This semester I decided to get more involved in community service and volunteering and chose to join a new activity. I have always loved volunteering and felt that it was lacking in my life lately, so I signed up to join Adopt-A-Grandparent. It is one of the highlights of my week and one of the best decisions I’ve made yet at UST!

In Adopt-A-Grandparent, once a week a group of about 10 of us heads over to a local nursing home and hangs out with a handful of wonderful elderly adults. I bet you’re all thinking, “Pshh…they probably just play BINGO every week…” You would be correct. And it is…AWESOME! I have never seen anyone play a seemingly simple game so strategically. Take one of the residents Sylvia, for example. Every week once the BINGO cards are brought out, she spends at least 10 minutes staring at all the cards, choosing which three to play this week. Not one of the residents aimlessly picks their BINGO cards…oh no. It is a strategic, decisive process, and one that requires deep concentration and no disruption.

The group of (mainly) women I spend every Monday evening with take their BINGO very seriously. If one of the ladies momentarily breaks one of the game’s rules, at least two or three other residents are quick to point out her mistake and correct it. Every round is a competitive battle, and each week is genuinely looked forward to by all who partake.

I can honestly say that this is one of the best and most fulfilling volunteer opportunities I’ve every participated in. First of all, it is a very little time commitment with a huge benefit to more than just the residents. Not only are the women I get to see every week extremely happy and grateful to have a fabulous group of college kids come play BINGO with them to brighten up their Mondays, I am given an hour and a half once a week to break from the chaos of being a college student. I get to talk to some pretty amazing women, all with vivid stories to tell. Every week I feel disappointed that I must wait a whole week before returning, but also full of happiness and thankfulness that I am given this opportunity to help others and myself. Another thing, it is more than just volunteering…it’s FUN. I have never enjoyed playing BINGO so much as when I play with the residents every Monday night. All the women are so different and enjoyable in their own ways. From Pat, the resident sweetheart, singing old songs from her youth, to Helena cracking jokes throughout the games, every minute is incredibly enjoyable and rewarding.

I would not trade the time I’ve spent with the residents for anything in the world. It’s a time to step outside of myself, my stress, and my own life in order to help others. And by helping them, I’m also helping myself. I highly recommend all students to find SOME way to get involved, whether or not Adopt-A-Grandparent is the right organization for you. VIA (Volunteers in Action) is an amazing on-campus resource that organizes a bunch of different volunteer opportunities, varying from those working with children to Spanish-speaking adults who need help finding jobs. Service and volunteering is not just a matter of benefitting others, but also yourself, and I GUARANTEE you will feel like a better, more whole person through any kind of volunteering.

Tonight is Adopt-A-Grandparent night, so I’ll be sure to tell all the residents that they are now the headline of an internationally known Blog!!! Well, a campus-wide known blog. I’m on my way, right?

Happy Monday!

The clock strikes eight A.M. and Cities 97 softly plays as I am roused by my alarm clock. I immediately whip the fluffy covers of my bed off and my feet abruptly land on the cold floor below. I quickly walk to my closet and dress myself in the stretchiest, most comfortable articles of clothing I own that allow the most movement. My uncontrollable mane of hair is skillfully tied back into a tight bun before I walk to the top of the staircase, anxiously awaiting my opponent’s arrival. She finally appears and looks ready for battle. Our eyes meet in mutual understanding of the events to proceed as we slowly descend the staircase. It is game day. Quite possibly the biggest game of the year. As always, there is one winner and we both are playing to earn the glorious title of champion.

The two competitors finally arrive to the battle zone, preparing to conquer their opponent and leave as this year’s winner. The strict rules are explained by the game maker, a man called “Dad.” As we crouch into our starting positions, everything moves in slow motion. Thoughts of winning are racing through my mind as I give my sister one last glare of challenge and ferocity. Finally, I hear my dad yell “GO!” and the game begins.

The two participants make a mad dash in opposite directions, Hannah bolting for the kitchen and I bounding towards the family room. We are both on a mission, viciously searching for the small, pastel-colored, plastic eggs of glory. There are 20 hidden throughout the war zone, known as our main floor. Territories include the family room, kitchen, dining room, and living room. Every other piece of turf is off-limits and hold no bounty of eggs.

