go blue danielle

D. Wong, Wallaby Way, Sydney?

Go Blue Bloggers — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0000

As I’m snuggled under my comforter in my bed right now, I can’t help but doze off every once in awhile. I look outside and see the new, white snow covering the Arb, and it makes me feel like I never want to leave my cozy room again. The reason is because it’s not the most enjoyable experience trekking through campus through inches of snow and slush (always worrying about slipping, falling, and watching people shy away from you as they burst into silent giggles when you do trip). But I always eventually muster the energy to throw the covers off, bundle up in layers, and brave the Michigan weather. When I weigh my options of journeying into the storm to see my friends/ attending a Phi Chi Theta event/going to a Super Bowl party (like I did this past weekend – Go Giants!) or watching three seasons of Grey’s Anatomy in bed by myself; friends always trump all. Maybe at the time of the ten minute walk to the occasion do I regret my decision, but when I’ve arrived at whatever I wanted to do, it’s worth it to me. Weather should never stop you from doing what you want to do – especially in Michigan – so don’t let it. The rewards are far greater if you don’t let the weather cramp your style.

Reason for not studying abroad: The best friends and football games.

Reason to study abroad: Look at that view!

With that said, while I do love Ann Arbor and harbor an unhealthy obsession with U-M, I have begun to think about studying abroad. It pains me to think that I might end up spending an entire semester away from the school town, the friends, and the groups I love so dearly. However, when are you ever given another opportunity to spend five months in a foreign country to study and have a phenomenal time? No other time than college. The beauty of studying abroad is that it is limitless – Michigan offers over 80 programs in 41 countries. Even if that doesn’t satisfy me, I have the opportunity to study abroad through many programs sponsored by other Universities in the country. I am looking for a program with English-speaking classes, classes that pertain to my major, a great town or city to explore, and warm, sunny weather wouldn’t hurt. Presently, Australia is looking like the number one geographical and academic location. England's academic programs are also in the running. However, before settling, I will make sure to speak with my academic advisor, speak with an Office of International Programs representative, and make sure the program’s credits will transfer into credit at U-M. This newfound interest in studying abroad is a fledging idea, work in progress – more to come later.

In the meantime, I will be focusing on upcoming exams, staying warm and healthy, and not letting the weather get me down. Until next time… Go Blue!

We Michigan Students are Busy Busy Bees

Go Blue Bloggers — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:25:00 +0000

Sorry my blog has been MIA for awhile, but while for most people the beginning of the semester is calm, relatively work-free, and associated with the only time of year one can achieve 8 hours of sleep a night, it’s been the opposite for me. I’ve been planning and organizing winter rush for my pre-professional business Fraternity for the past couple of weeks. Needless to say, the rush events I planned with the Vice-President of Internal Affairs went off without a hitch. We had about eighty students rush the Fraternity, and we ended up with a great Pledge Class of eighteen. I am the Pledge Mom this semester, which means that these are my “kids”. I am their go-to person for anything that they need, concerns or questions they have, and I am going to make sure that all of them make it through this pledge process. I hope that this Pledge Class will be able to bond as much with each other as I had once with my Pledge Class and with the other members of the Fraternity. I’ve discovered over the course of this year how much this fraternity has given me. The friendships that have blossomed between us “brothas and sistahs” of PCT, as my friends Tarun and Cory would put it, have really given me a solid social and professional network to utilize whenever and wherever I want. This past weekend, I went to West Bloomfield with a few other members, and we ate home-cooked Indian food at my friend Tarun's house. I can honestly say that some of these people are exponentially growing into some of my best friends.

Aside from my business Fraternity, I had my first Campus Day this past Monday. I thought the hardest part would be remembering enough information from last year to give an hour and a half tour. However, the only problem I faced was my 6:15 a.m. wake-up call and the 20 minute walk to the Michigan Union. Things looked up when I had a steaming cup of fresh Amer’s coffee in my hand. I had forgotten how much I loved Campus Day until I greeted people at the doors, I stepped on the stage of the Parent panel, and sang “Hail to the Victors” with the audience. Not only do I love the other leaders, but I love the rush of excitement I get each time I get to talk about the school I love. This is my one outlet for my extensive knowledge on Michigan, and I take full advantage of it every Monday. I get to show admitted students what this school is all about, and why this school is for them. I’m even happy to be eating in the Residence Halls again, because as much as I hate to admit it, I do miss the dining hall food. My first stops were the chocolate soy milk station, an apple, and the soft serve ice cream.

This brings me to my final point, which is how important it is to find your niche at this University. Michigan is a school composed of 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Students may feel like they are just a number, but if you get involved in a few things that greatly interest you, you will find those social networks make this University a thousand times smaller. You’ll find some of the most interesting, diverse and unique friends through these groups and organizations. So here’s a bit of fair warning, when you get to campus, the first thing you do should not be plugging in your TV and Xbox or Wii. Rather it should be going to Festifall, exploring the hundreds of different organizations splattered across the different appendages of the Diag, and signing your name to at least a dozen e-mail lists. Find those few that you really find yourself attracted to, and take full advantage of everything they have to offer.

