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Senior Summer

Weird.

Next year I’ll be a senior. The majority of my friends will be seniors. I have been blogging since my first year, so those memories are documented and dear to my heart. This senior year, however, is probably going to go by faster than the past three. So, I thought I’d start blogging about it earlier — now, in the summer.

Packing up my belongings in Wheeler was not only other-worldly, it was also bittersweet. Living in a first-year building for three years is rare and people always questioned how I did it. The truth is, it was amazing. It is true that first year RAs have to do a lot, that some nights are crazy loud, and the halls aren’t always the cleanest. However, there is always a sense of joy and the great future of possibilities in those buildings. For most of its residents, that building represents the start of their college career! I got to experience that fresh-faced, beautiful atmosphere three times in a row. I count that as a blessing. Three years on the third floor of Wheeler could not have been more perfect.

Next year, I’ll be living in Figge, one of the senior apartments. I’ll finally be living with my grade again, with my friends down the hall and my peers all around me. It’ll be a transition, seeing as I’ve only ever worked as an RA for first years. However, our Figge staff is fantastic. Though the building will be full of different kind of atmosphere, that same sense of joy and future of possibilities will still surround me — just in an alternative way. I mean, we’re starting the next chapters of our lives in Figge. I can’t even imagine how strange and wonderful it’ll all be.

So this summer, as I snapchat those returning from abroad and those departing for it, as I cry-laughing texting those who I’ll be seeing every day come September, and as I tearfully (and repeatedly) say goodbye to those who have finished their last year on the Hill, I’ll keep this blog updated. Holy Cross gave me memories and family for a lifetime; it feels only right that I share these sentiments with those thinking of coming here as well.
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Springin’ in the Rain

Spring Weekend came and went with the help of a week full of rain! I must say that though the weather wasn’t as sunny as my first year or as humid as last year, this year’s Spring Weekend was still great. Our Spring Concert opened with the winners of this year’s Battle of the Bands, The Nate Chung Project. They were followed by Timeflies and T-Pain. The concert was full and fun, with Timeflies even improvising about Holy Cross and T-Pain singing his heart out. Inflatables, food trucks, and other Campus Activity Board (CAB) events. That ended the first night of Spring Weekend.

Saturday was full of events, like the Easy Street Fair, fireworks, and the Outdoor Edge, which is a campus wide dance that happens twice a year. The fair is hosted by the CAB and the House Council’s of each building — little stations stand in front of each building and students can feel free to stop by each one. There is often caricatures, inflatables, fried Oreos, and more. The fireworks are my favorite event, because it’s adorable to see everyone snuggled next to their best friends on blankets or gazing up at the sky. The Outdoor Edge, however, is probably the most attended and most exciting.

 

On Monday, the club Developing and Educating South Asian Ideologies (DESI) puts on the Holi Festival, which is also known as the festival of colors. Later at night the Kimball Carnival takes place, where fried dough, carnival rides and games are free to all. Though it was rainy, many still made it to enjoy the last day of Spring Weekend.

 

So, the blog take-away is: College can be fun. Or at least, it can be really fun right before we start finals. The fried dough makes it all worth it, right? 

 

 
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Organization Thank Yous

Hey, guys!

Well, it’s happening. My first year here at Holy Cross is slowly, but surely coming to an end.

Projects, presentations, and papers are all due this upcoming week. Everyone is undergoing a period of pressure right now, attempting to stay steadfast until finals. However, once Friday arrives, Spring Weekend begins! That’s why the anticipation for Spring Weekend is so great — something to look forward to.

Sadly, Spring Weekend is not here yet (nor is Jessie J). But Fools on the Hill and CASA are! I wanted to make a thank you post for the organizations I am a part of before the year ends. Both Fools and CASA have been so amazing to be a part of and I am so grateful to be a member of such fantastic organizations.

CASA has given me so many laughs and memories this past year. I began the year as a timid, CASA first-year intern, and now I am ending the year as an imminent CASA Co-Publicist.

