May the Odds be in Your Favor

It's here. Finals week has finally arrived. 

This semester has flown by, but I'm excited to go home for the holidays. The only things standing in the way are two test. So in order to prepare for finals, I'll be sure to study but also take advantage of the finals week activities offered on campus. 

Rockhurst makes sure to offer its students with special accommodations throughout the week. Library hours are extended, coffee and snacks are provided, midnight breakfast is hosted by Student Senate, and SAB rents massage chairs and brings puppies on campus for study breaks. 

This week, in between studying, sleeping, and eating, you can find me at a massage chair or playing with puppies. 

Thanksgiving in KC

This week, Rockhurst University was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. Luckily though, the Kansas City area was able to offer entertainment.

Many international students at Rockhurst stick around in Kansas City for this holiday while others go home with friends either to St. Louis, Omaha, or Springfield, amongst other cities. Instead of going home to St. Louis, I decided to stay in Kansas City and enjoy the holiday with friends. The perk of spending the holiday in Kansas City was the Country Club Plaza Christmas Lighting. This is a tradition in KC and this year, Alex Gordon was the guest of honor. Not only did KC have the Christmas Lighting, they also had Black Friday shopping, and a concert with several performers at the County Club Plaza. 

The Grinch made an appearance at The Country Club Plaza Lighting

Alex Gordon had the honor of flipping the switch
at The Country Club Plaza Lighting. 

The Country Club Plaza lights :)

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday and was able to spend it with family and friends. 

Study Break

Thanksgiving break is around the corner which means it'll be no time before finals week arrives. Finals can be stressful, but luckily Rockhurst SAB always provides study breaks for students. Some of the activities they provide are massage chairs, water powered massage beds, and best of all PUPPIES. Yes, puppies. I don't think there needs to be a scientific study to prove that playing with dogs relieves stress.

Some students wait until finals week to spend time with the adorable puppies, but luckily there are a few of pet stores around Kansas City that welcome students to spend some time with these furry animals. My roommates and I love going to Land of Paws to play with the pups. Just look at that adorable face...

An adorable 2 month old puppy at Land of Paws

I now leave you with this video, no need to say more.

Finish Line

It's hard to believe that I completed the final step of my Spanish degree at Rockhurst this week.

On Wednesday, I presented my Spanish Capstone presentation to students and faculty. It was a bittersweet moment because even though I was proud of finishing my degree, it meant that I'm one step closer to leaving the Rock.

My presentation was over Journalism in Colombia. I was interested in this topic because I am also pursuing a degree in Mass Media Communications, but most importantly, because I am from Colombia. I wanted to highlight the beauty of Colombia and show the reason behind why there tends to be corruption in the field of communications, but also shed some positive light on the issue. After a semester of investigation, I was able to see my hard work pay off at my presentation.

Dra. Rocio De la Rosa Duncan and I

Friends and family were there to support me as well as the Spanish Department faculty composed of a wonderful group of women. I have to thank my Spanish Capstone instructor, Dra. Rocio De la Rosa Duncan. Dra. Duncan, along with the rest of the spanish instructors, are always willing to help and are the reason why I wanted to pursue a Spanish degree.

Junior Claire Minnick, Dra. Rocio De la Rosa Duncan, me, and Dra. Leslie Merced. 

Even though I am one step closer to "the real world",  I will continue to make the most of my time at the Rock.

Ride-to-the-Rock

This past week I was able to participate in Ride-to-the-Rock for the fourth year in a row. Ride-to-the-Rock is an event organized by the Admissions office that allows prospective students to visit Rockhurst campus and spend the night. Students from St. Louis, MO and Omaha, NE are bussed to campus and then bussed back home the following day. High school seniors and some juniors are invited to attend this event, but only the St. Louis and Omaha students are provided transportation.

I attended this event when I was a senior in high school and found it to be influential in my college decision making. The event allowed me to experience campus and interact with current college freshman who had amazing advice.

I've come a long way because this year I was part of the group that helped organize the event. As the Vice President of Ambassadors I encourage prospective students to participate in this event and come visit Rockhurst!

Michelle (Ambassador Secretary) and I at Pizza Bar.
Yummm! 

Royal Again

Well, the long run came to a heartbreaking end for the Kansas City Royals. As a St. Louis Cardinals fan, I must admit that the Royals stole my heart. Their Cinderella story was fascinating and in the end, I wanted them to be the World Series 2014 Champions. That wasn't the case, however.

The ideal World Series everyone at Rockhurst wanted to see was the I-70 series between the Royals and the Cardinals. I'm not sure what I would have done if that would have been the case. The Cardinals are my home team and I feel a strong sense of loyalty for them, but the Royals fought hard and after 29 years, were able to make it to a World Series. The outcome wasn't in their favor, but in the end, I felt they were the winners.

The Royals team brought an excitement and unity to Kansas City that I haven't seen in the three years that I've been here. Strangers came together to cheer on the team every single game. The energy was electric on campus and even converted Cardinals fans (myself included). The Royals were winners in the end because they united the city and gave people something to believe in.

In my eyes, they were and will always be Royal, no matter the outcome.

Kauffman Stadium

Hockey Game: Check ✓

Fall break always comes at a perfect time. It’s the halfway point to the semester and a time where a break is much needed. After tests, quizzes, projects, and presentations, sleeping in every day for 5 days sounds incredible. This fall break, I was able to do that and more. 

Coming home once you’re in college is different than when you’re in high school. You treasure moments with your parents more than you used to and home cooked meals are 5-star entrees. It’s been nice going to a school four hours away from home because I’ve been able to “live on my own” with the luxury of being able to go home when necessary. 

This fall break I crossed something off my bucket list. My sister, Alex, surprised me with tickets to the Blue’s game. I know, I know. As a St. Louisan I should have been to a game by now, but better late than never I suppose.

Despite the loss at the opening game of the season, I still had a great time ! The game itself was more fast-paced that I had anticipated; it was hard keeping track of the puck. The Blue’s fans created a fun atmosphere as they cheered on the team the whole way through. The best part of my first hockey game experience, however, was the BBQ chicken nachos, delicious! Overall, if you’ve never been to a hockey, or a Blue’s game specifically, you must go. 

Nachos served in a helmet...YUM!