Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving break in my opinion is probably the best time for a break. It arrives just after a long portion of classes and Christmas is just right around the corner when we resume the semester. Being the chef in the family, when I went home I was busy organizing and cooking Thanksgiving for the family. For me, it is nice to get out of an apartment kitchen and use my spacious kitchen back home. I think I was looking forward to that the most. I guess that is the Hospitality side of me : ) We had a small Thanksgiving this year with just my parents, my brother, and myself. But I really enjoyed my time off to rest and enjoy my time home. I think we played a little too much Monopoly though…

Even though break was nice, it is even better to get back to Purdue. The roomies and I decorated for Christmas and all of us brought back a little something from home to snack on. Now it is time for studying and finishing class projects but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The year is flying by but I am anxious to start the next semester!

Happy Holidays!

--- Megan

Internship

This month has been so exciting while I have been hunting for an internship. As part of my requirements for my major, I have to find a full-time internship in the human services field. I have spent endless hours perfecting my resume and cover letter, searching for organizations on Google, preparing for interviews, and writing thank-you letters. While it was a stressful journey, it was rewarding and I learned so much. So now for the big reveal… I accepted an internship at two elementary schools as a counselor. I could not be more thrilled for this opportunity and the closer it gets, the more excited I become. This is one career that I am so interested in and cannot wait to have hands-on experience. The one downfall will be leaving Purdue. The thought of it makes me so sad, and I have been trying not to let myself think about it. There will be so much that I will miss but I can say that Purdue has prepared me so much and I am finally ready for the real world. But before that, it is time to buckle down, study hard, and finish these last few finals that I will ever take at Purdue (am I really saying that already?)

Boiler up,

--- Jacey

An Interesting Project… “Raise your hand when you hear the beeps!”

As a student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, I am taking an introduction to audiology course this semester, SLHS 460. I chose to take it as an honors option, so I am required to complete an honors project. For the project, I tested the hearing thresholds of five of my friends, and recorded their results on an audiogram. Just like we were taught in lab, I used the headphones and the bone vibrator to test the sensitivity of the cochlea in the ear. Then, by putting ear plugs in their ears, I retested their hearing to see how it would affect my results. And just as I suspected, the ear plugs created a significant dip in my “patients’” hearing sensitivity. Just like many patients with a hearing disorder in their outer ear, I saw the change on the audiogram. What was interesting is that the ear plugs blocked out more sound in the high frequency range, not evenly for all sounds. As a musician, this helped me understand why music doesn’t sound the same with normal ear plugs – special musician’s ear plugs are much better because they lower the volume of all sounds, not just the high ones. It was so much fun to use the technology in a real situation – I had a blast running the tests on my friends! I present my results next week, and I feel confident in my work!

So far at Purdue, I’ve had many great experiences in the SLHS department. I’ve been able to complete a number of honors projects just like this, form great relationships with my fellow students, and participate in a research lab for 5 semesters. I’ve been given so many great opportunities, and I’m happy to report that I’ve been taking full advantage of them all!

Boiler Up!

--- Laurel Donaldson

Crunch Time

It’s that time of the year again, finals season. Luckily, I have basketball season and decorating for Christmas as my stress relief. As long as I’ve attended Purdue, we’ve been undefeated in Mackey Arena. The atmosphere of Mackey is indescribable, I’d say it’s vital to the Purdue experience to attend at least one basketball game. The Paint Crew is the epitome of school spirit and pride. Aside from basketball games, my residence hall has really gotten into the Christmas spirit. We got to go to All Fired Up! and paint ceramic Christmas ornaments. It was so relaxing to just chill with friends (plus it was free!). I’m just trying to live up every moment of relaxation before the busyness of Dead week and finals hit.

Good luck with finals and Boiler Up!

--- Mary Jacobs

The First Snowfall

Yesterday was the first snowfall of the year. Most people are probably excited, but all I can think of is the cold weather. Don't get me wrong, snow can sometimes be nice, however, when you have to walk to class in it that's when it becomes problematic. Besides that, finals are quickly approaching and I am busy with studying. There are so many things that I have to do in so little time. I can't believe that the semester is almost over and a new one is around the corner. When this semester is over, I think that I am going to read a book that doesn't involve academics and spend a lot of time get some rest.

--- Ciatu Fahnbulleh

Thanksgiving Day

I love Thanksgving Day! It is a time to spend with family and friends and also get a break from school. This Thanksgiving, my sister and I were in charge of the Thanksgiving dinner. My family is pretty big so we spent majority of the day coooking the food. We made traditional African dishes which included Check Rice and Gravy, Palm Butter, Plaintain, and African Fried Rice. Other dishes we prepared were Sugared Donuts, Baked Chicken, Baked Ham, and Cornbread. We also had all types of delicious desserts. It was a great day with my family and friends and I cannot wait until Christmas when we all come together again.

--- Ciana Fahnbulleh

Cooperative Housing - a GREAT Decision!!!!

The best decision I made senior year of high school was to attend Purdue University. The second best decision was to go through the Purdue Cooperative Housing Recruitment. I was attracted to Cooperatives because I could move in as a freshman and have an instant social life and support system at such a large Big Ten University. As I researched the Cooperative system, I learned more about its close knit community, affordability, leadership opportunities, campus involvement, and great locations.

My senior year of high school, I came down to Purdue for one of the Saturdays of Formal Recruitment and visited each of the seven women’s houses (Ann Tweedle, Devonshire, Glenwood, Maclure, Shoemaker, Stewart, and Twin Pines.) The Recruitment experience was great. Throughout the day, I got to meet so many people and enjoyed seeing the personality of each house. The next week I received invitations from houses inviting me back the following weekend for Informal Recruitment. Informal Recruitment was really fun and laid back and gave me the opportunity to talk with the members of the houses I was interested in living at. During the next week, I got a phone call from Twin Pines asking me to live at their house in the Fall and I said YES!

Twin Pines Cooperative is the perfect fit for me. I have had some amazing experiences, learned a lot, and made lifelong friends. It is currently my third year at Twin Pines and I couldn't imagine my life at Purdue without Twin Pines.

This year's Cooperative Housing Formal Recruitment is January 28th and February 4th. If you want to find out more about Cooperative Housing visit http://www.purduecooperatives.org/.


---Kelsey Leliaert

Mackey Arena Makeover

As a lot of you know the Mackey Arena has been getting a makeover for the last 2 years. There were a lot of complaints from the traffic problem around the arena to the new configuration of the student section. However, when I first walked into the arena last Friday night, all of those complaints went to the wayside. The new Mackey Arena was well worth all of the inconveniences over the past two. The newly renovated arena is now one of the top arenas in the country, with the best student section in the nation. Oh, there was also a basketball game played on Friday night too. It was the regular season opener against Northern Illinois; the team looked just as good as the new arena. Even though we lost two of the best players in Purdue history, E'Twaun Moore and JaJaun Johnson, we still looked like a top team in the country winning by 62. I had a lot of skepticism about this year’s basketball season, but after watching the game I think we will compete for the Big Ten championship.
--- Dan Mills

Fall Break in Nebraska

It’s actually kind of sad to realize that October has officially come and gone. October is always such an exciting month. With Homecoming events, Fall Break trips, and Halloween, it’s always guaranteed to be a busy, but fun-filled time of the fall semester.

However, my favorite part of October this year was definitely Fall Break. My friend Lauren and myself both have friends and family who go to the University of Nebraska Lincoln. We were excited to go on this trip not only to see our friends and family members, but also to go to a Cornhusker football game. (Yes, their mascot is a cornhusker!) UNL just joined the Big 10 this year and we were anxious to see them face Ohio State. I knew it would be a good game because I knew Nebraska was big on football. However, I did not completely understand how big until arriving to the game on Saturday night.

