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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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Lots to Do

Hey, guys!

So today’s blog post is going to be about, well, a lot of things. This week has been quite interesting up here on the Hill. It was as if every event was happening at the same time. In order to organize my thoughts, I’m just going to give you a list of the many happenings here on campus.

1. Dr. Seuss. Our Dr. Seuss celebration! Today we honored the great author Dr. Seuss, one of my favorite authors (“Greens Eggs and Ham,” “Cat in the Hat,” “Horton Hears A Who,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” anyone)? They had a small display in one of our campus buildings, passing out Swedish fish and assorted fruit made to look like elements from some of Dr. Seuss’ tales.

2. Friendliness. That is something so salient here at Holy Cross. On my way to my last Friday class, I passed four friends. It felt almost surreal saying hi that many times, but that’s how it is here. You will often bump into people you know. Then, after class, I overheard a student giving a confused-looking father and son directions. Holy Cross, everybody.

3. Windows. You’re probably wondering what this one will be about. Well, here at Holy Cross, we like to advertise events on the large Hogan 1 windows. It’s a very intensive process, because one has to write everything backwards. Thankfully, I had my friend Michelle there to help me. Basically, she did the bottom, better half of the window. All I can say is: tears were shed.

4. HUNGER GAMES. That’s right. You heard me. Have you ever dreamed of being a part of the Hunger Games? That dream is becoming a reality here in Wheeler. The entire dorm will be participating in a District 12 version of Assassin. It’s a widely popular event on the campus. Only one will survive. May the odds be ever in your favor?

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross has amazing events, as well as amazing students. Also, the Hunger Games. Need I say anything else? 

Pictures below: 1) The assorted Dr. Seuss items. 2) Cat in the Hat treats (made of strawberries and bananas). 3) Swedish Fish in memory of “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” 4) Dr. Seuss FOOD! 5) Cat in the Hat Cookies! 5) Our CASA Culture Night window, feat. fellow First-Year CASA Intern Linda.

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Winter Wishes

Hello!

Winter is upon on us. As of right now, classes have been cancelled tomorrow due to the imminent blizzard.

Therefore, my fantastic roommate and I have declared today as Netflix Day (I mean, does that not sound calendar-worthy? Stay posted for possible petition). In all seriousness, one should know that “snow days” are rare in college. After all, we are adults.

Beside the fact that I’ll have a day free of classes, I’m also really excited for the scenery. Though I’m not a huge fan of Winter, I am in love with the beauty of snow-covered trees and hills. The Holy Cross campus is especially gorgeous in both Fall and Winter, so there’ll be great photo-ops for all you perspective artsy folk! See beautiful pictures below!

Moreover, cancelled classes really gives me time to rest, because this weekend I participated in Holy Cross’ Dance Marathon. The Dance Marathon is a wonderful event created to support the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation, “a leading organization dedicated to identifying, funding and conducting basic pediatricHIV/AIDS research.”

This year there were about 200 dancers AND we raised a ton of money for the foundation. Oh, and did I mention the marathon is 12 hours? Yes, we started at 8pm and danced until 8am. Needless to say, cancelled classes is like a dream.

Now we relax, dear friends, if only for a little while. Tomorrow is really catch-up day in college terms. We will all be taking it easy, but we will all be studying hard — if that makes any sense.

So the blog take-away is: Winter is going to be brutal, but beautiful on the Hill. It is very, very rare that I will have a snow day, but if I do, then I will declare that day as Netflix Day and support Katrina’s petition. 🙂 

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The week before Fall Break

Not only is FALL my favorite season, but Holy Cross students also have a week-long Fall Break! To say I am excited is truly an understatement. Though I love campus and everything about it (honestly, it’s incredible), I am also quite excited to go home for a bit. Yet, I have heard that once home, all I’ll want is to come back to my second home here. I guess we’ll see!

I am sure you are interested in what campus is like before this short vacation. So, here is your peek of the week before Fall Break.

1. Papers/Midterms. It’s kind of like high school in that sense. You know, when teachers decide to give a million assignments before break. It’s doable, though, because this is college! You’ll have enough free time to get your work done. Hang out with friends and have fun, but remember to finish your work so you’re not cramming before break.

2. Info, info, info. There’s a lot of different activities here on campus, so you’ll be getting a ton of emails about things you can get involved with. Also, emails about shuttles are essential to read. Tomorrow, I am taking a shuttle to New York, which is very convenient for me. So, though you may get a thousand of them, you should read your emails.

3. Celebrations. People are excited to go home or to basically have a stress-free week on campus. Some of my friends are staying at Holy Cross this week, which I think could actually be very fun. Campus to yourself and you get a chance to meet some people you probably wouldn’t during a regular, busy week (like football athletes, perhaps?)

There is your overview of the week before Fall Break!

So, the blog take-away is: Though I will be sad to leave such a fantastic and unique campus, I will also have the great opportunity to go home during October. However, this means I’ve got to get my homework and papers done, study hard for my midterm(s), and make sure I stay focused until Friday. Then, and only then, can I celebrate! 
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The Truth about Holy Cross

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to my blog. If you’re reading this and thinking about coming to Holy Cross, you truly need to read no further – apply. I can honestly say I feel completely at home here. Not only have I made fantastic friends, but I’ve already learned so much. I will risk sounding cliché and say that I truly feel Holy Cross is the perfect college for me.

Okay, I admit that was a pretty quintessential blog beginning, but it’s true! However, you probably want more specifics. Like, what’s the food like? Are there any cool organizations? Will I have any time to sleep or will homework consume my life? Never fear. I have the answers. Granted they may be “freshman” answers, but they are answers none the less. Here is the truth about Holy Cross.

First, the food is quite amazing (I went a little overboard with the curly fries my first week). Don’t worry, though. I’ve heard from many that the “Freshman Fifteen” doesn’t really exist here, which you’ll learn after conquering the everlasting Dinand staircase.

Second, there are so many interesting organizations on campus. Honestly, I felt a bit overwhelmed trying to choose which ones I wanted to join. I feel so comfortable here that I knew I would enjoy being a part of anything Holy Cross has to offer. As of now, I am in a coed a cappella group, in the Caribbean African Student Assemblage (CASA), and I sing during the Inter-Denominational services on Sundays.

Needless to say, I am quite busy at times. Does she even have time for homework? 

The answer is yes. I won’t lie and say the courses are easy or that the workload is light, but it is possible to stay on top of things. Manage your time wisely (and take breaks – they are essential), and I’m sure you will be fine.

That’s it for my first post. I truly hope this was helpful. Talk to you soon!