Yes, ‘tis the season, the season of finals. final exams, final swim meets, final goodbyes to friends, final classes, final concerts, you get the picture. I’ve begun to feel a bit sentimental in saying goodbye to all my daily activities at Saint Mike’s. Last weekend, I participated in my final swim meet of junior year. Every year, the team travels down to Bentley University for the Bentley Invitational. I didn’t swim as well as I would have liked to, but I honestly felt that I’d worked my hardest. I’ve just had too much distracting me from swimming this season.
Speaking of distractions, Friday was the last day of classes this semester, and it was strange to be saying goodbye to some of my professors and classmates. I’ve sincerely enjoyed some of my classes this semester, so it feels unreal that I won’t see my classmates for eight months. I know I’m going to be making great new friends while exploring Tanzania, but I can’t say that I won’t miss all the good friends I’ve made at SMC.
Especially the girls I sing with, the Bellas. I’m a member of the all-female, A Capella group the Aca Bellas, and what a wonderful group of girls we are. I am so lucky to have 21 talented, amazing, and dependable friends. We had our final concert last night, and spent the whole morning baking treats for the concert, singing Christmas carols, and just enjoying our time together. Our concert was one of the best we have ever put on. We were all ready to sing, gave it our all, and had fun with it. I am going to miss these girls more than anything when I’m in Africa. They are some of my best friends on campus. I believe we’re all so emotionally close, because of the music that we share. Corny, I know, but there’s something in our music that I can’t explain. Singing with the Bella’s takes away from anything I had been worrying about or stressing over. If I’m upset before rehearsal, you can bet that I’ll be laughing by the time I leave. These girls are truly my best friends, and I can’t wait to hear everything they accomplish in my absence.
After the concert, last night, I went out to visit some friends, and say some final goodbyes. As finals week is in full swing, there isn’t a guarantee that I’m going to see everyone I would like to before I leave. This is upsetting because many of my close friends are seniors at Saint Mike’s and sometimes I worry that I won’t see them after they graduate! It’s particularly hard to say goodbye to someone that you’re not sure when you will next see. I know all my friends are going to have a great last semester, and I’m going to have an amazing abroad experience, but it’s weird thinking that they won’t be here when I move in my senior year.
Well, to top it all off, I saw a shooting star when I was walking home last night. This shooting star made my night. It’s funny when something so little as a shooting star makes you smile. Makes you think of silly things like old friends and the end of a semester same little piece of the sky that you are. I’ve heard the sky in Tanzania is endless. I’ll take a picture and post it as soon as I confirm this, I promise.
Alas, finals aren’t going to study for themselves…Macro and Abstract Algebra here I come…
-Emma
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
And I'm Ready for Some Shots.
And no, I don't mean the alcohol type...
Today was the first day of my seriously needed Thanksgiving break! I came home around 6:00 on Monday night, absolutely exhausted from only getting two hours of sleep, and having an intense swim practice that morning... suffice it to say, I fell asleep around 8:30.
But I woke up refreshed, and ready to spend some quality time with my dad, who had taken the day off. We ended up golfing at Twin Hills Country Club, where he spends a lot of his free time. Unfortunately, I hadn't packed my "golfing wardrobe" and ended up wearing my dad's clothes... jacket, pants, shocks, shirt, and shoes included. A few mulligans later, we found ourselves laughing up the fairway. We played seven holes (didn't exactly have time to play nine) and had lunch together. I had a great time, as you can see from the picture below. Note, the ball is still on the tee...
Today was the first day of my seriously needed Thanksgiving break! I came home around 6:00 on Monday night, absolutely exhausted from only getting two hours of sleep, and having an intense swim practice that morning... suffice it to say, I fell asleep around 8:30.
But I woke up refreshed, and ready to spend some quality time with my dad, who had taken the day off. We ended up golfing at Twin Hills Country Club, where he spends a lot of his free time. Unfortunately, I hadn't packed my "golfing wardrobe" and ended up wearing my dad's clothes... jacket, pants, shocks, shirt, and shoes included. A few mulligans later, we found ourselves laughing up the fairway. We played seven holes (didn't exactly have time to play nine) and had lunch together. I had a great time, as you can see from the picture below. Note, the ball is still on the tee...
