Class of 2014: Freshman Blog

Welcome to my new blog site: Talk Nerdy to Me! My cousin had a t-shirt with “Talk Nerdy to Me” on it and I thought it was clever, funny, and academic, which are three things I like to think I am (though my jokes could use a little work…) . This means that this will be my last post appearing on the Class of 2014 blog (feel free to shed a tear or two). From now on, you’ll find me here: http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/sydney/.

Though my new blog is nerd-inspired, this first blog isn’t. A girl has to shake things up sometimes. I’m going to write about a big milestone for me that happened just a couple weeks ago: running a 5k.

Now, in high school, I was pretty athletic. My freshman year, I made varsity swimming, and my team was the top team in the conference. I was varsity the next year, too. I also ran 5k’s and did a couple triathlons. But then, a little set-back happened.

One summer, my friend accidentally knocked me down the bleachers at a football game, and like Humpty Dumpty, I went tumbling down. After some doctors and some MRIs, I was told I have herniated back discs. My best way to describe it is if my spine was made of Oreos, a couple of mine would have the cream filling squishing out. Needless to say, my messed up Oreos made me unable to swim varsity anymore, unable to run, and in all honestly, unable to do any hard-core working out of any type.

During this school year, I used the elliptical at the gym and found that it didn’t hurt my back, so I started to rebuild my strength on that. And eventually I built enough strength to try to run again. And here I am, already completing a 5k.

Sure, I’m much slower than I used to be, but I feel really accomplished to have gotten this far. The main reason is because at school, I realized how important it is to stay in shape. A lot of people blame school food for the freshman 15, but in all honesty, it does have healthy options. In reality, it all comes down to being an adult and making healthy choices for yourself, and a healthy choice that I have made for next year is to get up in the morning and run or use the elliptical before class. Now, I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to stick to it, and it may change to nights because I’m not really a morning person, but just a word to the wise: there are a lot of changes in college, one of which being you are in charge of yourself. Make sure you treat yourself right. :)

Post-race...

Hey y’all! I’m home chilling in my bedroom and I started to think about how my dorm room even compared to it’s magnificence. Then I realized I did a pretty good job at adapting my dorm room to have the same homeyness as my real room.

Below is my sanctuary. Pepto Bismol pink and all. When I decorated it, I was going for a pink, black, and white French theme…the only part of it I really got a tight grip on was the pink part.

Now, here I will present the evidence from my real room that shows how my dorm room stemmed from it (and if you haven’t seen my dorm room, go to the Hopkins YouTube page and check out my crib!) These are the things that made Hopkins seem like it was my home away from home.

Exhibit A: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey (yes, we are on a first name basis) sits in a huge frame right above my bed at home. At school, I got a big poster of her, but decided not to get a frame.  The poster was big and pink, so Audrey livened up my dorm room.

Exhibit B: My Jewelry

My nonnie gave me that jewelry box when I was little and it is packed to the brim. What is packed that heavy in my dorm closet? My jewelry box on a hanger. Lots of stores are selling hangers with lots of little compartments for jewelry. It is a real space saver…so I got to bring a lot of jewelry!

Exhibit C: My DVDs

I love movies a lot. A lot a lot. What did I do in college? Honestly, I only brought a couple, but between everyone on the floor, there were tons of DVDs. Everyone on my floor was cool on sharing, especially Christine, who had every movie knownst to man.

Exhibit D: YEA PACKERS

Self-explanatory.

As you can see, it was easy to make my dorm room a home. All I had to do was bring a little bit of my real home with me. :)

College brings out a lot in a person. Personality quirks. Fashion styles. Special skills. I guess you could say it did that for me, too…but I didn’t know about it until this month. My new love? Cupcake decorating.

It all started during JHU’s Relay For Life. I came out to support my friends at their table, where they were selling the most magnificent cupcakes. They were decorated to look just like the JHU_Kate. One of the two.

P.S. If you note the similarity to my first blog in that introduction (See it at: http://tinyurl.com/27fqen7), you are the coolest person ever. For sure.

Love my girlies <3

So, if you don’t know me already, my name is Sydney (and you can find out a lot more about me here: http://tinyurl.com/3o3jsun ). And looking back on my freshman experience, I would say this year has involved a lot of changing. I mean, I think the point of college is for growth, both academically and personally. This all started with the people. Coming from an itty-bitty town in Wisconsin, one of the biggest areas of growth for me was cultural awareness. Meeting people from all over the world was so eye-opening. I didn’t even know where the Marshall Islands were, but my friend Christine lives there! (See the blog at: http://tinyurl.com/3742jth).

