The Laughing Fox

Live in a world of suspended amazement...

Showing posts with label Miami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami. Show all posts

Love & Honor

Fight Song

Love and honor to Miami,
Our college old and grand,
Proudly we shall ever hail thee,
Over all the land.

Alma mater now we praise thee,
Sing joyfully this lay,
Love and honor to Miami,
Forever and a day.


Long time no chat. I come to you an alumna of Miami University.

I currently have mixed feelings. Actually, not really. I don't want to be a graduate. I don't want to be an adult. I don't want to look for a job, or GET a job. I don't want to think about the fact I'm not returning to Oxford in the fall. I don't like not knowing what's next. I don't like the realization that I'm 22 years old. I don't like that I'm not going to grad school. I really hate being a graduate. So yeah, don't repeatedly ask me "how's it feel!?" to be a graduate. It sucks. And more or less, I'm sick of that question. Though most of you already know that. And know my feelings on the subject.

Most people I graduated with went "HELL YEAH MIAMI, I AM SO OUT OF HERE!". I was not one of them. And although I wasn't in the majority, I was not alone. Which reassures me. A very little bit.

The commencement cermonies were embarassing. My classmates were stupid. They walked out before bloody Commissioning for goodness sake! You had programs, you idiots! Our keynote speaker, Robin Roberts (Good Morning America and used to be on ESPN sports) was absolutely amazing. It was the only time all day you could hear a pin drop during a speech. Or in general, really. I didn't want her to stop talking. I loved her. Then we went through the yadda yadda of "I now pronounce you a graduate of Miami" or whatever. Though I'm sure it was stated differently. Then for some strange reason they made all x-thousand of us get up and walk across the stage for no reason. At which point 3/4 of the crowd and students left. BEFORE COMMISSIONING! IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR GRADUATION! Rawr. Very rawr. (I also got sunburned during this. I am now peeling dead skin off my face. In case you were curious. ;))

Second ceremony, we had a great lecturer that was a physics student, followed by one of the worst lecturers I'd ever heard. I didn't pay attention (no one did) but when he said "And In Conclusion" (the words of death for a speech btw) half the crowd stood and applauded. HE WASN'T EVEN DONE SPEAKING. Yes, he sucked. No, I didn't listen. But he didn't deserve that. That was plain rude. Jerks.

They need to send out etiquitte guides to people before they graduate. Seriously. These people need help.

My lovely grandparents came up for the ceremonies and all, and we had dinner at Martin. Catered. And after it all, I had to finish moving out.

I had two moments where reality hit me:

1. Commissioning. I realized I was graduating. My friends were now 2d and 2nd Lieutenants in the USAF and USMC (respectively) and Ensigns in the USN. I was now a graduate of Miami University.

2. That echo-y click of the lock on my dorm door. When everything was empty. And the walls were bare. And the floors were bare. And it echoed through the hall. Which was silent. Dead silent. Not a soul there at 11pm at night two days after moveout. And it hit home that I wasn't returning in three months to my home. It really hit home that I wasn't coming back. No more walks at 3 am with Jordan (or Steph, if she had been able to stasy) to the Formal Gardens, no more 15 minute walks to class in the rain, no more random hanging out with my suitemates, no more drop-dead-gorgeous springs or falls, no more Miami. Worst of all, no more Flower. I sobbed for about 15 minutes as I sat against my locked room before heading out to my car where Mom was waiting, and crying another half hour or so. Major major breakdown. And I'm still depressed as hell. And even as I think about it I'm crying. I love Miami. I never thought I'd say that, but it's true. I love Miami. For all its faults and issues, I loved it. I think I always will. I'm still incredibly depressed. For as busy as I've been, I'm very very depressed right now. Which goes back to the question of "How's it feel to graduate?!?" It sucks.


On a better note, I'm returning tomorrow to pick up my cake and a banner that'll be at my party Saturday.

So I've mowed twice since I've gotten home (Monday and Today) and I'm soo sore. Been trying to move back into a house where I don't need half the stuff I had in the dorm, and the rest won't fit into my rooms. >.< Also been cleaning house for the party, cooking for the party (I just spent four hours making little mints for the party. And I am SO very sore.), and stuff of the same general nature.

