The Final Stretch

Hello everyone,

'Rabbit, rabbit' and happy December. I hope everyone enjoyed the time away from class and feels well rested as we enter the final stretch of the fall semester. I know my time at home helped me recharge for these last few weeks of school before exams and winter break. 

I spent my Thanksgiving break at home in California. Fortunately, the majority of my friends from high school also came home for the break. So anytime there was a lull at my house I took advantage of the extra time and ran off to grab coffee with whomever was around. Of course, like many college students, cuddling with my dogs was the icing on the cake for my Thanksgiving break. 

My personal space heater, Cooper

The moment I arrived back on campus it was hard to ignore the sudden arrival of Christmas at Boston College. When I was gone, my roommates set up a fake tree with lights and snowflakes in our common room.

Our Christmas tree

Christmas did not just arrive in my room. Wreaths, decorations, and everything Christmas spread throughout the campus. Facebook and email invitations for holiday-themed activities arrived immediately. On Friday, a group of us watched the Bostonians, a student a cappella group, perform their annual Christmas Café. The comedic group, Shovelhead, also performed their fall show, "Your Real Dad" last week. Some students escaped into the city because BC subsisizied a number of tickets to the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker show. The Boston College Dance Ensemble took over Robsham Theater for three nights to present their fall show, Ignite.

Most importantly, I invested in a couple of ugly sweaters for the ubiquitous "ugly sweater" holiday parties in the near future.

Members of the Boston College Dance Ensemble in the Quad promoting their show

The Bostonians at the Christmas Cafe

One of the most memorable holiday traditions on campus, the Boston College Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, will take place on O'Neill Plaza from 5-7 p.m. on December 5th. Do not miss a chance to drink hot chocolate with friends, decorate cookies, listen to holiday carols, talk to Santa, and hear from Fr. Leahy.

Finally, there was no better way to kick off December than with a snow-filled morning. If you need a study break, grab a friend, bundle up, and go explore campus. It looks gorgeous today.

Snow starting to fall on Lower Campus

Best,
Emily

Nostalgia

Hello everyone,

Well, I officially feel like a senior in college. It took about two and a half months for the feeling to kick in, but it is definitely here to stay. It all started when my sister, a senior in high school, nonchalantly emailed me the other day to tell me she applied Early Decision to college. I knew she was close to finishing her application, but I was still taken aback at the idea of her completing the process. My sister and I navigated similar trials and tribulations this fall. We both took daunting standardized tests. She took the SAT and I took the GRE, the Graduate Record Examination. When she told me she sent in her application I could not help but sense my quickly approaching graduate school application deadlines. 

My little sister, still a 14 year old in my eyes, will graduate from high school this May. I know from our emails, texts, and phone calls that she is getting antsy and is suffering from Senioritis. I, on the other hand, feel the the exact opposite. Time is passing too quickly and I cannot believe I head home this week for Thanksgiving (I'm leaving a little earlier than most students). This weekend, the football team played Notre Dame in the 'Holy War' game, a beloved tradition on campus. I felt nostalgic by the end of the game because it was my last home football game as an undergrad.

Eagle fans before the game

The student section at the 'Holy War'

As the semester starts to wind down, I've been noticing more and more of my 'lasts.' I registered for classes for the last time. I went to my last home football game. I booked my last flight home for the school year. I call and text my parents more frequently to thank them for sending me to school here. My nostalgia helps me appreciate BC's role in my life on a daily basis.

On a different note, I finally decided on my Spring Break plans. I will spend a week in the Appalachia region with the Appalachia Volunteer program, one of the largest student organizations on campus. I did a week of service with the Appalachia Volunteer program this summer in Exmore, Virginia. A group of 11 of us spent a week in Exmore and worked on a house for Habitat for Humanity. I could not be more thrilled to get the opportunity to do another week of service this spring. 

