Colleen Curran '11

Hey everyone! I’m so sorry that I’ve been MIA for a while. This past week or so has been so chaotic, but now I have some time to breathe.

Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, gave a lecture called “The Omnivore’s Solution” in the ballroom last Wednesday. For those of you who haven’t read it (I highly recommend it!), The Omnivore’s Dilemma explores the American food industry. Needless to say, there are some chapters in the book that will convince any reader that living on air alone is healthier. Mr. Pollan’s lecture was an attempt to show that one can still eat properly in today’s society. Ironically, Katie was munching on Cocoa Puffs throughout his entire lecture, and we all went down to Crossroads (a.k.a. fried food heaven) afterwards. Mr. Pollan, I swear I listened to your lecture! I just can’t say no to Crossroads’ chicken fingers!

This past weekend was Spring Weekend, and it was a blast. On Saturday, there was a huge carnival up at Hart. There were rides, carnival games, lots of food, fried dough (so delicious), watermelon…the works. Later on that night, there was a fireworks display. It was great until the finale. The last firework that went off was a dud, so the ending was extremely anti-climatic. Oh well, we still had fireworks!

And, lastly, today was my last day of classes. How scary is that? I don’t have a final in US Intelligence, and most of the students in my class are seniors, so Professor Bunke said good-bye to us today. He then wished the seniors good luck with jobs and real life (I am in denial that that will be me in three years). The end of spring semester is so different from fall because winter break is only a month. Summer break seems like a lifetime. I’ll be home for two months, and then I’ll be in England until the end of August. Where are the brakes?!

We had a hall meeting last night about what we need to do to check out of our rooms after our finals. LC told us that the rooms have to be as clean as they were on move-in day. Carrie and I looked at each other, and I mouthed to her, “There’s no way…” Carrie’s side of the room is completely fine. My side of the room looks like an earthquake with a 9.0 magnitude hit it. Packing up and cleaning my side of the room is definitely going to be interesting.

Well, I’m off to finish my two last papers. I’ll be updating throughout the last week of my freshman year!

Why I Chose Holy Cross

In my senior year of high school, I really had no idea what I wanted in a college. I didn’t like high school at all, so I was more interested in just going to college rather than any specific ones. I had followed my sister around on her numerous college visits, and one of those visits happened to be Holy Cross. As she met with the swim coach, I went around the campus with my grandmother and enjoyed the summer weather. We then went on a tour, and I remember that I was extremely impressed. One of the images that was forever ingrained in my mind was Dinand Library (The best way I can describe Dinand is the Beast’s library in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” It is that beautiful and grandiose.). After we left the campus, I told my parents that I liked the school, but I wasn’t wild about attending a college in Worcester. That was the last I said or thought about Holy Cross throughout my Junior year.

In the beginning of my Senior year, I only knew two things that I wanted from college: a strong English department, and a geographic location above the Mason-Dixon line. When I presented my final list of colleges, my mom asked, “What about Holy Cross?” I wrinkled my nose at her suggestion, and said I wasn’t interested because of Worcester. She urged, “I really think that that’s the college for you.” I decided to apply to satisfy my parents, but I had no plans to matriculate. It’s a common teenage syndrome – we never want to admit that our parents truly know what’s best for us.

The next time Holy Cross crossed my mind was when I went to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence, and Diplomacy in Washington, D.C. One of the days was a free day for us to explore the city, and, me being the nerd that I am, I ended up in the Capitol and Supreme Court buildings. As I walked around the Supreme Court, I picked up some pamphlets on each of the Supreme Court Justices. I began to read the one about Clarence Thomas, and his alma mater was listed as Holy Cross. Clarence Thomas was also raised in a small town in Georgia. Now, while I couldn’t exactly speak to him about his personal experience about coming to Holy Cross from Georgia, the wheels really began to turn in my mind.

When I returned home from the conference, I began to think more about the colleges to which I had applied, albeit it a little too late. I wondered if I would be truly happy at any of the colleges to which I applied, so I made lists. As I began to write down the pros and cons of each college, I realized, to my surprise and dismay that my parents were correct, that Holy Cross had the most pros. It had the perfect location (close to a large and entertaining city, but not actually within the city), rigorous and excellent academic programs, a small and strictly undergraduate student population, and excellent alumni successes. In addition to this list, Holy Cross also had a vibrant faith life, something that was missing from all of my other selections. I began to realize that Holy Cross was the best academic environment that would allow me to pursue all of my academic interests, specifically English and Latin.

I was at school breaking the set of the musical when my mother called me. She exclaimed, “You got into Holy Cross!” Of course, while I was swayed to Holy Cross, I wanted to go up to the campus one last time before I submitted my deposit. My mom and I went up to Holy Cross for Accepted Students’ Day on April 15th, 2007. This date just might go down in the Holy Cross history books as the worst possible weather for an Open House. A “Nor’easter” was passing through, and right when I saw the snow falling, I began to wonder what I was getting myself into. We arrived on campus, and the weather was chilling to the bone. It was raining, snowing, and overcast. Despite all of this, right as I drove up Linden Lane, I instantly fell in love with Holy Cross.

