So,
Long time no talk. What has been happening in my life? I've become a soroity girl. I decided to pledge Sigma Theta Tau on campus this semester and it has consumed my life :) We have so much going on with events, and community service, and the cute parties we've planned. It's been amazing though!

I have to admit that I was against joining the Greek life for a while but it really does add alot to your college experience :)

Other than that, I haven't been doing much...besides class and school and class and work and class and papers and class haha! I'm ready for summer vacation that's for sure. Even though I'll be on campus doing research...it's still summer. I don't know why summer is such an exciting thing because most of us go to summer school...or work 3 jobs...we don't really lay around and do nothing which is what we make summer kind of sound like...weird.

Campus life is just as crazy with room reservations and class scheduling about to take place...my roomie is going abroad next semester. To India. Random choice? yes. She's teaching herself Hindi and she's going to India. I thought maybe Spain or even London, but she would choose India! :) I'm gonna miss her though...who will I watch Gilmore Girls with when I'm supposed to be studing! Darn...

Oh well, till next time!

So, I have to be the worst updater about my life in the entire world. It’s insane. In my defense, however, it’s my professors fault that I haven’t been able to update…all my time has been dedicated to doing their work. For them, I apologize.

On the other side of the spectrum: 1ST SEMESTER OF SOPHOMORE YEAR IS ALMOST OVER! I can’t believe that finals are next week and I just got back from Thanksgiving break yesterday! � I’m not complaining but it definitely was a quicker turn around this year from Thanksgiving to Christmas break (which I leave for in 2 weeks)! It’s so weird to think that we’re almost half way done with Trinity and as much as I hate it right now because it’s what we’ve deemed ‘hell week’ I’m sure that when it ends I’ll miss this place. My boyfriend, who’s a senior, has taught me a lot about what that final year is gonna be like: it’s gonna be STRESSFUL! Finding a job, deciding whether to go to graduate school or not, picking a city to call home a while…all those choices are right around the corner. Dear lord. I think staying in school forever seems like an excellent option for me, that way I don’t have to worry about finding a real job for another couple of years! Good idea yea? No, but really…the excitement of declaring that major is really the highlight of this semester so far, more for my roommate I think than anything. She finally decided what to officially do with the rest of her life, haha! I’m still doing the psychology major; it’s really official now, paperwork and all.

Moving on

Classes have been decided for next semester and this year just wasn’t as exciting as freshman year mainly because there wasn’t the begging and pleading that came with freshman year which took away a lot of the excitement. Signing up easily for classes? Who wants to do that anyway?

Next subject

I don’t actually think much has happened around campus since the elections; it’s almost like we’re in recovery mood from all that came with that. I still can’t believe that Obama won…it’s amazing to see what our country has developed into, and to be alive in this time is remarkable. Especially to be black in this country and having this experience to tell my children in the future will be important to me. I would love more than anything to see the inauguration in person, but the fact that tickets are selling for thousands of dollars right now…I don’t see that happening. At least I can say that I was apart of history. That feeling is enough for me. I remember talking to my mom after he won and she just couldn’t express the amazing feeling it gave her generation who didn’t even believe that college was in their future when they were young children. Now we can look at any child and legitimately say that you can be anything you want to be. I feel blessed. I feel as though the future of this country is on the up and up and that every child can believe that anything is possible. Because it is. Everything is reachable. Anything that you believe in is attainable. That’s something great to believe in right before finals.

Maybe we can survive.

It is only round three for us. 3 down and 5 to go.

Wow.
Sophomore year is off to a crazy, busy, and insane start. It feels amazing to be busy again, but every now and then study breaks are needed. I also turned 20 last week. 20...years...old. It was just yesterday that I was 13, I swear. It's okay though, apparently I still pass for a 16 year old, so it's all good. But my roomie and fellow Trinity friends did the most amazing thing for me...THEY FLEW IN MY BEST FRIEND FROM OKLAHOMA! I was so surprised that I actually cried. She was sitting under my bed, and when she popped out so did my tears. It was the best birthday, and the fact that it was thrown by people I only met a year ago...still boggles my mind. I remember my last day of freshman year, when my mom came down to ride back to Oklahoma with me, and she said "Brandi, the friends you've made here at Trinity, will be your friends for life." I think she was right.

