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!

So, approximately some odd number of weeks ago, my room mate looks at me and asks "you want to go see found"? Now me, being the, at times clueless person that I am, thought she had lost her mind and meant to ask me if I wanted to watch LOST. I stated this fact to her, and he responded with simply repeating the question as though I was the one who had lost my mind. So, I humored her, put on some cute clothes (because it was a 'red carpet event') and proceeded to follow her to Laurie auditorium. Why? At this point, I still thought there was some massive campus wide screening of LOST, but she kept repeating something about FOUND. I, however, was still utterly confused as we sat in our seats, watched some hilarious skits on stage, and proceeded to hear others refer to this found thing.

Now, being as I am one to frequently get Punk'd, I refused to admit that I was confused...but I was...and then the director for FOUND started talking. A Trinity student??? What? It WAS the premiere of a school production that was a spin off of LOST (which Maddy, another blogger, was apart of and did an awesome job!), and there was also a screening of the school movie called A Story about Bob. Both of which, were amazing!

This is the trailer to a story about bob. Just a little look into some of Trinity's amazing talents! I couldn't find an online video of FOUND, but as soon as the video is available I will tell you guys.

A few days later, my room mate and I were talking about the lack of fresh air we had had since returning to school, so we decided that a trip to the park was in order. So, of too the McNay gardens we went. McNay is an old renovated mansion turned museum that a wealthy San Antonio donated to create a wonderful museum with some very "homework like" gardens around that we decided would help us in achieving getting our homework complete. So, off we went!

With Sonic of course...in which it was my friend Froydis (unless of course she decides to spell it Froeydis...with she'll just change it up to annoy me i think) first taste at Sonics amazing Limeade during happy hour. I guess Norway doesn't have that amusingness!

We did do some studing though...it really did actually work!

and the scenery was amazing

Especially at Sunset!

I must admit, nothing beats some fun in the sun...fresh air does help the brain! :)

Until next time!

So, sorry it’s been so long. Let me tell you. With classes starting, the craziness of softball season starting back up, and the insanity of just being back on campus...I haven't had time to catch up. But, getting back in the swing of things here happened very quickly. I didn't realize how much a missed the people here at Trinity University. Oklahoma was fun, don't get me wrong, but I sure did miss the whole 'college life', but now that the first semester is officially under my belt (LOL) and things are as new I guess I could say that I'm 'truly an experienced college student'.
It is weird this semester though. Huma is no more. That is strange. I fully realize how much time that class really took. Now I seem to have more time on my hands then a know to deal with...well...if you take out the 4 hours softball practices we have 5 times a week. BUT I'M SO EXCITED TO START SOFTBALL! Feb. 13th is the first official game, unfortunately we are not at home until March...but I guess by that point we'll have all the kinks cut out so we'll be playing at our best. The toughest part is thinking about playing until May. That is a long season, but i think with the team we have...we'll be great.

If you wanna see some games...happen it be in San Antonio...here's our schedule.
http://www.trinity.edu/departments/athletics/Softball/schedule.htm

Come and see a few games. The best art of playing here at Trinity is the fact that we really are Student Athletes. Students first, and then the Athlete. There really is the best part; our coaches are about our studies as well as how we play. It's hard, don't get me wrong, but I really am loving to play the game more and more everyday here at Trinity. Our team is small...so it really does feel like a family more then anything. We are more then just the softball team, and it makes things a lot easier to deal with when you know the other girls on the team really care about you more then just their team mate.

Classes have also started. Changed it up a bit this year. Taking some common curriculum classes (common curriculum simply means the required classes that we have to take to graduate from Trinity...on top of taking the classes necessary for our majors. It forces us to truly experience a liberal arts school...in the sense that we have to take many classes in different areas to truly see all different aspects of higher education). It's fun, and it really has introduced me to more areas of study other then the medical field. It's always a plus to dip into more than one subject area.

Well. That’s all for now. Hope everyone's second semester is starting off well.

:)

Brandi

Well. Is it weird to say that I'm almost giddy with excitment to go back to Trinity??? Go back to school...Oklahoma's been fun...really...but i'm ready to go back! :) THIS SUNDAY! move in day. I'm so excited. I can't believe it's been four weeks already...time has gone by slowly, but it's also gone by fast. Christmas day seemed like light years away, but it really wasn't. New Year's was amazing. My friends and I actually had a cook out! We decided that that is the first offical 'adult' thing we did in the year 2008! :) We like to pretend.

I did make a cake though! Yes, I, Brandi Jackson, made a cake. It was good too!
But after New Years there hasn't really been much going on. My brother has been playing basketball every night for the past week it seems. But, they're really good, so It's okay that I have to spend the end of my break watching!

