Freshman Conference #1- CHECK!

I know I'm crazy late with this post, anyway HOWDY! I can't believe how many times I've said this since I've been here. It's becoming second nature and I don't know if I like it or not....haha just kidding. I'm still getting accustomed to all thing TAMU.

As the title says, I have experienced my first freshman orientation conference at TAMU. A very unique program and VERY different than UNC Charlotte's. It all started on Wednesday at 1:30 with the pre- conference check-in (very similar to Early Arrival) We had about 100+ students and their parents check in on this day. Later that evening, the AOLP Execs hosted a social at the Association of Former Students (The Alumni Center). This place was amazing and full of A&M history! I need to go back there on a day off and take pictures. At the back of the building, there is a gigantic size replica of the TAMU Class Ring. Once a student accumulates 90 hours (junior level) they are able to purchase their class ring. The ring looks the same for everyone, the only difference is that the year on the top changes. Here's a picture that I found online:

This is one of the coolest monuments and traditions that I have ever heard of. Almost makes me want to come to A&M for grad school just so I can get a ring...LOL. Throughout the building on the second floor, there are these portals where you can step in and learn more about the University and A&M traditions. There is also a live timeline of the evolution of the class ring, going back to 1890 all the way to 2010. Come to find out, each ring was donated to the archive by family members of a deceased Aggie. I noticed all the rings were gold, but I'm not a gold person. So I wondered if you could get it in silver. I asked the one of the directors who was working at the Association, in which she replied, "I'll show you." I got a personal tour of the 'behind the scenes' area of where they keep all of the rings that students have ordered as well as the models that they use.

The next day was the conference check in, which started at 7:30 in the morning. Which made this moring suck because it was raining the WHOLE time. We were expecting over 740 students, not including their parents/ family members. After check in, I returned to the office to finish up some work then went to work the Help Desk. In a couple of short words-- I basically didn't do anything.

After lunch, I went back to the office, from like 1:30 til 4, waiting on the next session that I had to attend on my schedule-- Dinner at Duncan Dining. During the dinner, the students went to once side of the dining hall while the parents went to the other. this way,t ehs tudents were able to split up into their color groups and meet other students in their major. After dinner, the students went into their insight groups (Small group meetings) with an OL. After the insight meetings, the students went out on the plaza to play the game An Aggie's Life for Me (similar to the game A Pirate's Life for Me, with an A&M twist). The students all went in for a program called SCI Aggieland-- a skit put on by the OLs that discussed campus issues and safety.

Then came Yell Practice....YES, YELL PRACTICE! This was by far the COOLEST THING I have ever witnessed/been apart of! Its hard to explain, therfore at the next conference, I will post a video!

On Friday, I started my workday at Howdy lunch/ Resource Fair. I must say, A&M dining is a WHOLE lot better than Chartwells! Not to disrespect good ol' Chartwells in any way, but Sbisa Dining hall got some bangin' food (but Crown Commons does have the best pizza...).

The weekend was another boring one. I hope to get out and do some shopping at the outlet mall next weekend. That's all for now....Remember...

Wear GREEN and GIG 'EM!

Yay! 3 Day Weekend!

Happy Memorial Day to all! Especially to those serving or who have served our great country (including my Grandpa...RIP). This past week has been an eventful one, and Sunday has been a relaxing one. I also have taken several pictures of my adventures this week. 

I finally got the chance to experience Northgate. Northgate is very similar to College Ave. in Charlotte. Its full of restaurants and bars specifically for college students. Very cool place with bars for just about every type of student. The one I went to was Called the Corner Bar. 3-story bar with the roof being an open area. I went with some co-workers just to chill out and watch the Magic/ Celtics game. I also had the chance to try my first Texas-made beers!

Both of them were pretty tasty. If I had to choose one, it would be the Shiner Bock. There is one more that I have to try and I also want to bring some back to the Carolinas. After we left there, we went to a Saki Bomb bar. I've never tried Saki nor had a bomb, therefore the friends wanted to bust my Saki Bomb cherry...LOL. The first bomb I had was a sunrise. It was made with some energy drink and a shot of Saki. One of the guys I was with wanted me to try a regular Saki shot. Why not?! I didn't see anything wrong with it, besides that Saki is served warm instead of cold. It tasted like a flat tequila shot and really watery. I then took another Saki bomb...lol.

