict--my mom must have good taste, because that's what she ordered. We shared an apple cider mimosa and my maple sausage in order to get a real Vermont feel. YUM. Then we hopped in the car and headed to Northfield, for the annual Darn Tough Factory Sale. I have never seen so many socks in one place! They even had several traffic directors-- I guess people go a little crazy for this sale. </div>
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The second day we spent in Middlebury, which is about a 45 minute drive from Burlington. I wanted to show my mom Middlebury because it's a beautiful little town...but also because it's where I will be spending the spring semester!! Oh jeez, I am smiling just thinking about it, I am so excited. I applied to Middlebury through a program we have here at St. Mike's, called AVIC, which lets you potentially spend a semester on exchange, studying at any of Vermont's private colleges. It's a really cool program and I think more people should take advantage of it. I applied to Middlebury because it is such a notable school. I didn't really know what to expect when I applied, because it's a school that I wouldn't have been accepted into right out of high school... but after a month of so of waiting, I got my acceptance, and did a little dance in my dorm room. I'm already registered for classes, and I start in February. I am so so so excited. </div>
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On the third day my cousin Jon took us to Montreal (I know, we were just all over the place) and we spent the day exploring St. Joesph's Oratory, which is Canada's biggest church and a beautiful and majestic place. The church was started by Saint Andre Bessette, who was known as a healer. There is a section of the oratory where the walls are covered with hundreds of crutches, crutches from all the people who no longer needed them after visiting Saint Andre. Such cool history! From there we went to an underground train station that houses a huge food court filled with tons of ethnic food options. I think we walked by the Vietnamese place at least four times just so I could inhale the delicious curry smell. We settled into some comfy armchairs with a few vibrant-colored macaroons (I chose the flavor <i>exotique</i>; I can't say I'd recommend it), a decadent slice of raspberry and dark chocolate-flavored heaven, and a tasty almond croissant. We could have stayed there for hours just people watching; Montreal folk are so well dressed!!</div>
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The next day, the snow storm hit--just as we were ready to leave for Thanksgiving in Connecticut. That drive was the worst! A regularly three and a half hour drive too us at least six, and the number of cars we saw in the ditches surpassed both my fingers and toes. Snow, freezing rain, and Massachusetts drivers--NOT a good mix!!</div>
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But once we made it to Connecticut, the drive was so totally worth it. It is SO good to be around family, no matter what the occasion--even, or maybe especially, if that occasion is getting up early to go outside and run five miles in the bitter cold. My great aunt Geri even hooked me up with an electric blanket the night before the race; I think she was daring me to stay in bed. It typical Schnobrich fashion, we all met (five cousins, two aunts, two uncles, and one great uncle) to load up on a big breakfast right before the race. The race I'm talking about is the Manchester Road Race, which has got to be the most fun race in the world. The costumes people run in are RIDICULOUS. This year's favorite: A Christmas tree. Someone ran five miles under a real decorated pine tree!!</div>
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We didn't go all out on the costumes (running five miles is pretty daunting in itself) but we're working up to it... this year we all sported green decorated T-shirts. The Green Team! I really can't think of a better way to begin Thanksgiving day. </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-79565341302216284462014-11-15T10:26:00.000-08:002014-11-15T10:26:21.364-08:00Combating the Sophomore Slump (And Other Various Slumps)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It snowed yesterday! Though thankfully, not enough to stick--This picture is from last winter. College kids all around the Burlington area are getting out their skis and snowboards, buying their passes, sharpening edges and waxing bottoms. But I am hanging on to November and thankful that we I haven't had to break out the snowboots yet. </td></tr>
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<b>Whew.</b> It has absolutely been too long since my last blog; the last few weeks have seemed like the world is out to get me. We all have those days--I guess when you're in college they can get stretched out to weeks. I'm here to tell you--college is not all fun and games, fascinating class discussions, late-night pizza deliveries, and wild weekend stories over fluffy waffles in the dining hall. Sometimes it just seems like it's primarily a place where you discover how much stress you can actually take before pulling a Britney Spears and shaving your head bald for no apparent reason at all (Fun fact: Most college kids can say "Yeah, I get why she did that). But it's just a slump, and slumps pass. However, that thought doesn't really make it any easier when you've got so much on your plate that the bags under your eyes have just become part of your look and you have so much to do that you sometimes simply forget to eat. Here are some things that have helped me get through the past few weeks:<br />
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1. <b>Naps</b>. I have had days where my list of things that need to be accomplished is so long that there's just not enough time in the day. It seems pretty contradictory to take a nap when you've got so much to do, but I have found it extremely helpful. It doesn't have to be a full-blown, three hour, cozy and indulgent nap; sometimes just 15 minutes of laying down to rest is good enough. It recharges your system and can give you a new little blast of motivation. </div>
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2. <b>Professors.</b> Reach out to professors. When I was getting ready to go to college, a lot of advice I received was about connecting with professors, and I am extremely glad I have capitalized on that advice. Many times this semester I have sat down with a professor during office hours and just talked. We've talked about school and assignments and college, but also just about life, and experiences, and just anything. I always come out of those meetings refreshed, confident, and more motivated with my schoolwork. Professors <i>want</i> to connect with you other than calling on you in class. They are here to help their students in any way that they can, but it's up to you to reach out. </div>
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3. <b>Go for a walk outside without your phone and breathe the fresh air.</b> Something that has really been stressing me out lately that I've never before had a problem with, is my iphone. With my iphone in my pocket, I am connected at all times. Whoever wants to reach me can reach me, by text, call, or email. I don't like that. It makes me feel like I am always at the service of whoever wants something from me. Or that I'm always at work even when I'm not, because (with my phone) I can receive and send emails from anywhere, so there's really no excuse to not respond right away. When you go somewhere without your phone you will feel like you are missing something. Maybe'll you'll get bored. But it will make you more aware of everything around you, and that in itself helps you recharge, I think. </div>
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4. <b>Jobs- Don't bite off more than you can chew</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">. </i>This semester I got a waitressing job, and I was really excited about it at first, because the tip money would overflow the cup holders in my car. "I'll work whenever I don't have class!" I told my boss. That was a big mistake. I ended up with four or five night shifts a week, and all of a sudden I was really struggling trying to balance waitressing with school work, applying for other programs, social life, and my first job, working as the advertising manager for the school paper. It is too much, because these days a free afternoon feels like the biggest gift I've ever been given. So for now I'll just try to retain my sanity until December and the end of the semester.</div>
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5. <b>Do something spontaneous. </b>I've always been a big believer that the best times are adventures that go totally unplanned. Because then there are no expectations. For instance, a few weeks ago I was randomly introduced to a new group of friends. It was around 9:30 on a Friday night and somehow we got the idea to go to Montreal. Why not?? We had a car, passports, and a new team of adventurous spirits. I was surprised when they let us across the border with a car that was clearly over its capacity of people, but that was surely a sign that it was going to be a good night. And it was! We had our first legal drinks, made some new friends, and rolled back onto campus doggedly at about 6 the next morning. That's a memory for the books. </div>
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I guess the number one thing to keep in mind when you're going through a Classic College Slump is just to take care of yourself. Honestly, sometimes you really should skip class if you think sitting in a whitewashed room listening to a teacher drone on about contract law is going to drive you crazy. Instead, go sit on a dock by Lake Champlain. This isn't great advice for everybody; I'm just using what has worked for me. Remember that your mental health is more important than a grade on a test. Everyone has something that will help them get back on track; figure it out and if you have to make a countdown calendar of the days til the next break, that's ok too. And, like all the wise people say, find solace in the simple things, be it fancy latte art, the Adirondack mountains, or little messages on licence plates. </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-23047449734011294412014-10-19T09:46:00.002-07:002014-10-19T09:46:56.443-07:00Rhode Island Weekend <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As a full-time student with multiple jobs, a free weekend is like the <i>biggest</i> present under the Christmas tree. You don't know what it's going to be, but without a doubt it is going to be spectacular. I wanted to get out of Burlington because I was feeling pretty stressed and overwhelmed with daily life as a college student, and the best way to get away from that is to well, get away from it. Mapquest told me that Rhode Island was only a half-day's drive from my dorm in Colchester, and for some reason or another the "Ocean State" really held some intrigue for me. I recruited an old friend who goes to school in Massachusetts to be my copilot, and we embarked on a sunny Saturday afternoon with minimal plans and a tent in the backseat. </div>