I am also being blackmailed. No rat allowed until both rooms are clean. -_- *grumble grumble* I want a rat! I miss having ratties to sit on my shoulder. And chew on my clothes. And give me little scratches. I miss em.

I'm also looking at jobs. Which also sucks. Not quite sure how that will turn out, but we shall see.

OH! And there were baby ducks outside today. Four little fuzzies and one mama. I stopped mowing to watch them. Then I realized that I couldn't watch for long because the rain was about to hit, so I needed to finish the lawn. I ended just as it began to rain. Nice timing, eh?

Other news:

Mike: Congrats on graduating! Boo on you not even sticking around enough to say bye. But I hope you had a safe trip home.

Steph: MISS YOU!

Leigh: Sorry I've not been able to chat when you've been online. :-\

Beth and Nick: YAY FOR YOU COMING TO VISIT SATURDAY!

CRISTINA: YOU ARE NOW A 2ND LT! CONGRATS! A newly minted nurse and a newly pinned 2nd LT! YAYYY! You're my hero! I miss you! *hug*

And I shall post graduation pictures. Soon. Once I get around to DLing them. ;)

Alma Mater

Old Miami from thy hillcrest,
Thou hast watched the decades roll,
While thy sons have quested from thee,
Sturdy hearted, pure of soul.

Aging in thy simple splendor,
Thou the calm and they the storm;
Thou didst give them joy in conquest,
Strength from thee sustained their arm.

Now of late thyself envigored,
Larger usefulness awaits;
Hosts assemble for thy blessing,
Youth and maiden throng thy gate.

Thou shalt stand a constant beacon,
Crimson tow'rs against the sky;
Men shall ever seek thy guiding,
Pow'r like thine shall never die.

Chorus (between each verse and at end)
Old Miami! New Miami!
Days of old and days to be;
Weave the story of thy glory,
Our Miami, here's to thee!

Our Miami, alma mater,
Ages old yet ever new;
Sons and daughters from your hillcrest,
Roam the world, yet ne'er leave you.

You've embraced the generations,
Men and women, young and old,
Of all races, from all nations,
And your glory will be told.

Though the years may bring their changes,
Your bright lamp will ever burn,
Giving wisdom, truth, and knowledge
To each one who comes to learn.

Our Miami, you were founded
In our nation's early days;
Now we join with generations
In this song of love and praise.

Hockey Kitten

I'm liking that nickname right now. Leigh gave it to me. It makes me smile. An overview of our conversation, and highly edited and modified response, is as follows:


Me:
so i'm playing goal next monday
Leigh:
that is a good plan to avoid not getting knocked around

Me:
seems safer, oddly enough

Leigh:
well you're padded up for it well enough
Leigh:
it'll make you at least as big as the hockey guys without pads
Leigh:
so they'll still be bigger in theirs, but not so much so
Me:
they'll laugh as this little girl is there standing in goal for some wicked shots
Leigh:
and it may make it harder for them to score because every time they see you in the pads they'll go "awww"
Leigh:
like a kitten in a bucket kind of thing I'd imagine...

Me:
each time *I* fall they all ask if i'm okay
Me:
vs when a guy falls they just leave him
Me:
so i'm a kitten now?

Leigh:
naturally
Leigh:
haha no, kittens don't have sharp claws
- insert discussion about me playing as tough as the guys when possible -
Leigh:
well that counts for a lot
Leigh:
I trust it pays off from time to time?
Leigh:
even if you just get tossed most of the time?

Me:
well
Me:
it's gained me respect with the guys
Leigh:
I BET
Me:
i'm also one of three out of ...8? girls that wear actual hockey skates
Me:
the others wear figureskates
Leigh:
see, like I said more claws than a kitten has

- break-


Me:
but i'm happy
Me:
that i'm respected
Leigh:
yeah, go you!

