What else do they have in store for the year?

The posters have been hung. The awareness buttons are being worn. The trays are being tossed and the food is being weighed. Metz. & Associates have initiated a new program for the “green-blooded” faculty, staff and students of MAC. Trayless Tuesdays and Weigh-In Wednesdays are just the beginning for the new environmental sustainability efforts being issued by the college.

In an effort to conserve water, Trayless Tuesdays are just that. For the duration of the Fall 2008 Semester, each month will observe one Trayless Tuesday. While the focus of going trayless lies in decreasing the output of water, it will also educate students, faculty and staff on portion control. Only eat what you can carry!

Like the trayless effort, Weigh-In Wednesdays will be observed once every month for the Fall Semester. Food that is thrown away and left on trays will be weighed and the pounds of waste per person will be calculated. The goal for this initiative is to become a less wasteful campus community. The wasted food itself will be recycled in two different ways. Waste that can serve as compost will be distributed to several local farmers, while the leftover food will be turned into organic bio-fuel.

Any student, faculty or staff member who is interested in the Mount Aloysius “Green Initiative,” should watch for e-mails regarding campus organizations such as MAC Goes Green and Radiate. See how YOU can make a difference!

God Bless,

Laura

With his unique use of real-life situations and side-splitting comedy, Yalden’s message posed one main question, “Have we become a society focused more on rights and privileges than responsibilities and obligations?” With responsibility, there comes many challenges. Many were awestruck at the depth of Yalden’s insight into facing challenges, setting goals and finding a bigger purpose, and some were even brought to tears.

In conveying the message, “Don’t go where the path is already paved out,” Yalden discussed the importance of getting involved in as much as one possibly can at the college level. “Don’t just get your degree.” In order to benefit from the endless opportunities that await us at the end of the college experience, one must put their ego aside and learn from those who have gone before them, for it is their wisdom that aids in unraveling the sometimes complicated twists and turns that life inevitably takes. In response to this, Yalden stated that “Life is not complicated. I think we complicate life.”

In addition to his all-college address, Jeff Yalden also conducted a leadership seminar with 25-30 student leaders on campus. While this workshop was focused primarily on interacting with one another, building communication skills and developing teamwork strategies, Yalden challenged the group to “Take Time To Think.” The four T’s are designed to remind one to stop and analyze life every now and then in order to gain perspective on attitudes, choices that have been made, and the answers that lie within each person.

I had the privilege of meeting Jeff when I was in high school and was so happy to see him again and allow him to share his message with my peers here at MAC.

God Bless,

Laura

Quote of the day: “Attitude is everything. The good choices I make fill my cup or I lose. In order to make progress, make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today.” –Jeff Yalden

John, Me, Jeff Yalden, Amanda and Susan

For those of you who are new to the blog area of the MAC Website, welcome!! I hope these blogs keep you up-to-date with campus activities and the insight of a real college student. For those of you who are returning, I'm really happy to have you back. I can only hope that my Senior year is as eventful as my prior years.

Here is a snapshot of where I stand now and how I expect my Senior year to unfold: I'm taking 18 credits this semester, which will leave me with only 15 to finish up my final Spring semester at MAC. I'm playing in my final season for the Lady Mounties soccer team. I am President of the Student Government Association and have plenty of ideas and events to keep me busy for the year. I am now one of the Resident Assistants in the Misciagna Residence Hall, I turned 22 a few days ago, and my friends and I plan on making this the most incredible Senior year ever!!!

So, for now, I hope that gives you some idea of where I stand going into my Senior year.

Today is my last first day of school...

God Bless,

Laura

Quote of the Day- "The beginning, as the proverb says, is half the whole." -Aristotle

This past year has been so incredible! That was made very clear at the Student Recognition Banquet. All of the hard work my friends and I put into Colleges Against Cancer paid off when we received the Club of the Year Award. We were so excited. I was also named Mercy Leader of the Year and next year's Student Government Association President. I have so many ideas and I can't wait to get started!!