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Why does New England have toll roads? I don't understand it--why do I have to pay to drive on a road? Mysteries. It was dark by the time we arrived in Providence and it wasn't till after walking a while that we realized the place we had finally found to park was in a pretty sketchy part of downtown. All part of the adventure. I had read online about "Waterfire"--an arts festival that downtown Providence has. They play all kind of music, park food trucks, and light a bunch of little fires in the riverways. It's a really cool atmosphere. </div>
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The campground we stayed at was in Portsmouth and was wonderful because it had hot, running water and bathrooms that were not absolutely nasty. We didn't spend a lot of time at the campground but we did have the best omelettes we'd ever had at a little cafe across the street. Sunday we spend in Newport, Rhode Island, a little seaside city that absolutely captured my heart. It it were up to me I'd probably still be there! In the morning we did the Cliff Walk, which is a 3.5 mile walk along the Atlantic. One side of the walk is steep cliffs and the ocean, and the other side is gigantic old mansions. So it's kind of like the coolest thing ever. We found an abandoned rugby ball on one of the mansion's lawns so we played catch for a while against one of the most breathtaking backdrops on the East Coast. So you could say that it was a pretty nice morning. </div>
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Downtown Newport was a bustle of people and fancy cars. We walked down the docks and did some yacht shopping--there was one on sale for seven million dollars! There were so many cute little shops and quirky little restaurants. We feasted on some maple habanero gelato and checked out a Ferrari. We decided to hurry back to camp before the sun set so that we could make dinner over the fire, but ended up boiling noodles in the dark anyway. Penne with basil, olive oil, tomatoes, and sausage... Not bad for a gourmet campfire dinner, am I right? And check out what we made for breakfast... cinnamon rolls cooked in hollowed-out orange peels. Yummy! Thanks, Pinterest!</div>
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Monday afternoon came a little too quickly for my liking, but while I drove 7 North back to St. Mike's I reviewed what a great little adventure I'd had. I saw a lot of Rhode Island and made some great new memories, without planning everything out and without spending too much money. Also without getting into any fender-benders, which is a huge victory because I'm pretty scared of Massachusetts drivers. I don't know if it could have gone any better! Except I think it a little crazy that we were right on the ocean and our swim suits stayed dry. But I'll be back, Rhode Island!<br />
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<br />Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-51653723926187161342014-10-10T12:15:00.000-07:002014-10-10T12:15:53.259-07:00Finding Time (and Place) to Unwind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I grew up in a really beautiful area, so whenever I got a bit overwhelmed by the stress of high school I would hop in a car with a few of my friends and we would drive down old unfamiliar back roads listening to music and just looking out the window. For me, driving is a really helpful stress-reliever, but I think a big part of that is just getting away for a little while. I've found this really important in college; since we live, study, learn, eat, and socialize in the same place, it's necessary to escape it occasionally. To put yourself in entirely new surroundings; It's like putting your mind on reset. </div>
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I had a very busy week. I recently started a waitressing job at a little place in Essex, called The Hungry Dutchman. It's going to be a fun little gig, but starting a new job is always a bit stressful because there is so much to learn and so many little business quirks to get accustomed to. I've also been busy selling advertisements for the student newspaper, the Defender, as well as getting my first article published! <a href="http://defender.smcvt.edu/?p=2858">http://defender.smcvt.edu/?p=2858</a> It's cool to read your own writing in the paper, but I guess I didn't really realize how much work reporting is. First you have to find sources, set up interviews, interview, transcribe, decide what to keep, write some actual substance... then the editing process begins! I've also got a really cool project going in my business class. We all have to develop and market a product, sell shares in our company, and ultimately run our own business. After a lot of deliberation, my team finally decided to sell bumper stickers, pink, with part of the proceeds going to a breast cancer foundation. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, so hopefully we will be successful enough to make a profit and contribute something to help finding a cure. The department that I'm majoring in just had a meeting for sophomores where we discussed study abroad, internships, and major requirements, and deadlines. I came out of that meeting pretty overwhelmed. College takes a <b>lot </b>of planning. It's refreshing, because there are opportunities waiting for you everywhere you look! But it's critical to stay on top of things and be thinking and planning for the next semester, the next year, the next couple years. And it gets a little stressful when you're not exactly sure what it is that you want to do. </div>
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So even though I had several post-it notes worth of things on my to-do list, I managed to find the time to get in my car and drive a little. And I am <i>so, so</i> glad that I did. I drove east to Stowe and up to Smuggler's Notch State Forest, where the fall colors were so bright one could almost go blind. I drove up through Smuggler's Notch very slowly on a very narrow and windy road where the tree branches hung above the car like a canopy. Photographers and leaf-gawkers were sprinkled around the sides of the road and I too couldn't help pulling over several times to take photos and walk around. I hiked a mile or two onto the Sterling Pond trail, happy in my brand new L.L. Bean boots. I crawled into one of the "Smuggler's" caves. I sat on a bench and just looked at the incredible colors mixed with the mountain views. Let me tell you: This is <i>so</i> much better than an afternoon with Netflix!!</div>
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<br />Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-27672472049446591032014-09-29T13:52:00.001-07:002014-09-29T13:52:44.851-07:00Camel's Hump Hike<br />
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I went on the best little adventure this weekend. Let me tell you about it. </div>
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9:00am on a Sunday morning is probably the equivalent of 5:00am on a Monday for a college kid, but sometimes getting up early makes the day seem hours longer. And that is a wonderful thing, when the weather is this incredible. Loading our backpacks with granola bars and bottles of water, we took off from St. Mike's at 9:30 in my friend's Subaru Forester and headed down the highway listening to old rock on the stereo. Getting a little lost on the way, in a place with no cell phone reception, actually seemed to add to the mood of the trip. We poured over a road atlas and stopped to chat with an old biker man on the street. When we finally found Camel's Hump Road, about an hour later, we were pleased to find out that it was a curvy dirt road with beautiful views of the mountains, meandering creeks, and vibrant colors. </div>
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I didn't really know what I was getting into when I got out of the car and we began the hike. A week before I left for school, a few friends and I hiked up the tallest peak in Minnesota, Eagle Mountain. Eagle Mountain has an elevation of 2,300 feet. Camel's Hump, what we were embarking on, has an elevation of 4,081 feet, almost double that. And I sure felt it! It took me more than a few water breaks to make it to the top. There sure is something to be said for eating a big nutritious breakfast before adventuring. And lots of water. Camel's Hump is not for the faint of heart. </div>
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But the pay-off is absolutely and 100% worth it, especially during peak colors season! I swear I could have stayed up there all day. It was the perfect temperature, and just 360 degrees of breathtaking views. There were many people at the top; families, dogs, backpackers, picnickers. It was fun to see so many people out and enjoying the beautiful outdoors without their cell phones. </div>
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The Camel's Hump summit is just one of the many beautiful and notable Vermont places to conquer. I am checking them off my list slowly. The weather is so comfortable and the colors so beautiful, I really and truly am having a hard time going to class!! But that's what weekends and afternoons are for. And now, with a free coffee from Dunk's (It's National Coffee Day), I should get back to my endless accounting homework so I can get on with planning <i>next</i> Sunday's adventure. :) </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-53684749689750546432014-09-21T13:23:00.000-07:002014-09-21T13:23:32.146-07:00Parent's Weekend <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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As I write this post, it is sunny and 75 and everyone is outside, holding on tight to the very last bit of summer weather. It's been cold this week, I've even spotted a few parkas dragged from the closet on early mornings, but today is just about perfect. While flip-flops are convenient and shirtless ultimate frisbee is fun to watch, I am officially ready for fall. Dunkin' Donuts has already brought out the pumpkin flavor line, so that can only mean that the bright orange falling leaves are close behind, right? Bring on the flannel, Bean boots, and cozy afternoons after long chilly hikes. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT74ngJ8h02YIgrgYpScsr7BLxdYxryxiM9G-lUq68VTw7CuV_6oQPrZaMAJsW_Z-coaDrBrKs8gkz56PopDvDmblUI7JFgCeq7ePXdNaH1FIk1TZpk0Hvldt04mXUCOUDohWBYv8yXHs/s1600/blogger-image--683280929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT74ngJ8h02YIgrgYpScsr7BLxdYxryxiM9G-lUq68VTw7CuV_6oQPrZaMAJsW_Z-coaDrBrKs8gkz56PopDvDmblUI7JFgCeq7ePXdNaH1FIk1TZpk0Hvldt04mXUCOUDohWBYv8yXHs/s640/blogger-image--683280929.jpg" /></a></div>
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We've got a new addition to Saint Mike's campus, and it's really cool. So cool that two lovely folks even decided to take some wedding pictures near it this weekend. It was really interesting to watch the stone arch go up, and a few of the freshman classes even got to participate in the artistry. What started as a huge pile of rocks is now an intricate design of carefully placed together stones molded into an arch... and no, I'm not sure if anybody has climbed it yet. </div>
