Banquet

Harden Clubhouse

Last rugby event of the semester tainted with bittersweet feelings. Although it was nice to have the entire team together for one last hurrah that is what it was, one last hurrah. It hit home for many of the seniors that had changed and grown so much in the past four years at Elon. The team has been such a pivotal part of our lives its hard to imagine (for some) what life will be like without that support, friendship and love. But if nothing else it was so hilarious to see the rookies skit. I was particularly touched by the picture slideshow and Koala's seranade to the seniors ("For Good" from Wicked the musical). We'll always have the memories and if nothing else those of us that return for homecoming or alumni weekend will have the opportunitie to reimense in all our "glory days".

The Seniors

 The L3s

The L2s

The Rookies

Our Team

Pride Week & Prom Dress

Another interesting week at Elon. Although I have been a horrible Spectrum member the entire year I wanted to at least make an appearance at some of the events during Pride Week. Before classes Monday I put my rainbow pin on my backpack as a sign of support and of course pride! Tuesday at College Coffee I renewed my vows with my life long "partner" Lindsay. It was such a bittersweet moment considering this would be the last 30 minute marriage of our college careers. At least this year I looked somewhat healthy and put together. I was so embarrassed the last few times looking back at the photos. In my defense I was sick one year but another year I just looked silly and so immature. 

After a full day's schedule including going to the Boys and Girls Club in Burlington I went to the panel that evening which was somewhat interesting. I particularly liked Dr. Swimalar who discussed human rights violations within the international community and focusing on LGBT issues abroad part of human rights. 

Later in the week aka Wednesday was a busy BUSY day. Ceramics class is picking up in momentum and I can't determine whether or not I'm behind or on-track or what. None the less I went to class in the morning and then had back-to-back engagements. I ended up staying in the library until 3am but the good thing was that I scored big with late night Panera. 

I got a bagel, carrot cake muffin and an entire pkg of cookie!!!

Thursday I got extra credit in my PR class since nearly 1/2 the class was absent so that was nice. Friday was another back-to-back starting with early rise at 830am to get ready to go to Cummings H.S. in Burlington with a group member to collect our surveys for the anti-bullying campaign we're required to do as a final project. Ugh have I mentioned how annoying and pointless college and school group projects are? At least my group members are nice and tolerable otherwise this would feel more like torture. I also got a cupcake at the Spectrum pride table in Moseley on my way to Irazu for a coffee. I had an interview with Enter the Haggis (check this band out HERE) who will be performing at MerleFest on Thurs. April 26. The Pendulum will be publishing a "preview" article about MerleFest featuring a Q&A interview that I will be writing. 

That night I spend almost 4hrs in Arts West working on bowls. Lindsay came for a bit to hang out. I needed to relax and zone out from work. Saturday, per usual, is a rugby day. However, what is truly unfortunate is that both teams we were supposed to play bailed on us last min. But EWR will prevail. We divided up the team and played 4-15min quarters. It was the longest, gruelling, fun, emotional rugby games I've ever played. And of course the last game I'll ever play as an undergraduate. Prom dress galore and fans unite! Thanks to everyone who came out to support us. Purpose. Pride. Passion.

Even the Alums came back to play - Cobra showin off her bum

after one of the opposing teammates ripped off part of her dress

Team captains: Schmidty and the Ruddster

The Seniors 

Myrtle Shenanigans

Wow! What a week it has been. I really didn't have any expectations of this year's spring break other than having a lot of fun, making some new friends even if it would only be temporary, and get to know my teammates better. I did all that and more. Between the quotes, dances, laughs, snap-chats, nights out, singing, games and beer I believe I experience a true (but sadly last) spring break as a college student! All is thanks to Jamie and EWR teammates that came on the trip. It wouldn't have been the same without all of them: Tubs, Catherine, Megs "Trampstamp", Hogan, Cash, Koala, BGraham, BMoore, Ruddster, Schmidty, Tiny, Cherrell, Mo, Anna, Smurf, Urs, and Arny.

 Playing some rugby on the beach the night we arrived 

Our neighbors downstairs were also a big part of the less drama more fun aspect of the trip at least for many of us that had been to Myrtle the year before. A bunch of guys and gals from CT who decided to come to Myrtle Beach on a week in late March that just so happened to fall on our week spring break. Despite some of the unfortunately events that happened towards the very end of the week - cops raided the house and made both renters pour all the alcohol out - we loved hanging out with each other and learning new phrases, games and stories about the New Englanders' culture.


