Hawk-Fest!

Last weekend I celebrated my fourth Rockhurst Day. To kick off homecoming week each year, Rockhurst students and members of the community are invited to celebrate an afternoon of festivities, right on Rockhurst's campus. Student clubs and organizations each set up a booth, which usually consists of a fun game-with prizes! Huge, blown-up moonwalks and obstacle courses are also there for children of (ALL) ages to enjoy, in addition to the fun snacks- like popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy. Rockhurst alumni are invited to return for this celebration, which is great because it is so nice to see old friends!
The festivities conclude as the Rockhurst men's soccer game begins. During halftime, the homecoming court is announced- that is, the students who have been nominated by their classmates to represent their class.

Me and Breanna with the soon-to-be-named Hawk mascot!

The Homecoming theme this week is "Bourbon Street Masquerade." The dance will be held this Saturday night, and I'm so excited! Before the dance however, Residence Life is treating Rockhurst students to a free dinner at Fogo de Chao- a delicious Brazilian steakhouse located on the Plaza! Mmm!

Fiesta!

Chef Kim

Home at the "Treehouse," my housemates and I share in a sit-down, family-style meal once a week. We each take turns cooking the meal, and this week it was my friend Kim's turn. I was so excited when I found out she decided to whip up one of her famous delicacies... taco ring! It's a household favorite. Because this was such a special dinner, we decided that it called for a celebration. We brought out the colorful place-mats and filled our cups with strawberry smoothies. Yum!

This is just one example of what I love about the Rockhurst on-campus houses- the community that can be built. Not only within your own house, but with other Rockhurst students who live up and down the street! Over the past year, my housemates and I have been able to help each other in cooking, and have spent time catching up on each others' lives over dinner. While there may have been a few mishaps in the kitchen- recipes gone wrong, cookies a little darker than desired- it's almost always a source of laughter. 

Housemates!
Me, Anna, Kim, Breanna

What a Catch!

This past weekend, I was given the chance to celebrate a wedding with my boyfriend's family. Weddings are one of my personal favorite celebrations, and I was so excited to attend! The ceremony was held at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. The chapel was beautiful- it was a little smaller than what I'm used to, but I really liked how it created a more intimate setting. It made me feel closer to the other people in attendance, even though I didn't know many of them! 

Me and David

Afterwards, the reception was held in a ballroom at the Marriott. The first thing I noticed upon entering were the beautiful decorations. Something I found very cute and creative was that at each table was a card with a song title on it. When your song was played over the speaker, that meant it was your tables' turn to line up for food- and I must say the food was scrumptious!

The highlight of my night arrived with the tossing of the bouquet. This is the part of weddings that I've never been able to succeed at in the past, so when they announced it was time, I approached the dance floor with an attitude of "why not?" But as the anticipation rose while all of us girls waited for the bride to toss it, I felt determination spark inside. And to my surprise, I caught the bouquet for the first time! 

Blaze Among Us and Inspire

WOW- so many great things have happened in the past week, I don't know where to begin!


Let me start with last Saturday evening. My sorority, Theta Phi Alpha, held our first date party of the semester at Faulkner's Ranch. It was great fun! I had never heard of the venue before, but was pleasantly surprised upon arriving. The landscape was beautiful- grassy farmland stretched out before us, with horses and goats, a pumpkin patch, a playground, and a fire pit filling in the space. It felt so nice to be encompassed by a spacious atmosphere where I could smell the fresh air. Being a small town girl and all, I felt quite at home! We started the evening off, obviously, at the playground. There were tire swings shaped like horses! Who could pass that up??  
After working up an appetite while "horseback" riding, it was time to roast some hotdogs. Hotdogs happen to be one of my favorite foods, and kudos to Faulkner's Ranch- those may have been some of the best hotdogs I have ever tasted! Either that, or I have some pretty savvy hotdog roasting skills :) 



It wasn't long before we were met by a tractor pulling behind it trailers of hay. We all hopped on for a very scenic hayrack ride. At this point, the sky was dark and, since we were away from the city lights, the stars were shining brightly. With the air hinting that fall was coming, it was the most perfect hayrack-riding atmosphere! We toured around the farm before returning to our gathering space, where some of my Theta Phi sisters were brave enough to try their hand at roping a mechanical bull.
I had such a great time at Faulkner's Ranch. It was so nice to catch up with my sisters after summer break!
I strongly recommend this ranch for anyone who's looking for something fun to do- especially with the approaching fall season!


This past Tuesday, Rockhurst held its annual Mass of the Holy Spirit. This mass that Rockhurst celebrates along with other Jesuit universities across the country, is one of my personal favorites. Not only is there a spirit of excitement and joy among the congregation, but the choir sings for this mass. I absolutely love being a part of the chorus! Our choir instructor always selects such beautiful songs that really enhance the mass experience. I feel like the lyrics have a way of reaching out and speaking to me. And the musical accompaniment...wow! It is so beautiful! 
In addition, Father John Craig gave a wonderful homily. He tied in the Jesuit core value "Finding God in All Things" (which is the core value that Rockhurst has dedicated this year to) to the focus of the mass, the Holy Spirit. He spoke about moments when we feel a special movement within us, when we feel a spark. God can be found in these moments, for He is in all things. During those very precious moments, God reaches out to us and sends His Holy Spirit, so that we may experience HIm. This homily, along with the beautiful music, gave me a feeling of such peace and inspiration.


Somewhere that I feel I've found God recently is with the children who attend the schools I'm volunteering at. Joining the kids in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing classroom has been such a blessing. Yes, I've already experienced a fair share of nose-bleeds, spilled milk, and lessons on sharing, but I've learned a lot too. I think it's so amazing how some of these children have a hard time hearing their fellow classmates, yet those children who can hear will use whatever communication they can to include them. They don't let physical barriers prevent them from being friends...and they're only 3-5 years old! I think the world could use examples like these kids.

Back in...Green!

Although Labor Day was only a day's worth break, I really feel as though it gave me that extra little time I needed to transition from summer vacation to fall semester. My Rockhurst on-campus house (often referred to as the "treehouse" by me and my housemates, since it's the color green) is gradually beginning to look lived in- and I must say that I'm proud of the personality it seems to possess. Not only that, but its spacious as well! My 3 housemates and myself each have our own room this year, as well as a good-sized kitchen and living room. Maybe this year I will attempt some extravagant recipes, now that there's plenty of room to move about the kitchen and cook multiple things at the same time!

I feel as though I'm getting in the swing of my classes as well. Often times at the beginning of the semester, it can be hard to determine what classes will be like. How much studying is involved in this class? Is there lots of homework? At this point though, I think I can say that I'm happy with the classes I'm taking this semester. All of them, except choir, are theology classes, which is my second major- and they're all pretty interesting! However, I'm a little bummed that I'm not taking any CSD courses right now. I finished all the required fall courses, so I'll have to wait for spring. 

Until then, however, I will soon begin volunteering twice a week at a place called Children's TLC. It offers therapeutic and educational services to kids with and without disabilities. I went through orientation earlier this week, and when I go tomorrow I'll begin interacting with the kids in the classroom. The classroom I'll be volunteering in is the Deaf and Hard of Hearing room. I'm so excited that I'll be able to put to use the sign language that I learned in my classes! This is something that I may possibly be interested in doing as a speech-language pathologist once I graduate, and I'm so excited to gain more experience! In addition to Children's TLC, I will begin volunteering at a school for kids with special needs, called Marian Hope Center. This Friday will be my first day, and I can't wait!!!