So, as I say goodbye to another year, I want to wish all of you a very safe and enjoyable summer. Soak up the sun, relax, have fun!! Maybe I'll even see you at the Summer Visitation Day in July...

I'll be seeing you...

God Bless

Laura

This past weekend, my boyfriend and I went to Luthersburg to spend time with his family and get in some last minute R&R before finals. It was anything but a relaxing weekend, but it was a lot of fun. We had a big birthday party Friday night for several of his family members, road the four-wheeler and went square dancing Saturday, and came home after church and lunch on Sunday. I was very worried about square dancing because John and I were first-timers. We ended up having a blast though...and boy is it a workout!!

Yesterday, Becky, Kate, Susan and I went to Ebensburg for a Hilary Clinton rally. We had the privilege of meeting former President Bill Clinton, shaking his hand and getting his autograph. To say that it was awesome, would be a complete understatement.

Well, I have a handful of papers to write and finals to study for. I hope you are able to get outside and enjoy the awesome weather!! Happy Earth Day!!

God Bless,

Laura

We had so many different events take place: Paul Plays It All, Pie Your Favorite RA/Staff/ Faculty, Giant Twister, Extreme Musical Chairs, Ice Cream Eating Contest, Video Games, Comedians, DJs, a Bonfire, a concert and the Money Tree Game Show. I think everybody had an amazing time. I know I did!! It was great seeing all of our hard work come together for the 24-hour event.

It was a truly memorable experience and I am already getting started on plans for next year...haha! Well, I'm still trying to catch up on sleep from this past weekend and need to get some homework done. It's crunch time!! My Junior year is almost over...it's definitely a bittersweet feeling.

Laura

Students from all over Pennsylvania lobbied throughout the day and I believe that we truly made an impact. It was also nice to spend the day at the capital observing the beautiful art work and architecture. I know my friends and I had a lot of fun. It was nice to get away for a day to experience something new.

We are rapidly approaching Relay For Life so all of the final decorating and fundraising is being done. The event this year is going to be amazing. We have so much planned. I don't know if we will be able to cram it all in a 24 hour period!! Well, I better get to it. Take care!

Laura

Afterwards, I took all of my friends to a spot in Altoona that my friends from high school and I discovered about a year ago. It's an area on the edge of a development that is covered in huge rocks and boulders. It has a path that cuts into the side of the cliff and takes you to the bottom. It was dark, so it made the excursion very interesting. Everybody had a great time and of couurse, I got some pictures.

Well I'm going to take off. I have a lot of work to get done.

Laura

We spent the week helping with various projects: painting new beds for the dormitory, moving sandstone, and writing letters with the boys. Several students had the opportunity to work at the Caribbean School for the Deaf while others spent a few days at a medical clinic. It was incredibly rewarding to know that we were making a difference and helping the school.

The whole week, however, was not just work. We also got to spend a great deal of time playing in the play yard with the boys, taking in the Jamaican scenery, and even spent a day in Negril at the beach. I took so many pictures!!! I learned how to play cricket and made some new friends. My favorite part had to be the birthday party we attended for all of the boys born in January, February and March. This was the first chance we really had to interact with the boys. We celebrated with cake and ice cream and even played musical chairs.

It was truly a life changing experience and I hope to go back someday. It was definitely the best way to spend Spring Break.

This will be my first time outside of the country, so I am excited and scared at the same time. This will also be the first time I have ever flown without my family...so I am very scared!! I don't like to fly at all. I like to keep my feet on the ground. Of course, that statement does contradict with my secret wish to go sky diving and bungee jumping...I guess they aren't secrets anymore. Haha :o)

I think this will be a very memorable way to spend my Spring Break and it will probably be the trip of a lifetime. I hope to learn a lot from the trip...I know that I will. I just wanted to wish all of you a safe and happy Spring Break!! Also, Happy St. Patrick's Day and Easter. I won't be checking back in until after the holiday.

God Bless!