I see the first egg behind a window curtain and quickly snatch it and throw it in my safely guarded basket. I leap to the couch and aggressively throw the pillows and blankets aside as I retrieve yet another magnificent egg filled with surprising wonders. I now have two eggs, and can already smell the hints of victory. As I continue my competitive search, I see Hannah placing a third egg in her basket. . .NO! I must win and be crowned victor. It’s my year.

After collecting a few more eggs from the family room, I rapidly sprint to the kitchen to search for any remaining eggs that Hannah may have missed. I find one in the silverware drawer, making my collection of eggs at 8. I yell to my opponent, asking how many eggs she has retrieved, hearing the gruff response of “9!” THIS CANNOT BE. 3 eggs left and I must beat this skilled opponent or suffer another year as loser. Running to the living room, I spy a carefully hidden egg in the seat cushion of the couch and I forcefully grab it and throw it in the basket. 2 eggs left. It’s on.

To my shock and horror, I see Hannah snatch an egg from within a vase. There is 1 egg left. Hannah is ahead by 1. Will she win? Or will we tie? I MUST MAKE THIS A TIE. I WILL NOT LOSE.

We both stare at each other, with looks of vicious hunger to defeat the other. The two competitors race to the dining room and search for the final egg. After aggressive pushing and shoving, I see the glare of a small, pink egg basking in the sun behind a pile of books. As fast as I can, I run to the site of victory and grab the egg. I have made the game a tie. I didn’t win or leave as victor, but I didn’t lose. And that’s enough for me.

This year’s game is over, and the two participants divvy up the earnings. We are surrounded by chocolate eggs, jelly beans, and peeps. As we gorge ourselves on the sugary goodness engulfing us, we both strategize for next year’s game.

 

The above story is a typical Easter Egg Hunt my sister and I participate in each year. It is a long awaited challenge, and thought of very seriously. For those of you who have read the books, I equate each year’s hunt to The Hunger Games battle in the arena. Tomorrow is the big day, and I promise, readers, to win…for you. HAPPY EASTER!

 

 

Breaking News: Elizabeth Clare Harris, Sophomore of University of St. Thomas, was finally accepted into Hogwarts. A lifelong dream has finally come true, and she will be dropping out of her classes at UST in order to fulfill her destiny, as revealed by a prophecy, of becoming a witch.

Unfortunately, the above statement is completely false. However, there is some rather exciting news I have yet to share with my loyal readers….over spring break I visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!!!!!

I was lucky enough to join my mother on a business trip down in Florida this spring break and received the opportunity to visit Harry Potter World for a day with my sister. For those of you who do not know, I am quite the Harry Potter fanatic. I was the girl who read all of the books within two days of their release, dressed up for the midnight premieres of the movies, and held onto the dream of receiving a Hogwarts acceptance letter in the mail ever since reading the first book.

Going to Harry Potter World gave me the chance to finally be a part of the stories I grew up with and will always keep close to my heart. I finally got to feel as though I was living the fantasies I’d created in my imagination for over ten years. It was the opportunity of a lifetime!!!

The minute I walked through the gates to my own personal Mecca, the magic of Harry Potter was upon me. The Hogwarts Express was picking up young witches and wizards and the Butterbeer keg was flowing while keeping the Floridian magicians hydrated and happy throughout the hot spring day. Being the skilled witch that I am, I rode a dragon on the ride “Dragon Challenge” and explored Ollivander’s Wand Shop as I bought my supplies needed for my first year at Hogwarts. I strolled through Honeydukes Candy Shop and gorged myself on Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans…watch out for the Bogie Flavors!!! I dined at the Hog’s Head and finally toured my future home…Hogwarts Castle. In the castle, I encountered Dementors, giant spiders, dragons, and even got to meet my future headmaster DUMBLEDORE!!!! What a bro.

All in all, my day spent at Harry Potter World was magical (pun intended). It far surpassed my expectations and made me feel as though I was actually a part of these treasured tales. I can’t wait to go back and experience the amazing adventure again someday.

 

**PS Shout Out to my boy who lived Harry Potter.