In light of my impending travels, I figured I would make amends to my shocking blogging towards the last month of my semester at CSU so I am fully up to date. My trusty camera broke on the train back from San Francisco, so although there's not as many pictures, it's been fun-filled to say the least.
The last month was easily one of the best I had out there, as it was a time when we all grew closer since we knew our time left together was limited. I've mentioned "Team Commonwealth" before now, and a bunch of us from that group really bonded, As a result, we narrowed it down and began referring to ourselves as DELTA SIGMA WINE, or just Delta Sigs for short. This new 'fratority' consisted of myself, Leif, Caragh, Jack, Leni, Chrissie, Megan, Jonny, Robbie, Phil, Katy and Carly. We even took it upon ourselves to get some letters made, and we actually did convince a few Americans it was an International Sorority/Fraternity since there were that many of us with matching hoodies.
I couldn't make it to our original initiation ceremony (candle-lit and super inappropriate I might add), so mine was scheduled to be on the first night of our Winter Park ski-trip. We took the entire thing super serious, and there were "going to be punishments" if we wore our hoodies before that night...
The ski trip was an experience in itself. Day 1 started off with me, Caragh and Megan taking a lesson which seemed to go quite well. I definitely peaked too early, with my first wipe out happening when I was heading towards a ledge by a ski lift, then later in the day I got to the end of a run an had to get rescued by Leif after becoming entangled in a safety net.
Day 2 was even better. I got cocky and did my first huge flip early in the day that resulted me in smacking my head, both skis coming off and my goggles shifting to enclose my nose. At least when I fall, I fall. To top it all off, I managed to take a wrong turn and lose everyone, ended up at a dead end and my only option was to get a ski lift up another 2,000 feet. I wasn't amused since I had to make it to the bottom alone, while getting over taken by 4 year olds and almost having a mental breakdown. Never have I been so happy to see Leif's hat flapping in the breeze and getting myself onto flat ground. I mean I'm happy I went. but let's just say I would have happily had the entire weekend getting drunk in a hot tub and having a rowdy night in the hotel room like we did the night before.
The last few weeks were pretty hectic with finals coming up, but the entirety of Delta Sig spent so much time together revising, making forts and final visits to Sundance and various other food joints. That just made leaving this mad bunch so much harder, because we actually felt like a little family. We even took Christmas pictures because we're just that weird.
I couldn't have been happier to have gained such good friends, in Leif and Caragh especially. Having them back at Keele this semester helped so much with the "re-intergration" into life back at home. Even though the 12 of us have been split up for the past few months, worldwide skype dates are always on the cards, no matter how hard it is to organize. I'm so excited that during my trip this summer, I get to reunite with Chrissie, Leni and Katy when I go to Australia, and once I'm back home for third year, then entire English division of Delta Sig will be back on home soil ready for a tour of hometowns and unis. So with that, I think this proves that it didn't matter who I met or when I did, but the fact we all managed to find people equally as weird as ourselves during our time at CSU, and that made the entire experience all the more amazing. Watch out world, you never know where Delta Sig will make an appearance next!
I knew the Americans took Halloween seriously, but I didn't realize how serious it was. This wasn't the time for a make-do costume from Poundland like this year, this had to take some serious dedication. However, due to our wonderful lack of planning ability, the day before Halloween we headed to the thrift store, still with no idea what our costumes would be. First stop though, a trip to Whole Foods, and oh my god I think I died and went to heaven! The craving for English foods has been very prominent lately, and the fact this place had "proper food" almost made it better. The fact that it sold baklava did.
Off we went to the thrift store, and I ended up leaving as a Greek goddess (props to Leif for finding that gem of a costume, which was a joke initially) and Caragh finally got her Woody from Toy Story outfit sorted. I completed the look on Halloween by writing "Andy" on the sole of her shoe in nail varnish for added effect. I was on point with outfit design since I helped Liv figure out an outfit from her wardrobe in 10 minutes too. I'm not quite sure where this artistic flair has come from, but it won't last long. Must be all the crafting that goes on in Chi O.
And so the shenanigans began, but I have to say, after all of the hype Halloween turned out to be a bit crap. I was definitely wishing I could have been at the SU even though we went to a frat party. That's one of the many things I miss about Keele, you don't have to constantly plan what parties are happening or where. Spontaneous nights out are usually the best anyway, and I know being away from the SU has really made me appreciate it's snakebite covered floors even more.
On the Saturday we booked tickets to go and see Cherub at the Aggies Theatre downtown. An hour to get ready called for the revival of the zebra costumes from the Chi O social, this time with slightly zombie looking makeup courtesy of Leif. Leif, Caragh, Ben, Jack and I went, not forgetting the one lone American, Whitney, who could handle another night out unlike the rest. It was such an enjoyable night, topped off by a late night visit to Alleycat for grilled cheese and a soy chai. Always a winning combination.
