Fall Break

Hello!

Sorry it has been a while since my last entry. The past two weeks have been interesting to say the least. The week before Parents Weekend I became very sick with some bacterial infection that caused me to miss 3 days of classes and therefore 4 exams. My average temperature was 101, which is unusual because I never get a temperature. My parents did not come up to Elmira for Parents' Weekend, so I used that weekend to do a significant amount of sleeping and studying for the exams I had missed. The week was very stressful, because on top of trying to stay out of bed for the full day of classes and doing the normal homework, I had to schedule times to make up the exams. I thankfully was able to take all of the exams before I left for fall break. Being sick prevented me from horseback riding, therefore I can not show at our first show at Hartwick.

I was scheduled to leave from the Elmira airport to fly home to Virginia Friday night. After the winter weather I figured I would be somewhat delayed, but all day it looked like my flight would be on time. On my way to the airport I received a notification informing me that my flight was delayed an hour. This would have been okay, and I could have made it to my connection flight in Philadelphia. When I arrived at the airport they informed me that the flight was not scheduled to leave until 8 pm. My connection left at 8:30. I made the decision to avoid sleeping in the Philadelphia airport and fly home Saturday Morning. Little did I know that this decision would cause me to injure myself. Saturday morning while walking down the stairs with my suitcase in hand I "missed" a step, twisted my ankle (heard a pop) and continued to fall down the last few stairs. My ankle continued to swell while in transit and when I arrived home ventured to the doctor's office with my mom. I sprained my ankle and am now wearing an air-splint. Yes, I am clumsy and yes, this prevents me from riding!!!! Story of my life...... I'm always hurt.

I'll write soon.

Ashley

Convocation and Mountain Day Singing

Hello!!

Sitting here on an overcast, chilly day ready to take a nap, a favorite past-time of mine. Figured I'd talk about a few things that happened last week and what's going on this week here on campus.

Last Thursday was Convocation for the Freshman Scholars. The Class of 2013 proved to show a lot of potential after hearing all of their accomplishments from high school. I played flute with the Concert Ensemble, which was frustrating on my end. I had a significant amount of homework due on Friday, so sitting on stage for 2.5 hours listening to names being called was the opposite of productive. I applaud the freshman scholars, however at the same time I needed to get work done. However, Convocation gave me the opportunity to wear my purple and gold heels!!!!

Saturday was open house, which was also my first time co-leading a gold key tour. It was a lot of fun and I was surprised at my comfort level in front of a group of perspective students and parents.

This week is Mountain Day Singing! I wish it would have been last week, because the weather this week is not what I want to participate in. I am working on getting rid of a 2.5 week old sinus infection, so standing outside in the rain and cold is not what a doctor would order. I'm hoping for a mountain day tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ash

First Couple Weeks of School

Hello!

Life here on campus has been crazy busy, but it's been good for me! Move in day feels like months ago, when in reality it hasn't been that long ago. I'm getting to know my residents more each passing day, which is very nice. Just as recently as yesterday I had two new additions to Columbia 3rd South which gives me almost a full floor. I have one empty room which is a bunk double....... and we all know that no one wants to move into a bunk double.

I never thought I would say that I am thankful for the freshman writing program, but I am SUPER thankful for the freshman writing program. Compared to last year I feel like I barely have homework, and the homework I do have I am getting it done EARLY. I am not the type of student to do things early, but I guess things have changed a little. My parents are so proud. :-)

A few exciting things! Horseback riding has officially started, which is a huge stress relief for me! On a sad note we had to get rid of my horse back home in Virginia, but it's a very good situation that will allow me to continue riding Bravo Charlie. My classes are going very well. It's nice to be in a Nursing course and to start talking about things that I'm going to use everyday in the work place. I can't wait to put my scrubs on and go to clinical!!!!!

Time to get back to homework!

Ashley

First RA training week!

Training is over, which means I get to sleep!!!! However OL training is right around the corner which means a few more days of sleep deprivation. On a wonderful note Resident Assistant training has been a blast. I arrived here in Elmira last Friday after a wonderful 9.5 hour drive and by Saturday at 2 I was moved into my cozy single on Columbia 3rd. All week we have been learning about the procedures and policies of the college along with many social issues that we will come across. These issues included 2 meetings with RCST (Rape Crisis of the Southern Tier), suicide awareness, and info meetings with resources around campus.

The only thing that made me nervous about training was the Behind Closed Doors program. This program is in 2 parts and it is when the RLC's and other faculty members have a scenario and act it out (to the EXTREME). The RAs in training then go around in small groups and at each scenario one RA is in charge of handling the situation. It was an amazing experience that I know helped me feel more comfortable as a first year RA.

Last night we had a great dinner with faculty members and all of the RAs. We got to dress up and I got to wear my purple and gold heels, which seem to be a favorite here on campus. hmmmm I wonder why???? Here is a picture of the entire staff (RAs, RLCs and RA alternates).
This was a great experience and I can't wait to have my 2013's in my building with me! Not to mention I had a blast making my door tags and bulletin board!!!!

Ashley Hemphill '12

Life as an OL

Hello,

Hope all of you have had a great summer so far! The last weekend of June I headed up from Virginia to Elmira for Summer Registration 1. I was super excited because I was reunited with my friends I hadn't seen since before my big Australia trip. I flew up and got to Elmira around noon which was the beginning of check-in for OL's. I hadn't mentioned that I was a Concurrent Session Group Leader, which means I, with two other OL's, took a group of parents to each information session.

We started training off with an ice breaker, which was a lot of fun! It was a great way to get all of the OL's in a laughing mood. We then had training all day Friday. This was when we made all of the door tags for the parents and the members of the Lucky class of 2013, made balloon arches, and made all of the other decorations that would be around campus.

Saturday we all woke up bright and early to get ready for the freshman to arrive. We did a lot of singing!!!!!! I was stationed up by towers to welcome members of the class of 2013. It was a lot of fun to be the loud and somewhat annoying people this time around instead of the scared and nervous freshman. It was a lot of fun to watch them go through the same things I went through a year ago. Except none of them were on crutches like I was for my SR.

The parents were great, nervous just like mine but great to talk to. It would have been nice to spend more time with the students in order to get to know more of them, but I can't complain. It was a great experience, I wish I could be an OL at the other two Summer Registrations.

Have a great rest of the summer!!!
Ashley

Australia 2

Hello all,

I am in Australia at the moment. So far we have gone from Sydney to Canberra and now we are about to leave Hervey Bay. While in Hervey Bay we went to Fraser Island which is the largest sand island in the world. That means that the entire island is composed of only sand which is a really cool characteristic if you think about it. We didn't get to see any dingos while there however we did see their footprints which was kinda cool. So far I have been able to check two things off of my "bucket list." Coming to Australia and putting my feet in the Pacific Ocean. I miss EC, but this trip has been amazing. I encourage any student to take full advantage of the term three trip opportunities!!

First Australia Blog

Ello Mates!!!!

I'm in the land down under for term three and this is my first blog from half way across the world. It is now 7:42 PM Sunday April 26th which means it is 5:43 AM your time. 14 hour time difference, yet the jet-lag was surprisingly easy to get over. So far we have gone to the Hyde Park Barracks, Australia Museum, Toronga Zoo, Circular Quay, and today we took a hike in the blue mountains. Wait until I post pictures of the Mountains!!!! They are stunning. I will be back before I leave Sydney for the next city.

Ashley