Memorial Stadium was packed. For several years now, every Cornhusker football game has been sold out. The atmosphere was different than a Boilermaker football game, but I made sure to let everyone know that I was a Boilermaker, not a Cornhusker!

At the half, Nebraska was down by 21 points. However, Nebraska came into the second half as a whole new team! They made the biggest comeback in Cornhusker history! It was definitely the most exciting half of football that I had ever witnessed in person! While my friends kept teasing me about Purdue football, I defended the Boilermakers and stayed true to my black and gold colors! Plus basketball season is coming up and Purdue has a lot to be excited about! BOILER UP!

---Carmen

Fall at Purdue

Fall has finally arrived here on Purdue’s campus!! The air is cooler, the leaves are changing, and UGG boots are beginning to make an appearance once again on campus. Fall is undoubtedly one of my favorite seasons to experience on campus. I personally love seeing all the leaves on the trees change colors. It makes the campus look very picturesque! There are also a lot of fall activities to partake in around campus, such as haunted corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and much more! I had the wonderful opportunity to go to an apple orchard just ten minutes outside of campus. It was tons of fun and it was a great way to hang out with friends and to get away from campus for a while. I definitely encourage you to find a nice, fun way to relax and take a break from studying and enjoy the fall weather!

--Alyssa Major

Boilering Up in NYC!!!!!

It has been a dream of mine to visit America’s fashion capital for years. So when I heard there was an opportunity to participate in a New York City Fashion Tour, I jumped at the chance. Two Purdue professors took sixteen Apparel Design & Technology and Retail Management students to Manhattan for five days and four nights. We had professional site visits with companies involved in all aspects of the industry. These professionals were generous with their time to give us valuable insight into the fast past fashion industry.

As a group, we also saw the Broadway show Chicago, visited the Met, took a bus tour of the city, and had a group dinner to wrap up our trip. We also had a bunch of free time too and I took advantage of every minute of it. I checked out Central Park, Rockefeller Center, & Times Square, woke up and went to the Today Show, window shopped 5th Ave and SoHo, fabric shopped in the Garment District, and enjoyed some yummy New York style cheesecake and pizza.

It was surreal to experience the city where all of the fashion, culture, and art is born and developed. Being able to share this opportunity with fashion lovers helped to make it even more worthwhile. I can’t wait to return!

--- Kelsey Leliaert

Much Needed - Fall Break!!!

Every October, we students are given a much needed vacation, Fall Break. After a few months of school, this long weekend is a little piece of heaven! For a few days the campus gets quiet as everyone goes home to visit family (or rather a trip to Las Vegas like a few of my friends did) or relax for the weekend.

This year I was lucky enough to steal away to southern Indiana in the middle of nowhere for a few days of camping. I loaded up the boyfriend, two dogs, and a whole bunch of other necessities in my pick-up and started the journey to one of the many state parks we have in Indiana. After a few days of no cell phone service, a warm camp fire to sit by and one-too-many s’mores later, we finally travelled back to civilization and good ole Purdue.

Glad to be back, the next weekend I was lucky enough to go see Luke Brian the night before Homecoming! He played here in our Elliott Hall of Music and was absolutely amazing! Each year we get big headliners to come play; freshman year I went to see Dierks Bentley, sophomore year I saw Lady Gaga, and this year I was happy to visit Elliott again for Luke Brian. It’s a nice change of pace since usually I’m only in there to take Chemistry exams.

Well, it’s the end of the month (Happy Halloween!) and another great few weeks is on its way.

Boiler Up!

--- Colleen Troke

HHS Homecoming Tent

Homecoming was an exciting weekend. I was able to be an ambassador at the HHS Homecoming tent. I loved speaking to alumni who came to the tent and shared their stories of being at Purdue. I also loved talking to them about their careers and what they are doing now. That morning was chilly but I was warmed up by the delicious hot breakfast and hot chocolate that was served at the tent. All in all, it was a great start to my homecoming weekend festivites.

--- Ciana Fahnbulleh

Research

This semester, I decided to take a Psychology 390 class, which is a class that allows undergraduate students to work in a professor’s lab. I am so happy that I decided to take this class because it has allowed me to learn so much. I work in a brain and behavioral lab, which specifically researches the effects of artificial sweeteners on the body. Each day that I go to the lab I learn something new and it is kind of exciting to be a part of a professor’s research lab. My jobs in the lab are to weight out food for the rat and take the body weights of the rats. At first I was afraid of them but now I’m used to them. Just being in the lab has taught me a lot about the field that I am studying. I enjoy this class so much that I plan on taking it next semester. Hopefully, I will get to work in the lab over the summer and experience more that the lab has to offer.

--- Ciatu Fahnbulleh

October is Over Already??

I cannot believe that the month of October is over already, but this fall month has proven to be my favorite month of the year yet again. This month is full of wonderful, exciting activities that transitions into colder weather.

Kicking off with the Purdue- Notre Dame football night game could not have been a better start- so many tailgates, so little time! Although we lost that game, it remains as one of the most enjoyable memories of my entire Purdue experience.

Another grand event of October is Fall Break! It not only gives the students a break from the daily study grind, but it also lets many people go home to visit their families, while others go on a mini-vacation. This year for fall break I went home to see my family and it charged me up to study for the midterms I had the following weeks.

My favorite part of October, though, is the changing from summer to fall. The air gets crisper, and the numerous trees decorating campus turn from a fresh green color to their fall disguise. Deep reds and brilliant golds contrast against the blue sky and bring the red brick of the buildings into full view. During this time of October, I fully notice the beauty of campus and realize how lucky I am to be able to call Purdue my home.

--- Lauren Rosswurm

One of my most exciting experiences!

One of the most exciting experiences I have had since I’ve been to Purdue happened two weekends ago on the Friday night of the 2011 Homecoming weekend when I was crowned the Purdue 2011 Homecoming Queen. Last year as a junior I was nominated to apply and decided to fill out the lengthy application to be named to the Homecoming Court. I received a very exciting email in May that I was chosen to represent Purdue on the Homecoming Court along with several of my friends and my boyfriend as well. What was even more exciting was that my boyfriend and I were on the same ticket, allowing him to be my escort and for us to campaign together.
We began helping with a PSUB event during BGR week and continued helping with events all the way up to the day of the Pep Rally and Parade. This allowed us to get to know the other candidates and get our faces out to the Purdue students. A week and a half before the Homecoming game, we began campaigning by hanging our posters around everywhere on campus from Residence Halls to academic buildings, to businesses down on Chauncey to fraternity and sorority houses. We made t-shirts for all of our friends that had a cute “Lion King” theme, with the statement “Oh I just can’t wait to (maybe) be King/Queen” and our names on the back. This was when students could start voting and it was a really exciting time for me seeing how many of my friends, specifically my sorority, really supported me. I felt so loved and excited to see so many of my friends posting status’ on Facebook to vote for me and wearing my t-shirts around campus proudly.

As the Friday of Homecoming week approached, I was so excited to enjoy the weekend and create a memory I knew I would never forget. The parade was unforgettable, riding in the back of a white Mustang convertible, along with many floats decorated to the “Superhero” theme of Homecoming this year. After the parade, we arrived at Slayter hill where we were introduced to the crowd. After the Court was introduced they quickly named the Purdue Homecoming Queen and last year’s Queen gave me a crown, sash and bouquet of flowers. Right after, Gabe Clark, a good friend of mine, was crowned the 2011 Homecoming Queen. As you can imagine, I could hardly believe what had just happened but was so honored to represent Purdue. I was so happy to see all of my sisters, friends and family out in the crowd cheering so loudly for me. It was one of the happiest moments I’ve ever had.