I can literally feel the mountains of academic growth from this year. In weight, it is at least an elephant or two. Now, the academics came with a whole ton o’ fun (Experience the excitement at: http://tinyurl.com/2ctlqsj), which made me want to share it with everyone who would listen. It even made me want to stay an extra month in January for intersession (Read about that month: 1. http://tinyurl.com/4yjzkea (the academics) 2. http://tinyurl.com/65p98ah (the not-so-academic)). So what did I do? The obvious choice! Become an Engineering Ambassador! (Check me outtttt: http://tinyurl.com/2dj6tlb). All this learning really made me love my major, and know it was the right one for me. (You would know if it was the right one for you, too if you read: http://tinyurl.com/4pk86mn).

Through all this change, it was nice to have some constants. Like the FFC food! Every Saturday at 10 AM, like clockwork, my friend and I go for some brunch, which was always delicious when they had black bean cakes (learn how to make them here: http://tinyurl.com/48yyq6e). The only time it was every drastically different was Sterling Brunches, but trust me I didn’t mind (feast your eyes-and stomach- here: http://tinyurl.com/6brpflh). And when that got boring, it was nice that many places always had discounts (Save big money here: http://tinyurl.com/4c3octw ).

With everything around you that is going on, I really thank my friends for keeping me sane, both at home (like Rachel! Who you can see at: http://tinyurl.com/2u2e6yw) and at school (like Stephen and Aisha! Who you can see at: http://tinyurl.com/3v37cn3).  Trust me: I always had something fun to do with them, such as the time we met Apolo Ohno ( Oh my gosh! See him here: http://tinyurl.com/38ajcoy). The main reason I am happy I chose Hopkins is because of the amazing people here, though that doesn’t mean there aren’t more reasons to miss the place this summer (Likeeeee this whole list! http://tinyurl.com/3vdljc3). Even knowing what I know now about the admissions process (read my advice: http://tinyurl.com/2cl8xf9 ), I know Hopkins would be my number one all over again.

All in all, I must say, you ridiculously attractive reader, that my freshman year was the best thing ever. And it is all due to Hopkins. I guess I made the right choice for me, and I hope wherever you all end up, you feel as at home as I do at Homewood.

This. Is. It. The grand finale. The big sha-bang. The last hurrah. The final enchilada.

In other words, I, Sydney R., have successfully survived my first year at Johns Hopkins University, and, thus, am forced to go back home to write my diary of a wimpy kid blog of a fearless freshman.

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who can’t believe I have completed two full semesters of my college journey. Neither can I.

Now, this is clearly a momentous occasion. Fireworks should explode in the sky. A professional marching band should be hired. Tom Cruise should be jumping on a couch somewhere. Naturally, none of that is happening. Instead, I must have sparks fly out of this blog, listen to the latest Glee soundtrack (the Britney Spears episode changed my life entirely), and follow good ole’ Tommy boy on Twitter. Considering only number one on that list of three pertains to anyone reading this, I figure that’s what I should focus on. For the time being, at least (Glee cannot be denied by my stereo. It’s impossible.).

So I am definitely going to miss a thing or two about Hopkins. Actually, it is probably more than one or two. It is more like a list. Want to see to it? Well, you’re about to:

THE THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT HOPKINS:

1. My Floormates

2. My Suite

3. My RA-Michele a.k.a. the best RA everrrrrr

4. The fact that the RA is attached to my room, so when I forget my keys, there is no hassle involved.

5. Using Allison’s awesome nail polish.

6. Papermoon Diner =  YUM YUM!

7.  The FedEx where my BME Group got their winning poster printed. (Oh jeez, I’m sentimental…)

8. My awesome friends, like Maria and Katherine :)

9. Charles Commons…Where Nolan’s is…Where the delicious smooth berry smoothie is.

10. The Johns Hopkins University Sign

11. Char Mar Food

12. Top-Notch Security at all times

13. Wolman 7-West’s Wall of Growth (I may or may not have switched my friend Stephen’s strength of “people skills” to the weakness side…haha)

14. My dorm…McCoy!

15. My Floor Itself (I have no stairs to climb up to get to my room, nor do I have to take an elevator. Gotta love Terrace!)

