Monday, December 29, 2008

Semi-Formal, Finals, a Weather Phenomenon, and Cancun!

Hello readers!! Hope y'all had great holidays. Just wanted to fill everyone in on the end of the fall semester. Not too much happened between now and my last post... but it was a fabulous end to a fabulous semester!

The Friday after my return from Thanksgiving, I had semi-formal. Pi Phi's semi-formal was at the Louisiana Children's Museum this year and it was quite a treat to relive some childhood memories. The museum was wonderful and left so many attraction open for us. I played with Lincoln Logs; I lifted 500 pounds of weights (I'm THAT strong); I played in Mr. Roger's neighborhood. There I am in a bubble with my date, Tyler. How cool is that?? I'm INSIDE the bubble :) It was so fun! I also danced like a maniac! We had an awesome DJ right in the main hall of the museum. By the end of the night, all the Pi Phi's and their dates were out on the dance floor bustin some killer moves. There's Christina, one of my suitemates, with her lovely date/construction worker Kyle.

I went to bed right after the buses brought us back from semi-formal (I knew I had to start studying the next day). But first I woke up and went to lunch at the GREATEST new barbeque joint on Oak Street, not too far off campus. It was called "Squeal." Definitely not the most PC of terms, but the food is amazing. We ordered BBQ brisket nachos, pulled pork sandwiches and burgers with grits and cole slaw and french fries and onion rings. We pretty much sampled half the menu. But there's more... "Squeal" also has big TV's everywhere (inside and outside) for watching sports AND playing Nintendo and Playstation. Pretty cool, huh? I'll definitely be going back for a big football game soon.

Unfortunately I had to start studying after lunch. But, alas, the big meal put me right to sleep. Soooo... I studied after my nice long nap. It was so refreshing. I wrote almost an entire final paper on Saturday night (I know what you're thinking, "who studies on a Saturday night?" Well most Tulanians do right before finals week. The study lounges are packed until finals week is over!). Anyway, by the end of the week I had written one regular paper, written three final papers, taken a Spanish final exam, and performed my final scene for acting class. It was a lots of work. And the distraction of a NOLA weather phenomenon didn't help either. It snowed in New Orleans... for hours! The entire campus was blanketed in big white puffy snowflakes! I couldn't believe it. So many of my southern friends were jumping for joy because it is such a rarity for them to see snow. I frequently see snow up in NJ, so I didn't get too excited about the freezing cold temperatures... until I saw a palm tree covered in snow. THAT was pretty ridiculous! Who knows when I'll see something like that again.

Anyway, I was able to eventually see past the distraction, take my one final exam, and finish all the rest by the 12th, when I was able to come home and spend time with my family and friends. Despite the cold, it was great to be back home. Not for long, though, because a week after my return, I set off for Cancun for the Holidays. It was such a nice treat to escape to the warmth with my family. We got lots of sun and ate the best meals!! To the left is a picture of the whole gang on the last night in Cancun.

I'm back from Cancun now... and it's cold again!! BRRR!! Oh well, less than two weeks before I return. Hopefully it'll be nice and sunny, and not astonishingly snowy like when I left NOLA a few weeks ago. Have a happy and healthy New Year readers! I'll write again soon.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Home for the Holidays!

Hello readers!! Hope y'all had wonderful Thanksgivings. I had a great time at home with my family and friends! For the most part, I spent the time relaxing and resting up for finals (ughh I'm nervous!).

I also got to see my twin play in a basketball tournament! And then afterward, her whole team (and parents and friends) came over for dinner. It was really fun and a great way for me to see how school is going for my sister. There I am with my sister, Mere (top left), and some of her teammates after an awesome dinner.



Thanksgiving was also a blast! We always go over to our family friend's house, the Kennedy's house. Mrs. Kennedy and her family cook the main meal and some appetizers, and my mom cooks appetizers and the desserts. It's really, really fun and has become a wonderful tradition with our (extended) families and friends. Here's a picture of some of us girls right before we ate dinner!

So I came back from Thanksgiving Break two days ago and I am still unmotivated to finish unpacking because I leave again to go home in 12 days... I take my finals and depart for the cold, cold weather again! But that feeling won't last too long, seeing as I'll be in Cancun for Christmas this year. But until then, I've got to stay focused on finishing up the semester. It is coming so quickly to a close that I don't know what to do with myself! I guess just study, study, study! This week is a particularly busy week, being the last week of class. Tonight I have USG (Undergraduate student Government), tomorrow I have a GWA (Green Wave Ambassadors) Awards dinner, Thursday I have lacrosse practice, and Friday I have Pi Phi Semi-Formal!! So it's a busy week, but I'm looking forward to it all... even the 3 different group presentations that I have to present on Thursday. I'll keep y'all posted on how all of those events go!

Stay warm!!