Well, as you may be curious, the real reason for the unfortunate LMFAO reference in this post's title came after golfing. At three today, I had an appointment at Baystate Medical Center's travel clinic, to talk about my health and safety abroad, and to get my vaccinations! After discussing the malaria pills I'm going to be taking while in Tanzania, I was given a couple immunizations... four to be exact. I am now vaccinated against: Yellow Fever, Polio, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid Fever. Yes, the Typhoid Mary joke was made. As I'm an old hat when it comes to shots, these weren't too bad, other than leaving a nasty bruise. They did however make my trip far more of a reality.
After being poked and prodded, I was given a nifty little sheet that details what I should and shouldn't eat when I'm abroad. I can't really eat anything that hasn't been cooked, and certainly can't drink any water that isn't bottled. Understandably, to those who know me well, it was specifically stressed that at no moment am I allowed to sing in the shower. But for those of you who don't know me, this restriction was stressed because I am the loudest and most consistent shower singer you will ever meet. It is almost certain that this specific constraint is going to be difficult for me.
Well, tomorrow, is my Dad's birthday, so I'm off to bed since I have to wake up early. We have this tradition in the Hauser household where the birthday person wakes up to breakfast in bed, and of course, the dulcet tones of the Happy Birthday song...
Until next time,
Emma
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Like Your Brain Can't Keep Up with Your Beak
Please accept my sincere apologies for the lack of blogging. It seems school has just gotten busier and busier these past weeks. But, as of today, I have exactly eleven more days of classes and only 36 days until I'm home for winter break. This semester is flying by, and seemingly getting more difficult each day.
Today has been particularly stressful as my morning has not gone as planned. I woke up at 7:30 rather than 6:30 and missed morning swim practice. Went to get an early start on studying my abstract algebra (I have a huge exam tomorrow) and realized I didn't have my book. My friend whom I had been studying with had accidentally picked it up, and it took an extra fifteen minutes just to get it back. Then on my way to breakfast I realized I had left my keys and my Knightcard in my Suite. Thus, I unfortunately had to walk all the way back to my building; incidentally a building I had locked myself out of. So I had to steal a friend’s key card all in order to get breakfast.
So all in all, I’ve finally made it to a study room in the library, two hours after I initially began my morning...
But this isn’t even the worst part. Tonight I have practice from four to six, an orientation reunion dinner at seven, rehearsal at eight, and I'm tutoring from nine to eleven. I guess you could say I have a certain tendency to put too many things on my plate. And when I realize this, I stress out and begin to do things without thinking. Its funny, because I know exactly what my mom would have said to me, had I been home this morning. She would have said: "Slow down, take a deep breath, you're moving too quickly and forgetting things. Let you're mind catch up with you. Write out a list of things you need to do, and tackle them one at a time." She always has the best advice...
Anyways,
The more exciting news of the day would be that my plane tickets have been purchased, and everything is beginning to fall into place for my trip!
I’m beginning to study some Swahili (when my schedule permits) and I’m starting to make a packing list, and a list of things I need to purchase in the next few weeks… including some type of e-reader.
That’s where you come in!
I need advice on deciding what to buy. What would you suggest; the nook tablet or the kindle fire?
Well, off to study,
wish me luck
-Emma
Today has been particularly stressful as my morning has not gone as planned. I woke up at 7:30 rather than 6:30 and missed morning swim practice. Went to get an early start on studying my abstract algebra (I have a huge exam tomorrow) and realized I didn't have my book. My friend whom I had been studying with had accidentally picked it up, and it took an extra fifteen minutes just to get it back. Then on my way to breakfast I realized I had left my keys and my Knightcard in my Suite. Thus, I unfortunately had to walk all the way back to my building; incidentally a building I had locked myself out of. So I had to steal a friend’s key card all in order to get breakfast.
So all in all, I’ve finally made it to a study room in the library, two hours after I initially began my morning...
But this isn’t even the worst part. Tonight I have practice from four to six, an orientation reunion dinner at seven, rehearsal at eight, and I'm tutoring from nine to eleven. I guess you could say I have a certain tendency to put too many things on my plate. And when I realize this, I stress out and begin to do things without thinking. Its funny, because I know exactly what my mom would have said to me, had I been home this morning. She would have said: "Slow down, take a deep breath, you're moving too quickly and forgetting things. Let you're mind catch up with you. Write out a list of things you need to do, and tackle them one at a time." She always has the best advice...
Anyways,
The more exciting news of the day would be that my plane tickets have been purchased, and everything is beginning to fall into place for my trip!
