Snow shoeing, Ice Climbing, and plenty of Skiing!!

I've decided it's been way too long since I've last talked about the Wilderness Program. In the winter the Wilderness Program runs so many trips in a variety of outdoor sports. Here are some of the trips that have been going out on the weekends this semester!
*SNOW SHOEING 
*ICE CLIMBING 
* TELEMARK SKIING 
*ALPINE SKIING
*LEARN TO SKI 
*DOG SLEDDING (Christmas Break trip!)

Who knew you could have this much fun in the snow? I'm not a huge fan of really cold weather, but I love being a leader and getting to go outside on weekends and explore Vermont in the winter! I think one of my favorite trips would have to be my snow shoeing trip that I led a few weeks ago! We snow shoed Nebraska Notch which is right around Mt. Mansfield. We had beautiful weather, not to cold, not to warm,and  lite flurries. There was five of us and we had quite an adventure on the trail and ended up meeting so many couples and people out that morning. On our way back we had to descend a pretty steep "hill" so we ended up sliding down on our butts wishing we had a sled. The day was a success and I can't wait to get back outside this weekend to Ski!!        

http://www.facebook.com/SMCWilderness  <<<< For more pictures of trips

Butt sliding action going on!

Is it better to take your LSRs on campus or during study abroad?

It is definitely better to take your LSRs on campus. A lot of times courses abroad don't match up with the LSRs or it's harder to find programs that accommodate a majority of them. I just had one philosophy class left and it worked out towards my benefit. I feel that completing the majority of your LSRs freshmen year is also really helpful and is a great way to discover what your major is if your undecided.

Ask me anything

A Great American Holiday

The great American past time that has become almost a holiday, Superbowl Sunday. Waking up Sunday I knew I had only a few objectives to my day
#1 Homework (unfortunately)
#2 Order Wings for the game later on
#3 Watch the Superbowl

This has become a tradition across America to eat wings, fries, chips, dip, and some more unhealthy food while sitting on our butts for an extended period of time!  This year my friends, I discovered an earlier form of entertainment before the game which was the puppy bowl. The puppy bowl is where puppies play and battle it out while people commentate. So after a snowy night, sitting inside and celebrating  this grand American holiday seemed ideal. Even the Knight stand (cafe) at school was prepared and offering some sweet deals on food for the evening. I think that sitting around with a group of your friends and sharing delicious food while watching  men run around with a football is needed about once a year.

Since the patriots were not in the Superbowl I took more interest in playing with my new phone and watching commercials attentively! My favorite commercial had to be the Doritos pug attack video. (I really want a Pug so it was even funnier to me).

Enjoy!


Let me know what your favorite commercials were!


Beth

1.what do you plan to do with your major? 2. when studying abroad what type of classes did you take? did they fill your major requirements?

I plan on going to grad school and hopefully working with NGO's or an organization that helps people. I'm still open to many different possibilities for my future and am constantly thinking up new ideas of what I could do. While I was abroad I took Intermediate Italian, Philosophy, Italian culture and food, and Italian family and society. I was able to get some credit towards my major and complete my Liberal Arts requirements with my Philosophy class.

Ask me anything

Winter Wear

Transitioning back to being a college student living on campus my wardrobe has switched to the typical Vermont college student winter look. Now that's a mouth full!I was having a chat with a friend the other day about how much flannel SMC students wear and how normal it is that I decided to write about what students wear especially in the winter!

Flannel, flannel, and some more flannel is essential. And when your not rockin' the flannel then a nice hoddie will suffice. Being a college student our outfits are usually relaxed and especially being in New England are appropriate for the weather. So, if it's snowing winter boots, maybe Ugg's, hiking shoes, and moccasins are the common footwear on campus. (don't forget super warm hiking socks!)

Jeggings....to be or not to be....that is the question. This year especially the concept of jean leggings has been debated and discussed a lot. Now I will come out and let you know that I do own two pairs so I am a little biased.These leggings that appear to be jeans are a fun way to trick or make it seem like your wearing jeans or a little more dressed up, but in fact your wearing stretching leggings. Other than jeggings wearing straight up leggings as pants is a very popular pants selection especially with a big sweater on top, hoodie, or flannel!

