Courts

Yay Amazingness

2010-03-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

So there have been a ton of people touring Rockhurst, and it's so cool to see the possible students that might be coming here. Seeing all of these new people really made me think about how lucky I am to be at Rockhurst and how just utterly awesome and amazing my experience has been here over the past 3 years.

Rockhurst has always found a way to accommodate me whenever I need it and to be there to help me out. There was freshman year when I was in the hospital for three days due to blood clots. Not only did Father Curran come visit, but so did my RA, the RD, and my DM (desk manager), as well as many of my new found friends. After I got out, Rockhurst found a place for my mom and I to stay on campus while I continued to heal. Sophomore year I ended up in a walking cast and crutches for a month. Once again Rockhurst came to my rescue. Since XL doesn't have an elevator and going up a flight of stairs in said boot and crutches is not the easiest thing to do, they let me live in a first floor room until I could function without my crutches. And even now as I go through a trying time Rockhurst's faculty and staff are there for me.

To all the parents out there whose students are looking at Rockhurst, your child could not be at a better school. Students really matter to faculty and staff. Your child will be able to make plenty of friends rather easily. Classes won't always be that easy A, and I promise you...it might not hit them right away, but lessons are learned here not just academic, but also life lessons.

To any student who's considering Rockhurst and not sure. I cannot imagine being at any other school. My teachers are always willing to work with me as well as concerned about me as a person. There are plenty of ways to get involved here and plenty of chances to make new friends and have fun....there's very rarely a dull moment on campus.

YAY end of winter!!!!

2010-03-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is in honor to the end of winter. I am so so so so so so so glad that the warm spring weather is starting up. It was really starting to suck walking from my townhouse up to campus all the time. Hopefully the last snow we'll get was mid February and it'll only get better.

So not only are we getting some nice warm weather. We're also on Spring break (PS Alexis, sorry yours was kinda ruined, hope you still have fun)!!!! Unfortunately I'm spending it doing homework and studying; this is because I have two tests, a project, and a paper due the week we get back. Plus I have a major paper that's due sometime'ish in April....I don't really remember when. I also get to look at apartments to live in next year! Hopefully it'll be a lot of fun and I'll actually find something that fits perfectly, I don't feel like spending forever trying to find a place to live for only a year. Anyways, back to my homework/studying! This picture is in honor of the death of the '09-'10 winter

Ready...Set...Go!!!

2010-02-06T10:06:00.000-08:00

This semester has definitely begun! I got my neuro anatomy test back and I did so much better than I thought I would (the teacher mentioned there was at least one test in the 50's, and I had thought for sure that it was me!) Not only do I have almost weekly neuro tests from here on out, but I also have 2 classroom type observations to make, a few papers, and then all my other homework.

Tuesday is a presentation for Psych/Ed of Exceptional Kid. It's over a two page story that had several different kids with different exceptionalities. My group gets to present over Ben, a kid with a neurological condition that is pretty much destroying everything; his sight, vision, speech, and behavior. My other presentation is for Neuro anatomy (surprise surprise right?). I was assigned a "patient" and have to present his symptoms and what his diagnosis is.

Onto the more random part of my week, while walking back to my THV (it's a town house, and a cluster of them are called villages) my friend Alexis and I saw two squirrels who happened to be ginger's....it made her day. She supposedly doesn't have squirrels in El Paso, Tx. so whenever she sees one on campus she gets all excited and has to stop and watch it/them for a minute or two. Somehow now it's become funny to me, mainly because of her reaction, and I have to stop and point them out. So today's picture is dedicated to Alexis....

This isn't the exact squirrel that we saw. However, this looks like a baby one and it's just so much cuter!!!!

New Semester

2010-01-27T08:53:00.001-08:00

So it's officially been a week since classes have started. Even though I'm only taking five classes I already feel like I'm buried in homework and projects that I must get started on right away. This semester I'm taking; Research Methods, Hearing Science and Disorders, Psychology Education of the Exceptional Child, Aural Rehabilitation, and Neuro Anatomy. So far I think Neuro and Aural Rehab will be my favorites (even though Neuro will take a ton of my time up for homework and studying!). The best part is that I've set up my schedule so that I don't start before 11 AM and have no classes Friday...I'll tell ya, it's tough being a junior and signing up for classes earlier then have the student body (haha)!

Other than classes I still have my on campus job in the XL dorms and am working at Latte Land. At Latte Land I'm the only female barista and it's so much fun working with all the guys! There's never a dull moment, Phillip and I always end up joking around about how much we hate each other or talking about what the Zombie Survival Guide got right and how we as a staff should prepare ourselves in case zombies attack the north lands.

Well...class is getting ready to start so that means I should probably pay attention. Until next time!

I'm not sure why this picture, but it's funny!

