The End of the Year is Near

As school comes to an end I can't help but want to keep it on pause for a little while longer.  Essentially, I will not be back at Susquehanna until the beginning of January and I want to just stay where I am at for a little longer.  Next semester I will be flying over to England and spending several months as a student in London.  It is definitely one of my favorite places I have visited so far and I cannot wait to have the chance to explore there.  But I have to say that I am torn because as many things as I complain about this school, I would not change my decision to come here.

As this blog ends for this school year at SU, next semester awaits a completely different experience.  I'm excited to go somewhere else, but I'll definitely miss Susquehanna for the semester.

So here is to SU, and my rants and raves for it this year.  But Regent's here I come, SU I'll be back to see you in 2012!

Regent's College

Spring Weekend

If you are a student at Susquehanna I realize you do not need to be informed of Spring Weekend.  You have lived it, breathed it, and thrived at it.  When making my decision to go abroad one of the deciding factors was because I think spring semester is the best.  Personally, I have the most fun at SU second semester, with Spring Weekend and tubing down the river.  It is (usually) the warmest times and the students just want to spend time out and about.

This Spring Weekend we were fortunate to have such nice weather to lay around and just have fun.  I spend the majority of my Saturday laying on the lawn and listening to music with my best friends.  We then ventured over to the SAC event, where yes there were in fact camel rides.  I would say that this is a random thing to have at our school but honestly, when will you ever get to ride a camel again?

To say the least, I got the chance to ride a camel, I spent the day soaking up the sun, and I had one last weekend to spend with my best friends before finals week.  I think that is what the point is for Spring Weekend, to have as much fun as you can before you have to spend countless hours in Abaum or in the library cramming everything you can before the dreaded finals.  One thing is for sure, I'll never miss a Spring Weekend.

Some of my friends and I walking over to the SAC event. (original picture)

Getting the chance to ride a camel. (original picture)

Get Out Your Arc, Because SU is Flooded

Like I mentioned before, I live for spring at SU.  But what I cannot stand is the ever present raindrop.  I did not realized that central Pennsylvania accumulated so much rain.  Perhaps it is this year, but it feels like if it does not rain in a day the day is not complete.  Selinsgrove is hot and cold when it comes to the weather and I think that when we're dressed the nicest we can be (that one time where you want to show the school you do not only own sweats) the town knows that a downpour is essentially.

I frequently come home after major downpours to find the secret swimming pool that SU possesses.  If any of you were curious, it is actually the back yard of the Alpha Delta Pi house.  It comes and goes every so often but if you are lucky enough, you could definitely swim a lap or two.

However, the excessive amounts of rain have aided in the beautiful greenery of our greatly anticipated spring season.  I'm trying to say that I did not realize I needed to bring my arc to Susquehanna University.

Spring Has Sprung

SU when spring has finally arrived. (original picture)

Something that I absolutely love about Susquehanna is when spring arrives.  I think that it really is the most beautiful campus when everything starts to get green and colorful.  You know that it is spring when the blankets come out, long sleeves are gone, and students litter every piece of grass on our campus.  I think that this is the most exciting time of year but also the most difficult with classes.

I know, for me, it is difficult to pay attention in my 2:25-4:05 class on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I see the sun shining and students spending time on the lawn.  I have even tried scheduling appropriately so I never have to be tempted by the spring weather again.  

My only disappointment about this year is that this wonderful weather came so late in the game, but I don't blame Susquehanna for that problem, just Mother Nature.

Penny Wars

From Monday to Thursday at 2:00 pm part of Greek Week was called Penny Wars.  All week long there were buckets in the bottom of Deg. that held various coins for each organization.

The object of this event was that every Greek organization was to put as many pennies as they could in their bin which would add up to points.  Any other organization or person could come to the table and put silver coins and bills in the bin to deduct points from the pennies in the bin.

All week there were barely any coins in the bins, but as 2:00 pm approached it was insane how much money was put into these bins.  People were running up to the table clutching bags filled with thirty dollars worth of pennies and bags of silver coins. 

I watched as people shoved coins into stuffed bins, sweating, and trying to get them all in on time.  I watched people make it known that they were putting twenty dollars into one organization's bin.  And I saw a group of boys roll up to the table with a cardboard box filled with so many pennies that they placed their bin inside their box.