My parents are both Jamaican and I grew up in a Caribbean church and community, so joining CASA really eased some my fear of not fitting in at Holy Cross. During set-up for our first campus event, another CASA member and I went off campus to get true, authentic African and Caribbean food. Needless to say, I was overjoyed. We returned with patties, samosas, fried rice, and so much more.

In terms of Fools, I had never been in an a cappella group before Holy Cross, but I am so glad I joined one. Fools has truly helped me adjust to campus. It provided me with comfort during stressful weeks and when I needed to smile, it reminded me that I have hilarious, musically-inclined friends.

Our Fools Senior Show is this Thursday, when we will sing many songs from this past year.

Here are some examples of our 2014/2015 songs:

Ain’t It Fun by Paramore

Fallin’ by Alicia Keys

Blackbird by the Beatles

Stay with Me by Sam Smith

& a Beyonce Medley

Thank you, CASA and Fools, for making my first year on the Hill a great one!

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross has a myriad of incredible organizations. These groups will not only be fun to join, but will also make Holy Cross feel more like home. 

Below: An assortment of Fools Pictures and CASA Culture Night Pictures (shout out to my fellow decorations committee folks)!

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The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music … and Springtime!

Hey, guys!

Looking back at my posts, I realize I totally forgot one amazing thing about Holy Cross — how beautiful it is in the Spring!

Words cannot express how gorgeous it is, but I’ll try. Of course, right now nothing is in full bloom, but it’s sure getting there and it’s surely beautiful.

I mean, the way the sun hits the building Fenwick, the green grass after green grass, and the happy music dancing its way out of dorm windows are just a few examples of how great Spring is here on the Hill.

Honestly, it feels like all students were hibernating during the winter. I don’t remember the last time I saw someone sitting outside on a bench, (perhaps because all the benches were covered in snow)? Also, no one was eating lunch outside, but now that’s all I see. Students lounging on the Hoval grass or sitting on blankets outside of Kimball. It’s glorious!

Another great thing about Spring is Spring Weekend, including the Spring Concert. Spring Weekend is a weekend in May full of festivities. There’s a fair on Easy Street (the street on the right side of Hogan) with all sorts of fun: food, bouncy houses, water games, did I mention food?

Being a first year, I have not experienced the weekend yet, but I’m super excited — especially for the concert. Can you guess who it is? Wait a minute, let me take you there…

Do you get it yet? That was a “Bang, Bang” reference. “Bang, Bang,” the current pop song? The first verse is sung by…Jessie J, our Spring Concert artist this year!

The funny thing about the Spring concert is there is always a list of possible artists given out before the actual one is revealed. Everyone always has different guesses and this year, everyone I knew was convinced it would be Akon. But, alas, the price tag was on Jessie J. Ha. That was another reference. Corny jokes/puns are my specialty.

Tonight, Fools will be doing a Mash-Up of Jessie J’s “Price Tag” and Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” in honor of the concert. Sadly, a lot of our members are sick. It’s like there’s been a domino effect of the flu. Okay, okay. I’m done with the jokes.

So, the blog take-away is: Though I remember reading Katrina’s blog posts about Holy Cross winters, one even entitled “Frozen on the Hill,” I know that Spring will eventually come to this masterpiece of a school. Sorry, had to get one more in. 🙂

Below: 1) Me appreciating the Spring Weather (so excited)!!!  2) My roommate and my shadow enjoying the sunshine on the Hoval grass with some other Holy Cross students. 3) I found a ladybug in the bathroom — Spring has truly sprung!  4) Our Jessie J poster!

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Teen Vogue Weekend

This past weekend I travelled to New York City for a weekend at the Teen Vogue Headquarters. I was accepted into the three-day seminar event called Fashion University, held at the World Trade Center (Condé Nast). It was an incredible experience, one I will always cherish and remember.

That’s another great thing about Holy Cross. It’s only about 2-3 hours away from New York City. It’s totally possible for you and your friends to plan a weekend getaway to the “City That Never Sleeps.”

