Wingate.edu

Conference

2012-02-09T11:06:45-04:00

It’s that time of the year when my swim team is reaching our “judgment day,” and by that I mean conference championships. We’ve worked very hard this year and it’s been a successful season thus far. However, all the work is a build up for the end of season, much like a showcase, but more importantly for us to prove to ourselves that all the hard work and several hundreds of hours spent in the water has paid off.

We depart a week from Wednesday to check into the hotel in Charlotte and head down to the pool in the evening for the meet’s first two events. The next three days after that will comprise all of the heats in the morning and finals at night, that way we have some time to head back to the hotel to rest a little before the night time session, if you make it back to the finals. The vibe is great! The majority of the swimmers’ parents are there to support and so are some of our mates from school. It’s very seldom one experiences a dull moment at conference.

This conference is very important to us this year. We are going for our 5th title in a row on the men’s side. This will no doubt be the most competitive year and times have never been faster. There is no better way to elevate performance than with this level of competition.

Our preparation has started to change. We are not doing as much mileage and we are focusing on race specific drills. The team is looking great and I’m sure we will impress not only our supporters but ourselves.

Good luck Bulldogs! Let’s do work.

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Social Media

2012-02-06T09:49:11-04:00

It’s 2012! Just in case you haven’t noticed. Just thought I would throw that in there in case anyone else out there gets made fun of for putting “2011” on all their papers like I do. I don’t have any classes on Tuesday/Thursday this semester so I’ve been spending a lot more time on my laptop and on social networks. I realized that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other networking sites can be bittersweet. So I thought I would share my wisdom with the world on how to go about this thing we are all sooooo obsessed with.

Firstly let’s address the content that goes on to these social media sites. Social networks are supposed to be fun and social, but you do not want to let it ruin your personal life. I have no problem unfollowing or defriending someone who is posting things I don’t want to see or hear, but a lot of people don’t realize that what you do or say online can disrupt your image with people you didn’t intend to see the post. It is not unusual to see relationships ruined, jobs lost, or other tragedies because of something that was posted on a social network. Employers, colleagues, and even schools often check social networking websites to get to know peoples’ interest and hobbies before making decisions about their future relationship. Working in the Admissions Office at Wingate has changed my whole perspective of how to interpret a simple email address. So anything that you wouldn’t want them to see shouldn’t make the internet no matter how funny it is, or good you looked.

Now for one of a few things that annoy me. Along the lines of business and pleasure is knowing when to be professional and when to be informal. If you’re typing an email to a professor and ask “wHat diD i miZz iN claZz t0dayZ?” then there is probably a reason you haven’t gotten a reply back. (Honestly, if you ask me a question like that on Twitter I wouldn’t reply either.) The Office of Career Services and Internships often puts on a media etiquette lyceum, so if you aren’t aware of how to distinguish between a professional and relaxed conversation this would be a great event to check out.

Social media isn’t all bad. I often joke with my mom about how Twitter will replace newspapers one day. They are a great way to stay in touch with the world around you, connect with people that have the same interests as you. It is easy to abuse a social network without knowing you have done it and because of the popularity of Twitter and Facebook it is important to be careful what is posted on these websites.

Thanks for reading, and if you want more than what you got hear you can shoot me an email at bloggers@wingate.edu with the subject line Andrew for my Facebook and Twitter information.

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

70 degrees…in January

2012-02-06T10:07:31-04:00

I’m from Ohio. Traits of northwest Ohio: cold, rainy, windy, and cloudy. I love Ohio. I just don’t love the weather. Traits of North Carolina: lots of sunshine, beautiful seasons, not too much wind, and rarely cloudy days. Basically, it’s the opposite of Ohio. I’ve officially become a southerner at heart; this weekend sealed the deal on that!

Saturday was a beautiful day at Wingate, and beautiful days at Wingate call for a few games of sand volleyball! I added a few really neat pictures of us playing volleyball and enjoying the sunshine so be sure to check them out. There was one point that was literally three diving passes in a row and a miraculous shot over the net for a point. We’re epic.

Eventually, the sun went down and it got chilly, but the fun never stops at Wingate! There’s a little Japanese restaurant right beside Wingate called Tokyo Bistro that is perfect after a game of volleyball. Most weeks I eat there at least once - it’s that good. It’s an affordable price for a plate full of food and it’s so tasty! I recommend the Hibachi Chicken with sweet carrots. Mhmmm boy! After eating at Tokyo Bistro, we headed to a baking and game night.

At baking and game night we made a few recipes found on pinterest.com. My favorite was a doughnut recipe. Basically you roll biscuit dough into tiny balls, fry them in oil, roll them in butter, and then roll them in either powdered sugar, cinnamon and sugar, or a glaze - making a doughnut looking dessert. I know, I know, sounds delicious and fattening—they are. I ate entirely too many (especially after Tokyo Bistro) and they were amazing. After about an hour of baking and eating we played Catch Phrase, Scattegories, and Last Word. All fun games for groups of people, and I highly recommend them for parties!

Basically, it was the best Saturday in a very long time and I can’t wait for more sunny days at Wingate! Wingate Weekends = relaxing, awesome, fun-filled, and a treat!

Update on school: classes are in full swing. As a junior this year, I’m mostly in upper level communications classes and I love them! In my nonverbal communications class we’ve been learning about facial expressions and the different ways people use them, whether knowingly or unknowingly. It’s been interesting to watch peoples’ expressions since learning more about them and try to read people and tell what they’re thinking. Last week we did an exercise where we held a pencil in our teeth, while pulling the corners of our lips back, without letting our lips touch the pencil. I uploaded a picture so you can see what I mean. The professor didn’t tell us the point of the exercise; she just made us hold a pencil in our mouths for a few minutes. When we took it out she had us say “eeeee” for about 30 seconds and then asked us how we felt and if our mood had improved since we walked into class. Everyone said that it had! We were all in better moods, most of us were even happy! This was to demonstrate the effect that facial expressions have on our emotions. (The way we were holding the pencil imitated a smile - making us feel happy.) We’ve been joking that we’re going to hold pencils in our mouths every morning! Think I’m crazy? Try it yourself! Let me know how it works!

Enjoy the warm February weather and check out my photos!

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

How I Celebrated 2012- Full of JOY!

2012-01-25T10:14:21-04:00

I’ve been staring at this blank page for awhile now trying to decide how to summarize everything that’s happened in the last month in a short blog post when it seems more realistic to write a short novel. So, I decided to just tell you about the most exciting thing that I did over Christmas break!

This break I spent 5 days (including New Year’s Day!) in Chattanooga, Tennessee with 5,000 college students from across the country at a conference called Campus Outreach National Conference. This conference was an opportunity for college students involved in Campus Outreach across the nation to gather together and learn more about who Jesus was and to worship God together.

Over 70 students from Wingate went to conference and spent five days hanging out and getting to know each other more. Most of our time was spent in rallies and seminars designed specifically for college students and taught by some pretty well known pastors like Matt Chandler and John Piper. The main message was that while we are horribly sinful and fall short of God’s holy and just standard of perfection, deserving eternal punishment in hell, God made a way to Himself through His son Jesus. The pastors explained that Jesus was fully man yet fully God and while he was here on earth, he lived a perfect life; the life that we were created by God to live. They also explained that when Jesus died on the cross God poured out all the wrath that we deserve because of our sin onto Jesus; he was our substitute. So the wrath that we deserve has been completely taken care of and when Jesus rose from the dead, He gave us a new life! The implications of this are literally life (and death!) changing and are the source of an unending amount of joy! If you’re in Christ, God now sees you as He sees Jesus, and Jesus lived a perfect life. So, God sees those who are in Christ as perfect! This is great news for everyone and just a little bit of what the speakers talked about at conference. This news has many different implications but most importantly Jesus’ death allows us to be in a right relationship with God! If you want to hear more about conference and what we learned there feel free to e-mail me or check out http://conationalconference.com/media-page/ to listen to the different talks! Or for a short recap video go to http://vimeo.com/34438737.

Conference was literally a life changing experience, especially for those from Wingate! It was tons of fun hanging out with each other and getting to know other students from school. Not only did we get to learn more about God together but we also had tons of fun exploring the city on the free day, playing in sporting tournaments, spending time together in the hotel lobby and even going to a concert featuring Christian Hip-Hop artists Sho Baraka and Trip Lee. And, just try to imagine New Year’s Eve with 5,000 college students- an unbelievable experience! We unofficially broke the world record of “the number of beach balls in the air at one time” and brought in 2012 with an epic dance party.

Be sure to check out all the pictures!

The rest of Christmas break was great as well; I spent a lot of time with family and caught up with a few friends from high school. I hope you all had a wonderful, safe, healthy Christmas and are enjoying 2012 so far!

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

Break

2012-01-20T14:02:53-04:00

It feels good being back at the Gate for the better half of my junior year. My Christmas break, spent away in Raleigh and Florida, was great. The change of scenery was perfect, with Raleigh’s overwhelming pine forests and mix of suburbia and college town living, then to Florida’s warm weather and festive beaches.

The holiday away from school wasn’t complete relaxation. The break away from class was refreshing but I didn’t have much of a break away from the water. I was training most days during the holiday with a club team in Raleigh. By the 28th I had to join my fellow Wingate swim mates in Orlando for our annual training trip, and being out of shape for that was not an option.

For Christmas, I was staying with one of my best mates in Raleigh with his family. The daily routine of waking up late to a cup of warm coffee was probably my favorite part, haha. In the afternoons, Netflix or Redbox entertained us and some nights we’d head down to his college townhouse for an NC State party. Christmas day was great, though. We woke up to a wonderful breakfast and afterward headed upstairs to open a few presents. Once the food settled and the excitement subsided, we made our way outside to a game of croquet, followed by a game of flag football, then more eating and then eventually decided on a game of Monopoly. It was all quite random but really fun.

