2007-2008: Andrea Uvanni

Back Home for a Weekend.

This weekend is parents weekend at Norwich, but instead of my parents coming up, I came home.  I did some visiting last night with my relatives, but didn't get to see any friends from highschool.  A lot of my friends from High School were at our highschool's Homecoming Weekend Football game.  Tonight is the Homecoming Semi-Formal, but I don't think too many of my friends will be going to that since we're meeting for a bon fire instead. 

This morning is being spent drinking coffee and doing Laundry.  It gets annoying spending $3 for every load of laundry on campus.  Instead of packing clothes for the weekend, I just brought my dirty laundry.  This weekend I plan on watching Dr. Who (a BBC show on the SciFi channel), pick grapes and go shopping.  I did some shopping last weekend, but wasn't very successful in finding a dress for the Regimental Ball.... I did though find a very cute cocktail sorta dress.  It's white with black embroidery, strappless and about knee length. 

This weekend should be fun, I'll be headed back to Campus Sunday afternoon. 

Things start settling down.

Now that classes have started and I'm kinda in the swing of things, I've got a schedule set up.

One of the things I wanted to do in College was be a little more outgoing, and to get involved.  I think I've accomplished both of those.  I not only have a good group of friends, but I'm involved in a lot of the things I had wanted to, though not all of them since there probably wouldn't be enough time in the day even if i didn't have homework.  I am currently a member of the Student Government Association, DREAM (a child mentoring program), Society of Women Engineers, and my work study - Service Learning Center. 

For Student Government Association, I am the New Vice President of Student Activities.  My current tasks include organizing a student activities council to help brainstorm, vote and organize ideas for around campus.  And I am also in the phase of planning a Halloween Party for all students on campus.  The DREAM mentoring program is designed to have students be role models for younger children in the surrounding communities.  I am the Treasurer for DREAM and we will be doing events every Friday where we need to purchase food or supplies for these events.  As a member of the Society of Women Engineers, I am currently waiting to hear on an opportunity to design and teach a partial AutoCAD course to highschool students. 

and Finally, my work study.  I am a Service learning Scholar for the Service Learning Center on campus, and am responsible for talking about, brainstorming, planning, organizing and implementing activities that combine community service and learning together for students and the local community.  I think that this will prove to be a challenging yet highly entertaining job, and I look forward to really getting into my work.

on top of the clubs, orgnization and my work study, I have been keeping up on my homework and helping students with Chemistry in the library before our first exam (which happened this morning).  I think i did really well on the exam, and hope that the students I helped have done well also. 

Besides academics, campus is still just as amazing as before.  there's only one person i really don't get along with, and I almost feel bad for yelling at him today.  we were in lab, and he was complaining that the lab was taking too long to finish and that his cadre was going to be mad at him if he didn't get to pick up his dry cleaning.  lab goes until 3:50, and the uniform store closes at 4:00.  but instead of helping us figure out the problems in lab, he decided to sit and eat candy peanuts.... so I got upset at him and said that if he wasn't going to participate in lab he needed to at least stop complaining.  otherwise my day has been great.

I look forward to more time on campus, and hope the rest of my 4th week here goes well.

talk to everyone soon!

--Andrea

Fun at Norwich...

Wow, never thought I'd be doing so much in so little time here... it's wonderful.

Many of the people I have met have turned into friends that I hang out with everyday, and that have already formed tight bonds.  We watch movies in our dorm, sometimes 'till very late at night.  And other times we sit silently and do homework with each other... and many times discussing and solving things together or proofreading each other's work.  Things are going great.  Everyone has some ups and downs with meeting new people and learning how they want to live their life at a new school.  Some people you just don't get along with and no matter how many times you try to tell them you don't want to talk to them, they just don't get the picture.  Then there are the people that you can't get enough of.  They're the people that are always happy, laughing, joke around and can be a confidant when you need them to be.  Besides my roommates, I've become good friends with several guys from Drill. They are hilarious, serious when they need to be, great movie buddies (I just need to be more careful with the butter on the popcorn in the future) and I get along with them really well.