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I have been spending a lot of time down at the waterfront in Burlington, which might mean that I am homesick for Lake Superior but it probably just means that we live in a beautiful college city with so much appeal. A lake, mountains and a tasty latte from one of the many quirky cafes down the street? I'll take it. </div>
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On Wednesday I got to see Montreal for the first time, with my second cousin Jon. The Canadian city is less than two hours north of us, but it is a whole different world. I guess I didn't realize how intensely French it was, with all the street signs in a different language and everyone saying <i>Bonjour</i> instead of <i>hello</i>. Jon and I checked out St. John's Oratory, which is the largest church in the world dedicated to St. Joseph, and then filled up on huge burgers at a little Irish pub where the menu was thankfully in English. A burger with peanut butter, whiskey, and barbecue sauce: pretty good! In an effort to both act more European and stay awake for the drive back, we both got a shot of espresso and slowly choked it down while walking down a city street. Before we crossed the border back to the US, I told Montreal that I'd be back soon. </div>
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And for the highlight of the month, guess who decided to show up in the Northeast! My dad drove twentysome hours to spend less than two days with me; what a sweet guy. It was <i>so</i> fun to have him out in Vermont and show him a little bit of what my life out here is like. He filled my dorm room with groceries and I took him out to a bustling American Flatbread for the best pizza in city limits. Thanks Dad! And now I'd better tackle that stack of homework. Sophomore year is proving to be a heck of a lot busier than last year! </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-72922829080894525062014-09-07T13:49:00.001-07:002014-09-07T13:49:43.381-07:00First Week of Sophomore Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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As we all know, the end of August always arrives just like the bottom of the Ben & Jerry's carton. Too soon, with a lot of the best scoops waiting at the end. I had such a wonderful summer with family and friends back in Minnesota, it was a little bittersweet to once again be boarding an airplane heading East. My last week in Grand Marais left me with such gratitude for the place I grew up in and the people I grew up with. When I decided on going to college far away from home, only to return for Christmas visits and summer breaks, I knew that there were going to be moments that would make me second-guess myself, things that I wish I could stick around for. But that's life, right? And to leave your comfort zone is to grow. And there are so many good things for me here, as well. So it's good to be back. And it's been a great first week back at Saint Mike's.</div>
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I got here late Saturday night and could tell right away that it's going to be a busy semester. I am living on North Campus this year, something that I was feeling pretty lukewarm about--but it's kind of great, so far. I like not being on main campus, it feels more independent, and there's certainly a different kind of community up here. Although the shuttle runs pretty frequently, I've become pretty fond of walking the mile or so to main campus and back--though that will surely change once the Vermont winter decides to hit. </div>
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North Campus housing includes Hamel, Purtill, Linehan, and the Ethan Allen apartments. My room is a single on the second floor of Hamel Hall- I didn't get into the suite in Quad I was hoping for, so I ended up with a single in Hamel. It's kind of weird not having a roomie, but it's definitely nice to have my own space too. The second day we were here, a few friends and I went to Goodwill and I found this weathered looking rocking chair for $5 and decided I needed it for my room. Some philosophical fellow shopper caught me admiring it and told me, "Don't look at it for what it is--look at it for what it could be." So we loaded it into the car, scraped off all the old paint, put on a new coat of red, and walla. It's quite comfy!</div>
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My classes this semester are all about business. Business Communcation & Critical Thinking, Financial Accounting, The Legal Environment of Business, and Reporting for Media. Jeez, it sounds like I should be wearing a pantsuit to all of them. I like my schedule so far--though the first week is mostly about syllabus', expectations, introductions, and finding out you have the wrong textbooks. Classes aside, I'm very excited because I interviewed and was hired to be the advertising manager for The Defender, the school paper. Which means it's now my job to reach out to businesses and sell ads every two weeks for the paper. And I get paid on commission. How motivating! I've also filled out a couple job applications for restaurants downtown; it's going to be a busy semester for this girl! </div>
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So happy to see and catch up with my friends from school-- though all these stories of "Summers on the Cape" and "Lifeguarding and Lobster Rolls" make me want to experience a summer on the East Coast. Perhaps that is in my future-- first, I suppose, I should invest in a pair of Sperrys. </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-74539447711092503182014-08-24T12:56:00.001-07:002014-08-24T13:00:22.700-07:00A Note to Freshman<br />
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I remember how thrilled I was to be an incoming freshman. I so agonizingly awaited my registration packet in the mail. I was everyday looking to see who my roommate would be, where I would be living, what classes I got into, what my day schedule looked like. I envisioned how clean and organized and beautiful my dorm room was going to be and how healthy my diet was about to be. Ha. </div>
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Not that I am the Master of All Things College, but I'd like to share a few tidbits of advice for you incoming freshman. After all, I'm one year older (hopefully wiser) and have been through the freshman experience. I read a few of these blogs before I came to college, and I ate up all the advice the upperclassmen wrote, as if it would propel me into a wonderfully smooth and successful college career. Not sure if I can do<em> that</em> for you, but hopefully I can share a few things that might make your transition a tiny bit easier. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my freshman class photo taken a year ago. Aren't we cute? </td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple;">1</span>. Saint Michael's College is not the campus where Animal House was filmed. Nor does it come with dorm room Starbucks delivery. If you have lofty or movie-scene expectations of what college is going to be like, try to leave them at home. When I first came to college, it was pretty different from what I was expecting. Not that that has to be a bad thing- just keep an open mind! :)</div>
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2. If you forgo the lofted bed, definitely get bed risers. You will be able to shove so much extra stuff under your bed. </div>
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3. <strong><span style="color: purple;">Bring a fan.</span></strong> Your room is probably going to get a little too warm. </div>
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4. Command hooks and command strips are going to be your best friend if you're planning to hang stuff on your walls. Stock up at Walmart or Target. </div>
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5. Use your free bus pass to explore the area. It's a really cool place, I promise. Don't get stuck in the "campus bubble" kind of lifestyle. </div>
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6. Go to the midnight barbecues in the quad. Everybody is your friend when it's dark out and you can bond over hot dogs and burgers. </div>
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7. Remember that you're not in high school anymore. And who you were in high school no longer really matters. Try not to have that be the only thing you talk about. </div>
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8. The Orientation icebreakers might seem incredibly awkward at first. But I think you should charge head on. You will certainly regret it if you sit there quietly rolling your eyes or texting your bff from home. Be loose and have fun with it. </div>
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9. Don't be afraid to befriend people who aren't also freshman. The size of St. Mike's makes it really easy to get to know people from any class. Take advantage of that. </div>
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10. Going to the cafeteria by yourself is a "weird kid" thing to do. It just means you're ok with yourself! That said, if you see people sitting alone, it's often a great idea to sit with them and start up a conversation. They could be your next 2am French-fry-binging study buddy. </div>
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11. Participate in things. Sign up for things. Try <span style="color: purple;"><strong>everything</strong>.</span></div>
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12. Be extra nice to the cafeteria workers. They are pretty cool people. And they do so much for us!</div>
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13. Don't mix drinking or partying with social media. Not to sound like a reprimanding parent, but that can so easily come back to bite you. </div>
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14. When you're meeting people, try to have conversations that aren't simply, "What is your name? What is your major? Where are you from?" That's what <strong><span style="color: purple;">everybody</span></strong> small-talks about. Get creative. </div>
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15. Being on your own is such an incredible breath of fresh air! Embrace it. Be responsible, but make sure to have fun too. </div>
