2007-2008: Holly Black

Snow in April? Of course! It's Vermont!

Hi everyone,

I have been really busy, but I'm getting everything done.  Yesterday my roommate and I decided to move around the furniture.  I like it a lot better now.  My desk is still in the same place, but my wall locker is more accessible, so now I have the back of the room all to myself.

This past weekend was the Junior Open House.  It was really windy on Saturday during the tour!  It was pretty warm out, but you'd never guess so with the wind whipping snow in your face.  I'm hoping for spring, but it doesn't look likely.  Up until today, you could see the ground.  Now, it's once again--covered in snow.  I thought April was starting tomorrow?  I guess I was wrong. 

Registration for next semester classes is coming up.  I was looking at class times online and learned that I will have a REALLY weird schedule.  For example, one class is going to meet only once a week--but for 3 hours.  Sophomore year, nursing students' schedules change dramatically because of clinicals.  It should be fun though.

My math professor said that if we have a 93 average in her class or higher, we don't have to take the final.  I'm really excited because if I don't have to take that final--I can go home 3 days earlier!  All I have to do is sustain my grade for the last exam and I'll be able to leave school earlier during finals week.  That would be awesome!

Well, I'm off to the gym.  I like being able to take naps when I'm tired because throughout the day--I feel more energized to get my work done and to go to the gym more often.

Until next time,
Holly

Six weeks & a whole lot of work

Hi everyone,

Last week was busy, but this week has proven to be busier!  In just a little more than 6 weeks, I will be done with my freshman year of college.  That's a crazy thought.  Wasn't I just writing about how terrified I was about the start of rookdom?  It seems like just yesterday.

With 6 weeks and a couple of days remaining, I have numerous projects and tests, as well as many club activities.  I'm trying my best to stay on the ball, but my assignment notebook is filling up fast.  I've also been planning our company dining-out, which has taken up most of my spare time.

The mornings here have been very cold, but the afternoons have been sunny and pretty warm.  Hopefully the snow will start to melt!

I have an overnight prospect tonight.  There will be a lot of prospects this weekend because there is an Open House on Saturday.  Looking at students who plan to come to Norwich next year makes me realize how quickly this year has really gone by.  Just a few months ago, we were squaring in the gutter and writing home through e-mail because we didn't have phone privileges.  After a couple short weeks, it seems like music--common "individual" things, has always been available.

Junior Ring will be coming up soon.  One of these weekends I need to take leave to get my dress and accessories at home in order and bring them back to school.  It should be a blast!

Well, back to work I go!  There aren't enough hours in the day.

Until next time,
Holly

Spring Break

Hi everyone,

I returned to school last night from Spring break.  It was a great week!  I saw a lot of friends and family, which was great after 2 solid months here.  I also got to relax, lay in my bed, and drive my car--unheard of things in my daily schedule.

All of our privileges since recognition are still breaking in.  I'm sitting here listening to music right now, which is one thing I truly missed during rookdom.

With less than half the semester to go, I'm eager to finish off the year.  I still have a lot to do and I've been helping plan our company Dining Out.  It's been hectic, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Until next time,
Holly

Recognition

Hi everyone,

"On this 5th day of March in the year of our Lord 2008 at 2309 hours, I, Cadet Colonel, do hereby recognize the rook class of 2011."

We waited a long time, but it finally came.  Last night was rook recognition.  Our cadre played a bunch of games with us yesterday afternoon and left us standing on the wall last night, but then sent us to bed.  We woke up to loud screaming, platoon sergeant's whistle, and loud music a while later.  We quickly changed into Super B's and marched to the ceremony.

I had heard different things about the actual recognition ceremony from different upperclassmen, but you cannot describe what it is like.  My hands were shaking uncontrollably, but it was so exciting.  The Cadet Colonel said that he was proud of us as a class and that 72 people had dropped out since rook week.

Following recognition, we came back to the barracks and talked to our cadre about what will be different.  Basically, we're on our own now.  It's up to us to get to formation on time, go to mess, get up for classes, go to PT, and keep the Corps standards high.

After 7 months of rookdom, it is a great relief to be called "cadet."  To the rooks of the class of 2012, you're in for some fun & I hope you're ready.

I'm leaving here tomorrow for spring break.  All of my work is pretty much caught up.  I'm a cadet.  This has been a good week.

Until next time,
Holly

NCEMSFC 2008

Hi everyone,

First I wanted to say thank you in deep appreciation to the comment I got from an alumnus on my last blog.  It was really great to hear about days in the old Corps from a fellow Foxtrot member!

This past weekend was the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation Conference in Philadelphia.  I went with NUEMS and had a great time!  There were a lot of good classes including how to determine common drug effects when people take them as well as how to treat a patient who has fallen out of a window.  We met a lot of different people from many different schools.  It was really cool to see how other schools run their EMS organizations.

We went to the King of Prussia Mall which is absolutely HUGE.  We went there on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and still didn't get to see all of it!  I was happy because I bought a pair of shoes.  I really haven't bought anything for myself in a long time, mainly because of rookdom and not being able to wear civilian clothes.

Saturday night was a blast.  5 of us decided to go for dinner after shopping and ended up at Morton's Steakhouse.  If any of you have not heard of it, Morton's has been in the top 3 nationally ranked steakhouses in the nation for over 10 years.  Anyhow, 5 of us racked up a $300 bill--but it was the most amazing steak I have ever had.  I didn't even need a knife to cut it.

We had a lot of laughs at the restaurant because they have a visual menu where they bring a cart out with an example of each of the meats.  The waitress also had a lobster named Larry on the cart and one of my buddies asked her to free him because he looked sad sitting on the cart.  She thought we were crazy, but she also said it was nice to find laid back people in Morton's.  We were a bit under dressed--everyone was wearing suits and ties.  We were in jeans and t-shirts.  Oh well!

We're down to 4 days before spring break.  I'm eager to get my work all done and get out of here.  I can't wait to see my family, sleep, eat a home cooked meal, and just relax.  We're that much closer to recognition and that much closer to the end of the year.

Until next time,
Holly