Hey! Sorry it's been a while, but I've been doing a lot of catching up with friends! That's the great thing about being a sophomore -- you get right into the swing of things with friends and you get to avoid that awkward, nervous, scared part that comes from meeting new people. At least that's how I was but clearly everything worked out well and I have a great group of friends! Another weird thing about student life as a sophomore is that I'm no longer the youngest. When I walk through campus, I don't have to walk around knowing that I'm the newbie and everyone else is either older than me or in the same boat. It felt so much easier to distinguish freshman, but now I have no clue who is new or who is old. It's an interesting facet to moving up the ladder.

Another sophomore-y thing is civ. Now, honors seminars are from 2:30-4:20 once a week, and it always intimidates me, even if I've read all the material and I know my stuff. Last year, we had a set of reading questions that we filled out and went over in seminar. Sometimes, we'd just go around the table reading off our answers. This year is much different. For my class, the professors (no fathers this year) post discussion questions on ANGEL for you to look over. You don't have to even write out answers -- it's just something to think about. And I love that we don't base the discussion off of questions that we may find arbitrary or boring. My professors collaborated and thus the intellectual journal was born. We don't have exams or quizzes (not even finals or midterms!), but instead we write two entries per week. One is for seminar, in which we pick out a passage and talk about why we think it's important or interesting. The next is sort of like the week in review, where we connect what we've been learning about that week to other things we learned in that week and before, as well as how they relate to certain common questions of that period (such as, should the people rule themselves?) So far, I'm loving it. I don't stress over knowing every single detail, but instead I take away the important things and relate them to other things. And I think that's what DWC is all about -- learning how history and literature and philosophy and theology all intertwine and form off of each other. So A+, civ. I'm having a blast.

Check back soon -- I'm working on an entry with some pictures about the tutoring center and all the improvements going into the library for us!

Another big difference about sophomore year in comparison to freshman year is living situations. I tended to make friends with girls in my building and the guys that lived in the buildings that my friends from home lived in. This year, we're all over the place! I can't even tell you where all my friends from last year have moved to this year. The dynamic is so different. For example, last year, all my guy friends lived on one floor and I might go over to see a few of them, but I ended up at least saying hello to them all. This year, those that I was closest to live in a suite and the rest live on one floor in St. Joe's. It's interesting how so far I've mostly made the trip to suites and I see the St. Joe's guys mostly on weekends, or when they visit the suite. Not that I don't love them any less, but it's hard to make so many different trips everywhere. Also last year, my friend Beth and I saw each other every day and we hung out a ton on weekends. She lives in the building next to me in Meagher (pronounced Mar. I know, what?) and I've yet to see her room! And I'm only in Aquinas (A perk to living on first floor = conversations through the windows!). It's unfortunate that I see less of the people I was so close to and so used to seeing last year, but I suppose it just makes room for meeting more people. And the great thing is, I haven't lost their friendships, so on the few occasions I do see them during the week, it's even better!

So on Wednseday night, my friend Laura wanted to try out for an a capella group. I told her I would do it with her. I know I'm not good enough. I also know I would love to be in the group. At the same time, I'm terrified -- of embarrassing myself, of actually putting myself out there, of everything that has to do with an audition. So we go. I did terribly for the first group, and not so bad on the second. I was sufficiently embarrassed. Did I know it was pointless in the fact that the means would not attain the end? Yes. The point is, despite the fact that i was so nervous that I sang much worse than I actually can, I was proud of myself. There is always time for new things -- high school isn't the end of becoming who you are! The greatest thing of all was that they were all so nice and supportive. I made my intention clear -- it wasn't to make a group, it was to just try something anyway. My RA is actually in one of the groups and my friend is in the other and they both said how proud they were -- it was a nice feeling. So, lesson learned: try new things no matter what -- PC people will support you!

There's always a general buzz around campus right before the start of winter sports -- I'd say our biggest season. This Friday, we had the opening night of men's hockey as well as Late Night (I call it Midnight out of habit) Madness to celebrate the beginning of basketball season. Here are a few pictures of the festivities!

My friends and I were lucky enough to get front row seats, though they weren't in the student section -- that's where all the fun is. There is usually uproar and chants and cheers and the like and it's really a lot of fun. Perhaps next game, we'll make it to the better section!

This is the scene of Midnight Madness. The classes are separated into sections.

Once the introduction to the night happens, the fun stuff begins -- namely all the dance crews and the cheerleaders do something, as well as BOP and BMSA. Before the dances, there are also competitions like the 3-point shootout, etc. Here are some shots:

Finally, the lights dim and the spotlight hits the court: the women's and men's basketball teams are introduced and the crowd goes wild. It really is an experience in itself!

That's all I have for now, but be sure to check back soon for pictures of the BRAND NEW TUTORING CENTER! Let me tell you, it's gorgeous and amazing!

Sorry for the lack of posts everyone, but it has definitely been a busy few weeks! I have had papers and midterms and even a monologue for women's studies. But alas, it is over for now. I have another round of stress coming up soon enough!

But it has also been exciting. The greatest thing about the recent election was being able to witness the jubilation that occurred on campus! No matter how we feel about the outcome, I think it was beautiful to watch the celebrations on TV as well as the students running around! There was sort of a mini gathering on the quad which was cool to watch (my roommate and I ordered a pizza and sat outside to watch). People were cheering and singing and it was awesome to watch. Of course, the McCain supporters were a little upset, but better luck next time. I am extremely excited that the first time I was able to vote was in the most epic presidential election history has seen to date. Think about it -- it was either a woman as VP or a Black man as President. Unheard of, but it happened. It was amazing to be surrounded by so many people with so many different views and degrees of passion. This definitely marks one of the most important moments in my college life.

So it's that time of year again -- no not Thanksgiving or festive fall leaves. It's time for my friend Rich's MS fundraiser, which he started here to help raise money for the MS foundation. The great thing about PC is that everyone here is willing to help. Campus Ministry has done a great deal to help him set it up. This year, he's doing a fundraiser at UNO restaurant in the Providence Place Mall. All you have to do is bring a coupon to the restaurant tonight, and 20% of the bill goes to his cause. He is also in the process of setting up a basketball tournament I think next semester. It should be really exciting and I wish nothing but the best!

And it's also time that time of year for class registration and upperclassmen housing! On Monday, I will be registering for classes, and let me say the difference between sophomore and freshmen registration is huge. I know I'm going to get into at least a couple of my classes because there are so many spots still open. Much less stressful than last year, but still...there is no guarantee. On the 20th, we have housing, and my roommates and I are hoping to get a 4-person apartment in Davis. It's on lower campus, but closest to upper campus, so that's always a perk. I just can't wait to have a kitchen and be able to do my own cooking! Dining hall food tends to get repetitive, whether or not the food is good or bad!

Interesting side note -- after a few months of having class together, I just realized that Hannah, one of the new freshman bloggers, is in my women's studies class! Small world, right?

Sorry for the lack of updates, as usual. Things just get so busy, but also, now that I'm in my second year, I don't really have any more adjusting to do. I've said it before and I'll say it again, PC is really my second home, and life goes by in a happy routine. Can't ask for much more than that!