<br />Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-41362563218111321702014-04-24T11:25:00.000-07:002014-04-24T11:25:40.074-07:00Easter Break in NYC<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sure I've said this before, but one of my favorite things about St. Mike's is definitely the location. First of all, the Burlington and Winooski area is definitely a Vermont sweet spot--and if you're cool with being behind the wheel for a couple hours, there are so many travel possibilities to check out. I've been blessed this year to have friends willing to have me tag along when they go home for breaks, and that's allowed me to experience so many new places as well as faces. As a really awesome first-year-finale, I got to spend Easter break in New York City. Four amazing days in the Big Apple! I grew up in a town with one stoplight, so spending time in the greatest city in the USA had me pretty much in a constant state of awe. We left on Thursday afternoon, six college kids and numerous bags of junk food crammed in a Ford Explorer. Although it took about six hours, the road trip was fun and driving along Lake George in New York was seriously beautiful. </div>
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I was kind of surprised at how much I enjoyed the Met. We must have spent a couple of hours there, wandering the exhibits and discussing the art like sophisticated adult people that I used to make fun of. The Frank Lloyd Wright room is very cool, as is all the Van Goghs and the famous George Washington Crossing the Delaware painting. The New York Public Library is also super cool- beautiful architecture, magnificent reading rooms. Can you imagine if Durick Library looked like this? Maybe I would study more... </div>
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This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. After having a nice leisurely lunch in front of the water at Battery Park--and by the way, it's absolutely true that NYC bagels truly are the best bagels--we walked along for a while and came to (I don't know what it's officially named) a big patch of land that was transplanted from Ireland. Now, I don't know who decided that it would be a good idea to take a little chunk of land out of Ireland and put it in New York City, but the result is pretty cool. John, Joe, and I walked along the rock wall on "Ireland" and admired the new World Trade One building. It's really a beautiful building, and the memorial waterfalls surrounded by the names of those who lost their lives in 9/11 is a very powerful sight; it makes you take a deep breath, and for me, it took me back to the morning it happened, and where I was when I found about the attack. So, this picture is essentially a photo of World Trade One... viewed from (technically) Ireland. How cool is that??</div>
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And if I'm being honest, one of my favorite things to do in NYC is just get a latte and people watch. We sure saw some interesting things. Here is a photo of some Hare Krishnas signing gibberish in Union Square. </div>
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I was sad to leave the city, but so grateful for the experience and pretty blown away by the place. My freshman year is coming to an end and while it has gone seemingly at light-speed, I have had many opportunities to experience new places on the East coast and I absolutely love that! This weekend is the legendary P-Day at St. Mike's and, having heard to much about it, I can't wait to tell you guys all about "Preparation (Party) Day" and the whole exciting Spring Weekend that SMC has planned for us. </div>
Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-89117414336017854562014-04-15T16:43:00.000-07:002014-04-15T16:43:01.708-07:00Birthday Weekend <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">5K Color Run for the Congo!!</span></div>
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On Saturday, I did a 5K Color Run for women in the Congo. It was three laps on the nature trail behind campus, among mud and roots and people lurking in the trees throwing colorful powder at you. It was the perfect running temperature: cloudy, a bit chilly but just enough so that you don't get too hot. All the racers wore white shirts, and by the time we all finished we were covered in patches of pink, orange, blue, green, and purple (if you spray the shirt in vinegar, iron it, then wash it with cold water, the color will stay on, sort of like tie-dye). There weren't too many participants because it was a rainy day and it was also Earthfest day, but nonetheless a great event to participate in. </div>
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Monday was my 19th birthday. Vermont gave me one of the greatest presents of the day: sunshine and 80 degrees!! Which is a bit of a miracle, considering how today--a day later--it is currently snowing. I really had a great day. I woke up to a few care packages, birthday letters, and a nice vase of flowers sent from my dad. By 1:00 the sun was high in the sky and it was almost <i>hot</i> outside, enough to warrant shorts that had been hibernating under my bed for the long winter. I grabbed some friends and decided that the beautiful weather was a message from the heavens telling us to skip class and head to the beach. So, not to ignore such a message, we hopped in a car with the windows rolled down and headed north to a little sandy beach we discovered last weekend, up right before the bridge to North Hero Island. Although there was still a bit of ice floating on Lake Champlain, we laid towels on the ground and soaked up all the sun that we could. In Vermont, you gotta take what you can get!<br />
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Later on that evening, we headed down to one of my favorite Burlington restaurants, The Skinny Pancake, for crepes. I had the Strawberry Short Crepe, as it was similar to what my mom usually makes me for my big day. This was my first birthday that I spent away from my family, and it made me a little homesick. But I'm thankful for all the friends who helped me celebrate!</div>
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It's crazy to look at a calendar and see how little time is left in the school year. It makes me wish spring had decided to show up earlier. When the sun is out and everyone is out on the green, relaxing and reading and kicking soccer balls and tossing frisbees and playing guitars and hacky sack and football and everything else you can imagine that we do for fun around here, I get reminded why college is such a darn nice place to be! </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-72159683784076894842014-04-09T17:41:00.000-07:002014-04-09T17:41:02.141-07:00The Quad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Freshman: Pick a hall, any hall!</div>
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If you are an incoming freshman, you will quickly become accustomed to these four buildings, which make up what we call "The Quad": Lyons, Joyce, Ryan, and Alumni. With the new development of the Dion Student Center, the four buildings are linked in the middle, making it so that when it is 20 below and windy outside you can get to your friend's dorm for an emergency Chinese date without having step outside into New England's Antarctica. You can also get a quick bagel and coffee from Einsteins without even changing out of your PJ's or putting on shoes, because it's a short inside walk from all rooms in the quad. Maybe this makes us lazy; maybe this makes us efficient. The quad is <i>where it's at</i>; it's one of the best locations on campus because it's so close to everything you need. The academic buildings, Alliot (the dining hall) the library, and the gym are all a short walk. Ryan, Lyon, Joyce, and Alumni are pretty similar in both exterior and interior. Each have laundry facilities in the basement and are made up of doubles, singles, and a rare triple or two. The mailroom is in located in Joyce, and Health Services is in Alumni.</div>
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I live on the second floor of Ryan. My floor is composed of all girls, and we have the only lounge in the building. Ryan is the closest residence hall to the tennis courts and the the Media Studies, Journalism, and Digital Arts building, Bergeron. It's also the oldest building in the quad, and there have been rumors of remodeling in the near future. The photos of the left are of my room, taken just before my roommate and I moved in (it is much more decorated now... but the outdated pictures are due to the fact that we have reached a point in the semester where organization and room cleanliness aren't too high on our priority lists). The rooms all have closets with doors, but unlike the other three, they do not have shelves. They are all carpeted with one window, and come with a bed, a desk, a chair, and a small dresser. And just in case you were wondering, yes it is absolutely possible to build a blanket fort within the room. The basement of Ryan is what we call <b>The Swamp</b>. You'll see a photo of it below. Mostly upperclassman live in the Swamp, and while it looks a bit frightening, I promise it's not that bad. The rooms down there are more spacious and have higher ceilings.<br />
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The below photos are of Joyce and Lyons (the photos were taken this fall--it's not quite that summery here yet). The interior of these buildings are pretty similar to Ryan, except they have different closets and shelved walls. One of my favorite parts of the quad is the grass space between Joyce and Lyon; dotted with picnic tables, slacklines, and frisbee groups, it's kind of the freshman domain. This afternoon, there was even a band playing out there, which seemed to act as an announcement: <b>Everybody, get off Netflix and out into this beautiful springtime sunshine!!</b></div>
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The Quad is used cheifly to house all freshman, but some sophomores and upperclassmen reside here as well. At the center of campus, it's the perfect location for those that are new to St. Mike's, and those that are new to the whole college experience. I love the spindly vines that grow up the brick walls; we sure don't have that in Minnesota. Conclusion: The Quad is a great place to start!</div>
Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-86069047070346723292014-04-03T12:38:00.002-07:002014-04-03T12:38:27.841-07:00No-Expectations Exploring<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcmaSJw7drrhk5JicX2c0h9ebOKEPm4qUK-3hD4FUSSZDFTXKCjBQxRWuFViARr66YhiE1BcZXndQ-o1leZoVXMDJXV6ZbzRh6RqPwmZEMBg2HvMIZxbaowMEtBLtfsZEUwBRkF3KxDc/s1600/20140401_185907139_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcmaSJw7drrhk5JicX2c0h9ebOKEPm4qUK-3hD4FUSSZDFTXKCjBQxRWuFViARr66YhiE1BcZXndQ-o1leZoVXMDJXV6ZbzRh6RqPwmZEMBg2HvMIZxbaowMEtBLtfsZEUwBRkF3KxDc/s1600/20140401_185907139_iOS.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a>Tuesday afternoons are beautiful to me: with only one morning class, I'm usually left with a wide-open afternoon, which I usually use to hop on the bus and explore someplace new. I like to walk around Burlington, South Burlington, or Shelburne, dipping into little shops, finding nature trails, sampling interesting bakeries or finding a new lunch place. But this Tuesday left me with a new predicament: with the Chittinden County bus drivers all on strike, I was constrained to wherever I could get to on foot. But it was beautiful and sunny and finally felt vaguely springy outside, so I pulled on a fleece and my Nikes and walked west down the hill, without any expectations in mind. Which is a mindset that I don't find myself having very frequently, but I think it's pretty cool. April in Vermont apparently means unpredictable weather and a plethora of mud, but the springtime sun on your face sure feels good.<br />
