Going to the Fair

Last weekend was tons of fun. The Champlain Valley Fair comes to the Expo (just down the road from SMC) every summer, and we get back to school just in time to go!

Normally, the fair is an orientation activity. Freshman students receive a ticket for the same day and they can all go together as a class. Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Irene last year, most of my class didn't get a chance to attend. So, this year, my friends and I made it a must. We went to the petting zoo, rode the ferris wheel, and ate a LOT of greasy-fried fair food, none of which I regretted...forget the calories, fried dough at a fair is necessary!

My favorite girls and me, ready for a night at the fair!

The ferris wheel

A cool view from the ferris wheel!

Animals always love Tanya! This one kept nudging her to keep petting!

If you're ever in Essex Junction around the time of the Champlain Valley Fair, I definitely recommend going. It's an awesome way to spend a Friday night!

Back and Better Than Ever!

Ever since move-in day last Saturday, the days have been packed with organizing, learning, social gatherings, and TONS of fun! Let me catch you up on my classes:

Fall 2012 Academic Schedule:

1.) Intro to Environmental Studies: This class meets for one hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, plus a 3-hour lab period every Monday. I have one professor for the lecture class that meets 3 times a week, and then the lab class is split up between three different professors. This is a different setup than other lab classes because environmental studies involves so many separate disciplines. So, one professor teaches the more scientific concepts and works with us outside while the other two focus on the philosophical side of the course, as well as history, law, and everything else that goes into understanding the complexities of human impact on the environment. In all honesty, I was really afraid of how having four professors for one class would work out. It turns out, though, that they all work together really well and the entire class seems to just blend together perfectly. Our class project seems pretty cool too...but more on that later! All in all, this is my first class for my ES minor, and I think it's going to end up being the perfect choice for me.

2.) Advanced Digital Media: This class is a Media Studies elective that is only offered every two years. After taking the required Digital Media: Art, Culture and Theory class, I decided this next level would be a good idea for me. I love Journalism, but I know my weakness in the MJD major is anything having to deal with graphic design or learning different computer programs to create images or web pages. Although computer stuff proves itself a challenge for me, I really liked the first class last semester and I'm already enjoying this one. There's just so much to learn...with constant updates in technology, this field is always changing, and even though it's so quickly paced it's all quite exciting! I have this class for an hour and a half every Tuesday and Thursday morning, and I always find that time flies quickly while I'm there. Professor Sultze teaches it, and she keeps her students very engaged with the fascinating content of this course.

3.) Christianity: Past and Present: This class was the one a bit out of my comfort zone. I'll admit that my reason for taking it was to fulfill the LSC (Liberal Studies Core) requirement; I would have never thought of it otherwise. Before my first class I could only think, how am I going to sit through an hour and a half of straight lecture? After all, this is a religious studies course--there would be no lab component, no class outside, no interactive computer program assignments. But, this is why the LSC classes are so awesome...they're never what you expect, and they always show you another side of yourself and teach you what you can do. I found that it's actually a really interesting subject. I always thought that all of the different branches of Christianity, as well as its relation to other religions, was really confusing, and maybe that's also why I was wary about taking the class. But so far, everything is completely understandable, thanks to Professor Byrne. I also enjoyed the homework that I had to read from the Bible, now that I actually get what's going on! As for the lecture, it turns out that I can get through it after all! We often break into groups to discuss different themes, ideas, and questions, and the class is set up so that all of us can have our questions answered.

4.) Nature and Outdoor Writing: I saved this class for last for a reason--it is my absolute favorite! As my second class this semester with Professor Sultze, it has a very relaxed feel but it's also an excellent learning environment. Besides, all of my assignments involve spending time outside! We had our last class out in Gilbrook, on the nature trails behind the 300 Townhouses--just a short walk from the classroom. We all had to find a quiet place to sit by ourselves and write or draw our observations, including every sensory detail. It was a very calming exercise, and I found when I was done that I was much more focused and less stressed than I had been before I entered the woods. I enjoyed a nature walk with a friend today as well, and was actually able to call it homework because I took pictures for a class project. I'm learning so much already, and this class is also reinforcing my passion for creative writing. I've officially made the decision to declare a Creative Writing minor!

So, those are my classes this semester. I'm a little bit behind on updating you all, and if I had the time now I'd describe my weekend trip to the fair and all of the unpacking and reunions that took place even earlier in the week. However, it's getting quite late, so I will fill you in on all of that fun stuff next time.

I hope you've all had as great and fulfilling of a week as I have. If you're just getting back to school now, too, then I wish you the best of luck. Have a wonderful year!

