I can’t believe it’s almost Thanksgiving! I have had the time of my life this semester, and I feel like there is something excitng going on every weekend. On Saturday, NOVEMBER 14, 2009, I went to the St. Louis Zoo with the freshmen Presidential Scholars. We had an AMAZING time. But why do I stress that this was in November? Because we randomly had a sunny 70 degree day! Forest Park was PACKED. Everyone was taking advantage of what we consider this special day. I feel like I got my exercise for the day just for walking to and from my car.

At the zoo, some of the upperclassmen Presidential Scholars manned stations for a scavenger hunt. We had lymericks giving the freshmen clues of where they could find the next upperclassmen. My partner and I were stationed at the hippos (which everyone agrees was the best location). We got to hand out clues to the silver snakes, blue barracudas and orange iguanas (just to name a few). It was SO MUCH FUN! The freshmen were running around the zoo frantically trying to come in first. Being pres scholars is a blast!

If you meet the requirements for the Presidential Schoalrship (listed below), I urge you to apply! SLU has so much to offer all of its students. If chosen as finalist to interview for the scholarship, you will get the opportunity to visit Saint Louis University for the weekend. You can stay overnight with students, sit in on some classes, meet some current pres scholars (like me!) and completely immerse yourself in the wonderful campus life that SLU can afford you. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me or the Office of Undergraduate Admission! We’re always happy to help!

Applicant Requirements for Presidential Schoalrship (taken from SLU’s website):

When I was growing up, I considered myself a rink rat. My sister and I figure skated and my brother played hockey. If I wasn’t at school, you would find me at our local ice arena. Since high school (when I quit skating), I’ve felt a small void in my life. But NOW, my life is complete I get to attend numerous Blues home games and help out with the silent auctions and memorabilia and raffle sales. I have the time of my life at all the games! I’m finally back in my element and to really put the icing on the cake, all the money that I help raise goes to different charities in the St. Louis area. I can’t think of a better way to spend my spare time during my senior year!

There are two Blues games this week: one on Thursday, October 29th, and the other on Saturday, October 31st! Why not come support a great cause??

TOURS! (And being a tour guide, of course!) Today, just like every Monday and Friday at noon, I gave a tour to prospective students. I only had three families to give a tour to, and it made their visit that much more special. I’m known as the “Queen of Random Facts” by some tour guides. I like to point out things that aren’t pertinent to SLU’s history but very unique to our campus. I also like to talk..a lot! I always tell campus visitors that they can ask questions throughout the entire tour, interrupt me if I’m talking too much, or slow me down if I’m sprinting a marathon. That tends to be one quirk about me: once I get really, really excited about something, I talk one mile a minute and don’t take any breaks.

This morning started off a little windy, but when it came time for my tour it was absolutely gorgeous! The sun was shining and the sky was the most beautiful blue. I couldn’t have asked for better weather. Everyone who visited today seemed to love the campus. (But honestly, who wouldn’t?!) One of my favorite things to do while on a tour is brag about everything that SLU has to offer. As a result, I end up taking a little more than the estimated one hour. The families seemed to enjoy it though. I could see their smiles light up as I talked about things that interested them, and I heard some of their comments they made to their family members. On a day like today, I didn’t want the tour to end. Instead I wanted to sit down with the families and continue to spread my passion for SLU.

But, of course, the time came for me to finish the tour. I thanked two families for visiting as they left for meetings. One family was left. The prospective student asked me how many tours I give per week. When I told her that I give two, she quickly questioned whether or not I enjoyed it. Obviously I told her yes! For me, there is nothing like sharing all of the wonderful qualities that SLU has to offer. Why do I like tours so much? Aside from the fact that I get to tell everyone how spectacular SLU is, it brings me back to my own indecisive college application process. When I visited SLU for the first time, I was shocked at how different it was than what I expected. The campus didn’t just include buildings and streets: it had ponds and flowers. And to make things even better, SLU has a one-of-a-kind feel to it that I didn’t sense when I visited any other college. As corny as it sounds, I told my mom that I was going to be a Billiken as we walked back to Laclede Parking Garage after my tour.