So, I found a really cool coffee shop. I know, that's pretty cliche college-kid of me, but so what. It was tucked in a little corner of a building, with floor-to-ceiling windows that just flooded sunlight. I had a iced maple-vanilla latte and sat down with the book 'The Help', but I found myself looking out the window more than the book. Someone walked by toting three tall and regal-looking greyhounds--I surmised that they were triplets, and they probably had their own bedroom in the owner's house. Vermont's a state for dog-lovers. <br />
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This is a photo from a little road trip I took with my friend John this Saturday. We didn't know where we wanted to go, just started the car and followed some signs. We walked around Middlebury College (very pretty--the white and grey buildings are refreshing in contrast to all of our red-brick ones), crossed a very cool bridge over to upstate New York, explored Crown Point, and checked out Ticonderoga (but I still don't know if that's where they make the pencils). There is so much to explore out here, and I'm so thankful for my friends with cars--especially, the ones who put up with my DJ'ing. Road tripping is one of my favorite things in the world.<br />
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Anyway, on with the busy-ness of the week-- registration, advising meetings, figuring out housing for next year, exams. Amid all the things that fill up a college student's schedule, it's important to take some time away to explore or just get some sunshine, without any plans or expectations.Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-63878433982934866362014-03-27T13:20:00.000-07:002014-03-27T13:20:14.977-07:00Spring BreakIt didn't really hit me that spring break was officially over until I spent five long hours in the Washington-Dulles airport because it was snowing and they had to de-ice all the planes, resulting in four consecutive plane delays and a very tired Cecilia. I had spent the past five days in beautiful Sun City Arizona, where it was 80 degrees everyday and the oranges just fell off the trees. I'm not going to lie, when I got back to Saint Mike's I was pretty somber to put my flip flops back in the closet. But what a wonderful spring break I had!<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskO1ItdsmDw8zlIZV4N_-YvzC39Y-hr4BvC8jZoC9HY8LWrSnK_qY5Q6gCXqTBn_R0h3gXIbEjdBNKKwGRhFA1cA8ww9DlgKSQkul2p1SLR8Z0Diue6VuRsDR0Ohti4E-pgtWquYJCTo/s1600/IMG_8509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskO1ItdsmDw8zlIZV4N_-YvzC39Y-hr4BvC8jZoC9HY8LWrSnK_qY5Q6gCXqTBn_R0h3gXIbEjdBNKKwGRhFA1cA8ww9DlgKSQkul2p1SLR8Z0Diue6VuRsDR0Ohti4E-pgtWquYJCTo/s1600/IMG_8509.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG97300Lgzb3QKk0e7-gIaX9FD-qsizRd-fZcVPrT7Sle63q5ONn0wnE6VoQLBlTUEsG4BIWxZ3LgV4P1XtYVVwiOjTTJB5k78ZH171NRFpi1Buy8zGm6q0gKjCbeziIZYICDXJtNRWs/s1600/IMG_8496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG97300Lgzb3QKk0e7-gIaX9FD-qsizRd-fZcVPrT7Sle63q5ONn0wnE6VoQLBlTUEsG4BIWxZ3LgV4P1XtYVVwiOjTTJB5k78ZH171NRFpi1Buy8zGm6q0gKjCbeziIZYICDXJtNRWs/s1600/IMG_8496.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a>My friends Emma and Kylian invited me to spend some time in Boston with them, and I was super excited at the opportunity to see Beantown for the first time. I spent three days seeing the sites downtown, and two days checking out the beautiful little towns on the north shore. Had my first cannoli at the famous Mike's Pastries in the North End, hung out at Harvard and pretended I was an Ivy Leaguer, watched some seriously talented street performers and walked through Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, rode many packed and smelly subways. I liked Boston but decided I was more of a small-town girl; I really enjoyed exploring Marblehead, Salem, and Nahant. We did a "neck run" in Marblehead, which is when you drive through the streets looking at all the beautiful and humongous beachside houses (they go from super expensive to insanely grandiose), and then climbed on the rocks by the lighthouse. In Salem we walked the pier at Salem Willows and wished that it was summer so we could go swimming at the beach, but smiled when the sun began to go down into a creamy sherbet Atlantic Ocean sunset. We got caramels and massive peanut butter cups at a cute little chocolate shop, and walked the brick streets of Salem, stepping into a few of the many witchcraft shops. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Wednesday I woke up early to get to Boston-Logan and fly out to Phoenix, Arizona. My grandparents live there in the winter and invited me to come down to get out of the New England eternal winter. So I spent the next five days in Paradise! Spent everyday under the sun, swimming, playing tennis, reading, and just relaxing. It was absolutely perfect. I love spending time with my grandparents, and now that I'm in college it's really fun to discuss what I'm learning with them. On Sunday night my mom, little brother, three cousins and aunt flew down and we got to spend Monday together. It was such a good time and I was pretty dang sad when it had to come to an end. But there's much to look forward to! Five more weeks of school, and summer is on the way. Full speed ahead!<br />
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-53919356247616006352014-03-13T15:42:00.000-07:002014-03-13T15:46:27.611-07:00Snow Day at SMC<div style="text-align: center;">
They said it would never happen. They said it was a once in a blue moon occurrence, that we shouldn't hope for it because we would inevitably be disappointed. They said "keep dreaming". They said that it wouldn't make sense, that we are a 100% residential campus and can trudge through anything. They told me that in my four years here, St. Mike's would never call a snow day. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">They were wrong.</span></b> </div>
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This morning I woke up to a text alert and and email from the Vice President saying "We've decided to take it easy on you all. It's too dang cold, there's so much snow and wind that it blinds your eyes when you try to walk to class, and we love you too much to have you suffer. Take the time to sip hot cocoa made in your grimy dorm room microwaves and bash Mother Nature for giving us a huge snow storm two days from spring break. Happy snow day, people." </div>
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Ok; I fabricated a little. What it actually said was "Due to weather conditions, SMC will delay opening until 11am this morning." But hey, it's enough for me!! I'm calling it a snow day. Thanks to last night's Nor'Easter (that's what they call it out here, right?) I was able to get back in my warm and cozy bed, shut off my increasingly irritating alarm, and then have a leisurely breakfast, which at this point in the semester is much preferred over debating the politics of George Orwell's dystopia in the novel 1984 while starving for some real food and pretending to think of something other than how comfortable your bed is.</div>
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So, hallelujah for weather delays, but I am 100% ready to trade my Sorels for flip flops and be able to walk around with my camera without my digits freezing and falling off into the snow drifts. But thanks to a beautiful little thing we call Spring Break, I will soon be able to feel the sunshine on my face again. This coming week is going to be one for the books; I'm heading to Boston for four days, then I fly off to Phoenix for the remainder of the break. I'm psyched to get my first taste of Beantown, and the fact that I'll be there during St. Patty's day will make it all the more exciting (everyone tells me St. Patrick's Day is THE DAY in Boston). And I so, so can't wait to bust out my swimsuit in Arizona and spend some much-awaited family time with my grandparents, mom, brother, cousins, and aunt. And hey, hopefully when I get back my skin won't be the same color as all the snow on the ground.</div>
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Best wishes for a safe and wonderful fun spring break, everyone! </div>
Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-60374294373733960112014-03-03T10:58:00.001-08:002014-03-03T10:58:48.248-08:00Burlington Does Mardi Gras<div style="text-align: center;">
Who knew that a snowy little city in northern Vermont went so hard on Mardi Gras weekend?</div>
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I didn't. To be honest, I wasn't even positive what Mardi Gras was--I've never been in a place that really celebrated it--and was expecting a quiet snowy weekend, not one strewn with beads and beer and celebration. But it was a lot of fun! Every year the Magic Hat Brewing company puts on a huge parade down Main Street in Burlington. There are a ton of food vendors, street performers, a costume contest and photo booth, and bands playing all day. I took a shuttle downtown on Saturday with a couple friends to watch the parade, and we all came back with layers of beads around our necks and pockets stuffed with mini moon-pies and Lake Champlain chocolates. </div>
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We may be 1,589 miles from New Orleans, but Burlington grabs any opportunity to turn a weekend into a celebration. What a great place! </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-26579760463171513172014-02-24T14:55:00.000-08:002014-02-24T14:55:57.896-08:00Cheers to Long WeekendsLong weekends in college are few and far between, so when you get one you've got to grab it by the horns and run with it. Or, however it is that that phrase goes. Unfortunately, I live about 24 hours away from my home (by car) so unlike most of my peers here, I wasn't able to head home and enjoy a long weekend of those small comforts that are special to home... my mom's blueberry scones, my own bed, my cozy little town, Lake Superior, you get the picture. I substituted Alfredo pasta made on a hot plate on the floor in my dorm room for my mom's cooking, and to make up for missing the sight of Lake Superior I went on an afternoon adventure up the Winooski River. So all in all, not so bad. We had Friday off, so a lot of people left either Wednesday or Thursday, leaving campus a little desolate looking, along with an abundance of leftover cookies in Alliot.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm37a6GNW0CgLsQ_jaxenX_26jL1TAI6JL7z8wJDR2ercvoZvuWC12gywwgv9QMPKZ7nRYTaEaxN00aw2SfD_09p8Dy0Uq8E_j6dPhNh0k5ifArasJ23siSqP7pAX6P_xfWuY1pNqgE6M/s1600/20140215_022257347_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm37a6GNW0CgLsQ_jaxenX_26jL1TAI6JL7z8wJDR2ercvoZvuWC12gywwgv9QMPKZ7nRYTaEaxN00aw2SfD_09p8Dy0Uq8E_j6dPhNh0k5ifArasJ23siSqP7pAX6P_xfWuY1pNqgE6M/s1600/20140215_022257347_iOS.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a> The word of the weekend for me was Relax, relax, relax. I had a great three days to unwind and just take time to chill out, and you don't realize how important that is until you take the time to realize how many things you are always working to get done, at college. Papers, reading, jobs, resumes, meetings, clubs, activities, working out, group projects; it's kind of like there's always something that you should be doing, and so a long weekend is a great time to kind of take a pause from that process. <br />
