MOOOVING and GROOOVING

     Hello all!  As students at Saint Michael's we learn that service is an important part of our education.  This is easy for us because we have the MOVE board!  I have done quite a few programs last year and this year with MOVE.  There are so many different programs offered from helping seniors and children to volunteering to help with animals.  The MOVE sign-up board is conveniently located right in Alliot next to the MOVE office.  If you ever have any questions about any program, definitely go in and ask! 

There is the MOVE board!

Here are some examples of programs-

• A Cause for Paws
• Baked Love
• Middle School Mentors
• Habitat for Humanity

     I have volunteered with playing cards at a senior citizen home (here is a blog post about them), Cause for Paws animal blessing services (here is a blog post), and senior citizen proms (here is another blog post).  I hope to continue playing cards with the seniors and I definitely want to get involved with more programs.  What's also great about MOVE is that the programs are a "non-commitment"- meaning that you can do a program once and never do it again.  You don't have to do the same program each week, instead you can try all different programs to find out which one is your favorite. 
     You should definitely take advantage of this unique opportunity!  I have made quite a few friends just by volunteering at these different activities (a secret benefit of MOVE!).  As always, ask me anything about college! Formspring me, tweet me, or use my contact page at the top!!!

Kayley

Taxi Cab Adventures

     Hi everyone!  I hope you all had a FANTASTIC Thanksgiving! Mine was excellent, I saw my family, ate delicious food, and got to be with my two puppies. 

This is Olive, she is a mini Doxie.  I also have Pickles a mini pinscher

     As you all know, I fly home every break- JetBlue!!!  This year, my fellow blogger and best bro Alex and I have flown home at the same times.  We flew back this morning at 9:00 and landed in Burlington at 10:00.  One great thing about this small airport is that there are always taxi cabs waiting to take flyers to their destinations.

Alex, Lauren, and me waiting for a cab

     Alex, Lauren (a fellow SMC student), and I decided to share a taxi back to campus.  My Early Christianity professor, Professor Saint Laurent, shared the cab with us too!  She had spent the holiday break on Long Island and was on our flight!!  We all shared a taxi and our taxi driver turned out to be a little strange.  It was very hot in the cab and he turned to us and said "Wow it is hot in here" and then opened the sun roof.  HOWEVER, he then turned the heat on! The air was blowing right at my head and I was about to have heat stroke!!!! 
     Overall the taxi ride was fine because Alex and I were hysterically laughing the whole time!  As always, feel free to tweet me, contact me, or formspring me!

Kayley

Salsa Dancing!

     This year (back in early October) the Diversity Coalition put on a salsa dancing class.  Actually, it was this event that convinced me to join the Diversity Coalition!  The class was in Eddie's lounge on a Friday night and I went with Alex!  A professional dance instructor came to teach us some basic salsa dance moves.  I had a blast and I hope that we can have another dance class soon!!   

Kayley

The Writing Center

    The Writing Center is an amazing service offered to Saint Michael's students.  Basically, it is there to help students having difficulties with essays.  The students who work there are there to give feedback, help to develop ideas, and fix grammatical errors.  You can either drop in for an appointment, or sign up to have one-on-one time with a trained coach.  It is open Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 am until 9:00 pm and is located in the lower level of the library in room 119.  Days and hours sometimes vary, so it's good to try and reserve a time slot to ensure that you are going at a good time.    

       
      The Writing Center is definitely something that everyone should take advantage of.  Even if you are not having trouble writing an essay, sometimes it's a great idea to have someone else proof read it.  As always, feel free to contact me, tweet me, or formspring me with any questions you have about college life!

Kayley 

Knitting Club

     Hi everyone, I hope you have had a great weekend.  As some of you may know, I am running the knitting club this semester (my friend who normally runs it is studying abroad in India).  I'm not a super experienced knitter, but I really enjoy teaching new members how to knit.  This year some of my wonderful suite-mates decided that they would like to knit so Taylor and I taught Megan, Marci, and Allyson how to knit scarves. 

Megan!

Here are some of our members at the first knitting club meeting of the year!

     So far I have knit many, many scarves, a hat, a couple of pairs of mittens, and now I am knitting a baby blanket for MOVE.  I hope to learn how to make a sweater soon and learn some new stitches.  

Here was my first attempt at a mitten....I added the thumb later. Don't worry, they have gotten MUCH better with practice!

This was my activity at Friday Knight Dry

    Yesterday Marci, Alex, and I went on a trip to the knitting store Kaleidoscope in Essex.  It was an amazing store for knitters, full of yarn and books, tools and kits.  I was completely speechless as we entered, it was a knitter's paradise!  Here is a picture-



      Knitting Club is a great opportunity to get involved in on campus.  We have meetings frequently (don't forget to check your emails) and you can knit scarves, mittens, baby items, and hats for MOVE so they can donate the items to those in need.  I am always happy to teach a new member how to knit, so come on by!  As usual, if you have any questions at all about life on campus and at Saint Michael's (and about Knitting Club) feel free to formspring me or use my contact page at the top of my blog!