16.  Doing my own laundry…Just Kidding!

17. The Common Room Bathroom (The RAs need to check it when they do their rounds, and we did a prank where we shoved 10 kids in the bathroom and then scared them when they did rounds. Good times.)

18. Free Stuff- My suitemate Aisha got this bear and outfit for free!

19. Hiding in my suitemate’s closet.

20. My (messy) room!

21. My dry erase board with messages.

22. Writing paper towel notes to my RA.

23. Always having something going on.

24. The TV I watch Glee on.

25.  The tree of McCoy Terrace life

So clearly, there is just simply too much to miss about Hopkins. But good news: I’ll be back next year! :)

Hey y’all! I’m back, and ready to tell you about the best day of the Johns Hopkins food year-Sterling Brunch!

So on a couple special days of the year, FFC goes out of its way to be classy. Yup, at Hopkins, we’re classy. This involves many delicious foods that satisfy every delicious craving!

For those with a sweet tooth:

Milkshakes! -I got a chocolate milkshake and put some oreo pieces in it! Scrumptious?!?!?!? I think so.

Milkshake-yummmmmmmm :)

Cupcakes! – A lovely display. Including chocolate, vanilla, and the un-frosted variety (though, who eats un-frosted cupcakes? For real. If you’re gonna have a cupcake, you might as well go all out.)

JHU_Kate had a cupcake with her smoked salmon!

Donuts!- As my friend Stephen just said, “Mmmmm. Donutssssss.” FFC actually has these everyday for breakfast, along with a wonderful assortment of other breakfast pastries that will help you achieve your dreams of the freshman 15!

For those who are reallllll classy:

Shrimp!- Every Sterling Brunch there is a variety of seafood. This time it included Grilled Swordfish, Oyster Soup, Smoked Salmon, and Peel & Eat Shrimp!

Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice!- FFC is really good at listening to requests. At the beginning of the year, someone requested fresh-squeezed orange juice, and my oh my, they got a huge juicer machine! FFC orange juice makes juice classy.

Me enjoying mah juiceeee.

For those who want soul food:

Music!- Ok. I guess I lied a little about this one. The food wasn’t soul food, but there was a jazz trio to provide us with some entertainment, and it surely hits your soul!

Like my creeper pic of part of the band? Lolz.

So that was my morning of good eatin’. I’m pleased to say that FFC is probably superior to most college cafeterias, and this just proves it. So keep your food classy and come to Hopkins. :)

Marie Antoinette said, “LET THEM EAT CAKE.”

What Johnny Hop said was soooooo much better.

Ready to hear about something cool? Good. Because I was going to tell you anyway.

So recently, Hopkins hosted a brand new festival called the Hopkins Art Festival, and here is literally what happened: Stephen, Aisha, and I walked into the Mattin Center, our arts-centered building, and they told us “Well, in this room is cake decorating…” and we ran into the room. I mean, the lady was still talking, but we were WAY too excited. So what did we do? We each got to decorate our own cake for FREE. Yes, I said FREE. My suitemate (for this year and next year)  had the coolest dinosaur cake ever. I was sooo jealous. I like my cake, too. And Stephen…is…erm…original. Hahaha (But he is actually the best chef out of all three of us. He’s made our suite crepes before).

Then after that, Stephen went to learn calligraphy while Aisha and I learned how to sew a foldable book. Aisha and I were pretty unsuccessful…but we tried! Then all three of us tried the craft table run by the on-campus group SHINE.  Aisha and I made roses out of duct tape. They were so simple to make and they turned out really cool! We actually decided to join the group SHINE because we like to craft and like what the group stands for. They actually sell or donate all the crafts they make. For instance, the duct tape roses are going to be given to cancer survivors at Relay for Life.

Duct Tape Rose

My cake

We didn’t even have time to try to do every craft. There were bracelets and pins and sooo much more. JHU_Kate even went to a wearable art fashion show. Hopkins isn’t really known for the arts (even though we have the best art history program in the country), and I like that it is trying to expand in the right direction. Want to see it expand more? Well then, silly goose, come to Hopkins! I honestly can’t wait to see where it is going to be by senior year!

Over the next few weeks, the Hopkins Interactive bloggers will be posting a common blog. Through these, you’ll get to know the bloggers, and learn a little bit more about our Hopkins experience and why we chose Hopkins.