Last weekend, I went down to Burlington City Arts to participate in adult drop-in pottery night. My work-study boss is an instructor there. For $10, you get 2 hours at a pottery wheel, and you get to keep and glaze one piece. It had been a while since I'd been at a pottery wheel and it takes a while to get the hold of it, but I spent just about the full two hours there and was seriously enjoying myself; I mean, I'd be lying if I said I haven't, since then, pondered quitting college to be a potter. Seriously though, I think it's super good for you go to get your hands dirty once in a while and get the creative juices flowing. I love it!<br />
<span style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: center;">This isn't a great shot, but probably even the best of cameras couldn't really portray the beauty of Church Street during the Winter Lights Festival. It's pretty darn magical!</span><br />
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It rained all day Friday, so I was a little bummed out because I had planned a great two days of snowboarding to come, but the sky didn't have the same idea. It turned out being ok, because I spent a very relaxing day reading books at Barnes and Noble (that's what you do when you're in college and too broke to actually buy the books--you just spend the day at the store reading them). I also got to explore South Burlington and Williston a little bit, thanks to my friend Kate and her trusty CRV. On Saturday I explored the tiny town of Winooski on foot (absolutely loving the sun and the 45 degree temperature) , finding a cool little path that led to a cliff and a little section of railroad tracks. So, long relaxing weekend well spent, and I even finished my Philosophy paper in a timely fashion. Thanks, President's Day!</div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-16024012699301223752014-02-17T14:54:00.000-08:002014-02-17T14:54:09.957-08:00On Making the College Decision<div style="text-align: center;">
It took me a long time to decide where to go to college. Everyone and everything seemed to be telling me <i>take your time, it's a big decision, </i>but at the same time there was an enormous pressure to just decide already, to send off the deposit, make the Facebook declaration, start buying clothes in the appropriate school colors. I spent hours and hours pouring over brochures, websites, and books. I talked to numerous college kids that had graduated from my high school, asked them if they were happy, asked them if they ever regretted their decision. I analyzed tuition, programs, size, location. The last was particularly important to me. The majority of my small graduating class went off to colleges throughout Minnesota, but I knew that I wanted something different. I applied in Oregon, in Vermont, in Michigan and almost in Montana and North Carolina. By April of my senior year, I had a list of my options, scratched out and penciled in and side noted and blotched up. Theoretically, I should have been close to a decision to my college decision, really close, I-can-smell-the-greasy-pizza close. But I wasn't. I didn't know where I wanted to go. All I knew was that it was a gigantic, momentous decision and I didn't want to be wrong. </div>
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Mid-April, Saint Michael's offered to pay the travel expenses for me to come visit. Actually setting foot and experiencing the atmosphere of a college campus when you're trying to decide makes a big difference, but I didn't have the money to visit all the places that I was considering. St. Mike's wasn't at the top of my list, but I'm not the type to pass up a travel opportunity; I jumped on the offer right away, booking a flight and a hotel in Burlington. </div>
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Flying over New York City--little did I know this trip would become pretty familiar. </div>
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I got to spend a few days in Burlington. I toured Champlain College, St. Michael's, and my cousin Jon connected me with a girl who goes to UVM, so I actually got to stay in her dorm for a few nights. I walked up and down Church Street and around the Burlington waterfront. I talked with both the tennis and the softball coaches at St. Mike's and I got to sit in on a Media Law & Ethics class, as well as eat in Alliot. My experience touring the campus was great, and because they incorporated a lot of what daily life for a student is like, I got to see what my St. Mike's life really might be like. In the three days that I was in Vermont, I made my decision. It's true that I had a great time visiting, but the money factor also played a big role: Saint Mike's gave me one of the best financial aid packages of all my options, even though it was states away. I came back to Minnesota and declared that when fall came I'd be heading out East to Vermont and attending Saint Michael's College. </div>
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<u>My advice if you're having a hard time deciding:</u></div>
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<b>It's true that it's a huge decision, but it's also true that transferring is always an option.</b> Wherever you end up, you're not locked in for four years; you can leave that decision in the dust, if you just want to.</div>
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<b>Make the decision for yourself, not for anyone else</b>. Where you go to college is about <i>you, </i>and what <i>you </i>want. Let people around you give their two cents, but when it all comes down to it, listen to yourself more than anyone else. </div>
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<b>Be in touch with people at the colleges you're considering. </b>If I hadn't been in touch with the admissions folks at St. Mike's, I may have missed the opportunity to visit. And then, who knows where I could be. Reaching out to current students as well as admissions people can be a lot of help to you. </div>
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<b>If you can, visit campus.</b> This is something you're going to hear from everybody, so I won't explain. But besides doing a tour, see if you can sit in on a class. </div>
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<b>Stay excited about it.</b> The college search/admissions process can be long, tiresome, boring, and seemingly never-ending. But don't let yourself forget how exciting the next step will be. </div>
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Yesterday had me pretty dang happy that I chose Vermont!</div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-90514757458649787522014-02-11T11:36:00.000-08:002014-02-11T11:36:12.277-08:00Ski the East<div style="text-align: center;">
As a snowboarder, one of the temptations of coming to St. Mike's was the $65 season-long ski pass to one of the local mountains, Smuggler's Notch. Just to reinforce what a fabulous deal that is, I looked up a regular adult pass to the resort: $529. We get to ski all winter long for a price less than that of a day pass. Not only that, though; we also get access to the hot tubs at the resort. I mean c'mon...what more could a college kid want?</div>
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Last Saturday I got my first taste of skiing out East. My snowboard has seen the likes of Midwestern mountains such as Lutsen, Bridger Bowl, Big Sky, and Moonlight Basin, but never before had it crossed into the Eastern Time Zone. I was curious and excited to compare conditions, elevations, glades. So I woke up early on a Saturday--and that's probably close to the equivalent of running a marathon, for those of you who have never lived on a college campus--and pulled on my Smartwools, lugged my snowboard through the dorm hallway, and went to wake up my friends on Joyce 4th. Saint Mike's runs a shuttle to Smuggs and back on the weekends, but if you have friends with cars it opens up the option for a morning coffee McD's run, so mooching rides is the better choice. Also, racing Subarus through the mountains is truly a unique Vermont experience that needs to be had. </div>
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Smuggs was a great time. The lift lines were a little longer than my allotted patience for the day, but the sun and new snow was probably to blame for that. I was pleasantly surprised by my first snowboarding experience out here. I had heard many times that Skiing the East means Skiing the Ice, but it wasn't so icy that it became a nuisance. It's a lot different than skiing Montana because you're not plowing through loads of powder, and there are less tree runs. But people go a lot faster and the terrain parks are more established and used. It's also great because you can ski right to the parking lot, right up to your car. </div>
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This weekend I got another opportunity to experience Vermont skiing, and loved it even more. I went on a Catholic ski retreat with a big group of UVM, Champlain, and Norwich kids. We gathered at UVM on Friday afternoon, filled a pickup truck with piles of skis, boards, poles, and duffels, then drove a couple hours out to the North East Kingdom of Vermont, which is the corner of the state nearby New Hampshire. We stayed in the Wildflower Inn, an incredibly picturesque group of cabins set in a valley with great sunsets and towering trees.</div>
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Saturday and Sunday, after fueling up with delicious omelets and Belgian Waffles (also, I learned a new Vermont trick--maple syrup in coffee) we spent at Burke Mountain, which was only a five minute drive from the Inn. Burke was amazing. We had sun, fresh snow, almost no lift lines, and the best company. The lodge was a huge, comfortable old log building with couches and huge windows and heaters to thaw out our toes during the PBJ break. </div>