Kayley

Breaking Dawn Adventures

     Happy Friday everyone!  Last night/ this morning I was able to go see Breaking Dawn with my best friends Taylor, Megan, and Alex.  Megan and Alex won 4 free tickets from 802 the App to see the midnight showing of Breaking Dawn at the Majestic 10 theater.  We were all SO excited to go see the movie and on top of it to see it for free!!!  We picked up the tickets Thursday afternoon from the Holiday Inn and I decided to document the whole adventure! 

Megan!

Megan's packet with her tickets and free t-shirt!

Alex and Megan

I didn't know where we were, so I took a picture....

Why hello there Alex!



     After we picked up the tickets we went back to the dorm and went about our normal activities...homework, class, etc.  Around 9:30 we left to go out to Walmart to buy candy and then head to the movie theater.  We got to the theater very early...and we expected to see hoards of people....which there was not, but we had a fun time waiting in the theater anyway.  

Taylor, Megan, and Alex

Alex, Megan, and me

All of us in front of the Breaking Dawn poster

Megan and me

Alex and me

Taylor and Alex

Megan and Taylor

     In the end I'm so happy I was able to see the movie with my friends and have a nice night out.  We got back around 2:20 in the morning and I was SO exhausted, so it's probably going to be along time until I see another movie this late.  Well, if you have any questions about life at Saint Michael's feel free to formspring me, tweet me, or contact me!

Kayley     

A Thanksgiving Feast

     Tonight was the famous Thanksgiving Dinner.  First Year students quickly learn that Thanksgiving Dinner in Alliot is the most delicious meal of the year.  Dinner starts at 4:30 and lasts until 8:00 and it is packed from the time it opens until it closes.  Tonight there were even a couple of Cup Drops! (that's when everyone drops their empty cup on the floor in Alliot...it's a tradition)

What we get to eat-

• turkey (of course)
• mashed potatoes
• peas
• stuffing
• cranberry sauce
• gravy
• corn
• sweet potatoes
• bread
• hot apple cider

     It is such a delicious dinner and I just wanted to share some images with you! 

Before....

After!

Nate, Alex, and Mary 

Marci and Katie!



      Dinner was so incredibly delicious and I now that it's over...I can't wait until next year!  I hope you have a great break and blessed Thanksgiving dinner with your families next Thursday!  As always, feel free to tweet me, formspring me, or contact me with any questions you have!!!

Kayley

International Festival

    

     The International Festival is a festival run by the Diversity Coalition and the Applied Linguistics Department.  It brings together people of all cultures while celebrating differences.  The Festival showcased performing groups from the community as well as students here at Saint Michael's.  This was my first year helping out to set up and volunteer my help as a member of D.C and I'm very glad I was able to contribute! 

     My day started out with helping set up flags, putting on tablecloths, and decorating tables from 10:00-12:00.  Then I met all my suite-mates at brunch and enjoyed a delicious omelet made my the hilarious Chef Mike.  After brunch I tried to do some homework, but I ended up cleaning and watching Harry Potter- thanks ABC Family for furthering my procrastination.  At 4:00 I went back to Tarrant (where the festival was being held) to help set up food and the rest of the decorations.  

      Start of the Festival- 5:00

      My first assignment, once the Festival started, was to help with admission.  I helped to collect money and hand out tickets which was a slightly stressful task.  I did have fun seeing all the excited children and their parents.  I also helped out cutting pies, setting out appetizers, and finally serving all the delicious food!  It was a ton of fun seeing all the amazing performances and enjoying the food. 

Here are three of my amazing suite-mates! Taylor, Allyson, and Megan

Here is a list of the performances and some videos!!

1. Inkas Wasi (an Incan performing group)
2. Junior Jam (an African Drumming group)
3. Mary Brust
4. the Celtic Knights
5. Burlington Taiko Group
6. Akoma drummers
7. Alia Thabit
8. Guayoyo Haitian & Cuban Drums
9. Jeh Kulu Dance & Drum Theater
10. Ahmed Alasaos
11. Matesolers

Saint Michael's African Drummers!

The Celtic Knights

     The International Festival was, in short, a success and I'm so happy I was able to volunteer at it.  I can't wait until next year just to do it all again!  Feel free to tweet me, formspring me, or contact me with any questions you have about Saint Michael's College. 

Kayley

Coffee Hour

     Every Wednesday there is an international coffee hour in Saint Edmund's lobby from 3:15-4:15.  It is put on by the international students in an effort to converse with other students to practice speaking English.  It is great because there are so many yummy foods to eat each week and they differ by region.  This week there were empanadas which are an Argentinian specialty.  Also there is always coffee available!  I have gone many times and it is great to grab a quick bite to eat and meet some new people from different cultures. 

Here is a croissant and some nutella from the French Coffee Hour! and YES it was as delicious as it looks!!!

Here is my cheese empanada! It was very good!!!

