I’m looking forward to next years, mostly because Michelle will be home from her study abroad and we can take crazy pictures again in the photobooth! I would share, but she is holding the photos hostage until she returns!

Tuesday, BSU had our kick off! I was so excited! I could hardly speak without coughing so I had Megan, my awsome VP do the talking for the night. For someone who is every outgoing, I was laughing at her grabbing all the rest of the BSU members to make them speak insted of her everytime something had to be said. It looked great, although, I must remind her to imbrace her wild side, its what makes her a great VP.

I had a lot of fun and so did the students who came. I saw a lot of greek life there which is always exciting! Rob and his ZBT brothers were there, and a bounch of my sisters were there, a few in letters. BSU brought two R&B groups for our kick off, C4 and The Bench Warmers Clique. Some of the girls were going crazy over one of the guys in C4. I couldn’t help but giggle and try and turn a blind eye to it all. I think the worst part of the night is that I helped picked out all the great desserts for the night, and couldn’t have a single one because I was sick and could only eat soup or have tea because they were keeping me from coughing. Yup, that had to be the worst part.

At the end of the night, I started to get the chills, by the time I got ready for bed, they were very intense chills. The next morning I went straight to the nurses office where she made me cry when she tested me for the flu. You don’t want to be tested for the flu…. They stick stuff up your nose. Its horrible. I was like, I already feel bad and have a horrible headache, why are you doing this to me????

So now, days later, I am still stuck in my room. Coughing, a lot. I’m starting to feel better, so I guess all this weekend is going to be is sleeping, meds, and disinfecting this room!  I almost want to get some stuff from the lab to clean this room. There is the good stuff in there, I’m sure nothing could survive the harsh cleaning products and me washing and scrubbing everying for a hours.

Right now, I am going to take something for this annoying cough that keeps me up and take a nap!  Yes for naps! I still have a headache and still hurt a little but I’ll be able to go to class on monday! Yes! No more boring 4 walls! Fresh air! The lovely sun! Oh and homework, tests, BSU paperwork and lectures to type up. I’m going to be busy catching up on a lot, but it will be ok, I can do it outside!!!!

Friday night, I spent hours trying to get my project finished for one of my classes by midnight. I finally put all the finishing touches, and everything was turned in, but I couldn’t get to sleep until 2am. That wouldn’t be so bad if the Sigma’s hadn’t signed up to set up for the Breast Cancer walk and we had to meet at 4:45 am. I tried really hard to go to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, but it felt like soon as I had passed out, my alarm was going off, and I was extremely confused. I rushed to get washed and dressed before my pillow called me back.

I made my way over to the school’s coffee shop, Christine’s. It wasn’t open but its a good meeting spot from anywhere on campus. We were wishing it was open, breakfast and coffee would have been great since most of us looked like we just walked out of a zombie movie. Ally was holding onto her coffee like a mother would to a small child crossing the street, she wasn’t going to let it go! Tova brought mini doughnuts which vanished as quickly has they came. Finally all dressed in matching outfits we packed into the cars.

Once we arrived at the walk, just like Sigma’s do, we rushed to all the areas that still needed to be set up. It may have been 5:30 in the morning, but we were caring heavy boxes, covering tables, and posting signs as fast as we could, then turning around to figure out what else we could do. FAU had some of their fraternity boys there as well, caring tables and opening boxes to lay out information. I watched as Mizner Park transformed into a sea of empowered pink. The numbers grew from a small 50 to hundreds of people with their children and pets. Survivors told their stories. My sisters were buzzing  with excitement since this was our first year actually walking, normally we just set up.

At 9 am, with news cameras everywhere the 5 mile walk kicked off. It was great so see so many faces from Lynn, it was great to see the support of the community. I really enjoyed bonding with my sisters as we talked, joked, and reminded ourselves why being sisters is so great.  At the end of the day, I learned a lot about breast cancer, accomplished more by 11 am than I think I ever have done in weeks (since normally on a sat I am just waking up at 11), and bonded with my sisters.

Its been a busy week and I loved every minute of it!  Next weekend, I get to go home. I get to see my mom and my kitties, but before that, I better get to all this homework!

I really hate being forced to stay in my room and take cold medication to try and get better as fast as possible. Not knowing if it is a flu, swine flu, or just the common cold make me nervous to show up to class with a fever, cough, and a sore throat. I didn’t want to pass on what ever I had to half my class.

Being sick threw off my whole week. Frankly, it threw off a lot. Being president of Black Student Union was complicated by not being active and able to run around to sign papers, plan future events, and working on events already in the works.

BSU held an event this week called, “What YOU need to know about date rape” which went very well. It was hard to host an event with a fever and hardly any voice but I am glad that we did it and I am glad I didn’t skip it because I was sick. I was pleased with how students were honest with their questions, asking the serious questions that they really wanted to know the answers to but were too afraid to ask before. BSU brought in Lynn’s security chief, a school nurse, a school couselor, and an outside guest speaker from the Palm Beach Victims Services. Each spoke for about 10 to 15 minutes about their role to help prevent date rape and if it did happen, how it helped. Afterwards, students got a chance to write on note cards their questions that were read out loud. I was really pleased with the questions as well as the answers. All the guest speakers were very honest, they didn’t hold anything back. All the questions were answered and people learned a lot, I know I did!