I think what was best about this event, was that all the money earned from this event would be going to relief efforts for Japan because of the earthquakes and tsunami.  I cannot wait to find out how much money our efforts raised.  I also recommend witnessing the last few minutes of pennies wars.

This is a picture of several Greeks frantically shoving rolls of pennies into their bins before time was up. (original picture)

Spring has somewhat Sprung

As I briefly mentioned before, spring at Susquehanna is my favorite time of year.  Usually it is warm and sunny and everyone litters every lawn on campus.  This year, however, we have not had the luxury of having this warmth.

One of my favorite aspects of spring at SU would have to be Greek Week.  Like flag football, everyone becomes extremely competitive but all in all it is a great time.  This year, I was in charge of the banner for ADPi and painted it early into the morning with my friend Rachel.  We stayed up until 4:30 am just painting. 

I know some of the other sororities were not thrilled with the fact that we won first place for the banner competition but I am extremely proud of our banner and the time we spent on it.  I love seeing what every other organization comes up with for Greek Week.  From ZTA's to Kappa Delta each of the banners were very impressive and I was so excited to check out what each sorority thought of for the theme "Rumble in the Jungle."

Here is a picture of Sigma Kappa, Theta Chi, and Kappa Deltas' banners. (original picture)

This is a picture I took of ZTA, ADPi, and TKEs' banners. (original picture)

Formal

You know how in high school we always had certain opportunities to get dressed up?  There was Homecoming, Junior Prom, Senior Prom, etc. and all these chances to just dress up.  Despite the fact that I do not dress up all the time, I am the type of person who enjoys putting in some effort and really dressing up for a certain occasion.

At college we do not have all these chances to dress up like prom, except for formals.  I have to admit that I love formals here at Susquehanna University.  Not only do I love the spring here at SU but I love that a formal falls in the spring.

Unfortunately, this spring has not been warm at all unlike last year.  I remember last year we spent the day laying in little pools and spending time in the sun, this year we spent the day in sweatpants and sweatshirts.  Despite the major temperature difference I had an absolute blast at formal.

To say the least, everyone should have some opportunity to get dressed up for fun and formals are always a must.

This is a picture of my boyfriend (my date) and me prior to formal.

These are my two best friends and me (not outside due to weather) waiting for the buses to arrive.

Powderpuff

When it comes to sports between guys at this school, it becomes very competitive.  But when you take a bunch of girls and put them on a football field together, it is like you have never seen a competitive game before.

Just recently, Pi Kappa Phi held their first sorority powderpuff game at the football stadium.  I had an absolute blast watching as my sorority played several of the others in the flag football games.

You would never think that this was a flag football game, a no tackling/major contact game.  It was a muddy, rainy, and cold game but each sorority had many of their girls cheering them one.  Girls would come off the field with brush burn, bruises, and maybe even some cuts.  One of our girls even had to get stitches.

This is a picture of the girls in my sorority and myself who were there to support out girls.

I think that events like these are what make a college so much fun, there was major competition and a few swear words spouted here and there, but at the end of the night we were still friends with one another.  Although Sigma Kappa won the entire thing, it was entertaining watching as our girls sprinted around playing like it was life or death.

I guess you could say, it is stuff like this that makes me love being at Susquehanna.

This is a picture of our girls trying to decide what play they wanted to run. (original picture)

Healthy Rivalry

One thing I absolutely love about living on University Avenue is the rivalry between the TKE house and the sororities.  It has been a constant battle between ZTA, KD, Sigma Kappa, ADPi and TKE.

From swiping letters off the front porch, stealing composite pictures off the wall, or taking a flag from a house it has been a constant battle.  It is harmless fun between the organizations and I think it's quite entertaining. There is a thrill of the game where you want to take something without them knowing.

During recruitment, TKE had taken Kappa Delta and Sigma Kappa letters and had it on their roof.  They are known for their little shenanigans but no one will back down and admit they are defeated.

This is something I love about living on this street, there is never a dull moment and we always keep one another entertained.

This is a picture with our latest catch.  I hung it on the roof to showcase our win.

TKE tried to get their flag back by sneaking into the house.
We'll give it back to them soon but for now it's starting a battle.

This is a picture of the flag in the house when we had it hidden prior to hanging it up.

Admissions Office

Another annoying spot to drive on campus would be when you are trying to pull out of the admissions office.  On a non busy day, at a non busy time there is no problem getting out.  But when you at various cars, night, and maybe even students walking that is when it becomes difficult to navigate.

