Groundhogs and Cherubs. Yuck.

Today…is groundhog day.

Yippee?

I’ve never understood the purpose of Groundhog Day. No matter if some furry creature sees his shadow or not, we’re still going to have several weeks of winter afterward. Winter already has me grumpy, I don’t need more fodder from a groundhog for me to grumble about.

Speaking of winter, Louisville has been relatively lucky thus far in the way of severe weather. This time last year we were still reeling from the ice storm and making up lost days of school.

What I wouldn’t give for a week off from school right now…gosh that would be nice.

But I digress. We’re all still trucking along and studying our faces off preparing for impending midterms. I feel like the semester just began yesterday, but I know midterms are just resting around the corner, waiting to attack me when I least expect it. Tricky midterms…

In other news, Valentine’s Day is coming up…

Again…yippee?

Luckily for us single ladies, there are plenty of Valentine’s goings on to keep us busy while happy couples frolic and make paper chains of a fat baby toting hunting equipment.

Do I sound bitter? Maybe a little. I’ll lighten up for the next paragraph or so.

Whether you’re in love or not on Valentine’s Day, Bellarmine Radio implores you to bid Silent Auction style on an hour of on-air programming (of your choosing!) with a V-Day theme. It can be for someone/thing you love, or it can be anti-love (just in general, they’re not accepting programming directed at your ex). They’ll be in the café during free period all this week taking bids.

I’m actually totally ok with Valentine’s Day, though I encourage folks to make their own presents (and make it thoughtful) instead of wasting money on whatever pink encrusted do-dad you can find at Walgreen’s. Also, there are some great stores on Bardstown Road where one can a) buy locally and b) find something unique for their Valentine. May I suggest a trip to The Makery? Handmade gifts at a handmade price, and you’re bound to find something to suit anyone’s taste!

Or you can do something fun together, like make a trip to Glassworks in downtown Louisville, or try some ethnic cuisine neither of you were brave enough to try on your own.

If you’re single, get all your single friends together and make a day of it. That’s what I would do if I didn’t already have plans to wear all black, sit in my room alone and listen to Jagged Little Pill on repeat for hours.

KIDDING!
I’m actually going to watch a professor of mine perform with his band in Indianapolis. Which I’m pretty pumped about.

Happy early Valentine’s Day to all my readers!

Check back very soon for an update on Homecoming Week (my last ever!).

While we’re still talking about Haiti…

Some Bellarmine students have come together to do what they can to help efforts in Haiti.

On Thursday during free period (10:50-12…I think) students will be taking orders for shirts to raise money for aid in Haiti.

They will be located in Cafe Ogle and the shirts can be purchased for $12.

They look like this:

If you would like one and can’t make it to Bellarmine, please leave a comment and your email so we can reach you and make sure your donation makes it to the right place.

Bellarmine students aren’t stopping there, however. There are more philanthropic goodies in the works that I’ll be sure to keep you posted on.

In the meantime, take care.

Haiti

I’m going to take a break from my usual collegiate diatribe and take a moment to ask you to kindly donate to relief efforts in Haiti.

CNN.com has compiled a handy list of trusted organizations that are taking donations.

Please do what you can to help.

LocalLouisville

When you live in Louisville long enough you start to notice a trend.
We like our stuff local. And we like to keep it weird.

At Bellarmine, we tend to agree. Many of our professors are local people who are actively involved in the community in various ways.

A lot of them are also REALLY weird. In a good way.

Take my Music in American Pop Culture professor, for instance.

Todd Hildreth, man of all things musical and accordion virtuoso, is an integral part of Bellarmine’s music department.
But when he’s not teaching classes, he’s out in Louisville performing with any number of bands. Perhaps his most notable band, Squeeze-bot, is a Louisville staple.

And yeah, I guess you could say it’s a little weird. How often do you see someone playing the accordion? And playing it well?

What’s wrong with a little weird anyway? Nothing, if you ask me. The weirder, the merrier.

Anyway, give Todd’s band a listen. Maybe go see them at a bar (if you can). Just…get out there! There are tons of crazy talented local Louisville bands who would love your support.

Now, as I slowly step off my soapbox, I look forward to any comments you may have on the local music scene!

The Beginning of the End

Winter break is officially over.

I was lucky enough to make a trip to New York City at the very beginning of vacation, and I had a wonderful time. Everyone was right, there’s nothing better than New York at Christmastime.
Directly after I got home from my adventure, however, I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. This was a less than fun experience. BUT once I was recovered I was able to enjoy family time and celebrate my sister’s birthday, Christmas and my Dad’s birthday.

I brought in the New Year right here in Louisville with a few very good friends, and now I’m all settled into my residence hall for my….drum roll please…

Last semester at Bellarmine University!

Am I terrified? A little.

Am I excited? Beyond words.

Am I ready? I suppose that remains to be seen.

I can tell that this semester is going to be a good one, though. I’ve only had one class so far and I think I’m really going to like it. It’s the last general education requirement I have to fill: my second Theology course. Theology isn’t exactly my strongest subject, but the professor was already making me laugh and feel comfortable with the subject. I have high hopes.

