Spring Break...What to Do?

By Dorothy J. Hill

Spring Break…What to Do?

It is finally here…spring break. Now, I know, a lot of people are thinking, already? But, yes. Ours is a little earlier than others. Why? Who knows and it doesn’t really matter anyway. But, the fact of the matter is that it is here and now you have a week of no classes to worry about. I’m actually kind of excited about the upcoming break. It will give me a chance to relax for a change and also do much work for school. And, even though it’s break, I will still be gracing the campus with my presence at work. So, it really isn’t much of a break for me, but it’s still fairly exciting.

So, five days, to do whatever it is that you want. Some people are going on service trips to various places. I know for sure that several of my colleagues will be participating in this respect. Many of them will be going to help build homes or work in hospices and hospitals. There are various things that you can do during spring break. Others may be taking a nice vacation and travelling to different places. Whatever it is, it’s up to you. Even though I am staying home, I will still be very busy. Between catching up on time with my travelling companion, memorizing 23 songs for my recital (which is April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in McGuire Hall and it’s FREE), working in the Office of Admission, doing some winter/spring cleaning around the house, shopping, and a few other things, it will be time for school before I can blink my eyes.

I’ve been saying that things are relatively bittersweet. This is mostly because as time progresses, I am ever so slowly (or quickly) approaching the end of this journey. It is the end of February and when we return it will be March. March leads to April which leads to May, which means I am out of here. I am still excited but at the same time I am a little uncertain. This is a natural thing. Everyone experiences this as they transition into a new thing. This is going to be a tremendous change for me though. I have been in school my whole life and being in the real world not having this cushion is going to make a huge difference. It is definitely a little scary sometimes but after a while you get accustomed to certain things and it becomes easier as you learn, grow and gain more insight on life.

Spring break is going to be a time for me, and many others, to regroup myself and recollect my thoughts. Not to say that I am not collected now, but having the time away from school will give me the chance to fully organize my thoughts and prepare for more things. This is a time where it would be wise to ensure that things are in place, so that when I graduate there are few things that I have to worry about. It will also provide me with the opportunity to really sit down and contemplate a lot of the things that I have not been able to give my full attention to. Being in school is a pretty heavy load and can be even heavier when you are not the above average learner/student. Now I am not downgrading myself or anyone else for that matter, but everyone handles things differently.

Some people are considered to be over-achievers, achievers, or under-achievers. I will be honest, and I think this applies to a lot of people as well, but I am a combination of them all. There are some instances where I will over-achieve and there are others where I may under-achieve. Then there are those instances where I will just achieve. There isn’t anything wrong with any of these options; it just depends on the circumstance. And, as unfortunate as it may be, sometimes life situations may interfere with the level of achievement. For instance, if you are dealing with various familial or financial issues, it will carry over into other aspects of your life. It may be a situation where you are unable to give something as much as you are capable of because of what you may be dealing with. Like with just about everything, everyone handles and responds to things differently. Personally, as I have gotten older and matured, I have been able to handle things a lot better than I may have in high school and that should be the case for any person.

I am happy that spring break is here. I feel like it is long overdue for me and many others. I already know that once we get back, time is going to fly by and I will be looking back thinking, “Wow, I am here. This is my moment.” I’m stoked and can’t wait until May 13. It’s going to be so awesome!!! So, enjoy your spring break. Soak up some family and “me” time for as long as you can. Be adventurous. Do whatever will make you happy, bring excitement and make you not have to think and worry about school until break is over. And, most of all, be safe in whatever you do.

Until we meet again…Peace, blessings for safe travels and fun, fun, fun!

Dorothy J. Hill is a senior from Chicago, IL. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Dorothy is a Student Ambassador and currently serves as the Training Coordinator at Saint Xavier.

Tea. Birthday. Love.

By Sydney Bennett

It’s official; I have been living on Earth for 21 years now! Turning 21 was such a big deal for me not just because I’m legal and have more “rights”. For me, this is just the happiest and most free I have ever felt in my life. In opinion, that’s how getting older should be.

So, for my 21st birthday I threw a tea party. A lot of people were shocked that I wanted to throw this type of party and some even asked me what a tea party was. I love tea and having my closest friends around, so it seemed like a good idea. The idea for my party originally started out as an idea to help my friends who have their own businesses network and just enjoy each other’s company. That’s just what we did!

The party started out with me giving a small speech about being a 31 BITS Campus Rep and how I would love for anyone that could to support the cause. My friends and family really did support. I made an impressive amount of money for the Ugandan women, especially for that to be my first time. I was so excited and pleased that my loved ones gave and actually loved the bracelets!

