Quirky Suite things

      Every suite has its own personality.  Ours this year definitely was filled with all our own tastes and ideas.  Here are some pictures of our dorm room! 

This is my room! I love it!!!

Most of my suite-mates love Blake Lively, so we decided to dedicate a wall to her....a little creepy, but we did it anyway!

Our "Let's Give Thanks" wall that we set up for Thanksgiving

Our coffee and tea station

Our posters

The Bathtub- the MOST comfortable chair that you will ever sit in

     If you have any questions tweet me, formspring me, or use the contact page at the top!

Kayley

Technology Fast

      Most of my friends and family know that I am not a big technology person.  I am not a big facebook person, I don't rely on the internet, I don't tweet like I depend on it, I don't have a smart phone, and my cell phone is not a third hand for me.  So, it may be a surprise when I say that from Tuesday morning to Friday morning I participated in a voluntary technology fast.  I didn't sign a contract or turn my cell phone in to anyone, I did it by my own will and according to my own rules. 

My rules: 

1. I left my phone off during the day, but I called home once at night
2. The only reason I went on the computer and internet were to check my emails for school/ study abroad reasons
3. no t.v.
4. no music (this was the HARDEST part for me)
5. only use technology for educational purposes

     This was basically it, I did not use my phone once (minus the nightly phone call home), I didn't watch any t.v. and tried not to peek at anyone else's technological devises, and I didn't listen to any music....until Thursday night because I couldn't take it any more. 

     What I learned-

     Without having anything to do on the computer or internet, I had a ton more free time to get my homework done early and read my book The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.  I even took some naps during my free time!  I also learned that you can live without a cell phone/ internet websites!  I did it and it's not hard, I hate being in constant contact with everyone I know and it's nice to just "disappear" from the tech world every once in a while. 

     After the experience-

     It's hard not to go back to using technology.  We as Americans (and basically all first world citizens) rely heavily on technology, so naturally I used my phone today and went online.  However, I check my phone less, I have not spent much time online, and I haven't watched much t.v.  This short time spent away from technology has changed me slightly for the better I think!

     So, next time you feel bogged down with technology, try to fast from it for a couple days and you will see a change within yourself!

Kayley

A Simply Wonderful Weekend

     Wow, this weekend was simply fantastic!  Let's go day by day shall we?

Friday- classes as per usual, 3 hours back to back and then I hung out with my friends Taylor and Katie for the rest of the day because everyone in our suite was going to see the Hunger Games.  Friday was the last "hot" day of the week, so we all sat outside for a while and then when it got cold out we went inside. 

Saturday- started the day out great because I went to the gym with Taylor, Kate, and Megan, and then we all went to brunch.  Yay omelets!!! We all also went shopping after to Plato's Closet and then Christmas tree shop.  That night was also our Spring Concert.  Jay Sean (I hope you know who he is) was our main performer, along with JBoog and Jacob Es.  The concert was AMAZING and I am totally in love with Jay Sean. 

Courtesy of Megan!

Sunday- dedicated to laundry and homework (as it is for EVERY college and university student).  However, at 1:30 there was a free zumba class in Ross to help raise awareness for Donate Life.  It was absolutely wonderful and in addition to our normal zumba instructor, there were 4 other teachers who came to teach us new dances.  It was such a great workout and an excellent exercise opportunity.  The rest of the day was spent doing homework and studying for a Spanish test with Taylor in the library.  Which, for most of the time, we spent giggling and chatting!

     Well, except for the concert and zumba, that was my pretty normal weekend.  I hope that if you have any questions you would tweet me, formspring me, or use my contact page at the top!

Kayley

Springing into Spring with a great break

     Well, spring break was last week, and I certainly had a nice one.  I flew home on Friday night with Alex of course and was welcomed home by 2 very excited puppies.  I can't remember much from the weekend- mostly errand running and relaxing at home, but I do remember everything I did on each week day as follows:

Monday- I met up with my cousin Theresa and we got bagels at Bellmore Bagel Cafe.  We had a great time catching up and just hanging out with each other. 

Tuesday- I met up with my friend Joanna to eat lunch and then go see the movie This Means War.  I love seeing Jo and we always have a great time telling each other about our crazy lives. On top of that, the movie was so funny and I can't wait to see it again.  

Wednesday- THE BEST DAY OF ALL...I went into NYC to meet up with Alex and Professor Saint Laurent.  Can you believe that?  I was so excited and honored that she asked me if I wanted to meet her at the Metropolitan Museum to see the Byzantine and Islamic art exhibit.  We had a wonderful time walking around the museum with Prof Saint Laurent and it was just like having an expert tour guide!  I LOVE the Met and it was made so much better by being with a great friend and a great professor

Thursday- was a lazy day, but I did walk to the library to get a book and movie and later on my dad and I took a walk with our dogs.