I don't think Thank you will ever be enough for the amazing birthday that they put on for me...from my best friend, to my amazing dinner, and surprise party later...I can't even compare it to anything. Well, maybe to my 1st birthday when my parents made me my own personal cake in which I proceeded to smash my face into...but other than that day, 20 years old started off without a hitch.

Besides turning 20 and leaving the teens behind, I've also officially started the paper work to declare my majors/minors. That is a weird step because it becomes officially official to be my future. I guess all I can say is: PHD here I come. Hopefully...

But until next time.
:)

The beginning of sophomore year is upon us. Move in day happened last Thursday and through the distractions of moving in freshman, seeing old friends, and adjusting to life on upper campus; we have just realized that soon we will begin the true adventure of sophomore year. WE all have the same goals: avoid the sophomore slump, not to loose focus, and to continue growing as individuals, but we also realize that this year is big. Why? I'm not sure, but that's what everyone keeps saying.

It's important because it's the year we're allowed to get involved outside of the classroom, volunteer; we're not longer the new kids, but we're also not as cool as graduating seniors. It's the acquired middle child that can get lost in the cracks, but Trinity is really trying to avoid the stereotype of being a sophomore. I think that it will work, at least I hope.

However, let me back up...to the beginning...when I left the OKC.
It was not as hard this year; even though it was my last summer in Oklahoma (because of McNair research) it wasn't hard to leave. However, that may be due to the fact that I left at 3AM and made it to San Antonio in record time...beside the point though. After arriving, my roomie and I commenced to making our room feel lived in for about 2 months in 2 hours...it worked. We like to feel at home, and when people come over, we want them to feel at home. It works well for everyone. It is weird this year though; moving from Calvert where you could see people just walking up and down the halls. Last year our balcony was a hallway and sitting on it involved seeing and talking to people as they simply walked to get food. Our rooms are amazing this year, but being looked away from my hall mates will be strange. Even more strange is the family that is no longer together; Calvert tied us forever (especially since we took HUMA) we reminisced yesterday about the year we all spent together and it's weird not seeing the people who experienced your first year with you everyday. It's weird not having the same RM, and it's especially weird not living 4 feet from everything...but that's okay. It's weird, but it's apart of life, and I'm sure our friendship will withstand any separation of buildings. Calvert 3rd lives on forever.

So, here's to a new beginning, a continuation really. It's going to be an amazing year; a tough year but amazing all the same. It's hard to believe we're back here, it feels like we never left...but I guess home is supposed to feel like that huh?

This summer is quickly coming to a close. It's hard to believe, but I'm SO ready to be back at Trinity University. Oklahoma is...well...boring to say the least and I'm quickly running out of both food and parental approval of eating their food daily. This means, TU HERE I COME. Less than a month!

Let's wrap up the good parts of this summer though.

1. Learned that not living in the city in which you spend your summer makes having and maintain a job very difficult.

2. Preparing to move is no fun.

3. No matter how much you long for summer to come, it's still too long if you don't travel.

4. Montel has some very good shows that inspired me to change my career goals from being Dr. Phil to becoming the next Montel (but with hair).

5. One year away from high school makes you feel about 100 years old when you go back to your high school

6. Happy hour at sonic is amazing.

7. Being a college student is most evident during the summer, haha!

I'm sure there are more that I will think of later, but right now that's all that came directly to mind :) So, to the incoming freshman, there are many amazing things in the works for Trinity...so just remember to get involved, put yourself out there, and if you need someone to hang with look me up! haha! Alright, that's the latest from Oklahoma!