The next day we packed up the car and made our way down to Orlando where we met up with family relatives. We joined them for a full day at Disney World, which I was thrilled with because it was my first time. That place is amazing, unlike anything I’ve seen entertainment-wise! After that it was off to training trip, and a successful one at that.

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Sneakers

2012-01-12T14:31:47-04:00

Welcome back! I thought about all of my loyal fans who can’t wait to read my blog every week and so I decided to have one ready to post right when Christmas break was over. Okay, let’s be honest, I was bored over the break and decided to use my free time blogging. Regardless I hope everyone had a great holiday season and was satisfied with their time away from school/work.

One thing some people may know about me is that I absolutely love sneakers. (In short, I am a sneakerhead.) So over the break one of the things I was excited about was purchasing the Air Jordan 11 “Concord” on 12.23.11 when they released. This was the shoe Michael Jordan broke a ton of records in during the 95-96 season when the Chicago Bulls went a record best 72-10 for the year. I was hoping that my job would allow me to return so that I could make enough money to spoil myself with an early present. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to work over the holiday season but this could have possibly been a sign that the shoes weren’t worth the work. The day/night before the Concord’s released, sneakerheads around the nation were camping out hoping to be able to get a pair before they flew off the shelves. Reportedly fights broke out and malls were shut down because of the hype of the shoe and the crime that they had caused. After hearing the news of all of the commotion the shoes had caused I determined it wasn’t worth it and it really gave me an appreciative spirit going into the holiday season.

Still determined to have a “fresh” pair of kicks to come back to school with I wasn’t done with my sneaker hunt. I decided to head down to the mall to see what was there for me and ended up with a sweet pair of Adidas with a colorway that caught my eye immediately. I was stoked and couldn’t wait to show off the new pickups. However, the problem with the loud color in the shoe is that it is almost impossible to match! I had absolutely nothing to wear the shoe with outside of the usual black (because everyone knows black matches everything). So another hunt began for a matching jacket that would complete the new look I had been dying to rock over the holiday season. After a day of searching every store me and my dad could think of I eventually had to settle with a black jacket for the annual Christmas basketball tournament that I knew everyone would be at. Upon arrival I was over the overwhelming search, until my I met my cousin in the parking lot to go in and he had on the exact same pair of Adidas with the matching jacket! After making him walk in wayyyy after me I eventually forgot about the frustrations over my sneaker problems and ended up with one of the best memories of my Christmas break.

I hope everyone else had a memorable experience over the break that was a little less frustrating than mine, and if anyone is interested in a new pair of shoes, I may be selling some for the right price!

Click here to check out my sneakers!

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

Intramurals

2011-12-08T15:23:37-04:00

Allow me to be a little cocky. Another intramural season is coming to a close, and yet again I find myself in another championship game. Earlier this year I was crowned the flag football champion and now that the floor hockey season is at the peak of excitement the stakes are higher than ever for another championship.

Mac and Brad lead the team in goals while receiving more than a dozen assists on the year from yours truly. Preston has been a defensive wall this year and Tai Laing as a goalie has been nothing short of amazing. I wish I was official and had actual stats but I do know that Mackenzie Hilsinger has been the MVP of every game this season and would love to show him and the rest of the team major appreciation on getting to the championship game!

I cannot go any further without giving all of the girls on the team credit for all of their hard work this season. Caroline is everything you could ask for as a center-mid, Amanda and Hannah anchor down the defense by clearing the ball and making everyone’s job easier, and Sara’s versatility has been great all year ensuring that nobody has to work too hard at any position. This season wouldn’t have been half of what it was without the hard work and support from each of these girls and the entire team’s attitude has made it one heck of a season.

Tonight’s game was a tough one facing one of the most challenging scorers in the league. He was truly a one man force and ended up beating us by himself 9 to 6. The team fought hard and while it was tough to lose it was just great being able to compete with my friends. That's what intramural sports is all about.

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

A Little Reflection

2011-12-02T09:31:26-04:00

Over my Thanksgiving break, I recently visited Washington, DC. It’s refreshing to visit a city with such pride, such boldness and presence. It was also my first time riding on a subway, haha.

It felt good being back in a city for a while after being gone from my home city Cape Town, which is quite a decent size, too.

On the first day in DC, I visited both the Library of Congress and the Capitol building. Both were equally exquisite and rich in culture. But it was on the guided tour of the Capitol building that I realized the foundation this country was built on is quite a solid one and an admirable one, too. However, it’s not just the Capitol building; it’s really illustrated in so many ways through the city. The museums present the history in physical art forms, the monuments remind you and the encrypted writings explain it all. It showed me how important it is to know a country’s past the same way it is to know your own. Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. But it’s not just the past we must focus on, it’s the future, too. The past is what must be examined in order to know where you are headed in the future.

My Thanksgiving break and trip to DC gave me an opportunity to take a break from things and allow myself to think. I know I will have some more time for this after exams and I’m sure I will be surprised once again by what I pick up on. It’s not something one automatically wants to do because it takes a little effort but it’s so necessary.

Maybe taking a trip is what triggers it. Exploring something new or visiting something you haven’t been to in a while. Either way I recommend it.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

An update!

2011-12-02T09:37:59-04:00

One thing you may not know about Wingate is that we have a really cool Residence Life staff. (I may be biased because I work for Residence Life, but we are really awesome.) One day last week, we had “Sweater Vest Appreciation Day”. I unashamedly participated. I rocked my sweater vest (with a jacket over it) almost the whole day! Haha! There’s a sweet picture of some of the Residence Life staff wearing their sweater vests- I figured with a day as epic as the one we had, people would want to hear about it and see pictures! A few professors even participated, although I’m not sure if they knew they were participating. It may have just been a coincidence…

One exciting thing I have wanted to tell you about is an adventure I had the weekend before Thanksgiving. A few friends and I from Wingate traveled up to Greensboro, NC to meet up with some people that we spent the summer with. An organization we’re involved in, Campus Outreach, holds a summer retreat called Beach Project. Students from about eight North Carolina schools live at the beach for the summer working jobs and learning about how to have a relationship with God. It’s the best way to spend the summer, ever! Well anyway, we had a Beach Project reunion and it was so much fun to relax and catch up with great friends. It’s a neat and unique thing when you get the opportunity to meet students from other universities around the area and become great friends with them! Wingate has numerous opportunities to do this through ministries, intramural tournaments, and through major-specific retreats. About 50 of the 150 students at the Beach Project met up and went to a football game and then had a bonfire afterwards under the stars! It was an awesome weekend with Wingate friends and friends we have made from other schools through opportunities Wingate organizations offer! Definitely get involved when you come to Wingate; if you don’t, you’re missing out on something special!

Check out the pictures!

Well, the last few weeks at Wingate have been focused on trying to survive until Thanksgiving- and I did it! Thanksgiving at home was not as relaxing as I had hoped but it was still home which was “nice” (rainy, cold, and windy). That’s Ohio for you. But, I’m glad to be back at Wingate for these next few weeks! The Christmas season at Wingate is full of excitement. We have a Christmas Dinner Dance, Christmas concerts and readings, and Christmas decorations everywhere!

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving with family and friends; enjoy the Christmas season!

Next time you’ll hear from me it’ll already be 2012, so be good until then! Feel free to e-mail me at bloggers@wingate.edu with the subject line Rachel.

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

Thanksgiving break is on its way and I’m excited.

2011-11-18T09:45:18-04:00

Despite not being American, this has become my favorite holiday. In my freshman year and my first experience of Thanksgiving, I was taught that the holiday was all about the three Fs (family, food and football). It took some adjusting because I was far away from my family, I didn’t know much about football and the food was unfamiliar. However, by the end of the day, with my belly so full, I was a major fan of the holiday. I had felt part of a family in another country, where we dropped everything for the day to spend time with each other conversing over delicious food, playing games and appreciating each others’ company. The holiday has not been materialized by a need for lavish gifts, it’s a day to remind us to be thankful, unwind and just enjoy the simple things.

This year I’ll be visiting my good friend and spending Thanksgiving with his family in Raleigh. We’ll have two days to catch up on each others’ college stories before paralyzing ourselves by eating excessive amounts of food and then still inevitably topping it off with desert. On Saturday, we will head up to Washington DC to see the nation’s capital. I’m so excited and grateful they are taking me along; I’ve heard such great things of the city.

I hope everyone has a wonderful time over the break. I know I will.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

A Stressful Season

2011-11-18T09:52:13-04:00

This blog is a product of me having no idea what to blog about. This semester has been nothing short of busy and with finals coming up my mind is completely scattered. A blog is pretty much a documentation of your thoughts and events so while thinking about this I realized what I wanted to blog about, everything interesting that has been going on lately.

A few weeks ago I went to the intramural flag football regional tournament in Wilmington, NC after claiming the flag football crown here on campus. While intramural sports have always been a way to stay in shape and have fun, I quickly realized that the competition I was up against didn't quite see it the way I did. These guys eat, sleep, and breathe flag football even going as far as the national level to compete. We came away from the weekend with a 1-2 record losing in the first round of the playoffs but left with a ton of memories and had a lot of fun along the way.

Last week was Homecoming and being a Homecoming candidate made the entire process kind of stressful. The past 6 years of my life at every school football game I have attended I've been strapped to a snare drum slinging beats for the crowd, so when I found out I would be on the field taking part in the Homecoming festivities I was amazed to say the least. I never imagined I would be a Homecoming representative and would like to make this a public thank you to everyone.

Like I said earlier, this time of the semester is always stressful. With finals rolling around it is vitally important to get a head start on studying and make sure you stay on top of classes and assignments. Although there is a ton to do I strongly encourage everyone to take Thanksgiving break and utilize it to the fullest. Do something you've always wanted to, spend time with your family, just take time to debrief before the craziness continues and finals start.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season and good luck to everyone on finals!