My 'Appa' group in Exmore, VA

I first started doing regular service at BC through the Pulse program. The Pulse program fulfills the Theology and Philosophy core requirement for students. On top of class, students serve 8-10 hours a week at a placement in the Boston area. I worked at the Boys and Girls club in Allston. Without a doubt, Pulse was my most influential and memorable class at Boston College. The combination of philosophy, theology, and weekly service helped me understand social justice in a tangible and meaningful way. I would recommend the Pulse program to any student, no matter their major.

Finally, I do not know if I will get a chance to blog again before Thanksgiving break so I want to wish everyone safe travels and a Happy Thanksgiving. By the time classes resume after the quick break we will be almost ready for finals.

Emily

PS-Here are some pictures from this week

One of my favorite spots on campus. The lawn by Bapst Library.

BC was hit by a Nor'easter earlier this week
Gasson, beautiful as always, after the Nor'easter passed.

Hurricane Sandy

Hello everyone, 

Well, it's official. Monday marked the first day of canceled classes this winter season. BC rarely closes down for weather-related reasons, but this hurricane packed enough power to shut down the university. Audible cheers and celebrations could be heard in the dorms and around campus when emails circulated about the canceled classes. Students obviously did not mind the extended weekend.

A view from my bedroom window on Monday during Hurricane Sandy

My roommates and I decided to take advantage of our free time and whipped up a Monday morning brunch. Unlike underclassmen dorms, junior and senior suites come equipped with large fridges. We stocked up this weekend in preparation for the storm. We ate muffins, pancakes, fruit and eggs in the warmth and safety of our room. As I ate breakfast, I noticed all of the schedules on the wall. At the beginning of the semester, my roommates and I made schedules and put them up near the kitchen. We wrote down not only our classes but our weekly clubs, jobs, and group meetings. 

Impromptu brunch

Chocolate chip pancakes

Our schedules

In addition to classes, clubs, intramural sports, and other extracurricular activities were canceled on Monday. Hurricane Sandy really did shut down the school for a day.

My roommates and I participate in a range of activities on campus apart from our classes. Some of our extracurriculars include the Synergy Hip Hop Dance Company, the Hawaii Club, the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the Appalachia Volunteers Program, the Pom Squad and many other groups. Several of us, myself included, TA for classes and work on campus during the week. We probably spend as much time at our extracurriculars as we do in class each week.

Personally, I spend about twenty hours a week at my various jobs and clubs. I am the type of person who works better with more structure in my day. My clubs and jobs do not just help me structure my time, they act as social outlets. For example, I TA for a class, Learning to Learn, with several friends. We meet once a week with all the TAs and the professors to discuss student progress and lesson plans. I then meet an hour a week with each of my students throughout the semester. The TA position offers leadership opportunity and acts as a social outlet as well. So when I received the email about canceled classes on Monday, I also knew my TA sessions and other extracurriculars were canceled as well. I almost did not know what to do with my extra time on Monday. 

Luckily, classes resumed on Tuesday and life on campus returned to normal. Several large trees on campus were uprooted during the storm but BC was spared the major damage many others experienced during the hurricane. I will keep you updated in the next couple of weeks through the election and the start of the holiday season!


Emily

P.S. Here are some pictures from the week...

An uprooted tree on Linden Lane by Gasson Hall

The last foliage shots before Hurricane Sandy

Foliage outside Vouté Hall on Lower Campus before Hurricane Sandy

The BC vs. Maryland game. Congrats on the win, Eagles!

Midterm Season

Hello again, 

Well, midterm season snuck up faster than I expected this year. Typically, midterms occur six to seven weeks into every course. Not surprisingly, I fell victim to some of the distractions of senior year and did not realize how quickly time passed the first month and a half of the semester. For the past two weeks, most of the undergrads have been sequestered in our main libraries to prepare for the first round of exams this fall. Fortunately, my exams fell on different days so my work load felt very manageable.

For example, in my American Architecture class, our professor projected pictures of buildings on the overhead and we identified the architect, style, period and location of the buildings. We also analyzed the style changes in the 17th and 18th centuries in the U.S. In Argumentation Theory, our exam was a fairly typical true/false and multiple choice style test. For the most part, my midterms felt reasonable and best of all there were no surprises. 

