Coffee & College

Hollie

Hello everyone! I hope you have visited the page to check out Heather's awesome wish lists and the projects she's been working on. I know I check in frequently.

I would like to inform you guys on my new membership into Delta Zeta! It was a long process with many obstacles, but I couldn't be happier that I am now apart of this awesome sorority!

So anyway, I want to focus on Fall. Fall is the best season of the year, in my opinion. However, it might be skewed a little since my birthday is in Fall. (four weeks, if you were wondering). Fall, to me, seems to bring so many opportunities of change and reflection. A lot of people would relate fall to death because the leaves are falling and it seems to be overcast most of the time. Fall is my beginning. And I can tell you why. Fall is the beginning of a school year. Each year, over summer, you learn to reinvent yourself or find new things that seem to click toward you. You change. For me, especially this fall, I have changed in so many ways. And I honestly couldn't be happier in where I am in my life.

But another thing about Fall I love, is the activities! So many fun and awesome activities! The weather cools down and you can wear sweaters and boots (basically my daily outfit for this season), the air is crisp, the wind is breezy. You can finally start having/attending bonfires, oh come on, I know all of you love them! You can go out apple picking, travel to the local pumpkin patch,carve (or paint) pumpkins, ride hayrack rides, have/attend costume parties, and drink hot cocoa and apple cider! And for some of us, celebrate our birthdays! I know all of these things are on my "things to do" list while I'm down here, along with some haunted houses too.

So, what will you guys be doing this fall??

Coffee & College Series

Hollie is back with her second posting for her series, Coffee & College!

Hello everyone, I hope you had a fantastic weekend!

I am about 5 weeks into college. I've gotten through the first night, the first weekend, the start of classes, the assignments, papers, quizzes and tests for my first month. I've learned how the shuttle works, when the libraries are open (believe me when I say this, I spend A LOT of time there), cafeteria hours, and the residential hall life. I have gone to multiple events to meet people and even joined University Programs Board, already working on some events for the coming months. And I have even managed to explore downtown, the metro, and campus with my friends. But I'm only getting started. 

After my first month here at UMSL, I can tell you this is exactly where I want to be, where I'm supposed to be. I had to conquer my fear of saying goodbye to my family and friends back home. I can't tell you how much of a wreck I was when I was leaving Springfield. I had to say goodbye to my friends who turned into family and had to realize my life was going to change drastically, and FAST. The biggest thing I overcame was leaving my past and demons in Springfield and beginning my journey to the future in St. Louis. Being away from home and my friends while I've been here has made me miss everyone terribly, but this is my life now and I'm ready to begin.

I want to share with you guys an enlightenment I have had recently. Other than the basic changes most college students go through, I have really opened my mind and my heart to different things. I want to have the best college experience. Now, you might be asking "What is she getting at? She makes no sense right now". One word. Greek. I have officially decided that I am going to go Greek! And I couldn't be more happy with my decision. Ask me a month ago, hell, ask me a week ago if I would join a sorority and I would have responded with "Nahh, that isn't my kind of thing. I'm not a sorority girl". But I got to thinking. I need something else. I haven't done as much or met as many people as I thought I would have by now. As I walked into my residential hall this past Friday, I saw an arrangement of tables all with representatives from the 3 sorority options we have on campus. It got me thinking, and boy did I think loooong and hard about this decision. I had to remind myself that even though I have told countless people I wouldn't join a sorority, it would be okay if I changed my mind. I didn't want to be viewed as a hypocrite. But I let go of that fear and walked myself down to those tables and introduced myself. After a long talk with the sororities, I registered for Recruitment Week (formally known as RUSH). 

I have been waiting all weekend (and yes, it feels like it has been forever) for this week to begin. I'll be visiting houses and attending events all this week. And I will get my bid on Saturday! I can't wait to let you know how it all turns out. 

Wish me luck!

xoxo,

Hollie

A New Blog Series Featuring My Sister!

As I hinted at yesterday, I have a guest blogger!  Well, she doesn't have her own blog, but she will have her own series of posts on my blog!  Let me give you a little background about how this series came to be.  Over the weekend, my sister sent me a rough draft of an English paper she was working on.  I can't tell you what the "instructions" were for this paper, but her writing style was amazing.  And yes, I am a little biased, but after you guys read her stories, I know I won't be the only one thinking this.  And not only is her writing style amazing, but her ability to tell a story is incredible.  As storytellers ourselves, we can really appreciate that talent.  After being amazed, as well as having learned something about my own sister, I asked her to guest post on my blog. There's the background and here she is...

Greetings all!

I am Hollie, Heather's sister. I am here to bring you an exciting series along with Coffee and Pretty Paper basically following me and my adventures and exploration as a college student. I know many are nostalgic of their college years, with them being the best part of the adolescent life . Or maybe you are still in high school searching for the college of your dreams, ready to be out on your own. Or maybe you never went to college and would like a taste of it. Whatever age, whatever your situation, you will enjoy this series. I want to show you the college experience, as real as it is. So kick back, enjoy the ride, and welcome to Coffee and College!

Now let me formally introduce myself. Hi, I'm Hollie. I am 18, turning 19 here in a couple months. I'm a freshman at the University of Missouri- St. Louis (UMSL, as you will be seeing it from now on) studying Criminology/Criminal Justice. I picked UMSL for their beautiful campus and of course because they are ranked TOP 4 in the nation for criminology and criminal justice studies. And we are literally minutes away from St. Louis! Let me clarify something just for the sake of time, UMSL is NOT St. Louis University (SLU) NOR is it University of Missouri- Columbia (Mizzou). I know it gets confusing. I like to think of it as a mixture of the two, to help people understand. I am a general member of the University Program Board here, otherwise known as UPB. You will hear about this a lot. We plan and organize events for students throughout the year, just making campus more interactive, helping people meet new people, especially those first few weeks of college. Now, there will be a later "starting" post officially starting this series in just a few days. 

I wanted to introduce myself to you scrapbookers and coffee lovers. I hope you enjoy this series. I won't disappoint.

I hope you fall in love with my college and campus as you follow me through the roller coaster of emotions attached to the college experience.

xoxo,
Heather & Hollie