My apologies for being away for such a long while, however I am back now and excited to be back on the blogosphere. To start, let me catch up on my life and the fun activities I have been involved with.
Firstly, the first 6 weeks of summer I spent recovering from finals, catching up with friends, hanging out with family and eating the delicious foods home never ceases to offer.
Now though, I have started a new summer project, a project that will help me better appreciate this Loyola community that has brought me so much joy.
I have been fortuned with an internship opportunity here at school that allows me to meet with directors of various student development departments so that I understand their roles, and appreciate their service to the university. I also have the opportunity to work within two departments and assist with some projects they are working on. These two departments are the Center for Community Service and Action and Water Tower Campus Life.
As a student blogger and liaison to the flow of information here at Loyola, I will spend these next couple weeks blogging about the great people and great opportunities this university offers. I hope you can learn about all of the exciting events going on here at Loyola as I relay the information.
I’ve lived downtown in Loyola’s Baumhart residence hall for almost nine months now. I have loved being on the Water Tower Campus right in the heart of the best city in the world.
There are always glamorous people around and fun things going on downtown. Yesterday, however, I had my first celebrity siting EVER– some friends and I casually bumped into actor Vince Vaughn and his family strolling down Michigan Avenue late Saturday morning.
I am embarrassed to say that I was more than a little starstruck. A friend and I were mid-conversation when I saw him and his wife pushing a stroller. My first thought was “hey, that guy looks an awful lot like Vince Vaughn.” It took me half a second to realize it was actually him, at which point I punched my friend in the arm, pointed and stared.
I did probably the exact opposite of what you’re supposed to do when you want to remain cool in front of somebody famous. We made eye contact, he saw me gawking and uttered a casual “Hey, how ya doing,” and continued walking. The poor man probably can’t even walk down the street with his wife and child without being gawked at, and I just made it worse. I felt terrible!
Vince pictured with Reese Witherspoon in the movie Four Christmases. What a stud! (Photo via TRF_Mr_Hyde/Flickr)
This was one of the most sleep deprived, jam packed, exciting weekends of my entire life. After working an all night shift (11:00 PM – 7:30 AM) at the hospital, I headed straight to Loyola’s Water Tower Campus in order to attend Alpha Phi Omega Sections 47-50-51 Conference 2012.
And what is that, you ask?
Well, I’ll tell you. But first, some explanation…
I’m lucky enough to be a member of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), a national, co-ed service fraternity. This weekend, Loyola’s chapter of the fraternity, Pi Eta, along with Northwestern’s chapter, Sigma, was lucky enough to host our annual Trisectional Conference.
Just showing off my APO cardi with my bro, Allie
Trisectionals is an annual conference in which the three APO sections of Illinois (Sections 47, 50 and 51) come together to discuss legislation and participate in workshops to enhance our leadership skills.
Yesterday was filled with meetings, work shops, scavenger hunts, LEADS courses and even a visit from our national president.
I’ve been so caught up in nursing school. So, even though I was a zombie from lack of sleep, it was awesome to get to see all my amazing brothers again before finals week turns me into a hermit!
School of Communication and Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Event
On Tuesday, my classmates from my media law class and myself attended a free media law workshop that was hosted by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) and the School of Communication. The workshop covered gaining access to court records and proceedings.
The RCFP has provided free legal advice, resources, support and advocacy to protect the First Amendment and Freedom of Information rights of journalists working in areas where U.S. law applies.
Representatives from the RCFP provided a folder full of vital information for journalists in regards to how to access public federal records and the Illinois reporter’s privilege. I will definitely keep this safe for future use.
It was really interesting and thought-provoking to hear what was shared at this workshop because not only does this help me remember what I have learned in my media law class, it shows that this will be of importance to me in my future career as a journalist.
In regards to that thought, I also think about how opportunities like these are so important for my development and perspective. The School of Communication has been very adamant in providing opportunities to have students and people in the field come together and have these conversations.
It’s crunch time here at Loyola, time to begin the countdown to the final weeks of the semester. I’ve been super busy with school and running around trying to get things done before heading home for a quick Easter trip. I’ve been working, fundraising for my mission trip that I’m taking in May, completing assignments, taking exams in my classes and trying to plan out my class schedule for next semester.
