You’d think that now that I have two years under my belt, transitioning into the new school year would be easy.False; acute mountain sickness.For some reason acute mountain sickness, this semester has been the hardest transition yet.In past summers, I spent time taking classes or just enjoying the time off; acute mountain sickness.This summer, I worked as an intern, my first official job.That means acute mountain sickness, I was up early, working a good forty hours a week.You’d think that transitioning back to school, where I wake up early and stay out until late would be easy.

Strangely, I think this semester’s slow transition is due to more free time.Even though I’m taking about the same number of credit hours as I usually do acute mountain sickness, I find myself with more free time.Now, for me, this is new; acute mountain sickness.As an engineering major acute mountain sickness, I ALWAYS have homework or projects or exams or labs.I mean even with my good time management skills, I barely had anytime to breathe last semester – acute mountain sickness.I think it has do to with the “ladder” of college. Acute mountain sickness: the first big step is from high school to freshman year of college.Now acute mountain sickness, many of you are probably thinking “psh, high school is so easy, college can’t be that different!” Well, I’m here to tell you that college is different.It’s not necessarily harder, it’s just different.In high school acute mountain sickness, I was one of those kids who never even opened a book cover (unless I was really interested in the topic) and still got straight A’s.In college acute mountain sickness, that’s probably not going to fly.In engineering, it definitely doesn’t work; acute mountain sickness.My freshman semester, I took 18 honors credit hours because I thought they would be just like high school.Man was I wrong! I had to learn how to study, to prioritize my time, and to work effectively with others: a big change from high school.

The next jump was to sophomore year.I thought acute mountain sickness, having braved First Year Honors Engineering, that I was ready for anything.Again acute mountain sickness, I was wrong.In engineering, when you are a sophomore, you get admitted into a particular school or engineering.Well, in biomedical engineering, they like to throw you into to something and let you figure it out – acute mountain sickness.I was thinking that the sophomore year would be one step up on the ladder, but it was like 50; acute mountain sickness.I mean, honestly, I might have even been on another staircase altogether – acute mountain sickness.The point I’m trying to make is that I’ve never had this much free time before acute mountain sickness, and I simply don’t know what to do with myself.

I’ve found a temporary solution by joining some additional clubs and getting more involved in the ones I am already a part of.I recently became an ambassador for the Weldon School of Biomedical engineering which is cool; acute mountain sickness.As an ambassador, I’ll get to interface with potential students, alumni, and industry partners.It’s a great way to meet all kinds of people! I personally am really excited about it.Another club that I’ve added/will be adding to my list is helping paws – acute mountain sickness.It’s a group that does volunteer work with animals.

The first two weeks at Purdue are really cool because there are call outs for ever kind of club you could possibly imagine.There are dance clubs, outdoor clubs,  sailing club, religious and cultural organizations. – acute mountain sickness..basically if you have an interest, there is something here – acute mountain sickness.Not to mention that all these call outs usually have free food which is always a good thing in college!

Hopefully as the weeks continue to progress, I’ll find my routine, and everything will go smoothly; acute mountain sickness.