The Importance of a Backup

2009-11-19T08:47:00.001-08:00

Backup's are always incredibly important. However we rarely actually have them ready to go when we need them. For example you've been working on this 20 page paper that the professor from you know where assigned, you're on the conclusion...only two more sentences to go. And then your laptop dies. All of your work is gone. Isn't that so frustrating?

This week I have three tests, two quizzes, two presentations, and a paper due. Thank God the only thing I have left is a paper, presentation, and two tests. These tasks are going to be slightly more difficult though, because I did not have a backup. My lap top's fine, that battery has just over an hour left. The power cord however, is dead. While Dell was incredibly helpful in making sure that the power cord was to blame and then getting one sent out to me, it won't be at my home until Monday. So between now and Monday I only have an hour left on my lap top to edit a paper, finish my presentation, and anything else as a college student I might find imperative. I should've had a backup cord....

Well at least I'm going home Sunday, I'll get to see my family and friends. I am so ready for Thanksgiving break and to just sit down and breathe for a moment. Although that moment probably won't last too long since the week we get back I have a test, finishing another project, and yet a second project due on the Monday we return. Oh the joys of being a college student....

Fall Break

2009-10-12T18:59:00.001-07:00

Wow, it has been way too long. I've been so busy prepping for mid-terms and projects like crazy, plus a new job which I absolutely love! I'm glad to actually be done with all of my mid terms, but I do have a project, a paper, and a test this week. Sometimes it seems like it never ends. However I am perfectly happy with my midterm grades so I won't complain!

Fall Break was a blast! I got to see the majority of my family who was in town to celebrate my grandpa's 70th birthday. It's always a blast to get the family together because there's a ton of us. On Saturday we went to this restaurant called Garazzo's and after dinner the cousins started playing forks. Forks is a pretty easy game, you hold the fork up in the air without resting your arm on anything, and the person to put their fork down last wins. Well I totally won (my Rockhurst tuition is totally going to good use,haha) which is amazing because it was me versus my little brother and Cameron (one of my cousins) and they get pretty intense.

All the cousins and I last year...there's a ton of us, but it's always a great time!

Life's Curveball

2009-09-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

Life changes. You may make plans, but that doesn't mean that's how things will fold out. I always pictured my life going in a certain direction but as I was planning out my life, a funny thing happened. It went on.

I can honestly tell anyone that my college career has not been exactly how I wanted it. I didn't imagine freshman year that I would develop several massive blood clots and spend three days and two nights in a hospital. I didn't imagine that sophomore year I would lose one of my best friends because we weren't able to live together as well as we hoped. And now in my junior year as another life changing event is occcuring I can't help but look back and reflect.

When I was younger, like early elementary school, I always said I wanted to be a pizza delivery dude with bright neon green hair. Then in fifth grade when asked I said I wanted to be a bone doctor. Finally in high school I thought I'd do speech therapy. My reasoning at first was because I myself went through therapy from kindergarten up through eighth grade. As I saw it, I knew the ropes I had been on the other side of this occupation so I would be able to understand my client's when I started to practice. Once I started my classes concentrated on my major I fell in love with them and knew I was doing what I was meant to be doing.

However I now face this life changing decision, and as I try to make up my mind I know I have to make the right one no matter how hard it may be.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." -Albert Einstein

2009-09-03T23:12:00.000-07:00

So this week once again has absolutely passed me by before I could even blink! I had an Anatomy and Physiology test Tuesday, a quiz for Developmental Psych today and then I have a Physics quiz tomorrow.

Earlier tonight I was able to take a break from all the hectic-ness and had dinner with my friend Lauren, whom I met last school year. It was kind of a mini reunion from a service trip to the Bahamas that we went on. Every year Rockhurst sends several different groups to numerous locations throughout the States and the world for a week for a service project. You apply and interview normally around October and then find out a week or two later. There are two service trips over winter break and then several different ones over spring break.

My service trip to the Bahamas in January was absolutely amazing. I went with several different amazing students and two of the faculty that acted as chaperones. We all bonded immensely, especially since none of us had international cell phones and there weren't TV's in the buildings we stayed in. When we weren't cleaning up beaches or removing invasive species we were all hanging out playing spoons, mafia, or other card games.

If you ever have the chance to participate in a service trip I highly recommend it. You learn so much about yourself and make some amazing awesome wonderful new friends in the process. I'm off to study for physics, have a good weekend!

My Bahamas Service Group Members. Back Row (L to R): Ann Marie, Kahm, Kim, Leslie, Lauren, Alex, and Brian. Front Row (L to R): Breann, Marinna, Sean, Jennie, and myself

This was our primary work spot. See all the green stuff on the ground surrouding the light house? We removed all that stuf...with our hands!

Sorry!!!

2009-08-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I last blogged. I'm so sorry!

Summer went by way too fast. Before I knew it, it was time to move back to Rockhurst and I was starting training for my work-study job (you can always follow this link to learn more about fed. work study, http://www.rockhurst.edu/services/career/students/parttime.asp), and then classes were starting!