Get to Know JHU_Sydney:

1.       Birthplace and Current Hometown: Elm Grove, WI

2.       Major(s)/Minor(s): Biomedical Engineering with a Mathematics minor

3.       When I grow up I want to…be a doctor. I’ve really developed an interest in trauma surgery, but I also like hematology and oncology. So I’ll just go with doctor. :)

4.       Favorite Place to Eat in Baltimore: Vaccaros! Cannolis and Peanut Butter gelato = the BEST dinner ever. J

5.       Favorite Spot on the Homewood Campus:  The Beach! It’s super cool when we are all laying out on a sunny day.

6.       Favorite TV Show: House/Glee! But mainly House, because he went to Hopkins. Booyah!

7.       Favorite Color: Pink and Orange

8.       Favorite Sports Team: Packers!!!! And yes, I was a fan before they won the Super Bowl.

My Hopkins Experience:

1.       When did you know Hopkins was right for you?

I mainly knew after getting that “feeling” when walking on campus. Prospectives: you’ll know this feeling when you find the right one. I swear. However, I felt more confident in my decision after I got to Hopkins. Just a lot of things seem to go my way. I was able to major in BME . I was able to be in SAAB, which is how I get to write blogs for all you lovely people. Everything that happened made me feel better and better about my decision, so it must’ve been the right one.

2.       What is one thing that would surprise your friends/family about Hopkins?

My favorite thing to tell people about Hopkins is that John Astin is a theater professor here. This might outdate us youngin’s, but in my dad’s day, the Addams Family was a pretty hot television show. And whatdya know? John Astin played the dad in the family! That is so cool….I mean, I can barely express how cool it is in this blog.

3.       If you were the university president, what is the first thing you would do or change?

The only thing I would really change is going back to the old covered grade rule. The old rule said that after a certain amount of credits you could choose to uncover your grades, and I definitely would uncover my grades. I know most kids love covered grades, but I personally feel that if we do work hard first semester, it is like we get no reward for that effort.

4.       If you could go back and choose your college again, would you pick Hopkins? Why?

I would definitely pick Hopkins again. I came here because it was the best BME program in the country, and I still feel honored to be receiving the best education possible. However, after meeting my friends, joining activities, living on campus, and finding my niche at Hopkins, it is really hard to picture going anywhere else. I honestly believe you only truly “fit” at one university, and I believe Hopkins is the one that “fits” me.

5.       What was your perception about Hopkins before enrolling  and how has it changed since then?

Not gonna lie; I sort of thought everyone was going to be pre-med. I mean, with the hospital and everything, it seemed sort of logical.  However, did you know we have the number one creative writing program? And the number one history of art program? And international studies is way up there, too? Coming here has made me realize that medicine isn’t the unifying thread to Hopkins students; it is dedication to the subject we love.

6.       What is/was your favorite class?

My favorite class is definitely BME: Modeling and Design. All BME freshmen take it first semester freshmen year, and you are split up into groups of five to do really interesting labs that really stretch your thinking to new levels. At the end, your group gets to do their own project and choose the topic and the winning team gets their poster hung in Clark Hall. My team won with our project on the work required to send a text message, and it was easily the most exciting part of my freshman year.

7.       Describe the funniest memory or experience at Hopkins.

My funniest memory at Hopkins was when after a movie, I went back to the AMRs with some new friends I made. We all remarked how hungry we were so we went to their room to get some food. Now, I’m thinking pretzels, chips, you know, something normal. What comes out of their drawer? A cooked duck.

…random?????…

My duck-eating friends!

8.       How would your college experience be different if you hadn’t chosen Hopkins?

I feel like if I hadn’t gone to Hopkins, I would be a lot more sheltered. Not in the I-haven’t-seen-an-R-rated-movie way, but as far as my education goes, it wouldn’t involve as much experience. I mean, I’m not even 19 years old, and I’m on a design team aiming for a patent and am in the works of getting a research position. I don’t feel like I would have been exposed to this level of opportunities if I hadn’t had a Hopkins education.

9.       What has been your greatest contribution during your time at Hopkins?

I hope to have an actual, legit achievement by the time I graduate. For now, it is just that the first week of school a friend and I accidentally walked through a maintenance tunnel, and while walking through it made up a stupid story about a ghost that lives there, and like three weeks later we heard someone else repeating the story. We basically created out own Hopkins legend. Haha

10.   What advice would you give a high school senior choosing their college?

Wait until you find the college that “clicks”. I had to wait until April of my senior year when I visited Hopkins, so I didn’t know where I was meant to be until then. But let me tell you one thing: it was worth the wait.