Peace,
Lauren

Beach Bums, Nostalgic Summer, and an Announcement

Hello! It feels like ages ago since I last posted here. Apologies to my readers--the months have passed so quickly, and yet so slowly at the same time. I've tried to post so many times, but was at a complete loss for words! I miss Saint Mike's so much. It was nice being able to come home and spend time with family, but I am definitely ready to return. In some ways, I feel like summer break is just too long--enough time passes that it feels almost as if I'm not going back. I'm so happy that's not the truth though!

So, my summer went pretty well, though in all honesty I feel like I haven't done much! I've been working full-time for a local food establishment, reading, and of course hanging out with friends and family. I went with my family to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in July. It's a beautiful place and we had so much fun! I spent a whole week lazing around on the beach and soaking up the sun. We were there during my sister's birthday, so we had a great time celebrating at the seashore.

My sister, Christa, and I on her 22nd birthday.

I was thrilled to catch up with some old friends from high school, and what was really awesome was that some of my SMC friends also came to visit! Since my friend Sheila (who also goes to Saint Mike's) lives in my hometown, our friends Liz and Shawn came to see both of us. Shawn visited from his hometown in Connecticut and spent the day at some of our favorite places to hang out in Poughkeepsie, like the Walkway over the Hudson. Liz took Megabus to New York City, where we met up and spent the day seeing the sights. It was a little rainy, but we still had a great time!

Liz, Sheila and me in Times Square.

Of all of the fun memories I had this summer, I have to say that the best (and bittersweet) were the ones spent at my grandma's house. Although she passed away last May, my mom and her siblings have spent a lot of time at her house this year, going through old stuff and making repairs before it's time to sell. I spent a lot of time growing up in that house, as did all of my cousins and of course my mother and her siblings when they were children. This summer, I went there often with my mom to help sort through the rooms. We did a lot of work, but of course we also took the time to go through photographs and old letters (there was an entire box that my grandmother saved from my grandfather when he was fighting in WWII). I spent time in each room, out on the front porch and in the park across the street, where I used to go play with my cousins. Going back to the house filled my summer with nostalgia and memories of when we were all together. It's a time that I really miss, but I'm so glad that I got to revisit it once more.

Gram and I playing with bubbles at her kitchen sink, ~1995

I'm both sad and happy to see this summer come to an end, but like I said, I absolutely can't wait to get back to Vermont. I know Gram would be so proud.

Dear readers, I also have an announcement to make. Many of you may already know of Her Campus, an awesome website for college girls. You may also know that Saint Mike's is coming to Her Campus! I am so happy to say that I will be helping out as a Her Campus team member. If you're interested in becoming a part of Her Campus SMC, as it says in the link, contact our correspondents Lauren Mazzoleni or Alex Brenock. Look out for our launch on September 11th...it's going to be phenomenal!

See you at Saint Mike's!

Lauren

First-Year Housing

Hey, so, it's been a while!

To get everyone all caught up, finals week ended well--passed all of my tests, handed projects in on time, and said goodbye to my professors. After I handed in my last paper, I took a deep breath and...headed back to my room to work on packing. That wasn't easy, since I completely wrecked the place during finals week...getting everything together to move out may have actually been more stressful than my exams!

Anyway, I'm now back home in Poughkeepsie, NY, safe and sound. I've been here for just a couple of weeks, but part of me is already wanting to go back to Saint Mike's. I miss it so much! I'm grateful that I still have three more years...I haven't had enough of the place yet!

Of course, next year will be a completely different experience. New classes, new people (as we say farewell to the class of 2012 and welcome the class of 2016!) and, of course, a new place to live.

As a first-year, I lived in Lyons Hall in the Quad. The Quad is where all incoming freshmen will live. I had an awesome experience living there this past year--all of the buildings are so close to each other that it creates a really tight-knit community. I never had to walk far to go visit a friend. These buildings are also conveniently located right next to the academic buildings, Alliot (the dining hall), and the library. There were a few close calls when I'd wake up only ten minutes before a class, and I was still never late! (I don't recommend testing that out, though).

Lyons Hall

Lyons--as well as Ryan, Joyce, and Alumni, the other buildings that make up the quad--is a four-story building that houses approximately 40 to 60 students per floor. The rooms are mostly doubles, with some triples and singles. There is a bathroom in every wing (each wing or floor is same-sex) and there is a student lounge in each building where students have access to a printer. The basements all have vending machines and multiple washers and dryers.

I lived on the fourth floor of Lyons Hall, in the South wing. I absolutely loved it there! The girls in my wing, as well as on my whole floor, were incredibly sweet and we really formed a little community within our hall. I lived in 416, which is a single. So, I didn't have the experience that the majority of my classmates had. On move-in day, there was no roommate waiting for me. I was excited to have my own room, but at the same time, I was scared--would I make any friends?

My mom took this picture of me right after I moved in!