The next day the festivities continued with a tailgate in the morning, a speech outside Armstrong, and the opportunity to go on the field during half-time at the game and shake hands with our President, President Cordova. The weekend was a happy blur of good memories and an unforgettable experience that I will always cherish.

--- Kaylie Waltz

My thoughts from October:

With October comes the start of wrestling season for me. Time commitment goes up without a doubt, but I can still balance the school work and ambassador work with the wrestling.

Wrestling isn't the spectator sport that football and basketball are, but you should consider watching. Our team is constantly ranked in the top 25 nationally; something our football team can't say. The Big Ten Tournament is going to be held at Purdue this year and the Big Ten is the premiere wrestling conference in the country. The conference top 3 teams end up being the top 3 when nationals roll around. Wrestling is a high intensity fast-paced battle between two athletes, and the entry fee with a student ID is a grand total of $2. Wrestling is a great way to get your athletic fix while staying out of the snow. Our first home meet is Nov 17 in the IAF, and our schedule is posted on www.purduesports.com.

I hope to see some boilers in the stands getting rowdy.

--- Andy Wiseman

Proud to be a Boilermaker :-)

I know this is a little late, as most college students would tell you, October is a very busy month full of lots of projects, papers and tests! But I wanted to let you all know about my fun times at homecoming!

Of course, homecoming weekend was a blast. While I loved being able to meet alumni at the HHS tent, and I loved that our Boilers won, neither of those were my favorite part of the day. My absolute favorite part of the day was seeing a family that my family has been friends with for over 25 years. This family is from Columbus, Ohio. Yep, Buckeye Country! However, their mom is a Purdue Alum, and their dad is an Ohio State Alum. Guess what? Both of the twin girls came to Purdue :-) (I was kind of like a proud older sister that day!) This was the twin girls' first homecoming. The girls' parents and little sister came up for homecoming, and I could tell that the little sister was enjoying the festivities a little too much for the dad. All of the women in the family (Mom, twin daughters, and little sister) were decked out in Purdue gear, while the dad had the nerve to wear his Ohio State hat to Purdue's homecoming weekend. We all gave him such a hard time about it, but he refused to take that hat off! Even though he still showed that he'd rather his daughter's go to Ohio State at the beginning of the day, he still went along with all three of his daughters' enjoyment and participated in many of the homecoming events in the morning. While the girls of that family went to the game, the dad decided he just wanted to walk around campus and get a feel for everything, as, even though his wife is an alum and they've been up for many football games, he'd never really seen the majority of the campus. After the game, the dad finally came out and said that Purdue had a great campus and that he really enjoyed his day here. Wow! Yes, a die hard Buckeye fan actually said that! Now THAT is an October event I'll never forget. :-)

--- Stacy Baker

Fall Fun

Getting out and enjoying the beautiful weather during the fall season is a must. This is typically the time of year that classes start to get really busy with projects, presentations, and exams. Even though your school work should come first, you will also need to take time to have some fun and relax. Going to Exploration Acres in Lafayette, is a good afternoon activity. You can find your way out of one of the largest corn mazes in Indiana, pick your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, enjoy a hayride, shop at the gift shop, and get some refreshments and the concession stand. It’s relatively cheap and within a 15 minute drive from campus down Hwy 231.

If you can’t find a way to Exploration Acres, Happy Hallow hiking trails are just a walk across campus, on Salisbury Street. These trails have beautiful scenery to enjoy while getting some fresh air and exercise.

Until next time,
--- Bridget Gehlhausen

Thanksgiving is in less than a month!? Since when??

Excuse me, but where in the world did the time go? This is the first week in a longggg time that I actually have time to breathe, so that's probably why you haven't seen a blog from me in awhile. Well, where to begin? First off, I'm semi-stress free!!! All of my graduate school applications for Occupational Therapy have been submitted! I now just have a few supplemental applications that I have to complete, and then it's mainly just a waiting game. I am applying to 9 different schools around the midwest. I couldn't exactly tell you my top choice just because I have yet to visit all of the schools I am applying to. I really just want to see where I will be accepted and then go visit the schools. I decided that would be the logical thing to do since it would save me time AND money.

Other than being occupied with graduate school applications, I've continued working with the Liberal Arts Development and Alumni Relations Office. They've been keeping me super busy this semester with special events going on including Homecoming, the dedication of the brand new Brian Lamb School of Communication, and more! Our own College of Health and Human Sciences has me busy with with the HHS Strategic Planning Committee. We've been busy all semester trying to figure out our college's mission, vision, and goal for the coming years. Our HHS Student Council just held its annual Silent Auction before the Homecoming game. We raised $3880!!!!! ALL funds go towards the Mary Louise Foster Scholarships, which is one of the only student sponsored scholarships left on campus. We were super excited that the auction was so successful. This is the most we have ever received, so we're PUMPED that the scholarships are getting bigger and bigger each year.

Other extracurriculars I've been busy with include: Rotaract Club, Golden Key International Honor Society, Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Club, as well as Purdue Foundation Student Board (PFSB). For Rotaract, we have our annual Trick-or-Treat for Cans coming up. During normal trick-or-treat hours, our organization trick-or-treat for cans rather than candy. All of the can goods will be donated to our local Food Finders Food Bank to help those in need during the holiday season. For Golden Key and OT/PT Club, I am organizing different volunteer ideas such as dog walking for Natalie's Second Chance, which is a no-kill dog shelter, as well as caroling and holiday activities at a local retirement home. For PFSB, we have been busy this semester hosting President's Council tailgates and other fun activities before home football games for returning alumni and their families.

As you can see, my semester has been jam packed with school, extracurriculars, and work. Even my resesarch with Dr. Laura Claxton has been going great! The babies coming into our Lifespan Motor Development Lab for our research studies have been absolutely adorable. I LOVE working with infants, and we have had some super cute ones in the lab lately. Other than all that, life has been going swell. I can't believe that we're almost done with the fall semester. My senior year is flying by wayyyyy too fast! Hope all of you have been having a great year! Always remember....

BOILER UP!

--- Elise Leung

Fall Happenings

So we’re about halfway through the semester, and a lot is going on at Purdue. One of the things that takes place every semester is scheduling for the next semester. I just did this last week and was informed of some very shocking news. After this semester, I will have completed enough credit hours to be considered a senior! That’s a very scary (but exciting) thought — college really does go as fast as they say it does.

But I have decided on my classes for next semester. One of the classes I’ll be taking is HTM491, which is a class where I will become a certified wine sommelier. This class is a three-day crash course into the world of wine. I’ll learn everything from the different varieties to fermentation. At the end of the course, I will take a test over a three day weekend that only about 50% of people pass! When I get this certification, it will be an excellent addition to my resume. It’s also nice to know that this class is included in my tuition — taking this class elsewhere can cost hundreds of dollars.

Another big move that I’m making this semester is finalizing my plans to study abroad in the fall of 2012. I will be journeying to the great city of Glasgow in Scotland. I will be there from August to December at the University of Strathclyde. I will be a full-time student (just like I would be at Purdue) and all of my class credits will transfer back here. This will be my second time studying abroad, and for those of you who are considering it: do it. Study abroad —whether for a week or a semester — will be one of the greatest decisions you can make. The life experiences you will gain are absolutely priceless, and you will have the time of your life as well. Another great part about this trip is that it is an exchange program which means I pay the Purdue tuition rate; so it’s only marginally more expensive to study abroad.

I hope your fall semester is going as well as mine. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

--- Andrew P. Savitsky
Junior, Hospitality & Tourism Management
asavitsk@purdue.edu

Craziness of My Senior Year

The craziness of my senior year has really begun to hit me. The past few weeks have been filled with application after application. I have decided to apply to graduate school along with applying to jobs in my field of study, Public Health Promotions. I truly forgot how stressful the college application process was. The amount of time it takes up is similar to a part-time job. My goal is to finish all of the applications by November 1st. I think the most time-consuming part of the process is writing the statement of purpose. I am approaching my 6th draft for each of the statements.