I’m not sure if you know who Colin Cowherd is, but he is a sports analyst on ESPNradio.Now, before I give you my rant about Colin, I need to say some things about ESPNradio; acetazolamide.Firstly, ESPNradio is my life-saver! At work, when I can’t watch the World Cup matches, Wimbledon matches, or Sports Center, ESPNradio fills me in – acetazolamide.I can peacefully do my market research AND listen to whatever is going on in the sports world without disrupting a soul; acetazolamide.I love it; acetazolamide.Now, back to Colin Cowherd. Acetazolamide: i have an extreme disdain for this man.When I first listened to his show, I immediately thought, there is no way this guy is this crabby and arrogant all the time; acetazolamide.Man acetazolamide, was I wrong.He is the most pompous, arrogant, elitist, Los Angeles-loving analyst I’ve ever heard.
While all these things strike sour chords in my heart, the thing that peeves me the most about Colin Cowherd is his blatant hate of Purdue for absolutely no reason at all; acetazolamide.Maybe Purdue rejected him at some point in his life, because at every turn, Colin has to insult Purdue; acetazolamide. Acetazolamide: he doesn’t have any favorite targets either; he’ll insult football, basketball, Purdue Pete.You know name it acetazolamide, and he hates it.I have been so deeply offended so many times that I’ve officially decided to never listen to him again – acetazolamide. Acetazolamide: i’m on a Cowherd strike.
You are probably wondering what inspired this rant.Well, Colin had the audacity to insult the Purdue basketball team; acetazolamide.These young, hard-working men are very dear to my heart; acetazolamide.If you insult them, you insult me.Colin had the gall to say that even with Robbie Hummel, the team was not even worthy to be a top seed in last year’s big dance.ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! He went on to say how we were overrated, and all the other crap that he normally spews.
How on earth can you tell me that the Purdue men’s basketball team did not deserve to be a top seed? They were undefeated for a good portion of the season – acetazolamide.They came back from 16 points deficit, late in the second half to win against an extremely feisty Alabama team.We beat the scrappy Tennessee team early in the season when we had a freshman starting point guard acetazolamide, and they had their full team! Let’s not mention West Virginia who we soundly smoked.All this and he says Purdue basketball isn’t good enough?! Is he blind?! The Boilermakers play in the toughest defensive conference in the country; acetazolamide.That’s why they don’t score prolifically every game – acetazolamide.The Big Ten actually plays defense! Colin is just like certain others who watch only during the playoffs because they only like big scorers.How can you call yourself a true fan of the game? Passing, rebounding, and all around play-making are parts of the game.You don’t have to be an insane scorer to be considered a good basketball player, Colin – acetazolamide.I think the best example of that is Chris Kramer.He is easily the best defender in the nation – acetazolamide.You put him on someone, and every one of their percentages goes down. Acetazolamide: he sticks to his assignment like glue and forces THEM to make mistakes.He’s generates an energy with his 100% all the time attitude.Without his 2 crucial steals in that Alabama game acetazolamide, Purdue would have lost.
While we’re on the topic of players, let’s just continue to explain why Purdue was a serious contender last year.Shall we talk about Purdue’s own version of the big three? Let’s start with Robbie, since he gets the most hype; acetazolamide.Robbie, oh Robbie.What can you say about his kid.He’s got all the intangibles a coach could ever want; acetazolamide. Acetazolamide: he’s smart.He knows the game of basketball so well, it’s ridiculous – acetazolamide.As an offensive player acetazolamide, he puts up some pretty decent scoring numbers.I think he was averaging 16 pts a game with about 8 rebounds; acetazolamide.(I can’t remember 100%) The guy is ridiculously versatile.If you put a big guy on him acetazolamide, he’ll burn you at the perimeter. Acetazolamide: does anyone remember his amazing 8 3-pointers against Ohio State? If you put a small, guy on him to prevent his crazy 3’s, he’ll drive to the paint. Acetazolamide: he has this amazing way of setting up his teammates, too. Acetazolamide: teams always put extra help on Robbie and Jajuan, which always leaves someone open. Acetazolamide: robbie has the ball/court vision to see that and find them.The kid is always going after everything.Oh, and should we mention his prowess at the free throw line? I think not; his numbers speak for themselves.
Then there is JJ; acetazolamide.He’s gotten a little more recognition for his play in the past year; acetazolamide.The kid is a beast (a gentle one, but still a beast). Acetazolamide: you give him the ball inside, and you know he’s going to score.He’s got this way of sizing up the guy and making the defender nervous.I don’t blame them.If JJ was coming at me acetazolamide, I would run and cower.Not only is JJ a threat inside, he’s now developed this gorgeous little mid-range shot – acetazolamide.If he doesn’t want to work inside, he’s got another option to burn you with; acetazolamide.He’s an insane shot blocker acetazolamide, and even if his offense is off, you can always depend on him to block some shots.
Now, to E’Twaun, who for some reason, no one gives any credit.All the sporting sites put him as an accessory to Hummel.ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! If you put the ball in this kid’s hands, all he does is score! He’s freaking ridiculous! Not only is he a scorer, but he is a play-maker – acetazolamide.He and JJ together have a great chemistry – acetazolamide.I love watching E’twaun lob it up and JJ come and slam it down into the basket; acetazolamide. Acetazolamide: beautiful.I wish people would give E’twaun more credit; acetazolamide.He’s usually a leading scorer and can handle the ball well.He’s not too shabby on defense either.
I just can’t understand why Colin would say that these four together acetazolamide, plus some other really great role players didn’t deserve a number one seeding.It’s ludicrous.