Normally when trying to impress others, people get advice to “put their best foot forward.” But when it comes to SLU, it’s hard for me to stop bragging. Do I talk about our bountiful green space and flowers in the middle of the city or the half of a block walk to Grand Center? The numerous dining options or the view of the Gateway Arch from campus? The 95 programs of study or the hundreds of professors with terminal degrees? The one-of-a-kind community or the never ending opportunities? See what I mean?? Saint Louis University has something for everyone, but we’re missing one thing: YOU!

Now it’s YOUR turn. Be Unique. Be Outstanding. Be a Billiken.

Just when you think SLU couldn’t get any better, it does! This weekend was AMAZING! SLU always has a wonderful homecoming weekend, but this one surpasses all the rest!

On Friday, we had an amazing concert with Sam and Ruby, The Maine and Eric Hutchinson. It was a REALLY good concert! Even better, the forecast said rain, but we had a perfectly clear night! On Saturday, we had the homecoming parade. I’m an RA for the Village Apartments (aka the BEST place to live on campus). We handed out FREE Ted Drewes Custard. We like to go above and beyond people’s expectations: we got the normal flavors (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry), but we added in some Reese’s, cookie dough and Oreo! It was a lot of fun to watch the parents swarm to our table for the free custard. Who could pass up free Ted Drewes? I know I couldn’t!

Grand Center is right down the street from SLU. The city closed off a section of Grand Blvd, and they had a huge event called Dancing in the Streets. I’m in an awesome Photojournalism class, and I took pictures of the event for it. It was a LOT of fun. SLU students and their parents filled the street as professional and amateur dancers took the stage. Come next year, because no one wants to miss out on this awesome event.

Lastly, there was the homecoming soccer game against Tulsa. The teams went into double overtime. SLU did an awesome job, but lost at the last minute.

Now I’m getting ready for another week of class and work. You all should come visit SLU. Maybe I could be your tour guide!!

I can’t believe I’m already a senior! It seems like just yesterday I was a freshman searching for all of my classes.

My schedule is completley FULL! While I have no spare seconds to sit and relax, I find my time filled with fun-filled learning! My classes are, like PBS says, “fun and educational.” I’m taking classes in Newswriting, Photojournalism and the Theory of Free Expression. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE being a Communication major! If you visit SLU, you should try to check out the new Communication Department in Xavier. The renovations are to die for!! Talk about top-notch technology for STUDENT USE!

On Thursday I drove down to Clayton Studios to record a radio spot for SLU! Listen to KISS FM in Chicago (103.5) to hear my commercial!

I normally coordinate a 5K run every Labor Day weekend. Since I’ve been so busy at school, I’ve just been helping my mom whenever I get the chance. I went home on Friday evening to prepare for the Saturday morning race. I was shocked to see that 187 people registered for the race! Up to this year, our record was approximately 120. In good ol’ Chicago, it was the perfect day for a race. It was sunny but not too warm. Our fruit table of apples, bananas and watermelon was a favorite, and our ice cold water satisfied everyone’s needs after their runs.

On Sunday I went to church and had a cookout with my parents at my fiance’s (I forgot to mention I’m now engaged!) house. It was a lot of fun! I got back to St. Louis last night, only to wake up and do homework before an exciting (and downright hot) day at Eckert’s Orchard Farm in Belleville. I picked some lovely Honey Crisp apples and bought a tasty vanilla waffle cone with Snickers topping at the farm. Then I listened to Shakin Dave as my custard quickly melted in the warm September sun.

Now I’m back and in the study mode. Wish me luck as I make my way through week 3 of classes!

I promised I would fill you in on what my life was like this summer. And guess what? The time is NOW.