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The evenings we spent playing games in the cozy Inn (the hat game--a crazy version of Charades), telling stories, and just getting a relaxing much-needed break from the crazy hustle and bustle of college life. We went to mass together at the chapel in Lyndonville and afterwards got some time to ourselves to reflect. I met a lot of new friends and had an amazing time skiing Burke... didn't want to come back! Of course, you can't drive past Montpelier without stopping for maple creemees at Bragg Farm, so the grand finale of our trip was 20 college kids crowding around a woodstove in a cute little Vermont country store, licking maple creemees and laughing at the memories of the weekend. One of the best weekends yet!</div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-84170497025232416552014-02-01T16:02:00.001-08:002014-02-01T16:02:36.623-08:00Mt. Philo Excursion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Weeks in the life of an undergrad seem to pass by quickly and slowly at the same time. When we're waking up on Monday morning--regardless of what time it is, it's <i>too early</i>--the weekend is so far away, we've got to squint to see it. But when it's finally Saturday and the waffles are piled high in Alliot, it seems as though the week passed by with a turn of the head. It's already our third week back; three more and we've got a long weekend to look forward to. Time flies, homework stacks. Weekends are so, so necessary.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFRNJVQFSRH5E8hw20wPZWN8RRpjDqdC8ZkoBkndCK51RStGfmmr63bN0KlrN_BXQLW0U-KsV5q4NLWLv-PBNHPKdqefh0xYxbDRMV27uLOmsRRkt-dik3HEAOlfPyG4HvzRugRbLzwY/s1600/IMG_8166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFRNJVQFSRH5E8hw20wPZWN8RRpjDqdC8ZkoBkndCK51RStGfmmr63bN0KlrN_BXQLW0U-KsV5q4NLWLv-PBNHPKdqefh0xYxbDRMV27uLOmsRRkt-dik3HEAOlfPyG4HvzRugRbLzwY/s1600/IMG_8166.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a> I've tried to find a different adventure each weekend. Vermont is filled with them, you know. Last Saturday I dragged some friends with me to Mt. Philo State Park. My cousin Jon told me it was a great little hike with a good view of Lake Champlain. The conventional path was a little too long and leisurely, so I decided it would be best for us to go straight up. There was a bit of mountain climbing (and falling, and shrieking, and grabbing on to tree roots for dear life) involved, and I'm lucky my friends are such troopers.<br />
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All in all, it was a great little hike and we even got to catch the sun going down at the bottom. In my opinion, it's crucial to get off campus at <i>least</i> once during the week. No matter how much reading there is to do, papers to write, laundry to wash, or work there is to do, a breath of fresh air and new places does the body and mind so much good! We live in one of the best college towns in the country, in a state draped in adventures waiting to happen. It's exciting. </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-33762462213707776822014-01-21T16:43:00.000-08:002014-01-21T16:43:43.351-08:00Spring Semester, Ready Set Go!<div style="text-align: center;">
Coming back from winter break in college is a lot different than coming back from winter break in high school. Not only is it a new year for us, but it is a new semester, bringing along with it new classes, new friends, new professors, and new experiences (and also, much to our bank account's dismay, a huge new stack of overpriced textbooks). The one thing that hasn't changed from high school is the prevalence of runny noses after break.</div>
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I had a beyond wonderful winter break back home, though as I think back, it seemed to last about seven seconds. I spent a weekend at St. Olaf College with my friend Ben, where we pulled an iconic college move and stole lunch trays from the caf, sledding down the hill by Old Main in the moonlight. I spent numerous afternoons reading in front of a cozy fireplace with my dog Ed and a cup of tea. I got to spend Christmas with both sides of my family, and felt so old when I would accidentally remark about how big my younger cousins were getting. I talked endlessly with my high school friends, comparing our college experiences and relishing each others' comfortable company. And I got to enjoy a few brunches and dinners with my family all under the same roof. With my older brother living in Montana and me in Vermont, all of us being together is rare and all the more fun. I rang in the new year with a black-tie dinner party with my best friends, and now I'm back in Vermont--still, of course, writing 2013 in the corner of my papers. One thing that I welcomed with open arms upon coming back to college was the current 40 degree temperatures.... in Minnesota, we had endured one of the coldest Decembers I remember, routinely being -30 outside, sometimes with a -50 windchill. Yikes!</div>
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I got to catch a nice last Lake Superior sunset before I came back. The Big Lake will never get old!</div>
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The first few days back on campus were balmy 30 degrees-ers, and there was a lot more visible grass than snow, making me wonder if I accidentally returned in April instead of January. But today I woke up to a white covered ground, and it's been snowing pretty steadily every since. I no longer second-guess lugging my snowboard bag along with me. Hopefully, I will have my first experience at Smuggler's Notch this weekend!</div>
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It's pretty dang exciting to come back to school with a whole new schedule. It makes it all seem so fresh. I've never been too comfortable with routine, so I'm very happy with all new classes and time slots, even if it means waking up for the dreaded 8am class. Which, actually, I love. The classes I'm taking this semester are Digital Media, Self and World, Intro to Politics, and Intro to Multimedia Computing. I bought a whopping total of fourteen books, which are currently propped up on my messy desk like a Jenga game. And I have a few friends who brought their cars to campus for the new semester, so that means there will be more exploring Vermont, which I am definitely psyched for.</div>
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All in all, I am very excited to see what my first spring semester has in store for me!</div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-48841458369315653302013-10-28T17:56:00.001-07:002013-10-28T17:56:25.534-07:00Saint Mike's Kids Love Halloween<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple days ago a friend asked me what I was going to be for Halloween. I shrugged and said I'd think about it, not really intending to. I've dressed up as everything from a bunch of grapes to a nun, but I assumed that the costume-donning kind of hit a low at college. Boy, I was wrong!!</div>
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I'll give you a tip. The best go-to costume is definitely a lumberjack, because around here, flannels are pretty much a staple in everyone's wardrobe. The second best is a sober college student. Neither requires dressing up, or time, or money, but will be regarded at least once as LAME SAUCE. So, be prepared. </div>
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There are a lot of activities around Halloween, like a dance, haunted houses, pumpkin carving. I know some kids who are even going trick-or-treating, though I'm not sure how Burlington-ers feel about 19-year olds asking for candy. I guess we'll see! On Sunday we went to the Harvest Fest and slurped some soup while watching a band rock out. Harvest Fest was sponsored by Green Up and was definitely a good (and tasty) time!</div>
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Halloween comes at a <i>perfect</i> time... IT'S MIDTERM CENTRAL AROUND HERE! First of all, the intensity of midterms is something I never experienced in high school. To give you an idea, it's not odd at all to take advantage of the fact that the library is open till 1am. Second of all, it means that we've come to the halfway point of our first semester! Which is weird... I'm already a quarter way through my freshman year!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1oKu1F3h2DzYsrhNwkUwT4FcKABgq5BjN5AtMdMHdMnFAh9-909Wn5bj4id3lVsQYVuCcXxuRusQYRIKWbdXVG9RdJD6fJm6PSDShBkZDsZhuI04cg0KTO_XV37HQNh0pOdBlw_ZDt4/s1600/2013-10-28T20-18-22_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1oKu1F3h2DzYsrhNwkUwT4FcKABgq5BjN5AtMdMHdMnFAh9-909Wn5bj4id3lVsQYVuCcXxuRusQYRIKWbdXVG9RdJD6fJm6PSDShBkZDsZhuI04cg0KTO_XV37HQNh0pOdBlw_ZDt4/s640/2013-10-28T20-18-22_4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I like my classes, and I feel like I'm really <i>learning,</i> contrary to a lot of high school, where we would just sit and count how many times the teacher said "um" during a lecture.<i> </i>During break, I had a long conversation with my mom and grandma about religion. Like, if Jesus was Jewish why aren't Christians, who are followers of Jesus, Jewish? In my Christianity Past & Present class I've learned so many interesting things about the origins of biblical stories, and where the beliefs we have today came from. It makes me sound intelligent in conversation, if nothing else!</div>
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In my media revolution class we've been analyzing the effect that the media has on our society. Something I found amazing is that in Fiji, being "large" used to be good, it was sort of like a status symbol for being prosperous. Television wasn't introduced in Fiji until the 90's, but just three years after it was, people already had eating disorders. This is pretty disgusting/scary/strange, right?</div>
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And in my first year seminar, Fly Fishing, we are reading the famous novella "A River Runs Through It" by Normal Maclean. It's a great read, and soon we'll watch the movie... which I'm excited for, and not only because it stars a young Brad Pitt. :)</div>
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Well, everyone, I'm wishing you all shining stars on your midterms!!</div>
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<br />Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-44929289729699432752013-10-20T11:14:00.000-07:002013-10-28T14:04:18.062-07:00Friday Night Dry & October Break<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKA2tFXkFUHi33k_vXrbnR5YgvV0w10wLGJTGBa59xBpJaLiH7mDoGqOpTG7lL0vULjRAOuluppgixeaXl6s9sphooufzqhh7Jla73YQUV4HbX3H_dAJzoe2x212qEVT2MWbombMIp7s/s1600/2013-10-15T11-37-08_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKA2tFXkFUHi33k_vXrbnR5YgvV0w10wLGJTGBa59xBpJaLiH7mDoGqOpTG7lL0vULjRAOuluppgixeaXl6s9sphooufzqhh7Jla73YQUV4HbX3H_dAJzoe2x212qEVT2MWbombMIp7s/s400/2013-10-15T11-37-08_5.jpg" width="300" /></a>Last Friday night (can you say that without automatically singing Katy Perry?) we had a really cool campus-wide event called Friday Night Dry. The picture to the left, by the way, is of a twerking competition. There were events in nearly every building, and my friends and I raced between them like little kids trick or treating. After participating in each event you'd earn bright red raffle tickets, which at the end of the night would get you a chance at a bunch of sick prizes like an iHome, St. Mike's apparel, furniture, or an assortment of local restaurant gift certificates, to name just a few. I found myself competing in a life-size board game, crafting a delicious crepe while watching the RA's get pied in the face, losing at trivia, building a tippy gumdrop tower, and crashing into a huge redhead during Twister. My favorite part though, was the talent show in Alliot, where people piled on couches and watched both jokesters and should-be professionals show off their stuff. The whole room swelled when a brave freshman jumped up on the stage and started belting out "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys... Everybody couldn't help but sing along, no matter now ashamed they were to have all the lyrics completely memorized.<br />