I finished all my work in time to meet up with some friends from my semester abroad this weekend. I studied abroad last spring in Prague, Czech Republic on an "external program." In essence, the BC Office of International Programs allows students to study abroad on Boston College programs or on approved external programs. Because BC did not offer a Prague program, the office suggested several external programs students could attend in Prague.

Prague, one of the most magical cities I have ever seen, was a perfect place for me to spend a semester. Just 23 years after the fall of communism in the Czech Republic, the rich history of the Czech people could be felt everywhere in the city. Students on my program attended schools all over the U.S.  Each program, BC or external, offers different pros and cons for each student based on individual preference. Personally, an external program in Prague met my priorities for my time overseas. Most importantly, I finished my five months in Europe with dear friends and memorable stories.

My favorite view in Prague

This Saturday, several friends from my time in Prague met up with me in Boston to reminisce about last semester. So when I overhear different groups of sophomores and juniors discuss their future trips abroad and I cannot help but feel a tinge of jealously. Just a year ago, I nervously committed to living in a country for five months where I did not know the language nor a single person at the school. I survived the coldest winter in the Czech Republic in thirty years (remember, I am a California girl) and returned home with some intermediate Czech proficiency and a new understanding of Central Europe. Towards the end of my semester, two friends and I made an impromptu trip to Bratislava, Slovakia. The freedom to hop on a bus or a train and spend a weekend in a different country made me feel incredibly grateful for my opportunity to study abroad.

Old Town Hall in Bratislava

In other news, I want to congratulate the men's ice hockey team, the 2012 National Champions, for a strong start to the season and the women's soccer team for beating number 1 ranked Florida State University. Also, if you have not already, check out this fall's lineup at Robsham Theater. Here are some foliage pictures from this week! I've been trying to snap as many pictures as I can before the last of the leaves fall. 

That's all for now,
Emily

Election Season

Stow, MA

Hello again,

I hope you all enjoyed Columbus Day weekend and the opportunity to spend time with friends and family or to catch up on some work. I took advantage of the holiday and ventured to Stow, MA to pick apples with a couple of friends. It was the perfect weekend to check another item off of my senior bucket list. 

With just weeks left until the election, I can feel the energy building on and around campus. Both in class and in the dorms, people cannot stop chatting about the latest election updates. Just this month, former Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, NBC newsman Tom Brokaw and correspondent Luke Russert ’08 spoke on campus in front of engaged audiences.

Two of my classes in particular, Rhetorical Criticism and Argumentation Theory, often cover the election because it fits so nicely with our course material. After the first debate, our Argumentation class broke down the candidates' different debate styles. It was definitely the most heated class discussion so far. No matter the setting, I just appreciate watching students debate and discuss certain issues because the election seems to bring out everyone's political side. A quick reminder: do not forget to register to vote or to sign up for your absentee ballot!

The election just adds to the number of things going on around the Heights these days. It seems as if everyone's schedules have filled up for the next month! With guest speakers, job interviews, internship interviews, athletic events, the ALC Boat Cruise, and Homecoming (not to mention classes, of course) on the horizon, students will soon look around and it will already be Thanksgiving. To avoid the craze of campus for a couple hours, this weekend a classmate and I will visit the J.F.K. Memorial Library for our American Architecture class. Before the weather gets wintry, I advise students to take a look at the variety of different exhibits they can see for free in Boston. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, one of my absolute favorites, is one of the many museums students can visit for free with their BC ID. Do not forget about the Paul Klee exhibit on campus in the McMullen Museum!

On a final note, congratulations to Brad Bates, the new Boston College Athletic Director. Many of my friends on several different athletic teams expressed enthusiasm over the newest BC Eagle.

I will keep you posted as the fall (and election season on campus) continues. Here are a couple of pictures from this week.

Emily

Passing period on Middle Campus

A beautiful walk despite the rain on Lower Campus

A view of BC from the Chestnut Hill Reservoir

October 1st

Hello and 'Rabbit, rabbit',

Every first of the month I try to remember to say 'Rabbit, rabbit' right when I wake up for good luck (unfortunately I forgot until right now). Anyway, I cannot believe it is already October! In the past two weeks, the campus completely transformed. The leaves changed, the weather cooled off, and the students started to bundle up. Being from California, I tend to migrate from my summer to fall wardrobe much faster than most of my friends. This year was no exception.