The biggest setback of the whole week was the weather. It was unfortunately that this particular week remained windy and rainy for a good portion of the daytime. What was worse was my stupidity - rather a mixture of stubbornness and pure laziness - to wear flip flops on the first few adventures outside, the first and turns out to be the most painful walks was that to Dunkin Donuts on top of a late afternoon stroll on the beach the same day. Bad bad BAD idea! It would've been one thing if I had brought my sandals that are intended for more that moderate-level walking distances. And you who've thought I would've learned my lesson earlier this week when huge blisters appeared on the bottoms of my feet. But no I continued to "brave" (aka be stupid) trying to walk in my Old Navy cheapo flip flops smaller distances (8-12 looooong blocks here and there) and on Tuesday evening I mustered the ultimate level of dumb wearing my brown 1 1/2" heels to Senor Frog's - yep a night club.

 First walk to Dunkin

 Hmmm...ice cream place a few blocks away? Maybe come back later

 Still walking to Dunkin...turned out to be 2 1/2 miles away

Walk back from Dunkin on the beach 

Staying on the cheap buying food in the beginning of the week served me well. I don't think I spent more than $90 max on food/booze. On top of a beach merch towel ($14), cost of the cottage (around $85), a few nights out ($20) and gas (probably $30 once split) I don't think I spent more than $250 for the whole trip which was entirely within my budget. YAY me!

 Making our first communal dinner as a team :)

Happy Birthday Megs!

It was really great to see part of a sunrise this morning, the last morning we were at Myrtle. The beach was full of life between the walkers, seagulls, and rolling waves. The air was so crisp and even the moon was still peeking from the then sunlit sky. Being the earliest one to get up out of the 14 girls I had the chance to relax a bit before everyone started to run around packing up. The ride back was painless with the exception of coming to the realization that I would have so much work to catch up with. Not to mention the recurring hunt for jobs/fellowships/internships in the near future. But for right now I'm going to take it all in an reflect on what a nice, relaxing and fun-filled break its been so far. 

Thanks EWR!

SATURDAY'S A RUGBY DAY!

So a loooong time coming but I'm finally posting about our rugby match against Wilmington last Saturday. I felt pretty good about the game personally because I had made it to every practice in the last two weeks. Of course when I could make a consistent commitment my buddy couldn't. I had decked out a pair of buddy sunglasses two weeks ago and wanted her to have them but she hadn't come to practice so I arranged to pair them with the sweatpants I made her. Must admit I got pretty creative :) but no I don't have picture evidence.

 Me and my buddy!!!

 Jamie - Scrum Captain and 2nd White girl on the team

to have cornrows

Hydration is my best friend and helps me have good stamina. This was particularly helpful when early on in the game when Courtney's lip started bleeding. I didn't wear a scrum cap for the first time which was weird but not terrible. I played eight man poorly but caught the ball, drove into tackles and successfully passed the ball to my teammates which made me very happy. Everyone on and off the field gave it there all supporting each other and making smart decisions. Despite the fact that everyones hearts were in the game the highlight players were definitely Tipton and Diane!

 Courtney's bloody lip and fierce face

 Lineout GO KIMBO!

 Scrum player of the game: Diane, sharing a heartfelt hug w bbf 

Backline player of the game: Tipsy/Tipton sharing a hug w Schmidty

After our post-game pow-wow I went to La Cocina with Rachel and Urs and Urs's boyfriend Lance. It was sooooo good to finally eat a substantial meal. I hadn't eaten since early that morning mainly due to my fear of getting sick or slightly feeling nausea on the pitch. I never knew how good a burrito mexicano could taste until that moment.

We headed to Cash's place afterwards - as directed by our captains - and the door was open but no one was home. After another hour Schmidty and her dad and uncle came by with a keg and the party finally began! It was so great to finally hang out at a social with everyone especially after our last matrix game.

 "Why were you born so beautiful why were you born at all....no use to

us your not effin use at all so drink mo-fo, drink mo-fo, drink mo-fo, drink!"

 The champs 

Last semester buddies :)

Later that night I went to Jamie's place at West End apts to say happy birthday to her roommate - mutual colleagues from the Arabic Language Organization (ALO) and Nonprofits class we took together. The last fun event of the night was Taphouse's fundraiser for Festivius. The live music was pretty great - covers - following $1 green beers and crazy dancing with so many people I know = priceless. Happy St. Patty's day!