We left there and went to a place called The Dry Bean. Seriously, this place is the width of a Highrise room and its long. When they say a shot bar, that's all they serve- SHOTS! The only thing that would have been perfect is if they were playing the song Shots! by LMFAO. They had an extensive shot and shooter list (see below).

They had some that I knew, and some that I've never heard of. The shot I had was the Road Head Shot....

It looks nasty and sickening, but it was delicious. Tasted like Fruity Pebbles cereal. Honestly, it tasted like I had just gotten the best road head ever....bahahaha...After that night, I went back to the room and chilled out.

Saturday I took a trip to the Rec Center to get my workout on. TAMU has the SICKEST Rec Center I've ever seen! When Charlotte gets their new one, it should be very similar to this one or even better...

Their Rock climbing wall was in the middle of the building! You see it right when you walk in.Their courts were amazing as well. They had one side that was just open area for badmitton, volleyball , and basketball. The other side there were two rinks! Made for indoor hockey, soccer, and  whatever else you want to play in there!Their weight room had some of the most top notch machines and it was HUGE! The cardio machines were located throughout the building and most of them had a television attached to it. I was definitely doing two miles on the elliptical while watching Fighting Temptations. I have NEVER seen such an amazing facility! Then I went outside...

ITS A FREAKIN' A RESORT! Their basketball and beach volleyball courts were amazing and their outdoor pool area was built for laps and to have fun! I also found out that their facility was also home to the swim team...

Can we say sick!?! The dive tank for the diving team was sweet. Then above my head was the seating area to actually watch the events. 

Today (Sunday) I went to church with a colleague. A good ol' southern "Bible Belt" baptist church. A HUGE church...

This looked like one of the churches you see broadcasted on television. The sermon was interesting, but the tribute they did for those that were in the Armed Forces was amazing and really heartfelt. I saw several individuals tear up, including myself. After church, I went with some colleagues to McAllister's (love their sweet tea)  for lunch and finally ended back up in my room. 

I plan on hittin' the gym again later this evening before it closes at 8. Until then...

Wear GREEN and GIG'EM!

First Weekend

I had my first weekend in College Station. It wasn't anything special, but I did get the chance to eat some great food. One place I visited was Naked Fish--a sushi bar very similar to Sushi 101 back in the Queen City. I had a Tokyo Toll spicy tuna style. It was spicy tuns, rice and some Japanese bread crumbs in a lettuce leaf. Talk about simple, yet amazing! I've never had anything like that before! It was perfect and I'll definitely have to go back. I also had a rice bowl called Ten Don. It consisted of shrimp tempura over rice. When they brought it out, I didn't want to eat it because the presentation was crazy cool!

And delicious as well! I definitely didn't finish this at the table, but did finish it for lunch the next day.

I also made it to the mall. I thought I was going to do a little shopping, but the mall reminded up the Greenwood Mall. They had some of the popular stores, but not anything I was interested in. I plan on going back because I need to go buy new shorts for the summer. I also took some random pictures in the mall.

So, there's a puppy place in the mall with some of the cutest dogs. Then I saw this girl who apparently thought you can touch the cages. clearly you can't because of the 2 inch thick window pane. She didn't see the window pane and ran into the class. It would have been cute if it was a little child but this was a grown female. She got to do better.

I came all the way to Texas hoping to see nothin but Texas and A&M gear. Looks like you can never leave North Carolina behind.

Saw this shirt in a random store and thought it was hilarious.My work shirts! Snazzy I know...

That's all for now. I hope to have more pictures of campus up soon. Until then...

Wear GREEN and GIG'EM!

Oh yeah... We love the Bush

My first official day. I started by waking up crazy early, thinking I was running late because I haven't adjusted to Central Time. I left there and went to the SS Office to request a new card. Once I got back, I had to go to Koldus to finish up my paperwork and then over to Cain, where I met the AOLPs. The AOLPs are the exec team that oversees the OLs. So far, they have taught me a lot since I've been here and I am definitely ready to learn more.

The story behind the title...

While sitting Megan's office talking with her, I asked here how to get to the Business Services Building so I can get my ID. She pointed it out on the map and I started talking to myself about how I was going to get there (and I still got lost...SMH). Anyways, I was talking about George Bush Drive, and all of a sudden, Megan goes, "Oh yeah, we love the Bush." Take it how you will, but I told her it was going on here and here it is!