Next, throughout the night I had different people speaking. We would play music, eat, chit chat, and then pause to hear what the next speaker had to say. My friend Ambria who is a student at DePaul spoke about her own business where she creates and sells jewelry. She ended up selling some of her earrings by the end of party! My friend Vanessa, who recently graduated from St.X talked about her new organizing business and sparked a lot of interest. My friend Aaja, a recent Columbia College graduate, and wardrobe stylist gave tips on items every 21 year old woman should own. Among the list were pearls, a nice blazer, business cards, and a professional bag. My mentor Erika talked about her book Go For Yours and read an excerpt. Amanda, a recent graduate of St.X talked about her health and wellness blog. My lovely friend Teanoia read a poem about me. The last speaker was my grandma who also gave advice. Some fellow gospel choir members and I sang a snippet of one of my favorite songs. We ended the night with a soul train line and tons of pictures.

Having to write everything that happened takes me back to the night and makes me so proud of the outcome. It was such an inspiring and fun night for everyone that was there. I am still so thankful for all of the gifts, cards, and support that I received! One thing I want to leave my viewers with is to support your friends and be bold enough to do exactly what you want to do, support will follow.

Sydney Bennett is a junior from Chicago, Illinois. She is a Mass Communications major with minors in both Sociology and Art & Design. She is President of Ambassador's for Christ(AFC) and a member of their Gospel choir at Saint Xavier.

Travel

By Luci Farrell

Now, my post last week spoke about Spring Break and homework. What I did not touch upon was the actual art of traveling. Yes, I said art. Packing, getting prepared, and finally leaving campus takes skill. You may think I am joking, but I have witnessed students panicking at the last second because of everything they had forgotten to do. So let me outline some steps.

1. Packing. Laugh all you want, but we all pack last minute. Depending on your break and where you are going, how you pack can be crucial. For example, when I go home for Thanksgiving I bring my smallest duffle bag available. After all, Thanksgiving break is short and since most of us spend that time at home you really only need to pack two days worth and you can wash them while home. Depending on where you live, however, some of you may decide to pack a bit more. Why? Well here at SXU we have a quick turnover from Thanksgiving break to Winter Break. The upside to this is that instead of bringing home everything you own over winter break you can use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to bring things home you know for a fact you’ll need during break, or will not need again until spring.
I am heading to Florida for my spring break this year. I travel light to begin with and plan on keeping with that theme. A backpack will accompany me with my trusty electronics, research materials (First Draft of Honors Senior Project? You shall be conquered!), and my trusty toothbrush. My medium sized duffle will also accompany me. I am a failure in the sense that I do not own real luggage. Honestly, I’m perfectly happy with my duffels. We did a lot of camping when I was a kid so a duffle bag was your best friend. Plus it also drilled the rule into my head that you should only pack what you can manage to carry yourself. Which makes packing for break even easier. Have you ever packed to go to a warm climate? Broomstick skirts, tank tops, and sundresses are without doubt the easiest things to pack. Roll them up, shove them in the bag, and TADA you are done! It should also be pointed out that I do not own a single piece of clothing that needs to be ironed…

2. Itinerary. Everyone leaves on break in a different way. Some take the bus, some take the train, some fly, and others drive. Regardless of your mode of transportation, you should keep track of your time. If you are driving off try not to get on the road late and if you’re leaving with someone, do not keep them waiting. When it comes to trains and buses you should get to your station early and double check your times to make sure everything is on schedule. The same goes for heading to the airport, but there are a few more steps. First of all, check in online. Even if you do not have the time to print your ticket at that exact time, checking in gets you a better boarding number. Aside from this you should also remember to wear comfortable travel clothing. This includes shoes you can easily slip off when passing through the security line and really anything that you can be comfortable in for hours on end. As someone who has spent over 9 hours in an airport you can trust me on that.

3. Check List. Yes, you probably are sick of hearing my obsession with lists, but I promise this is a must for every traveler. The night before make a list of the last minute things that you need to pack away. These include your phone charger, toothbrush, and wallet. Anything you use last minute should be on that list. If you live in the dorms you should double check to make sure you have emptied your trash, turned off unnecessary electronics, properly fixed your blinds, and you have locked your door. Do not forget your keys. Seriously.

I sincerely hope these little tips have helped you all. Most importantly remember to have fun. We all need our downtime and excuse to power down our brain, even if just for a day or two. So enjoy your break and hopefully you all rest up for the second leg of the semester!

Keep Calm and Pack On

Luci Farrell is a senior from New Haven, CT. She is an Organizational Communication major with a minor in Anthropology. Luci is a Resident Peer Minister on campus and chair of the Honors Program Advisory Council at Saint Xavier University.

New Opportunities

By Genevieve Buthod

This week, I have been swamped with privilege. I have been working very hard to complete my applications for internships by their deadlines. This includes writing many separate essays and mailing in transcripts, as well as begging for letters of recommendation many times over. I am lucky enough to have been nominated for the Schmitt Scholarship, as well, which is an honor. However, the deadline for the application is this Friday, and I am struggling to keep myself together until then!