Soon enough, all of that blank wall space was full of papers and photographs.

Singles are smaller than double rooms, but I loved Lyons 416...it was so cozy!

I think this was the cleanest my desk was all year!

It turns out, making friends wasn't a problem at all. My first night there, I had already met every girl in my wing, and we all gathered in one room and talked most of the night away. Throughout the week (and most of the year, in fact) I kept my door propped open whenever I was around and available to hang out, and people would come in and out of my room as they pleased. Eventually, I simply left my door unlocked when I was inside, and my closest friends knew they didn't even need to knock--they'd walk right in! My little single turned into a pretty neat hang-out spot for me and my friends, especially Tanya, who had a single on the floor below me, and Maya, who had a single in Joyce (and who will be my North Campus roommate in the fall!).

Tanya, Maya and I lay on the bed while Cait naps on the floor.  This photo was taken during finals week,  and as you can see, we were all exhausted!

The Quad experience was something I'll never forget, and I'm sure it's unique, just as living in any other campus residence will be. Next year, I'll be in Linnehan, on North Campus...no more waking up 10 minutes before class anymore! It'll be fun to live with one of my best friends, but Lyons 416 will always remind me of my first year having a college experience. I hope whoever gets it next year loves it, and makes it their own. I'll miss that room!

Peace,
Lauren

Hey, I made a Formspring!

Told you I would. :)

Here's the link: http://www.formspring.me/LaurenKopchik

It's also available on my "About Me" page.

As they say, "Ask me anything!"

Peace,
Lauren

Vlog: Finals

Birthdays at SMC

Hello, everyone! Sorry to keep you all waiting for an entire week--as I said before, it was a pretty crazy one! I'll tell you more about finals and the last days of classes in my vlog tonight, so stay posted.

First, though, I wanted to discuss something really fun...birthdays! Friday was a really important day for my friends Tanya and Sarah, as it was both of their 19th birthdays. We went to eat at Olive Garden and then saw The Avengers. AMAZING movie! I highly recommend it. It was a nice girls' night out, and I think they both had a really good time.

Beautiful birthday girls!

This has not been our only celebration this year, though! I have a HUGE group of friends, and as I've said before, we're truly a family. Shawn's birthday was April 29th, and he was so surprised when he arrived at his room to find everyone waiting for him with a "happy birthday" banner, cake, and presents.

We also had Cait's birthday on the 20th...I know, TONS of birthdays in a matter of weeks! Our friend Alex got everyone together for a huge surprise party in Eddie's Lounge (you can read more about it here at Jessica's blog...she came to celebrate too!).

Cait and Nate being goofy at her party...she had no idea we had anything planned!

Even last semester, we knew we had wanted to do something special for Maya's birthday. We like to make fun of her because she's a big Twilight fan, but the truth is we all had a good time bringing her to see the latest movie when it came out in November! We also bought her lunch and a birthday dessert at Bueno Y Sano and My Little Cupcake, two delicious places conveniently located near the Roxy theater downtown.

We also wrapped her door like a present and everyone signed it!

Here she is blowing out the candles!

Maya, me, and Tanya at what now feels like only the beginning of an amazing friendship!

Sheila and I have our birthdays in the same week, mine is January 24th and hers is the 29th. Her dad and sister came up to visit, and they took us out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. We also went to Lake Champlain for a beautiful winter view.

We didn't stay for very long though...it was freezing!

My 19th birthday was one that I will never forget. It was on a Tuesday, so I figured I wouldn't do anything special--everyone is extremely busy during the week with classes, homework, extracurriculars, and events. I remember that I was happy, though, because the blood drive was that day. I know that sounds really odd, but I was looking forward to it because I could never donate before. The last time I tried, they told me to come back when I was 19. And there we were, having a blood drive on my 19th birthday! So, I considered it a sign. I was really happy once I did it, because even though it was a little scary, I knew that it was for a good cause. Knowing that my blood can help someone in need, maybe even help save a life, was an awesome birthday gift.

Anyway, I didn't expect to do much else on my birthday. But, knowing my SMC family, they would have never let that happen! I remember sitting with Sheila in the first floor lounge of Joyce, working on some homework. I was facing the window, and when I looked up I saw the reflections of a bunch of people walking in with a plate of cupcakes and some presents. My friends snuck up on me and threw me a surprise party...nobody had ever done this for me before!

They were delicious...and Maya gave me the coolest hat!

My friends threw me one of the most memorable birthdays ever!

I love that we've done something cool for every single birthday in our group. No matter who you meet at Saint Mike's, the friends you make will always find a way to make you feel amazing. The funniest part is when people burst out singing "happy birthday" in Alliot! The giant birthday cake we get every month isn't too bad either. :)

Peace,
Lauren