Along with graduate school applications, I am also applying to jobs. I will probably be applying to jobs for the next couple of months. Once I complete the graduate school applications, I will concentrate on sending out cover letters and resumes. My internship experience at Purdue Rec Sports has really sparked my interest in applying to positions within the campus recreation field.

October has not been filled with all work and no play. Purdue’s Homecoming was this past weekend. I was able to chat with some alumni at the HHS tent before the football game. It is so inspiring to see the many enthusiastic alumni that always come back for Homecoming weekend. It was even more exciting to see Purdue Football win! ☺

Boiler Up!

--- Jaci Reiter

Purdue Does it Again

Last weekend, Purdue once again did not disappoint, as country singer Luke Bryan performed at Elliot Hall of Music…and boy did he deliver. Luke Bryan, currently on his “Tailgates and Tan Lines” tour, made an additional stop to play at Purdue, after being contacted by Purdue’s Convocations Committee.

Accompanied by special guests Lee Brice, Josh Thompson, and Matt Mason, who also all put on amazing performances, Luke Bryan took the stage on Saturday, to perform for a sold out Purdue crowd. (At least that’s what he said on stage!) The show consisted of an unbelievable light show, which immediately got the crowd going, and kept them on their feet for the duration of the concert. He had more energy and put on a better performance than anyone that I have ever seen live. He also didn’t just play his songs, he also performed songs such as “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa, “Replay” by Iyaz, and “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. On top of that, the concert started at 8:00 PM and went all the way until 12:15 AM!

Purdue’s Convocations Committee has yet to disappoint the student body this year, with grabbing big names like Luke Bryan and Lupe Fiasco to play on campus. I can’t wait to see what they have up their sleeve next!

--- Sam Shaner

Homecoming Weekend with Luke Bryan

To celebrate Homecoming weekend, a group of friends and I put on our flannel shirts to attend the Luke Bryan CMT Tailgate and Tanlines Concert. Last time Luke Bryan was at Purdue was three years ago when he opened for Dierks Bentley. This time around, he was the headliner to a sold out crowd. Opening acts included great performances from Matt Mason, Josh Thompson, and Lee Brice. I have never seen a crowd at Elliot so animated when Luke Bryan stepped foot onto the stage and as he continued throughout the night.

I also want to mention that this was not your average country concert. He incorporated a variety of genres into the show-including Bad Romance by Lady Gaga, Enter Sandman by Metallica, and even Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot. Luke Bryan is extremely talented at what he loves to do and knows how to entertain his fans. It was by far the best concert I have ever been to!

--- Kim Ziarko

Time is Flying By . . . .

Wow! I cannot believe this semester is already halfway over and that I will be signing up for my last semester at Purdue by the end of this month! Time is flying by and I am constantly on the go. I think this is the busiest I have ever been. My class schedule is packed and I am working on finishing up my honors project and trying to decide which dietetic internships I want to apply to. Although times are crazy I am enjoying every second of it.

Last month I went to the Lupe Fiasco concert and the Purdue vs. Notre Dame game. Even though the game was a little bit of a letdown the concert was a blast (It was my first rap concert, haha). Also, this past weekend I went to a corn maze with a group of friends which was a lot of fun and we are planning on making a trip down to Indy next month to go rock climbing at Climb Time!

I am so excited that it is my senior year but I am starting to get sad thinking about leaving Purdue. We just had someone sign the lease on the house that my roommates and I have been living in for the past couple of yearsL. It’s also weird to keep hearing about friends having job interviews and offers, I feel like we all grew up way too fast! Although I feel like time has flown I am excited about getting out into the real world to start my career as a dietitian. I am starting to get anxious about the internship process and it drives me insane that we will not know if/where we will be placed until April 1st!

Happy fall everyone and Boiler Up!

--- Teryn

So much has been going on!

Recently, I went to the Purdue versus Notre Dame football game. This was my first time going to a football game since my freshman year! I know, I’m crazy! But let me tell you, I now know what I was missing for the last two football seasons! Football games are such a great way to come out and support our athletes and show school spirit. The energy from the All American Marching Band gets the crowd and the student section all pumped and ready to cheer on our Boilermakers! It’s also a bunch of fun saying the cheers with the student section and getting tossed in the air when we get a touchdown. I highly recommend getting football tickets or a VIP pass as a student. They are definitely worth it!


Well I better get back to studying for my exam coming up! Talk to you guys later!

--- Alyssa Schnaus

It's Sponto Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that we have reached the halfway mark of the semester (WHAT?!) everyone seems to have fallen into a "normal" routine. Get up, go to class, do some homework, head to the gym, study, eat dinner, sleep, repeat. Sometimes, we just need to break up the routine a little bit and get spontaneous! Hence, the sponto is born. A sponto is essentially a surprise dance. Sunday night we all went down to dinner to find our dining room decorated completely in pink, and Barbie's face was plastered on anything that would stand still long enough! We each got a letter that told us there would be a dance the next night with a Barbie and Ken theme. We had 24 hours to find a great costume and a Ken! Let me tell you, "types of Barbie" has never been Googled so much in one twenty four hour period, and my date and I decided on being nerd Barbie and Ken. We arrived at the house on Monday night where we were joined by all kinds of Barbie and Ken couples-- prom Barbie and Ken, wedding Barbie and Ken, Pocahontas and John Smith Barbie and Ken, hunter Barbie and Ken, and even viking Barbie and Ken! We hopped on buses and headed to the Muse in Lafayette, where we had a great night laughing hysterically at each other's costumes, brainstorming more Barbie and Ken ideas, catching up with each other, and generally forgetting about homework for the night. The middle of the semester is definitely full of responsibility, but it's definitely necessary to get spontaneous with your sisters every once in awhile!


--- Hailey Wilson

This past Friday night was one of the most exciting concerts I have ever performed in my college career. This is my first semester being a member of the Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra since in the past I was a member of the Purdue Wind Ensemble instead. We performed at 8pm at the Long Center, a music hall located across the bridge in West Lafayette. We performed Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, one of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classical music. We worked extremely hard to be able to perform this difficult piece of music and it was so rewarding to see the audience’s overwhelmingly positive response and standing ovation at the end of the symphony. We also performed a piece called “Estancia”, written by Alberto Evaristo Ginastera and a “Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra” by Debussy, another well-known French composer.

Another exciting performance we had this semester was on September 16th when we were able to perform with the Lafayette Ballet Company in their ballroom. The dancers performed alongside us in “Estancia” as well as the Debussy piece. This was very exciting to be able to perform with these impressive dancers and provide live music for them to perform to. It was challenging to coordinate the timing and rhythm with what they had been practicing to and we had been rehearsing but it ended up being one of the most exciting and entertaining performances I have yet to be a part of.

--- Kaylie

And Break…!

Fall here at Purdue is beautiful! Believe it or not, it makes the campus look even prettier. The leaves are beginning to change and Saturdays are becoming the perfect tailgate weather! While us students are already busy cheering on the Boilers, taking exams, and becoming involved in many activities, we are looking forward to Fall Break. There are students who are going on a retreat with Purdue Christian Campus House, testing their luck in Las Vegas, traveling miles away to visit their families, wine tasting at a newly opened winery, or simply staying at Purdue for much needed relaxation.

To me, Fall Break is the first chance we have at getting our minds off of our busy lives and truly indulging in relaxation. During my break, I will be trying on many bridesmaids dresses to find the perfect one. My beautiful sister is getting married in April and I cannot wait to be standing right next to her. I am so blessed to be welcoming a brand new big brother and am so excited to watch their lives unfold.

