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Remember the warning in one of my recent posts? Don’t give college girls with some time to kill hair dye kits? Well, here’s the story behind that warning.

Last week, Ashley was pondering changing her hair color. She said she wanted to dye it blonde (well, more blonde than it was already). When I got back to my room, I told Carrie about what Ashley wanted to do. Carrie seemed interested, and that was pretty much the last we all talked about it.

Then, last Friday, the three of us went off to Target at Blackstone Shops. As we wandered around, Ashley spotted the hair dye aisle. We all went down the  aisle, and then the three of us decided that we had at least half an hour free that night. Why not dye our hair? So we all picked out different shades. Ashley chose platinum (and I mean platinum) blonde; Carrie chose a mahogany color, and I chose a strawberry blonde.

After lots of shampoo, water, and hair dye had saturated the bathroom floor, Ashley ended up with Barbie blonde; Carrie ended up sporting a deep chestnut color, and mine turned out to be a more golden color than anything else. Well, Katie was on Manresa that weekend, and when she came back on Sunday and saw the results, she decided that she wanted to dye her hair too.

Well, fast forward to yesterday. Like last weekend, we went to Target, and Katie picked up a box of auburn hair dye. Ashley decided that she didn’t want to be blonde anymore, so she bought a box of dye that was a darker auburn than Katie’s. After employing the help of Ashley’s friend from Northeastern, Danny, the two of them had dyed their hair. When I began to wash out Katie’s hair, however, something seemed wrong. The color wasn’t exactly matching the color indicated on the box. When she dried her hair, she seemed disappointed that it was so dark. Then I had a suspicion. As I began to wash out Ashley’s hair, my suspicion was confirmed. Ashley’s hair was unfolding in strands of bright auburn. Even though we had been so careful and made sure that we indicated whose dye was whose, we still messed it up. Ashley ended up with Katie’s bright auburn, and Katie ended up with Ashley’s darker dye. All I can say is that it’s a good thing I am not going to beauty school.

So, the moral of the story? Just do not allow college students to purchase hair dye. We’re too focused on our books to even realize whose dye is whose!

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Growing up, I remember my grandfather would always say that phrase. Whenever  Papa presented me with a list of options, and when I replied with his favorite phrase of mine, “I dunno,” he would always chuckle and mutter, “Decisions, decisions, decisions.”

In high school, I thought I had a lot of decisions to make. Should I take AP Environmental Science instead of AP Chemistry? Should I quit dance and join the theater program? Should I take both French and Latin? Should I go to China with People to People? What colleges should I apply to? Which college should I go to? I thought that I had a myriad of decisions before me in high school.

And then I came to the College of the Holy Cross, where I realized that what I thought was a myriad of decisions in high school was really a pithy amount. I can’t remember the last time that I have had the opportunity to make so many wonderful decisions in my life than this week alone. In addition to the sheer magnitude of decisions that I have to make, there’s one very large difference between these and the decisions I had to make in high school. These decisions could very well affect my future career, which is an extremely scary and daunting thought!

What classes should I take? Well, thankfully, I’ve narrowed my class options down to about eight, and I’m meeting with my advisor next week to make the final cut. Should I switch my major to World Literature or stay an English major? After a long, heartfelt talk with Professor Kee, I’ve decided to stay an English major. Should I study abroad this summer? I just got off the phone with my parents, and I think that I will be. I’m just very happy that I have people in my life, whether they be professors or my parents, that I can go to and will listen to me weighing the pros and the cons aloud. With all their support and help, I know I can make the right decisions to help my academic career reach its full potential. I know that I’ve made at least one right decision – coming to Holy Cross. I honestly feel that not as many wonderful options would be as readily available to me if I had attended any other college.

Ah, decisions. Well, at least now, I’m not shrugging my shoulders and saying, “I dunno.” Papa might be impressed that I’ve grown up a little.

Only a little, though. When I found out that I was accepted as a tour guide, I jumped up and down, danced around my room, blasted “Perfect Day” by Hoku, and screamed in very high pitches. I’m still a five year old at heart!

It’s a paper week, and, sadly, everyone call always tell when I have a paper week. My room looks like a T-9 tornado has just ripped apart only my side of the room. Pieces of paper are strewn everywhere. Post-it notes with little fledgling quotes from books somehow end up in my closet. Tea mugs clutter my desk. Yes, paper weeks aren’t fun, nor are they appreciated by my roommate. But, I have a couple more of these weeks coming up during my last full month. Today, I found out that one of my prospectives was accepted and he’s decided to come to Holy Cross. I also found out that another girl from my high school is also coming to Holy Cross next year. Jess is hosting an accepted student who wants to be a Classics major for the next day. It’s exciting that there’s a new “generation” of Crusaders coming in, but, as much as I’m looking forward to a three month break, I really don’t want to stop being a freshman.

