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.

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!!

I survived Death Valley!

Hello readers!! So much has happened since my last post!! Let's start with Monday before Halloween. Tulane University hosted a very special event under the work of Direction, a nationwide speaker series. This past month, eight days before the 2008 Presidential Election, Republican Governor Mike Huckabee and Democrat Congressman Harold Ford Jr. came to Tulane to participate in a debate. Held in McAlister Auditorium and moderated by one of Tulane's most prestigious political science professors, the debate consisted of questions submitted by Tulane students. Also, there was a Q&A at the end of the debate. It was very informative and definitely gave students clarity on the issues that were most pertinent in the election.

That Friday was Halloween. My Big Sis in Pi Phi had a Halloween party, so a bunch of our friends got dressed up and went to her apartment (a block off campus). It was a lot of fun! They decorated and had bowls of candy and snacks everywhere. There was a huge turn out and the costumes were hilarious!! There I am with my lovely lady Pi Phi's on the left (I'm the angel!).

The next day I woke up really early for the LSU v. Tulane football game in Baton Rouge. It was the most insane thing I had ever seen. People started tailgating at 7am for a 7pm game. I went with three people that live (or have lived) in Louisiana, so they all knew a lot of LSU students at the game. We hopped around from tent to tent in our Tulane gear, with LSU fans yelling "TIGER BAIT" as we passed by. It was pretty funny... especially since LSU fans knew that Tulane was no match for their top 20 ranked football team. Nevertheless, we braved the Tiger roar in our Tulane gear!

So we ate some jambalaya and cheeseburgers (and crab cakes and sausage and nachos) and watched some football on TVs in the back of pick-up trucks all day. It was so much fun. And before I knew it was time to enter Death Valley. With 90,000 seats, 20,000 more than the Superdome, the LSU stadium was booming with Tiger roars and bleeding purple and gold. To the right is the almost full LSU student section... forty minutes before kick-off! Luckily, Tulane brought a pretty large following from New Orleans to cheer on the Green Wave! We didn't win, but we played really well against a nationally ranked team! It was such a crazy experience seeing Death Valley. And even though I was tiger-baited, I survived the mayhem!

The following Tuesday was the election... and campus was buzzing with chatter about the two candidates. For most students, this was the first election that they were able to vote in, and many of them chose to register in Louisiana, including myself. My polling place was right inside the LBC (Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life) so it was really easy to cast my vote. It was exciting to get so involved in the election and it was great to see that so many other students on campus came out to do the same.

Another big event that happened last Saturday was Hip-Hop for Hope. Hip-Hope for Hope is a Tulane student-run organization that puts on a fundraiser every year for a charter school damaged by the hurricane. The event is at Tipitina's, a bar that is famous for their live music. Hip-Hope for Hope featured artists such as DJ Raj Smoove, Raw Dizzy, The Show with DY and the local favorite: The Rebirth Brass Band. For a ten dollar donation to MLK Charter School in the 9th Ward, students were able to enjoy a night of amazing entertainment with transportation to and from Tipitina's.

And this week is the much anticipated Greek Week. Today is the big fraternity cook-off and sorority bake-off; tomorrow is Greek trivia night, Thursday is Greek Sync night, and Saturday is Greek Olympics. I'm really excited for Saturday because I'm on the Pi Phi dodgeball team. I was pretty good in gym class in middle school... I'm hoping those skills translate over into college!

I'll let y'all know how Pi Phi's team does during Greek Week! I go home a week from today for Thanksgiving! YAY! And then when I return... Pi Phi semi-formal... Stay tuned.

Catching the Wave...

Hey y'all! Sorry it's been awhile. It has been one exciting event after the next. First off, I have to tell y'all about homecoming. The theme this year was "Catch the Wave." It was SO much fun. Now, at most schools, homecoming takes place over one big weekend, but at Tulane, it last an entire week. That's right, folks. Sunday, September 28th through October 4th. The party began with our lighting ceremony in Pocket Park (a courtyard next to our UC or Lavin-Bernick Center) We ate FREE VooDoo Barbecue, lit candles for the football team. THEM and Green Envy performed (our Capella groups), as well as Shockwave (our dance team) and the cheerleaders). We were also introduced to our homecoming court. On Monday was the McAlister Mile Fun Run! That's a mile race with more free food and shirts for the top 25 finishers for men and top 25 for women. I ran it with my running buddy, Sean. Although he kind of sped up and finished before me. I ran my best mile time, though, at 6:25. Afterward, the Tidal Wave Committee (Homecoming committee) provided World's Healthiest Pizza and drinks. It was sooo fun. And just in case you were wondered, I did indeed get a free t-shirt!