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

Homecoming & Other Festivities

2011-11-18T10:10:38-04:00

Remember last time I started with a horrible joke? Well, this time instead of a joke, I included this cute Thanksgiving picture!

Check out the cute Thanksgiving picture!

And if that wasn’t doing it for you, here’s a joke too :)
Q: What's a turkey's favorite song?
A: "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"
HA! Get it? He wants to stay around long enough to see Christmas. That’s a knee slapper.

So anyway, Happy Thanksgiving! I’m so excited it’s almost time for a break at home. Homemade food, a comfy couch to take a nap on, and lots of family time! But, before I get too ahead of myself, here’s the scoop on the last couple weeks!

About a week ago it was Homecoming at Wingate and it was awesome. I finally got to participate in a long-standing Homecoming tradition that is tons of fun- TP-ing the campus! This year the Student Government Association provided toilet paper to the students so that we could TP the campus and build excitement for the weekend! I still felt like I was a rebel even though the University approves and encourages participation. I uploaded some pictures so you can share a little bit in Wingate’s Homecoming weekend!

Not only did we TP the campus but fourth floor Cannon celebrated in style by having a canvas painting night! We decorated canvases to hang on our doors as door decorations. It was relaxing just to be able to sit in the hallway and hang out while getting in touch with our creative side.

To top it all off, the weather was perfect all Homecoming weekend. Every year we have a Homecoming Parade on Saturday before the football game. Usually I just go out and watch, but this year the Student Bulldog Club had a float in the parade; so I participated! It was a little chilly in the morning but we didn’t let that put a damper on our school spirit! Our float won second place in the parade competition! Yay Bulldogs!

It was a day full of athletics. After the parade, we all headed out to the football game and cheered on the Bulldogs while recognizing the Homecoming Court. Then we went to Cuddy Arena to cheer on the girls’ volleyball team to their final regular season victory. That win was an incredible way to end the season and it completed the first undefeated season in program history! Way to go girls! To top off the whole night, we watched the men’s lacrosse team take on the Wingate lacrosse alumni. It’s always a fun game to watch because they’re really competitive while picking on each other and goofing off.

Check out the photos!

As you can imagine, after a day like that I was a little more than exhausted, so I went straight to bed. And that was Homecoming weekend. WOO! Go Bulldogs!

In other news: this weekend I attended a birthday bonfire & a country concert featuring Eli Young Band, Thompson Square, Casey James, and James Wesley. It was wonderful. With a weekend like that, I am exhausted and am going to continue trying to make it through this very busy week now, haha! Wish me luck!

Check out the photos!

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

Homecoming Weekend ‘11

2011-11-04T12:15:06-04:00

For the last few days I’ve been looking forward to this weekend. Being a junior, I’ve seen two classes graduate and in the process of becoming a junior, those two classes taught me a lot; we went through quite a bit together, especially on the swim team. It’s going to be great seeing them again.

Unfortunately I wont be able to participate in most of the weekend activities because the swim team has our first meet of the season over this Friday and Saturday. However, its great knowing my old teammates will be there to support the way they did the past two years. This weekend also gives the new freshman class a feel for what they are in for, in terms of making memories and great friends.

I remember last year’s Homecoming and what a laugh it was to me and my mates. It was such a fun weekend. I remember it being full of laughter and I guess that’s because it was filled with all the funny stories from the alumni and the hilarious tips they would constantly give us. During Homecoming, its tradition for the swim team to present an opportunity to the alumni to put their suits back on and give us a few good races after our Saturday practice. It’s a laugh seeing what can happen to some people after one year, before being in top athletic shape to doing absolutely nothing; however, they “somehow” find a way to give us a run for our money. Then we usually head to the football game and catch up. Last year it was over Halloween, so seeing them with their costumes and partying with us was the highlight of the weekend.

This year’s going to be a little different but I know it will be awesome having their support again.

To my swim team, good luck this weekend. Let’s do work Bulldogs!

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

A Group Date, Halloween and Virginia

2011-11-04T12:23:31-04:00

What do a group date, Halloween and Virginia have in common?

Nothing really except it’s what I’ve done these last couple weeks. You’re right, that was a bad joke. Here’s a Halloween one: Why don't skeletons ever go out on the town?… Because they don't have anybody to go out with! HA! Get it, any BODY! Don’t worry, there’s more where that came from.

So, last Friday I went on what we call a “group date” (basically it’s just where the boys plan a night for the girls). A few men on campus made a funny video by changing the words of Party Rock Anthem and used it to “ask out” a few ladies involved in the same ministry, Campus Outreach. They planned a whole night for us! They cooked, we had a pumpkin carving contest, danced, and played this really funny game called Quelf.

Check out the pictures!

Wingate gets in the Halloween spirit like none other; I’m sure of it! Last week we had trick-or-treat in the freshman girls’ residence hall. We decorated all six floors spooky for Halloween; the girls lined the walls and the ceiling with big black garbage bags so it was dark and creepy. We hung ghosts from the ceiling, streamers down the hall, cob webs everywhere, and we decorated our doors for a “best door” contest. Two girls on my floor won, of course because fourth floor rocks! Anyway, so we decorated the halls all scary and then the neighborhood kids came in and trick-or-treated down the hall for a few hours! They were all really cute and the girls passing out candy dressed up too-it was really fun! On Halloween we wore our Halloween costumes to class as a part of Wingate’s Homecoming Week (I’ll tell you all about that in my next blog, it’s been awesome!) and had a black-light party in the student center sponsored by one of our fraternities & Res Life. Talk about an exciting way to celebrate Halloween!

Check out the pictures!

Finally, this last weekend three of my friends and I road tripped up to Virginia to watch Wingate’s Men’s Lacrosse team scrimmage Queens & the Virginia Military Institute. Wingate won both scrimmages, so that made the long drive worth it! Plus, it is so pretty in Virginia right now. I thought we were going to get stuck in all that snow that hit the Northeast but it missed where we were and instead the weather was beautiful. The leaves were changing and the sun was shining; it was great. We sang to country music (slightly off key), ate homemade cookies, and cheered Wingate on to victory. Way to go boys!:)

Check out the pictures!

So again, what do a group date, Halloween and Virginia have in common? If you put the three together, you get an awesome couple weeks at Wingate! Didn’t know that this riddle had more than one answer, did ya?

Come back soon to hear about Homecoming week/weekend and to hear some more great jokes!:)
Go Bulldogs!

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

Free T-shirts!

2011-11-04T12:58:03-04:00

I’ve noticed a trend on campus lately. If you come to an event you have the opportunity to win a free t-shirt. This sounds like a sweet deal right? Who doesn’t want a free t-shirt? However, while everyone is there waiting for a limited number of t-shirts to be passed out to the majority of the school that is waiting for the same thing, the real highlight of the night is all around you.

On Monday half of the campus was in the DPC for the black light party waiting for the first look at the free Homecoming shirts that were going to be given out all week, but no one expected to experience the black light festival and ear ringing party that was set up in the lobby. Only 40 shirts were given out and although I didn’t receive one the night was a complete success with food, dancing, and some of the most creative costumes on campus.

Although the party was lively I still hadn’t gotten my free t-shirt, so the next night I decided to cut my workout short to go see Leon Etienne “the Illusionist” in Austin Auditorium. I planned to meet up with Brad and Mac there but after telling a few of my roommates that they were giving out free t-shirts there was soon a crew of us making a trip to Austin! We arrived 30 minutes early and finally got our free t-shirts but that was nothing compared to the show that the illusionist put on. He awed that crowd with a variety of tricks and once again the t-shirt voyage paid off to make a successful night.

The next day was the premiere of the Wingate dance team and the cardio session “Dance Your Heart Out” in Sander Sikes. So because I had a test the next day, and already got my free t-shirt, I didn’t really plan to attend event. However, sometime throughout the day I heard that they would be giving out a different shirt than the Homecoming shirt and made a change of plans to attend! Once again I was too late to get a t-shirt and because of work didn’t get to stay very long but I did catch a glance of the dance talent that Wingate and other schools exhibited during their performances.

Tonight is “Lazerpalooza” in Sander Sikes and they are giving away another round of free t-shirts. Although I’m not sure what a lazerpalooza is my mom told me she would love a Homecoming shirt to wear when her and my family come down to see me at halftime during the football game for the Homecoming ceremony. So of course I will be there trying to get yet another shirt and will probably leave satisfied once again with a night full of fun and excitement with the rest of the bulldogs in the hunt for a free t-shirt. I saw a tweet the other day that said “The greatest things come when you do it out of good intentions.” Although I showed up for a t-shirt and never imagined to have as much fun as I did at most of these events, I realized that sometimes a good time can be found in a place you least expect it.

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

Midnight Madness 2011

2011-10-26T09:52:32-04:00

Click here to watch Midnight Madness 2011!

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

It’s that time of the year…

2011-10-26T10:02:20-04:00

Festivities are around the corner. The air is getting colder, the pumpkins are being carved, decorations are going up and girls are planning their outfits for Halloween. Not too long after Halloween, Thanksgiving follows and after that is Christmas; such a festive time of the year! I’m glad I’m in America this time of the year.

To add to the already festive atmosphere, it’s my 21st birthday coming up this Saturday. It’s interesting seeing the difference in the celebrations of a 21st birthday here in the US and the way we do it in South Africa. At home it's more of an intimate celebration, with family and close friends. It’s usually more formal as well. It’s a norm for your parents/ brothers or sisters and then friends to give speeches at the beginning of the evening. Drinks and dinner are then served and then a party is usually the way the night ends.

I’m certainly going to miss my family and friends from home this Saturday. However, it’s alright. Part of turning 21 is growing, and in growing, I’ve realized that being here at Wingate is beneficial to my future.

I have no major plans as of yet, I’ll leave that up to my mates, haha. All I have planned is a great lunch at my apartment on Saturday afternoon with my closest friends here. One of my best mates is coming down from NC State to spend the weekend so I’m quite stoked about that.