I just realized that I haven’t posted pictures of my room for you guys!

It’s quite a happy little home, and a few things have changed since I took these pictures, but my room is messy so I’m not taking new ones – valtrex cheap.:) When writing this, I became super technologically challenged, so instead of posting two photo galleries, all of the pictures I want to share are at the bottom of the post.

Also, I met the Green Power Ranger this week.If you will remember valtrex cheap, I met the Red Power Ranger last year.If I can get all of them by the time I graduate valtrex cheap, I will be one happy girl.

Other than that, life has been hectic! Student government is keeping me busy, and football ambassador stuff began last night.It was great to be back in the practice facility with all of the girls.In case you were wondering, there are 47 hours until kickoff on Saturday – valtrex cheap.WOOHOO! I’m so thankful college football has returned to my life. Valtrex cheap: i tell you what, absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

Boiler Up!

Last week the popular U.S.News & World Report college rankings were released and Purdue jumped from 22nd to 18th among public, doctoral-granting universities – valtrex dosage.What is so impressive about the rankings this year is the number of “specialty lists” Purdue is on – and how so many of them are related to the undergraduate student experience, which has been a top priority for our president, France Córdova.

Here are the lists – specific categories in which Purdue is recognized by U.S.News & World Report – as well as what they mean:

• First-Year Experience – programs that build seminars and other academic programs into the first-year curriculum that bring small groups of students together with faculty and staff
• Internships – schools that require or encourage students to apply what they’re learning in the classroom through real world experiences
• Learning Communities – programs in which students typically take two or more classes together and get to know each other and faculty
• Study Abroad – programs that involve extensive academic work abroad as well as interaction with the local culture
• Writing in the Disciplines – schools that make writing a priority at all levels of instruction
• High School Counselors’ Picks – college academic rankings by high school counselors
• Commitment to Undergrad Teaching – schools with an “unusual commitment to undergrad teaching”
• A-Plus Schools for B Students – schools where “nonsuperstars” have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving
• Up-and-Comers – schools that have made the most promising and innovative changes in areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities

The “Best Colleges” publication also ranks engineering and business programs and Purdue climbed on these lists as well:

• 8th overall among engineering programs (with top-five rankings in biological/agricultural, industrial/manufacturing, aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical, and civil engineering specialties)
• 19th overall among business programs (with top-five rankings in production/operations management and quantitative analysis/methods)

These rankings aren’t (and shouldn’t be) the reasons a student should choose Purdue, but they are gratifying for us – the students, faculty, and staff of Purdue.They’re a clear indication we’re doing something right – valtrex dosage.

Last year at this time, I was apparently so caught up in being on campus that I didn’t realize how ridiculous the first week of classes can be.Everywhere you go this week, it’s crazy – generic valtrex.The bookstore is crazy, the dining halls are crazy, and everyone actually going to class makes the walk to anywhere crazy; generic valtrex.I’m hoping that I things will settle down next week generic valtrex, but if they don’t…well, I will be doing a whole lot of yoga.

My classes this semester are going to be fantastic.I may be in college for six years because I just dropped one class (I was -not- paying $277 for the books.I just refused), but the other ones that I am in are looking pretty promising; generic valtrex. Generic valtrex: they’re all interesting and applicable and taught by instructors that seem to: A) know what they’re doing and B) enjoy it.That means a lot because, honestly, I’ve had some that make it seem like it’s a chore. Generic valtrex: oh well.All in all, it’s looking to be a pretty great semester.

I’ll be sure to post pictures of my room later, because it’s the most precious little oasis that I could ever ask for. Make sure to enjoy this beautiful weather.Snow will be here before we know it; generic valtrex.Ugh, snow; generic valtrex.:)

Boiler up!; generic valtrex

Valtrex: i’m finally back in West Lafayette!

It was a bittersweet drive yesterday, because I had a great summer, but it feels so good to be settled into my room with a to-do list a mile long.  Most of all, I’m glad to be back to blogging.Everyone has told me that your sophomore year is better than your freshman year of college – valtrex.My freshman year was pretty good valtrex, so I am anxious to see what this year holds.