Ah, it's summer!
I can't believe that my life as a TU freshman is over. It's now safe to say that I am now a sophomore in college! That's an exciting statement in general! Summer in Oklahoma is never as exciting as I like to believe it is...it's not London, Rome, Russia, or anything all that exciting. However, it is home, and it's good to be home. As weird as it seems though, I've already begun to seriously miss the life of a college student. The late night study sessions, the random screaming down the hall, the over excitement of watching reality TV shows with your hall mates as a simple way to forget about your homework or test the next day. Being home doesn't offer those opportunities, and I really miss them! Summer really is too long...I say classes don't start till August but we are allowed to move back in June, haha!

Other than that, this being my last summer home, I'm trying to enjoy it as much as possible. Oh, I don't think I told you guys...I was accepted into Trinity's McNair Scholars program! This program offers me the most amazing opportunity to do research and be mentored by one of Trinity's prestigious professors for the next two summers (before junior and before senior) and then allows me the chance to present that research anywhere in the country! Oh, and the major plus side...it's PAID! I can't begin to express the excitement I have about being apart of this program. I have no idea what exactly I want to research, something along psychology...either with children or possibly the opportunity to get to dig into some aspect of military psychology. I have no idea, but this has offered the chance to get to really experience research hands on! I'll keep you posted about that!

Well, I’m heading out to do what every Oklahoman does when their bored and out of things to do...go swing at a playground! :)

Hope everyone's summer is off to a great start!

So, it is that time of year...finals time.

The thing about Trinity is we're lucky to receive 'reading days' which usually include my room mate, my wall mate Reuben, and myself coming up with alternate jobs in case we don't pass finals. However, my room mate and I have managed to study all day today and all day yesterday we still managed to decide that joining the CIA will be an amazing alternate to continuing our education. This choice is due to the fact that the Bourne Ultimatum was on our TV...but it does beat last semester choice to become models...so we're moving up in life!

This end of the semester is a tad different from last simply because in exactly 4 days I will be in my car traveling to OKC for 3 months! That is not something I have fully accepted...however tonight we began the packing process, and granted we got a lot accomplished...I don't remember arriving at school with all of this stuff nor do I remember buying any of this stuff...:)

However, no matter how much we want to deny the fact...the end of freshman year is near, and I can't believe that it's really the end. No more Calvert 3rd. It will be weird to go to sleep in a room by myself, have a bathroom to myself, and not have classes everyday. I will miss Trinity this summer! :( But that's the update. Finals time starts in 2 days. AHHHHHHHH!

Until next time :)

It seems so strange to think that in 22 days, I will no longer be a freshman at Trinity University. My first year of college will be OVER! That is an amazing thought in itself really. To be honest, it feels like yesterday we were moving in; like yesterday we were standing in the Bell Athletic Center getting our student ID's! We had little knowledge of the things our first year of college would have in store for us--many of you are currently sitting where I was this time last year. Wondering if you're making the right choice to go somewhere; wondering if you'll fit in at the college of your choice; nervous about not knowing your room mates; nervous about classes; getting lost; running out of meal money; or if you'll be truly HAPPY where you decide to go. Let me give you some advice, trust yourself. The one thing I knew about Trinity at this point was that it was the place I felt the most comfortable; the place where I could make a mark my first year. College choice is def. one of the hardest choices to make, but it won't be your last. However, you can't let outside forces choose for you; sit alone somewhere one day and just think about what you want out of the school you decide to attend. Most people say you should make a pro/con list, but to me it was a gut feeling. Something that I just knew would be the best choice for me. Sometimes you want to make a choice because your friends are all going to one school, your parents graduated from that school, or your afraid of being away from home so you want to stay close; however, sometimes you have to trust yourself to make the right choice based simply on what you feel and not what other people tell you. College is tough wherever you decide to go, but my biggest deal was seeing if I could leave my comfort zone. Leaving Oklahoma meant leaving the only place I'd known as home, and I must admit, it was the best choice I could have made. I miss my friends and family terribly, but on the other hand I'm meeting amazing people and getting an experience to live somewhere I would have never gotten the chance to live if I had stayed home for the sheer fact that I was afraid to leave.