Me:
i've made people pay attention to me
Leigh:
=D
Me:
they treat me as a girl, but not to the point they won't let me play, like the others
Me:
they... make sure i'm okay? but they don't let me have it easy either
Leigh:
that sounds like a pleasant middle ground
Me:
they won't even get near the other girls
Me:
besides the hockey one
Leigh:
I'm guessing usually when they ask if you're ok, you quietly tell them you are or something?
Leigh:
rather than "ack"

Me:
i'm usually up again before that

Leigh:
so yeah, pretty soon they probably won't even ask

Me:
i'm usually laughing and saying yes
Me:
well, they like to hit me harder than the others .
Leigh:
they probably feel badly because their training tells them to hit you before they realize it's the "hockey kitten"
Leigh:
oh so no then
Me:
they check me like a guy, but i'm not big enough to take it
Me:
so i go flying across the ice
Me:
from like red to blue lines
Leigh:
so yeah probably actually, they probably go "oh shit I threw her across there again"
Me:
that's how far i've gone each time

Leigh:
just don't collide with the puck and get icing called cause you're sliding
Me:
haha
Me:
he's not calling anything
Me:
even when someone got completely wiped out
Me:
he didn't stop
Me:
no offsides
Me:
no icing

Leigh:
oh wow
Leigh:
hardcore

Me:
no unncessary roughness (even tho it's an intro class)
Leigh:
so they're counting on you guys being reasonable
Me:
so we have varsity players beating the crap out of people like m e
Me:
i just give it back
Me:
..... as best i can
Me:
Corazón Salvaje has changed his/her name to "Hockey Kitten"
Me:
i'm soooooo sore

Leigh:
lol hockey kitten indeed




Other news. My attempts to be cool backfire. I figured I was doing well jumping from the hockey bench to the ice, I figured I could go ice to hockey bench. Yeah no. After thoroughly embarassing myself, I walked away as if nothing had happened and went in through the side door. If I were a cat, I would have taken a bath.

I also fell on my hip three times in 24 hours. Tuesday's hockey class - feet knocked out from under me. Fell on hip. Wednesday - went to a freestyle session before hockey (skating, with the jumps and all). Fell on hip. The same side. Went to hockey class immediately after. Got hit by teammate... yeah. I think you get the picture. Went sliding across the ice each single time.

Other news. I figure if you got this far (and yes I didn't put this first for a reason), I should probably tell you. My Jeep and I went off the road yesterday. I hit black ice on the Fox Highway as I was changing from the fast lane to the slow. I went into the side embankment (so lucky it was the strip of road that didn't have the concrete wall as the barrier). Managed to avoid the two or three metal signs that were literally next to me and in front of me. Didn't hit anyone. My car's okay. I'm okay. The gerbils are kinda pissed tho. They didn't have their seatbelts on. I was definately shaken. I couldn't help but think of everything that didn't go wrong but very easily could have. Someone stopped after a few minutes and helped me get the jeep out of the mud and snow and ice and freezing rain. Needless to say I didn't drive anywhere today. But I need to drive back to Oxford tomorrow, sooooo.... we'll see how I hold up. I don't feel like posting any more on the subject, because I'm still pretty shaken, but if anyone calls to chat or IMs me I'll try to talk more. No guarantees. Really going to depend on how busy I am and my state of mind.

Hmm, what else. I'm getting rejection letters right now. Not putting me in the best of moods.

We've had a couple inches of snow, and a LOT of ice. The poor dog can't even go outside anymore - she can't keep a grip on the ice. Poor thing keeps falling flat on her face. Dad had to bring her back in the house earlier - carrying a 70 pound dog is no easy task when walking on ice. Tomorrow is supposed to have freezing fog. >.<


Flower Hall, pretty clouds, and the moon:




Pretty clouds in front of Millett:




More pretty clouds in front of Millett. So much for my idea to get dinner, eh? Yeah, I got a bit sidetracked:




Flower Hall, again:




Lunar Eclipse - before the main event. Probably 45 minutes before it's peak:




The real deal people (Yes, the entire eclipse is there.):




Miami Property off-campus:




Part of a farm... that is no longer there... off Miami's campus (and right across the street from the picture above):




Alexander Hamilton:




One of the twins... times three?:




Me and my jeep. After going off-roading. In the ditch. On the Fox Highway. See? Pretty and muddy. I love muddy jeeps. I've been ordered to send it through the car wash before I return to school, however. I have lots of pretty muddy jeep pictures, for anyone interested. Close up, far away, more of my beautiful face, etc. I love my jeep. Even when it doesn't stay on the road. And could have easily killed me. Or someone else. Or some of the signs.