St. Clement's Hall on the Brighton Campus

Foliage near Fulton Hall

Most weeks, I struggle to get out of bed on Monday mornings. Today felt harder than usual because I spent the whole weekend running around with my parents for Parents' Weekend. 

On Friday, my parents and I attended the 20th Pops on the Heights concert in Conte Forum. Proceeds from the evening benefit the Pops Scholars, a longstanding student aid initiative that enables bright young men and women to attend the University. Harry Connick, Jr., the special guest, and Branford Marsalis stole the show with their spectacular performance. My parents almost fell off their seats as they leaned forward to watch the music. The show ended as everyone in the audience waved glow sticks to the beat of "For Boston," the Boston College Fight Song. Talk about an electrifying evening. 

The Pops

Balloons fell over the crowd during the finale

On Saturday, Mother Nature surprised BC and gave us cloudy skies instead of the predicted rainfall. Alumni, students, and parents gathered around the stadium and Shea field to tailgate before the game. You could feel the excitement as different members of the community entered Alumni Stadium to watch the game, which was nationally televised for BC fans at home. The team played well and gave a solid effort. Unfortunately, Clemson won 45-31. I always want the Eagles to win, but this weekend I just appreciated sitting in the stands with my parents. We spent most of the game chatting with '05 grads and swapping stories because I live in Rubenstein, their old dorm.

Our view of the Clemson game

All in all, the weekend seemed to be a complete success.  As a senior, I loved showing my parents around during their first (and last) Parents' Weekend. They met my friends' families and felt more connected than ever to the community by the end of their trip. Most of the parents I met this weekend felt the same way. Everyone just appreciated the time with their family and friends.

Today, we start week 5 of classes and I can tell the professors and students have finally settled into their routines. I will continue to keep you updated on campus highlights. I know the faculty, staff, and students will appreciate next Monday off for Columbus Day.

Gasson Hall

That's all for now,
Emily

Introductions

In less then eight months, the new seniors at Boston College will be the new grads and the newest alums. No matter if I am ready or not, I will take part in the 137th Boston College Commencement ceremony. 

Hello, my name is Emily and I am a senior in the school of Arts and Sciences here at BC and I will document some of the many highlights on campus over the next eight months for you. Now that the Sesquicentennial celebration is well under way there will be many noteworthy happenings on campus in the near future. From football games to fall performances and everything else in between, I will try my best not to miss a second so I can cover all the great moments. Last week, more than 20,000 people flocked to Fenway Park to watch the opening Mass. Father Michael Himes gave a wonderful homily to start off the school year. If you missed the Mass or would just like to watch it again, here is the link : Fenway Mass.

To start, let me mention the chance BC students have to win a trip to Switzerland! SWISS air and the Swiss Consulate in conjunction with The Paul Klee exhibit at the McMullen Museum joined forces to offer students the chance to win a round trip flight from Boston to Switzerland and 8 days of unlimited travel. Check out the Discover New Heights competition site to get all the details and learn what you need to do to enter (if you are a BC student, of course)!

I hope all my fellow undergrads will get their hair cut and do their laundry this week in anticipation of Parents' Weekend. Don't miss the 20th annual Pops on the Heights concert Friday night from 8-10pm in Conte Forum. Then throw your super fan shirts on for Saturday's game. Come to the game or tune in to see your Eagles play Clemson at 3:30pm EST. The televised game will be the team's fourth game this season. They are 1-2 so far.

Finally, the family liturgy will be held from 10-11:30am in Conte Forum on Sunday.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy Parents' Weekend,
Emily

The Sesquicentennial Mass at Fenway Park

The new sesquicentennial BC logo

O'Neill Plaza's new green space 

Lupe Fiasco: the headliner for the fall concert was a total hit with the students

Fall is here and so is the beautiful foliage

Gasson Hall