SENIORS!!!!!

Wintery Wonderland! At least for a moment

It goes without saying that I was SUPER happy that it snowed this week. I was particularly pissed off at how "nice" it was outside. Everything someone would say, "Oh the weather has been so nice like spring" I found myself thinking "are you kidding me? It's supposed to be crappy and cold. Its the WINTER people!" However, I am bias considering I do not tolerate hot weather at any degree very well. I sweat on any given occassion even in the winter season when its (well moreso way back in the past less so in the last three years) traditionally colder. Besides my angst I was delighted to experience some snowy weather here at Elon. I haven't seen snow at Elon since freshman year. Of course I expected it to disappear the next day (which it did) so I was definitely going to take the opportunity to walk home in the snow when its clean and beautiful to watch.

 Outside the apt

I wasn't the only one. After the women's basketball game the brick pathways were filled with students. For the most part people were excited about it with the exception of a few who complained on-site. No bother to me. I was so chipper I danced part of the way home with my huge IKEA umbrella. It was fun and reminded me how the littlest things like walking through the first snowfall makes you feel so happy and childlike. Before it started I decided to walk to Lindner (across campus from my apt) for my Burst the Bubble Hip Hop class thinking, "oh, it might end up snowing while I'm in class. That will be nice. I'll get to feel a slight chill on my face." Yeah I'm that weird but really don't you love that feeling? It reminds me of the only time of year always designated towards spending moments with loved ones like at Thanksgiving leading into December, the start of the winter & Christmas season.

Trollinger House...oh how pretty

The unfinished Moseley extension 

Friday morning before most of the snow was already melted I walked to the Moseley to get a package and go to the Lindner to study. As I walked from my apt to central campus I took some snapshots of the area covered in white. I passed a few snowmen and a snow family, a lot of footprints and trees decorated with flakes. I also took a few photos of objects I thought were interesting that you can see below.

  Snowy footprints

 First buds of pre-spring season

Some of my friends were happy about the snow specifically because they were so hopeful that classes would be canceled. What they don't realize is we already get MLK day off so it wouldn't be in the best interest of the school to give us an extra day. Its winter term, we only have 3 weeks of class anyway! Although they didn't get completely off the hook students who had 830am classes got to sleep in another hour or two on Friday thanks to Smitty J's announcement of a delayed opening schedule. But most students, even in my 130pm class, skipped. I went to class having no reason to not come to class and I was glad I did. We presented ads to the class and talked about what we thought these images/videos meant, what they say to mass audiences and how they are relevant to the text/topics we discuss in class.

Mango...yum!

Friday night I went out to La Fiesta for dinner with the girls and had a jumbo margarita. It was delicious, the food not so much but it was nice to get out. We also made a trip out to the liquor store and found some interesting bottles like the one to the right.

Saturday was a chill day waking up around 1130am. Made pancakes and eggs for brunch, went to the gym later with my girlfriends and attempted to play racketball. Later I went to the Alumni gym for a Mellow Mushroom coupon as a promotion to come see the Elon Men's Basketball team play Wofford. I watched with my rugby teammates Rachel and Courtney. It was a very close game but in the end Elon won 68-61. Afterwards Courtney and I went to Kangaroo for some freakin awesome coffee. As I walked home I debated whether or not to go out clubbing since I hadn't eaten dinner yet and was kinda not feeling the club scene.

I ended up going out to Greensboro to a club called Allure. It seemed to have potential but I should've known when I asked the bouncer about the DJ and he said he was new would be a problem. He had potential in the beginning playing throwbacks and old school hip hop but eventually as the night wore on so did our boredom. HOWEVER, I will never forget our experience. I have been to clubs in other cities in the US and I've been to clubs all over the world and NEVER have I seen a ton of guys on the dancefloor groovin to the music, singing the music and waiting there for women to dance with them. In my experience its the opposite: the women dancing and guys come up after there are enough women on the floor to "choose" from. Like I told my girlfriends their looking for the right "meat." I will forever be grateful to Allure for exposing me to something completely different.

Today, Sunday, is another chill day. I ate pancakes and eggs again and did a load of laundry. Later I watched Silver Lining Playbook which was awesome! Now I'm debating when to go to the gym today even though my calves are in pain from the stairs exercise I did yesterday. Also I'm still not sure when or if I should do my readings for class today instead of tomorrow since I have an extra day off. I can't complain life is good :)