so this is rather last minute, but for freshman seminar we need to write a paper, my professor is w. wilson. its called global studies, but i dont know what the topic for the essay is. i checked on ecollege and whatnot and can't seem to find anything

Ok don't panic. First see if you could find anyone else in your class who might know. If you can't find someone else who knows then email your professor. Just explain what happened and how you have had difficulty finding the topic. Professors are very helpful and can be understanding especially if you talk to them ahead of time or approach them before class and explain what happened.

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how do you become a wilderness leader?

Very soon an email will be going out regarding information about the meeting and an application! Just keep a look out for it. You can always go to the Wilderness Office which is upstairs in Alliot and ask them when exactly it will held.

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Seize the Day!

In only a few days, it will be September and a lot of people will be beginning a new year. Whether you are a freshmen going into high school or a freshmen going into college, nothing is more exciting than the possibilities of what the year will hold. I'm not a big New Year's fan because I think Fall feels more like the start of a new year.

In a mere few days, I will be taking the plunge just like so many freshmen, starting the semester in a new and foreign place, where I don't really know many people and where I have to learn the language. So I am with ya'll feeling nervous but wanting to do so much, while taking advantage of the the wonderful things the semester will hold.

A friend of mine recently told me, that while I'm abroad, it is really important to be open and flexible and not to turn down opportunities. I feel that too often I forget to enjoy the moment or forget to try something new -- even if it scares me. So, while I am in Italy, I'm going to try and seize the day while I am there and try new things (even if it means I have eating olives...which I don't particularly love).

I promise to upload lots of pictures and posts once I get set up and connected to the internet! Below is a silly picture I stumbled upon the other day. It was a Wednesday night, freshmen year, when I seized the opportunity to distract my friend Livy by duct tapping her to me! Pretty ridiculous, but this picture still makes me laugh!

Are toaster ovens permitted? The manual says a "hot pot" is, so I would assume it's ok.. Toast is my go-to midnight snack! =)

Toasters are not allowed unfortunately because they are a fire hazard. Hot pots are allowed so you can make mac and cheese as a late night snack. Alliot does have toasters and is open until 8pm during the week!

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What type of cable do I need for my tv so that I can get cable?

You need the standard cable which can be found in the bookstore or at a hardware store or Bestbuy. They are very easy to find! Make sure to get one long enough that it could reach where your TV is. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Terk+-+12'+Coaxial+Cable+for+Satellite+and+Cable+TV/7385171.p?id=1122654461219&skuId=7385171&st=cable&cp=1&lp=14

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One of the reasons why I love St. Mike's

I know it is August and is ridiculously hot out, but I have been getting excited for snow! I love when it snows up at school and have fallen in love with skiing these past 2 years! So what better way to enjoy snow in August then by watching SMC annual Jibfest! The Jibfest is a competition between skiiers and snowboarders doing park tricks on snow that the ski and snowboard club trucks in! Enjoy

Winding down from the summer

It has been way too long since I last wrote, my apologies due to computer problems. The end of my summer has been busy with adventures into Nashville, Skype dates with friends from school, a museum visit to the Frist, discovering Dragon park and lots of baking.

Whenever family comes down to Tennessee we try and give the grand tour and show them several different parts of Nashville and one major part being down town. Pointing out landmarks, LP stadium, and some delicious restaurants, music row (country music), and the Honkie Tonk bars! I am including a photo album of my adventures down town and some of my favorite places. So if you have never made it this far south or are curious about Nashville and where I live check it out!

One of my other favorite places in Nashville is the Frist Museum and I have gotten the opportunity to go twice this summer (ok, the exhibit never changed, but I loved it so much I went again with friends!) Currently, the exhibit is The Golden age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957. I wish women still dressed like that today.

Now your probably wondering what's Dragon park? Well I found in the local paper a list of things to do in Nashville and one of suggestions was seeing this mosaic dragon that resides in a park. Kids can play on it and climb all over it. It is an amazing discovery and piece of art. Here is a look at it and I am also going to add an album with even more pictures!

I have been also taking advantage of one of the best inventions ever made while being home this summer and that is Skype. I still have a little over a week until I leave for Florence and a few of my friends have already begun their study abroad adventures so I have been keeping in touch with them.

One of my friends I have Skyped and been in touch with this summer is Nelly who is a great friend of mine and who will be studying in Copenhagen very soon. She has filled me in on my summer and also let me know how WOW (wilderness orientation weekend) went in July (since I only got to do a POW!). Here is her experience and story she shared with me.

I love the woods. I love backpacking. I love being grungy. Make the mistake of mentioning tarps to me and you’ll find yourself the audience to a 20 minute dissertation on the best ways of keeping rain off your gear. That being said, it was only logical that I would sign up to co-lead the Green Mountain Backpacking W.O.W.

Our route took us from Hazen’s Notch to Spruce Ledge- a distance of about 15 miles. That might not sound like a lot for three days of hiking, but the Greens would never be described as the easiest terrain out there. Not only did we contend with the obvious steep and long ascents and descents, there was also the small matter of rain on day one of the trip. Anyone who’s spent any time in Vermont knows that rain means mud, and lots of it. Vermont is a beautiful place year round, and as usual, the woods did not disappoint. The rain cleared up quickly, leaving us a gorgeous view to enjoy from the fire tower on Belvidere Mountain. Devil’s Gulch was as excitingly treacherous as usual, with the damp mossy rock adding to the excitement. We were quite pleased to make it through with only a couple of scuffs and bruises.

Now, I don’t think anything can beat the peacefulness of sitting around a campfire without hiking boots on, drinking hot chocolate, stargazing, and talking to hikers you’ve met along the trail. Us students at Saint Mike’s love our school, and we love talking about it to anyone who will listen. It was great to spend a weekend with the next wave of students, and it’ll be particularly nice to see them around campus next year.

Finally I will conclude with some pictures of what I have been baking and cooking!Buon Appetite