Things are certainly looking up for the rest of the semester. I hope this weekend is a great one and hopefully I’ll have some photos to share.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Moral of the story...

2011-10-20T14:02:18-04:00

This blog could be short…It’s been a sad last two weeks.

Well, not all of it, but this last weekend wasn’t exactly ideal. Long story short, my hard drive crashed. I lost all my pictures from college and the last two summers, all my music, and all my homework…which kind of stinks because I was in the middle of writing one of two papers due this week. Moral of the story is, back up your files. Promise, you’ll regret it if you don’t.

Anyway, all that “fun” was this last weekend. But, fall break was AWESOME! I’d show you pictures but…right…
So on fall break I went home to Ohio and spent a few days with my family. My brother is a senior in high school so we all went to his high school football game and cheered him on. We made shirts that said “Hey! That’s my _______!” (fill in relation, like mine said brother) for the whole family and it had his number on the back. Yes, we were THAT family.

I also went to Scarowinds at the amusement park Carowinds. It’s an amusement park that they “haunt” for Halloween. Last year when I went I cried I was so scared. Luckily, this year I did not. I just giggled the whole time, but it was still fun. There’s one haunted house that’s in 3D and it’s all clown stuff. So, if you don’t like clowns, stay away from that one…but besides that, I definitely recommend it!

Well, it’s time to go to the best class in the world, Dr. Coon’s Intercultural Communication class. It’s very interesting. We are learning about different cultures and how people think within them. Last time we discussed what a stereotype is and why people make them. It opens up my mind and challenges me to think about humans and how we function instead of just history and stuff. I love it.

I promise next blog will be way more exciting! Enjoy all the crunchy leaves!

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

A Needed Break

2011-10-13T14:25:28-04:00

I don’t know if it’s just the effect of knowing that a break is approaching that makes me feel like I really need one or simply the fact that I really do need one. Fall Break is two days away and it feels like I’m about to get a birthday present.

My full credit semester is mentally taxing and my swimming schedule is taking its toll on my body. However, the heavy schedule and routine is helping me. It’s giving me some structure. I’ve also been trying to place some focus on balance in my schedule. It’s definitely a skill, but wow it takes a lot of effort. It’s made me realize that I need to cut back on some social and party time in order to get that balance I’m looking for. My coach said it right when he mentioned that in college, if you’re an athlete, there are only 3 things you can do in college: classes, sport and party, but you can only do two of them really well. As a social guy, having to cut back on it is hard but it’s for this very reason that I’m really looking forward to Fall Break. It’s not a long break but when things are so hectic, it becomes a holiday. I can’t wait to kick back and chill without worrying about homework or waking up early. I’m going to use it as a recharge for my batteries.

My mates and I usually go down to Myrtle Beach for the break but this year our training schedule doesn’t offer us enough time for that. It’s alright, though, because it does offer us a training schedule without any other stress.

For those of you who are staying on campus, I’ll be seeing you around.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Wingate Athletics

2011-10-07T10:16:21-04:00

It isn’t difficult to realize how successful Wingate athletics have been lately. With many reining conference champions it’s no surprise that the University is off to an excellent start to the 2011 season. The Bulldogs football team is 3-2 and rolling behind the play of Campbell Trophy national semifinalist Cody Haffly and other SAC Players of the Week. The Bulldogs look to continue their streak over their next four conference games with 3 of 4 of them being on the road. The Wingate Men’s Soccer team is currently 1-2 in the conference with a huge stretch of conference games coming up this month. With 4 of these being at home, support would be greatly appreciated to make a turnaround and put WU Soccer in conference contention. The Women’s Soccer team is currently 7-2 and on an impressive six game win streak as they head into a long stream of conference games with a 2-0 record. With a 7 game conference stretch ahead of them it will be exciting to see what the team can achieve and how far they will be able to go this season. The Wingate Golf team is shooting well winning the LRU event giving them their 2nd first place win out of three this season. Despite all of this the most impressive streak on campus belongs to the Wingate Volleyball team and their amazing 16-0 record! The lady ‘Dogs cracked the top 15 in the NCAA Division II top 25 recently and plan to continue rolling during their upcoming 11 game conference stretch. Continued support for all of these teams is appreciated, and increased support during a vital time in the season is encouraged. Being a student athlete is a truly difficult craft and to be as good at it as the Bulldogs are should definitely not go unnoticed!

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

My Perfect Love Story

2011-10-07T11:01:49-04:00

If I was asked, “What’s been your favorite experience at Wingate University so far?” Without a doubt, I’d say “learning how to walk with God daily.” The ministry, Campus Outreach, has been very influential in teaching me how to study the Bible, pray, and live for the Lord while in college- and after! This weekend the ladies of Campus Outreach went to Hickory, NC for a women’s retreat. We met up with girls involved in Campus Outreach from six different campuses across North Carolina. Fun is an understatement. Our speaker was Ashlee Johnson and she spoke out of the book of Jonah. The theme for the weekend was that God is a God who pursues His people! We decided this is the perfect love story. “God pursued me despite my sin, asked me to be in a relationship with Him FOREVER, and I said yes!” Not only did we hear three great talks about Jesus, what He did, and why it matters, we also went line dancing and ate all you could eat BBQ.

We traveled down a dirt/stone road to the literal middle of nowhere. We drove up on a bunch of locals wearing plaid shirts and overalls, old men playing the spoons, kids dancing, and lots of BBQ. We line-danced the night away to a live band and an iPod with modern songs like the Cupid Shuffle and Cha-Cha Slide. I never wanted to leave. It was a night filled with delicious food, dancing, and great friends. That’s a good weekend right there folks. Which I knew it would be because Friday in the Caf I got a fortune cookie with a fortune that said “You will have a wonderful weekend.”

I experienced a new Wingate favorite last week, too; my new favorite lyceum. A lyceum is a cultural program Wingate students have the opportunity to attend. Last week the P.E.A.C.E. Club brought a group of men to campus that travel around the world teaching and preserving African dance and culture. They wore traditional dress and played bongos. The best part was it was interactive, which I was not expecting, but also not upset about, haha. They had everyone stand up and do some really interesting and amusing African dance moves.

Check out the pictures!

Anyways, this coming weekend is fall break! I can’t believe first semester is halfway over already. I feel like we just got back to school! I’m traveling to Ohio for the weekend to see my family. I don’t get to go home a lot- so I’m pretty excited! I’ll be sure to take tons of pictures to show you! Until then, have a great couple of weeks!

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

Welcome back!

2011-09-26T14:11:18-04:00

School is back in session and campus is crazier than ever! With back to back years of the largest freshmen class ever, if you want to get somewhere on campus you better get there early! The turnout for the multiple events that were happening the first week of classes was unbelievable. Immediately after freshman orientation and move-in day no one paused to rest and much of the campus came to the bulldog bash in the DPC to get license plates made, play corn hole, and to step to the beats of 95.1 FM’s DJ. As usual the return of Jim Wand was a memorable experience and another great way to forget about the countdown to classes. However, classes didn’t stop anyone either. The “Open-Mic Night” catered by Salsarita’s was an awesome event for anyone who wanted to come display their musical talent, get some great food and entertainment, or just act goofy on stage in front of their peers. I’ve personally had a few encore requests for my Kanye West cover. The Foamapolooza in the Jefferson Quad was another way to get wet and wild and have some fun before the first weekend festivities began. If you weren’t able make it out to these events chances are you have noticed the activeness of the cafeteria, Jefferson pool, and any of the apartment areas. Whether a freshman or upperclassman I can almost guarantee that everyone on campus has already made a handful of new friends. The upbeat campus environment is uplifting and with upcoming events such as sporting events, lyceums, and intramural sports coming up I can’t wait to see who all I will meet and develop relationships with as the year goes on. Who knows, someone I meet may even end up in my next blog!

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

Laila Lalami

2011-09-26T14:16:52-04:00

Today I was one of the fortunate students to be given a presentation/speech by the author Laila Lalami about her book, “Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits.” She was lovely and so well spoken, it made for such a refreshing presentation on her perspective on global issues today. The thing I was most grateful for was that she didn’t come to make a point or convince us of something, she simply left us thinking and with a broader perspective on pressing issues such as immigration, development economics, suppression, dictatorship, leadership, etc.

Laila is an immigrant herself, from Morocco, and she told us her story; It was not unfamiliar for many immigrants. However, in her story telling, I couldn’t help but notice an unsurpassed amount of knowledge and passion for those in hardship and struggling environments trying to make the best of their situation. It was slightly embarrassing to notice the overall reaction of ignorance prior to her explanation of the issue and it reminded me that there is no substitute for education. Education is key to a broader understanding of pressing global issues. Without education, we cannot grow. It actually left me a little sad when I was reminded that we are so often pondering over what we wish we had when instead we live in an environment of abundance. And if we are caught wondering and wishing for better things, learn to see it from a different perspective, try to appreciate it. If you did have what you were wishing for or had it all along, would you really have appreciated it? I feel striving for something and learning to appreciate the process is more rewarding than being given what you want. I know it may all seem a little off topic, but these were the thoughts I was left with after Laila Lalami’s humbling speech today.

Thank you, Dr. McDivitt, for organizing it for our GPS class.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

“Hey Ma! Check it out, I’m famous!”

2011-09-26T14:27:00-04:00

The World’s Strongest Man Competition is at Wingate. And it’s kind of a big deal. ESPN is here, along with other media and lots of people. It’s been TONS of fun! These are literally the strongest, biggest guys from ALL OVER the world on Wingate’s campus. They're walking around outside my dorm, eating in our cafeteria, and hanging out on campus. It’s awesome. A lot of students have been able to take pictures with the strong men; they are all super friendly and really nice. There's one man from Iceland that everyone wants to get pictures with. His name is Thor, and he's almost 7 feet tall. Needless to say, he stands out from the students. I actually met his parents at one of the events and they told me that he's only 22 and been training for 2 short years! So keep your head up boys, there's hope for you! It airs in December of this year and I'm going to be famous, without a doubt. (Okay, maybe not famous but definitely on TV!) They take lots of crowd shots and do interviews in front of the crowd etc., and I've been in a lot of the shots. So look for me and other Wingate students on ESPN in the winter! It's been a VERY exciting couple weeks on Wingate's campus!

