Calc tests and Chem quizzes, stressful midterms and freezing weather; this has been an amazing week.  I’m not kidding you; there is NO sarcasm in this blog.  I would usually complain about the load of work I have left, and about how it’s only Wednesday, or the fact that it’s snowing buckets outside and I’m on crutches for the next 6 weeks, but I can’t. I just complain.  I have realized this week that I have been beyond blessed.  I had an epiphany of sorts, including the amazing realization of how easy my life has been. Sure, there have been hard times, struggles, as well as amazing experiences, but the reality is that it’s all up to me now.  I guess you could classify this as one of those crossroads you stumble upon in college. When you finally realize that up until now, to an extent, life has been handed to you on a metaphorical silver platter.  Choices have been presented, and you have been able to carefully pick and choose the option that best suits you.  Up until now is the key phrase—now you have to fight for it. You have a dream, a passion, a desire, and it will NOT be handed to you; it needs to be fought for. 

If you have a passion, an idea of what your life is meant to look like, you can’t let anything, or anyone tell you it can’t be done.  But you also have to realize that it will not be done for you.  I’ve realized my passions, at least what they are at this point in my life, and I now know what my next steps in fighting for those passions must be.

I have been blessed by being able to come to North Central, by having been placed in challenging courses, and by having the opportunity to interact with so many incredible professors who have encouraged and stimulated me to such a great extent. I never knew the depth of what my abilities could develop into, and the only way I could have ever been able to truly discover the possibilities of these abilities is through the opportunities given to me by North Central.

Moral of the story tonight: there will always be obstacles, tough choices, undesirable circumstances, and metaphorical broken ankles, but you have to fight to get in the position where you will be able to realize your passions and unique abilities.  It will not always be an easy road, but I can guarantee you that it will be more than worth it in the long run.

I know this blog was on a more serious note, but next week I promise I’ll tell you about all the amazing fun I will have had on the retreat I’m going on this weekend! Have fun in the snow everyone!

This week has been filled with fun happenings. 

 Let’s get a quick re-cap

 I sprained/possibly broke my ankle playing intramural soccer.  That was a good time let me tell you!!! Okay, so I lied, this week has NOT been filled with fun things. It’s been slightly stressful, and pretty hectic. I think I’m going to leave it at that for right now.  Hopefully next week’s blog will be longer and actually fun to read!  Have a splendid week 4 everyone!!!!

 Megan

Hello all!  So you might be curious, what are these two beautiful girls doing taking a random pouty face photo in the middle of a Barns and Noble?  Well, I’m about to tell you.  This is a story about two girls, and their Friday night off campus…or as far as two girls can get without cars.  Now don’t let your imaginations go to crazy! My wonderful roomie, Abbey and I got all dolled up and went with her splendid cousin (also named Meaghan, and obviously spelt differently),  out  to dinner and a movie.  I know, you are all jealous! And  I can’t blame you, who wouldn’t be,  right?

So we met Meaghan and a few of her friends at the Barns and Noble down the street from campus. Now this is where Daniel Craig comes into play.  I don’t know how many of you have seen Casino Royale, I for one have not, but apparently, Mr. Craig has the SAME expression throughout the entire film. This is not  cool in my book, but that’s besides the point.  So Abbey and I, were waiting for Meaghan and her friends to check out, and we found this fascinating book; it contained a top ten list of ANYTHING YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE!  Anyway, this is totally relevant because we found a photo of Mr. Craig doing his infamous pouty face while playing James Bond.  So naturally, we HAD to take a photo of our own trying to emulate his amazing expression.  Let’s just say that this took way to many tries to be successful, and we received a plethora of odd stares…but it was SO worth it!

Now I bet you are wondering, but Megan, what did you do next? What movie did you see? Well hold your horses friends! I’m getting there!  We proceeded to dine at Max and Erma’s, a restaurant  I have never eaten at before.  Let me just say, it was delicious, and as for desert, we ordered some of their chocolate chip cookies…they were divine. Following dinner we headed across the street to the movie theatre and saw The Bucket List. Just a warning, this is not a funny movie, it’s quite sad actually. You will probably leave with the urge to travel the world and go sky diving…unless you are like me and constantly battle the urge to travel the world and go sky diving.

After the film, Abbey and I headed over to The Union to see the final band, Company of Thieves.  If you have never heard of them, I highly encourage you to find their myspace and check them out, seriously, this is a talented band. Upon conclusion of The Union, we rounded off the night by going over to Naperplace Appartments and watching Empire Records.  Now let me just say, this is an incredibly poorly done 90’s film. If you have not seen it, DO NOT waste your time with it!

So I guess that’s it! Soon after getting back to our dorm, we collapsed into our lofts…not waking until about 11:30 the following morning.

What else would a group of 8 college students do on a Saturday night but watch the presidential debates.  All candidates from both the republican and democratic sides that have 5% or more support were invited to participate in this particular debate.  This meant the opinions of 10 total candidates were expressed and able to be directly compared to one another all within three hours time.

Doesn’t sound like a good time? Let me tell you, it was! If you’ve ever been in a room in Peter and Paul Hall, you’d laugh trying to picture 8 people crammed on one side all trying to see the TV!  Add some extreme difference of opinions, and it’s a guaranteed good time.  I do have to say, you tend to see a different side to your friends when discussing politics, which is a good thing…most of the time!

After the debates, we had every intention of going traying (for those of you who have never experienced the wonderful art of traying, it’s basically sledding on trays that have been acquired from various local eateries ;D).  Unfortunately however, when we looked outside, all the snow had melted and our hopes for a fun filled night of traying were dashed.  We did save the trays though for the next snow storm!

In the end, next time you have a free Saturday night, and are wondering how to occupy your time, I suggest rounding up some good company, turn on a heated presidential debate, and finish off the night with some refreshing traying action!

Where has the time gone?

It feels like yesterday I was finishing my finals and packing to go to my roommates’ house for thanksgiving and Appalachian Service Project.  Winter break was occupied with mountains of work, friends home from other out of state colleges, and trying to catch up on sleep. 

You might be reading this and wondering, well, Megan, that’s great and all, but what is this Appalachian Service Project you speak of?  Well my friend, let me tell you. ASP, as it’s more commonly referred to, is a service trip taken by a relatively small group of students and staff  to Chavies, Kentucky every D-Term.  Basically you go and serve one or more families, making their homes warmer, safer and drier for the upcoming winter season. The town of Chavies as well as the surrounding areas are extremely impoverished and in need of more than a little TLC.  Most of the small towns that are sprinkled throughout the Appalachian mountain range popped up while the coal mines were still thriving.  In the recent past, due to various reasons, many of the coal mines have been either closed, or the companies have moved to strip mining, eliminating the need for labor.  This has caused major stress on the people and economy of the entire area. A good majority of the residents are on disability or welfare, with no jobs or opportunities to make money available.

In a nutshell, this service trip is an amazing way to truly open one’s eyes and spread the knowledge and reality of the poverty our country is enduring.  A poverty and cry for help that often seems forgotten by not only the government, but the general populace of the nation as well.  I guess what I’m encouraging you all to do is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.  Not everyone is as blessed, or has the advantages as many of you do.  I encourage you all to reach out and look into your community, open your eyes to the problems and social injustices that are happening every day right before your very eyes.  And then, rather than turning the other cheek, do something about it. If something makes you feel uneasy, trust your gut, and make the decision to work towards bettering the situation.  Every little bit helps.

Shalom until next time!