For Fools

When I was younger, I was kind of the class clown, always trying to get the class to laugh and doing my quirky thang. However, after I was hit with the classic: “yeah…so you’re no longer cool, so we aren’t friends anymore” bit right before high school, I stopped embracing my foolish side.

I came to Holy Cross super shy, super quiet, and super uncomfortable with the idea of making a fool of myself. I tried to be this picture perfect version of myself who made no mistakes and never tripped up the stairs.

One day during my first year here, I was idly painting a clay bowl at a weekend event (let’s bring this back, yes?) and having a very normal conversation with the people sitting at my table. A sophomore guy I had never met before was sitting across from me and he kind of tilted his head as I spoke.

So, naturally, I froze. And then I freaked. I had done all the right things! I had barely talked the entire time, had nodded appropriately, and even smiled when warranted. Why was he staring at me?!

“Do you sing? You sound like you can sing, like an Alicia Keys kind of vibe. You should audition for Fools On The Hill,” he said.

I kind of blacked out from there, because the entire conversation was making me very anxious and I knew I was no Alicia Keys! However, I agreed to audition, thinking that he would forget and I would continue blending in on campus. A week later, though, I saw him in the cafeteria and he told me he couldn’t wait to see me at my audition time.

So, I auditioned. Then, I got in.

Third Foolsapalooza with these beautiful ladies who became beautiful friends

And I slowly remembered how FREEING it is to be FOOLISH. Fools On The Hill was filled with loving, hilarious, talented human beings who made me feel valued every day. We all shared foolish facts about ourselves, without judgement! We sang at the top of our lungs and voice cracks were welcomed! It was refreshing, cleansing even. I remembered that I didn’t have to be wholly put together all the time, that my faults came together to make me who I am.

Cliche? Maybe. But beautiful, nonetheless.

So thank you to this wonderful group, to each and every member over the past four years, for reminding me that it is not foolish to love yourself.

My niece and nephew said they enjoyed the show!

Made some of my closest friends in this group (Lauren Carey ’19)

Friends from home came for my last show.

FOOLS Alum also came back — Jackie (’17) was one of the first friends I made.

One of our flyers from my sophomore year

Will always reflect on our Christmas shows

The a cappella battle is one of my first and fondest memories at Holy Cross

February 28, 2018February 28, 2018

M I D T E R M S

Matthew Silberstein, a student of the Class of 2018 and a superb supervisor, suggested that I write about this topic since Holy Cross does indeed give exams. Here’s the truth: we often don’t reflect on stressful times, because of the whole out of sight, out of mind thing and I guess I’d been doing that a lot on this blog when it comes to midterms.

Senior year, though, calls for a revisit to midterm seasons and the such, as this might be the last time I endure these trying times. That being said, everyone deals with assignments and exams in different ways. What seems like a chill week for me might be a hectic week for someone else. However, I’ve written this with experiences of friends and myself in mind, so it is authentic and hopefully beneficial to all:

Get ahead. Cliche, maybe, but oh so true. If I took the time to get ahead in terms of studying or starting a paper and didn’t wait until the last possible second to begin studying or submit the aforementioned paper, I would be much happier. Also, I could watch that Netflix Original without all the surrounding guilt.
Talk to your professors. Office Hours can seem daunting, even discouraging, but they are especially helpful. Who better to go to with your questions about the course than the person who created it? It seems obvious, but I’ve definitely forgotten this time and time again (I’m looking at you, Bio Midterm).
Don’t forget to eat. To echo the sentiment from #2, this probably seems obvious, but it needs to be said. I’m the kind of person who gets a migraine if I don’t eat for a long period of time and then once I have a migraine, my desire to do any work diminishes for some unclear reason. Moral of the story, always have a snack packed.
Be a human. Maybe you’re thinking, “Okay, so this list has gotten increasingly odd” and perhaps it has, but hear me out. Finals are stressful, stress can cause unhappiness, and unhappy people sometimes get cranky. Be human during these times, because we are probably all overwhelmed. So buy your friend a coffee, don’t leave your stuff overnight on a desk in the library (or at least don’t do this every night), smile encouragingly at someone on the way to Kimball, and if your friend does get cranky, don’t hold it against them. Maybe give them that snack you packed.

Michael DeSantis ’18 cradling his lengthy readings last year.

Photo from left to right: Tessie Salatas ’18 and Matt Silberstein ’18 doing work.

A visual of me (or rather of my foot) in real time in real midterm season.

