It's a Wooster Thing

As the class of '09 joins in the Wooster tradition of I.S. Monday, I had to take a walk down memory lane. Looking back through the pictures, it's hard to believe that it was already 2 years ago. It's such a special day and you can only grasp the importance if you too were a Fighting Scot. Sure on the outside it is just a drunken debauchery at the end of senior year, but if you graduated with the sweet sound of bagpipes, you know it's much much more...but yes there is still drunken debauchery.

Me and my "Family" at Leroy's about 9:00 am

Although it is an all day party, it is well deserved. As a senior you spend your entire year coming up with a thesis, asking questions, diving into the stacks for your literature review, and you collect data whether it be samples in a lab or in my case interviews with square dancers. The recording and analyzing of the data is still just the beginning. Many many hours are spent in the library, your room, java hut or anywhere you can sit down at a computer for a bit to type up your thoughts, your questions and hopefully compile a few chapters before your next adviser meeting. The worst thing ever would be if your adviser asks you to rewrite or revisit a chapter. How are you ever supposed to finish in time? But you have to, and somehow we all did by 5:00 on that Monday following Spring Break. (well most everyone)

Thetas at Leroy's

And when you hand in that thick thesis that took away all your sleep sweat and tears, you get a tootsie roll and I.S. button. It may may seem like a small gesture, but to you at that moment it's like gold. You finally have the coveted prize that all Wooster students work towards in their 4 years as students. Now comes the big question, do you eat it? (I ate mine and kept the wrapper just in case you were wondering).

Tres Amigas at Tumbleweed around noonish

The goal is to turn your I.S. in before 5:00pm because then you can fully utilize the entire I.S. Monday. The festivities start around 8:00 am as the hole in the wall bars (aka Leroys and the market) open for the special occasion. All groups of friends and classmates don their special I.S. t-shirts, costumes or drinking gear and head out to celebrate. It really is a magical day. No matter where you go, no matter how well you know everyone you are all suddenly best friends. Everyone is so excited to finally have the burden of writing a large thesis off their shoulders and can suddenly enjoy their senior year like students at other schools. You might ask what someone's title or topic was and then share a pitcher of beer...or two.

Thetas heading to Kauke Arch with our adviser right before 5:00

And when that clock strikes 5:00 the students are gathered and cheering on the steps of Kauke Arch and as the bagpipe band strikes up their is a loud cheer. The Dean leads the line of students in one of the most amusing parades across the campus. Students and Professors line the sidewalks to cheer on the senior class as they march (or stumble) to Kitt for dinner and a night of dancing at the UG. Everyone is hugging and cheering and celebrating the entire day. Underclassmen sometimes feel the need to participate but they will never get the full experience until they are handed their own button. I wish that I could relive my I.S. Monday, but it is truly a once in a lifetime experience. So here's to the Wooster class of 2009 and their passage into a great Wooster tradition.

The pipers getting started...

The start of the parade through arch!

Radom Things I learned This Week...

1) When someone is sick you call the "ambulance" everywhere else in the country...apparently no one else else says "squad" except in Perrysville or Ohio.
2) Not everyone had 50cent vocab words in grade school and when you compliment a coworker on their use of them, they don't get it.
3) In Boise Idaho they don't eat their own potatoes but instead potatoes from Cali. Weird.
4) I've really missed hanging out with guy friends. Luckily I just adopted Sarah's boyfriend as my new BFF.
5) A positive attitude can make a huge difference in a lot of things.

St. Paddy's

I know some people can't really get into St. Patrick's day, but for some reason or another it is one of my favorite days. I mean, how could I not love it? I get to wear green (my favorite color), I get to drink green beer and shamrock shakes (I'll even admit to having a green bagel, ok that was a little over the top but I can't help myself!) and even though I'm not really Irish, it's still a fun day to be a redhead.

Every year I have big plans for the big day, and every single year they fall through. It doesn't matter though because they always turn out alright. Two years ago I was on Spring Break in Cali and although we didn't go out, let's just say we had enough fun. Last year's plans fell through and we just ended up grabbing a green beer at dinner. It wasn't anything wild and crazy but Heather and Beth were out here visiting on their Spring Break so of course it was still a good time.

This year came a little closer to plan. I had intended to take the 18th off with another co-worker, Sarah, but due to the board meeting we couldn't and had to keep our celebration minimal. Everything worked out in the end because we went to the Coach House for some green beer and hung out with some Fiesta Bowlers. There was a table of older guys there showing us their magic tricks and they even bought us flowers for putting up with their jokes. Go figure I get roses on St. Paddy's Day instead of Valentine's day! No wonder I like the green holiday much better than that sappy pink and red one ;) It was just a great day/night and my abs actually hurt from laughing so much. (so that burnt off all the calories from the shamrock shake right?)

Expanding My Network

Ok so apparently my avid readers are hungry for a new blog (calm down mom haha) so I'm finally back at it. I didn't really think that I had a lot to write about since nothing out of the ordinary was happening, until I started to reflect back on how much my life has changed. Moving out here was a huge step and I did it without really freaking out. But sometimes as I'm driving around in the sunshine and pass the palm trees and mountains, I think to myself "Wow, I really did it!".

At first it was hard to adjust to a clean slate. I had to build up a life from scratch. It was a lot of work sometimes but suddenly I can see all that I've accomplished. I have great reliable friends here that I can always count on. We have become each other's family and it's nice to have that. I've also worked really hard to expand my social network and I think I've finally started to achieve that. I've been making friends at work, ballet class, and Latin dance.

Speaking of dance, I am proud of myself for getting involved. It can be scary to start something new by yourself, but I have. I now take multiple classes a week and didn't know anyone when I started. Now I have a good friend in each class and I find myself chatting with them for over an hour after class is done. It reminds me of the great friendships that were created from dancing in school.

This doesn't seem like a huge accomplishment, but looking back at all the little things makes me feel good. It definitely isn't an easy and fast task to set up a new life on the other side of the country, but if you push yourself to get out there and try new things everything will eventually fall into place.

Things I've Learned From Having a Convertible

1) You have to keep your car clean in case you put the top down. No one likes a litter bug!
2) Make sure you look decent (preferably cute) because when the top is down you are exposed and people will notice or stare.
3) Just know that the music you are listening is also audible to others.
4) If you are pale, consider sunscreen before driving around.
5) It can be the most therapeutic thing when you need to think or just breathe.