Again, graduating for me will be bittersweet. Last night we had our end-of-the-year party for the Ambassadors. Last week I gave my last tour, and last night I had my last Ambassador meeting. It was really fun! All of the ambassadors got to spend time together. We also had our second annual “Ambassie Awards.” Last year, I got “The Elle Woods Award” because I am going to law school. This year I got the “Most Likely to Bleed Blue” award because of my wonderful internship with the St. Louis Blues.

Here are a few pictures of the graduating seniors. I”m sad I won’t be able to be a tour guide anymore

 In this picture we are pointing to our futures.

My cousin, Gavin, and my Uncle Keith came to visit last weekend. I had a blast taking them around campus, even though the weather was less than perfect. Despite some recent storms, today was beautiful! I took some pictures of a few places I am really going to miss. I wish my family could have seen SLU in its true beauty when they came to town.

This is the clocktower – one of my favorite places on campus! Not only does it tell me whether or not I’m running late to class and meetings, it also has a surprise fountain attack. There is a spindle at the top of the tower that determines when the fountains turn on and off. About five seconds after I took this picture, the fountains turned off. 

This is a path to a classroom building. A lot of students take shortcuts. Instead of having us ruin the grass, they just make paths for us to use. Look at the beautiful trees.

Ah, the beautiful College Church. I just love this place! Talk about a site to see if you are vising St. Louis. There is a 9 p.m. mass on Sunday nights. This student mass draws about 1,000 students in every week. If you want to see what life is like at SLU, try to come to one of our masses. We’ll welcome you as we scrunch in the pews.

Here is one of our ponds outside the Business School.  When it gets nice outside (and we aren’t studying for finals), students will lay out to do homework. This is a really serene place, and it’s right next to Samuel Cupples House, one of SLU’s three museums. It’s an all-around beautiful place to be. Soon, we’ll stock it with goldfish.

You can always figure out what’s happening on campus when you walk through the Quad. Whether groups are raising money for their service projects or people are handing out free tickets to a Ben Folds concert, you’ll be happy to pass through. Right across from the Griesedieck Complex (one of the residence halls you can live in as a freshman), the quad gets lots of traffic. SLU has wireless internet all over campus, so oftentimes students will do their homework outside. On some Wednesdays, we even play movies on an inflatable screen!

Crossing Grand, the only major road that runs through campus. I really like the arches that decorate SLU’s streets. The huge Griesedieck Complex is on the right. I lived in it for two and a half years. I lived in the big tower (Gries) my freshman year, and then I was an RA for Walsh Hall (the shorter building) for a year and a half. I loved it there.

Would you expect to see this on an urban campus? I sure wouldn’t! It’s a beautiful contrast to the cars racing down the street and kids rushing to class. I love the serenity in it!

The famous Dolphin Pond! I used the camera on my phone to take these pictures, so I know they are not stellar. I think this is one of the main focal points of SLU. We’re known for having tons of fountains and green space, but this one is a little different. Wouldn’t it be nice to relax in the shade?

And last but not least, SLUruba! Now that the weather is nice, a lot of students lay out by the two pools and play sand volleyball. Soon, we will have palm trees line the far side to give it a more tropical feel.

I hope you enjoyed my little picture tour. Visit SLU someday so you can soak up all of its beauty. I’m getting really sentimental now, because I will be graduating in exactly two weeks! I’m definitely going to miss it.

I don’t know where the time has gone. It honestly feels like just yesterday I was moving into Gries and all of the Oriflamme leaders were helping me. I was terrified, but ready for the challenge. I knew that classes were hard and I would be away from my family and friends, but I figured SLU would turn into a second home for me. I was right.

Now, I’m not ready to go back. I’ve had so many good memories here. I doubt I’ll be able to find as pretty or colorful an urban campus. I’d be shocked (and blessed) if I ever met so many wonderful people in one place. And I’m not sure the quality of education and professors can be beat.

I’ve found myself reminiscing a lot in the past few days, and I’ve decided to do a top ten list. This time, it’s for my favorite memories at SLU.

10. When I met my freshman year roommate. She was wonderful, and we clicked right away. Actually, Welcome Week for the freshmen was top notch. I loved every minute of it.

9. Trips to Eckert’s for apple and pumpkin picking!

8. When I was an inner-city tutor and helped teach kids how to love learning.

7. Going to a cappella concerts and listening to all of the talented people at SLU.

6. Being an RA for the Honors floor. I loved all my girls!

5. Giving tours!!!! I love showing people how awesome SLU is. I’ll be so sad when I can’t show people around campus anymore…and brag about everything SLU students can take advantage of.

4. Eating at all of the lovely St. Louis restaurants. My new favorite is Tucker’s Place in Soulard. You should try it sometime. And for dessert? Head over to Bailey’s Chocolate Bar. Believe me, you can’t go wrong!