At the seminars, I met fashion icons such as Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell, Rebecca Minkoff, Adam Selman, and so many more. However, the person I truly wanted to meet was Erika Bearman.

Erika Bearman is the Senior Vice President of Global Communications for Oscar de la Renta. Oscar is and will forever be my favorite fashion designer, may he rest in peace.

So, as you can imagine, I was more than excited to meet her. Moreover, I had recently found out that Erika was actually a graduate of, wait for it…HOLY CROSS.

That’s right. My favorite designer’s PRGirl was a graduate of this very college — I couldn’t wait. However, that morning there was a marathon happening in the city and I arrived late. As I got out of the car, I saw girls toting Oscar de la Renta gift-bags as they left the building. I had missed Erika Bearman.

I returned to my car an hour later and we prepared to enter the perennial NYC traffic. Then, something amazing happened. My sister told me to look out the window and there, on the street, was Erika Bearman.

Of course, I hopped out of the car and went up to her. She was so incredibly kind. She told me she missed Holy Cross and that she remembered how wonderful it is. We talked for a couple more minutes and she agreed to take a selfie with me (I rarely take selfies, so please excuse my super excited, non-filtered face).

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross students go on to do GREAT things in the world and throughout it all, they remain kind and humble. 

Below are some pictures of my weekend at Teen Vogue Fashion University & my selfie with Erika. 🙂

From top to bottom: 1) A beautiful Cinderella-inspired Zac Posen dress. 2) Teen Vogue Editors and Lady Gaga’s stylist, Brandon Maxwell. 3) The aforementioned group utilizing a “selfie-stick.” 4) A rare Katrina selfie! 5) A list of the editors and speakers. 6) Teen Vogue was affiliated with the new live-action Cinderella and so they had a whole room dedicated to the movie. 7) The glass slipper from the movie! 8) My incredible view from the 63rd floor. 8) Gorgeous Edie Parker purses. I love the blue purse that resembles ice in the middle. 9) Second rare Katrina selfie with Erika Bearman.

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Springing back after Spring Break

Spring Break ended this Monday, March 9th and the transition back into Holy Cross was quite complex. Either break caused me to forget how much work I have here on The Hill or professors were simply eager to start teaching again.

First off, my Spring Break was truly great. My roommate and I basically embody the quintessential, Hollywood-esque idea of college — roommates turned best buds who travel to each others’ houses over break. I went down to her hometown for the first few days of Spring Break and it was so much fun, quite different from the kind of city-life I’m used to.

Then, we travelled back up to Connecticut and I got to show her where I grew up. We even got to travel to New York to visit one of our Holy Cross friends. That’s right, Holy Cross students are friends off-campus as well, believe it or not (this was more or less a sentence my roommate wanted me to include and I actually really like it. And you thought I wouldn’t include it).

In any case, once I returned to campus, I had to distance myself from Netflix and buckle down. I had a great amount of homework due, as well as some papers. It felt as if my courses had doubled in intensity. How did I deal with this, you ask?

Well, that’s the thing about The Hill. Even though it seems like the schoolwork is never-ending, the community and atmosphere around campus will keep you sane. Maybe you’ll have friends who will make you cry of laughter when you want to cry of sorrow. Perhaps you’ll find that one professor who really understands your mindset. Heck, Kimball could be serving my, er, I mean your favorite mint chocolate brownies (I promise you, they’ll change how you see the world).

I also had Fools to fall back on as well. No matter my mood, going to rehearsal always makes me happier. Our a cappella group has such a tight bond that it’s impossible to leave feeling anything but ecstatic.

So, the blog take-away is: Here at Holy Cross, you get the whole package. 1) A rigorous, and I do mean rigorous, education. 2) A gorgeous campus. 3) A community so accepting and so welcoming that you can’t help but smile every single day. 

Below Spring Break pictures from left to right: 1 & 2) At the beach and 3) At the Reservoir in New York City

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Frozen on the Hill

Are you freezing? No? That’s cool.

