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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.

 

 
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Senior September

So, we’re here, right? In September. Surprisingly (though it shouldn’t be a surprise after three years on the Hill), it’s already freezing most mornings. I put a good chunk of my winter clothes in my first laundry run of the year.

In other, more relevant news, senior year has begun! Classes are in full swing, everyone is reuniting with friends who were abroad, and seniors are grappling with the fact that this is their last year. Thankfully, I’ve got a great staff on the Figge Hall staff. We gelled right away — something that is quite rare, and there is a level of trust and comfort that is wonderful to see in a staff.

I’ve gone through Resident Assistant (RA) training three times and this summer’s training was definitely one of the best. Being a senior RA is definitely different from my two years as an RA in Wheeler, one of our first-year halls. Everyone is kind of on their own groove as a senior, especially since they have their roommates, a kitchen, a bathroom, and everything else in their apartments. My goal is to still create a warm atmosphere on my hall and in the building so that our last year on the Hill is still welcoming and encouraging.

Excited for this year and grateful for a wonderful staff!

 

This was one of the first days of training. In fact, I think this was the first day.

 

This was the last day of training. <3

 

This was after we found Nemo. There was a training scavenger hunt and the theme of training was Disney.
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Fashion Shows and Appreciation

HI!

I’ve written many posts about the glorious time that is the week before break, but I’m back at it again with a more positive outlook. Sure, this week (this semester, really) has been intense with work and activities, but as I always emphasize, the love shown on this campus continues to make it all worthwhile. Plus, it’s the day before break–Mama, we made it!

Last Friday was one of the school’s biggest and best events — the Black Student Union Fashion Show. The event is held at Mechanics Hall, which is absolutely beautiful in itself. Students participate as hair and makeup designers, clothing designers, models, and performers. It’s not just Holy Cross that shows up either, but rather what seems to be everyone in Worcester. Needless to say, it’s a big deal.

This year’s theme was Television and each segment of modeling portrayed a different channel (Safari, Weather, etc). There was also a performance from Worcester’s Boys & Girls’ Club, Holy Cross’ Fusion Hip Hop team, and a touching tribute to the many black lives lost to police brutality and other injustices. Here are some pictures of the wonderful event below:

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Mechanics Hall — ain’t she a beauty?

Along the lines of beautiful things, last week was RA Appreciation Day and there was such outpour of love that I know did not go unnoticed. Being an RA can be quite overwhelming at times, so I believe we were all grateful for a day when our deeds were acknowledged. My admiration and appreciation goes out to all the RAs out there who continue to walk around with a smile on their face or who are always lending a helping hand. You all rock!

Enjoy some pictures (and some instas) from that glorious day:

 

 

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Had to post for my Wheeler fam. 

 

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Appreciation for all those in the Residence Life Department too! They put up all our names so that we could write positive notes for everyone! 

So, the blog take-away is: What the world needs now…is love, sweet love. Holy Cross has lots of that love and when I show up as a first-year student, not only will I be welcomed and accepted, but I’ll be wholly loved as well. 
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Week Update

Hello from the Hill!

Homework has increased once again and for some reason that usually means extracurricular activities increase simultaneously. My a cappella group, my Praise and Worship service team, and my RA Staff have all had events this past week. As a result, I did not blog last week.

I know — so not cool. However, I am back and excited to share last week with you.

1) Chateau de Wheeler. This event is a Wheeler (the oldest first-year dorm) tradition. All the residents venture out onto “Wheeler Beach” and enjoy an evening of fresh tunes, festivities, fun, and food. Who knows why it’s French (and why pasta is usually served)? Not I. All I know is that Chateau Round Two was even better than the first time. Below is the beautiful Wheeler staff and an overly excited Katrina.

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2) Michelle and My First Hall Event – Hall events or programs are little dorm events, which are just opportunities for residents to spend more time together to relax or discuss relevant issues. Michelle and I decided to have some Fondue Fun and allow our residents to learn more about themselves and each other by taking a little “color” personality quiz.

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3) Friends – It’s always important to make time for your friends. Living in Wheeler as a sophomore (or junior/senior) can be a bit difficult, because most of your friends live across campus. However, meeting up at Hogan Center or Kimball is essential because friends keep you grounded, no? My roommate and I met up with one of our “far-away friends” for off-campus dinner and henna.

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4) Campus Life – After a while, all the work might get to you. So make sure you take breaks to eat, relax, and have fun. Good thing Holy Cross gives one the means to do all of those things.

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It was a pretty day + I liked my romper = asking my roommate to take a picture.
Me asking my roommate to take a picture as well = this.
Me asking my roommate to take a picture as well = this.
My roommate + fellow RA Lucca = impromptu photoshoot?
My roommate + fellow RA Lucca = impromptu photoshoot?
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Glasses + a week of work = pretending to be Harry Potter while folding laundry?

 

So, the blog take-away is: Holy Cross has got it going on. Work may be constant and the temperature may drop to 47 degrees on the 4th week of school (literally, this morning, 47 degrees), but nothing will be able to compare to the great friends and company I’ll have here on the Hill. 
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Round Two

Hello, everyone! Summer is over and school has begun. Also, my title is a pun.

Please excuse my rhyming, but I’m just that excited to be back on the Hill. My title is a pun because I actually returned two weeks earlier than most sophomores for RA Training. Also, my roommate from last year, Madeleine, and I are ready for round two in Wheeler! Madeleine is actually running around right now (that’s how excited she is). Here she is below.

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Also, living in Wheeler again–wheels go round, round two, bam. Okay, no more puns. Let’s talk about sophomore year.

Sophomore year has already proven to be quite hard. It seems that classes are more difficult and professors have higher expectations and the whole atmosphere just feels different.

However, that does not mean I am not looking forward to this year. In fact, challenge accepted. I feel that once you live here at Holy Cross, once you become so immersed in the culture and the organizations here, you honestly feel like you can do mostly anything — and I really believe you can.

Here on the Hill there is so much support. For example, RA Training. Training was, without a doubt, one of the most exciting (and nerve-wracking) experiences of my life. We had extremely busy days, but they were filled with so much fun and friendliness that it rarely felt draining. Here’s the lovely, fantastic Wheeler staff below.

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The whole theme was Harry Potter — it was interesting for me. I know nothing about that whole series, so it was really cool to see how into it people were. Robes were worn and spells were cast — that’s all I’ll say about that (there’s Wheeler staff below with wands). Furthermore, the importance of our jobs were really emphasized, something I really appreciated.

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Though it is a job, we are really supposed to serve as resources for the students overall. I honestly love getting to know others and helping them, so I am super enthusiastic for this year.

That’s all for right now. I actually have to do rounds for duty with one of our senior RAs Derek — he says hi.

So, the blog-take away is: All years on the Hill are great years on the Hill. You can go ’round anywhere, and you’ll always love it.