Looking Forward

Lately that I have been trying to rush through my life. I am one of the biggest advocates of stopping to smell the roses and taking life as it is day by day, but I just haven't been able to stop myself lately. Even though I am taking the fewest amount of credits this quarter since I started college, (and probably the fewest amount of classes my entire life) I feel busier than ever. Between general education classes, voice lessons, sorority obligations, a social life, preparing for my Summer study abroad in Italy, and preparing to transfer colleges in the Fall, I am simply overwhelmed.

During my first two quarters at Oregon, I didn't know if I was going to be able to transfer. I was applying to four highly competitive schools as a transfer student and as a theatre major. These factors combined, I had no idea what my chances in getting into another university was. Despite my anxiety about my unknown future, I was able to relax into the University of Oregon and live life here. I made what I could of it even though I knew that I desperately wanted out as soon as I could. Now that I know I'm going to be able to make that change, I simply want to get there. Since my time at Oregon is limited, I know that I can't do much with my time left. I can enjoy what I have left at this school but joining organizations, registering for classes, making new friends, and quite simply growing as a student and as a human being become difficult if not impossible.

I am so busy with making plans for my life six months in advance. I know what I want to do once I get to Chapman University and I am vying to do it all right now. I'm anxious to discover a new school, meet new people, declare my double major (And maybe minor! Am I crazy enough?), and further explore the Southern California area that I know so well. I want to be tanning under palm trees on a freshly cut lawn in the California heat as I work on a project or my homework. I see myself amongst Greek Life members, understanding and participating in their philanthropies and events. The beach awaits my return and Disneyland, only minutes away, will hopefully be a place I can find refuge in. I want to meet my roommate and decorate my new (and improved) dorm room instead of being cramped into a house with sixty other girls. My time at Oregon has been nice, but it is time for me to move on.

Because of my overactive imagination and anxiety for the future, I have been unable to slow down and simply enjoy the life that is around me. I know that this is important for my mental health and for the sanity of those around me. Having a friend go crazy would probably not be good for anyone around me. And then I know there are things that I will miss at Oregon. The familiarity of the campus that I have come to know in the past academic year and the teachers that I got to work with over the terms. The calmness and darkness of the nature in Oregon at night. The warm Spring days where everyone is out on the lawn and the flowers seem to bloom brighter than the rainy days. My adventures with Clarae and the laughs I have with her. My heart will ache for the friends I have made and the beautiful campus.

I hope I will find these things in Orange at Chapman. I hope the route I am choosing to take will lead me to where I want to be. I hope that I will be able to visit Oregon and that I will be able to stay in touch with those that I love. In spite of my excitement for the future, I need to remember to enjoy what is currently around me. I can't make Chapman come any faster and I won't be able to turn back time if I miss anything once I get there. We all need to learn to appreciate our lives in the moment. I know I can take time out of my day to step back and reflect on what is going on instead of simply sprinting to get the day over with. Life presents us with so many gifts each day, and we should appreciate each one.

College Spotlight: Vanderbilt University

Back at it again with Katie at Vanderbilt University!

M: What is your name?
K: Katie

M: What school do you go to?
K: Vandy

M: Where is located?
K: Nashville, Tennessee

M: What is your major(s)/minor(s)?
K: Mechanical engineering with either an engineering management or corporate strategy minor. I haven't decided.

M: Why did you choose to go to Vanderbilt University?
I chose Vandy because of the location and the academics - it has a beautiful campus but is in a busy part of the city, so there's plenty to do but you still get the homey feel of a campus (vs being a city campus). There's also lots of hiking and other things to do outdoors. I've also heard a lot of good things about Vandy alums, so I hoped it would help me get a good job.

M: What is your mascot?
K: Commodore

M: Does your school care about sports?
K: We're in the SEC so we care about sports, but definitely not as much as state schools. You can definitely find people who are super into it, whereas others don't care at all.

M: What else does your school care about?
K: We care a lot about academics.

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?
K: The administration is cracking down on Greek life, which sucks a lot. I would definitely change that. Frats are getting kicked off and they're being stricter so it's not as fun as it apparently used to be. They're trying to get rid of it completely.

