First week at DU

My first week at DU has been awesome!

All last week was orientation and today is the first day of classes. The orientation groups are determined based on your freshman seminar (which I wrote about a few months back). I seriously lucked out with my seminar group: my orientation leader (OL) is truly passionate about helping freshman, as is my seminar professor, Kax. Also, there are a lot of fun people in my class who I've become good friends with in just a few days! Kax reminds me a lot of my AP English teacher from last year, Doc X (hmm, they're both an "x") so I know I'm in for a good year :)

Orientation week was a lot of busy work and looooong meetings. But by the end of the week, I was totally ready to kick it into high gear. College, here I come! My classes this quarter (Sept. - Nov.) are as follows: French 2100, Math 1700, Geography 1410, and FSEM 1111-10.

Other things that are fantastic about college so far:
1) My roommate (for whom I still need a codename!) - we are getting along really well, lots of giggle sessions and decorating/room re-organizing ventures gone wild. She's the one who decorated my door for my birthday.
2) My room - my roomie and I have worked really hard to make it look festive and feel comfy. We moved the fridge to make room for a window seat; we put up twinkle/Christmas lights, hung scarves and stars and all sorts of other cutesy decorations. Also, it's supposed to be a triple (three people in one room) but there's just two of us here so we have lots of extra space!
3) The campus - it's just plain beautiful! Brick buildings and green lawns...
4) The weather - sunny and 80 every day since I got here, can't beat that.
5) Opportunity for activities - I swear I signed up for more things than I ever knew about at the "Pioneer Carnival" yesterday.

I'll keep updating you... in my spare time
xxo, S

Happy birthday to me

Yesterday was my birthday!!! And now, let's just say, I'm no longer a kid.

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about this birthday because it ought to be a big celebration (and it's on a Saturday, so and even bigger one) but because it's my first week at college, I wasn't sure if I would have any friends to celebrate with.

To my delightful surprise, my roommate kicked off a great birthday by staying up late to decorate our door with wrapping paper, balloons, banners etc., all the sort of birthday party-ness that you want to welcome you on your birthday. I was so happy!!!! (Mostly because balloons in general make me really happy ;P )

During the day, my mom ordered me a cake from a local bakery and had it delivered, which was a sweet surprise (ha.ha.) and my dad sent a beautiful bunch of flowers that smell so yummy! I got calls from, seemingly, everyone I know all wishing me a happy birthday. It was great to hear from everyone back home.

For dinner, a bunch of my new friends and I all went to Noodles & Co. (a Colorado chain), which was my first time going and I found the food truly delicious. I think it's kinda my new obsesion... There was a hypnotist show last night at school, too, that seriously blew my mind. I was pretty skeptical about hypnotism before I saw this, but one guy successfully hypnotized over thirty people and made them do craaaazy stuff! I am still freaking out over how he controlled them so well. It was a really funny show, too, because people had no will power over their actions.

After the hypnotist show, we went into downtown and went to a club that was really fun. All five of us met some nutty guys (welcome to the world of clubbing) but had a serious blast. We also had an adventure, both by finding the club and by getting home late at night. By the time we got in bed it was like 3 A.M.

So (since my expectations were so low) I had a wonderful, wonderful birthday!!!! I'm glad I was able to spend it with my new friends, all of whom are super funny, cool, and friendly. I am sad, though, that I wasn't able to see my most beloved family and friends, but I thank them for calling me (non-stop!).

First day of classes is tomorrow!
xxo, S

Packing

Today is my last day at home.

I am leaving this evening for Reykjavik and Iceland, where I will be for the next two weeks. When I return to the States, I'll be heading off to Denver and college. This being said, I have, like, a million things to pack. Not only did I have to deconstruct my room and fold/stack it into brown boxes and giant duffel bags, but I had to separate what I wanted to pack for my Iceland trip. Oh, les gymnastiques mentales!

Now, I'm sitting in my room, staring at mostly-empty walls, remembering smiling times and crying times alike. A room holds things: a bed, a poster, a lamp, a memory. Clichéd though it is to say, we never really appreciate the things we have until they're gone. Now that I'm leaving this room, I realize I'll miss it that much more. Fortunately, I have a wonderful blank slate waiting for me at DU...

Also on the topic of appreciation, I would like to say thank you to those who are in my life and let them know how much they mean to me and how everyone has impacted me. My parents, my brothers, my old family, my new family, my extended family, my friends, my teachers, my neighbours & other peoples' parents: you have all helped me grow to the point I am at now and I know you will be there to help me keep growing. To those who are no longer with us: know that there are moments when I wish I could say "what would you suggest that I do?" and you are still a part of me.

Ok, enough nostalgia, reminiscence, and general sadness! The next two weeks are going to be nonstop new stuff every single day! I'm bringing some good books to accompany me. AND my new camera, so there will be photos abound!

See you in September.
xxo, S