A quick update this time, but that's due to a crazy workload this week in trying to complete all of my assignments before my parents arrive. Especially since my next post involves a lot of drama to say the least, I'll leave that for another night.
Homecoming week on campus was crazy with so many different events going on before the actual weekend. The sororities and fraternities on campus teamed up and competed through the week on all of these different events.
Chi Omega joined with Theta Chi (a fraternity) to become Team Skyline. The first event was called Ram Rhythm, were all the teams make an elaborate dance routine and perform them on the basketball court for judges to score. I really wanted to be involved, but sadly the rehearsal schedules clashed with the other stuff I had going on. Eager to support, Caragh and I went to watch, and I can say this because it was my team, but we blew everyone out of the water. Sadly, the judges scored us joint second, but it was a great start to our team. We couldn't help but laugh at how eager the frat guys were to perform and how much they got into the dances, something that definitely wouldn't happen back home!!
We had to leave early because Caragh's friend Jess was taking us, along with Leif, to Sundance. It's a saloon that plays country music and everyone line dances and swing dances.
We went with open minds, however I don't think we've all felt as British as we did when we first walked in. Nothing makes you feel like an outsider like everyone wearing cowboys boots, hats and a wagon above the dance floor to complete the saloon vibe. It took us a while to get into it, especially since everyone already seemed to know what they were doing. After our fair few attempts at the line dancing, we were happy to hear the random "normal" music breakdown which made us revert back to our usual SU antics.
Leif and I managed to get a little swing routine going which we're planning to use every time we go, meanwhile Caragh got ambushed for a dance by a cowboy. Maybe that's where I'm going wrong. Instead of playing the "I'm a dainty British girl card" like her, I proceeded to dance the Inbetweeners dance and gallop around the dance floor, much to Leif's amusement/disapproval... I couldn't really tell.
Another way to earn points for homecoming was to go to Starbucks. Being the "basic white bitches" the Chi O girls claim to be, they went all out ordering pumpkin spice lattes and Team Skyline won that part of the competition too. Other events were chalking the plaza and a game of capturing the flag of other teams around the campus, but I couldn't go to either... yay for my class schedule!
It was announced the other day that Team Skyline actually won the entire of homecoming :D However, I have no idea what that actually means so you'll have to bear with me on that.
Friday marked the beginning of parents weekend, which seemed a little weird having so many families on campus. The Chi O house was open for parents to tour which was annoying since I won't be able to do that until mine visit in November, but it's making more excited to show them it.
It couldn't have been a better weekend for this, as all the trees were starting to change and it's definitely the prettiest campus has looked by far. The homecoming parade began in the late afternoon and we headed to watch all the floats go by at the Oval. My highlight from the 100th homecoming parade was getting the chance to embarrass my roommate Olivia while she was representing her Chinese class float. It was a little annoying that a lot of the events overlapped each other, so Leif, Caragh and I actually missed the bonfire and fireworks display because we were at the concert in Moby Arena. Compared to Macklemore last year, the acts weren't as great, but we were front row and joined the Americans in their rowdiness while listening to Splyt, Mike Posner and Nico & Vinz.
Saturday was time for the homecoming football game, but since we were knackered from the week Leif, Caragh and I decided to trade the first half for wings and wine. Good choice, as when we got there the game had apparently been nothing to write home about. We met up with the Australians and stayed for the rest of the game, leaving 3 minutes before the end. We missed a drop-goal in the final seconds and the crowd flooding the pitch in celebration... typical.
All in all, homecoming was a fun, typically American experience, one that sadly marks the halfway point of my study abroad experience! Two months down, two more to go.
So today my roommate Olivia moved in!! I helped her move in and her family took me to lunch at this place called Austin's in Downtown Fort Collins. Totally yummy.
We headed back and chilled out before our RA floor meeting, where we got to meet everyone living here. Turns out I'm the only foreign person on the entire floor, talk about a novelty! I've found a few people I can watch the footy with, and I've been told my "accent is so cute" by almost every girl I've spoken to so far.
I also managed to finish decorating my side of the room so it looks lived in. Olivia and I somehow managed to colour coordinate pretty well, and I really love the whole set up of our room. We both have our beds lofted high so we have nice places to chill out, and they're far enough away were we don't feel up in each others space.
