Back Again for the First Time

....I'M BACK!!!

Okay, be honest, how much did you miss me? Like on a scale of one to ten were you at watery-eyes missing me or sobbing uncontrollably missing me? Nevermind. Sorry for the delay, I promise to never leave you waiting again. I also promise never again to make promises that I can't keep, starting....now.

It's been a long summer since I've last written, so I think I'll use this one to catch you up a little bit. That way, the next time you hear from me, I'll be able to share with you all of the perils of senior year. Just kidding...sorta.

Anyway, this was one of the best and most interesting summers of my life.

I got the chance to take a class at a college other than WAC. If I didn't already know how incredibly blessed I am to go to a school with some of the best professors on earth, I quickly realized it.

I caught the flu and had bronchitis in a period of about two months. In other words, Kaiser Permanente got to spend time with their favorite customer.

I hung out with my wonderful family and amazing friends, and got the chance to make some new friends. And, most importantly, I watched my big brother get married.

My summer ended much the same way that it started--with the Peer Mentors. We came back to campus for fall training. I also went through training with the Student Events Board and Office of Student Activities Interns (more on that later).

So here we are...my final trip around the sun is officially underway. Hang on, because this is going to be the ride of a lifetime.

Out with the girls for one of my best friends' birthdays :0)

Out with some old friends and new old friends

Me and my beautiful new sister-in-law

The Peer Mentors... aren't we just a charming bunch

Peer Mentors at play...Playfair :o)

There's a Monster in My Suitcase

Hey there! It’s me again. Are you tired of me yet? Don’t answer that…or at least whisper it quietly to yourself.

So I’ve come to the conclusion that there is some sort of clothes-multiplying monster in my suitcase. Let me explain. I’ve been home for about three days now. And since the day that I got home, I’ve been unpacking. So why, oh why, OH DEAR LORD WHY am I still unpacking? Every time I think I’ve made some progress, I go back to my suitcase (and by suitcase, I mean EIGHT suitcases) only to find more toiletries, more clothes, and more curious pieces of miscellaneous junk that I’m not quite sure how I fit into my tiny little single (more like closet) in Harford in the first place.

I guess I should have expected this. After all, I barely made it home in the first place. About half way through packing the car up, my dad looked at me with the sort of disdain that said, “If you bring another bag down here, you’re going to walk home.” At one point I’m pretty sure he was contemplating selling my stuff to pay for the rest of my tuition. Whatever the case, we made it home, albeit possibly illegally as we couldn’t see out of the rear window. Though, I must say, my dad did have a great view of my pretty orange curtains. I don’t think he enjoyed that as much as I did :o)

Back to the point, I’m home! And my clothes are quite possibly mating just to annoy me. And somehow I’m okay with that

…unless they start having grandchildren.

The Not So Pleasant Truth...

The Not So Pleasant Truth is that we all have to say goodbye.

Today was the last day of Peer Mentor training. I spent the last three days getting to know some of the most amazing people on earth. I got to really see them and I let them really see me. We went from silly, to serious, to focused, to foolish (and repeated that process about 800 more times). And then it was over. And then it was summertime. And everyone packed up and said goodbye. It was bittersweet. I knew that I would see them all again in the fall. But something in me cringed because I was being hit with the not so pleasant truth...

Today my suitemate, whom I have lived with for two years now, moved out. This has been the most difficult school year that I have ever been a part of. It's been one big emotional rollercoaster and one huge test of my patience. I couldn't have gotten through it without her. And yet again, I was hit with the not so pleasant truth...goodbye.

It seems ironic to me that my "epic" senior year is going to be book-ended with goodbyes. Saying goodbye to my suitemate and the PMs started my senior year and saying goodbye to life as I've known it for FOUR YEARS is what's going to end it. And in between?

In between I'm supposed to figure out some way to cope with this not so pleasant truth.

Last day with the PMs.

The Secret Life of a "Peer Mentor"

Well hey there folks! I feel like I should give some sort of really cool introduction since this is my first blog post. But hey, I've never been one to follow routines. By the way, technically this is not my first blog post. I have another blog (which is very amazing if I do say so myself) that you should DEFINITELY check out when you get some free time: http://anjelica-beautifulstruggle.blogspot.com/.

Now moving on, let me explain the title. I'm a SENIOR. No, not a senior citizen (although I do feel that way sometimes). I'm a SENIOR in college. Anyone who's ever been in college, known someone who's been in college, or even seen college on TV before felt the full weight of that statement: SENIOR IN COLLEGE. Excuse me while I try to catch my breath. You're going to be able to take a journey with me through my senior year . You'll apply to grad school with me, write my thesis with me (I wish), take the GREs with me (any volunteers?), and graduate with me. This is my Final Trip Around the Sun at Washington College and I'm determined to make it unforgettable.

Ok, I'm also determined to keep this short. So, in a nutshell: I'm going through Peer Mentor training right now. Sadly, this is my final year as a Peer Mentor (tissues please). I always tell people that being a PM is the BEST job on campus, and it truly, truly is. I love my mentees and I adore the other PM's.

What's a typical day like in the life of a PM?
Well, today we played "Duck, Duck Goose" and "Toilet Tag." All of this was after we built a campfire and made smores.


Did I mention I LOVE being a Peer Mentor?

me and my peer mentor "accountabilabuddy" John...we're supposed to look out for each other =)

some lovely peer mentor girls

David doing his best Derek Jeter impression during the first successful PM whiffle ball game





Katelyn and Ross playing "toilet tag"...believe it or not, it's a real game



Katie and Brian making smores at the peer mentor campfire...Brian is our resident "fireman"



peer mentors at rest...or something like that