I am looking forward to each of the possible internships for this summer. I have applied to seven separate Research Experiences for Undergraduates around the country, at schools from Harvey Mudd to Texas A&M to DePauw. These research opportunities would provide me with the chance to apply my computer and technology skills from my major to social issues I am passionate about, like music and education.

Another opportunity I have been pursuing lately is the chance to participate in the Democratic campaign this year. Earlier today, I had an interview at the office of Anthony R. Martin, Democratic Independent running for the position as the 35^th District State Representative. The interview went well, and I am lucky enough to now be a part of the campaign effort! I’m not sure what I will be doing just yet, but I will keep you posted on anything interesting that affects student life.

On that note, I am also meeting with the Executive Director of the St. Louis City Democrats next week when I am home in St. Louis for spring break. I’m taking advantage of the chance to be home for a week and have scheduled an interview for a possible summer internship with that campaign, as well.

I have quite a few opportunities in front of me right now; the hard part is just narrowing them down and trying to choose which path to follow. I guess I will let fate decide for me, for now. Whichever internships I get, I will go with! See you next week, and have a great spring break everybody.

P.S. don’t forget to do your FAFSA by March 1^st for priority consideration….

Genevieve Buthod is a sophomore, and a major in Computer Science with a minor in Philosophy. She is a happy and healthy vegan. She is also the TIAA-CREF Campaign Manager for Students for Justice in Palestine. Genevieve is the Senior Viewpoints Editor for the Xavierite.

Accepting Rejection

By Dorothy J. Hill

No one likes to be rejected. Whether it be from a friend, a loved one, a random person, etcetera, rejections just aren’t the greatest feelings. Aside from just people, being rejected from a job or school doesn’t provide the greatest feeling of content either. But, it is what happens in life and you just have to learn how to take the good with the bad.

I always like to use myself as an example, or guinea pig, when talking about a lot of things. It is because I know myself very well and who is better at picking me apart than me. So, here it was… I had made it up in my mind that I was surely going to graduate school, right after I graduate. I found what I believed to be the perfect school for me. They had exactly what I was looking for, to the “t”, but they didn’t feel that I would be a good fit for them. Now, of course, I feel that is not the case, but based upon what I provided to them, this is what they surmised.

When I received the letter, I was really on edge about opening the envelope. I already knew within this envelope and printed on this piece of paper is my destiny, for now. My fate, my life, my dreams, aspirations, goals and person had been shattered for a few moments. I read “we are sorry…” Nothing else even mattered to me after that. You already know that when you read or hear those dreadful words that something bad is about to happen. Initially, and even at this moment, I felt a strong sense of anger, with them and with myself. I just about immediately fell into a bit of a self-pity mode. I started to think, “Am I not good enough for them?” and “What did I do wrong?” among other not so nice thoughts. Then, I bounced back into reality. I thought, “Wait a minute, what am I doing here? Why am I so upset and angry? There is no need to be. I am an exceptional individual, everyone just hasn’t had the opportunity to see or experience this. You have grown so much in such a short amount of time and there is more room for you to grow. Just consider this as another lesson learned and continue to move forward.” And that is what I am doing and intend to continue to do.

Even though this particular school was my number one and really only choice, I know that this just means that there is something better in store for me. Now maybe, just maybe, this isn’t the right time for me to pursue a graduate degree. Maybe I just need to take some time off and build up my resume and funds and expand on my knowledge. Maybe this is what is supposed to be happening. Which brings me to this; I am a firm believer that everything—EVERYTHING—happens for a reason. Why? Well, we may not always know why, but there is nothing that we can do about what happens. We can try to prepare for it, but there is not enough preparation for anything in life, because the craziest things are bound to happen when you least expect it. I’ve learned that it is just better to not expect anything, because then you leave yourself open for unnecessary pain and emotions that just get in the way.

I started to dissect myself mentally and then I attempted to let everything out through ink, but that didn’t go so well for me. I tried writing out my thoughts and a list of “What do you want to do with your life?” but I was so frustrated at that moment that I was not able to articulate my thoughts. I felt almost as if my world had come crashing down on me, as if I did not have a clue about myself or my life. But again, I brought myself back into perspective.