Have you heard about our volleyball team? If not, check us out. We're dominating and setting records all over the place! We hosted the first home game on Friday night and the stands were full! Wingate sports are awesome because other sports teams come to support each other. Two lacrosse players came dressed up like Mario and Luigi, and the rest of us wear our student bulldog club t-shirts and cheer them on! They won in four games versus Tusculum!

In other news, if you happened to be walking through the Academic Quad Saturday night you would have been in for some excitement. This last Saturday a group of about 30 got together for a friendly game of capture the flag. We dressed in all black and some of us painted our faces. We don't mess around about capture the flag here. Unfortunately my team lost...3 times in a row. In our defense, it ended up the track team vs. the not-as-fast people (no offense teammates). The first time we thought we’d try to be tricky and surprise the other team; you know, smarts versus speed. So, all 15 of us just charged the flag...and all got “out” and sent to jail. So that was a fast game. After that we played a few games of man hunt (kind of like hide-and-seek but more fun) and then ended the night with an impromptu dance party for one of my friend’s birthday!

Talk about ANOTHER great week & weekend. Wingate = the place to be.

Check out the pictures!

The video link is a video that a few of my friends put together. It’s a spoof of a popular YouTube video and really funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkBVqVw5qUg

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

Junior Year

2011-09-09T09:56:15-04:00

My summer break was like a breath of fresh air, as well as a restart button. Going back home to South Africa is humbling to me. It’s a completely different environment where the vibe is more relaxed and the immediate differences, socially and economically, gave me a warm feeling reminding me I was home.

I feel my visit home once a year isn’t enough but I appreciate my time there. I learn the length of time at home isn’t as important as what you do when you’re back home. Two and a half months is a long time; all I needed was enough time to walk my dogs on the beach, go for a surf, and spend time with family and familiar faces. The length of time was a luxury; I even had enough time to miss my mates back here in the US. I’ve certainly made a bunch of great friends within the two years I’ve attended Wingate.

I’m back at college now for my junior year and I’m feeling good about the year ahead. I’ve got a busy class schedule and my swimming practices take up a lot of my time but the routine and constantly being on the go reminds me I’m working towards something and I’m bound to see the benefits. I read on a t-shirt today that “Knowing where you’re going is great but enjoying what you do while getting there is everything.” I have an idea of where I’m going, and the way things are going this year, I think I’m really going to enjoy it.

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Wingate Leadership Institute

2011-09-09T10:12:29-04:00

With school back in full swing I have heard many complaints from my peers about how busy they have become as of late. Many people went from summer vacations and part-time jobs to the full time commitment of school.

However, a group of 44 students decided to pass up their last four weeks of summer and move in early to get a head start on the school year. The Wingate Leadership Institute was one of the most influential programs I have ever had the opportunity to participate in. I, as well as five other peer mentors, had the opportunity to help 38 freshmen mature as students and as people to ensure that they would have the most comfortable college experience as possible.

The beginning of the program was difficult for everyone. Many of us were anxious and excited, but let’s face it, summer break seems much shorter when it is over. Despite the homesickness and trust issues that some of the students displayed, within a week of us meeting it had already felt like we had known each other for years. We quickly became our own little family, and all of the freshmen quickly caught on to how abstract college life can seem compared to being at home.

I loved watching the freshmen grow and develop, and every time I see one of them doing well or witness their appreciation for the program I KNOW I made the right decision to be a part of the program. One of the most surprising parts of the program was my own personal development. Being a peer mentor I felt more obliged to lead by example and practice the principles that I had been teaching the freshmen for three long weeks. I now know I must practice good study habits, stay involved, help others whenever possible, and be a role model because if I don’t I will hear about it 38 different ways.

Nevertheless, I can say that coming back to school early and dedicating my entire day to these students was one of the greatest things I have done at my time here at Wingate University. Seeing all of the potential that the Class of 2015 has ensures that the future of the school is in great hands.

Click here for a photo!

Posted by: Andrew Lipscomb

We Bleed Blue & The Girl Scout Drop Outs

2011-09-09T10:43:34-04:00

Wow! What an exciting, busy, crazy, fun, adjective-filled first few weeks at the ‘Gate!

The first few weeks are always filled with lots of activities and this year was no exception. On top of RA training (which included an awesome ropes course), getting the dorms ready for the incoming freshmen, planning activities, organizing events for the Student Bulldog Club, catching up with friends, and starting classes- there’s been a lot going on. Here’s a LITTLE of what I’ve been doing these last 3 weeks (with pictures)! Be sure to keep checking in to see what kind of exciting things I’ll be doing next!

First off, the picture of a bunch of girls flexing was our “Amazing Race Challenge- Wingate Edition.” The Cannon/Alumni staff (the freshmen girls’ RAs) got together and planned an event for any freshman girl who wanted to find out where things are located on Wingate’s campus! We had them all start in front of Cannon Residence Hall and then sent them to four different places; the football field, soccer field, new Subway restaurant on campus, and to one of the emergency poles scattered around campus. With some stellar prizes on the line, the girls took this very seriously and literally ran between stations! It was a lot of fun and a great way to get to know other girls and spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon!

Click here to see the photo!

The next picture is one of many shots from our first football game vs. Valdosta State. Sadly, we lost in double overtime but the boys did a remarkable job and it was a great game to watch! The Student Bulldog Club, which is basically a spirit club for Wingate athletics, came out in full force to the game! We painted up, put on our Student Bulldog Club t-shirts that say “We Bleed Blue” on the back, and went out to the game to support our Bulldogs! It was tons of fun with lots of cheering and free pizzas for the student section at the end of the first quarter. The picture is one of the “Wingate Morphmen” being tossed up into the air 21 times for the 21 points we scored so far!

Click here to see the photo!

The picture that has girls in sunglasses was our dodgeball team for the “Wingate University Second Annual Dodgeball Tournament”, sponsored by one of the ministries on campus, Campus Outreach. Our team name was “Girl Scout Drop Outs” because we couldn’t think of a name that wasn’t already taken, so we Googled “cool dodgeball team names” and landed on that one. Who knew that was actually a popular search? Anyways, our team lost in the first round to the cross country girls. But, at least we looked good while doing it - check out our hater blockers.

Click here to see the photo!

Finally, this last picture made my week. That is me and yes, Dr. McGee, President of Wingate University. My friend and I were walking around campus taking pictures advertising for Campus Outreach’s weekly meeting called PRIMETIME and just so happened to spot Dr. McGee. We called him over and of course he was more than happy to take a picture with us! That friends is what we call a good day!

Click here to see the photo!

Well, there’s a lot more I could tell, but those have been just a few highlights! Have a great week and check back again soon!

Posted by: Rachel McCullough

Easter

2011-04-27T16:21:13-04:00

Easter weekend is approaching and I’m happy about this. Being on such a small campus, I tend to feel a little claustrophobic at times so the break will be a great opportunity to be off campus for a few days. It’s actually at such great timing as we are coming down the final stretch of this semester, meaning we are getting a little tired and a small break is exactly what we need before the most important part of the semester – our finals.

I’m going down to Myrtle Beach where one of my roommates lives and there are a few of us going. I’m looking forward to waking up so close to the ocean where I’ll be able to walk a block to the beach front and spend the majority of my days down there under the sun and on the sand.

I remember last year when I went to Myrtle Beach for Easter and how refreshing it was to be in a household again where I woke up to the smell of pancakes and warm bagels, knowing that no plans await me and going with the flow is the only way to go.

The candy is also one of the greatest aspects of the holiday. I don’t have this variety of candy back home and I intend to embrace this opportunity, haha. I remember writing on eggs and dipping them in food dye as being one of the family traditions. I also remember that Reece’s, for Easter, produces a ridiculously large peanut butter and chocolate egg that I didn’t buy; however, this year I will not make that mistake, I will invest in that chocolate oasis.

I think this small necessary break will be great and I hope everyone gets to spend time with family and friends.

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Service

2011-04-06T14:12:33-04:00

This hasn’t often been the topic of my day-to-day conversation because it hasn’t really ever been on my mind. However, service is one of Wingate’s top priorities. From freshman year all freshmen are required to enroll in a service activity such as Habitat for Humanity. Sororities and fraternities are probably the most involved parties when it comes to service; they are busy all the time. They organize several per month and the activities they plan in order to raise the money and awareness are usually a great success.

As I mentioned, it wasn’t a priority of mine, it wasn’t even on my mind until I was pushed into it. This was necessarily done by my swim team. Every sports team on campus has to do their bit in voluntary service for the community. Ours happens to be an event we host called the Special Olympics. The event entails each swimmer looking after a designated special athlete. These athletes possess various disabilities, be it mental or physical. There is a specific day of the “Olympics” that we all gather our athletes and prepare them for race day. The races range from assisted short distance swims to races from a dive off the starting blacks; it depends on the athletes willingness and ability. It is up to us to connect with the athlete in order to teach them a few skills in time for the races. We meet with them every Thursday for 4 consecutive weeks and in this time spend 45 minutes with them in the water.