(Livy here is rockin' some flannel and Jeggins!)

Accessories are a must especially with the fridgid temperatures. Gloves in all varities; with finger flaps, with thumb holes, mittens, etc. Scarves from the fashionable ones bought at target to the warm and fuzzy ones. They can always help dress you up and be that extra piece to your outfit. Finally, hats are big especially the ski bum look.  This hat keeps you warm and is fashionable. Animal hats are big this year with a specific animal face on the front and two long strands to tie hanging down. Also, knit hats that sit back on you head are big. Finally, baseball hats or flat brimmed ones always make an outfit look good.

                                                                (My Knit hat)

Coats, jackets, and fleece! So many students wear their ski coats daily or a puffy coat. Depending on the weather most people generally look prepared for the mountain even if they have never been. I can't even tell you how many times a day I switch my coat out depending on weather and my mood, sometimes my North Face puffy, or a vest, or my North Face fleece or peacoat.

What you will mostly find at SMC is students dress for the weather...generally, like to be comfortable, and think jeans and a fleece or a sweater is dressing nice.And going to school in the lovely state of Vermont you will come across a lot of flannel!

Back in action

So I'm back on campus trying to find my rhythm and routine for this semester. So far the start to the semester has been a very snowy one bringing in lots of powder for the mountains! Coming back to campus I'm getting acquainted with all the cool new things on campus! For instance this year the campus installed systems at every door allowing students to use their Knight cards (Id's) to gain access to their dorms and buildings. Also, the school has this new cool printing system that lets you send your documents or papers to be printed to a print system. And when your ready to print you swipe your card and the document you registered under your name prints! These printers are all over campus and make printing papers ten times easier! These have been just a few cool improvements that have occurred this fall which I'm now experiencing and loving.

I'm not going to lie, but being back at school after being abroad is a whole new experience and a little weird. I like having a routine so I'm trying to figure out which of my friends eat breakfast at the same time as me on Tuesdays and trying to enjoy not having to cook all my meals. I'm so lucky to have gone abroad and get to share my stories with my friends. Italy will now always be a part of me and I will never forget my semester abroad. I'm excited to be back home (SMC) and seeing everyone again. 
My room in the Suites!

                                                  

Florence and Tennessee flag <3 

 

Snowy down town Burlington water front

Hello New York

                                                                          

Ciao Ciao for now!

The weather outside is frightful!

Hey everyone!

After a cozy WHITE Christmas here in Tennessee I'm beginning to prepare myself for second semester. One of the funniest things I keep hearing lately when I tell people I go to school in Vermont is "oh you know it's cold up in Vermont?" Yes, indeed it's chilly, but the funny thing is it's not just my neighbours from Tennessee saying this, but friends and family up and down the east coast. You say Vermont and people immediately go oh wow it's cold their.

I want to be straight with you and tell you yes Vermont can be cold, but without it's weather you wouldn't be able to have some of the best winters ever! The snow in Vermont this year started at the end of October I want to say or early November. So if you are a skier or a snow lover then it can be a nice treat before Christmas. In the winter there are so many Mountains to explore and fresh powder to shred (even on the bunny hill). I'm going to let ya'll in on the fact that I have now only down hill skied for 2 years! I learned freshmen year and fell in love, but before my love for shooting down the mountain occurred I loved winters in Vermont because of sledding on campus, going to down town Burlington (especially to see the lights lining Church street or part of the lake frozen), and I love curling up for long movie marathons with my friends. So, even if your not a cold weather lover or skier Vermont is still such a cool place to be during the winter months. Hey, at least the people know how to drive in the snow and they clear the roads off !

My snow down here in Tennessee may have melted, but I'm gearing up and getting ready for an awesome winter up at school. Just take a look at this video I found of SMC and it's winter wonderland!