The Wire is a television drama about drugs and crime in inner city Baltimore. If I told you that I meet with a group of OU students Monday nights in the Honors College to watch and talk not just about the exciting plot, but also about what the show has to say about the relationship between civilian and state, or social and economic status in the inner city, might you be  a bit intrigued?

Kimberly wrote a great post with information about the Honors College, but I wanted to elaborate on my personal experience inside the college even more! The book clubs that she mentions deserve to be raved about. We come to college to learn and have intelligent and thought provoking discussion about a huge range of topics with the other students at the University. Be it a book club, a current events discussion group, a documentary screening, or a group watching The Wire, the Honors College provides and promotes fun, engaging activities for students on campus outside of classroom hours. Read more

So, I went to my advising appointment for next semester and I cannot believe how fast time has passed! I feel so old and young at the same time. I say this because not many people know I am only 17 years old yet am considered a “sophomore” here at OU because of the amount of hours I had coming in. Everything has been so great, and it feels like I’ve been doing this “college” thing for a while, even though it’s only been 6 or so weeks. I am an International Business & Marketing major and am doing a language concentration in Spanish as well as a minor in French… How am I going to get through all that? I’m not quite sure yet, but with the support of my adviser, my parents, and my friends, I know I will… Read more

Today’s August 22nd, the first day of my sophomore year, and I can’t believe it’s already here. This summer I studied abroad in Peru for a month with OU’s new Journey to Latin America program. I can safely say this was the best experience of my college career, granted I’ve only been here for one year! After I returned, I was a counselor at Camp Crimson, OU’s orientation camp for incoming freshmen and transfer students. A high energy weekend full of teaching OU traditions, boat races and pool parties, leadership development activities, and new friends, Camp was a great way to cap off my summer.

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Spring semester ended in a whirlwind, but it was an enjoyable whirlwind at that.  So many things on campus were happening as May approached that made finding time to do anything outside of schoolwork and school-related activities difficult.  Highlights included The Big Event (OUs Official Day of Community Service), Sooner Scandals (Outstanding musical theatre-esque performances put on by groups from around campus), and, while I wouldn’t exactly call it a highlight, mountains of time spent writing end of the semester papers, completing assignments, and studying for tests. I also enjoyed being able to walk a little south of the dorms to watch OU Baseball or Basketball games when we found a little spare time. It was great fun participating in or going to watch things like this as the school year wound down.

My grades turned out very well making for happy parents and a great beginning of the summer. I’ve traveled a bit, taking a small trip to Colorado and some other minor trips around the state, but what’s been most astounding to me is all of the places studies and service are taking people I met this year at OU!  Thanks to Facebook, I’ve seen pictures from all around the world. South Africa, Russia, Spain, France, Germany, England, China, and Chile are just a few of the places OU can send you! To be able to travel at this time in life is such a great thing, and the opportunities that OU and the OU Education Abroad Office allow you to realize are just one of the reasons you should strongly consider OU as you make a college decision.

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This summer I could be here!

I hope to study abroad this coming summer in Peru!! Just a few minutes ago I submitted the last portions of my application on the OU Education Abroad website. Needless to say, I’m excited. It’s crazy to think that just a few months from now the time to board a plane will have come and I’ll be off to South America.

Counting on official acceptance to the program, on June 16 my study abroad experience will begin in Lima, Peru. This OU program, titled Journey to Latin America, is just one of several OU Journey Programs offered by this university.  Designed exclusively for OU students and taking them to places all over the world from China to Italy to Latin America, OU’s Journey Programs give you a broad introduction and study into the cultures and locations that they visit.  All class work is done in English, so no prior language knowledge is required! I’m working on becoming fluent in Spanish and hope to have a more intensive language study abroad experience sometime in the future, but know that I’ll still be able to practice my Spanish this summer while in Peru. I can’t wait for the experiences that await me! Besides spending time studying in Lima, this trip will take me to Machu Picchu, Cuzco, the Amazon Jungle, and other locales! I’ll be earning class credit the entire time! Read more

I know I already blogged this week, but like I said… it is finals time and I don’t have Facebook, so I need something to do with my time!

I want to take this time to talk about my mixed emotions with the semester coming to an end.

1. Fall semester of junior year coming to an end means that people are leaving.

2. I love spending time with my family, but I miss my friends over the holiday break!

3. Moving out of the house.

My junior year thus far has been absolutely wonderful.  I have gotten to do so many neat things through the university and have accomplished so many of my personal goals.  Before I say what I am planning on saying, let me say this first — I NEVER cry.  With that being said, I found myself crying while studying at the National Weather Center, not because I wasn’t going to be able to get that one A, but because spring semester is going to bring on some big challenges.

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I have written “BLOG” on my to-do list every week since the start of my sophomore year, and this is my first post. That should be an indication of how my year is going thus far. Let me quickly catch you up on what’s been going on in my life…

I had way too much fun over summer, but still managed to land an internship with the product development department of my dad’s company. I continue to put in as many hours as possible while at school for a little extra income. More importantly, I’m making great connections that will surely help me in the future.

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Boomer Sooner!

I first want to take this moment to reflect on how amazing it is for us to live in America. Saturday was September 11th and I would like to take the time to remind everyone to appreciate EVERY single second you are around those you love. Never take what you have for granted.

I love France

Summer 2010

I went to study abroad in France over the summer and I could not have had a better time! I used to never really think about it and didn’t think going abroad was for me. I was talked into it by a friend and am completely glad things played out as they did. Europe is so interesting and I fell in love with it. There are so many different cultures within such a close vicinity. You can travel from Paris (northern France) down to the southern coast in less time than it takes to drive from Norman to Austin, Texas! Vichy, France is a small town and has a lot in common with small town USA. The people were extremely nice to me and everything basically shut down after 9 pm.

We were completely submersed in the French culture and I enjoyed every second of it. I made a lot of great friends from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. I will NEVER forget my experience in Europe and am planning on studying abroad again next summer. If you have the chance to study abroad, take it. Most will never get the opportunity to go abroad like they do in college.  It will make you appreciate different cultures a lot more and learn more about the world outside. J’aime la France!

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I wrote this over Spring Break, so excuse the time-lapse.

My family moved into our house six months before I was born, and I’m sitting in my bedroom with a huge and odd-proportioned east-facing window right now feeling Spring Break decrescendo. I snuggle into my Grandpa’s old chair I’ve covered with a woven blanket I bought when I went to a pow-wow with my best friend, Lacy (she’s Delaware/Potawatomie), last year. My burgeoning library is taking over my room in stacks, shelves, and piles (not to mention what has trickled to Norman over time). My sweet Sheltie, Sable, sleeps on her back outside my door and my Dad is snoring over some movie. I made vegetable stew for dinner with potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, peas, cannellini beans, lots of garlic, and a rich herby tomato broth. (Cooking is the one nonperson thing I miss while at school!) I love home.

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