Due to me not being familiar with such a program, I wasn’t enthusiastic about it. I didn’t know if I would be all that comfortable and I was evidently hesitant. But boy, was I wrong! These kids are fun! I thought it would take me a few days to become accustomed to them and get a better understanding but that’s not the case; they are just so enthusiastic and so excited to be with us in the water. By the time my first session was over I was completely rejuvenated. The boy I was looking after made me so tired because he wanted to do so much in the water; he kept me thinking of new games and exercises for his swimming technique. I should have been exhausted but my guy put me in such a good mood. I thought I would have to do all the work when it came to conversation and not making it awkward or wondering how I could keep communicating but he did everything. It was lovely seeing someone so carefree and happy doing something he wanted to do. It makes me wonder why I don’t embrace that everyday…

It’s been a year since the last Special Olympics and this year’s is on its way. We are already up to our second practice and my man, Adrian, has improved significantly since last year. I’m proud of him.

It’s not often we opt to move out of our comfort zone in order to benefit someone else, especially someone we don’t know. But without preaching, I ask you to give it a try once in a while. Just give in to it and see how you can assist someone in need. Chances are, if you’re in that position, you’re better off than they are and they could use your assistance. There really isn’t a need to be afraid; instead try keeping in mind the feeling after you have accomplished helping someone out. It is liberating. You will end up asking yourself why you hadn’t done this before or why it’s been so long.

Everyone needs to be pushed out of their own comfort zone. It is often how success is achieved. If I use athletes as an example, during their season athletes may reach a plateau. This is where the athlete reaches a certain point via maximum effort and they feel they can go no further. At this stage the athlete needs assistance and the assistance comes in many forms depending on the athlete profile, but no matter which way the athlete acquires their assistance they will have to step above their comfort zone to push past the plateau. This can be applied to many aspects of life and if you have the will power to push yourself out of your own comfort zone, you are a special person and I hope you do just that. You will be benefiting yourself by growing as an individual but at the same time you may not even realize the impact you have made on the person you have just helped. You may have given them a newly restored hope and you may have been an inspiration.

Please, go be that person. You owe it to yourself.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Off-Season

2011-03-24T10:39:46-04:00

It feels weird when I think that my sophomore swim season is already over. I’m halfway through my college swimming experience – that’s crazy!

It’s really been such a great season though. I’ve enjoyed the new freshmen and the team has become a brilliant group. The fact that we had such a successful season is just a bonus. It’s what we did within the season that was most important. It’s much like the saying, “It’s not the destination that counts, it’s what you did along the journey.” Well, along our journey we soldiered on and became a close-knit group that now shares tremendous memories of another season together. A college swim season is a long and grueling one. The breaks are minimal and the hours in the pool are maximum. But it’s not the hours in the pool that count, it’s the majority of our time spent outside the water that really plays a big role in our season. It’s evident in our performance whether we did our best outside the water and if the choices we made will aid us in achieving our goals we set during preseason.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, it’s a liberating feeling knowing that I can walk away from this season with my head held high because I feel an overwhelming sense of achievement that I can share with my close teammates and that all our hard work has paid off. The next best feeling to that is being able to celebrate off-season. However short our break is, it’s going to be enjoyed!

It feels so weird not having something going on between 3 and 7 pm. My days are so long now. I wonder what I would’ve done if I had this extra time every day… To be honest, I really don’t want to do anything with this extra time, right now. I want to do as much of nothing as possible. Just the feeling of not having to rush to the gym or pool straight after class feels so good and walking to wherever I want to go now, at the pace I want, feels great. This mental and physical rest is necessary and now that the sun is coming out and the weather is heating up, it’s make everything a whole lot better. It’s perfect timing. Spring is upon us, the rest of the students are back from spring break, everything seems to be more festive with this change in weather and I have all the time in the world.

I want to say congratulations to the Wingate swim team on such a successful season. Thank you to our support squad and all the parents who are there for us and cheer us on; you guys are great.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Education

2011-03-09T10:41:31-04:00

I’m starting to appreciate the fundamentals of a liberal arts university. I’m realizing that in this period of my life, I’ve never been in greater need of a broader education.

Coming from a foreign school of thought relating to higher education, I’ve always been in favor of choosing a major and pursuing it thoroughly until graduation without any waste of time. Through slight ignorance I viewed the liberal arts system I was about to enter as a waste of a large amount of time, time that my friends back home will capitalize on and pull ahead of me in the field of our interest. I wasn’t interested in the studies of religion, history, literature or whatever was about to stand in my way of gaining knowledge in my major. I had just finished high school and the thought of being institutionalized again wasn’t top priority but at least knowing that it would be to my benefit and increase my knowledge of the topic I share a passion for was a help. I wanted to “get in there,” learn and get out. Wasting my time on random topics of studies that are not of choice was a bleak thought for me.

I was wrong and consequently I was wrong for the majority of my freshman year. I was willing to embrace and, in fact, enthusiastic to embrace new experiences and cultures but I didn’t employ this view to my education. I simply went through the motions and did what was necessary to pass and sometimes not comfortably. I was missing the point of the studies from the professors who were so passionate about their content. Being blinded by a biased point of view installed in me from back home, I was missing out on the brilliant content in front of me. I’m not saying that the thought of education and education back home is bad; no, it’s of the highest standards globally. It was my fault to not look past the normal path I was on and to embrace my new experience with enthusiasm and with an open mind.

I was reminded of the significance of the schooling system the other morning when a retired professor spoke to me of how he hated picking up his literature and having to study them for the required assignments but now that he has the time he can’t put them down. He said he wished he had taken the time back then and actually looked past the requirements and deadlines and by initiative see what the text really was conveying and find the potential lessons to be learned.

I realize I’m not qualified to say which schools of education should be implemented or how to go about it by combing certain aspects of each to create the most beneficial system but I am learning and comparing them. I’m also grateful that I have realized I’d be wasting my time if didn’t embrace the benefits of what my education offers me.

Despite all the benefits in the world, I’ve also experienced the downfalls of overexposure to deadlines, assignments and examinations. My stress levels have peaked and my lack of sleep may be showing. Now I’m going to enjoy my well deserved spring break.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Anticipation for Summer

2011-03-04T10:52:46-04:00

It’s been too long! I feel like I’ve been exposed to the winter season for several years now – I’m looking for the sun.

I want to spend afternoons lounging at the Jefferson pool. I want to be able to play volleyball in the sun, with music blaring from some Jefferson apartment nearby, while people are splashing around in the pool. I want to throw a football on the lawns and catch Frisbees ‘til late evening without worrying about it being too dark or too cold. I want to take weekly trips to the campus lake with the girls packing picnics and lads barbecuing in the shade. I want to road trip to the coast and spend a weekend at a friend’s house near the sea so I can wake up to the smell of fresh sea breeze and the sound of waves breaking on the shoreline. Finally, I want to start each day off by waking up because the sun is beaming through my blinds and not due to the sound of my dreary alarm.

No season brings greater joy to me than the summer. It reminds me of back home when I would spend hours on end in the waves on my surfboard under the intense African sun. My dogs would be running as far as they could see and the atmosphere on the beach would be one to experience, not to describe. It all acts as a recharge button for me and I’ve needed a long overdue recharge session.

Winter has served me well with many days in under blankets catching up on great movies and readings, as well as perfect conditions for studying. Winter provides great opportunity for a lot of work to be done but it’s now time to have fun. It’s time to see faces of sun-kissed skin, board shorts, bikinis, sunglasses and sunsets. Worries fade away when you’re having fun under the sun. There is no sweating the small stuff when you’re sipping on something cold and going with the flow – just cruising.

All those heading off for the spring break soon – enjoy it! Go crazy, try new experiences, meet new people and make memories. Go recharge those batteries; just make sure you make it back safely.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Swimming Conference

2011-03-03T11:35:03-04:00

Last week we (the Wingate swim team) made our way to Charlotte where our annual conference championship is hosted. It’s been a long season and the preparation had taken place to make sure all the swimmers would be at their peak performances for the championship. It’s really quite a fun event, despite all the pressures that go along with it. It is the last meet of the year where the whole team is together in full force cheering each other on. The seniors of all the teams competing in the conference get acknowledged on the last day, which adds to the festive environment, and it gives the parents of the seniors an opportunity to be involved in some way.

Going into the championship we knew it was once again going to be another battle for the title of conference champions. The men’s team has achieved that title 3 years in a row and I was able to be part of that winning team last year in my freshman year. It was a brilliant moment when they announced it to the crowd that we were the 2010 conference champions; it made me so eager to feel that again this year going in. The competition was tough, there was a wide spread of talent and we were matched in every event. But it took us one day, the first day, to capitalize on victories. The girls were swimming very well, my relay team won, the distance swimmers won, I won my 50 yard freestyle and the team came together in realization of what we were capable of over the next few days ahead of us.

As the meet went on it was evident our closest competitor was the Johns Hopkins team. We were able to focus on our own tasks at hand instead of their results and we came out on top. Toward the end of the finals of the last night, it was evident that we were ahead in the points. All that was left was the relay and even if they were able to beat us they still wouldn’t be able to win the overall champion title. It was a liberating feeling, knowing the four of us could go out there and simply enjoy our last relay. I was very proud when we stepped up to the plate and still put forward our best efforts and achieved a great time, as well as the first place.

I was very pleased with my own efforts. Out of my 7 events I got 6 golds and one silver. The icing on the top, though, was the champion trophy we were awarded with at the end of the meet.

It’s a beautiful thing when an athlete gets to experience the internal reward he/she has been fighting for all season. It’s a reward one cannot flaunt, nor can they express its full impact but it is the reason we do what we do all year long. It’s a rejuvenation which no drug could ever accommodate you with, and the Wingate swim team experienced it for the fourth time that Saturday.

Go Bulldogs!

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Senior Day Meet

2011-02-02T16:04:39-04:00

The swim team hosted Emory University on Saturday for our last in-season swim meet of the year. There were several reasons why this meet was important to my team; firstly, it was our last in-season swim meet which meant we wanted to go out with a bang and a real confidence booster before we start preparing for the conference championship and national championship. The second reason is we were swimming Emory University. I respect Emory as a competitor and they are a very good one; we have been unable to beat them in the past and they, therefore, remained one of our toughest competition. The third reason is that the day really was about the seniors on our team – it was the Senior Day meet and we bid them farewell on their last meet on home ground.

