It is extremely hard for me to believe that this semester is already over.  I am home now after the spring semester, senior week and graduation.  I am enjoying just over a week at home, in Bemus Point, NY, before heading off to Kenya for a month.

After finals week and before graduation, St. Lawrence has a special week just for seniors. I was able to stay for this week and graduation and fulfill some of my Community Assistant duties.The week is packed with fun events throughout campus and Canton and allows seniors to unwind from their last semester before entering the “real world.” I stopped by a few of the events and it looked like a really fun time. On one hand, I can’t wait until my senior week to experience all of these cool things with my friends, but at the same time I don’t even want to think about graduating and leaving this amazing place.  It seems like I just arrived as a nervous first-year student, but now I only have one year left. (Photo of me and some friends enjoying some time on the quad during senior week.)

One of the coolest events during senior week is the FYP reunion. This is a chance to get together with the same group of kids you lived with and had class with in your First Year Program.  It is an opportunity to see what everyone in your close-knit first year class has done during their time at SLU.  Everyone gets involved in so many different clubs, sports, activities and academics.  It is really amazing to see how you all started out in the same FYP, yet everyone finds their own individual path at SLU.  I am looking forward to reuniting with my FYP next year.  During my first year at St. Lawrence, my FYP actually won the First Year Cup.  I have stayed really close with most of my FYP and I think it is great that SLU has this mini-reunion during senior week.  Other events include a faculty-staff BBQ, Senior Quad Experience, and the Last Lecture event.  Also, during this particular senior week, there was a ceremony and reception as the Student Center became the Sullivan Student Center, dedicated to President and Mrs. Sullivan for their service to the University.

            I also had the opportunity to help out with the Senior Dinner Dance.  This is an event that is planned by the senior class and takes place the night before Commencement.  It was held in Leithead Field House.  I helped out, with a group of student workers, to set up and decorate the field house.  I must say, that it looked pretty wonderful once it was decorated.  We put flowers, shrubs, centerpieces, and lights throughout the room to really transform it into a beautiful reception and dance space.  We also got to hang out for part of the dance and enjoy the festivities before helping take down the decorations at the end of the evening.(Photo of all the dinner dance workers.)

            Then, Commencement was on Sunday morning.  It was a chilly, yet beautiful morning and the ceremony was lovely, as always.  I especially enjoyed the speeches from two members of the class of ’09, Emily Rama and Katie Powers.  It was nice to hear a student retrospective about their St. Lawrence experience and at the same time thoughts of what the future may hold.

            After Commencement, I had my last Community Assistant duties.  We help to close up the dorms for the summer time.  Then was my time to move out.  Since it is about a 6 hour drive to Bemus from SLU, I decided to leave early Monday morning instead of late at night. 

            Since arriving at home, I have been taking it easy.  The weather has been gorgeous and I have been out on Chautauqua Lake quite a bit.  Also, I have been getting prepared for my term in Kenya this summer.  I am taking a course about health care and medical aid relief in Kenya.  I loved my time in Denmark so much and I think taking part in the Summer Kenya Program will open my eyes even more to the world.  I am constantly amazed with how much St. Lawrence offers and the abroad opportunities have really shaped my experience at SLU.

            It has not really hit me that I am leaving this week!  I’m beginning to pack, getting a few supplies that I may need, and doing some reading on the country.  Also, as the new admissions interns start in a few weeks, I am sadly concluding my time as a Saint Lawrence Blogger.   For my final blog, I will most likely post an update and some photos from my experience in Kenya.  Also, after my return from Kenya, I will be working in Chautauqua Institution.  It is a great place near my house, which many Laurentians enjoy in the summertime including President Sullivan.  I will be doing a type of journalism internship, writing for the community newspaper there.  I am excited about the job and blogging helped me to achieve it!   But for now I am saying goodbye to SLU, see you later Bemus, and JAMBO (hello) KENYA!