While this four day break will go by way too quickly, I will be coming back to football games, barn dance, Halloween, dance marathon, and much more! I couldn’t be more in love with college.

Boiler Up!

--- Jacey

Nursing Clinicals

My semester thus far has been nothing short of a whirlwind. I am so glad to finally have a break to myself! I never expected to be so academically challenged during my first semester of clinicals. I’ve always heard that nursing was a tough major, but I always thought that was a gross exaggeration. Nope! I was wrong - this major really is as tough as they say.

What people don’t usually hear is how rewarding it is. Last Thursday, I gave a shot for the first time to a classmate. This week, I administered several flu shots to employees and clients at a nursing home. Knowing that I helped actual people is so encouraging, and I loved every minute of it! (I might also have the LMFAO song permanently stuck in my head.)Aside my one-time flu shot clinic, I go to the Veteran’s home almost every week for my clinical, and I always leave the place smiling. The clients there are the kindest people, and the compliments never get old. The employees are also so helpful and inspiring. I can definitely see myself in their shoes someday.

So this week, I had the most difficult test I have ever taken and then the most fun and rewarding experience. After giving flu shots today, I definitely know the agony of classes and exams will be worth it in the end.
TGIOB (Thank God it’s October Break)!

--- Mary Jacobs

Exciting Times!

This semester brings many exciting opportunities for me. I have just completed my first week as a Fitness Management Intern at Purdue’s Division of Recreational Sports. As a Public Health Promotion major, I am required to complete a 500-hour internship. I will complete this internship throughout the academic year. I am currently working on a project for a new program Rec Sports will offer. My supervisor and I are hoping the program will be up and running next semester. The Rec is going through a large renovation, so I am very excited at the opportunity to work with them at a time like this.

The rest of my semester will be devoted to cranking out graduate school applications. It is crazy how fast these last four years have gone. I wish I could stay at Purdue forever. When I’m not in class, working or filling out applications, I hope to fit in a little fun.

This last weekend was the Purdue versus Notre Dame football game. On my trek to the tailgating fields, I was overwhelmed with the amount of Purdue Pride. It was awesome to see everyone so pumped up. This game was also our only night game of the season, so everyone was even more excited about extra time for tailgating. My dad came down for the game and brought some Notre Dame fans with him. We all had a great time, even though Purdue lost :(

Boiler Up!

--- Jaci Reiter

Cooperative Housing - Not Just a College Experience...A Lifetime Experience!

Classes are well underway at this point in the semester, and most everyone has had their first exam in their classes! College isn’t just about going to class, doing homework, and taking exams though – a HUGE part of the college experience is getting involved socially!

When I first looked into coming to Purdue I was wondering – it’s SO BIG – how will I ever get involved, and where should I live!? There are so many options to choose from: dorms, sororities, fraternities, cooperative houses, apartments – the list could go on and on. Finally, I settled on an option, and I now live in a Cooperative house called Twin Pines! You may be asking yourself, “What in the heck is a cooperative house?” Well, I am here to answer that! It is a house full of girls (there are guy houses too!), who live, cook, clean, and have tons of fun together! It is similar in many ways to the general idea of a sorority – we have recruitment, pledge ship, paddles, Big Sis’s, functions with other boys’ co-op houses and/or fraternities, philanthropies, and we play intramural sports too! The biggest thing that sets us apart from other group living styles is that we have meal duties where we cook for the whole house with one or two other girls about twice a week, and we help clean a small part of the house about an hour a week. By doing this, it is IMMENSELY cheaper than many other options! We are also much smaller than a typical sorority – my house had 29 girls, so you get to know everyone really well! We have a new pledge class this year – and it’s been so much fun getting to know all the new girls, and to see them beginning to fall in love with this house like I have. I LOVE living at Twin Pines so much, and I would never want to have lived this past year and a half anywhere else. I have made some of my best friends through living in a cooperative house - and really, no matter where you live, you're bound to meet some awesome people!!

--- Ariel Demoret

Getting used to my Schedule

This month has been very busy for me. I am getting used to classes, research, work, and extracurricular activies and sometimes it can get a little stressful, but I think that it will be okay once I get used to it.

Classes have been great, last week we had our first exams and I did pretty well on them. Research is getting interesting, because now I am familiar with the lab. Before, I had trouble with the assignments that I had to do and that caused me some trouble. Working in the library is awesome, because I can do homework and study while at work.

Last but not least, my extra-curricular activities are full in effect. I participate in four clubs on campus and they are all pretty active, so with the extra time I have it goes to the club. Even though I am really busy and somewhat stressed out, I am enjoying every minute of my life.

--- Ciatu Fahnbulleh

Flash through September

September has been a great month for me. I have done many activities with school and my extracurricular activities. In school this month, I survived my first round of exams and began working in a Behavioral Neuroscience lab.

In my extracurricular activities, I have done many things this month. It started with a great Labor day weekend spent with family and friends. I cooked African dishes for Global Fest, a cultural festival hosted by the Morton Center here in Lafayette and had a barbecue with the African Student Association.

As a Purdue Promise Mentor, I have met my new Purdue Promise mentees and have done many activities with them on campus.

Lastly, I have done two Ambassador events which included Family Day and the Dean's Club Reception. All these events have been a blast to do and I cannot wait to see what next month will bring me!

--- Ciana Fahnbulleh

Playing Harder

It's no question that college is a lot of hard work and can indeed be tough at times. After a tough week of exams and papers, it is finally the weekend. All of that hard work is going to be worth it, because this weekend, Lupe Fiasco is performing at Purdue and Purdue is playing Notre Dame in football!

Purdue Convocations has a history of bringing big name artists to perform on campus. In the past 4 years, some of the artists that have performed include: Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, Lady Antebellum, Jason Mraz, Dierks Bently, and Snoop Dogg. This weekend’s performance will be no different. Lupe Fiasco’s Generation Laser Tour is stopping at Purdue tonight! Lupe Fiasco will be performing with the New Boyz, Sarah Green, and a few other guests as well. Big name artists, such as these allow Purdue to make tons of money and also give students a break from rigorous schoolwork.

The Purdue vs. Notre Dame game is also being played at Purdue on Saturday. The rivalry between these two teams dates back for many years and is always an exciting match up to watch. To add a little extra excitement, the game is also being played at night!

So even when times get tough, you just have to remember that there is always something to look forward to. In my case, I have been looking forward to this weekend for weeks! The combination of the Lupe Fiasco concert and the football game will definitely make this a weekend to never forget.

--- Sam Shaner

A Thousand Miles a Minute ....

As usual, I feel like this semester has been going a thousand miles a minute. This semester started with sorority recruitment, which any girl that is Greek can tell you is a bit overwhelming, but so worth it! We ended up getting a fabulous new pledge class full of girls that I am sure will strengthen our chapter. It’s so exciting to see our house grow. Besides that, I have also been kicking off a lot of new chapters in my life. This semester I have begun being the secretary for my honorary, Sigma Alpha Lambda, which has been a lot of fun. It’s been really beneficial to be on the other end of things this year; being an officer is giving me so many opportunities to help the group make positive changes.

Other than that, I am glad to say that I have finally finished my first round of papers and exams! After tedious studying and way too much time spent in the library, I feel pretty good about how they went. Now I just can’t wait to relax a bit and have fun this weekend at the Notre Dame game!

Boiler up!

--- Colleen Troke

Exam Advice . . . .

As I hit a week with four exams -Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday nights- I looked backed at first round of exams last year, as a freshman. I remember not actually being worried too much. I was thinking, "Yeah it's college, but we haven't gone over any material that has blown my mind, and the professors haven't been as demonic as my high school teachers portrayed them to be. I've got these exams down." I did well for the most part, but I got my BIO 110 exam grade back and it was a low C. Ouch. I was really caught off guard. I was playing catch-up from there.