I am well aware of my worth, value and capabilities. I have found that I am one tough cookie and that there is nothing that will ever break me. I have faced so many trials and tribulations throughout my short 22 years of living to the point that I know I can get through any and everything that comes my way. I thought that I had my plans altogether, but things change in an instant. Just because I was rejected from this particular place at this moment, doesn’t mean that there isn’t an opportunity to give it a try again. It just may be a matter of waiting until the next year or few years. Who knows? The biggest challenge faced when applying for a job, school, or just about anything, is being able to capture your life, personality, and knowledge in two to three pages. I mean, it is utterly impossible. You have to be careful of the language used and the proper grammar, etc. I am very much so capable of doing this, but it’s really hard. Plus, if your grades aren’t the most “ideal”, you’re overlooked. You might be seen and considered as an underachiever, which is an unfortunate assumption, but again, they go by what the paper says and not the individual’s personality or anything along those lines.

I wish that I would have made a better decision in how I wanted my message to be given. I wish that I were able to just talk as if I were having a conversation with someone. If it were possible, I would have started my essay like this…

“Why am I the perfect fit for you? I have passion burning in me greater than the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. I pride myself on being the best in all that I do. I am a great asset to whomever I encounter, personally and professionally and present a wonderful element of humility and humbleness, but very confident, as well as happiness. My work ethic and positive spirit alone provides a greater quality of life and enhances the quality of life of those that I work with, academically and professionally, in music and general business. It is my desire to be a world-renowned musician and be an entrepreneur where I will be able to run my own business centered on those who are less fortunate or may not have the financial means to be as successful in life as they would like. Being a person of African-American descent and subjected to a tainted societal view, I understand the necessity of something like this. However, I was fortunate enough to experience life in a way that not many others are able to. I have traveled to and performed in various places that opened my eyes to new horizons so to say. I am an ambitious, tenacious, steadfast, and strong-willed individual and there is nothing that will stop me from reaching my dreams and achieving my goals. As a student within your program, it will provide me with even more resources and opportunities for growth, the expansion and expounding on much of the knowledge I have acquired thus far. I am the embodiment of change and success with purpose. My acceptance would certainly not be in vain, it just might be one of the greatest things to take place for myself and your institution.”

This is just a snippet of what I would like to write, but I can’t. Things like this aren’t always going to be accepted. The world works a certain way and it will never change. Being rejected has not and will not deter me from doing what I need to do in life. I just consider this as a stepping stone to help me progress forward to the next new thing. I know that God has something wrapped in the palm of his hand that he’s itching for me to get to. I know my purpose in life, and though I had invested much of my mind and heart into this, I know that something better is waiting for me. I just need to be patient and wait for it. I’m going to take things one day at a time, and sometimes that is all that you can do. Graduation is just around the corner. So, breathe, regroup, recollect yourself. Get back on your square and keep it moving. This is not the end; it has just opened the door for a new and better beginning.

Dorothy J. Hill is a senior from Chicago, IL. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Dorothy is a Student Ambassador and currently serves as the Training Coordinator at Saint Xavier.

Out on the Town

By Genevieve Buthod

This past Friday, I took advantage of the last winter free admission day at the Art Institute. I am so glad I did! This museum is one of Chicago’s treasures and I feel I don’t get to experience it often enough. I spent a dreamy hour in the Impressionist wing, and another in the Modern Art gallery. I absolutely love the history of it all, and seeing representations of different artists’ perspectives on the world. Below is a picture I took of Henri Toulouse Lautrec’s famous painting of a night at the infamous Moulin Rouge, the old Parisian burlesque dance club. I love getting lost in these paintings and feeling as though I am kicking back, discussing art and literature with the great artists of the time.



My intense Francophilia being stirred, I decided to continue on down Randolph across the river to have dinner at the Chicago French Market. If you have never visited this adorable little market, it is worth it simply for the cultural experience. The first counter that greeted me as I walked in the door was a colorful display of macarons, in perfect flavors like Earl Grey, Lavender, and Nutella. Keep walking, and you can find any kinds of things you could want to eat, be they fresh crêpes, delicious Belgian fries, or pickled beets (my favorite!). If you think you want to check it out for yourself, the link to the website is right here: http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/index.php . I highly recommend it!

Finally, I decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a slightly unique way. Because we had a professional development day and therefore no classes, I took a few friends out to the Shedd Aquarium, which was having yet another free day! I have never even been to an aquarium before, and I think the Shedd was the perfect place to start. We saw many different creatures, including everything from a giant Anaconda to tiny seahorses. Below is a picture of the eel in the Caribbean tank in the center of the aquarium. But my favorite creature all day was definitely the older gentlemen in a scuba suit casually cleaning the tank filled with sharks and stingrays!

I guess I should get back to focusing on assignments, but it’s nice to occasionally be reminded that the world is bigger than the campus I live in. I hope you get a chance to do the same before the semester is finished!

Genevieve Buthod is a sophomore, and a major in Computer Science with a minor in Philosophy. She is a happy and healthy vegan. She is also the TIAA-CREF Campaign Manager for Students for Justice in Palestine. Genevieve is the Senior Viewpoints Editor for the Xavierite.