3. When I got my internship with the Blues and was able to spend so much time meeting amazing people and helping a great cause.

2. STUDYING ABROAD. STUDYING ABROAD. STUDYING ABROAD. I would recommend this to everyone. It was the best experience of my life.

1. Watching SLU and all of its students grow. So much has changed in the past four years, and everything is for the better. SLU really does teach its students to be men and women for others. To all of my fellow graduating seniors: we will make a difference! It’s only a matter of time before we leave a permanent footprint.

These are my top ten…for now. Don’t be surprised if I remember to add or change something later.

It’s a big tour week at SLU. So many families are coming to visit the school for their spring breaks, and we are so happy to have them! Yesterday was one of those very, very busy days. Because our tour group was so big, we had to bring everyone to an auditorium in the Business School. I was walking with two other tour guides to pick up the families after their admission presentation when one of the guides ran back to the office to get some umbrellas. I thought she was crazy.

We started off with a beautiful tour. I had my sunglasses on and the temperature was perfect. We finished walking around the west end of campus and headed into the Griesedieck Complex. When we went in, the weather was sunny and warm. When we came out, it seemed like we were on a completely different continent! There was lightning, thunder and torrential downpour.

I always tell people about St. Louis and its unpredictable weather. My friend Jacqui and I joked with the next tour group and said they should be ready for some snow! (I know, I’m really bad at jokes.)  After only an hour or so, the sun came back out and I was able to dry off by just walking around. I headed to the post office (only a few blocks from campus) and then to Cafe Ventana to get myself a little caffeine pick-me-up! My day turned out to be wonderful.

I loved the sunshine before the rain, but afterwards it just seemed so much more special. It goes to show that the little things really do matter.

Springtime at SLU is the time to visit! The flowers are blooming and the sun is (usually) shining! Once I find my camera cord to connect to my computer, I’ll post some pictures of SLU’s ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL campus

My mom always told me to be patient. I had a hard time with that. I’m not good at waiting, and I’m terrible with surprises. She also taught me that hard work will pay off, even if you can’t see your accomplishments every day.

I found myself clinging onto my mom’s words as I grew up. I wanted so badly to believe them, but I wanted to see the progress. Will my extra hour of studying actually pay off on the exam? If I continue to edit this paper, will it actually make a difference? I never got the answers to these questions. By the time the I finished the exam and turned in my paper, I forgot about the sacrifices I made as I prepared for them.

This past semester I have diligently tried to exercise the patience that my mom tried so hard to teach me. I couldn’t take not knowing what next year will bring. That’s when it happened. I got a letter from the John Marshall Law School, congratulating me on my acceptance…AND offering me a full tuition scholarship! I couldn’t believe my eyes. I stared at the paper for a minute before I regained my senses. Could this be true?

Then I thought about it. As corny as it sounds, these are the kinds of accomplishments SLU prepares its students for. I took a moment to think about all of my experiences from SLU. I met my best friends at SLU and connected with people through my service work. I got the opportunity to study in London for a semester and travel to twelve different countries in Europe. I was able to change my major at the end of my senior year and STILL graduate with my class. Saint Louis University gives students the ability to make the impossible possible.

I know I”m not graduating for another two months (less than, actually…yikes!), but I still need to take the time to focus on all my blessings in life. Even though I will be in Chicago, I will always cherish the memories and opportunities Saint Louis University has afforded me.

My life has been very busy these past few weeks. Here are some pictures to sum it up!

This is a picture with me and my two pres scholar friends, Pam and Robin. I’m going to miss them next year!

Here is a picture of me and my mom. She’s awesome

This is a picture of me and my fiancé, Greg. We celebrated my birthday at our wedding tasting!

I can’t believe we’ve already had one Presidential Scholarship weekend this year! I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun I had. All of the candidates seemed absolutely wonderful, and their interviews were fantastic!

This weekend is bittersweet for me. I’m really excited that I get to take part in another Pres Scholar Weekend (and get great free food), but I’m also sad because it is officially my last weekend as a student. Don’t worry, I already talked to Andrea, one of the directors of the Presidential Scholarship weekends, and  I will be  back next year as an alum.

Tonight we are having our pizza dinner and late night activity. It gives the candidates the opportunity to relax and meet new people, and it gives us the opportunity to see what the Class of 2014 is made of. Tomorrow, the students have a fun-filled day planned. With class visits, academic sessions and a welcome reception tomorrow evening, the students will be able to see what life is like on campus.

On Saturday, the candidates will be interviewing to get a full-tuition scholarship to Saint Louis University. Though some may say the interviews are really nerve-wracking, I like to say they are fun. I had an outstanding interview group last weekend. We had a blast with the candidates and learned a lot about their lives in and out of the classroom.

