My hiatus

A lot has happened since my last post... school has officially taken over my life but I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

In going home for one weekend, I found out I am going to be in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia with the Brandywine Roller Girls. I guess it is that time to talk about one of my passions- roller derby ! I have been playing roller derby for a year now and it has been a constant joy in my life ever since I started. For those who don't know what it is- to sum it up a largely women's sport in which players skate around on a track and hit each other- yes- full body contact ! Besides the actual games, rules, and actual sport itself, a whole community is formed around the world of derby- so its basically a cult. One of the main characteristics of this is picking one's roller derby name- it may seem strange but just think in terms of wrestlers picking their names and personas- why should they have all the fun? Anyway- each roller girl picks a derby name and it can be as crazy and out there as you want it to be... I took the name Schizo FRANic because I am crazy for Fran Drescher- I even skate around with a picture of her on my helmet and my number is #302: the involuntary committment code- pretty nifty huh? Check out our roller derby league http://www.brandywinerollergirls.com/ and see for yourself- my team is the Spell Razors :)

After attending a Temple roller derby practice at the tennis courts on November 14th the sound of sirens filled the night- typical after the sun goes down... EXCEPT- that there was actually caution tape and reporters right outside of J and H, blocking me from getting inside. Even when I was allowed past though, I stayed outside trying to gather the facts- ya know being a journalism major and everything thought it would be some good experience. Channel 3 reporter, Todd Quinones and Channel 6 John Rawlins were reporting.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=8432013

Later that night, when I was back in my dorm, my roommate and I watched the Diane Sawyer interview with Gabby Giffords. It was very inspirational and optimistic- that woman is a true hero. Her book written by her and her husband Mark Kelly titled "Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope" will definitely be added to my Christmas list this year.

Yesterday (November 17th, 2011) was the greatest day of my life… I traveled all the way from Philly to NYC BY MYSELF !! to see my idol - I have been watching Fran since I was four on The Nanny and my admiration has only grown from there. She is a singer, actress, diplomat, cancer survivor, author and so much more. Everyone go out and buy her new book Being Wendy- although a children’s book it carries a powerful message to be true to who you are and to embrace your uniqueness and creativity- who better to advise this than Fran- who is the definition of “a jack of all trades” and is an amazing and dynamic woman. I can now die happy that I have met her:) meanwhile her parents Morty and Sylvia are absolutely 100% the most loveliest people… so sweet. I had a personal connection and conversation with them immediately. 

Highlight- her laughing from behind a closed door- that is when you know Fran Drescher is in the building and also just her saying my name - I feel so validated !

Getting Used to Things...

Stopping on the way to class to let the squirrels cross your path.... they come way too close around here. Although not as extreme as the NJ shore seagulls- just wait a couple more years.

Slipping and coming frighteningly close to eating cement while crossing the street.... those white lines are supposed to be helpful I thought? On the contrary - CAUTION- slippery when wet!

Wearing. Shower. Shoes. Honestly, it's not that hard getting used to- you tend to like and remember things that genuinely protect you from things like foot fungus. However, I see this as a more difficult task for a few girls on my floor. Washing my hair, wearing my shower shoes, having a grand old time... see bare feet in the shower next to me- commence vomiting.

A fish named Simba

A college dorm is off limits to pets... but what harm could a little fishy do? A fish would be a great addition to the humble abode of a cozy dorm room except both my roommate and I longed for a pet that we could-well-hold without dying. Meanwhile, we happened to come across the leftover kittens from a six week old litter of tabby cats and behold- our little cub Simba. The reasoning behind keeping him was to ensure his safety of course- stories of "scooping other kittens off of the street" flooded our dreams and we retrieved the little guy the next day. With careful plotting we managed to tame him, fake a gym trip to smuggle him into a gym bag and made a home for him in our dorm- (or plastic storage container bed it sleeps in at night). We finally had our "fish".

Everyday activities include him jumping into and playing in the trashcan; nestling into and licking blankets; meowing for food; scaling the fridge when he doesn't get it; scaling people's legs with his claws; and being the center of attention for us and all of our friends. It's a lot of hard work but worth it because we love the lil' guy- even when he makes our room smell like a litterbox.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME: One might think that having a kitten in your dorm would be a great conversation starter, however, our house guest is kept under lock and key to ensure that our RA "Ta-nay-ray" doesn't throw us out onto the streets... but then maybe someone would adopt us and let us live in their dorm room?