One amazing tip for any student but especially freshmen: take the first exams seriously. Some of the material is review, so you should score higher. Exams 2,3, and 4 are going to be harder without a doubt, so you need to score the highest you can on the first one to keep that average up.

The weather may be nice and the temptation to spend your time doing something besides studying is awful, stick it out and prepare yourself so the first round of exams is a cakewalk.

--- Andy Wiseman

Football Season

Purdue comes alive on home football game days. There is energetic atmosphere on the campus growing from the students, alumni, visitors, and fans. The stadium becomes a sea of black and gold from which the cheers can be heard from anywhere around. The student section stays on their feet performing the ritual cheers and dances led by the cheerleaders and marching band. After every third quarter, a distinguished guest gets everyone in the stadium jumping and singing along to the Isley Brother’s Shout song.

If you get a chance, come to Purdue this fall for a Saturday game day!

Boiler Up!

-- Kelsey Leliaert

Major Changes!!

The first few weeks of this semester were a whirlwind for me!

After a week of classes, I decided to switch my major. I was previously in Nursing. While Nursing is a wonderful profession filled with caring and hard working people, the first week of classes confirmed my feelings that I was not destined to be a nurse. Luckily, I was able to find a major that fit my personality much better, while also continuing to be in HHS. I switched my major to Human Services in the department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS). Not only does that major provide a great amount of core classes that spark my interest, but it has a lot of elective space, making my transition from Nursing to Human Services seamless. I did not lose any credits, and can still finish in 4 years, even if I decide to minor in a few things.

I am loving my classes now, and can't wait to take more classes in HDFS.

--- Stacy Baker

Working Your Way through College

One of the biggest concerns about coming to college that some of you may have is, how you’re going to pay for it. Having a job and trying to juggle homework and a social life at the same time can be very stressful and difficult at times. Getting a job on campus can make this much easier for anyone to handle. There are a plethora of jobs available all over campus in residence halls, dining courts, food marts, academic offices, libraries, etc.

During my sophomore year, I got a job at CPK (Central Production Kitchen) where all the food for on-the-go is made and sealed. The thing I like best about having a job on campus is being able to go to work during long breaks between classes. Working a couple hours here and there adds up to about 10-12 hours a week without having to work nights and weekends, which gives me time to do homework and still have a social life as well. All in all, getting a job to earn some extra money while going to school is possible, just find something that fits in with your class schedule and isn't too demanding.

Until next time,

--- Bridget Gehlhausen

Back on Track

After what seemed like a very short summer, it was time to get back to school and start my last year at Purdue. While it was hard to say goodbye to my family, a fully stocked kitchen, and long days by the pool, I was ready to be back to familiar faces at school. After screams and hugs, it immediately felt like we never even left each other. While being with my friends will be the best part of my last year, there are so many things I am looking forward to.

1. Saturday football games! I can easily say I will never miss a tailgate, mark my word.

2. Recruitment for my sorority. It is an unforgettable experience and I love spending two weekends bonding with over 100 inspiring women.

3. Packing in electives to fill my schedule. With being 20 credits away from graduation, I am left with many electives, including an art and design class and wine appreciation. Purdue offers many more classes that will make you feel like you’re not even at school, check them out!

4. Involvement, Involvement, Involvement. Now that I know exactly what clubs I love, I am able to be an officer and focus on the things I enjoy doing on campus. So what are those favorite things? College Mentors for Kids and Purdue University Dance Marathon. They are both for the kids and both totally worth it.











5. Getting an internship. I will be working hard this semester to find an internship that I love for my last semester!

6. Lastly, spending every second at Purdue with amazing friends that I can’t imagine leaving.





Those are just a few things that I am looking forward to. Of course, being at Purdue is never dull and there will be many unexpected surprises along the way. Luckily, I’ve already had three years of nothing but good memories. Remind me again why college has to end in four years?

Boiler up,
--- Jacey

Don’t like the classes you are taking? Do something about it!

The goal of college is to graduate with a degree from which we can begin to build a career. From semester to semester there are always going to be classes you like more than others; some will be straightforward, some dull, some stimulating, and some will challenge you to study more than you ever thought possible. We all have set guidelines and regulations to fulfill for our majors, but outside that there is leeway in course choice via electives.

I have seen many of my peers take classes they have little or no interest in simply because they think it will be an “easy A”. I find that people perform much better in classes they are sincerely interested in. It makes attending class enjoyable and homework seem like less of a chore. You find yourself wanting to learn more about a topic, not just obligated to in order to achieve a good mark.

Purdue has such an excellent selection of courses there is no reason to be stuck in an elective you dislike. College is a time to prepare for a future career but it is also an opportunity to expand your interests and worldview. So this is my challenge to you: broaden your horizons, take a subject you have never tried before. You may just find your new minor.

--- Maggie Flynn

August means back to school!

Honestly, after working all summer I couldn't wait to get back on campus. There is so much going on: call-outs, organizations, intramural, and social events. There is not a single evening in the first two months of school where you can't find an evening activity or some free food! All you have to do to find something to get you out of your room and into some fun is look at the fliers on the walls, the announcements scrolling all around, or even the chalk drawings on the ground! I can say without a doubt I was never bored my first semester at Purdue ever. I also get to see all my friends I made last year that I haven't seen all summer. Side note to any freshman reading this: get out of your high school comfort zone! You can still hang with your old friends, but there are so many other people to meet. You can make a ton of new friends by joining a team, a club, a study group, or even just living in a dorm. My other tip - which goes for anyone - is to join a club. There is a club for everything, literally everything, and you can join with no experience at all. Get out, get involved, and get social. That is my recipe for loving college life.

--- Andy Wiseman

Loving Classes!!!!!

The semester has begun and campus has come back to life. I started my classes last week and have really enjoyed them so far. One of the required classes I am taking is CSR 328 Apparel Art and Design (aka Fashion Illustration). It is taught by Susan Owens who is one of the main professors in the Apparel Design & Technology major. The first day of class she wanted to get us loosened up and get out creativity going so she planned some non-conventional exercises for our class. Our first instruction was to take large brown paper and draw a dress form which was placed in the center of the room. Seems simple enough, right? Wait there is a catch. We had to put the paper on the ground and draw using chalk that was taped to the end of a stick. To keep us fresh, she encouraged us to flip our paper, switch chalk colors, and change our prospective. Though everyone in the class was given the same subject to draw, each final product had its own unique style and interpretation. It was a great first day of Illustration class and I am looking forward to the semester!

--- Kelsey Leliaert

Forgot How Much I Love Purdue!

After being back at Purdue for a few weeks, I realized that I had forgotten how much I love it here. I love seeing the bustle of campus, and all of the students studying on the lawns and around the fountains. The nice weather really brings people outside, and it isn't uncommon to see groups of people outside throwing around a Frisbee or kicking a soccer ball back and forth. I even saw a guy lying in a hammock right beside an engineering building! However, it's not all just playing around, unfortunately. Along with coming back and seeing everyone on campus comes the start of classes, and let me just say, my schedule isn't exactly a piece of cake this semester!

My Mondays are killer - with classes starting at 8:30 and going until 4:30 with only a lunch break in between, I've got a rough start to the week, but I can't complain too much, because I really enjoy my classes this semester! For my Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences major I was told many times last year that it is key to get involved with a research lab on campus. This opportunity provides you with not only credits, but a closer relationship with your professor, and unique experiences working in a research setting! So far it's been fairly interesting, and I'm learning a lot about the processes and responsibilities of working in a lab. I'm excited to see what the rest of the semester brings!

--- Ariel Demoret

My Study Abroad Adventure – Madrid!

