Ready, Set, Go!

HELLOOOOO everyone! 
It has been quite a while since my last blog and MAN haave a lot of things happened! 

Last time I wrote it was finals time, and I am pleased to announce that I survived them!  It was tough to focus in the end because I just wanted to go home and enjoy my break, but I pushed through!  Mercyhurst is really great at finals time because the library is open for extended hours and the Student Government holds fun little study breaks (AKA FREE FOOD) for you to go and relax and take a breather just when you feel like your head might explode.  There is also a little section in the library where you can color pictures to help de-stress and re-focus.  It's cute and fun!

After finals were over, I went home for about 10 days to relax.  I had an AMAZING break full of fun, family, friends, and food (alliteration! haha).  I really really enjoyed my time away from having to worry about papers, due dates, meetings, and responsibilities.  I love Mercyhurst, but there is definitely nothing like being home!  But, of course not everything lasts and I find myself hitting the ground running now that I am back!

Although I had a very enjoyable break, the Mercyhurst community has suffered quite a tragedy.  On Friday, November 19th, a fellow student of mine, Jenni-Lyn Watson, went missing from her home and her body was found a week later.  It is a horrible and indescribable event and I cannot realy wrap my mind around it.  Even though I never knew her personally, it struck close because shewas the same age as me, and she will never get the chance to live out her dreams.  Even though it was a horrible thing, Mercyhurst has really responded in a great way.  They kept the student body informed on the situation regularly through email, and has held prayer services for her.  Last night, they also held a beautiful memorial mass in Christ the King Chapel.  I did not attend but my roommate that did told me it was a wonderful tribute to her too-short life.

Even though I never knew Jenni-Lyn, it is nice to know that the school cares so much about their students.  It is a definite advantage to going to a small school.  They really care about each and every individual that sets foot here and when tragedies occur, it truly brings the campus together as a family.

Although life has been very unfair lately, we must continue to move forward with winter term.  Everyone just had to jump right back into life here.  I had my first class today and so far it seems like it will be an excellent term.  Hopefully this term will improve from here and turn out better than every other term!  Plus,  I LOVEEEEE Christmas time!

FINALS, finally!

Helloooo future Lakers!

So Fall Term 2010 is FINALLY coming to an end!  This has been probably one of the busiest and most stressful terms of my college career and I couldn't be more happy to put it behind me!  Today was the last day of regular classes and it was an amazing feeling leaving classes knowing I am just a few exams away from a lovely Thanksgiving break at home with my family.

Finals are never fun, but this year we get a three day weekend for maximum study time.  I usually don't use all that time for studying (I HATE studying...don't you??) but it is definitely nice to know that I have so much time to go over all my notes and readings to prepare for the exams that will take place on the following Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  I just can't wait for them to be over, though!

This weekend is mostly going to be about studying, but tomorrow I do have a very fun activity.  I am in charge of the decorations committee for an event we host in December called Christmas on Campus, and tomorrow is the first day we will begin decorating the student union with Christmas decorations!  Holiday time is my favorite time of the year and it makes me SO EXCITED to know that we are just around the corner from lights, carols, busy shopping, presents, and cookies! 

Just a few finals and I can officially being the holiday season, but a little secret is that my roommates and I have already started watching Christmas movies! :)  It may be a little early but its a really nice mental break from all the hustle and bustle, paper writing, and studying that typically comes with the end of the term.  I know I haven't done much fun stuff since my last post, but I am SURE that after finals, my life is going to be very exciting!

Happy studying, and Merry Thanksgiving!

A wonderful, wonderful Halloween weekend!

Yummy desserts!

This past weekend was definitely one of my favorite so far this year!  It all started on Thursday evening when Egan Cafeteria had its special Halloween dinner.  Everything was super decorated and spooky looking, and the food was spooky, too!  They served things like mummies on a stick (hot dogs wrapped in croissants), bat wings (chicken wings), and other creepy sounding food that was actually a delicious treat!  There was also a fullll array of really yummy themed desserts!  (see picture!)

My Roomies!

Friday night, my roommate turned 21 at midnight, so we had a fun get-together/game night at our townhouse.  All of our close friends came to celebrate with us and we played Apples to Apples and Jungle Speed (if you haven't played or heard of these games, PLAY THEM because they are VERY VERY funn!)  We decorated our living room with birthday signs and one of the signs we bought was spelled wrong!  It said "HAPPY IBRTHDAY"!  At exactly midnight, we all sang my roommate happy birthday and her parents came over to bring her 21 balloons!  That's a lot of balloons at once!  Then, she had her first drink ever and we all had a really fun night with our good friends.

Saturday was when most of Mercyhurst celebrated the wonderful holiday of Halloween.  This year I didn't really do much for the holiday because my roommates and I all had a lot of homework and we really tired.  But, I did dress up (I was a cheetah, RAWR!) and we just hung out at my house and watched some movies.



A bunch of my friends...and 21 balloons



After my busy and fun-filled weekend, I spent alllllllll of Sunday writing my last huge paper of the term and Monday night I had my first cheerleading practice.  I am going to be sore for a veryyyyy longggggg timeeee!  Not to mention bruised!

But now that the term is winding down to it's last week  and a half (thank goodness!) everyone is busy preparing for final papers, projects, and exams.  The weather is also getting a little colder so bundling up is a necessity!  Hopefully it doesn't start snowing soon!  I will keep you posted :).