A few weeks ago, Katie and I planned to dress up like each other for April Fool’s Day. We have the most opposite styles in the world. Long story short, we never got around to swapping clothes. Well, when I saw her today, I felt like I was looking in a mirror. The best part about it is that we didn’t even plan it! Or, at least, we didn’t mean for it to happen this way!

Well, there’s a huge thunderstorm going on right now, so I have to cut this entry short so I can turn off my computer. But, before I go, please remember to never give hair dye to three college girls with some time to kill. I’ll write more on that in my next entry!

Happy (belated) St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!

I decided to volunteer to work Monday breakfast, and I’m quite glad I did. While I was eating breakfast, one of the other workers started talking about the history of Irish step dance. I told her that I was also an Irish step dancer, and the two of us both started reminiscing about competing and practicing. We started to talk about actually forming a club for former Irish dancers that want to practice, and maybe also having a beginner’s lesson or two. There are a lot of feiseanna in Massachusetts, so we might even be able to compete. I am extremely glad that I worked that shift and met Erin! Yes, Erin and Colleen – I don’t think it’s possible to have two more Irish names than that!

In Latin on Monday, Professor Vodoklys emphasized the fact that we need to be more particular in our translation of the Aeneid. That made me think of one time earlier in the semester when he corrected my translation of a section in Pro Archia. I had translated the word dimicationes as a fight or a conflict. He corrected me and said that the more accurate translation would have been “an armed conflict in which two men fight with two drawn daggers.” So, to all future Latin students of Professor Vodoklys, remember that dimicationes has a much, much deeper meaning than just a fight or a conflict.

I spent most of my St. Patrick’s Day with Katie, Jess, and Ashley in the Classics Fitzgerald Library. The three of them found this logic computer game, so we were all sucked into that for a good hour or two. When 7:00 came around, I headed off to an Irish Step lesson. Yes, I taught Irish step on St. Patrick’s Day. I swear – I don’t think that there will ever be a St. Patrick’s Day when I’m not dancing.

Tuesday was an intellectually taxing day. There is no other way to word it. In FYP, we discussed John Locke’s “Second Treatise on Government,” and we spent a good twenty minutes analyzing why Thomas Jefferson included life and liberty, two of Locke’s three main arguments, in the Declaration of Independence, but replaced property with “the pursuit of happiness.” In International Relations, we debated whether or not the modern post-Westphalian international structure is soon to be replaced. In US Intelligence Community, we argued the morality and the legality of some of NSA’s past actions, namely data mining. Each of my three professors would play devil’s advocate and shoot back the exact opposite view of what we all said to see how we would respond. I rewarded myself for still being able to think at the end of the day by watching a movie.

Even though I was just home about a week and a half ago, I’m going home tonight for Easter break. It’s going to be a short break, but it’ll be nice to spend some time in Georgia where it is in the 60’s. When I get back from this break, I have five full weeks of classes left in my Freshman year of college. Then, I have a week of finals. I cannot believe that this year has gone by this quickly. It almost doesn’t seem fair that it’s going by this fast!

Because I have written so very little for the past couple of weeks, I have decided to treat you all to an exceptionally long entry.

Wednesday, March 12:
I was a terrible Crusader. I should be stripped of my Crusader standing, according to Coach Gibbons. Yes, I decided to go to Dr. Cornel West’s speech instead of supporting my Lady Crusaders as they faced Bucknell for the Patriot League Championship.

Of course, Dr. Cornel West’s speech was worth it. The talk was entitled, “Courageous Dialogues: Democracy, Peace, and Building Unity in Times of Division.” He spoke about connecting our Christianity with how we choose to change society. He linked how the combination of Athens and Jerusalem is truly a powerful and changing force. That major point was especially pressing to everyone in Professor Kee’s FYP section. Last semester, we studied the rise of philosophy in Athens and the rise of theology in Jerusalem, and this semester, we’re connecting the two through various pieces of literature.

Of course, Dr. West is also one of the most engaging speakers I’ve ever heard, and he laced many humorous asides to provide a comical relief from the large issues about which he was talking. For instance, he said, “Socrates is like Jesus in one regard – he never wrote a word! However, I do not suggest students follow those two in that one aspect.” Even though I am heartbroken that I wasn’t there to support my Lady Crusaders, I am most certainly glad I attended Dr. West’s speech.

Thursday, March 13:
I really didn’t do much on Thursday. I went to FYP, where we discussed The Metamorphosis in deeper context. Professor Kee made us try to connect with Gregor’s family members, arguably the most despicable characters in the book. And when the class did that, our perception of their actions was almost instantly changed. Professor Kee is just brilliant like that. I then went to International Relations, where we talked about international morality and law, and also began to explore the workings of the UN.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t go to SPUD  because I had a lot of on-campus meetings. I hurried off to Kimball because it was Chicken Parmesan night. This, future students, is the best Kimball meal.