On Tuesday, the school set up a big outdoor projection screen, gave out homecoming blankets, fresh Kettle Corn, Raisin' Canes chicken, and projected the movie "The Sandlot." It was sooo much fun! On Wednesday there was a powder puff tournament. Freshmen v. Sophomores and Juniors v. Seniors. I was unable to play because I had a test the next day, but it was fun to watch. It was also fun getting my free Creole Creamery Ice Cream... yummy! Thursday rolled around and I was so excited because my mom and her boyfriend, Rich, flew down for the weekend.


To preface her visit I kept telling everyone that homecoming is her favorite holiday (little exaggeration). Thursday night we had the homecoming concert and awesome local Cajun food. Guess who came this year?! The Benjy David Project AND Reel Big Fish!! It was the best concert... right on the LBC quad. And I got to share the entire experience with my mom and my friends. On Friday I went out to breakfast with my mom and Rich, went to class, went shopping on Magazine Street, and then napped. At night we had the big parade/pep rally down McAlister and fireworks! Then I went downtown with my mom and Rich and my family friend. We went to Pat O'Brien. Such a great meal!! Then I stayed downtown with my mom and Rich for awhile on Bourbon Street, but I was tired and went back uptown relatively early so I could rest up for the football game.

Saturday was the big game! I went out to breakfast with my mom and Rich and our family friends from home. We went to Slim Goodies on Magazine. Best Omelet ever! Then we went to the game at Tad Gormley Stadium. Normally we play at the Superdome, but Tad Gormley Stadium is a homecoming tradition. All the tailgating was there too, right in City Park.

Pi Phi had the best tent with Sig Ep! My mom loved meeting everyone and eating and drinking. She also loved getting all of the free Tulane gear from different tents! The game was really great because the stadium was packed (it's definitely harder to fill the Superdome!).

Unfortunately we lost to Army, but Tulane put up a good fight, that's for sure! Saturday night we went out to a nice dinner at Drago's. It was the best meal ever (yummy charbroiled oysters)! So great, in fact, that I just went back there two nights ago! Sunday I went shopping with my mom all day and then stayed in the hotel with her that night. It was nice to get the alone time with her before she left.

So that was homecoming... It really is my favorite time of the school year. No school does it the way Tulane does it: free food and prizes everyday... and lots of entertainment! I can't wait for next year.

Other exciting things that have been going on: sorority functions. Pi Phi has had some of the best mixers!! To the right is a picture from our mixer with Sig Ep. We just had a Super Heroes mixer with AEPi the other week, and tonight we're going to have a Holidays mixer with KA. I'm dressing up as my birthday! Some other ideas are Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, Labor Day, and Easter (just to name a few). I'm really psyched for that.



But the best party I think Pi Phi has had so far: our crush party! It was at this past Saturday at a place called One-Eyed Jack's (downtown). Basically, we don't invite our dates. We submit their names to our Social Chair and she send out one big massive e-mail telling each recipient that he, or she, has been crushed by a Pi Phi. Some people don't even know who their dates are! It's a great way to mix and mingle. I think everyone enjoyed it a lot.


I'll keep you posted on the Holidays mixer and some of the other events on Tulane's campus! Stay tuned, y'all! And ROLL WAVE!

We made it!

Hey y'all. I'm reporting with some very exciting news! Tulane's campus opens up tomorrow, Saturday, September 6th! And classes resume on Monday (thank goodness... I actually miss my professors/classes). I never thought that I would be this psyched to delve back into my classes, but I am. I guess since all of my friends from home are well into their semesters, I'm a little jealous, and antsy to really start the semester! My professors have been very communicative, e-mailing revisions to syllabi and notes about the upcoming weeks in class. Like I said before, the support network between faculty and students and amongst all of the students in general has been remarkable. We've all been e-mailing, texting, calling "did you make it out okay?"; "where'd you end up?"; "have you died of homesickness for Tulane?"; "when are you getting back to campus?". This constant communication is so comforting... and not to mention unique to our university. I am so excited to get back to such a wonderful place... my true home away from home!

NO ME GUSTAV!!