I’ve also been working on plans with a few friends to live in an apartment off campus together for the next school year. At Loyola, students are required to live in campus residence halls for their first two years, so next year will be my first opportunity to move off campus and get my own place! I’m super stoked!
I’m going to miss living on the Water Tower Campus in Baumhart, but it will be nice to move back up north and be a part of the beautiful Lake Shore Campus again. My future roommates and I have been conversing with a potential landlord about leases and credit checks and adult stuff that I know nothing about. It’s definitely been a learning experience. I think we’re on the right track so far to move in to a place on the south side of campus near the Granville Red Line station, Metropolis Coffee and Pete’s Pizza. Can’t wait! Cross your fingers for me that everything goes as planned!
I was able to take a break from crossing things off my to-do list this weekend to see some awesome concerts with some awesome people. On Friday, I had plans to meet up with some friends from Illinois Statue University and Northwestern University to see a show by a band called Lovedrug. On Friday afternoon before the show, I knew the band was scheduled to do an interview with Fearless Radio, a really cool internet radio station in Chicago. I tuned in to the interview and actually tweeted to both the band and the radio station on Twitter— and the band gave me a shootout on the radio! I was ecstatic! The concert was later that evening at the Beat Kitchen on Belmont, a venue that I had never been to before. It was pretty small— more like a bar or a restaurant— but it was so intimate that I was able to walk right up and meet the band right after the show. Very cool!
We were able to get right up against the stage for the show at the Beat Kitchen. This is my friend Evan just before Lovedrug is about to start their set; as you can see he’s super excited to be so close!—
Saturday night I saw a little bit bigger of a show at the Riviera Theatre. One of my favorite bands, Needtobreathe, played a sold out show, and it was awesome! It was PACKED, but the energy in the place was really cool. Needtobreathe was so great live. And I always love shows at the Riviera!
My friend Erin and I at the venue after the show!—
I’m surprised I haven’t thought to bring this up yet, but picking up a cupcake from More, reminded me of the cupcake craze that has hit in recent years. More has a particularly exciting way to score free cupcakes and has become a pretty popular thing to do, especially if you live on the Water Tower Campus.
It’s simple and slightly addictive. Once you “like” the More Facebook page, you are able to tag yourself in photos of cupcakes. The owner will pick a type of cupcake for the week, and every Tuesday she will post pictures of that cupcake periodically throughout the day. The limit of taggers in a picture is 50, and it is quite surprising how quickly a picture will fill up– usually within a few seconds. When you go to the store, you simply present your ID and they check you off a list.
I’ve seen some seasoned taggers work their magic, tagging not only themselves but several friends in a single cupcake. Fortunately, having friends as tagging vets, usually means a guaranteed free cupcake. I’ve become fairly skilled myself.
If you find that tagging isn’t your style, Sprinkles has a system similar to More that requires tweeting to get a free cupcake.
And if all else fails, even the poorest of college students can manage a few dollars for a delicious cupcake treat!
I’ve always felt going home for any extended amount of time is bittersweet. Don’t get me wrong. I am so incredibly excited to be finished with yet another semester and just spend time with my family. But as a student at Loyola, you make a home, and in a sense, you develop a family with your good friends. Today, one of my closest friends who I’ve known since freshman year graduated. I am so excited for her, (and a little envious!), but it only reinforced my own future. While winter break will only last about a month, it is just a preview to the reality that exists after graduation.
I haven’t started packing quite yet, but I have made note of some of the things I will miss over winter break. Coming from a super tiny town, there isn’t much to see or do. The very first thing I will miss is my view! Ok– so its straight across from a brick building, but at an angle its super great!
I will also super miss Ghirardelli! My friends and I always stop in for a free chocolate square and delicious Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate! So delicious!
I will totally miss hitting up Water Tower Place! It’s an all-in-one shopping destination conveniently out of the cold Chicago weather!
I’ll also miss the Water Tower. It’s such an iconic building.
Speaking of iconic, I will definitely miss seeing the John Hancock. I think the Sears, or rather Willis Tower is completely overrated. The simplicity and elegance of the Hancock makes it one of my favorites!
Finally, I will miss my friends! Especially Natalie who has now officially graduated! Congrats!