Move in went incredibly smoothly. This year I'm rooming in a townhouse with three of my friends; Emily, Rachel, and Lauren. We are all getting along greatly, and it's so much better then living in the dorms! It's super nice to actually have more space (Including a full kitchen! That's right, be jealous, haha)! The girls and I are all taking advantage of having an oven and being able to actually cook. We're still trying to make sure we have everything we need (kitchen supplies, DVD player, etc) but other then that we're all moved in and pictures will be up soon of our lovely townhouse. I'm off to do homework, see you next week!

My roomie Emily and I.

Working my summer away

2009-06-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

So it's been awhile, and I'm super sorry!!! I recently started a new job at Enterprise Rent a Car and am working at one of their call centers full time. Needless to say since I work the late night shift, I get some pretty interesting phone calls! Thank god for my friends though, they're great at helping me unwind on my days off. Last weekend my friends Spoli, Johnston, and I had a girls movie night and made/decorated cupcakes. It was so much fun, I've known these girls for like twelve years, and they're absolutely amazing!

My friend Spoli with the cupcake of death we made for our friend Johnston

The amazing cupcakes we made, the one in the 3rd column, 3rd row was our cupcake of death...it was amazing!

So I'm getting all of my stuff together for the townhouse that I'm moving into in August. I just got some dishes that are absolutely gorgeous. Emily and I are both moving in at the same time since we're DA's for Res Life. We're also rooming together, so we can pick which room we want, yay!!!! Lauren and Rachel will be moving in a few days later, and then we'll be able to start getting everything settled in and know if there's anything else we need. I'll go ahead and post pictures of the dishes because I am super excited about getting them, and I think that they're pretty sweet!

Graduation Part Two!!

2009-05-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

My "big" little brother (Chris), the graduate!!!!!

It's official, my big little brother is a high school graduate! Today was such a busy day waking up early and doing some last minute house cleaning for his open house, then getting ready and going to his graduation ceremony. Finally all the friends and family over for the open house, after all who can resist free food and cake?

Grammy with the graduate

Looking back over today it's scary to think that I'm going into my junior year of college, I'm halfway done with my undergrad degree. Even my family said the exact same thing that it's scary to think I went through all of this two years ago....TWO YEARS!!! I feel so old (ha ha). Before I know it I'll be graduating from Rockhurst with my undergraduate degree and moving on to graduate school. Well I'm off, going to spend more time with the family. Once again congrats to all the grads out there. Have a safe time celebrating!!!

Camping Trip!!!

2009-05-21T09:09:00.001-07:00

I'm finally all unpacked from school and everything is put away, it only took a few days! Even my laundry's done (surprisingly). My little brother is even excited that I'm back because that means there's a box full of DVDs that he can now watch.

My camping trip with friend's was a ton of fun. We went to Onondaga State Park and just camped for one night. Gina and Linda did an amazing job of getting a tent and food (we definitely did not go hungry). It was also great to see my friend Spoli, she is a ton of fun and my sides always hurt from laughing so much while we are together. Poor Jason though, he was the only guy who went and was teased by the girls the whole time. Gina even high fived Jason's face after she won a game of Slap Jack....poor guy never even saw it coming!

Next week my little brother graduates from high school! I'm so proud of him, he has done a great job and worked hard. If you are getting ready to graduate (or already have) CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Well I'm off, I'm taking my dog Jacks to the park, his favorite!

My dog, Jacks

Moving Out

2009-05-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

My friend Jason and I last summer at the City Museum.

First let me say that moving out is exhausting!! I had a final last night so I stayed in XL overnight. Even though I'm done with school until the fall (yay summer!!!) I can't go home until Sunday because of the lacrosse team I coach. The team has one last practice and game, then I can finally head back home to O'Fallon!!!

I cannot believe how much stuff I had packed into my room. I took a car-full of stuff home last week, and even now my car is completely packed to where I don't think I could even fit a pin in it. The rooms may be small, but you'd be amazed at what can go in there when you try. Thinking of all the stuff I had in my room I'm afraid to see how much I'll have packed into my THV next year (townhouse, I'll be living with three amazing girls, Lauren, Emily, and Rachel).

So today after checking out with my amazing RA Hannah I met up with my friend (and future roomie!!!) Emily and we walked around Westport for like 4-5 hours. It was absolutely gorgeous outside and we saw plenty of characters. Unfortunately despite the amazing stores there I just couldn't find anything to buy (oh well more money saved up for something even more amazing). Now I'm on my way over to Overland Park where I'll be staying with relatives until I can go home.

I'm super excited for the summer, I'll get to see my old HS friends, Gina, Stefko, Linda, and Jason (he's the guy in the picture with me up above). We're all actually going camping Tuesday and Wednesday next week and I'm super excited, it's taken a lot of planning, but is totally worth it. Hopefully the weather's nice (not too hot or rainy, keep your fingers crossed)!! Well time for me to sign off and head out.