Well, off to the large pile of homework that has been waiting for me all week!

Important numbers for all students and future students:

Lynn’s Women’s Center: 561-237-7955
Lynn’s Counseling Center: 561-237-7273
Lynn’s Security: 561-237-7227
Safe ride: 1800-675-6349
Palm Beach Victim Services: 1866-891-7273

So yes, I was standing outside on the field by the softball and baseball field that is just grass, looking at my building, Freiburger, not seeing smoke. Great, a drill. I am starting to think we are the only building that has drills. That’s two in two weeks. Please tell me this isn’t a start to a pattern!

I was joking with some of the freshmen girls out on the field about past fire drills, the one at 4 am, the one that flooded Old Lynn, oh the fun that happens because the fire alarm went off!

I think the worst part about fire alarms going off at random times, is someone always happens to be in the shower… including 4 in the morning. Ya, not the best way to exit a building, still soapy and in a towel. Luckily, a girl ran to her room and threw on some clothes. I’m just happy that I remembered to grab my key and a jacket…. hey, I said I was in my pjs!

I’ve learned that college is a great time to learn about yourself. I know I have said it many times before, but I’ve honestly learned more about myself in the last three years than I could have ever thought possible. Each year I look back and see how much I’ve grown, how my actions effected my life.

I’ve learned that the end of the day, chances are you are going to get sick with what ever is going around campus.  Swine Flu is really messing up my plans this year, trying to avoid sick students is hard, and the extra worry that they may have a flu that is killing people all over the world is not a comforting feeling.  The fact that the school has spent money on hand sanitizers all over campus is a good sign that there is a large effort to stop the spread of germs.

I’ve learned that it is really annoying to have a car sometimes. Not the car itself, but people wanting rides.  Sometimes, I find it hard to figure out if people want to be friends with me or just because I have a car. Some are very honest about why they are befriending me, they openly ask for rides to places, while others are more coy and it may take a few conversations to realize it. I know some people with cars don’t mind giving rides, but I can’t stand it. It find it so rude when people ask me because most of the time, they want me to bend to their schedule. I thought I was doing them a favor…. People without cars on campus seem to forget that cars run on gas and students aren’t taxi services.  If you are going to ask someone for a ride, thank them. They didn’t have to take you to where you needed to go or take time out of their day when they weren’t heading in that direction.

I’ve learned that there are tons of unhealthy relationships going on in college. From the distractions, the cheaters, the liers, the stealers, the heartbreakers, and the flat out abusive. Like I said, college is the best time to learn about yourself and relationships are apart of who we are as individuals.  I’ve learned friends and parents are usually the best bet to learn if someone is good for you. If your friends and family don’t like the new guy, he needs to hit the road.

I’ve learned that not everyone is designed to have a roommate and that not all types of people make good roommates. I have a single this year because I study better when I have my own space and can study when ever I can. I feel too stressed out when there are other people around when I am studying. I can have my room the way I like it so I am comfortable while trying to learn tough subjects like microbiology or organic chemistry.  My grades inprove greatly when I am by myself in a room. Some students don’t do so well on their own, they need that contact or their grades drop. It really depends on the student. Some days I liked having a roommate but other days it was too distracting from why I am here at Lynn, to get an education.

And last but not least, I’ve learned to enjoy college! I really feel that this year is my year. We only have 4 years to be in this crazy artificial world that allows us to try new things and explore who we are in a safe mannor where we can learn from our mistakes where there are not lasting effects…. well, most of the time.  Each year, I find myself tryin new things, exploring new options.  I want to enjoy my 4 years of college to the max. I look back at high school as a waste of time, I don’t want to look back and see college the same way. So far, I am really enjoying college and I hope it keeps going the way it has been. I love being president of Black Student Union this year, planning events, seeing an idea on paper come to life. I love my sisters and all that we stand for as Tri Sigmas. I have awsome friends. College is what you make it, and I am working very hard to to make it the best 4 years possible!

I am really busy this year, but I am loving it. I have a lot of big ideas and I really want to see them come to life. I keep telling myself to just do what I love, work as hard as I can, and learn from my mistakes, even if others can’t seem to let them go. Its all new, exciting, and confusing  at the same time. I just know that at the end of this school year, I am going to look back and see a wonderful year and be proud of all that I have done, learned, and worked so hard to create.

I still get very emotional talking about 9/11. One of the great things about going to a very international school is that I get the chance to see a mini version of the world mourning this… well there really is not a strong enough word for the hate that was brought into this world. Children who knew nothing of war are now being shaped by it, I know my critical years as a young teen were shaped by the event.

Let go of the little things and remember to love with all your heart. There is so much in life we cannot control, but what we can is how much love we show for the important people in our lives.