After attending an address given by President McFarland, meeting a group of English professors and students, and walking around campus, I agreed with my mother. Holy Cross was where I was meant to be. I stayed on campus overnight with Erin, and attended her classes the following day. Experiencing her classes were a huge asset to my decision because I knew that this was the rigorous academic setting that I wanted. When my mom picked me up, I had a huge grin on my face. I myself knew Holy Cross was the school for me. After I told my family members my decision, my grandmother called my mother, and told her that she knew either my sister or I would end up going there. My grandfather called my dad and told him that he had a feeling that I would attend Holy Cross. It seems that everyone knew where I was going to college a long time before I even did. 

In many ways, Holy Cross found me. I nearly didn’t come that summer day that my sister was touring Holy Cross. I nearly didn’t even apply. But, looking back over my other colleges, I know I wouldn’t be as happy as I am anywhere else. At Holy Cross, I have a strong academic milieu and close interaction with my professors, which are unique aspects that I’m not sure I would have received at any of my other colleges. I’ve been able to take extremely engaging classes that pertain specifically to my academic interests. I’ve made enduring friendships with people who are just as crazy as I am. I’ve been able to live out my Catholic faith within an extremely supporting and loving faith community. I know that any other college simply would not suit my academic and social needs or personality in the manner that Holy Cross does. I couldn’t ask for a better freshman year.

There are three weeks left in my freshman year, and the remaining days are fleeting. I only have two more US Intelligence classes left. I only have one FYP paper, one International Relations paper, one US Intel paper, one Latin paper, a Latin quiz, and my three finals left. I know I keep on writing this, but I really can’t believe that time has flown this quickly.

Sophomore years seems to be starting right now. I just registered for next semester’s classes. I was lucky enough to get all four, so I’ll be taking Dante’s Classical Sources, Medieval Literature, Medieval Philosophy, and Jesus & His Contemporaries. On top of that, I’ve been training for Kimball Captain, and trying to get ready for the new freshmen workers next year. I was nominated for Liturgical Coordinator, so I’ve been talking with Paul Covino about mass schedules for next year. I’ve begun shadowing tour groups, and I’ve learned more about the history of Holy Cross within the past week than all of Dinand Library could contain. As if starting sophomore year now wasn’t scary enough, junior year seems to be creeping up on me as well. I’ve been talking to Study Abroad about studying at Oxford University for my Junior year. It feels like the O’Kane clock tower isn’t telling the correct time.

Tonight, I saw the Fools’ weekly show at Cool Beans. Jess was performing her solo, “I’m the Only One.” It was phenomenal. She sounded great as a soloist, and all the other Fools provided the perfect accompaniment. I recorded her performance, but iPhoto isn’t downloading the file from my camera. It’s frustrating, but it is providing some nice distraction from all of my papers and such! Just kidding. Sort of.

Well, I have to get back to my papers right now. I’m currently writing my Latin paper. Professor Vodoklys assigned us to rewrite the founding of our hometown within the plotline of the Aeneid. Combining Latin, Creative Writing, and History? Needless to say, I am having way too much fun with this assignment.

   

“Legally Blonde” is one of my favorite movies; it’s certainly ranked on my top five list. Because of my love for that movie, “Perfect Day,” the opening and closing song, is one of my favorite songs. When my alarm went off this morning, my iPod, which was set on shuffle, started playing “Perfect Day.” And, luckily, today was just that.

Well, let’s begin with the weather. It has been absolutely gorgeous for the past couple of days, but today was exceptionally beautiful. Today was the definition of spring made manifest. Flowers around the campus are beginning to bloom, and the view is simply enough to make anyone happy.

In Professor Kee’s class, we’re reading Dostoevsky’s The Grand Inquisitor from The Brothers Karamazov. Today, Professor Kee told us that Holy Cross is sponsoring a Dostoevsky conference this weekend. The lecturers hail from all over the globe, and these scholars are among some of the most brilliant minds in Russian literature. Professor Kee then told us that students of Holy Cross are allowed to sit in on the lectures for free, and Jess and I are planning on attending at least one tomorrow. I am so excited to be able to listen to some of the world’s most prominent Slavic Literature scholars to speak! Yes, I do realize how nerdy this sounds.

In a way, it seemed that even the buildings wanted us to go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. At around 3:00, the power went out all over campus. No lights, no computers, nothing. The power eventually came back on, but, by that time, we were all playing outside that it didn’t even matter.

My SPUD was canceled for today, so we all decided to have a picnic dinner outside. We all grabbed boxed meals from Lower Kimball, and ate outside. It was one of the most fun times I’ve had while at college. We played “duck, duck, goose,” (I promise we’re freshmen in college) and just enjoyed being outdoors. By the end of dinner, there was a large grass stain on Katie’s skirt, and that really made us all feel like five year olds. I’m trying to explain why it was so fun, but I just can’t! Hopefully the pictures below will give you all an idea as to why this was the most fun dinner I’ve had at college.

Today was just an overall gorgeous and happy day. Actually, it’s been a happy couple of days. I was accepted into the tour guide program, nominated to be a Liturgical Coordinator for next year, and promoted to Kimball Captain. All of my classes have been going well, and my friends and I are having the time of our lives. I know how incredibly sappy that sounds, but it’s quite true!

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!