This weekend was the Labor Day Parade down Main Street of Northfield... This is the largest Labor Day Parade in Vermont thanks to all of the Norwich Cadets that Participate.  The Color Guard led Norwich through the parade, followed by each Company respectivly.  The parade lasted almost 2 hours.  After the parade, in Depot Square, Shock Platoon performed for the first time this year, and the first time ever for many members.  One of my favorite things to do on campus is watch Shock practice... to me it is simply amazing.  On really good days, they sound so cool.  I know.. strange to think of them sounding cool, but with good timing, each catch is a distinct sound.  Most of their practices are on the Upper Parade Ground, but when they are on pavement or the field house, it sounds even better.  Don't forget it looks amazing also!   

The course load for my classes isn't too bad.  Most people tell me that I am insane because I took 4 lab sciences and Calculus.... but it's the courses I wanted when coming here, and I would go stir crazy if I didn't have as much to do.  And speaking of having a lot to do... I just found out today that I will be a Norwich University Service-Learning Scholar!  It seems like a great opportunity to become an intregal part of campus and do the things I love to do with organizing and socializing with events on campus and the community.  Part of the Service-Learning is a monthly book discussion, which is to help us learn to reflect and express our opinions in a logical and understandable fashion.  I am looking forward to starting this position as soon as my training is done.

Norwich has been a great experience so far... lots of fun, very few arguments, and in the end a good time with new friends.  This weekend is Alumni weekend, with a parade on Sunday featuring Alumni from all different years of graduation, walking together to represent the pride they have for their Alma Matar.  This weekend is also the first girls rugby game, and the homecoming football game.  lots to look forward to... including seeing family this weekend... and I can't wait!

Talk to everyone soon!

--Andrea

Freshman Orientation

I arrived on Campus at 8 am, just in time for initial registration.  Drove down to Shapiro Field House and got my room key, building key, mail box key, a phone card, id card (and I actually like this photo!), orientation bag and lots of additional information.  so, first stop was my dorm to unpack, and I had tons and tons of *#^%.  Much more than is necessary, and much more than one should probably bring with them...... but it all fits.  My dorm is cool, I get the loft, which creates my own little personal space.  My roommates are awesome, we get along great so far. 

Orientation was annoying... Some of it was fun.  But there is only so many time one person can play ice breaker games before it gets annoying.  All of the Resident Assistants, Resident Coordinators and orientation leaders were very helpful and welcoming.  The best part was playing with one of the faculties children.  They are both very young, and the little girl is simply amazing, and absolutely adorable.  She played with me on the Dinner Dance Cruise, which was cool.... entertaining and a beautiful night on Lake Champlain.   

classes started today, and things went well.  My Chem proffesor was very energetic.  My Geology proffesor was unorganized.  and then Calculus, we were in a much smaller class than necessary for our 32 studnets in a room with 18 chairs.... so we had to move.  I have homework in every class.  but not a lot, and it was all review.  I have people in every class that I've already met, which makes it nice.  I've started to arrange study buddies with people, and already met up with some people to study calc tonight.  Most of the people I've met are in Drill Company, and they are all very cool, very sociable and very helpful. 

Things are going great, I'm a little homesick, and I've realized that even when their are a lot of people around.... I can still feel very lonely.  I'm meeting new people everyday.  I have two new classes tomorrow, and the Convocation Ceremony in the evening.

Talk to everyone soon,

Andrea

Thunderbirds are amazing! ... only 1 week....