January 1, 2018January 1, 2018

December and November Recap

So, the year flew by.

Everyone’s saying it. Everyone’s correct. 2017 was a whirlwind.

Semesters always fly by, but my first senior year semester flew first class, private jet plane fast. Like, whoosh.

November

I participated in my favorite theater festival I’ve ever been a part of. The Holy Cross Theater Department is absolutely brilliant. In 2017, I got more involved. And I loved it! I did the Greek Festival during my junior year (the same year I had the honor of being in the musical) and then this semester, I participated in the 5-10 Festival and the One Act Festival.

Our One Act piece was all about body image. Our cast was beautiful, empowering, and encouraging. Here we are below: Alyssa ’18, Adeline ’19, Tanusha ’18 (our director), me, and Eve ’18.

Senior Ball was a blast. My roommate and I love any reason to dress up and senior ball was no exception. It was just nice to see all your friends (and the people you had no idea were even in your grade) come together for a night and take in the year.

December

I actually don’t have much to say about this month, as finals season often erases my memory. However, I do know that my a cappella group this year has become super close and the holiday season was magical. We sang at my favorite event of the year (the Okane Tree Lighting) and had our Christmas Cool Beans performance.

Looking forward to 2018! Last Semester. Legally Blonde the Musical. My friend’s getting married. Graduation. Stay tuned!

October 12, 2017October 12, 2017

October Owls

Seriously, whooo would’ve believed September would fly by fast?

Well, actually, I did. As mentioned in probably every blog post before this, my time at Holy Cross has indeed flown by like an owl flying to catch its prey (prey, in our sense here, is graduation). Not only are we in the second month of the school year, but Homecoming has already passed as well. Yes, Homecoming, when all my once senior friends return and indirectly remind me that my time at Holy Cross is nearing its inevitable end.

The Wheeler Resident Assistant Staff from two years ago is still obsessed with each other. Here some of us are reuniting.

However, it’s not all bitter. As you may have guessed, it’s bittersweet. I’ve already made so many wonderful senior memories in my classes, in Figge, and in different departments. People often make senior year the year of “yes.” People fear missing out, so they say yes to every and any event. My approach is slightly different, but with the same sentiment. Whether it’s going to a professor’s Office Hours for either help or just to catch up or heading out to Boston for a Girls Day with my closest friends, I’ve decided to only say yes to things my soul feels absolutely content with.

Reading a beautiful poem entitled “A Flor e a Náusea,” meaning “The Flower and the Nausea” for the Holy Cross Fossil Free organization. I love attending events I find empowering and essential and I was honored to read at such a special event.
Taken by Anthony Saltarelli ’18

Taking time to stop and reunite with friends I haven’t seen in a while. This was a glorious day and definitely made my soul happy. Ran into so many lovelies.

My sister and a friend of mine flew down to Atlanta for a weekend for a surprise engagement. My soul knew I’d want to be there, even though I still very much had a lot of homework due for when I got back. This is a picture of priorities in action, as my sister and my friend headed out for the night.

Turns out my soul likes to do a lot of things at night. I’ve always been a night owl, but it’s reached a whole new level during my time at Holy Cross. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a good sleep, but I also love being able to have a full, meaningful day (even if that means having a late, late night of work). Holy Cross has always reminded me to see and find God in all things, so even though my schedules can be beyond packed, I can dissect the day to find little moments of peace and contentment. I have no doubt that this ability to discern what I need from what I want, what I think from what I feel, and so on will help me in the long run. Throughout my time on the hill and especially as a senior, I’ve learned that being intentional with my actions can only ever be beneficial.

September 3, 2017September 3, 2017

July & August

Disclaimer: This was written in August, but is being posted now because work is the real deal.

Officially got back home from Jamaica at 3:45AM Friday morning and now all of a sudden I go back to school in four days. To say this summer flew by would be the understatement of this speedy summer. I remember backing up my Wheeler room vividly, so to think I’ll be moving into Figge as a senior seems surreal.

As promised, here is the recap of July and August I will probably tell all of my friends when I see them in a few weeks (and days).

JULY

July consisted of summer camp and getting ready for our upcoming trip. I’ve always loved working with children, as I’ve always been able to put myself back in the mindset of those younger than myself. In other words, I understand the importance of the newest TV musical or the fun in making group pool dances. What I love most about being a counselor is having the opportunity to invest and influence the minds of all of my campers. I have strong memories of my own summer camp experiences, so I hold myself accountable as a counselor.