I’m beginning to study some Swahili (when my schedule permits) and I’m starting to make a packing list, and a list of things I need to purchase in the next few weeks… including some type of e-reader.
That’s where you come in!
I need advice on deciding what to buy. What would you suggest; the nook tablet or the kindle fire?
Well, off to study,
wish me luck
-Emma
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Jungle and The Plains and Peaks are Scheduled to be Mine...
I'm on my way to swimming so this is going to be short and to the point:
I sent in my confirmation materials today, which basically means, I'm going to Tanzania... departure date: January 24, 2012
When I first dropped my letter at the post office, I was a little nervous. I was expecting to be a little anxious as confirming my spot in the program means I need to start thinking about all of the pre-departure things I need to purchase (tent, sleeping bag, backpack, clothes). And of course scheduling all the doctors appointments I need to make before I leave. (I have to start taking my malaria pills around thanksgiving time)
I may be a little nervous, but I'm so excited to be beginning this new chapter in my life. I saw an airplane taking off today and my first instinct was to say to a friend: "That's going to be me soon"
I have a feeling my roommates are going to get tired of my pre departure antics, such as walking around the suite with my new backpacking backpack taking about being "in training"
Love,
Emma
I sent in my confirmation materials today, which basically means, I'm going to Tanzania... departure date: January 24, 2012
When I first dropped my letter at the post office, I was a little nervous. I was expecting to be a little anxious as confirming my spot in the program means I need to start thinking about all of the pre-departure things I need to purchase (tent, sleeping bag, backpack, clothes). And of course scheduling all the doctors appointments I need to make before I leave. (I have to start taking my malaria pills around thanksgiving time)
I may be a little nervous, but I'm so excited to be beginning this new chapter in my life. I saw an airplane taking off today and my first instinct was to say to a friend: "That's going to be me soon"
I have a feeling my roommates are going to get tired of my pre departure antics, such as walking around the suite with my new backpacking backpack taking about being "in training"
Love,
Emma
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A whole new town with a whole new way
Confirmation!
After waiting for what felt like a lifetime (only a week, and it was serious test of my patience...) I received the one email I had been waiting on. Sitting in my mailbox, an email welcoming me into the SIT study abroad family! Naturally, I just about screamed, scrambled out of bed, and ran to my roommates to tell them the good news!
I just can’t believe its official! I still have to see the travel doctor to get all the various medication necessary and I need to buy some new accessories, including knee length skirts, and camping material, but I am actually going to be on a plane to Africa in a short 15 weeks!
I guess this means it’s time to start Swahili lessons!!
- Emma
After waiting for what felt like a lifetime (only a week, and it was serious test of my patience...) I received the one email I had been waiting on. Sitting in my mailbox, an email welcoming me into the SIT study abroad family! Naturally, I just about screamed, scrambled out of bed, and ran to my roommates to tell them the good news!
I just can’t believe its official! I still have to see the travel doctor to get all the various medication necessary and I need to buy some new accessories, including knee length skirts, and camping material, but I am actually going to be on a plane to Africa in a short 15 weeks!
I guess this means it’s time to start Swahili lessons!!
- Emma
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
Hello!
My name is Emma Hauser. I am a junior mathematics major, biology minor at Saint Michael's College in northern Vermont. The fall semester started about four weeks ago, and I can't tell you how busy I already am! I haven't really had time to start thinking about my trip, until last Wednesday at about three in the afternoon.
It was then when I received an email from SIT study abroad to let me know my application was under review, and I would know whether or not to buy a plane ticket to Tanzania within the next three weeks!!
Over the past week I have been checking my email more than ever, waiting for their decision. It has to come within the next two weeks, so I will keep you all updated!
But until then,
Usiku mwema (Good night... I think )
-Emma
My name is Emma Hauser. I am a junior mathematics major, biology minor at Saint Michael's College in northern Vermont. The fall semester started about four weeks ago, and I can't tell you how busy I already am! I haven't really had time to start thinking about my trip, until last Wednesday at about three in the afternoon.
It was then when I received an email from SIT study abroad to let me know my application was under review, and I would know whether or not to buy a plane ticket to Tanzania within the next three weeks!!
Over the past week I have been checking my email more than ever, waiting for their decision. It has to come within the next two weeks, so I will keep you all updated!
But until then,
Usiku mwema (Good night... I think )
-Emma
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