Liv Laugh Love

2016 is certainly a year that won’t soon be forgotten for its overall ~ridiculousness~, but even though 2016 was arguably one of the worst years on a global scale, it was also sprinkled with quite a few shining moments. This past year for me personally was one of fun, firsts, and, growth. Here’s a look at my 2016 (with pictures!): January At the start of the year, I was just beginning the second semester of my sophomore year and I started my term as Executive Vice President in Sigma Kappa! To brainstorm ideas and get to know each other better, the newly-elected Executive Council all traveled to Chicago for a Regional Leadership Conference at the end of the month. At the start of this position, I had no idea how much I would learn. One of Sigma Kappa’s values is personal growth, and this has always been my favorite value of ours because of the ways I’ve seen myself grow in my two exec positions. Becoming EVP came with a huge change in workload and responsibility, and that led to

Over fall break, my mom and I decided to take a trip to New York City. Ever since my entire family visited the city five years ago, I couldn’t wait for a chance to return to the Big Apple. In front of Rockefeller Plaza, where we later watched people skate on the ice rink. After an early-morning flight out of Indianapolis, we arrived in New York with a full day ahead of us. Not wanting to waste any time, my mom and I dropped off our bags at the hotel and set out to the High Line, a Monon-trail type public park that extends for almost 1.5 miles over the city. At the end of the park, we visited Chelsea Market, an artsy indoor area complete with arches covered in fairy lights and full of jewelry merchants, comical political-themed gift shops, and lots of unique food stands. Even though it was raining, we still had fun on the high line. In my opinion, the New York City experience is not complete without seeing at least one Broadway show. For this trip, we were lucky enoug

A couple of days ago my Facebook page showed me my post from two years ago when I first started college. Even my mom sent a screenshot of the photo of her and me in front of my freshman year dorm. Neither of us can believe how quickly the past two years have flown by. It’s true what they say: four years go fast. With my junior year of college starting in just a few short days, I’m finally getting more excited for the year to start. Among the opportunities I’m most looking forward to this fall semester are the classes in my major that I finally get to take. Although I love my major, I sometimes find myself in interesting situations with my classes due to the fact that I’m one of about seven in my major and concentration. In some instances, I’ve signed up for my required courses, only for them to be cancelled because not enough people have signed up. I optimistically signed up for two courses this semester that are essential for my major, and my lack of emails from the Engli

When nine months out of your year are taken up by classes, exams, and other time-consuming responsibilities, summer is undoubtedly the best time to travel. Whether you study abroad, travel with family, or go on a day trip with friends, getting out and exploring is one of the best opportunities summertime has to offer. This summer I have been fortunate enough to travel a few different times, both internationally and within the United States. May: London, England and Paris, France My summer exploration started two days into the summer when I boarded a plane for Europe. Last semester I took an Honors course about English/French literature and art in the 1920s. As part of the course, the nine students in the class got to travel for almost two weeks around England and France. After dreaming of visiting London for years and years, I was so excited when this opportunity presented itself at the very beginning of the school year. Over the 12 days of our trip, we ventured a

It’s hard to believe that in just over two weeks, it will once again be time to leave Ball State and go home for the summer. Before I came to college, everyone told me that the four years fly by. Although I was skeptical at first, I can’t help but think they were right. Soon I will be halfway through my college career, and it still seems like there are places on campus that I don’t know how to find. After a very eventful year, I have an equally lively final two weeks. This weekend I will be hanging out with my friends at the Late Nite Carnival (Friday) and my sorority formal (Saturday). Next week my mom will come to campus for a mom’s weekend! Then, I will have just a few last minute papers and projects to turn in before I’m ready for finals week! This past semester, I’ve gotten the chance to be an intern in the Writing Center at Ball State. I started off observing other tutors, then I worked my way up to having my own tutoring sessions with clients! Along with the practicum, I

Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of mentors. When you think about it, almost everyone has a person that they look up to, inspire to be, or maybe even idolize. This person can be a parent, an older sibling, a peer, a celebrity, or really anyone you interact with. Throughout history, every great mind had some form of mentor. Even the people we think to be largely successful on their own had a person who they looked up to and helped them become the person they did. Within my major, we talk a lot about Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. All great minds in their own right, each one looked up to the philosopher that came before them. Plato idolized his teacher, Socrates, so much that he often wrote Socrates into his works and portrayed him as an all-knowing individual who was never wrong. I really enjoy thinking about the fact that all three of these men served as both a mentor and a "mentee," almost like they’re in a cycle. Maybe I’m just a nerd, but eve

When I went through recruitment over one year ago, I distinctly remember a member of Sigma Kappa mentioning the words “Greek family.” Back then, I had no idea what those words meant. Even once she explained to me that a Greek family was comprised of your big sister and little sister, I still did not understand the entire concept. One year later, I am so incredibly thankful for the girls who I call my Greek fam. This post is dedicated to the beautiful ladies of my own Greek family: Big : You and I are kind of unlikely friends. We met within the first week of becoming sisters. We bonded over our love for monograms, writing, and mozzarella sticks, and for some reason or another, we just clicked. I have you to thank for introducing me to some of my very first friends in Sigma Kappa. You always support me in whatever I do, and you give great advice. The night of big/little reveal just one year ago was one of the best and most exciting of my life! You are my role model for fashi

At a gathering on New Year’s Eve, I was asked to reflect on something good from my year in 2015, and to look ahead towards something I am looking forward to for 2016. As we went around the table sharing our answers, I found it very difficult to narrow it down to just one event for each. It was in this moment, as I came closer and closer to being the next person to speak, that I realized this is not such a terrible problem to have. I am extremely blessed with the people in my life, as well as the many opportunities I was presented in 2015. In 2015, I embraced leadership positions in my sorority, Sigma Kappa, as well as expanded relationships with my sisters. Panhellenic Delegate  →  following our elections in November of 2014, I was set to be a part of the programming board for my second semester of freshman year. However, in January of 2015, the position of Panhellenic Delegate opened up and I was nominated by another leader in our chapter to fill the position. After I was sel