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When all the events wrapped up, everyone crammed into the dining hall to eat even more (Freshman 15, comin' right up). They'd ordered a mountain of pizzas and wings, and had fruit, drinks, and cookies set out as well. While we ate we got to see the acapella groups perform for the first time (that is, other than the night that Mikecheck wandered around campus singing Ignition, making us all wonder what R.Kelly was doing in Vermont). They were good! First was the Acabellas, then Sleepless Nights, then Mikecheck. It's interesting to watch... Like, how do they make all those noises with just their mouths?<br />
I don't know if I want to talk about the raffle, because I'm still quite hurt that I didn't win anything... Just kidding, but there were so many great prizes! My friend won an air mattress, which he immediately set up in our designated scary-movie-watching room... Bring it on Halloween!! After the raffle drawing, we headed to MidKnight Madness, in the gym. We were introduced to the fall sports team and got to watch cool activities by the basketball team, all backdropped by bumpin' beats DJ'd by my friend Chris. Fun night!<br />
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It's a little crazy to see all these prospective students taking tours around here, because wasn't I just doing that? Campus is absolutely beautiful right now, with the trees all different colors, their leaves lazily drifting down to be the crunch underneath your Sperrys. And with the new building just completed and looking awesome, I'd say committing to St. Mike's is as tempting as ever.<br />
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This weekend marked our first real break...October break! It arrived miraculously, amid looming midterms. Everyone in the Quad was buzzing, so excited to be going home. I was lucky enough to be able to actually fly home to Minnesota! After two flight delays and a change, I had an absolutely perfect week home. I went to Valleyscare (a haunted amusement park) with a lot of my friends from high school, and got to spend some wonderful time with my family. So happy!!</div>
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It was SO GREAT to hang out with my family again, I can't even tell you. We spend a fun day in Minneapolis. I had to buy a new jacket because it was much colder than Burlington! </div>
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It's a little strange meeting up with your high school friends after everybody has a couple months of college behind them. Our stories don't all involve each other anymore. But it's fun to hear how different everyone's experiences all are, and we had such a fun time running around Valleyfair from roller coaster to roller coaster, like giddy 12 year old kids. </div>
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So now I'm headed back East! Haven't quite figured out how to phrase it yet... am I going "home", or am I leaving "home"? I guess both, in different senses of the word. Here I come, SMC midterms! Below is a photo of the apples my roomie and I carved one night... too broke to buy pumpkins :)</div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-45719747604804778912013-10-12T08:50:00.000-07:002013-10-12T08:50:02.298-07:00Thursday Morning with Mary<div style="text-align: center;">
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I have a work-study job at the Women's Center on campus, Tuesdays and Thursdays. So, on Thursdays I wake up leisurely at 9:30, stop by Alliot to make a cinnamon and cream cheese bagel and grab some orange juice, pick up the key at Public Safety, and open up the Women's Center at 10. I eat my breakfast on a comfy couch while reading The Defender, the school's weekly newspaper. It has got to be the mellowest job on campus, and my boss, Julia, is really great. I spend most of the time doing homework in the Center, which is an old house on the edge of campus, filled with couches and tea and chill vibes. </div>
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Today, I met Mary Magdalen. Mary is the <i>sweetest</i> old lady and she hobbled in to the Center a bit before the Thursday book club began their meeting. We talked for over a half hour. I told her I was from Minnesota. She told me about her friend Erik (who just passed away) who went to the University of St. Olaf in MN-- where several of my friends go! She met Erik at a spirituality class out East, and they became friends quickly. Erik's dad was the music director at St. Olaf, and Erik must have gotten the music genes, as he had a magical touch with both the harp and the violin. He wanted badly to be a musician, but he had insanely thick glasses and knew he wasn't going to make it big if he didn't look the part. So then, Mary told me, he spent a week shut in his house, practicing his violin and doing eyesight exercises. And when he emerged a week later, he no longer needed the glasses!! <i>Persistence, </i>Mary told me, <i>Persistence is what it takes. </i>He didn't have a car, and Mary (who lived on Long Island) would drive him around the streets of New York, to his gigs. He eventually got world recognition. I've attached a link to one of his songs.. because it's soothing, and because my mom loves the harp!</div>
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Mary gave me tips on how I can maneuver JFK airport in 40 minutes (my connection time next week in NYC... I'm nervous) and what I should get my grandma for her birthday, something Vermontish. Maybe some Cabot cheese, a scarf from farmer's market, and definitely some cider donuts for my gramps! We also talked about the world of journalism, about how it's important to dig up facts, but to always consider the perspectives of the people you discuss. We talked about the power of conversation, about the little connections people make with each other, and how small of a world it really is. It's funny, because you envision college as a world of self-absorbed (rightly so, but still) young adults, but there are so many other connections to make while you're here. I got to spend a sunny Thursday morning with an elderly woman full of stories and advice, and now here I am again, thinking of all the wonderful people I've met and have yet to meet. </div>
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Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3060155050454275217.post-25466358489391705972013-10-08T14:53:00.001-07:002013-10-08T14:53:31.706-07:0048 Days at SMC!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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As of today, I've been at Saint Mike's 48 days. That's 48 mornings of waking up in the small room on the North side of Ryan Hall, and with each sunrise the room feels a little more homey, the walls gradually becoming more colorful and decorated. In the past 48 days I've seen the leaves change from green to orange to red, I've seen strangers go from polite hellos to "WHADDUP!", I've seen dorm rooms go from neat and tidy to atomic bomb sites, and I've seen blank papers become miraculously finished essays in a matter of nighttime hours. So much change happens in the beginning of college. It can be overwhelming and it can be empowering; I guess it just depends on the day. People will tell you that the first semester of college will be the hardest. I can't attest to that yet, as I've only just received my first midterm project. What I <i>can</i> say is that it's a crazy swirl of emotions; handfuls of good times among some hard ones too, all of it so new that you sometimes need a moment just to process it all. Here are a few of those moments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1o0KgQ-UDqKwg2GYsKKzybAPzCiiO-JTuGaYg9pxVkFg3WUnK1lNK495YLtDVOQfJuptGv9JoXW9-5U5_2C20RMv2nr0P-W6mVghnNJyJoUIvfNdSLSGxD4kpvfqFxQIL4dxnp6MHWM/s640/blogger-image-662805334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1o0KgQ-UDqKwg2GYsKKzybAPzCiiO-JTuGaYg9pxVkFg3WUnK1lNK495YLtDVOQfJuptGv9JoXW9-5U5_2C20RMv2nr0P-W6mVghnNJyJoUIvfNdSLSGxD4kpvfqFxQIL4dxnp6MHWM/s640/blogger-image-662805334.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaKYvWYSYsCiyXCTbVURHQ1wdAkCcuZKqthO6f0Tjz3wEJ4Yz-2K0YFkugNrUWwA7LQTfAz522IqLPRh2GvnRbpU2rhkcVulcV-DbSxGefp0eb0S5kfcV39EL_9FTJO0GwWD115lXMDY/s640/blogger-image--1011787692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaKYvWYSYsCiyXCTbVURHQ1wdAkCcuZKqthO6f0Tjz3wEJ4Yz-2K0YFkugNrUWwA7LQTfAz522IqLPRh2GvnRbpU2rhkcVulcV-DbSxGefp0eb0S5kfcV39EL_9FTJO0GwWD115lXMDY/s400/blogger-image--1011787692.jpg" width="300" /></a>The rock garden is one of the coolest places on campus and a good place to unwind and take a stroll through all the random crafted phrases. Sometimes they really catch you. Thank you for sunshine, but also thank you for Orange Leaf... the frozen yogurt place I discovered in Burlington! 24 wonderful different kinds of frozen yogurt-- I chose Wedding Cake, Raspberry, and Mango-- and so many toppings (including fresh fruit!) that your frozen yogurt starts to melt as you try to decide which to choose. Now, to figure out how to <i>not</i> spend all my laundry money here...</div>
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But it sure helps fuel the late-night study rampages! Homework is everywhere; no one escapes. But the last floor just opened up on the new student center, and there are so many new study spaces! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVBS023N8oSyeF7NVjwcoNdHUyGdiNybIZZhg7gd2vjwk1gYya3ctw1WXzB22ydS2lY5fyNJdv5gOQrHY54TpiYnVV67YkA91DB16ayzq0k2lG2Lbyj6dB3o9O8g6OBVzJCuNMpm9oIo/s640/blogger-image-1400593531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVBS023N8oSyeF7NVjwcoNdHUyGdiNybIZZhg7gd2vjwk1gYya3ctw1WXzB22ydS2lY5fyNJdv5gOQrHY54TpiYnVV67YkA91DB16ayzq0k2lG2Lbyj6dB3o9O8g6OBVzJCuNMpm9oIo/s640/blogger-image-1400593531.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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My roomie and I aren't the neatest people, and sometimes we like to spontaneously rearrange... as you can see. Our RA is great, shout out to Jenna!! Last night she made us chocolate oreo pudding and we made stress balls. Hard to hate on Mondays when you're shoveling chocolate pudding into your mouth and having a flour fight.</div>
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And sometimes people, you just need to do wall aerobics.</div>
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Here's to a great 48 first days full of new experiences at Saint Mike's! </div>
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<br />Ceciliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10205738756280819803noreply@blogger.com0