AUGUST

August consisted mainly of one thing: Jamaica. Whether it was planning for the school opening or for stuffing last minute clothes into our suitcases, we had Jamaica on our mind this entire month. What made this trip so special was that a bunch of our friends and family traveled with us down to the island; my family-friends, church members, and of course my immediate family joined us for an unforgettable trip.

The school we have been dreaming of building for the past seven years is finally open! The ribbon cutting ceremony was beautiful and sweet, a gathering of people determined to sow seeds into the lives of the young children of my mom’s hometown.

We also had a chance to explore the ever beautiful island more than we ever had before. We found the most beautiful beaches and even went bamboo rafting, celebrating a successful foundation. So much love.

Here are some pictures below:

The one room school the 60 children used to go to school in.

The new multiple-room school with indoor plumbing, a cafeteria, and a principal’s office.

Me, one of my longest childhood friends, and my sister’s friend from high school.

July 12, 2017July 12, 2017

May & June

Because the last semester runs to into the summer, May is included in these summer stories. May is the month of both “ugh, final exams” and “ah, it’s finally summer!” This past May was one of the most stressful months of my life and collegiate career, but it was also one of the most eventful. As soon as I got home, my sister reminded me that we had booked a flight to Atlanta…for the next day.

A couple of my friends, my sister, and I went down to Georgia to visit family friends who had moved away. That first night back home, after having unpacked my entire Wheeler dorm for the last time, the last thing I wanted to do was start packing once again. Needless to say, I was not the happiest waking up for that early morning flight.

However, this trip was beyond amazing. Not only did I get to de-stress from quite a grilling and hard semester, but I also got to catch up with my friends from home and explore the beautiful Atlanta. We went to a bunch of different restaurants, reminisced about our childhoods, and even rode bikes at night (I fell a total of three times). It was the trip I didn’t know I needed.

My sister and I with our friends in Atlanta. <3

About two weeks after that, my sister, mother and I traveled down to Jamaica to visit the elementary school we had adopted over five years ago. We have been raising money for the Cove Basic School since my sophomore year of high school and this summer a brand new school building is being made! The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place in August and we are beyond excited for the children to starting learning and growing in their new school! You can follow our efforts on by clicking on the picture of the students below!

The kids of the Cove Basic School in Clarendon Jamaica

We also visited family during the trip. It was wonderful to see my aunt!

Now, in July, I am working at the summer camp I have worked at for the past two years. I work with 8-12 year old girls and our goal this summer is to encourage female empowerment. Both my counselor and I realize these are the ages where bullying, negative self-image, and other adolescent problems arise. We want to do our best to give them the most enjoyable and empowering summer of 2017. It’s already a packed summer, but that just means more memories.

June 6, 2017June 6, 2017

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?

April 11, 2015

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.

March 19, 2015March 19, 2015

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.

February 22, 2015

The Glamour of First Year

It feels as if I just started writing this blog. Yet, my freshman year is already close to complete.

Though cliche, the phrase holds true — time flies when you’re having fun. I doubt that without the great friends and amazing experiences I’ve had here on the Hill the year would have gone by so quickly. I’ve been to so many events, talks, discussions, as well as dances, games, and other colleges.

Just two days ago, about 13 of my friends and I took the Holy Cross shuttles to Boston to celebrate my friend’s 19th birthday. We had planned to ice skate, but Boston suggested otherwise with it’s decreasing temperature and Queen Elsa-esque winds. So instead, we opted for a movie and then dashed to the Cheesecake Factory.

I cannot even begin to describe how great my cheesecake was, but something was even greater. Traveling with my friends, even if only for about an hour in traffic, is now one of my favorite memories. We cracked jokes, sang embarrassingly loud to the bus’ radio, and simply just had ourselves a grand time.

In Boston, we screamed when the intensity of the wind surprised us, laughed when one of us (me) nearly tripped over the sky-high snow piles, and ran as fast as we could to catch the subway. It was incredibly fun and we got to celebrate my friend’s birthday off of campus, which, let’s face it, will eventually seem less glamorous than it did at first.

However, there are still plenty of amazing events back here on The Hill. Last night, Fools on the Hill sang the national anthem at a hockey game and tonight there is a formal Oscars viewing party in Wheeler basement. Hey, maybe the glamour’s not all gone.

So, the blog take-away is: My first year will be one of my best years, but only if I remember to make the most of every opportunity, to spend time with friends, and to simply be a squealing, laughing, celebrating freshman.

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