This past Saturday I went to Niagara Falls, New York and saw the Thunderbirds fly for the first time! It was absolutely amazing and I loved it and I want to go see them again!  My family is friends with Samantha Weeks, Thunderbird #6, and I’ve worked with Sam’s mother for our American Red Cross Chapter in Rome.  So we got VIP passes for the event, which at first made it seem like we just got to sit in the shade, but turned out much much better.  We attended Sam’s FARKLE, and got to talk to the other pilots and crew, they were all amazingly nice and down to earth, no pun intended! After the FARKLE we headed back to our tent, which was now manned by two uniformed Air Force personnel that were checking to make sure that only those who were supposed to be in the tent entered.  Our tent was located along the side of the runway, centered in front of the parked Thunderbird planes.  Before they flew, several of the pilots were walking around inside the tent and I got to talk to two of them for a little while, and of course got their signatures.  One of the really cute crew guys was giving us a running commentary on the stunts and people and who was in each plane…. He looked almost like Luke Wilson… just cuter! Haha.  I was going to ask for a picture with him, but he left before I had the chance and I didn’t find him again later.  After the show was done, and the pilots were all out, I got to meet all of them again and got all 6 signatures this time.  We were told as we were leaving that we could attend the PR reception at the Falcon Club on base.  So we headed over, earlier than we were told, but getting out of the heat sounded like a good idea.  When we arrived, 3 crew members were there and we talked to them about everything.  Chris, one of Sam’s crew showed us her gloves.  Each Thunderbird has gloves designed specifically for them by their crew.  Sam’s had both of her crew’s nicknames, her nickname – Combo – inside jokes and images representative of Sam and/or her career thus far in the Air Force.  We had to leave the reception early because my little brother was getting cranky, and the hall was filling with regular military, and the thunderbird pilots were being delayed until it cleared out more.  Overall, it was an amazing experience that I would do a thousand times over!  They are flying in Cape Cod August 25th, and if it weren’t for orientation I would be trying to go.  It was wonderful and I can’t wait for the opportunity to see Sam and all of them again!!!!
(I’ll post some pictures as soon as I upload them from my camera.)
Thunderbirds.airforce.com

On the college note, I’m packing… and packing…and packing some more.  The pressure is on and I’m getting nervous.  I’ve been reading work study opportunities on the Norwich website everyday to see if anything new is getting posted.  I know that as a freshman, I would typically get one of the jobs no one else really wants… I’m just hoping I’m not making copies and filing everyday.  I’ve signed up with the American Society of Civil Engineers through the Vermont Chapter, and will sign up with the school when I arrive.  I hope to participate in the Society of Women Engineers, Maroon and Gold Key, NU Emergency Medical Service and the Student-Learning Scholars once on campus.  I know it will be a busy schedule with engineering classes, but I think I can handle it and I really want to make the most of my experience on campus. 

My roommates and I have talked and I think we’ve got things set for arrival.  We know who is bringing what necessities to share.  We decided who gets what bed, and we just need to decide how to arrange the room once we get there.  The RA I share a room with should already be on campus, but I don’t know yet if she’s rearranged the room for us or not…

I worked out a possible schedule of classes, hoping that I can squeeze in the extra class I want once I show up to register.  I’m having some difficulty with my transcripts from other schools for transferring credits.  Make sure you get things like that done early in the summer so you don’t wind up scrambling last minute to straighten everything out.  As long as my transcripts make it to campus so I don’t have to take a class a second time, I will be happy. 

So with one week left, I’m getting together with friends this weekend, one last graduation/farewell party to go to.  Dinner with my family one last time, and a 5 hour drive to campus…. Talk to everyone soon!

Andrea

Just 2 weeks!

In 2 weeks… just 2 weeks! I will be hitting campus for my first semester.  It’s scary and exciting all at once.  I’m worried about classes and roommates (though I do know who they are now!) and simply being away from the people I know.  The past 3 nights I have been talking to my roommates.  One is a freshman in Electrical Engineering and the other a sophomore in Computer Engineering who is also my floor’s Residence Advisor (RA).  They both seem very nice and down to earth.  We’ve begun talking about ourselves and getting to know what sort of things we each like and dislike.  It should be interesting with three engineering students together.  At least we’ll all understand the type of studying we all need.  We’ve also decided on who is bringing what to the dorm… fridges, TV, fans, microwave, and all that good stuff.  Our room has two beds bunked and one lofted over a desk.  I get to have the lofted bed on top of my own desk, which is honestly what I was hoping for.  There’s only one window in the room, and we have to bring our own screen if we don’t want bugs flying in.  The hardest thing for me is going to be space.  I don’t know exactly how much space I’m going to have, so I don’t really know what I can bring with me… I’m sure I’ll figure it out good enough… things can always go home or come back with me. 