After I clock in a few hours of work here in the office, I head to what I feel will be my favorite class of the semester: Advanced Photography. One of my favorite professors is teaching it and I know/am friends with just about everyone in the class. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to it.

If you’ve just started up classes for the semester yourself, I wish you the best of luck. No matter what year you are, this semester will fly by and it will be summer before you know it. Whether that means working at the local pool as a lifeguard, going to grad school, settling in at your new job or traveling the globe…you’ll be there in a matter of months.

In the meantime, check back here from time to time to see what’s going on at Bellarmine. There’s a lot of great stuff happening this spring, and you won’t want to miss it.

Happy studies, friends!

Guest Blog: Finals Without Familiarity

Like most Bellarmine students, my finals week normally consists of many coffees and a permanent seat in Heine Brothers. What is a student to do without those familiar comforts? While cafes are prevalent throughout Morocco, they are much more social with bright lights, loud conversations, cigarette smoke, and no internet access making them not very conducive to studying. Without a cafe to plant myself in, the only other reasonable option is to get very strong Moroccan coffee in the cafe and spend the majority of the week in the only room other than the library with wireless internet, which is also the only non-gender segregated area outside of the cafeteria and academic buildings.

Along with the usual temptations to go out instead of study, there is the added pull to do one last trip or to go buy one more souvenir because the flight home is quickly approaching. Knowing that soon your whole atmosphere will change is both daunting and exciting. Christmas will be celebrated and pork will be served, but friends and adventurous weekend trips will be missed. The biggest distraction is the question, “Will all of my stuff fit in my suitcases?”
—-
Lena Santos is a junior FLIS major at Bellarmine. This semester, she’s studying at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco. Next semester, she heads to Germany!

Look Ma, no hands!

Cause they fell off after I wrote those essays.

Oh, ps- I’M DONE!

Now to start packing for my trip to NYC and back home.

Check back in a week or so for vacation updates and how to stay sane at home. Or, er, uhhhh…how to MAKE THE MOST OF your stay at home.

Bye!

Do you know what I miss?

Common courtesy. Decency.

And a clear, respected hierarchy. I’m looking at you, freshmen.

Last night I attended my second to last Late Knight Breakfast, where the staff and faculty serve the students a range of breakfast foods at night. Simple concept.

What is not so simple are the two lines that form full of eager, pushy students waiting to scarf down their free food without saying thank you.

I hate standing in lines. They make me anxious. What makes me more anxious is a sea of faces I do not recognize all jockeying to be first in line and they’re coming RIGHT AT ME.

I mentally curled up in the fetal position and waited for the rest of my friends to get there so I could get in line with them.

By the time they arrived, I was already angry and frustrated with the rude freshman yelling (and pushing into my chair, mind you) behind me. My friends noticed how long the line was already getting–out the door long–and were quite hungry.

I’m about to admit something to you, dear reader, that I am not ashamed of.

We cut in line.
Kind of sort of towards the front, where we joined other friends of ours.

Why am I not ashamed of cutting the hundreds of other hungry students? I’ll tell you why.

I’m a SENIOR. Do you know what seniors used to do to freshman at Bellarmine in the 1950’s? Throw them in mudholes.

Cutting in line doesn’t seem so bad compared to light hazing.

Petulant five-year-old behavior aside, I had a lovely time with my good friends over bacon and waffles.

Thanks Bellarmine.

[This rant was brought to you by stress, finals week, caffiene overdose rage, senioritis and frustration over burned out light in the darkroom. I'll feel better at 2:30 tomorrow. Maybe.]

How to Stay Awake During Finals

• Constantly slap yourself.
• Drink copious amounts of energy drinks (be sure to eat or you could pass out during your most important final)
• Power naps: must only last 30 minutes or less.
• Cold shower (if you live in Anniversary Hall right now, this is your only option)
• 5 Hour Energy Shots (my father actually bought these for me last semester. Yes, they work)
• Loud music. 24-hr quiet hours be damned!
• Running a lap around the quad.
• Running a lap around the quad in less than warm clothing.
• Getting on Facebook about every 10 minutes. This can also be filed under “how to procrastinate like a college kid” or “how to fail your finals.”
• Blog like a fiend (it works for me, clearly).
• Go to Waffle House, McDonalds, Steak and Shake or any other 24-hr establishment for unhealthy food at around 5am, or when you hit the studying wall. You’ll know when that is.
• Eat an apple. Seriously.

Now get back to work!

Ugh. Finals.

It’s 1:43am on a Sunday night. Being up this late isn’t usually odd for me. In fact, I’m used to it and prefer being up late at night.
However, tonight is rather different. I have a huge pile of finals to study for and projects to work on…

…I don’t think I’m going to sleep until Thursday is over.
Wish me luck.
(And good luck to all students as well. If you need tips for staying awake, check back here in the next day or two. Or at 5am, depending on how well studying is going.)