Friday- My mom took the day off from work, so we went out to run errands, went to Macy's, and that night we had a big family pizza dinner.  It was wonderful to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Saturday- was devoted to getting ready for my return to campus.  I packed and got my suitcase organized for the upcoming trip.

Sunday- woke up at 6:00 because my flight was supposed to be at 9, but it was delayed until 11! Alex and I did have a fun time in the airport reading, complaining about the delay, getting jamba juices, and catching up about break. 

     I'm so glad to be back at SMC and with my friends.  I can't wait for the upcoming weekend- we have Jay Sean at our Spring concert- and the rest of the semester.

Kayley

A Professorial Dinner

     My mom always told me that one of her fondest memories of college was a class dinner at her economic professor's house.  Last night, I had the opportunity to follow in my mom's footsteps and eat dinner at my Early Christianity professor's house.  I took that class last semester, but I have maintained contact with my professor throughout the semester and look forward to possibly taking a class with her again.  She lives in Shelburne, only about 30 minutes away, and my friends Angelica and Abbey drove me and 6 other students there. 

     Professor Saint-Laurent cooked us a delicious pasta and shrimp dinner.  It was absolutely amazing!!!!  I even got to take home some leftovers which I heated up for lunch today.  While at her house, we all discussed study abroad plans, summer plans, spring break plans (lots of plans), our classes, and life in general.  It was a wonderful evening and I can't wait for the next one! 

Kayley

Knightslist Classifieds

     The Knightslist Classifieds- simply stated, it's similar to craigs list in the way that you can offer to sell things, buy things, give rides, or look for housing offers.  This list is exclusively available to only SMC students and it is really a great resource.  You can sell things on it, for example skis, a tv, or some other electronic.  You can put on that you are willing to buy something.  If you are going to be driving home, you can offer a ride to anyone in that region.  Also, now is the housing crunch for next year.  This is the time to try and decide who you want to live with for next year.  Whether you try and get into a suite or just a double, you will need to find a roommate/ roommates.  You can post on Knights list if you need one more person to live with and you can say for example, quiet living space and need a roomie who doesn't play loud music. 
     You should definitely check the Knightlist out, just to see what it's about! 

Kayley

Mardi Gras Burlington Style

     Here in Burlington there is an annual Mardi Gras parade that takes place right on the main street.  It was today at 2ish and my best friend Megan and I went.  Here are some pictures! 

Here's a video from the first float! 

Kayley

Enjoying my Spare Time

     Last night was free bowling through the Student Association at a local bowling alley called Spare Time.  It was reserved from 8:30 to 11:00 just for SMC students and there were shuttles going from school to the bowling alley all during that time!  I went with my friend Liz and met my other two friends KK and Mike there.  I'm not a great bowler, not terrible, but not great.  Every time it was my turn the bumpers automatically shot up and I was ready to go!  The first game I bowled a 98 and the next time I bowled a 108.  I was pretty proud of myself. 

Here are some pictures from last night:

     I had a ton of fun and you will too at SMC!  Ask me any questions about SMC via twitter, my contact page, or formspring!

Kayley

Self-Defense Classes

      For the past 4 weeks I have taken a self-defense class every Tuesday afternoon from 11:30-12:30.  It worked out perfectly with my schedule because my only class ended right at 11:20, I had time to get changed quick and go to class, and then when it ended I had time to re-change and then meet Alex for 1:00 lunch.  This class was offered through the Center for Women and Gender and I think that it was extremely beneficial and a great learning experience. 
     Going into class, I had no self-defense or even martial arts training.  But...I know that it is always helpful to be able to defend one's self in a life threatening situation.  Let me make one point- Saint Michael's is a very safe campus.  There are these "blue light" poles throughout campus where you can push a red button and public safety will come to help you.  However, there is no big iron gate closing out the rest of the world from entering campus and there is the possibility that a person who is up to no good could come on campus.  The likely hood of that happening, very slim, but in all actuality there is a minute chance that it could happen.  That is the chance that I am prepared for and that was the point of taking the class.  I will not always be in the safe bubble of SMC after I graduate and I have definitely learned some great life skills. 
     I will not bore you with the moves, kicks, punches, and other techniques I learned, but I will say that if you ever get the chance to take this class, here or anywhere else, you should definitely take it up! 

Kayley