Also, please do not forget those at war now. Whatever your feelings about the wars, remember that those soldiers are young men and women, mostly the same age as us college students, risking their lives. A ton of Lynn students have family over there, please, show your support to the soldiers and their families. War does not just effect the solider but the whole family. I look forward to the end of the wars and our soldiers, contractors, and diplomats are home, safe with their families and friends.

I urge everyone to show more love in their lives. Smile more, let the little things go, say I love you at the end of your conversations with those that matter the most to you.  We are all equal on this planet, some choose to do evil, I encourage you to show them that love, kindness, and understanding go a lot farther at the end of the day.

This weekend, take an hour out of your busy schedule and feed the homeless, call mom and dad or grandma and grandpa, donate money to a charity. Do something good. Be inspired by this tragedy to turn something bad into something good.

It was a little strange to meet everyone while meeting the president of our university. No pressure or anything! I have heard President Ross speak many times over the last two years at school and he is a wonderful speaker. I personally think that his age and dreams for Lynn work for him. Who cares if the other universities have guys in their 70’s, when they were in college, our parents weren’t even alive, so what do they know about today’s generation?  He told us about his college years while asking us about how ours were going, even if it was only really day 5 for one of us, Kerri. President Ross has a great gift to walk into a room and make everyone feel comfortable. I found out just a few days ago, he risked embrassment  and put on his dancing shoes for a good cause, scholarships for college students. Aparently, he’s willing to do things out of his norm infront of 500 people or get twitter (after Jason, our boss creates it for him and teaches him how to use it.) for his students. I wonder what he will be twittering about? Hmm, I guess that might mean I would have to create a twitter acount myself.

When I first got the email that the president wanted to have lunch with the bloggers, I laughed at the email, not believing it. I read it over again and thought about it. A man that is so busy, a student has to request a meeting weeks in advance is openly asking the bloggers  to lunch? Plus, he was a huge fan of bloggers? I was shocked, then I was nervous, what was I going to wear!? lol. I just couldn’t believe he wanted to meet with the bloggers.

I was on my way to his office when he was heading towards me with other students, which one kept saying “Christines” over and over again, which to me ment the coffee shop, not thinking about the Christines meeting room, so I was wondering why I needed to follow Dr. Ross as he got coffee when we were supposed to be meeting upstairs in his conference room. (Later, I found the text message that was supposed to inform me of that, my phone was already on silent by this point.)

The food was great, but it seemed hardly any of us touched it from trying to keep up with the conversation. I know that was my reason, that and I didn’t want to drop food on myself from not fully paying attention since I saw Jason was fully prepared with his camera in the back of the room.

After tons of questions about our lives, where we were all from, what we wanted from Lynn, what he wanted from Lynn, I could finally see why this man is paid the big bucks. He really wants the best for Lynn University. I think if he had more time, he would spend more time just sitting around, listening to students and personally letting us in on his vision for Lynn. Just listening to him talk about everything that is planned for this school year explained a lot of why half the school looks like its being dug up. The tennis courts are being moved as well as the outside basketball courts.  New lights are being put in. There are just so many small to large projects happening across the campus.

At the end of the day, I am excited that we have such a cool university president. Dr. Kevin Ross just wants to be open to change, ideas, and standing out from other universities. He has only been at this for 4 years at Lynn, which I was shocked to learn. Aparently I was informed this my freshmen year, but honestly, my thoughts weren’t on how long the president had been at the university or his plans, more like, so where is this class again and how much is the textbook??? By the way President Ross, if you are reading this, is there anything you could do about those biology book prices? I’ve also heard the business degree books are up there as well…. just a thought.

The formal lunch may have ended at 12:20, but that didn’t stop the bloggers from talking at mad speed for another hour. No one seemed to hold back their questions for each other, most being new at the school blogging gig. I got to meet Natalie, the soccer player, plus new blogger. I was really excited to meet her since I love soccer and love watching the games. Last year when we were talking about adding more bloggers, one being an athlete, I was praying it was a sport that I liked so I would actually read it. Aftering meeting Natalie, and walking over to the gym with her in the heavy rain, I am every excited to read her blog! She is really cool, fun, and an awsome soccer player. I met Kerri the newest to Lynn and the new youngest on the blog squad. Yes! Its not me anymore! No more teasing… at least about that. Gene will find something by the next meeting. ( I dont’ mind, just happy he’s healthy! Read his blog about his scary summer health issue.) Then there was JD, who has been talking about blogging for a while, now he’s up and online! Writing in spanish, so I have no clue what he’s saying. lol. I got to sit next to my sister Steph, who is now a blogger, here,there, everywhere! She is busy promoting disablity awareness month next month that she has created at Lynn. (She started planning it her freshmen year! She thinks big.)  I talked to the two Ryan’s and Kevin for a few minutes before they ran to class due to the rain.

I am looking forward to working side by side with the new blog squad as well as reading what they have to say. Check us all out at http://blogs.lynn.edu/.