The rest of the afternoon was filled with laundry and organizing. I also went to dinner at the Dean's house with the staff which was amazing. Then Grey's Anatomy came on. Not going to talk about because you should go watch it right now on Hulu.

Until then, Wear GREEN and GIG'EM!

Howdy Ya'll!!

I made it to the great state of Texas! It was a lonnng drive, but I am glad to finally be here. I think that when I go back, I'm telling someone form home to come here and ride back with me....LOL.



So, to catch you up on the trip, I'll start from the beginning. I left Ninety Six (home) about 5:15 heading towards Atlanta, making sure I called my mom once I hit every state and updated my Facebook status at every stop.I hit ATL about 8ish. It was cool seeing downtown Atl and the Braves stadium. I called my mom and was like

"Are the Braves playin?"

"Yup."

"Well I just passed Turner Field. Just thought I would let you know...lol"



In ATL, I got on I-20 and headed west. I stopped short of the Alabama border around 10ish and filled up my tank. Once I got into Alabama, I stopped on the other side of Tuscaloosa and took a 2 hour power nap in the parking lot of a Jamison Inn Hotel. Note to self: I am NEVER sleeping in my car AGAIN. Unless, There's nothing in it and I can stretch out. Seriously, the front seat of my car was VERY uncomfortable and I woke up with a crick in my neck.


I woke up about 3am CST and drove through the state of Alabama. Nothing interesting in AL, but I really did want to take a detour and go see Univ. of Ala. and find Forest Gump (LOL). After 'Bama came good ol' Mississippi. I stopped in the town of Meridian, which form my friends, not a great place. I agree. I definitely tried to get gas, and my debit card did not work. Let's talk about being pissed at Bank of America. Apparently they thought someone took my card and used it at these different gas stations so I had to confirm that I was the one using the card. I drove all day through MS and got really upset because I didn't see the Mississippi River,unless I had driven over it during the night. By the time I was reaching the MS/ LA border, I was heated. Where in the HELLo Kitty was this monstrosity of a river?!? And then I hit it. I knew it was big, but it was MASSIVE! I could not believe my eyes. Sadly I didn't have the camera ready to take pictures but I'll make sure that i'll have it when I drive back (IF I drive back. I might find a teaching job here in Texas).

Driving through Louisiana was long and boring because I was crossing the northern part, which is also the wider part of the "boot." Very flat state. i saw signs for casinos. i started to stop and try my luck but I knew I had somewhere to be.

Coming out of LA, I rode through the town of Greenwood! I laughed once I saw the sign and then felt sad because I knew I am going to miss home and the people I love. right as I exited the town, I finally Hit the Texas border!

After 12 hours of driving, I FINALLY get to Texas, and still had 5 more hours to drive before I got to College Station. Texas has some of the LONGEST AND most BORING roads I have ever driven on! About every 5 or 10 miles I would pass a Ranch and maybe hit a small town. And none of the roads had names. Like, they were all FM something or CO RD Something ( I later found our that FM was Farm and CO was County).

About 4 hours and 45 minutes later. I finally made to College Station and the campus of TAMU. What an amazing campus! Its massive and is full of history. I made it to Cain Hall (Home of NSP) and met the staff, where they greeted me with an amazing Welcome basket with a t-shirt, tally- towel, and some of my favorite things (Orbit gum, Apple juice, and HARIBO GOLD BEARS!!!) Later that evening, I got unpacked and finally settled in my room.

OH! I did have to visit the office and get all of my paperwork done. And guess what, didn't have my SSC...WTF?!?!? Luckily all I was doing that day was unpacking and getting settled in.

There is more to come....I'll still have to tell you about the first day and meeting the AOLPs.

Until then...Wear GREEN and GIG'EM!

Graduation only Hours Away...

So hard to beleive that graduation is less than a day away. I took a walk to the SOAR office to see some old friends and actaully teared up a little just walking over there, thinking about the memories I have here on the university. Just about every builidng I have a story that goes along with it. I'm definitely going to miss all of the people I've met here, and of the professors, mentors, and fellow students. This campus was really my second home away from home. Graduation is definitely going to be bittersweet.



As for the rest of the day, I went to have a final brunch with an old friend before she left to go to Costa Rica for Summer Study Abroad. I'm definitely going to miss her while she's down there.

That's all for today, since this is just and introduction portion. There will be more on Graduation and the things that follow!

Until then...