Later on we went to Moby Arena where the entire freshman class of 2018 filled the place. It was scary seeing so many people and knowing that wasn't near the number of people who go here. This was a "GREEN OUT" event, so we were all wearing our t-shirts we got at orientation. School spirit was high and it was cringe-
worthy at first, but it was pretty cool getting to watch the cheerleaders and marching band do their thing.
Then there was a carnival and picnic on the intramural sports fields, but the heavens opened so we got to eat in the rain and watch the lightening in the distance. Thankfully it cleared it up and Olivia and I went to visit some of her high school friends. I got a picture with Cam the Ram too!!! We walked so much again today but it was a fun experience, and I love having someone else in my room with me now :)
Today was officially my first day as a student at CSU :D It was scattered with numerous presentations about the usual starting uni stuff, but also a lot of crazy cool things too!
During our official welcome, we had to learn the "CSU Fight Song". We've been told we'll have to learn it before the football game, but fist pumping and shouting was so awkward since we definitely don't have the team spirit yet. I'm sure that'll soon change though, plus we got our Forever Green shirt which has the lyrics on the back, no excuses now!
I also went on a little wander around campus during a quick break in the schedule. The campus is on such a bigger scale than Keele, so here's just one picture I took of the Student Recreation Centre. Nice picture, but I didn't realize at the time I was on a designated bike path and was risking death while doing so. I'll have to take a picture of the bike signs on the floor too, they have rams riding the bike :)
For dinner, we got invited back to a host family who had prepared to take me & nine other students back to their home. The others were from Australia, India, Japan, China and Vietnam so we had a lot of fun. Mijka, the wife who was from Slovakia, made us a huge feast and afterwards we played games like Twister with her three children, as two of the internationals had never seen it before!
After I got back to my dorm, I spotted my first signs of civilisation and made my move. Turns out I met two RA's, with one, Evan, being the RA for my floor. We ended up speaking for hours and here I am, planning to have gone to bed much earlier but making the most of meeting as many people as I can. It's nice knowing I'm not alone on my floor tonight too :)
On that note I'm off to bed, I have another jam-packed day tomorrow! However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Thank god I got in the lift with Carl (the RA from 7th who I met yesterday), the lift doors jammed and we were stuck for 10 minutes before we got out. Next time, I'll take the stairs.
So today was the day! I'm currently very knackered but wanted to write something before the craziness of orientation, which begins tomorrow, and the rest of Ram Welcome is upon me.
The process was actually pretty simple, besides my delayed flight causing me to hang around for the next shuttle bus. It took just over an hour to get to Fort Collins, a pleasant journey to say the least watching the Rockies come into view.
My mentor, Adrianne, was waiting for me when I arrived with a super cute "welcome to Colorado" sign. She took me to my residence hall, Durward, where I got my keys and got shown to my room by Carl, the rather cute RA on the 7th floor. I have to say I was shocked by what my room is like, and the entire floor. You'd never need a key card to enter a bathroom at Keele, too much drunken vomiting! More pictures will follow once my room doesn't look like a bombsite.
We then made a trip to Target, where I stocked up on all dorm essentials like bedding, towels and of course, some Goldfish to snack on. However my favourite purchase is probably my Hello Kitty bowl, cup and plate set that cost me $2, win win right there. I GOT A BEAN BAG TOO, not that that's a big deal to a 19 year old.
Afterwards we went to a welcome for all the international students and got to mingle before we went back to my dorm. Adrianne was definitely a life saver today, I don't know how I would have settled in so easily if it hadn't been for her, and bonus is we get on really well too!
I'm currently sat in a 12 floor building and so far have seen 3 other people, which is a little weird. I did some investigating earlier but unlit corridors are a no go in strange places. I can hear movement outside, so I'm hoping that's sign of more life and not the fact this place is haunted. And on that note, with a banging headache I can only blame on the altitude adjustments, goodnight :)
The last month was easily one of the best I had out there, as it was a time when we all grew closer since we knew our time left together was limited. I've mentioned "Team Commonwealth" before now, and a bunch of us from that group really bonded, As a result, we narrowed it down and began referring to ourselves as DELTA SIGMA WINE, or just Delta Sigs for short. This new 'fratority' consisted of myself, Leif, Caragh, Jack, Leni, Chrissie, Megan, Jonny, Robbie, Phil, Katy and Carly. We even took it upon ourselves to get some letters made, and we actually did convince a few Americans it was an International Sorority/Fraternity since there were that many of us with matching hoodies.
The ski trip was an experience in itself. Day 1 started off with me, Caragh and Megan taking a lesson which seemed to go quite well. I definitely peaked too early, with my first wipe out happening when I was heading towards a ledge by a ski lift, then later in the day I got to the end of a run an had to get rescued by Leif after becoming entangled in a safety net.