A few of us on the team remember the sad feeling of losing so narrowly to the Emory swim team of last year and how bitter the bus ride home was. We all knew it meant a lot to our seniors and coaching staff to win that meet, but unfortunately on that day, Emory was simply the stronger team. I cannot fail to mention they had a men’s diving team, and that was something we did not have; this inevitably hurt us in the points tally.

However, we made sure our freshmen and newcomers to the team understood the importance of the day to come during the weeks leading up to the meet. We had done our research on the team and found that we were fairly evenly matched, with the argument of many that on paper they were the stronger team. Nevertheless, this was not a day for us to roll over, and our coaches made sure of this.

Saturday came and we were ready. We started off with the 200 medley relay. I was on the breaststroke leg and I swam a great in-season split; it was enough to gain a small lead on which we capitalized and won. Starting off the meet like that put us on a level and we stayed on that level. We kept pushing through and made sure we gained as many points as possible. I was pleased with my win in the 100 breaststroke and my fellow teammates were great support. As a team we did a great job; we swam hard for each other and we supported each other through the meet. It was enough, in fact, it was more than enough because once again, Emory brought a men’s diving team to gain points over us; however, we had pulled so far ahead that their diving team could not make up the difference.

On Saturday we were the stronger team. It was the first time we had beat Emory and I hope to make it a tradition. I know our seniors had a great time and fortunately some of them were even able to share the celebrations with their parents.

Our coaches were thrilled and the team walked away ready for our preparations for Conference and Nationals.

I want to wish my team the best of luck for what lies ahead. It is the final stretch of the season but it is the most important. Everything leads up to this, so let’s stay focused and be there for each other. Good luck!

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Wingate, My Second Home

2011-01-28T14:42:47-04:00

Even though it’s my second year here at Wingate, I still find it strange how soon I began to start calling this place “home.” My home is in Constantia, in the city of Cape Town – South Africa. It’s a beautiful place. It’s where I eventually want to settle down and let my roots grow. I feel it has close to everything I need. I not only say this because it’s where I grew up, but because I’ve seen a fair amount of other countries including Australia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Mauritius and now America. This has allowed me to see a fraction of what is out there and it’s helping me realize what I want in life, and at the same time it clarifies that what I have at home is pretty good.

Being so far away from home, I can’t help but miss it during quiet occasions when I have time to reflect; however, most of the time I’m completely occupied to the max. Between class, homework, swimming practice and competition and a social life, it’s hard to find a spare minute, but when I do my thoughts drift to images and memories of home. This is why I find it strange that I still call Wingate “home” without realizing it. It must be from all the activities I’m involved in and the people I have come to know so closely; it creates a family away from family and thus a home away from home. My new “home” now consists of my room which I share with a great roommate as well as the rest of my apartment which I share with 6 other guys. One would consider this to be an extremely awkward family. Instead of it being quiet and a place for retreat and relaxation, it’s permanently noisy; my dining room table has been modified to a ping pong table, the washing machine and dishwasher seem to be permanently in use and all five TVs are played at high volume covering various sports news updates and the latest entertainment shows. I live in Africa but I’m positive that the entire elephant population has migrated to the apartment above me. In order to get to my apartment one has to skilfully move him or herself along the pathways that are covered in ice right now. At the same time they may have to dodge the different sporting apparel being thrown down from above and all other directions from the sportsmen occupying the surrounding apartments. It’s truly a madhouse! But I’ve come to love it.

My home away from home may not be quaint and blissful but right now there is no other way I’d rather have it.

Posted by: Rory Julyan

My Christmas Break

2011-01-20T16:47:58-04:00

I hadn’t had a break that I felt I deserved more than this recent Christmas break. Exams took quite the toll on me, and my swimming schedule carried on through the exams as well as the lead up to it. It mat have been the overall stress but familiar faces were beginning to be a little too familiar; a break was long overdue.

The day of my last exam I set off for Raleigh, NC to visit my freshman year roommate. We spent a few days in his town house near the NC State campus before heading to Kansas. I truly had no idea what awaited me in Kansas. I had been told by a few of several details of the “flat” land state of America. I was told it was deserted arid land run by cowboys on horseback, with permanent gray skies and no water to be seen for miles on end. Boy, were they wrong! It’s such a lovely state. It’s earned the title of natural beauty because it hasn’t been ruined by the fatal actions of unsuccessful modernization. The change from the natural rural landscape to the downtown Kansas City is not a sudden change, leaving a viewer with a brash image; no, the change is pleasant as you drive along into a cosy looking neighbourhood and the following neighbourhoods all carry a certain “homey” feel to it. The old architecture has been well up-kept and it sets the scene for your entry into the old characteristic city. The streets were beautifully lit up for Christmas, from lamp poles to the majority of buildings. Even the horse carriages shaped in pumpkins were covered in bright lights.

My highlight of visiting downtown was a toss up between the outside ice rink under the fairy lights covering the surrounding trees and the old Kansas City train station. I think you have to be inside the enormous train station to understand why it made an impact on my visit.

My days were filled with activity! The house we stayed in had a log cabin feel to it and it overlooked Lake Winnebago. The family we stayed with also had a barn a few miles down the road with a good amount of land extending along another lake. In the barn were 5 horses, a dirt bike, a golf cart and a go-cart. Needless to say, it was a playground for all ages. It was my first time on a dirt bike and trails had been made wide enough for us to ride the go-cart along it as well. It had been so long since I last rode a horse; it was a great feeling riding in a western saddle at the horse’s fastest canter after watching a John Wayne movie the night before! Shooting shotguns was a new experience for me; I was so excited! Clay pigeon shooting is great fun. It took a few attempts but I got the hang of it and it became slightly addicting.

My time in Kansas was brilliant and I couldn’t have asked for a better getaway, but it wasn’t all fun and games. I had to workout and swim to maintain fitness because on the 29th I was on a plane en route to Orlando, FL for our annual swim team training trip. It was brutal-13 days of doubles (two practices a day) with the exception of New Year’s Day. We averaged 14-16 thousand yards a day, with weightlifting and dry-land practises following pool practises. I’m sure we’re (swim team) all grateful for it because we came back in great shape and are ready to end our season in top form.

We were fortunately able to make it back on campus the night before the large snowfall.

I wish everyone luck for the semester ahead and may this new semester be an eventful one.

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Thanksgiving, oh thanksgiving!

2010-11-23T15:45:07-04:00

This is by far my favorite American holiday. Family, FOOD, reflection and relaxation. There is no better timing for this holiday.

I am so pleased materialism has not gotten the better of this pleasant holiday. I’ve only been able to experience thanksgiving once but I was so fortunate enough to spend it with the family I did. It was actually so close to what I predicted it to be and I had some high expectations. I was in a big house in a lovely suburb, one large extended family all staying under the same roof, copious amounts of food and great conversations around the table. I think my experience may be the reason I am such a fan of this holiday.

I was introduced to new food that I hadn’t had before and the abundance of it all made it so much better. My favorite now and what I’m looking forward to most are the sweet potatoes with melted marshmallows on top with a topping of cinnamon. This dish would usually seem like a dessert dish to me as a foreigner but it’s served with the main meal and it goes perfectly with it. The cafeteria has in fact done a great job with this meal within the last 2 years and the thanksgiving dinner presented to us the other night was an absolute teaser for what is about to come.

Of course, nothing can top off a great meal better than a delicious pie; pumpkin pie, pecan pie, whatever your choice, it’s going to do the trick. I couldn’t help myself, I had to have both and I intend on enjoying both in a few days. The great thing about this day is that no one feels awkward about the amount of food they eat; in fact, it’s encouraged! The whole environment, with the help of family, allows you to feel comfortable getting involved in the festivities and food because afterward it’s relaxation time – major relax time. Football is on and everyone is so full; it’s the perfect time to just kick back and sink into a couch.

This was of course from my previous experience and I’m sure many families may have a few traditions of their own; either way, I employ the idea of you getting involved with family and enjoying this holiday. It’s really one not to be taken for granted. Even though it’s not a holiday I am used to celebrating, I still wish I had the fortune of having my family near to celebrate it with them. So remember you have much to be thankful for.

All those leaving campus, travel safely and don’t rush. You’ll have plenty of time with your closest ones. Have a great holiday guys.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Homecoming Weekend

2010-11-08T16:57:51-04:00

I thoroughly enjoy events that bring old acquaintances together along with good friends in the spirit of festivities. Homecoming was one of those perfect events; it brought family, alumni, teachers and friends together over one festive weekend.

The weekend was filled with events taking pace all over campus. There were several sporting events, with football being the main attraction sport; there was a parade, barbeque and evening events. There really was an event or two for everyone. Alumni, family and friends started arriving on Friday and upon arrival there was something for them to do in order to get the weekend rolling or simply to break the ice. I was slightly envious, being an international student, but it was still great to see all the parents who were able to make it. They were able to see what their kids have been up to and they got a glimpse of their college life for a few days. It was great seeing faculty getting involved in the festivities and getting caught up in the vibe. It’s not often your able to see them outside the environment of the lectures.

Being a sophomore, I had not been acquainted with the majority of the alumni. Fortunately I had remembered a few from my freshman year but the best part of their visiting, was the company of the seniors from last year and in particular my old teammates and captains. It’s a great thing, seeing them again and especially after a few months when they’ve been able to assess their new paths in life. They all had a few interesting tales to tell and those who had been travelling told theirs with intriguing details.

