Yesterday was the 113th Boston Marathon, but it was my first experience witnessing the madness. At Boston College, Marathon Monday is a huge event, one surely looked forward to by all and definitely not to be missed.
In my first year, I chose to partake in the event with a club called the Campus School Volunteers. It was a phenomenal experience. The Campus School is a place for severely handicapped children ages 3-22. They require one-to-one care and many expensive pieces of equipment. The marathoners raise money for the school, and run the marathon for the kids. It was AMAZING! It's a goal that many people in December don't think they can achieve, but after lots of hard work and dedication, our dreams come true as we dash toward the finish line from Hopkinton, MA to Copley Square in Boston.
The greatest thing that I want to stress is the excitement from peers while passing BC. Everyone is so excited, even know they didn't know me, because when you see someone from BC you just feel an overwhelming sense of pride. I felt like I was flying, with everyone slapping my hand and screaming my name. With all of the pride and excitement, BC is the place to be to watch marathon hopefuls make their way to the top of Heartbreak Hill. It's such an amazing time, whether you're running or watching, and can't wait until next year's race!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
From MY freshman year to YOUR freshman year
Hey all,
Here it is in early April, and depending on where you are at school right now, you may have anywhere from three to ten weeks left of high school. Everyone here at BC, however, has a mere three weeks before finals begin, a week of finals, then off we go into the early summer, eagerly awaiting the day we get to return to the Heights.
For me especially, coming back is going to be great. We "won" the housing lottery, as is an appropriate expression, and 7 of my friends and I managed to get an 8-person suite in Walsh, on Lower Campus (a long shot more convenient than Newton, but I will miss the more comfortable atmosphere). Many people were not as lucky: though one of my roommates right now had a group of 8 that also got it, my other two present roommates (in the same group) didn't get 8-man rooms, and today also missed out on the 4 person apartments. They have one more chance, then may end up on Upper Campus, in the sophomore section on College Road (fondly dubbed "Co-Ro"). Wish them luck with Lower!
It also seems to be time for me to put in a shameless plug for the marching band; we get to come back early for band camp in August (which, for perspective, takes more energy than my football doubles in high school). If you can play an instrument, it's a great way to meet people, practice playing, and keep busy early in freshmen year. You are also welcome to look into it if you decide to go to any college in the Boston area!
AND, just in case you didn't realize it, the deadline for deciding on a college is swiftly approaching. I know how much a struggle that can be, and being (relatively) fresh out of the process, feel free to shoot me an email with any question/comments/concerns, or about really anything. Best wishes and Happy (late) Easter!
Adieu for now!
Here it is in early April, and depending on where you are at school right now, you may have anywhere from three to ten weeks left of high school. Everyone here at BC, however, has a mere three weeks before finals begin, a week of finals, then off we go into the early summer, eagerly awaiting the day we get to return to the Heights.
For me especially, coming back is going to be great. We "won" the housing lottery, as is an appropriate expression, and 7 of my friends and I managed to get an 8-person suite in Walsh, on Lower Campus (a long shot more convenient than Newton, but I will miss the more comfortable atmosphere). Many people were not as lucky: though one of my roommates right now had a group of 8 that also got it, my other two present roommates (in the same group) didn't get 8-man rooms, and today also missed out on the 4 person apartments. They have one more chance, then may end up on Upper Campus, in the sophomore section on College Road (fondly dubbed "Co-Ro"). Wish them luck with Lower!
It also seems to be time for me to put in a shameless plug for the marching band; we get to come back early for band camp in August (which, for perspective, takes more energy than my football doubles in high school). If you can play an instrument, it's a great way to meet people, practice playing, and keep busy early in freshmen year. You are also welcome to look into it if you decide to go to any college in the Boston area!
AND, just in case you didn't realize it, the deadline for deciding on a college is swiftly approaching. I know how much a struggle that can be, and being (relatively) fresh out of the process, feel free to shoot me an email with any question/comments/concerns, or about really anything. Best wishes and Happy (late) Easter!
Adieu for now!
Monday, April 13, 2009
One week!
Hello!