M: What would you definitely not change?
K: I wouldn't change our campus - it's beautiful. Additionally, I love that the teachers are so helpful/they're always willing to help one on one if you ask.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?
K: Our campus is an arboretum, so it's all green with tons of trees and red brick buildings.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?
K: My favorite aspect of engineering is solving problems. Our senior year is mostly devoted to senior design, where we work with companies to solve real world problems.

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?
K: The best thing to do in Nashville is probably all the live music. Live on the Green is a free concert every Thursday in the fall.

M: What is the best place to eat on campus and what do you like to eat there?
K: I like Grins, a vegetarian cafe (even though I'm a carnivore). I like either the Mac n cheese or the caprese panini.

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?
K: My favorite class has probably been computer science.

M: What is a class you really want to take?
K: I'm not really sure what I want to take. Our curriculum is pretty set as engineers. I'm looking forward to the more business-y classes for whichever minor I decide on, though.

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?
K: My "spot" last semester was Provence cafe off campus, because they have awesome coffee and tomato soup. This semester I'm so busy I don't really have a "spot" since I'm always running around.

M: What is the party scene like?
K: The party scene is good! People go out Tuesday's and Thursday's, and then Friday and/or Saturday. And then of course there's tailgates in the fall and for St. Patrick's day and Rites of Spring.

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?
K: My favorite memory is probably the St. Patrick's day tailgates, or when we beat UK in basketball and stormed the court.

M: What makes Vanderbilt unique?
K: We're unique because we have such good academics, but also party and have fun. We're one of the few top universities left whose Greek life is intact.

My SoulCycle Experience

Athlete. Legend. Warrior. Renegade. Rockstar. SoulCycle. Those are the words that you see on the wall of the cycling studio when you first walk in. Prominent and bold standing out against an otherwise white wall. My mother and I decided to try out the treasured boutique fitness line. I had heard about it for what seemed like years now: how amazing the workout is or, in contrast, what a hoax it is. So firsthand, here is my experience with the Manhattan born SoulCycle.

The Layout. We walked into the lobby of SoulCycle, a simple area with a front desk and racks of workout clothes that all display "SOUL" somewhere on it. We were greeted by a strong smell of grapefruit in the welcome area. The front desk contained paperwork, of course, but also hair ties, gum, hand sanitizer, and a candle. With water for guests in a fridge behind the desk, this place was set. We initialed our names on a roll call list (our names highlighted, displaying to everyone that we were new) since we were "first time riders" we had to sign a waiver and then we were off. We were given special clip-in biking shoes before leading ourselves to the locker room. I must hand it to whoever designs these studios--or at least this one. In the small space they have cramped everything into, it works well. Though the lobby is small and the locker room small and the actual workout room small, it all works.

The Pre-Workout. An assistant helped us adjust our bikes (which I will probably never be able to do on my own) before we got on and clipped in. I noticed those around me were already sitting and peddling to warm up and many people seemed to know each other. There were those in the back and those in the front, which I have come to learn is a privilege. One must work up to the front row. And I totally understood why afterwards.

The atmosphere. Initially walking into the workout room though, the very first thing I noticed was that the lights were dim. Disclaimer: I knew literally nothing about SoulCycle aside from the fact that it is a boutique-style fitness spin class before going in. I didn't realize we literally bike in darkness. Not complete darkness though! There are two glowing red exit signs by each door, and an array of candles on the teacher's platform. As the instructor mounted the stage, she asked all the newbies to raise our hands. Three of us. Me and my mother included. It felt very much reminiscent of the first time I went to a Rocky Horror Picture show and had to be outed as an outsider and then initiated into the cult. But...not as, like, sexual. She just shook our hands.

The workout. The first, like, ten seconds of the workout I was thinking oh heck yes this music is pumping me up I am so fit I am so healthy look at me go. After that I was a mess. I was sweaty and gross. My legs hurt, I needed water, and no one else seemed to understand me. There was a lady in the front row who was directly in front of my view, so I had to stare at her the entire time. She used the rag to wipe her face maybe twice. And she never wasn't going to the beat of the music. She was superwoman. Literally superwoman.

The aftermath. My mom and I signed up for the "Evolution of Beyoncé" music class right after. So. I mean yeah. We liked it. A lot.

Overall I'd say SoulCycle is a good and fun workout if you don't like just going to the gym and lifting or running on the treadmill for a half hour. It's more engaging and makes working out fun! If you'd like to see more posts like this be sure to comment letting me know!