Laura

The Colleges Against Cancer Chapter was in full recruitment mode and we were able to get several teams registered for the upcoming event as well as spread interest to many new students. I have a feeling that this Relay For Life will be the best yet!! The enthusiasm is spreading all over campus. It's definitely getting me pumped up!!

This weekend is going to be nice and relaxing because I will be going home for the first full weekend since Christmas break...yup that's right...I have been that busy!! I'm so excited to sleep in my room and spend some quality time with the whole family...including the dogs!!

Well, I have some things to get ready for tomorrow and a little bit of reading to finish up. I hope you guys all have a great weekend!!

Laura

Quote of the Day: "Remember the past, dream for the future, but live for today." -Unknown

My Dad's birthday is also this week so I will be heading home on Wednesday to celebrate with my family. I haven't been home much this semester so I'm also hoping to head home this weekend for some downtime. I'll keep you updated on the usual campus events coming up. Try and stay warm in this winter weather!

Laura

Quote of the Day:""I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. but I can't accept not trying." -Michael Jordan

Yesterday was MAC’s belated Mardi Gras Bash! It is by far my favorite event on campus. Metz, our dining service, works in conjunction with numerous food and drink vendors and every year on Mardi Gras, the vendors visit campus for a one-day food extravaganza. They bring their latest products and we get to be the taste testers. After the taste testing has commenced, we fill out surveys and choose our top picks. If a product is voted for enough, there are chances it will show up on campus as a new addition to the Dining Hall and Snack Bar. How cool is that? My friends and I were big fans of the iced coffee and energy drinks!

Tonight are the Mounties final home basketball games of the season. We are playing Frostburg State. I’m looking forward to all of the halftime entertainment. Apparently, my friends on the Step Team have a great routine planned! It’s sad to see another basketball season come and go because it means I’m getting closer and closer to the end of my Junior year. :( The one good part about it is that it signals the end of the winter sports season. That can only mean one thing…Baseball season!! I am a big fan of the Mounties Baseball team, who opens their season at Shenandoah this weekend. I think I am also looking forward to the spring weather, wink wink!

Well I’m going to head to the game. I will catch up with you guys next week!

Laura

Quote of the Day: “There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by.” –Annie Dillard

Hey everybody! I’m back to the snow-covered mountains of Cresson, Pa. I miss the warm, sunny Florida weather already!! I’m glad to be back with my friends though. Things have definitely been busy for my week back. College’s Against Cancer is sponsoring a Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. We are selling candy grams for everybody to send to their friends and spread the love. Haha! We even created a “Kissing Booth” to sell them out of. Unfortunately, the only kissing being done is the eating of Hershey Kisses by all of us helping out during the day. :o)

This weekend is actually looking quite uneventful in my world. That’s a big change. I don’t know what I will do with myself. It looks like I will be getting a lot of homework done and hanging out with friends. One of our new favorite things to do is play Rockband. It’s kind of like Guitar Hero, but add in a set of drums and a microphone and you’ve got it! Talk about some seriously good times!! We love jammin’ out to the game and having our little get-togethers up in the Residence Hall!

Well, I better get back to some of this homework. The pile never seems to go down!

Laura

Quote of the Day: “I like pressure. If I am not on the edge of failure, I’m not being sufficiently challenged.” –Jewel

John Porter and I in the "Kissing Booth" (We are Co-Presidents for the College's Against Cancer
Club.)

My favorite band! John, Harrison, Lindsey, Becky and Kate

Things have definitely been crazy around here. We had the Name That Tune Game Show here this week and I won $100!! I was so excited!! Tonight, we are hosting a talent show for the campus. I hear there are some pretty awesome acts. Maybe you should check it out if you're in the neighborhood. This weekend, we are hosting Take A Kid to the Game Day for the basketball games. I hear the Funny T's will be making another appearence. Too bad I'll be missing it. Mickey will just have to keep me company. :o)

Well, I have to finish packing so enjoy your weekend. See you next week.

Laura