Feliz Vacaciones!

Happy Holidays!

The end of the semester came and went in a whirlwind. It's hard to believe I left just less than a week ago as it feels I've been home for a good month already. However, the events of finals cannot yet be forgotten.

Finals week was not so bad for myself. Monday morning my final Spanish paper was due, and Thursday evening brought everything to a close with my Strategic Human Resources final. I used the majority of the week to make some last-minute cash at my job in SU's Human Resource (HR) Office, and packing. The week before however, was a whole different story. After a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday with my mom in Iowa, I arrived back to Syracuse to find a mound of work to finish for the week. Within that week I compiled and presented a final project slideshow about the HR practices of Google, Inc., wrote a rough draft of my final Spanish paper, and studied/took an intense final exam for Intro. to Nutrition. Now that I put it on paper it doesn't look like so much, but man was it stressful!

Since I'm studying abroad my last semester I had to pack everything I owned in Syracuse to ship or fly home with me. A little word of advice: Don't wait til the last minute! Caught up in the social events of the end of the semester I found myself finishing packing the morning I flew out. Without a car this is not an easy task. But, in true Alycia fashion I pulled everything off and arrived safe and sound in Seattle Friday evening.

Holiday festivies have already begun...a Christmas party with the Seattle girls, shopping with the grandparents, and my Christmas letter/cards have consumed my time home. Thought I might be rid of Syracuse snow conditions, only to find Bellingham with 5 inches today and more on the way...craziness!

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~Norman Vincent Peale

Hola y Bienvenidos!

Hello and Welcome to my blog!

To get started, let me tell you a little bit about myself and why I chose Syracuse University. I'm from the best coast, aka the West Coast (although the East doesn't seem to be too bad either!). Home is beautiful Bellingham, WA, between Seattle and the Canadian border. I started out at Bellingham's Whatcom Community College, and graduated with an AAS Degree. While sorting out university options I took a year off from my studies. Having a fondness for travel and love of New York City, I searched for reputible communication/speech programs in the New York area via Collegeboard.com (a highly recommendable college search website). Syracuse popped up and seemed to have many great opportunities for both communications, academic and extracurricular activities. During a Spring Accepted Students weekend I literally felt Syracuse become home for the next two years. I had made up my mind before even setting foot in NYC prospects.

Next thing I knew, I transferred my WCC credits to SU as a Communication and Rhetorical Studies major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). Everyday has been a new adventure, and none that I could ever regret. My professors have been nothing but knowledgeable and helpful, laying down the groundwork to encourage my every success. I've also gotten incredibly involved by becoming a member and current Vice-Pres of Traditions Commission, a VPA Peer Advisor for incoming students, Leadership Conference Host, and student employee in the University's Human Resource Department. I've also made many incredible friends and networking contacts, that I will keep throughout my Spring semester abroad and into the Real World.

Study Abroad you say? Why yes! I'll be blogging to you from the Santiago, Chile program beginning in January, and I can't even explain how excited I am. As a last semester Senior I might be missing out on some memorable campus events, yet I know Chile will offer moments and experiences just as life-changing. Whew! Introductions aside, next time we'll start the real adventure...

Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally. ~David Frost


-Alycia