Here are some tips for you classy candidates:

1. Be yourself! You’ll hear it over and over this weekend, but it is the best piece of advice out there. We want to get to know YOU. We already know your grade point average and extracurricular activities. Now we get the chance to actually meet you.
2. Have fun!
3. Ask questions. The best way for you to learn about SLU is to get your questions answered. We obviously love it here, so we won’t mind bragging.
4. Spit out your gum, turn off your cell phone and put your belongings on the floor.

Let me know if you have any questions about SLU or Pres Scholar Weekend. I’ll be around for most of the events, so if you see me say hello. And here is a big shoutout to all of the wonderful people I met last weekend. You all were great!!

Presidential Scholarship weekends are so busy, but SO fun! I can’t wait until February 20th, so I can meet all of the potential candidates. As a senior, this is my last scholarship weekend. If you are coming to one of our scholarship weekends, get excited!

If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask.

As everyone already knows, I love my internship with the St. Louis Blues! In the Community Relations Department, we spend our time focusing on people in the community. The St. Louis Blues 14 Fund embodies everything a charitable trust should. On Sunday, we had our third annual casino night. Our 70s Disco Themed “Sunday Night Fever” was an event to remember! Once my friend gets me a picture of our outfits, I’ll make sure to post it.

With almost four hundred guests, a band, blackjack, poker and craps, who couldn’t have had a great time? We dressed up in 70s style clothing and hit the dance floor! I love being a part of an event that raises so much money for such a great cause. Learn more about the St. Louis Blues 14 Fund at www.stlblues.com. Find a way that you can donate, too!

In March is Dream Night with the Blues. Here, you can play air hockey and the Wii against Blues players! I can’t wait.

It’s crazy to say that I’m ALREADY back at school! I came back early for winter training as an RA, and though I’m sad I had a short break, I’m happy to be back with my friends!

My winter break was WONDERFUL! I spent Christmas eve at my fiance’s house, and then woke up bright and early (or dark and early) to drive to Texas. My mom’s family gets together every other Christmas. Of course the weather was crazy on Christmas day! We drove through Illinois in terrible rain and caught ice in St. Louis. I feel like there were more cars off the road than on it. What a sad way to spend the holiday! Because the roads were so bad in Oklahoma, my dad decided we’d have to detour through Tennessee. We spent the night in a little town in Texas and finished our journey to my grandma’s house on the 26th.

We had three wonderful days in Texas, and then left to go to Big Cedar, a lodge about ten miles from Branson, Missouri. We had a great time! It’s a huge fishing lodge on a lake with ponds everywhere. I really got a workout whenever I needed to eat, because our room was at the top of a huge hill! My dad has always wanted to go there, so we figured we would do something extra special for his birthday.

My sister and I calculated how long we were in the car over the course of break, and it totaled over 60 hours! When I wasn’t in the car, I was doing some wedding planning. I am happy to say that I now have a venue, photographer, florist and dress. I would show pictures, but I can’t give away the secret!

Classes start Monday. Hopefully they will go well!

I always look forward to Thanksgiving. Though the idea of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and warm apple pie are always desired, I mostly anticipate the memories I get to make and cherish with my family. My mom and sister always give in to Black Friday shopping after my hours of begging. I don’t even need to buy anything when I’m at the stores; I simply just love to be in the hustle and bustle of everyone around me. Though this has been a yearly tradition since I was fourteen, I’ve never seen the stores so packed. There is a new “midnight madness” at a mall by my house. Everyone runs around and goes NUTS. I first ran straight to Jamba Juice to get my Strawberries Wild with an energy boost. I knew I was going to need as much help as I could get to stay awake through the night. For the first time, Greg came with me. Since we’re now engaged, I thought it would be a good idea to expose him to what he will be partaking in for years to come. He actually did pretty well! After this weekend, I think he’s a keeper.

The rest of the weekend was devoted to wedding planning. I never knew how hard it could be! One of the hardest parts is setting the date. With such busy schedules, there are only a few weeks that we are actually free. When we take family reunions into the equation, we are left with just one weekend. Now the second hard part? Finding a venue that still isn’t booked! Since we’re both six hours from home, it’s going to be pretty difficult to plan everything. Luckily both of our moms are wonderful and more than willing to help out!

When I wasn’t eating, shopping, or planning, I was taking my dog for walks. My dog tore his ACL and had to have surgery last summer. The recovery process has been long and trying for him, but he’s getting better! He got a nice long walk from me every day that I was home. Since my parents work and gets dark so early, I think he’s already going through withdrawal.

As I look back on my Thanksgiving break, I realize how thankful I am for all the opportunities set before me. Thanks to YOU for reading this blog! Let me know if you have any topics that you’d like to see me pursue over the next few weeks! I’m always open for suggestions.

Next you’ll find a picture of me and my fiance, Greg!

: