JCU Blog Central

Christmas at Carroll 2009

This past weekend marked the 2009 Christmas at Carroll celebration. Holiday activities took place throughout the week, yet the main events were held on Saturday. A holiday concert, late night mass, caroling, lighting of a giant Christmas tree, and midnight breakfast were just a few options for students that evening. This weekend also marked the weekend before Fall 2009 finals week. Thus, students could pick and choose which events he or she wished to attend. Or, students could attend all of the activities offered at Christmas at Carroll! Admission was free to all events and all students were welcome. Although I spent the majority of my day and evening at the Grasselli library, I did allow myself time to enjoy the midnight breakfast. It truly was delicious! Breakfast is my favorite meal at Carroll! And, it was nice to finally catch up with my friends. Christmas at Carroll served as a nice break from a very long weekend of studying!

Until next time,

Meghan May

Winter Formal 2009

This past weekend I attended John Carroll's Winter Formal for 2009. The dance was held at Signature of Solon Country Club and transportation was provided to the venue, as well as back to campus. After taking pictures in Hamlin residence hall, my friends and I proceeded outside to meet one of the many shuttles which were provided for those attending the dance. After a short wait, we boarded the shuttle and headed toward Signature Solon. Upon entering the venue we immediately noticed a photo booth. Students were already helping themselves to props and stepping into the booth to take pictures with friends. It was so neat! We took our turn in the booth then went into the main area to find seats before dinner began. We enjoyed a few songs then dinner commenced. Dinner was fabulous! I received the chicken option which consisted of seasoned chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies. For desert, my table of friends shared a huge helping of various cookies. Dinner came to a close and the dancing began! My friends and I danced to our favorite songs for hours; the DJ was awesome! My friends and I even were photographed by a photographer taking photos for John Carroll's website! When the dance finally came to an end near midnight, we simply boarded the shuttle which took us straight back to campus. It was so convenient! We were able to rest our tired feet after a long night of dancing and taking pictures. All-in-all, the night was well worth the wait. I'll jump at any chance to wear a dress, eat delicious food, and dance the night away. Too bad this is the last dance for the academic year. Homecoming 2010 here we come!

Until next time,

Meghan May

Healthy Holiday Competition

Going home for the holidays is always a refreshing break. For some it means catching up with old friends, lip stick stains on the cheek from your Aunt or 100’s of dishes to wash. I look forward to seeing old friends and even current friends at JCU back at home in Chicago. Hearing of prospective students and reaching out to those interested in JCU is part of the holiday spirit. I connected with the Chicago JCU Representative Erin Soroosh to contact those from my past territory. I went to St. John of the Cross grade school, and am from Western Springs IL. I am thrilled when I see: La Grange, Hinsdale, Willow Springs, any one in the Lyons Township District. I also get very excited when I see any one interested from FenwickHigh School, which is where I graduated from four years ago. Again, any Oak Park, RiverForest, Riverside, Melrose Park, and Berwyn- I could go on and on. Any one from the Chicagoarea: North-side, South-side- they are all welcome here. On a tour last week, a girl saw someone she thought she knew from her conference; rivals in high school- will become friends here. So to anyone whom my past schools have competed against; consider it an invitation to John Carroll University-where we not only see each other on campus, but at home during holiday breaks.

-Bridget 

Everyone tells you "Time flies...."

Everyone tells you “Time Flies…”

As all of you seniors start to approach the time of the year where you eyes are focused so intently on graduation that you may not notice a lot of what is happening around you.  At the risk of sounding like an old man spilling out trite or overused phrases, but don’t accelerate into the future too quickly because time really does fly!  Before you start to roll your eyes, just read through this blog, it won’t be too long.

I remember the annoying hoards of people who saw me starting to look into colleges and wrap up my senior year and the nostalgic look they got on their faces as they remembered their own journey through their education.  I also remember the smile that I painted on my face because I had heard essentially the same story a hundred times and was not excited to have to listen to it again.

However, as I type this page I stand only a little bit taller and barely three years older than I was at that point in time but I look at my little brother (who is conveniently applying to college as we speak) and think of the corny stories that I would like to tell him. 

I am nearing my second semester of junior year, meaning I have been at JCU for about two and a half years and I really don’t believe how quickly the time has flown by!  This year in particular has seemed to evade me completely.  It has been quite a hectic year with everything that I have been doing.

The year started out a bit early for me as the Tour Guide staff had to return a bit early for our annual Training Week.  The week was a bit stressful trying to manipulate all of the details and work out the kinks but I had a great time throughout the week!   Then of course Homecoming immediately following the end of training week, I wrote in an earlier post about my involvement with that event.  The week culminated in a great time.  I think that everyone who went couldn’t help but love the dance.  Without much of a break we started to plan for the Relay for Life and play some volleyball.

Please don’t misunderstand my intentions here, I love everything that I am involved with even when you add it to my course load, but having a few days at home always forces you to slow down a bit and appreciate what has happened.  When classes meet on Monday we will have only three weeks of classes plus the dreaded finals week and just like that Winter Break will begin ushering in another semester to rush by me. 

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Christopher

Where did the time go???

As Thanksgiving Break approaches, I can't help but reflect upon the semester thus far and the upcoming weeks. This particular semester has been very much concerned with the John Carroll Office of Admissions., the best office on campus, of course. It has consisted of Tour Guide Training Week 2009, admissions open houses, tour guide intramural volleyball, and blogging! This fall semester I also attended the homecoming dance which was held at Brown's Stadium, as well as the recent Build-A-Bear and Rhapsody Blue activities. The academic aspect of my semester has been eventful as well. As a junior biology major, I am enrolled in more challenging, yet more interesting courses. As a pre-dental student, I have begun to shadow local dentists as well as to volunteer at the Cleveland Clinic. I am currently in the process of researching dental schools and registering for KAPLAN preparation classes for the DAT. With schedules set for spring semester and Thanksgiving break commencing tomorrow, I can't help but wonder, where did the time go?

On the day to day I appreciate my hectic social and academic aspects of my life, yet at certain times I can't help but realize how fast the academic year has been progressing. The 2009-2010 academic year is almost half over. We have reached Thanksgiving Break and once we return to John Carroll we merely have three weeks left in the fall semester! Its at times like these that I begin to make an effort to really enjoy being in college and attending John Carroll University. Junior year is quickly coming to a close and soon I'll be a senior. And, I don't want to be a senior! I don't want to graduate! I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life in the medical field, yet I will always look fondly upon my years here at Carroll. And, I am relieved for this break, so that I may rejuvenate myself and come back to campus, ready to soak up all that Carroll has to offer!

Until next time,

Meghan May