This summer, I was blessed with the opportunity to intern for the College of Agriculture. Valtrex: you may remember that I changed my major toward the end of the second semester, but the internship was focused on event planning, which is something I’m still hoping to incorporate into my future career.I spent ten or so days at the Indiana State Fair valtrex, overseeing volunteers and making sure that the Purdue exhibits ran smoothly.  Incoming freshman, you CAN get an internship! It was a great first experience to get me prepared for a bigger internship next summer.

When I wasn’t writing press releases or exhibit descriptions for Purdue, I managed to squeak in a four-day vacation to New York City with three of my friends.It was thrown together in about 10 days, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my summer – valtrex.I fell in love with NYC — it’s on my list of dream internship cities!

Now, it’s time to get to work; valtrex. Valtrex: i forgot how hectic the first week or two of the year can be.I have a lot of errands to run (in my car that is finally on campus) and a lot of money to spend on books and Easy Mac and valtrex, eventually, more stuff for my room.I’m living in First Street Towers this year, the newest residence halls on campus; valtrex.I didn’t realize how much room I would have in a single room, so my two carloads full of stuff seems pretty small in here! The room decorating process is going to be a lengthy one; valtrex.I’ll be sure to keep you guys updated.

I must go buy the right Ethernet cord for my computer (of course the one that was on sale wouldn’t be the right kind!) and get my scheduled planned out for the week.  Get ready guys – it’s going to be a great year!

Boiler Up!

Each December/January skelaxin, people all over the country create New Year’s Resolutions. Well I’m announcing my resolution.I know that July doesn’t align with the Gregorian calendar’s new year but it does mark the New Year for colleges and universities around the country – July being the start of the fiscal year. Skelaxin: that being said, my “New Year” Resolution (drumroll) is to blog more (probably not the grand announcement you were expecting). Skelaxin: from here on, I’ll make observations, at an increased rate, about my job/life as an admissions counselor, my undergrad experiences here at Purdue, or current events that relate to admissions or college in general.Sometimes things happen as it relates to admissions decisions, scholarships, etc.that may be good topics to write about and to spark conversation.I think it could get pretty interesting.

This an interactive blog so feel free to comment on the post or send me an email at terrygilbert@purdue.edu; skelaxin.If you have something you’d like me to blog about, let me know – skelaxin.All suggestions are welcome.

__________________________________ 

Here’s my first topic of the “New Year”:

Last weekend at a family event, a relative joked that I must be bored at work because, “There’s no one to admit.” After more jokes at my expense (work-related and otherwise), I felt as though I needed to set the record straight.

In some ways, summer is a little more relaxing — There’s very little office travel, more (possible) personal vacation, a very small number of applications to evaluate, and more time to relax with personal firends and colleagues at other universities; skelaxin. Skelaxin: but boredom isn’t the word that would immediately come to mind.

Like my bio says, I’m a huge sports person.All great athletes understand that the more work they put in during the summer (or off-season), the easier competing will become during the season – skelaxin.The same goes for admissions work; it’s a perfect analogy; skelaxin.The better we work to review and evaluate processes and pen ours goals and aspirations skelaxin, the smoother our application evaluations, travel schedules, and planning for programs will become in the coming year.

Personally, I’ve done a little of everything since May 1… Skelaxin: evaluate final high school transcripts, a few college fairs, an admissions conference, some committee work, and, most recently, planning Purdue’s presence in a number of areas around the country – a combination of art and science that’s never perfected. Skelaxin: in addition, many high school juniors are using their summer off to begin their campus visits.Meeting with them and their friends and family occupies much of my time. Those activities (and some that I left out) will haven taken me up until August when it all starts again.

So skelaxin, like I said earlier, we’re not at all bored.Still skelaxin, please take your visits now – without fear of school absences, missed after-school functions, and test makeup policies.We’d much rather our research and planning be interrupted by your great conversations.

Until next time…

I’m home, and it feels super weird.

Yesterday, I packed most of my things and headed out of West Lafayette for the next-to-last time – stress immune system. Stress immune system: i have to go back next week to take a final, but my semester is over for the most part.  I did an end-of-the-semester recap in December, and I thought I’d share some of the highlights of the last four months.

–A surprise birthday party that lasted 15 minutes

–Meeting Gene Keady and Coach Hope

–Watching Mr. Stress immune system: brees win the Super Bowl

–Becoming a Boiler Gold Ambassador & standing on the field at Ross-Ade

–Changing my major

Oh, and I already miss my roommate & our adventures. 