As well as these basic contributions to the difficulty getting out of admissions, you have to add the fence as well as the telephone pole that is smack dab in the view of the road.  If you don't pull out far enough, you have a telephone pole right in the middle of your line of view.  If you pull out too much you risk getting slammed right into by another car.

Not that there is anything to do about fixing this problem, but still it's something that I dislike about trying to get out of admissions.

This is an example of the pole being right in the middle of your view of the street.

Pedestrian Walks

I love Susquehanna. I think it is a beautiful campus and definitely my favorite place in the spring.  But there is one thing that is occasionally terrifying here.  The pedestrian cross walks by the new science building. Terrifying.

I don't know about anyone else but there have been times that I have almost run down someone because they magically popped out and were suddenly walking across the street.  Because of the fences that SU put in to add some appeal to the sidewalks it makes it near impossible to see any people walking.

Several times I have been driving at night and some person decides to walk across this pathway, dressed in all black, and I have to slam my breaks on.  I know the pedestrians have the right away but they should also look before they cross the street to see if any car is approaching.

This is the cross walk by the new science building.  Not only do people just randomly pop out into the road, but it is also the most terrifying at night time.  The street lights do not seem to help the cause in any way.

Maryland

The weekend before midterms break thirteen of my sisters and I took a trip to Maryland. Granted this was not "Susquehanna" related, but we were representing Susquehanna University's Alpha Delta Pi. That weekend, we made the drive to Maryland for our District Leadership Conference.

There we met so many other Alpha Delta Pi's from various sororities from Boston to West Virginia and sometimes I forget that there are other sororities outside of our own.  I think that at Susquehanna, and many other schools, students get wrapped up in their own things.  We get wrapped up in the four sororities here and forget that it is a national thing that occurs.

Although this was not a Susquehanna thing, it was exciting to bring a little SU to Maryland and other schools!

This is a picture of my sorority sisters in Maryland.  It was taken right before one of our meetings.

Light Reading

I know that this is something that exists at every school, and I know it really is not THAT big of a deal.  But I honestly love spending my time reading and sometimes contributing to the desk carvings seen on various desks and chairs throughout campus.

 I don't know why I find this so interesting but I know that when I'm slightly bored in one of my classes I'll just sit there and read what's in front of me.

This picture, is actually from a table in my Marketing class.  I contributed last week.  It is almost my goal to find something carved from when my parents went here.  I know that may sound stupid.

I just think it shows students' creativity (or level of boredom).  I've seen names in a heart, initials, greek organizations, and even poems carved into desks.  It's nothing intense but some of them just make you smile.

TRAXportation

When it comes to Susquehanna University, they clearly are doing something right when it comes to TRAXportation.  It may be the greatest invention, not only for SU students, but in the history of the entire world.  Unfortunately, I have no photographic documentation of this magical creation that cruises the streets late at night every weekend but that does not mean my love for it is not as important.

I know that many a time I have been walking back from Orange Street only to see the shape of the TRAXportation bus driving down the street.  As a shivering student, I am sure to hail down this bus whenever I can.

Although I have met my fair share of rude students on this bus, I am sure to chat with the bus driver of the night and form a friendship that he really does not care about.  Despite this, I am sure to inform him that I greatly appreciate him picking me up.

To sum this up, TRAXportation is a savior. Maximize this ideal means of transportation from the school. And always thank the driver.

                                     

Ice Skating Rink: in the 17870

Last year I had heard about a small ice skating rink in Selinsgrove.  I had heard about it, but really had no idea where it was.  And for some reason, I never decided to pursue my search for this rink.  For my birthday this year I got ice skates, mind you I've only been ice skating about three times in my life but I had this new found obsession to go ice skating. 

So last night, during the snowfall, my boyfriend took me ice skating at this small rink.  I had mentioned it to him the other day and he was a little bummed because apparently I had ruined his surprise to take me.  Nonetheless we went and found it. 

Despite the fact that it was closed and a little dark we decided to skate on it.  We had to brush the snow off a big section but it was actually really cool! This skate rink is called Little Norway Too and located at the corner of Water street and Sassafras. 

This rink, said to be about 200 to 350 feet is free to everyone.  The lights stay on from 5 to 10 p.m. every night.  It has a concession stand, a fireplace, benches and best of all rental ice skates are available for free.

