WOW.

Hello There!

I'm sorry it has been so long since I've posted to my blog. I've been busy with my time away from the 'Hurst. This summer I had so many adventures. For starters, I traveled with my Faculty Lead Study Abroad (FSAT – when you become a Laker, you'll get familiar with that term!) to Italy, Greece, and Turkey. It was an experience of a life time! Since this is a catch up blog, I think I'd do Europe more justice is I dedicate one of my next blogs to the trip versus cramming it in here. But enjoy a few of the pictures below.

Shortly after returning from my two week excursion to Europe, I celebrating a big birthday. I turned 21 in Las Vegas! It was wonderful, though not my first time there. The food was amazing, the shows, and the sites, it was a dazzling way to turn the big two-one. I went with my parents, my boyfriend Matt, and my roommate Andrea. If anyone is familiar with the show Pawn Stars, you'll enjoy this pic! They were filming the day I visited the shop and I saw the gang. So I just had to buy something as a souvenir... This is a two-dollar bill signed by all the stars – Ricky, Richard Sr., Big Hoss, and of course my favorite, Chumlee. So if you're a fan, be sure to watch for me somewhere on the third season if they happen to air the items I was there for. 



So if we fast forward through summer hang-out sessions and long hours of grocery store work, I found myself right back at the 'Hurst in Erie, PA. I had to come back a few weeks early due to Residence Life training. It's weird, I'm a senior living in sophomore area, because that is where I am an RA. I enjoy it though, I get to meet a lot of new people I would never probably have associated with.

Also during my weeks back, I was preparing for a bunch of Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) events before classes started up. Like our Service Day BBQ, the Upperclassmen BBQ, dances, speakers, and Hurst Fest – our homecoming festivities. MSG and SAC (Student Activities Council) are hosting their annual Fall Ball this Friday at 7 p.m. It's always a great time and it is sort of like Mercyhurst's version of a homecoming dance. There is going to be some great food this year, I picked a menu with Buffalo chicken dip, spinach artichoke dip, chicken kabobs, dessert shooters, and chocolate covered strawberries. Hopefully, the weather is beauuutiful, and it doesn't rain.

The next major thing MSG has going on is our Distinguished Speakers Series. This Monday night we are hosting MTV's Andrew Jenks. He is a filmmaker with a show on MTV about not judging a book by its cover and living in different situations. We are super excited to have him on campus, and I'll definitely have to blog about the event next week!

My final piece of update is Hurst Fest. As I mentioned, it is Mercyhurst's Homecoming tradition. This year Hurst Fest is Sat., Sept. 22nd, our football team will be playing Slippery Rock University. There is always a lot of hype about homecoming, so I can't wait to fill you in on the details. Another exciting factor of Hurst Fest 2012, is that I am actually on the ballot for Homecoming Queen! How exciting? I am so flattered that my friends and peers would think to nominate me... Voting started today, so fingers crossed... Maybe I'll score enough votes to be Queen? I'd love to have a crown!

Oh well, that is all I have for now... SO sorry that I haven't been blogging, I promise that will change. Get ready for my senior year at MU!

:)

Dating Doctor and Dances

This past week at the 'Hurst was exciting!

The Laker Spirit Club had a cookout at the Baseball game versus California University of PA. It was complete with hotdogs, lemonade, and snack mix. The Lakers brought in a win and we were happy to cheer them on!
  

The Dating Doctor

 Also on Friday we brought in David Coleman, the Dating Doctor. If you click on his name it will link you to his website and you can read more into him and his practice. But basically he is "an advisor to the romantically challenged." He gave great tips and tricks on how to talk to someone you may like, or how to tell when someone is interested in you. He made us all laugh too, giving us some of the worst pick-up lines ever – like "If love were measured in milk, you'd be a cow." His bottom line message was you get the respect you deserve, demand, and desire. He was a great entertainer and taught the whole audience a few great lessons. I'm eager to have in back in the future!
  
    

  
Then on Saturday night, SAC and MSG (Mercyhurst Student Government) had the annual Spring Charity Ball. There was delicious desserts and hors d'oeuvres, from Buffalo chicken dip, to chicken satay, chocolate covered strawberries, and tons of different dessert shooters. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! This year the charity we donated to was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) in honor of Evann Parker, a student we lost earlier this year. Shannon Kissel, the MSG Event Coordinator and I were able to raise $1,100 for the LLS. Students came out, danced the night away and had great food with friends all while raising money for a great cause, it was a perfect event to wrap up Mercy Month with!

Next weekend we have a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament along with a band event called Party Rock. I'll be back next week to post about all the fun that goes down!

