Tuesday, September 27, 2011

It was Only the 3rd Week of Classes

Hi! Okay, honestly there is so much to tell you guys about! First off, two weekends ago, so September 17th was Octagon Fair. For those of you who don't know, Octagon Fair is our school's version of homecoming. What happens is all the clubs on campus, along with outside vendors set up booths and sell anything and everything. This year's theme was nautical. The clubs are automatically entered into a competition. This is based on theme participation, how many volunteers there were, educational component, etc. This year the winner was the Equestrian Club with the world's largest sea horse. Second place went to the Marketing and Management club who can keep there head's high for proving to be such stiff competition. The winners receive a cash prize toward there club activities. Other booths that were popular were feather hair extensions and the Chemistry Club's whack-a-pirate. Of course I can't forget the bookstore, who had a line starting at around 9:30 for all there sales. I bought sweatpants and a sweatshirt for $10 each, along with Christmas gifts for my family. It was a nice day, my mom actually was able to drive down and spend a couple hours with me. At 3:00 Elmira College Men's Soccer hosted a game against Alfred. Elmira came out with the win, which just added to the good moods that day.
The next day it was announced that Mountain Day singing would be starting Sunday September 18th. Mountain Day is a day off of classes that Dr. Meier grants the students. In order to earn a Mountain Day students must congregate in front of the President's home and sing/chant/scream there hearts out. This year, Elmira College made history. With over 600 students coming out Sunday night Dr. Meier granted the Elmira College community its first EVER Monday Mountain Day. It's essentially a snowless snow day.
As for Mountain Day itself, it is full of activities. I actually woke up and participated in the 3 mile run to Quarry Farms, the summer home of Mark Twain. There is also a Lumberjack Pancake Breakfast, a picnic lunch, games, activities, iris planting, and so much free time! I enjoyed the ability to take a two hour nap that day. Even though I still had to go to night class, I did not even mind.
So, that was last week in a nutshell. So crazy I know, but that's like at EC for ya.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Thank You EC for Last Summer



Hello again,
So as I am sure you guys are aware Elmira College is big on traveling. Term Three is a time to travel abroad and study with a class and professors. But did you know that EC also helps send students abroad to intern?! Yup, they do. How do I know? - Because just this last summer I did just that.
I interned at Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas for six weeks. In fact, I got to stay right in the hotel, free of charge. Atlantis paid for my plane ride to and from Nassau and two meals a day. Oh, and I got a weekly paycheck. I know, unbelievable right? Well believe it! I am so thankful for this wonderful experience, you guys have no idea. So what exactly did I do for six weeks? Everything. I worked Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Every week I switched departments. I worked the front desk at all five towers of the hotel, I worked in guest activities, and the sales and marketing departments. The highlights were plentiful. I really liked my week of guest activities because I got to do things like work the Fourth of July fair and work at the teen night club CRUSH. However, the absolute best week was when I worked with the Sales and Marketing team. I was given a project and I gave my opinions and they even used some of them. I found myself wanting to go to work early and stay later, when I was in my room I would think about the different projects going on. It was so nice to know that the field I am studying is enjoyable. This experience truly did confirm that I am in the right field.
So what did I do for fun? A whole lot. On the weekends I spent most of my time in the water park, riding the slides and other water rides or on the beach getting my tan on. But the high point of my free time was swimming with dolphins! It was amazing. I got the deep water experience where I had a hand water scooter and swam next to a baby dolphin. I also got to feed them and had my picture taken with a dolphin named Isis. I even got the signature foot push. In a word, the experience was amazing. This is something I will never forget and tell everyone and anyone to do it.
So yup, that's how I spent my summer 2011. And I have to thank the combined efforts of Atlantis and Elmira College.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Happy New Year!

Hi everyone! My name is Katelyn Musall '13 and for those of you who don't already know I am now a Junior at Elmira College. This is my second year blogging for the school and I hope to improve it from last. There is so much I want to share with you guys, but first the basics; I am a Business Administration major with a double concentration in International Business and Marketing with a minor in Spanish. Yes, I know that's super long to say but it's the official, Elmira College way of stating what I am studying here. So what do I want to talk about today? Fall Orientation of course! The start of the school year here marks the end of Freshman Fall Orientation; a four day program that is tailored to help the incoming Glorious 15s be accustomed to college life. As an Orientation Leader (without of group) I helped out everywhere! I helped with program preparations, aka putting together stacks upon stacks of folders, blowing up 20,015 balloons that I then proceeded to put all around campus the following morning when the freshmen finally moved in. Now, I know as an orientation leader I am suppose to be upbeat and happy all the time but that was a looooong day. I was up by 5, moved an entire dorm full of students into their rooms, and sang my heart out. Not to say it isn't fun, just tiring at times. So you can probably get all the logistics of Fall O on elmira.edu but I want to tell you guys my favorite parts about the whole experience. I had two points in the program where I really took a step back and thought "this is why I move in a week early." The first is the senior class song. Every year after the OL Talent Show the seniors get up on stage and sing a song that they feel reflects their time here at EC. Watching them really made me realize that I only have a short two years left on the purple and gold campus, which is actually really hard to believe. My second favorite part is the Candle Light Ceremony on Saturday night. I walked with my two friends Julia and Amanda. Seeing all the freshman and seniors across from each other on either side of the Puddle is just an experience in and of itself. When we sang the Alma Mater, linked, in darkness with only the candles as light, it truly put a smile on my face and made me realize just how much the school's traditions mean to me.
Now, onto class. I have a pretty full schedule this year so I apologize in advance if my posts don't come as regularly as I would like them.
This year is going to be great, I can tell already!

Bye!