This past summer I had the opportunity to participate in Purdue’s Spanish Department Study Abroad Experience to Madrid, Spain. I was there for 6 weeks with about 30 other Purdue students, and it was the experience of a lifetime! Here’s a quick rundown of some of my favorite memories from my trip:

1. Being with my host family – Along with two other Purdue students, I lived in the home of a Spanish woman, Prado, and her middle-school son, Mario. My roommates Tola and Meghan are seen pictured here with Prado and Mario. We ate meals together, worked on homework with Mario, and had long conversations – all in Spanish of course! It was great to learn about Spanish culture from a native’s perspective. And the home stay experience definitely improved my Spanish speaking skills!

2. Taking classes – While in Madrid, I attended La Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, taking two classes toward my Spanish minor. One class was an art class, where we learned about Spanish history and how it related to art. We studied El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya, and every Thursday we went to the Prado Art Museum to see the paintings in real life! My other class was a food class taught by Purdue Professor Ana Gomez-Bravo. We were able to sample a TON of delicious cuisine from around the city, all while learning about its importance to Spanish culture.
3. Sightseeing – We covered a lot of ground in six weeks! Some of our most frequented hangout spots included La Plaza del Sol for some shopping, Retiro Park (see picture) for a relaxing afternoon in the gardens, and a little coffee shop in the center of the city that served the best Café Bonbon. It was so neat to see some of the more famous Madrid sights, like Plaza Mayor (see picture). We also did some extra traveling on the weekends to places like Seville, Barcelona, Toro, Zamora, Escorial, Granada, Toledo, and Segovia. All of these places were so culture-rich – I was seeing sites that I had read about in my years of Spanish classes! One of my favorite travel spots was our weekend in Barcelona. I got to see most of the Antoni Gaudí architecture, which was my dream to see someday. What a cool experience!

In summary, my trip to Spain this summer was amazing. I learned so much about Spanish culture – our classroom was the city, and it was our homework to explore life in Madrid. We became part of everyday life there – taking the public transportation, conversing with the locals, taking classes, and seeing the ancient sites. I would definitely recommend a study abroad experience to students – it’ll change you for the better!

--- Laurel Donaldson

The 2011 Purdue All-American Marching Band

Upon my returning to Purdue University for another year brought many tribulations of getting a new dorm room, having new, additional roommates, reacquainting with old friends, and of course returning to another year of being involved in Purdue’s All-American Marching Band. However in order to be in this band I had to go through a whole week of band camp, which took place the week before classes started here at Purdue. This would determine whether or not I would again be a part of the 2011 marching band.

I was fortune to be selected in the band last year and that allowed me to have some of the most amazing experiences in my life. Last fall the band had been invited to march in the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City so myself, along with 400+ students that were in the marching band, traveled 12 hours by bus to the “Big Apple” to be a significant part in this amazing celebration. Not only did we march in the parade but we were blessed to be the start of the parade! I had so much fun last year that I made the decision to be a returning veteran, along with some of my friends, to once again be a part of such an amazing group of people.

After a week of relearning the steps, playing music, and enduring the heat, I found out at the end of the week that I had once again been selected to be a member of “The Best D--- Band in the Land”! After a long, but exciting week I celebrated with my friends and ended the last day with a well deserved fountain run! I am proud to be a part of such a spirited and remarkable group of people. I am excited for the football season to commence so that once again we can lift the spirits of the Purdue fans with our incredible playing and marching. We truly are the best band in the land!

--- Alyssa Major

Wasn’t it May yesterday?

Finally, my summer is starting to wind down, so I can enjoy some much needed down time. Less than a week before classes, but I’ll take it! This has been by far the busiest summer of my life, but so rewarding.

I jumped right into things the Monday after finals in May. I traveled with a group of about 20 people from St. Mary’s Church (back in my hometown) to Guatemala. There, we visited a NPH (Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos) school and helped with some projects they had going on. Some of the group went to an off-site house where the older girls live and worked on some of the electricity problems. Most of the women (including me) stayed at the school and helped in the kitchen or with sewing tablecloths for the kids’ quinceañeras. Vidalia, the woman who was in charge of the sewing room, was so sweet and patient when we were learning to use the industrial machines, plus she told me I was a good sewer. Here is a picture of her teaching me how to use the machine:

The people who had visited there previously cautioned us about the rice and bean dinners, but I thought they were delicious, especially with the homemade tortillas. Taco Bell should take a hint. Overall though, I absolutely loved meeting, playing, and (attempting) to talk with all the kids there. They were all so warm-hearted and welcoming, which made it feel so much like home. The kids were also so inspirational, I learned so much from them. I really I hope to go back soon to see the kids grow up. But hopefully next time, I’ll know how to say a little more than “My name is Mary. I am 19.”

I was in Guatemala for about a week, but it seemed like a day it flew by so fast. A couple weeks after I came home to Indiana, I started working as a day camp counselor at a camp a few minutes from my house. This was definitely a tough job, and I can cross out camp counselor off a list of career possibilities. Even though it was difficult (very, very difficult), I got into the groove of things and found out how I can best work with children while still having a little fun. Since most of the kids go to the camp all summer, being with them 40 hours a week really made me appreciate all the kids quirks, differences, and similarities. I gained so much from the experience, and I’d gladly take the job again in a heartbeat.

My summer was really full of working with kids, and I learned a lot about myself along the way. First, teaching is definitely not for me, I just want to play Uno and swing on swing sets with them. Second, I can put on band-aid like nobody’s business, since I probably used a hundred of them. Lastly, being able to make a kid laugh when they were crying or make them smile when they were sad is the greatest reward I had all summer. I want to be a pediatric nurse more now than I ever have before, and I hope my classes this semester will reaffirm that.

Happy End of Summer and Boiler Up!

--- Mary Jacobs

Where has the summer gone??

I can't believe that school is starting in just a couple of weeks! Two weeks from today, I will be starting my senior year of college! Time has really flown by these last few years. It's unbelievable to think that I will be moving my baby brother into his college dorm next weekend for his first year of college. He will also be a fellow Boilermaker, except he will be in the School of Management! I'm a VERY proud sister!

Overall, my summer has been great. It's hard to believe that I was in China 2 months ago, when it actually feels like I was just there yesterday! Since China, I have stayed busy with a couple of summer courses, working in the Motor Development Lab in Lambert, volunteered at St. Elizabeth's Outpatient Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy facility, and much more.

I am currently in the process of applying to occupational therapy graduate schools. My stress level has raised about 10000 notches. Now that the time to apply is finally here, I feel like I just got done applying to undergraduate schools, and now I'm already moving on to grad schools! Really.... can someone just tell me where my time has gone? Oh well... it's time to hit the ground running. Bring it on senior year. Let's make it a great one! The best part... football season has arrived!!! BOILER UP!!!!

--- Elise Leung

Oh how I miss...

This upcoming week is when the Purdue campus comes back to life for another great year! With BGR in full swing and all students moving back, West Lafayette is going to experience some excitement in the air. August 17th is the date I've been looking forward to since the day I walked out the door of Zeta Tau Alpha at the end of Spring semester. Summer is a time that I always looked forward to in my high school days. In college, somehow that changes.

Purdue is now my home. Living in a sorority house with 90 girls is home. To some, a home away from home may sound crazy. The friends you make during your college experience are more than just hometown friends. They are your rock that gets you through the struggles of being homesick or upset about an exam. My best friends are not only in my sorority, but also in my major. I have had classes with the same group of girls since my freshman year. We study together, we do homework together, we take notes together, we have fun together. My friends are what I miss!

Boiler Up! Football games are right around the corner! The atmosphere of a Saturday football game in West Lafayette is one of my favorite settings. Waking up early in the morning to get in game mode is what any true Boilermaker does. At Zeta we wake up, put on some face tatoos, beads, and our jerseys, and make our way up to Slater Hill for some pre-game excitement! The band is playing off in the background, Alumni are reuniting, and the college kids are gearing up for the big game! Football season is what I miss!