I wouldn’t say I’m freezing, but I’m close to it. Truth be told, Winter is my least favorite season. I absolutely love the gorgeousness of the snow, but I can’t say I love the chilliness or sporadic snowballs here on campus. Honestly, I felt like I was on the set of Sharkboy and Lava Girl walking through mountains of snow.

Maybe you’re like me, someone who isn’t the biggest fan of snow and you’re wondering if you should attend Holy Cross. Let me tell you, it’s definitely worth it. The friends you make here and the professors you meet will make the snow seem as nothing.

HOWEVER, I will encourage you to stock up on Winter clothes. Right now, we are in our second snowstorm. Yes, second snowstorm. Classes were not cancelled this time, either. Please, make sure you bring your Winter boots, Winter coats, gloves, thick pants, and blankets galore.

Anyways, though this weekend was quite chilly, my friends and I went to watch the musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” here at Holy Cross. The cast was absolutely incredible and they received a standing ovation at the end! It was well worth it, regardless of the treacherous walk to the theater (did I mention I don’t like snow)?

I guess what I’m trying to say is that there is still something to do on campus, even if it’s covered in the snow. Last Friday it was Extreme Bingo, which I heard was actually super extreme. Being Frozen on the Hill also means lots of inside parties. I promise you will have something to do if you don’t feel like going out.

Let’s also not forget about the true snowy advantage of going to Holy Cross — SLEDDING. It might be the cliche freshmen thing to do, but it is no doubt a FUN thing to do. I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea (really, snow + Katrina = mayhem), but I’m actually really glad I did it.

So, the blog take-away is: I will get wicked cold up on the Hill, but nevertheless I will make wicked friends, memories, and snow-angels. 

 

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Work on the Hill

My apologies for my absence these past couple weeks! Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday, so I was extremely excited for Thanksgiving Break, even if it meant some time away from the Hill, and I tried to finish all of my work before it.

But alas, I am back and of course, work is back with me. Work becomes a dear friend here on the Hill, one who never leaves your side, a constant companion. In fact, sometimes it feels as if I spend more time with work than I do my other friends. However, it is important to know that work understands that distance makes the heart grow fonder. In other words, make sure you SOCIALIZE and TAKE BREAKS and LEAVE DINAND LIBRARY. Work will understand.

In all seriousness, when you’re happy in your social life, you’ll definitely be motivated to be happy with your class work as well. December break is two weeks away and for Holy Cross students, that means readings, essays, assessments, and the ultimate final exams. It is possible that when you hear the phrase, “there is a lot more work in college than high school,” you might brush it off as a cliche or a tactic used by teachers to get you to buckle down on your assignments. I’m here to tell you — that is a huge understatement.

Clearly, there is a lot more work in college than in high school. As I said, work becomes your best friend. However, there is much more work beyond just your classes. Please, I urge you, to work on getting closer to people in your hall. Please, work on becoming involved in any way you can on campus. Work on finding out what is you want to be remembered for or what it is you want out of your college experience.

Work on making memories and work on getting out. Homework is always important and will always be salient, but homework doesn’t last the same way memories and experiences do. This may all sound really corny, but I believe it’s true. I am in the process of finishing an essay due tomorrow, an essay due Thursday, and an essay due the 11th, but I still make sure I take time to work on getting to know my RA (note the picture of those fantastic sugar cookies we just made in the kitchen)!

So, the blog take-away is: Work will become my best friend here on campus and I will be very devoted to our relationship, but I will not limit my experiences to just work. No, at Holy Cross, I will have experiences in my faith or in an extra-curricular activity or in simply branching out. Here on the Hill, I work on having the best four years of my life. 

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From left to bottom: A sugar cookie I am very proud of made for my friend Victoria, another picture of the insanely delicious sugar cookies my roommate and I helped decorate with our RA, Megan, and lastly the CASA E-board at our November Head-to-Toe Fashion Show.