With only 2 weeks until almost all my friends from high school leave also, we’re all trying to decide on when we can get together one last time before we leave… since the next time we’ll really get to see everyone is probably going to be Thanksgiving break. 

Back to work for now… lots of things to still prepare before I leave.

By the way, if anyone has questions, just ask.  I’m more than happy to talk and help out.

--Andrea

and so the countdown begins...3 weeks!

In exactly three weeks, I’ll be walking onto campus as a college student for the first time. What a scary thought! I’ve been spending a lot of time recently trying to decide what comes to my dorm and what stays behind. I signed my first student loan about a week ago, and am patiently waiting for a response back from the bank.

This summer has been great, but very hectic. If I manage to get 4 hours of sleep I’m doing good, 6 and I’m great. Between working 40 hours a week and preparing for college, there hasn’t been too much free time, but just enough. I’m learning quickly that as long as I don’t let things pile up – it’s all very bearable and easy to keep up with. There’s more paperwork than I thought, but nothing too mind boggling. After several graduation parties for friends and trips out and about, it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to everyone. Some of my friends I have known since Kindergarten and even though I don’t see them everyday I know they are just around the corner. In three weeks, they’ll be hours away, doing the same things I am for the first time. Hopefully it won’t be too hard to keep in touch with most of them. And then there are of course all the new friends to meet. I don’t make new friends as easily as I’d like. I have a hard time finding things to talk about, and I don’t like to divulge personal things about me very much. I’m hoping that I can simply find a good group of close knit friends on campus.

These next couple weeks I need to finish buying things for my dorm, and hope that I don’t need too much once I show up. Most of my purchases left are dependant on what my roommates will be bringing with them. No sense in having two T.V.s, or two fridges.

Well, things to do…. Talk to everyone soon!

Andrea

P.S. I’ve made it to the waiting stage…. Most stuff feels out of my reach and all I can do is anticipate…a couple things I’m still on my toes for:

My student loans

Transfer credit acceptance

Who are my roommates?

A tiny bit about me...

Hi, I am Andrea M. Uvanni and I am from a small town (about 42,000 pop) in Central New York State called Rome.  My high school, Rome Free Academy was about the same size as Norwich (1800 students).  To give a brief personal history, in high school I was a member of our school’s JROTC program along with swim teams and other activities.  I also worked part time, and enjoyed teaching swim lessons, which I got to do as a staff member in a local US Swim Club, as well as teaching life guarding with the local Red Cross Chapter. 

Overall, I have chosen not to be a Cadet or a swimmer at Norwich as I want to focus on my studies.  Therefore, I will be entering as a traditional freshman student in the Civil - Environmental Engineering Program. 

I have decided on Norwich because of the atmosphere and structure of the school as a whole.  I like the personalized attention that can be given to students with small class sizes.  One of the statements that stuck in my mind after visiting was an admissions speaker telling us that at Norwich “you have to really try to fall between the cracks,” and that help will always be given to those who ask.  When I returned to campus for a second visit, I was impressed with one of the professors who remembered my name, what I wanted to study and who I was traveling with.  Apart from courses and professors, I am looking forward to campus life and meeting new people.  Of the many clubs and organizations on campus, I am looking into the Society of Women Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Maroon and Gold Key Club. 

With only three weeks remaining in my summer until I make a five hour trip to campus, I can honestly say that I’m nervous.  College is just around the corner and time is simply ticking away.  I have a lot to prepare for, and so much more to look forward to. 

Until next time,
Andrea