Friday, March 14:
I went off to work at Kimball in the morning, and I nearly forgot it was Friday. As a Lenten commitment, I don’t eat animal products on Fridays, and yet I found myself in the omelet line. I then realized it was Friday, and settled for some oatmeal instead. After work, I got dressed for my Kimball Captain interview. I think the interview went well, and we’ll see if I get the job or not during the first week of April!

After Latin, my friends and I all hung out, and then went to dinner (which was pancakes. Brilliant!). We joined Haley at her radio show, but I think that we were just distracting her. Ashley, Katie, Mia, and I were just flabbergasted by the amount of CDs in that room. After Haley’s show, we went over to Ashley’s room, watched “Once,” and played “Would You Rather?” It was a fantastic Friday night!

Saturday, March 15:
After sleeping in until nearly noon, Jess, Haley, Ashley, Katie, and I all went down to Kimball for brunch. Being the cool kids that we are, we then disbanded to finish some homework before hanging out later on in the evening. Everyone but Haley and I decided to watch “The Ring” (After my friends convinced me that I would love “Saw” and “28 Days Later,” there was no way that I was falling for their claims that I would love “The Ring” as well), so we hung out with Alyssa, Carrie, Tina, Patricia, and Margaretmary. It was this night that I found my love of Guitar Hero. I mean, I’m terrible at it, but it is such a fun game! I might have to convince my parents that that would make the perfect birthday present. Unfortunately, I don’t think that that will happen!

Sunday, March 16:
I taught CCD this morning, and my supervisor informed me that I only have two more CCD sessions. As painful as it’s been sometimes to get up, eat breakfast, and get dressed up extremely early on Sunday mornings, I really do love CCD, and I can’t believe that I only have two more sessions before my students make their Confirmation. I do believe that they’re ready to receive this Sacrament, but I just never thought that time would fly this quickly.

After CCD, I taught my floor of Hanselman Irish Step dance in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. I taught them two reels (they even got it on both feet!) and a traditional set called “St. Patrick’s Day.”

After that, I tried (and kind of failed) to finish some reading for this week. As weird as this sounds, I felt the need to just walk around outside to enjoy the last of the cold weather. I’m quite excited for Spring, but there really is nothing like filling your lungs with some icy winter air. Hey, at least it was physical exercise, right?

I went to Palm Sunday Mass, and it was one of the best Masses I have ever attended. The spiritual life at Holy Cross is so exemplary, and I’m so glad that I’m a part of Liturgical Ministry. The first part of this Mass was conducted outside, where all the congregation received palms. After Fr. Hayes said the opening of the Mass and made us all remember the true importance of Palm Sunday, we all processed inside while singing “Hosanna.” There is no other word to describe this experience other than beautiful. The chapel was all lit up, and the a capella music just made it that much more gorgeous. There was standing room only, and St. Joseph’s chapel can seat 900 people. That’s how many students were there. It was a perfect way to end the night.

And that’s my exceptionally long recap of the past couple of days!

P.S. Next semester (when I’ll be a sophomore…now, that’s a scary thought), the Classics Department is offering a class called “The Classical Sources of Dante.” Should I even attempt to put my euphoria into writing?

Hey everyone! Sorry about my lack of entries as of late. I just returned from Spring Break this Saturday. And while 1 in 10 Holy Cross students participated in service trips this Spring Break, I was a baby and went home. It was great to spend a week with my parents and have some of my mom’s cooking. It actually began to snow in Georgia one day! Of course, by snow, I mean there were a couple of flurries. While I was at home, I went to my parents’ ballroom dance lesson. Yes, my parents dance. Yes, I received my father’s approval to post pictures of him dancing on here. 

The work, papers, and tests are all back in full swing. It was nice to have a week off, but now I have so much work to do between now and next Wednesday, which is the start of Easter break. Yesterday, I presented and led a discussion about Kafka’s The Metamorphosis in FYP. Tomorrow, my FYP Intellectual Notebook is due, so I’ve been reviewing all of my entries. FYP is taking over my life at the moment, although that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

Now, for tonight, I am torn on what to do. Dr. Cornel West from Princeton University is speaking; the Women’s basketball team is playing Bucknell, and “Atonement” is playing in the Kimball theater. There are too many events going on tonight!

Before Spring Break, Ashley found out that she was accepted as an RA. We’ll be living in Wheeler Hall next year, and she’ll be in charge of an entire floor of freshmen girls. I have my Kimball Captain interview this Friday, and I just found out that I got through the first round of the Tour Guide process. The next step is a group interview, and hopefully that will go all right!