Yes, something fun to do that doesn't cost any money.  The only thing about the skates is that they come at a first-come, first-served basis.

So, as a college student with a minimal budget, I would most certainly recommend going to this skating rink for a new and fun experience. 

Granted I struggled a bit at the beginning (I'm not the most graceful skater) I later was capable of moving faster than baby step shuffles. 


Painting on the ice rink building



Either way, I recommend you go whether it be with a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or organization you'll definitely have a good time!



I wasn't able to capture the rink because it was dark but this picture was on the side of the concession stand.



Clyde's Burritos

I guess you could say that I can always find something that I find fault in.  In this post I'd like to praise Susquehanna University as well as complain about a minor detail.

I have to say that I am a big fan of Clyde's burritos here on campus.  It's a staple in my week to say the least.  I have it down to a science when it comes to what exactly I want the lovely Clyde's ladies to do.  As a frequenter, I am not so certain that everyone knows there are actually two kiosks to order on. 

When I walk into the gym from class the area by the kiosk closest to the door is surrounded by people but I'm always sure to peak around the corner to see if the other one by the drinks is open, it usually is.

The only thing that I really have to complain about when it comes to Clyde's is that some people have no idea how to roll a burrito.  I've had my share of interesting ways a burrito could be folded. 

My favorite was recently when someone folded to sides together and scrunched the other sides together... as if that will hold my chicken, lettuce, and cheese together and keep it from spilling all over.  This lack of "wrap rolling" ability is also seen at Benny's on occasion as well. 

It just baffles me that these people have apparently never had a wrap before.  Or these establishments should at least be TRAINING their workers to do their job correctly.  

Despite the setback of having to re-roll my Clyde's burrito on occasion, this will not stop me from indulging in my weekly Clyde's lunch.

However, there is one woman I always wish to have make my order because she has it down to a science, definitely my favorite Clyde's woman!

Lack of snow plowing skills..

Selinsgrove, a town consisting of roughly 5,000 residents.  A town much like my own at home.  I don't always know why I came to Selinsgrove since I always complain about my town at home but for some reason I happen to love it here.  Maybe because it's "my" town that I get to talk about to my friends when I get home.

However, there is one thing about Selinsgrove that I can't stand.  Maybe it's because I am an impatient Jersey girl who thinks that New Jersey is the only state that does things right (laugh if you must).  Maybe it's because we do things to an extreme. 

Either way, I can not stand the way Selinsgrove plows its roads.  I guess I am used to having plows out all through the day, or trucks salting the roads to an extreme but that is not the case here.

I was baffled when I saw how this town dealt with snowstorms, it was as if they have never experienced snow before (which is absurd.. we are in Pennsylvania).  I couldn't help but laugh as I saw the cars driving down University Avenue struggling to move anywhere and having their tires spin out. 

This entertains me that no one else but the people from Jersey and places like Maine as well think that this is unusual.  I guess you could say, this is one of my pet peeves when it is winter in Selinsgrove.

Selinsgrove, Pa "plowed" road

This is a picture I actually took while driving down a side road in the Grove, as my little Jetta struggles to make it down the road.

It was a Sunday and the roads were still this covered in snow.. I wish I could have captured how it looked better but this is it for now.

Start it off..

Well, this is me.  My name is Jennifer but there is only a handful of people in this world that actually call me "Jennifer."  I reside in New Jersey-- in small town that is unfortunately very similar to that of Selinsgrove (maybe that's why I felt at home here).  I'm a sophomore here at Susquehanna University and currently working on my Communication Studies major and Advertising minor. And this is my blog..

I guess I'll start out about this assignment.  This semester, in my New Media class, we are to keep a blog going throughout the semester.  This is my first blog, and my first blog post like many other students in my class.  It's something new, but maybe I'll end up really enjoying this!

I wanted to mention how I ended up here, in this class actually.  My parents both went here, Susquehanna University and I guess you can say they hit it off seeing that they've been together ever since they were 19. 

I visited SU with no intention of ever coming here but I guess I was wrong.  I'm here now and absolutely love Susquehanna. 

This is a picture of (if you know them) Robbie Nickey, me, and Ellen Varner, all students here at SU, when we were little.  We've known each other since birth because our parents all went here.. no one ever expected the three of us to end up here to.

So here we go.. a little info about me and a little info about class.  Stick around if you want to hear about various aspects of Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, and anything in between.