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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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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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The Hill

Hi, again!

Looks like I’ve got a hectic week ahead of me. Being involved in organizations has proved to be quite the challenge, but ultimately I’m still extremely happy. Nevertheless, with a heavy workload (German research paper due, English paper due, History team assignment due, plus all the additional work) and a heavy organization workload (two new songs for Fools on the Hill, preparation for CASA‘s Head-to-Toe Fashion Show, hosting for Prospectives, and, you know, keeping up with my blog), I feel a bit overwhelmed.

However, the great thing is — Holy Cross knows this. I don’t mean they know that they’re assigning a lot of work (which I’m sure they do know), but I mean they know that we feel overwhelmed and they are there to help. My professors actually like to know what I’m involved in and when I explain that I have/had an extremely busy week or weekend, they understand — but they also want me to understand that I’ve still got to get that work in.

Regardless, I’m happy here on The Hill. I have a fantastic roommate, who watches Netflix with me when I just cannot tolerate another Greek play and belts out Sam Smith songs with me. Moreover, I have fantastic FRIENDS! I had to leave a friend’s birthday get-together early for Fools rehearsal and someone saved me a piece of cake AND party food. This may seem minuscule and minor, but food is a big deal to me – I now deem that person to be especially special.

This blog post was certainly not as focused as my others, but below I wrote a little poem that should sum everything up. 🙂

So the blog take-away is: Life on The Hill can get hectic and life on The Hill can get hard, but life on The Hill I will never discard, for I know every day someone will make me smile and I know in the end it will all be worthwhile. 

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First picture: My hectic November calendar. Second picture: Cheering on the Crusaders at a football game (I honestly do not understand football, but it’s all about team spirit, you know?) Third picture: Walking up from Kimball. I honestly see Holy Cross in this filter 24/7. Fourth picture: Walking from Kimball again, but from a different, beautiful path.