That’s pretty much all I have for today. Check back either tomorrow or Friday for some more updates!

This week has had its ups and downs. Take a look at the following examples:

Down: My Latin class officially finished translating Cicero’s Pro Archia.
Up: My Latin class is now translating Virgil’s The Aeneid.

Down: I have the flu.
Up: Lower Kimball started stocking my favorite Greek yogurt, so I can stay in the room for breakfast if I don’t feel well enough to go down the hill.

Down: It’s cold.
Up: It’s snowing!

Those are just a couple of examples. Carrie is also sick, so I started calling our room the Infirmary.

I cannot believe that in a week and a day, I’ll be back home for Spring break. This semester is flying by so quickly! Hopefully, I won’t have the flu by then.

The dictionary defines “cacophony” as a “harsh, grating, or discordant noise.” Yes, that word is the only one that suffices to explain what woke me up yesterday morning at 4:30. At first, I thought that it was the alarm on my iHome going off. However, I knew that I had set the alarm for 6:45, and I had also programmed it to wake up to my iPod. I rolled over and saw Carrie out of bed and putting on her coat. I thought that that was a strange sight, until I saw the flashing lights. Then I knew –  the fire alarm was going off.

So, all of the kids living in Hanselman shuffled (more like sleep-walked) outside, and waited while the Worcester Fire Department came in and found what had caused it (someone was cooking an omelet and forgot about it. No, I’m not really sure why someone was cooking an omelet of all things at 4:30 in the morning.). When they determined that it was safe, we were all allowed back inside. At 6:45, my iPod alarm did go off, and “Burnin’ Love” started to play. Later on in the day, Carrie’s shuffle started to play “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Talk about ironic.

Today hasn’t really been all that eventful. I have an Intelligence paper due on Tuesday, and it’s assigned length is seven to nine pages. I’ve been organizing and writing that paper all day. Tomorrow, I get to work at Kimball and then study for my Latin test that is on Monday. I guess it’s only fair. I did have an extremely fun weekend last week. I’m currently writing this paper at Cool Beans, and the view is definitely distracting me!

I’ll try to update as much as I possibly can this coming week, but I don’t think I’m going to have much time.

There is only one bad aspect about having a Jesuit as your professor. Your class will never be cancelled. Don’t get me wrong; I love Latin with all my heart, but the weather yesterday was just not pleasant. Most of my friends’ morning classes were cancelled because their professors couldn’t drive to campus. When your professor lives on campus, there’s a very slim chance that he won’t be able to make it.

Everyone on the hall made valentines for each other, but I think that Carrie’s was the best one I received. It’s a French cabbage, and says, “Mon petit chou!” No, it’s not just a random cabbage. In French, “mon petit chou” is a term of endearment. It’s similar to “honey,” “pumpkin,” etc. (That’s your French lesson aujourd’hui!) I was so excited that I taped it to my International Relations spiral.

Well, I have to start on my work. Next week, I have a Latin test, a US Intelligence paper due, and a FYP paper due. I’m not too excited for that week. The week after that doesn’t look too bad – I have a Latin paper and an International Relations midterm. Okay, so it does look bad. But, at least I’ll be going home for the week after that. I can’t believe how quickly this semester is flying by!

Hey everyone!

This past week was actually quite fantastic. I was extremely busy during the school week. I had to turn in a paper for International Relations on Thursday, and I had to finish translating Pro Archia for Latin by Friday, but it was all worth it for this wonderful weekend.

On Saturday, all the FYP-ers and the FYP professors headed off to Walden Pond in Concord, as we’ve been reading Walden for a common reading. I first studied Thoreau in my junior year of high school, and I’ve wanted to see Walden Pond ever since. It was a beautiful day to go see it too. It had snowed the previous night, so the pond was frozen. It was excellent timing because all the sections had just finished reading the chapter called “The Pond in Winter.” Reading Walden is such a wonderful experience in of itself, yet actually seeing where he lived just added such a wonderful element to the entire experience.

After we visited Concord, we went to Cambridge to go and tour the Peabody and Fogg museums. Of course, most of us stopped by Mr. Bartley’s Sandwich Store for an excellent lunch.

On Saturday night, Haley and Jess hosted a “Recycled Goods” party.
Everyone had to make costumes from reused goods – newspapers,
magazines, bubble wrap, etc. I re-used one of my dance costumes (it
counts!), but Haley and Jess actually made dresses out of bubble wrap.
It was a great time!

Right now, there are winter “squalls” going on. The temperature is
dropping quickly,  and more snow is expected until Tuesday. Needless to
say, after ten o’clock mass, I’ll be curling up beneath my blankets
with a cup of hot tea and a book. Call me a nerd, but that sounds like
a perfect ending to a perfect weekend!