All I can say as you make your choice is to follow what YOU want. Don't let money; friends, family, or your other fears keep you from experiencing something you have worked for years to accomplish. Pick the college you want because that's the reward you really get for getting accepted into more than one. You get a choice.

Follow your heart!

And enjoy the end of your senior year! :)

So, college is supposed to teach us to make important connections to what we are learning applied to real world situations. Well...what is similar to the animal kingdom that involves in depth strategy, weeks of thinking, and hours of exploration to decide which situation is the best?????

Room picking time.

Yep, I said it.
The time has come to pick rooms...well...last week it was. I didn't realize how much thought was necessary for this process. I mean, we've known the whole room mate situation and who we were going to suite with for months now...but then the faithful day came. Sophomore College is mandatory. Now, what sophomore college is...well...it's very similar to freshman living in the sense that you have to leave with those who are in your class and you have a RM that is focused more on picking majors/minors, studying abroad information, and all that jazz. Before this year, Sophomore College had been an option for choice of living; however, it is now mandatory. A lot of people had an objection to this, but I think that many have settled on the fact that there are more pros then cons to this situation. However, after it was decided it was mandatory, strategy began. We had three options: Prassel, Thomas, and North. 3 dorms. Enough room for all, but which to choose? What floor, I mean; we were able to pick the EXACT room in which we wanted to live. Unlike freshman year when they put you with a best matched roommate and placed you in the general freshman living...we could decide who we wanted to live with down to who was on our floor.

This was an intense day.

Lottery numbers were how pick times were decided, and as you and your room mate/suitemates sat waiting at your designated time for your number to be called, you could watch as your options either a)stayed open or b)slipped through your hands.

This was a tiring experience to say the least.
We didn't get our ideal room choice, but bottom line...all rooms here at Trinity are good choices, so I guess we make more of this situation, but it's something good to focus on other than homework :)

Those rooms have been picked. Scheduling happens later this week. And then we have about 3 weeks of freshman year left. That is CRAZY! It seems like yesterday we were moving in and meeting everyone...weird.

My room mate and I had a list to accomplish this semester...and while we've only managed to do a couple of thing on this list...on Friday we went to First Friday downtown and had a blast. Funnel cake mixed with little stands full of jewelry...and music...and fun...that are enough to make my Friday amazing! :)

Till next time! :)

So.
When I signed up for college, I remember filling out an interest question: what do you like to do for fun???? I'm sure I answered about shopping, talking on the phone, or possibly long walks along my invisible beach located in Oklahoma. However, after living in Texas during this all important time in our political time...I realize that I have become extremely political. Four years ago, I really had no interest at all in who the presidential candidates are, what their platforms were, or what the primaries were. But now...oh no...On Tuesday my room mate and I sat in our room and intensely watched every percentage lower and drop...we knew the results of the caucus, we know the possibilities sitting within the presidential elections come November. We are being Civically Virtue (oh American politics...)!

So, tonight...as I sit here writing this...I realized that I, Brandi Jackson from Oklahoma City, have just seen Tony Blair (Former British Prime Minister) at Trinity University. He was actually on this campus to talk to us, College students. Who would have thought???

And last weekend, before the Texas Primaries, I got to meet the actor who played Ryan from the OC and also Kerry Washington...who would have thought that college had anything to do with meeting famous people in my spare time. *sigh* what a wonderful way to end mid-term time. I now have approx. a week before spring break...and I can't wait!

Here are some amazing pictures from the amazing events that have taken place at Trinity University in the past week. :)

Waiting for the famous people...can you believe it?!

here is ryan..ben...i don't even know his real name anymore!

here we all are...yes...ryan is actually touching my sholder. Who would have thought college came with this bonus?!

Waiting for the British Prime Minister!

And since we couldn't take actually take pictures...this is the best we could do. but he was awsome!

I love college
Till Next time!