Hello Friends!

 

LSC and SAC had a crazy weekend of events. On Friday LSC attended a Men's Hockey game at 7:05 p.m. versus Robert Morris University. LSC gave the game a Wild, Wild, Western theme. The 130ish students that came out to the game got cowbells and trail mix to enjoy while they watched our boys take on RMU. Also on Friday, SAC and the Multicultural Center put on an event called the Old School Hip Hop Party in the Student Union. Some classic jams were played and snacks were served as students danced the night away.
  
  

Erin Jackson

On Saturday SAC was suppose to have the hilarious comedian Erin Jackson grace Weber Hall's Taylor Little Theatre. "Since first making a name for herself at colleges and comedy clubs, Erin's warm, conversational style and relatable humor have helped to propel her onto the national stage. She has performed on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and Comedy Central's Live at Githam, and she was a semifinalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing." However, due to recent weather... a.k.a. the little snow-storm that we and neighboring areas encountered, Erin was not able to make a flight in to perform. So instead SAC put on a Valentine's Day Bingo. Just as many students came out to enjoy a few rounds of bingo and win Valentine's Day themed prizes. Hopefully, we can reschedule a time that works with Erin, to have her come back to campus. To get a little peak at her website, or find out more info about her, click here.

  
Either way, snow or no snow, SAC was able to put on a great weekend of events for Mercyhurst students. As this Winter Term is ending, SAC is preparing for it's final event of the term... Food for Finals! I'll be sure to take pictures and blog about all the details. This term our "special item" is tacos!
  
 
Until then, stay warm!
 

Winter Wonderland!

A biiig hello from the newly announced MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY!

SAC and LSC had a week packed with events. It all started on Thursday when LSC cheered on our Men's Wrestling team on against Gannon, our hometown rival. LSC had an army/camo theme in the cheering section. We had an obstacle course set up with a dirt pudding station to refuel. It was a great match to watch, and our boys won!
     

See the snowboard and snow globe?

SAC had a weekend full of winter weathered bliss! On Friday we had a classic SAC event, Winterfest. It happens every year, it's a traditional winter festival that celebrates all different winter activities. Chick-fil-A sandwiches are a signature item at most Winterfests, along with Tim Horton's hot chocolate, with tons of cookies, brownies, popcorn, and much more! At the event over 200 students showed up to grab a free t-shirt, make homemade lip balm, concoct gel creations (since we aren't allowed candles in our residence halls!), pose for a caricature, give it a go at virtual snowboarding and take a picture in a giant snow-globe! The event started at 7 p.m. in our Student Union and there was a line for activities starting around 6:30 p.m. It was so nice to see students excited for such a classic SAC tradition!
   
   

Matt and me!

On Saturday SAC hosted a Snowflake Ball. It was an occasion to dress up with friends and dance the night away! We had Erie's famous DJ Bill Page from local radio station STAR 104 supplying the beats for the dance. Our on campus dining service, Parkhurst, completed the night with mini desserts like chocolate covered strawberries, mini lemon and raspberry tarts, as well as chocolate covered cherry bites, to name a few. The Student Union was transformed, once again, into an icy looking winter wonderland... you hardly remembered you were even on campus! This was also a great opportunity for SAC to relax and dance the night away with all of our friends on campus. My boyfriend, Matt even came up to take me to the dance. He goes to school, back home in Pittsburgh, at a local university and every chance I get to see him is awesome! I know I had a fabulous time, as well as many other Lakers, and am excited to see if this is something that students would like SAC to continue to do annually.
    

¡Esta delicioso!

Now, I know I generally only post about SAC and LSC happenings, but I thought you might like to know what I do outside of studying, classes, and SAC/LSC events. Today (Sunday), I went to a delicious restaurant that is unique to Erie – El Canelo. It serves authentic Mexican cuisine that beats Taco Bell by a long shot! The service is pretty quick, and they seat you with a big basket of fresh tortilla chips and homemade salsa. I had a delicious taco salad while by boyfriend Matt over there enjoyed beef enchiladas and tacos. Another great thing about El Canelo is it's friendly to a college kid's budget. Matt and I ate until we were stuffed for about $13. It doesn't get much better than that!
  
 
    
Well, that's all I have for this week... Next weekend, we have Grocery Bingo – which every college kid loves! And "Chopped: MU Style" featuring celebrity chef Mary Sue Milliken. She's been on Top Chef, Oprah, and Iron Chef America to name a few and students will get to compete in culinary challenges with Mary Sue as a judge! Next weekend is making me hungry already... I'll be back next week to tell you all the tasty details!