Hello readers!! I'm reporting to you now from New Jersey after a few long days of travels. As many of you know, Hurricane Gustav threatened the Southern Coast of Louisiana this past week, and made landfall this morning, forcing not only Tulane, but the entire Orleans Parish, to evacuate. Now Gustav is whipping through Louisiana as a Category 1 Hurricane, thankfully leaving our cherished city of New Orleans with little damage, at least compared to previous storms such as Katrina. Yes, Gustav is a much weaker storm than Katrina was a little over 3 years ago, but the reason that our school and city, and the friends and families that reside in such a place, are okay: we were prepared! The state took every precaution needed to ensure that the levees were ready, communication systems were in place, and evacuations preparations were properly instituted. I am so thrilled with the level of school, city, state, and federal cooperation. Furthermore, the school has done an incredible job keeping students, faculty and staff, and parents in the loop! I receive text messages and e-mails from the Tulane emergency website everyday (emergency.tulane.edu). President Cowen even had a live chat yesterday, allowing anyone interested to log in and read/ask questions about the storm and the impact it will have on Tulane University. And it is because I am receiving such constant updates that I can rest assured that our school and city will be just fine!! The only wave that I see rolling right now is the Green Wave!! And it is with that update that I leave y'all with the Tulane Fight Song. I feel that it's appropriate given the circumstances. We can overcome anything! This whole experience just bonds our community together even further... and I could not be more proud to be a Tulanian, a New Orleanian.


Green Wave Green Wave,
Hats off to Thee.
We're out to
Fight Fight Fight
For our Victory.
Shout to the Skies
Our Green Wave War Cries.
The Bravest we'll Defy.
Hold that Line for
Olive and Blue.
We will Cheer for You.
So Fight, Fight, Old Tulane
Fight on to Victory

One week left!!!

Hello there readers!! I hope y'all have had a stellar summer; I know I have. I've been home in New Jersey, but that hasn't stopped my from seeing so many of my lovely Tulane ladies. Over Memorial Day weekend a bunch of my girlfriends came down to the good ole Jersey Shore. It was sooo much fun! From Georgia to South Carolina to Washington DC and New York, six of my friends trekked up/down the Garden State Parkway to visit. It was a blast and so fun to see each other in a different setting; it was very surreal. We laid on the beach like total beach bums, went ocean kayaking, barbequed, and went out for an awesome seafood dinner; however, we all agreed the seafood in New Orleans is far better! Here we are on the back porch, most of us unintentionally matching with our Tulane sweatshirts. Haha.

They left... which was soooo sad... but my internship started that next week at Capital One Bank. I had so much fun!! Although all the long days of school and late nights of studying/going out in New Orleans could not have prepared for being a REAL PERSON in the REAL WORLD!! A forty-hour a week job wiped me out! On some days the 60 year-olds had more spunk and pazazz energy than I did. Shocking, I know. But I had the best time. I learned so much about the banking industry (a career option that I had not previously considered, as I'm a Poli. Sci./Comm. major) and loved the people with whom I was privileged enough to work. And the dressing up for work wasn't half bad either... I was able to get a lot of new outfits from J. Crew! lol.

So my internship ended last week. I was really sad to leave! But don't think I haven't been super busy... The day after my internship ended I flew out to Ohio for my Grandma's 75th Birthday Bash! So much fun to have the whole family dress up together... and after a few days in Ohio I just flew home yesterday and drove straight to the shore. Which brings me to the present: ONE WEEK AWAY FROM RETURNING TO NOLA!

Like every other Tulane student, I am literally counting down the hours until I get back to school. I'm going to be sad to leave my family... probably just as sad as last year when I cried in the airport. lol. Nonetheless, once I'm on the plane, headphones on with my iPod blasting the Cupid's Shuffle and the Bunny Hop, it'll be smooth sailing.

A lot of you may be wondering why on earth I'm going back so early... the reason for that being that not only am I an Orientation Coordinator, but I'm also a pre-Orientation Coordinator for NOLA Experiences. I'm so thrilled to be returning to this program again, as I was a participant in it last year as a freshman.

I believe it was my first post as a TU blogger that scratched the surface of how truly amazing my NOLA experience was last year. I got to hang out on campus and move in before anyone else, write for the first issue of the Tulane Hullaballoo, tour the city of New Orleans, and meet some of my best, best friends (I'm living with some of them this year in Irby, an 8 person suite).

Here we are, on the second day of NOLA, at Camp Istrouma. I cannot wait to be a part of it again this year and help freshmen have the same experience that I had last year. This year I'm an OC for the TUBE track, so instead of working on the newspaper, I get to work at the Tulane television station with my co-OC and 15 freshmen!

I can't wait for the Cajun line dances, the Creole cookin', the smokin hot heat, the Boot, and last, but certainly not least, the irreplaceable company of my fellow Tulanians!!