Classes... what a drag, right? Not for this girl! School is something that I have finally found enjoyment in. First semester during my freshman year was a struggle for me. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I tossed around a few ideas and landed myself in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences. Going to class clicked with me second semester. Studying was no longer a drag and I was interested in what was talked about in class. So, believe it or not, learning is what I miss!

9 days and counting...

--- Lindsey Yarde

Formed Close Bonds

With only a few weeks of summer left, I'm getting very excited to go back to Purdue. It is bittersweet to only have two more weeks left working as a nurse's aide. Over the summer I have formed close bonds with my residents and it will be hard to say goodbye. The job has strengthened my communication skills and has even made me consider a career as a long term care nurse. Working has made me see a different side of the healthcare field and made me want to continue my education. I think being an aide will make me a better nurse. I will be able to truly appreciate all the hard work aides do.

--- Stephanie Westfall, School of Nursing

Get Involved!

As a Family and Consumer Science Education major, I am actively involved in the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Indiana Affiliate Purdue Student Unity (AAFCS). This past year I severed as the groups Secretary, and this upcoming fall semester I will serve as the Vice President.

AAFCS holds a member meeting once a month and participates in several activities throughout the year. Some events we participated in this past year were the Hungar Hike in Lafayette, Boiler Blast, Spring Fest and collected school supplies to send to schools in Africa. In December, we held an Ugly Sweater Holiday Party, where members dressed up in their ugliest holiday sweaters, decorated sugar cookies, and had a gift exchange. In February we had a Bake-off event, where members came to a lab in Stone Hall and either baked items or decorated cupcakes and then voted on their favorite.

Participating in AAFCS or any organization that is directly or closely related to your major is a good way to begin networking and meet new people. Getting to know people in your major can help you in the future when you have a question about an assignment or need a study buddy for a big exam. You will also obviously have some things in common with the other members since you’re in the same major, so it’s an easy way to make some close friends. Plus, getting involved always looks good on applications and your resume.

Talk to you again soon,

--- Bridget Gehlhausen

Worth the fifty-six hours of travel . . . . .

After fifty-six hours of travel time, five airports, four flights, numerous delays, and one very large ocean on July 17th I finally arrived in Sydney, Australia. It was a moment I had been looking forward to since I sent in my first round of exchange applications. Never having been outside of North America it is needless to say Australia is farthest I have ever been from home.

The week before classes started we had a short two-day study abroad and exchange orientation, and sorry University of Sydney you are beautiful and I love you but you don’t have anything on the Boilers.

In Boiler Gold Rush Purdue has one of the greatest orientation programs around. After participating in and leading BGR the past two years I suppose I have become a little spoiled. I now know you cannot put a price on an excellent orientation. It can take away so many nerves and anxieties that come in hand with starting in a new place with a diverse population and different ways of operating. By the end of those two days I had been told so many times to “just keep walking, it’ll be down on the left” I was just wishing for someone to appear with a Boiler Beacon and show me the ropes.

Do not get me wrong Sydney is a beautiful place full of wonderful people and I love it more and more everyday; but when in comes to introductions they could take a few tips from old West Lafayette.

Here's a couple of photos from the trip. The first photo is at the International Rugby Match - Australian Wallabies vs. South African Springbok (which Australia won!) The second photo was taken at Sydney Harbor in front of The Opera House.































--- Maggie Flynn

Mid-summer already?

That’s right! And in a month students will be swarming campus and making up for lost time. Being at such a diverse campus, I’ve been able to meet friends from all over the world, which has only led to incredible experiences. While a short road trip will usually mean a weekend with my friends, so will a flight to The Netherlands! Exactly one year ago, I was anxiously boarding a plane to fly 4,193 miles for a stay with a fellow Boilermaker. Not only did I discover that there really are Purdue fans all over the world, but I was able to experience Dutch life.I felt like I was living in a postcard (I’m talking about the postcards that look 100% photo-shopped)and time flew by way too fast. Every day was packed with unforgettable experiences.
I ate delicious food on the daily, visited The Hague for a shopping trip, went inside many windmills, watched the making of wooden shoes(and tried on multiple pairs), toured Amsterdam during the day and night, dressed in orange from head to toe to watch Holland play in the World Cup championship game, and saw a beautiful light show from what seemed like castles in Belgium, all while spending two weeks with an amazing family. The point isn’t to brag about my experiences, but to focus on the importance of friendships that are made at Purdue. My family moved me into my dorm room, a shy girl who knew no one, and picked me up from a place that felt like home. Dorm life gives you the opportunity to quickly connect with others that will become so important to you. This is what makes four years go by faster than you thought it could! So, while I reminisce about a summer trip to Europe, I remember that this trip wouldn’t have been possible without meeting my friend as a freshman at Purdue, and I consider myself so lucky to be a Boilermaker.

Boiler Up,

--- Jacey Abney

Westward Bound

Just a few days ago I was in what seemed like another world, when in reality, it was just a little over a thousand miles from Purdue. For 18 days I traveled around the southwest with my family in a small RV, hiking, camping, white-water rafting and taking many pictures. We started out in Indiana and took the 22 hour drive to Arizona where we started our trip in the

Painted Desert in Petrified Forest National Park. We traveled to Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, hiked down the Grand Canyon and back up, boated in the stunning Lake Powell, white-water rafted in the Colorado River, hiked underneath the world’s largest natural arch, rode a cog train up 7,000 feet to Pike’s Peak, stood in 4 different states at one time, and ate cowboy beans

while listening to cowboy music at a ranch in Colorado. Not only were the views from the mountain and canyon-tops beautiful, it was a nice break from my internship at Roche Diagnostics. It was a chance to get away from everything, sometimes even my cell phone since the service was not always reliable, and recharge for the upcoming semester. It was also nice to spend so much quality time with my family as this could be the last vacation we go on together for awhile. We traveled through 12 states and logged over 4200 miles in the RV. It was an adventure to say the least. But I think my favorite aspect about the trip was being able to get in the middle of nature, with absolutely nothing around except raw wilderness and take time to appreciate the beauty of our country. Too many times when I am at Purdue I forget to slow down and take a moment to appreciate all that I have been blessed with in my life. Not only will I always remember the sights I saw on the trip, it was a perfect ending to my summer.

--- Kaylie Waltz

Back at Purdue University in 11 days!!

July 31st means one thing. I will be back at Purdue University in 11 days!!

The last three months have been a perfect way for me to wind down from my freshman year, but now it is time to get back on the horse and start classes again! I have enjoyed being with my family and friends back in the beautiful state of Colorado but it’s time to head towards flatter ground and reconnect with all the new people I met last year. Right when I get back, I will be preparing and getting pumped up for BGR 2011. I can’t wait to meet so many new students and teach them what it will be like to be a Boilermaker. I am also looking forward to orientation with my fellow HHS ambassadors! This coming year has a lot to offer and I am really looking forward to getting things started.

Boiler Up!

--- Geoff Ryan

Speech Therapy Volunteering

I began volunteering at a local long term health center for people with disabilities this summer and it was the farthest thing from what I expected. I was expecting a really uncomfortable situation but it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life! I volunteer in the “therapy room” where the physical, occupational, and speech therapies are held. I ended up becoming attatched to a 43-year-old woman named Julie. Julie was in a car accident when she was 19 which rendered her unable to walk or talk. She also had very limited use of her hands and her mental capacity is that of a 14-year-old. Julie is learning how to use a special spoon that has a very thick grip put on the end so that she can feed herself. Working with Julie has really made me realize that working with people and doing things for them can really help someone’s daily life. Volunteering has really opened my eyes as to how much one person can help another and has made me even more excited for my future as a speech therapist!

--- Lauren Rosswurm