     Next week the Coffee Hour will be collecting food to help raise awareness of Homeless Awareness Week.  They will be collecting:

• canned vegetables/fruit
• canned soup/ravioli
• ramen noodles
• boxes of rice/pasta/cereal
• peanut butter
• jelly

     It is wonderful to be able to support those in need and this is a great opportunity to directly give help to others.  I hope you will go to these coffee hours and give some food at the next meet!  Have a fantastic week and feel free to send me any questions you have!!!

Kayley

Knights at the Round Table!

     Knights at the Round Table is a "restaurant" style area to eat on campus.  It is located on North Campus in Sloane Hall and is easy to get to by shuttle.  It is SO delicious and is DEFINITELY worth going to.  Instead of being like Alliot where you serve yourself, you have to make a reservation, and then use paper ordering cards to pick out what appetizer, entree, and dessert you would like.  This dining hall is also great because it is included under the meal plan.  You can make a reservation with the extension x2253 and you can reserve a table for up to 6 people.  It is open from Monday to Thursday from 5:00-6:30. 

Here are some pictures of me and my friends enjoying some food at Knights at the Round Table!

Katie enjoying her salad!

These spring rolls were scrumptious!

Chicken Parmesan

Fruit cup for dessert!!!

Marci and Nate

an extremely large picture of me!

     You should definitely check the food out at Knights of the Round Table.  Tonight I went to eat there with my suite-mates and I ate roasted vegetable and potato soup, steak with mushrooms, and s'more pie.  They were all extremely delicious!  I can't wait to go back next time! 

Kayley

P.S. Here is a clip from our last time eating there- It is SO funny!!!

Pianos and Accordians

     Last night there was a Piano and Accordian concert in McCarthy Arts Center.  It was at 7:30 and was free to the public.  I ended up going alone, but I am so happy I decided to go because the music was absolutely gorgeous.  Annemieke Speolstra, a fine arts professor here at Saint Mike's, and Jeremiah McLane, a renowned accordian player, put on the concert.  The music they performed began in the 17th century and by then end they were playing music from the 21st century. 

     Here is a clip from the concert last night!  I hope you enjoy it-

     Please ask me any questions you may have about life at college! Tweet me, contact me, or formspring me!!!

Kayley

Flu Season

     Flu and cold season is upon us unfortunately.  However, Health Services is offering flu shots!  A couple of weeks ago I went with my friend Megan and we got ours.  If you are someone who goes and gets your flu shot then you should definitely head to Health Services soon!  There are only 50 vaccines left!!!

Hours-  9:00-12:00
            1:00- 4:00
Cost- $10.00
Payment- Knightcard
               Cash
Where- Health Services in Alumni Basement

     Don't forget to fill out the personal history form that was attached in the Health Services Flu shot reminder emails.  Here is a link to the Health Services blog post about the Flu!  It's a personal choice whether or not you get a flu shot, but I hope I have enlightened you as to how you can get one here!  Please tweet me, formspring me, or contact me with any questions you have about life here at Saint Michael's. 

Kayley

The Slippery Slopes of Smuggs

     Hi everyone, last year was my first time skiing.  (you can see my blog post from last year here!)  I can honestly say that I'm not good at skiing and will not being doing it again.  However, that doesn't mean you can't try!  It's a great opportunity to learn how to ski at an EXCELLENT price!  The passes are on sale this week on Friday from 10:00-2:00 for only $30.00 in the Knight Card office.  Here are some requirements-

• you must have your knightcard with you at the time
• you can pay with cash, check, or knight card as well as credit or debit
• if you pay with credit/debit the card must be with you

    Once you are done, you can pick up your pass during the week of November 21 in the Wilderness office.  I hope you think about trying this unique opportunity, after all we are in Vermont!

Kayley

Yoga, Zumba, Pilates Oh My!

     This week is the week to try out zumba, yoga, and strength conditioning classes.  I have already been to a yoga class and am going to a strength and toning pilates class tonight, as well as zumba tomorrow.  This semester I am planning on going to zumba tuesdays and Thursdays and pilates on wednesdays.  The classes cost $10 and include 6 classes. The classes are in the dance studio in Tarrant.  Here are the different classes, when they are, and what the purposes of the class are. 

• Vinyasa Flow Yoga- Mondays from 6:00-7:15 this is a way to increase flexibility and balance through poses and breathing.
• Zumba- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:45 this is a way to increase strength while listening to great latin music and other music from all over the world!
• Strength Conditioning Class- Wednesdays 6:00-7:15 use martial arts, yoga, and pilates exercises to increase strength, speed, and agility. 

How to get to the Tarrant Dance Studio-

1. enter Ross and go straight all the way towards the double doors.
2. go up set of stairs on the right
3. at the top of the stairs make another right and go through the doors.
4. the dance studio is located on the right next to the water fountain

     It's so important to try and stay active while at school and for someone who doesn't want to specifically to go to the gym to work out, these are great ways to exercise and have fun.  I hope you decide to take advantage of the different classes offered!  Please contact me, formspring me, or tweet me!

Kayley