Until next time – Go Blue!

2008 with a Michigan Twist

Go Blue Bloggers — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:34:00 +0000

January 1, 2008

If I had to pick one phrase to mark the significance of this momentous day, what would you guess it is?

Nope, not “Happy New Year” – something far less traditional although “Happy New Year would be my second-best option. It’s a phrase expressed across all cultures that represents the start of a new beginning, a “clean slate” and another opportunity to follow through with your new and old New Year’s resolutions (because it’s going to actually happen this year). Personally though, there is a better phrase – and what is that phrase exactly?

GO BLUE!

On this day, the Michigan Wolverines defeated double-digit spreads, the underdog status, lots of smack talk from all angles, and the defending National Championship winners – the Florida Gators. On this day, Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr ended his Michigan coaching career with a big bang and a big win. I personally cannot think of any man who deserved it more. I will proudly announce that the mix of emotions I felt during this game – excitement, anticipation, fear, sentimentality, happiness – resulted in a rush of overwhelming tears and a permanent smile across my face. And regardless of what the future holds for Michigan Football, I will always remember this day as the day I defined with the two words “Go Blue”.

But there are 364 more days in the year 2008 waiting to be defined and explored. So what do I have to look forward to? New classes with new notebooks and new material to learn. Campus Day every Monday and a new pledge class to bond with for Phi Chi Theta, my co-ed pre-professional business fraternity. 27 Dresses with James Marsden and Katherine Heigl. Spring Break in February, although plans have not been finalized, and Dance Marathon in March. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Juno on DVD. My 20^th birthday. Summer vacation with old friends, the Beijing Olympics and the start of my Junior year at U-M. These are just a few events to fill my 2008 academic planner; the rest is written spontaneously.

Now I must go, because one of my New Year’s resolutions is to spend less time being lazy on my computer and more time being active and efficient – like sledding in the Arb, not waiting till the last minute to do homework, shopping downtown, eating out on Main Street, taking a Cardio Blast class at the CCRB, and more.

Until next time, GO BLUE!

Time flies when you're having fun!

Go Blue Bloggers — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:11:00 +0000

It’s December – can you believe it? With the end of first semester of my sophomore year approaching, I’ve realized that this semester wasn’t all that different from first semester freshman year. Sure, I knew a lot more at the beginning of this semester. This semester, I was not scared of the big lectures, I didn’t whip out my map every two steps, and I didn’t arrive ten minutes early to every class. No, this semester I positioned myself comfortably in the middle row, middle seat of the lecture hall, I knew where the buildings were and what shortcuts to take, and I arrived ten minutes after the hour. But this semester as a whole had few differences.
Some similarities? Well, for one, Football Saturdays (regardless of our less impressive record) were still the highlight of my weekends. The stadium was always packed, students were dressed in their best Maize & Blue, and cow bells rang while beach balls floated around the stadium. There was no lack of spirit from this year to last. I still felt the same rush of pride and enthusiasm every time the marching band played the Victors and the stadium erupted in song and cheer.
Another similarity? I still needed just as much advising this semester as I did last year. I believe my slew of advisors will be sick of me by the time I graduate! I will always need my LSA advisor to help me fulfill the core requirements. The new advisors I saw this year were my concentration advisors, who helped me in deciding what classes for my major would be appropriate to take now.
More similarities? While I am not in the residence halls this year, I still have Grey’s anatomy night on Thursdays. I still procrastinate with my friends, who are now my roommates. I still celebrate birthdays at Mongolian Barbeque (if not for the free dessert, but for the amazing food). I still pull all-nighters when big exams or papers are due, surviving off of espresso and Red Bull. I’m still constantly meeting new people and making new friends. And I still have to wear eight layers of clothes, with my long “cocoon” coat on top, on my way to class, before peeling most of it off once I enter the well-heated buildings.
Key differences? Now that I live in an apartment, I have a fully equipped kitchen at my disposal. I’ve channeled my inner Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart, cooking dinner (I’m proud to announce that I was nominated Top Chef of the apartment) and baking lots of goodies for my apartment every once in awhile. We have room now for a Christmas tree, which we put up promptly after returning from Thanksgiving. And this year I have no ladder or loft, my bed is placed firmly on the ground.
As I look back on this past semester, I can’t believe half of my sophomore year is coming to an end. I’m sad to be leaving my friends and Ann Arbor in a couple weeks. I’m sad to end the classes that I liked so much this semester. But I’m anticipating the winter vacation, free of stress and work. I’m excited to be reunited with my friends from home. I’m excited for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the Capital One Bowl. And I’m excited for winter semester, the new books, the new classes, and the new year. GO BLUE!