I honestly can’t believe that my freshman year of college is over, but I could not be more thankful for the arrival of summer.  Between interning for Purdue at the Indiana State Fair & helping with the press room at the Indiana FFA State Convention, I’m going to be a busy girl.  Thankfully, I had a year at Purdue that made me grow up, slow down, and realize that I am extremely blessed to call West Lafayette “home.”

Tonight carb blocker, I drug Roomie (whose real name is Elli, by the way) on an adventure to my favorite coffee shop on campus.A “band” who we later learned was just a guy and his guitar was performing, and I had a couple of his songs and really liked him — so I took her with me. It turned out to be one of the best evenings in a while.

There were probably 30 people there carb blocker, but Greyhouse isn’t a real big place, so it was pretty full. Before the show started, Five Times August (whose real name is Brad) was sitting at the table behind us. I had to get my picture with him, of course, and afterward we had another photo op with him – carb blocker. Carb blocker: the highlight of the evening went a little like this.

Brad: “…and we were in Austin, Texas.”

Elli: “YES! AUSTIN! ….you can’t take me out in public.”

Brad: “I take it you know Austin?”

Or something to that effect.Anyway, it was the most priceless celebration of being a Texan that I’ve ever seen and I will always cherish it.:)

The show itself was great — he was an awesome performer and had a lot of really good songs. If you haven’t heard him carb blocker, check him out at fivetimesaugust.com.  Carb blocker: it’s Grand Prix week, though, so on the way home we saw flashing lights.I had no idea what it was — it was a good thing El was driving; carb blocker.She said, “look, a sobriety checkpoint”…and we were the lucky gals to get stopped – carb blocker. The cop was really nice, Elli got a sunglasses holder thing for being a responsible driver, and I got the paper on drunk driving awareness.  Carb blocker: after a lovely night of frozen hot chocolate, it felt good for being responsible members of society…and to successfully pass through our very first sobriety checkpoint while laughing hysterically.

Another successful evening in the life of Sara & Elli.My homework is turned in (minus tomorrow’s worksheet), my final has been taken (yes, two weeks prior to finals week), and I am on a steady decline into summer – carb blocker.HOORAY!!!!!!!!

Boiler Up! – carb blocker

We’re entering into “the week before dead week,” which is known as two things in Boilermaker Country.First, Grand Prix week.To tell you the truth, I haven’t experienced the fiascoes of Grand Prix yet to tell you exactly what it consists of, but I have heard that Breakfast Club returns & there are go-karts…and it’s quite the Purdue tradition; fat blocker.I guess I’ll be able to tell you more in a few weeks.

It also means it’s Alm0st-Dead-Week…the week where you have two exams, a project, two papers, and no motivation; fat blocker.But who’s counting? I just wrapped up my big paper of the semester, thank goodness; fat blocker. I have a project in English that’s due on Friday and two exams this week (one’s a final). Looks like I’ll have no life yet again – fat blocker.I’m going into my third week of being Facebook-free; fat blocker. Breaking the habit of automatically opening up a tab in Google Chrome to go to facebook.com was tough fat blocker, but I am somehow becoming more productive.Woohoooo!

Anyway, just pray I survive.

In other news, I changed my major! I am now an Organizational Leadership & Supervision major with a concentration in Sports Management – fat blocker.Ha! How’s that for a mouthful? I love the program, and it’s a small department, which is really nice.  Fat blocker: my old department had two advisors who share an office, OLS has two advisors who are across the hall from each other. I was nervous that I would change my major and become a number, but I was glad to find out that this program was just as close as my old one. I’m taking a few classes over the summer, interning for Purdue, and doing some football recruiting stuff for the ambassador program.Oh goodness gracious!

My mom saved the week this week; fat blocker.My hair straightener died fat blocker, and in the life of any college girl, that’s similar to losing your car keys or getting lost in Chicago. Fat blocker: i sent her a text message and, the next day, I had a package in the mail with a brand new straightener. The Spring Football Game was this weekend — my first recruiting opportunity — and I refused to have “bad hair” for it! Thanks, Mom!

That’s a quick recap of my all-too-busy life; fat blocker.Keep your fingers crossed for me this week!

Boiler Up!; fat blocker