Unfortunately I was not able to take part in the activities of Friday night. I was with the team travelling to Pfeiffer University for our Friday night swim meet. We made the trip worthwhile and we dominated. When we arrived back on campus, we caught a glimpse of the remains of the bonfire. I heard it was pretty cool and that those who went to it later joined the lads manning the pig roast over at the football field. The poor bugger had been roasting all Friday until the afternoon of the Saturday football game. There was a terrific turnout for the game. Wingate was out in full force and the tailgating was awesome. My mates and I joined our alumni in the swimming tent for snacks and a catch-up on the previous night’s endeavours. We also wondered around to mingle with other teams and graduates from last year. The game was a good one and the win, of course, raised the spirits of everyone (besides the opposing team…). The halftime events included flame-throwing dancers, elected individuals along with Homecoming King and Queen, and my teammates and I were brought up onto the 50-yard line and recognized for our All-American awards, National Champion awards and three-time conference champions award.

After all that, it was really only the halfway point of the festive weekend. The rest involved the majority of the festivities. Families joined other families and celebrated together with their kids; teams got together for various functions and everyone was getting dressed up in their Halloween costumes. I must say I appreciated all the alumni who joined in on the costume action – it showed great spirit.

All in all, it was quite the successful weekend and I’m truly looking forward to the next Homecoming.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

The Importance of the First Throw-Down

2010-10-22T13:36:44-04:00

Whenever you are about to begin a new chapter in your life, be it in work, your first semester in college, a new relationship with someone special or the beginning of a sports season, there will always be that first test – the first throw-down. It may be a new experience or an experience that is familiar to you; nevertheless a test will come around and if it is your first test in your new chapter, you’re going to want to “hit it out of the park.”

I have my first test coming up. It’s relatively familiar to me since its my second season in my college sport but it’s the first meet of the season and to me, no matter how many times I go through this, it still feels like it’s the first time ever. This may not be the case for you and maybe nerves never play a role in your ventures in life, but no matter how you deal with pressured situations, there is such importance as to the manner in which you handle your first test. Your first test sets you off for your chapter ahead and I’m quite sure we’d all appreciate a little head start or moral booster for whatever awaits us in the future. This is why attitude is the first and foremost important aspect that must be dealt with when approaching your first test. Not everyone walks away a winner but everyone can walk away with their heads held high, you just need to know how. It really doesn’t matter if your first test is coming up in the near future like mine, or if it has recently passed; they are both great opportunities to assess yourself and your current abilities, strengths and weaknesses. A positive attitude starts with assessment and the attitude cannot be obtained nor sustained without full understanding as to where you are and where you want to be. So, take some time, look back or look in the mirror and ask yourself did I approach that correctly? How did I handle myself? Was I prepared? Was I confident? Is that how I would like to perform the next time? Or ask yourself, am I ready for what is to come? Have I put in the work necessary? What are my strengths that I can capitalize on? What are my weaknesses that may hold me back?

Confidence may not rush to you immediately when asking yourself such potent questions but that is alright because you would have already made a step forward toward your success by assessing your current position. By being true to yourself, you will know where you stand and what you have to address and how to address it. As you put the effort in, just the way you have by starting the process, you will be gaining that positive attitude and when that “mountain” approaches you will soon see the possibility of a throw-down that will boost you and fill you with confidence for whatever lies ahead.

My first test has been looming for a while now and it will finally be here on Sunday. I have not been feeling confident about it for all that long, until recently when I realized that I need not worry about the test itself; the more I speak of It, the bigger it seems. Instead, I have chosen to focus on myself and my strengths, and I have a new found confidence; my teammates and I have put in the hours of quality and we know how to stand strong, shoulder to shoulder, so when the throw-down comes, we will be ready.

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Social Networking

2010-10-14T16:13:40-04:00

This Friday, I attempted to go watch the movie Wall Street; however, I was going with friends and I didn’t have a car and it turned out the the only cinema showing Wall Street was too far away. So over a vote we ended up going to Social Networking (the movie about the invention of Facebook). And if you don’t know what Facebook is, then maybe it’s time to start getting out a little more or become properly acquainted with college life.

Well, I wasn’t too keen on the idea of watching this movie but I had nothing else planned for the night so I just tagged along. Boy, am I stoked I went! What an awesome movie… I’m sure the movie doesn’t appeal to everyone but for those who actually understand it, I’m pretty sure they were blown away at some point, be it Mark Zuckerberg’s witty intellectual comments or the “actual” story behind the invention or the planning and scheming of those who wanted a piece of the action or even the ending when his net worth and donations are revealed.

This movie wasn’t only a great Hollywood creation, it also explained how our generation, as some call it the “Facebook generation,” have been so influenced by this internet site. Some may argue it’s for communication purposes, some for simply keeping updated by browsing friends’ photos and others believe it’s there for our status and image, as explained in the movie. I believe it’s for all those things and maybe more. We cannot ignore the impact Facebook has had on our lives thus far. I also think this is only the beginning; like most great inventions, it inspires others that may complement it or one day replace it. I am no Facebook addict, nor am I in awe of it for I do see many negative externalities that come with the networking website, but I cannot ignore the opportunities that have been created and the potential opportunities that come with it.

This is a topic I would love to hear some feedback on. Please, readers, send me your thoughts on what you think about Facebook. I’m not talking about the often discussed topics; I’m talking about issues that have been bothering you when it comes to Facebook or why you feel it will prove to be the next greatest invention. If you’ve seen the movie please tell me what you thought of it and if you have any questions for me.

Much appreciated.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Fall Break

2010-09-24T14:57:18-04:00

The topic of fall break is in the air. As I walk along corridors, down main pathways and hang out in apartments, I hear chit-chat and the plans that go along with the upcoming fall break. I feel the majority of students would stand beside me in saying that fall break could not come any sooner; however, some would certainly feel that the break is coming too soon and that things are only getting started.

For me, I am already in need of some peace and quiet. I look forward to stepping out of the routine and deadlines and instead, wake up when the sun shines through the window and onto my face. I also hope that that sun only shines through after 10:00 am… maybe it’s because my swimming training is really starting to pick up with the 2-a-day sessions and the lack of sleep due to my late re-adjustment to college life. The work load isn’t getting any easier either; in fact, quite the contrary. Teachers are starting to lose their sympathy for newcomers and the quizzes, tests and projects are rolling through.

Please try not to perceive this negatively, I am not trying to escape from the hard work and run away forever; instead, I’m looking forward to something. A few of my closest mates and I head down to Myrtle Beach each year for our fall break. I say it as though we’ve been doing it for the last decade; however, we’ve only done it once and it was a massive success. Everything went brilliantly from the trip down to the beach, our plans for each day or lack thereof, to our long easy ride back. It’s been a highlight to me and I can speak on behalf of my friends in saying we’ve been looking forward to the next fall break since the day we got back from the first one. I hadn’t put my finger on it and neither had I thought about why we had such a great time and why we made a promise to go back the following year. It was only during this previous summer break, when I was browsing through my pictures of my first year in college and the experiences that went along with it. I saw our pictures and the pattern was a periodic one. It was evident we weren’t all that well acquainted with each other and knew very little about each one’s background. But as the break went on and relationships grew due to long crazy nights and lazy days on the beach, it became evident in the photos and it hit me. We didn’t seem to be best friends or anything close to it but as the days went on it seemed as though we couldn’t have been happier.

I don’t want to make it sound like a cheesy story where a bunch of friends went away for a short holiday and came back great friends. I’m saying that we took a chance and it turned out for the best.

We all had a long, tough first year at college ahead of us and we had only had a glimpse of what was still to come, just before fall break. Our coaches seemed terrifying; our work load seemed daunting. We imagined a mountain ahead of us. But the break was all we really needed. It was enough to build great friendships, which is an asset during the year when you need someone to lean on during the rough patches. We are all on the same team and practices didn’t seem so terrifying anymore.

Unfortunately, not everything turns out the way we want it to and one of our closest and craziest companions had to leave us in order to attend another school. It wasn’t what he wanted but his major was only offered at that school and therefore the move was necessary. This is another reason why I am so looking forward to fall break because he will be joining us once again and for the second time we will all be back up in our traditional holiday location, just as we promised a year ago. It makes it all a bit more meaningful, knowing that our actions and follow through of plans reflect our value for the friendship we have built. Despite our heavy and different schedules, we are all able to keep our word without burden.

I really hope that all my fellow students will take this break and use it. Go out and recharge those batteries. Break loose from the hustle and bustle and make sure when the break comes to an end, you are ready for what lies ahead. Take a chance, invite your roommate to your house or accept an invitation.

My quote for the break is: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

For all those traveling, please travel safely.

Rorz

Posted by: Rory Julyan

Taking the Positive Approach

2010-09-09T16:25:09-04:00

My schedule is a full one, and last year as a freshman it took me some time to adjust and made me appreciate the time off, especially at the end of last semester when I was able to go home and visit my friends and family. But my time off didn’t necessarily mean kicking back completely and vegging on the couch. Oh no! I was in the heart of the Soccer World Cup! Cape Town, where I live, had the most impressive and most expensive stadium and it was magnificent. It’s placed on the water’s edge of the Atlantic Ocean and overlooks much of my town's splendor.

I have attached a photo of the stadium lit up at night in the background of the Cape Town night life.

It was such a festive season and almost every morning there was a tale to be told of the night before. Despite the festiveness, I was able to break away from all the “buzz” and have a little alone time among the waves I had missed so dearly during my freshman year. I made sure I had time to surf at least 2-3 times a week, and it allowed me to unwind and fuel myself for my sophomore year ahead.

I'm sure the majority of the foreign students would agree with me in saying that leaving home is not an easy process but a necessary one. There's a feeling that I’ve missed out on much back home during my school year and I try to make up for it when I get back, but there's only so much you can do and before you know it, it's time for round 2 at the “Gate.” My positive approach this year should give me the upper hand. I have also gained knowledge from my freshman experiences and dealings with friends and family relationships. I’m confident about this year and I wish all my mates on campus the best of luck for the year ahead.

Posted by: Rory Julyan