Capstone Service

My Capstone Service project was volunteering at Cocky’s Reading Express. When we went for orientation I was so excited. The video they showed of all the site visits was so sweet and seeing how excited the kids were got me very anxious to start. The majority of my volunteer hours were spent at the library putting stickers on hundreds of books that were then going to be given away to the kids on the site visits. Over the course of the semester I probably stickered 500 books, if not more. I did not mind it at all. It was somewhat relaxing and gave me some down time during my day. When I finally got to go on a site visit, I was so excited! I went to the Hand Middle School reading night to help out. It was so cute seeing how enthusiastic all the kids were and so intrigued by Cocky.

Capstone Challenge

My Capstone Challenge was going to the Challenge Course. I was very nervous because I do not like heights and I do not have a lot of upper body strength. I went with my roommate and one of our suitemates. I was pleased when I got there and it was only girls that showed up; that made me feel more comfortable. I let my roommate go first so I could see how she did and if it was going to be super hard. She did fine but it still looked scary. When it was my turn I made sure I took the easier route. I was shaking most of the way up, but when I made it to the top it was a great feeling of accomplishment. The next part that I almost did not do was the free falling swing. I HATE roller coasters and the way they make my stomach feel. At first I said I wasn’t going to do it, then I said I would but I would not go all the way to the top, then once I was up there I decided to experience it fully. It was definitely scary and my stomach felt like it was in my throat, but the feeling of accomplishment I get from saying I did it is great.

Capstone Social Event

                   The Capstone social even I chose to go to was a Hot Cookie Friday. I had never been to the Study Shack before, so it was good for me to find it and become familiar with it. I loved that it was not too crowded so everyone got a chance to talk to one another and Dr. Hickey. The cookies were delicious and there were multiple activities for everyone to partake in. Some people were playing Apples to Apples (the card game) and a lot of people were playing Wii bowling. I just stood around and talked to people and ate cookies but it was a good experience. It gave me a chance to meet people I would normally not know and just broaden my horizons. I did feel more comfortable though because a few girls from my hall were there with me as well. I would definitely go to another!

Capstone Cinema

The Capstone Cinema I attended was one of the Japanese films during International Week. It was called “Spirited Away.” I was forced to pick one of the International films as my Capstone cinema because all of the other movies this semester conflicted with my sorority chapter meetings. I was really not looking forward to watching an international film. I was afraid it was going to have subtitles which I HATE! We (my roommate and I) got there and the theater was fairly empty. We then realized it was an animated movie, which I hate almost as much as subtitles. So I was ready for a long, horrible movie. It started and luckily it was in English. I was very hesitant at first, but at the movie progressed and actually got REALLY into it. I had to option of leaving early with my roommate who had to go to church, but I stayed and finished the whole movie. Surprisingly it was really good! My roommate who was just as hesitant as I, enjoyed it as well and actually finished watching it on the computer when she got home.

Capstone Conversation

I attended the Capstone Conversation by Harlan Cohen. It was put on my Carolina Productions, but counted as a Capstone Conversation. Harlan is the author of the well known book “The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into In College.” I had heard a little bit about the book before going to the conversation, but didn’t know much about Harlan. He started off the conversation by singing a funny song and playing the guitar. The plot of the book is about Harlan’s freshman year of college and how he walked in to meet his roommate for the first time and found out he was a nudist. He has family pictures of ALL his family members (even his grandma) naked! The book tells you how to cope with weird situations one may face in college. Harlan was hysterical and I really enjoyed the conversation. He interacted with the audience which made it even more enjoyable. 

Service-Learning Wrap-up

                What I enjoyed most about my service experience was my on site trip. I went and helped out at the Hand Middle School reading night. It was fun getting to see all the kids so excited and interacting with Cocky. I wish there were more site visits that I could have participated in, but they were all during the week when I had class. I found my service site somewhat beneficial, although all I did was sticker books. However, knowing that the books were going to be given away to kids for free was nice.

 I definitely want to try to go on some site visits in the future. Hopefully they will not conflict with my classes next semester, or sometime in the future. I also would not mind going in every once in a while to volunteer or sticker books if they need extra help. I will definitely keep Ellin’s email address.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving break I found a ride back home to Atlanta, GA. I got home around 7:00 Tuesday night. My sister got home from Tulane University around midnight. The next day my grandparents (my mom’s parents) drove down from Knoxville, TN. On Thanksgiving day I had Thanksgiving lunch in Douglasville, GA with my boyfriend, his mom, uncle, grandparents and cousin. His grandma is such a good cook. Everything was delicious. I ate so much that I passed out for about a two hour nap. Later that night I then had Thanksgiving dinner with my family. I don’t think I have ever eaten so much food in one day. Today I went to the mall for Black Friday to go shopping and get good deals. I was supposed to get up at 3:00 this morning to go but ended up sleeping through my alarm. I have never been before and wanted to at least go once in my life. There were definitely a lot of people there! It was crazy!