Other then that, I've really just spent my time realizing how old my friends and I are...last night I was at my little brothers game and the cheerleaders were cheering, the 8th grade girls were playing, and all I could think was "that used to be me". Wow. We used to do the same cheers, run those same plays, and get yelled at by those same coaches and that was our life. Now, 5 years later...we're attending baby showers. AHHHHHHHH! but i guess that's what they call life...manohman...we ARE getting old. but it's so amazing seeing everyone. And to see the amazing moms that everyone is...it's almost mind blowing though that we are even faced with these moments. already.

but it's still amazing to have them with the same girls i've grown up with!
Oh oklahoma.
That's all for now. I will soon be back in the amazing city of San Antonio. Softball starts next monday. Classes next Wednesday. I'm so beyond ready. Who would have thought that i would miss my meal plan...nothings easier then swiping the card to get food! :)

Happy New Year everyone!

So, Oklahoma never changes. I have decided that I understand the meaning of life...okay, maybe not life exactly but the purpose?? The only thing that really ever changes is you...being at college has taught me one very important thing: change is good.

I like change. I have decided that change is my middle name...sometimes I wonder if people realize how important it is to change and grow up. A lot of people get stuck in this neutral zone that they become comfortable with and don't ever want to leave; but leaving that zone only makes a person realize how important growing up really is.

I like seeing my friends...it's weird to think that most of us have been friends our entire lives and that no matter how long we go without talking, we will always be friends. We hang out and it's as if we never left home. I enjoy it, but at the same time I see how different we have become. Some have fallen in love; some have fallen out of love; some have changed for the better, and some for the worst. However, we all still love each other, and I forgot what it really felt like to have your core with you everyday. I missed it, but it's good to know that I don't DEPEND on them to be happy. :)

Sorry to get all philosophical on you, but that's how I am sometimes.
It's good to be at home, but I miss Trinity. Even though being home meant snow...well...in Oklahoma it's really just thick ice! LOL! That's what we call snow!

But in reality, we know that this is not snow! haha! but Christmas is soon, and I love Christmas...I don't think I ever showed ya'll the amazing Christmas display from Calvert 3rd...WE really got into the season!

This is Calvert 3rd!

our fabulous decor, haha! oh, and my amazing roomie Becca!

and our lovely door! haha! yes, we do love Christmas!

WEll, that's all for now!

Happy Holidays everyone!

So, I have decided that Life is not fair.
Would all like to know why???? Because Oklahoma (my home state) is currently under a sheet of ice...now I know most people wouldn't want that because

A. It sucks to be stuck inside
B. You can fall on it
C. You lose power
D. It's really cold

But, on the flip side...there is no school. Now, in high school (especailly my senior year when we had to make up a week of school and graduate late) it would have sucked to miss that many days...but in college schools being closed during finals week equals no finals.
Ever.
Never.
It's just not fair.

On the flip side...I only have one more final! YEA!
and I get to go home on Thursday! YEA! well...hopefully, as long as the plane can land...:)
Today has been especailly boring...I sold my books back and now I have money, but other than that the only thing interesting is the study parites we pretend to continue having eventhough they don't do anything! haha! That's okay though, I'm sure.

There will be more interesting posts as soon as finals end...:) I'm sure you are all dying to know about the excitement of Oklahoma! :)

Till next time!

Oh finals
So, currently I am sitting in my room...studying for finals...and it's quite hilarious I must say. Currently Reuben...who is my wall mate...is spelling a Greek name as slow as possible and it's just not working. :) I guess I should tell you some about my floor.
I live on the HUMA hall. Calvert 3rd.
Huma is a freshman class that is optional to freshman in order to get freshman writing workshop and seminar completed in one semester rather then two. It's an intense course that..to be honest...sounded a lot less scarier before the class actually started this semester. However, the first day of class, when my professors told me that I would have one two page paper due a week...a 6 page paper due about every other week...and basically a classic to read every week...I almost passed out. :( But...it wasn't so bad. I got to be on this hall which is probably the only way I would have meet these people. Trinity does offer specific type housing for pre-med, engineering, or (like I did) HUMA! It helps alot when you're in a hall that everyone has a paper due, a certain book to read, or a final to study for. It gives that oppurtunity to bounce ideas off one another, but also (a small downfall) help you procrastinate until the very last moment. This class is only a semester long, but you live with this hall for an entire year, and it really makes you close to your floor mates.
My RM, matt, was also a HUMA student last year, and he also helps us get through this difficult course. :)
But I should get back to study. Final is tomorrow...er...today at 2.
But, before I leave...I have 10 helpful hints to get through your first set of college finals:
1. Always make sure that the coffee shop on campus has extended hours.
2. Be aware that the hardest part about finals is the urge to simply cram the night before
3. Review sessions will save your life
4. Don't ever buy a guitar during the finals period...nothing good will come from learning a new instrument.
5. Learning to knit is just another excuse to not study
6. Sleeping in, while tempting and available, is not something that will help you come finals day
7. Do not, I repeat, do NOT start reading a trilogy of books
8. Top model marathons will only distract you for an entire day
9. Sometimes...you just have to lock yourself into a room and not allow anyone but you and your roommate in. It's sad, but sometimes you just have to do it.
10. College blogs are also a great way to avoid studying...but finals will never go away!
That's all folks
Now back to finals