It's Almost April?!

Hey Guys,

So it has been a while since I posted, but I figured it would be a nice break to jot down the things that have been happening since Spring Break ended.

I'm amazed that it is almost April. Where did my semester go?!?! Midterms are for the most part done with, which is amazing. To make this even more amazing, the weather here in Boston has been phenomenal. There's nothing better than Boston when there isn't an enormous pile of snow covering the Million Dollar Stairs. It's great to see all the BC kids dust off their shorts and T-shirts and play some Frisbee in the Dustbowl or eat their lunch outside of Hillside.

I also went to a phenomenal lecture last night called "The Last Lecture." It has become a pretty popular concept, but in case you aren't familiar here's a small re-cap: Each semester a Professor is asked to pretend as if he were reaching the end of his or her days, think about what is the most important lesson they have learned over the years that they would like to pass along, and then actually pass it on. This year the lecture was given by Father Fleming, a beloved Father here on Campus who is unfortunately leaving BC at the end of year. He focused his speech on what a Jesuit Education truly means, and how its cardinal principles can be incorporated into our daily lives. It was an amazing speech and a great way to put my last weeks at BC into perspective/prepare how I want to spend my last year at BC. Unfortunately his lecture isn't up, but if you want to catch the first "last lecture" at BC from Father Himes, an equally beloved and distinguished professor here on the Heights, click here!

Alright well time to get some more work done so I can go and lay out in the Quad before the rain comes.

Thanks for reading,
Juan

Spring at BC

The most amazing thing happened last weekend - it got warm. You have no idea how weird it feels to be walking around outside in a T-shirt after wearing layer upon layer all winter. I'm from Atlanta, and on Friday and Saturday I felt like I was back home every time I stepped out the door.

The really incredible thing, however, wasn't just the weather, it was what the weather did to people. I kid you not, a spontaneous party broke out across campus. Literally more people than I have ever seen on Upper Campus at one time were outside blasting music, throwing footballs and talking with friends. So naturally I threw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and ran outside; I loved every minute of it.

You know how on the cover of every college brochure you get in the mail there's a picture of some kid doing homework on the nicest lawn you've ever seen as he basks in sunlight? Yeah turns out those things aren't staged, at least at BC. You will actually see people doing that, and a lot of people at that. The weather is just too good to pass up.

During the winter people never want to go outside, and why should they? So after all that time cooped up in your dorm room, you can't wait to get out. So when that first weekend up spring time weather comes around, tell your work it can wait and put it off until tomorrow, I promise you won't regret it.

-Jake

Week before Thanksgiving break!

Hey guys!

I'm less than a week away from going home for Thanksgiving break! I have a lot to do for classes between now and then, but I'm excited for the last home football game on Saturday. The weather has been so mild this year for most of the games, so we got really lucky.

I still feel like this semester just started, and I just got back to BC, when really, we're about 2/3 of the way done! It's crazy how fast the time goes by when you're a college student. I'm really excited to see my friends and family (and, of course, my dog who I miss more than anyone) back in Minnesota for almost a week!

Class registration is coming up for next semester; I have to figure out which classes I'm taking. I know I'm taking two Econ classes, which is exciting for me, and I have to finish my core requirement in Philosophy and Theology.

I went to the Plex today after not having gone in about a week, so that felt really good! Then, I had a "turkey dinner" from Lower Dining Hall.

Well, I'm off to hit the books in the study lounge!

-Libby

Halloween on the Heights

Hey Guys!

It's supposed to be almost 70 degrees outside today! Woohoo! It has been chilly lately so it will be nice to have a warm day for the football game vs. Central Michigan. We played our fellow Irish Catholic rivals, Notre Dame, last weekend and many students flew out or took RV's to South Bend for the occasion. Although we lost, it was a fun game to watch and all of my friends who went to the game said it was a great experience.

I got hired at the BC Bookstore last week! I have worked three shifts so far and it has been pretty fun. It's cool to see what goes on behind the scenes at the bookstore and to help customers find what they need. My first rush of midterms is over, so classes were pretty low key this week and should be for the next few.

Last night, everyone was celebrating Halloween! I got free candy from my Philosophy Professor and from people in the lobby of my dorm. You will find out when you get to college that everyone is obsessed with getting "free stuff." It's pretty great. When I was walking up the stairs, I passed a really good Harry Potter and a Robin Hood! Seeing people's costumes is hilarious. Tonight will be round 2 of that!

Happy Halloween!

Spring Awakening?

The spring semester is beginning, and while not exactly warm and relaxing, it has started with some pretty sweet moments.

First, and most importantly, of course: it is absolutely prime sledding season. Though the weather is WICKED cold, everyone came back from break with nice warm winter gear, which I enjoyed seeing after having waved goodbye to a friend going home to California in flip flops. Seriously, though – it’s winter. It’s supposed to be cold. Good old Mother Nature dropped a foot or so of snow, which I naturally had to shovel, being home for the holidays. Now, many have found hills around campus, especially here on Newton, to get trays and sleds out and fly down in all kinds of creative - and slightly insane - ways.


We started classes a week ago; we have until tomorrow when Add/Drop period ends to finalize our schedules, and I am still moving around in my schedule. So far so good, though – my professors are great and class times are really quite convenient.

I just went to a meeting for College Bowl, similar to Academic Bowl apparently, which I was never part of, but it deals with trivia. Last night was Zombie, Pirate and Ninja themed night. I hope to go to Laser Tag this Saturday at the O’Connell House, the center of freshmen social life on Upper, and maybe back into the city – my friends and I visited the Museum of Fine Arts for free, since we go to BC. Other extracurriculars abound, and I just applied for a job with the IT support staff.

In Organisms and Populations class, we learned that a blue whale’s testicles weigh over a ton, but a fruit fly has the largest sperm, longer in fact than its body… and this actually related to the lesson in evolutionary progress. In chemistry, we passed around blocks of dry ice that could freeze our fingers off if we held them for too long. Cold potato, anyone? In my philosophy/theology class, we discussed the various college-life habitats, the mating and courting patterns of freshmen, and social structure based on a BAC of 16.7 (or something ridiculous) and the goal of college students in general being able to replace their blood entirely with alcohol. Believe me, these classes are not boring – and far from being inapplicable to life. Except maybe the biology facts… but as a lesson, make sure to put plenty of effort into choosing courses at any school. The teacher can make or break your future in that subject.

Anyway, that’s it for now, I am not envying those that have to go through the selection and application process, though I do sympathize. Good night and good luck!

Joe M.