1. Alaskan Cruise - My family, boyfriend and I went on a seven day Alaskan Cruise. Our ports included Seward (my favorite!), Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point. I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful the trip was. We started off in Seward, a very small town with a to-die-for backdrop. My dad did months of planning before the trip so we could go on the perfect excursions. In Seward, the “kids” (my brother, sister, boyfriend and I) went on an 8 hour kayaking trip that included a nice shore lunch and a hike. We were treated like royalty on our cruise ship, Radiance of the Seas. If anyone ever gets to go, I hope you get Everton and Melvin as your waiters. They were amazing! The food was fantastic, the scenery was gorgeous and the activities on the ship were endless. I can’t imagine a better trip for a family!
2. Canadian Fishing Trip: In June, I went with my boyfriend’s grandparents and cousins on a fishing trip up in Eagle Lake in Ontario. We had the time of our lives! Our television-less living room was filled with lively conversation, wonderful fish lunches and alarm clocks ready to wake us up at sunrise. I’m happy to say that I caught a 27 inch Walleye (which I heard is mounting worthy) and tons of other fish. I was also inches from catching a Musky. He grabbed onto a Northern that I was reeling up but let go right before I got it into the boat.
3. Missouri Farm Trip: I traveled a gruesome 24 hours in two days to see some of my London friends. I had the TIME OF MY LIFE milking cows and camping out, even though we were tormented by the terrifying thunderstorm!
4. I worked at a golf course as a snack bar attendant, and met all kinds of wonderful people

Everyone says that summer is a time for students to relax and regain sanity after a year’s worth of school work. It’s also known as a break. I’ve never been good with “down time”. I know I’ve sporadically described my summer. But now that I’M FINALLY DONE with my summer classes, what do I have planned? I go back to SLU in four days. That’s right. I’m going back for RA Training on Friday.

Right now? Now I’m off to pack, because I still have a few days of work ahead of me. And I will fulfill my promise of posting pictures and telling stories of a few key events of my summer. REALLY, I will. Just let me get back to my second home…SLU.

Summer is supposed to give students time to relax and wind down. My summer has been a little different. After closing down the Griesedieck Complex, I came home. About ten days later, I hopped on a plane to Alaska. Eight days later, I hopped on a plane back to Chicago. A week after that, I hopped in my car to go to a farm. The next day I came home. Two weeks later (YES, I had a weekend at home), I hopped in a van to go on a weeklong fishing trip to Canada.

My life has been ridiculously busy. I guess I forgot to mention that within all that time,  I’ve been working AND taking three classes. I have a midterm in about three hours and another tomorrow. Oh boy! One more thing, I start another class on Monday.

Needless to say, I can barely keep my head on straight. Once I get pictures uploaded to my computer, I’ll fill you in on all of my trips! I hope your summer is a little more relaxing than mine.

I did it: I drove twenty-four hours in two days.  It was a wonderful cause, though. I got to see my best friends from London! On Saturday, I drove down to Saint Louis and picked up my friend Megan. After another five hours of driving, I made it to my previous roommates farm! We surprised my other roommate, Kelsey, and some of our good friends. We were soooo excited!

While we were there, I learned what farm life is. We had a weenie roast, or a bonfire in which we roasted hot dogs, and a s’more fest! It was so much fun! Later that night, we played games, ate pie and…get ready…milked a cow! Her name was Jewel, and once we were done her calves came. When it was time for bed, we hopped in our tent and fell asleep on our air mattresses after hours of conversation. At 4 o’clock, we all woke up to thunder, lightning, rain and terrible wind. It was so bad (and utterly terrifying, pun intended for the cows) we had to go inside. We proceeded to have a wonderful sleepover in the living room instead.

The next morning we ate at Denny’s. Then we all went our separate ways. I made it home just a little before midnight, and I didn’t get lost once. It was a big weekend for me: I made it home without a GPS and milked a cow!

Okay, I must admit it. I am the world’s worst blogger. I’m sorry I haven’t written in so long…I can’t even tell you how busy I’ve been. Tomorrow is my last physics test. Once I’m done with that I can write a nice long post and tell you everything you don’t care to know and more!!!