Sorry it's been so long, so much has been going on! I'm one week away from the big day-- Marathon Monday! Although I'm a little disappointed I won't be partaking in the festivities on campus, I'm really looking forward to hitting that 21 mile mark and running past all the screaming Boston College fans. As I've mentioned before, I'm running with the Campus School Volunteers, along with about 150 other BC students. I'm very excited - but will be very relieved when it's over!
Now that I'm completely done with midterms for the semester (I had 3 right before spring break!), I'm on the home stretch of this school year. Class registration happened last week, and luckily I got into most of the classes I needed/wanted to take. It's weird to think 2 years of college are already over - and some of my friends are going abroad next semester, which is also weird to think about. England, Scotland, Sweden, China... they'll be everywhere! Last week was also the housing lottery - I found out I'll be living in a 4-man in Edmond's! There were 8 of us, but with 5 people going abroad in the Spring, we figured it would be better to block two 4-mans. It should be great.
Tomorrow night I have club field hockey practice (in preparation for our game at Brandeis) and an Irish Society Movie Night-- Boondock Saints!
Well, until next time,
Megan
Sorry it's been so long, so much has been going on! I'm one week away from the big day-- Marathon Monday! Although I'm a little disappointed I won't be partaking in the festivities on campus, I'm really looking forward to hitting that 21 mile mark and running past all the screaming Boston College fans. As I've mentioned before, I'm running with the Campus School Volunteers, along with about 150 other BC students. I'm very excited - but will be very relieved when it's over!
Now that I'm completely done with midterms for the semester (I had 3 right before spring break!), I'm on the home stretch of this school year. Class registration happened last week, and luckily I got into most of the classes I needed/wanted to take. It's weird to think 2 years of college are already over - and some of my friends are going abroad next semester, which is also weird to think about. England, Scotland, Sweden, China... they'll be everywhere! Last week was also the housing lottery - I found out I'll be living in a 4-man in Edmond's! There were 8 of us, but with 5 people going abroad in the Spring, we figured it would be better to block two 4-mans. It should be great.
Tomorrow night I have club field hockey practice (in preparation for our game at Brandeis) and an Irish Society Movie Night-- Boondock Saints!
Well, until next time,
Megan
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Random pranks and crazy friends
So yesterday was April Fool's Day, and boy did the pranks go down like crazy. I'm part of a discrete group of improvisers called Jumbo Shrimprov. We all got together and dressed up like we were going to work out (in the 80's) and had a ridiculous marathon across the Dustbowl that lasted about 10 minutes. Our instructions were to race at a .5 pace, as though we were moving through jello, very thick jello. We generated quite a large crowd, and the entire thing was not only one of the funniest things I've ever done at BC, but also made me feel like I was part of something amazing. People had no idea what was going on-which was the beauty of it.
Then later we did "ghosting" in O'Neill Plaza. Basically, we would follow people so closely it was like we were breathing down their neck, and after one person "latched" on, about 15 others would come out and follow together. Once the person (if they did) realized they were being followed, we would disperse really fast. It took a while for people to catch on but once they did they were all laughs. I love pulling silly pranks and such, and the crowd enjoyed it so much.
When I got back to my room at night, my friends and I realized that one of my friends switched all of our stuffed animals and put them in different rooms. Being here at BC is so much hard work and can be so stressful, but on the days like today, I smile and laugh more than I could have ever imagined, and I realize that I am in an amazing place with so many different, cool people, and it's an adventure every day.
Then later we did "ghosting" in O'Neill Plaza. Basically, we would follow people so closely it was like we were breathing down their neck, and after one person "latched" on, about 15 others would come out and follow together. Once the person (if they did) realized they were being followed, we would disperse really fast. It took a while for people to catch on but once they did they were all laughs. I love pulling silly pranks and such, and the crowd enjoyed it so much.
When I got back to my room at night, my friends and I realized that one of my friends switched all of our stuffed animals and put them in different rooms. Being here at BC is so much hard work and can be so stressful, but on the days like today, I smile and laugh more than I could have ever imagined, and I realize that I am in an amazing place with so many different, cool people, and it's an adventure every day.
Keeping you posted,
Dana
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