Muddy jeep window. Wet, cold, and highly-bundled up girl taking pictures. Namely, me:




Khan, being innocent and cute:




Jasmine, being ticked off like usual:




Darling Molly, with the grey chin and the current fear of ice:




Ice on the evergreen:




Ice covering the thorns and berries of the evil thorny devil. Much less dangerous in this state, however:




Some ornamental grasses:




Someone else's plant. But pretty with the ice:




Birdhouse in the garden:




Outside, with the ice and snow and pretty reflections:




Outside, again:



Hope you enjoyed the show. ;) Come back next time for more interesting tales.
PS. My thumb really really hurts. And there's no way to make it feel better. :(

Long Time No Post

Yeah. It's been a while. I'm sorry. In case you haven't been able to tell, my internet is close to non-existent. I'm posting NOW because I'm at home, and have the signal strength to actually post. Amazing ain't it?

Things have been busy. I'm currently really sick. My throat is sore and raw and scratchy, I can hardly breathe, and I'm miserable. Bleh. I am sad some of you haven't talked to me much lately. :( Even though I haven't been on, I knooooooow you're able to send me messages while I'm offline on MSN.

I'm still in shock that there was another massive college shooting. I want to still be in college next year.... why, again?

Beth and Nick visited last Monday. With Rumples. It was amazing! I was so happy to see them again. (Yes, Beth, I missed you. And it was so awesome to have you all and the kitty visit me.)

My thoughts are kinda scattered, I'm sorry. I'd blame it on the medicines I'm on, but that doesn't really matter I don't think. I'd probably post like this anyways.

I want to roleplay. Somewhere, somehow, sometime. PLEEEEEEEEEASE can someone work with me on this!?

This is a busy semester. Tuesday I have my first exam, I have to rewrite a paper already, and so forth. Bleh. Sucks.

Grad results should be coming in soon. We'll see what happens with that.

I want to take a trip to Metamora. I want to go visit the Smokies. I want to go to Chicago and DC. Ahhh so much to do!

I hate being sick.

I miss certain people. A lot.

I've made several new friends.

My gerbils are the loves of my life right now. They make me so happy. They're so cute and cuddly and fuzzy and rodent-y. I absolutely dote on them.

And now, for pictures that I can FINALLY post online because of the internet being nice (btw, out taking pictures in the rain and ice and snow is a good way to meet guys I've found. Next time, I need to take a notepad and write down their numbers...):

One of the twins:

Talawanda:

Bell Tower:

Top of Upham:

Top of Upham 2:

Light outside Upham's Arch:

Horseshoe circle in front of Upham:

Southquad Stairs:

Lucky Turtles:

Lake Ogden Hall:

Lake Ogden Hall 2:

Arg!!

Alright, I'm sorry I'm not online.

Here may be a few reasons why you may not see me on any IMs:
  1. Miami's internet sucks; therefore, when I'm in my room, it flickers in and out and doesn't really exist. They just want us to think it does.
  2. Cleaning my disaster of a room.
  3. No internet.
  4. Playing hockey.
  5. No internet.
  6. Hanging out with people.
  7. No internet.
  8. Creating my way cool story. That doesn't exist yet.
  9. No internet.
  10. Graduate school apps. When I have internet. Which leads to our last, and most definate, reason for not being on, #11:
  11. NO INTERNET.

You have reached me at sassyphoenix.blogspot.com. Thank you for listening and holding. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and internet willing, I will return your comments. Or, for some of you, just call my cell phone. ;)

PS. I have more to talk about. I just don't feel like doing it now. Like about some of my awesome classes. Like ice hockey. With which I now have a stick and equipment, except for a helmet. That story may come later. Cheers!

*whimper*

So, if for the next several days you wonder why I'm in a bad mood, sad mood, non-talking mood, this is why:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080103/NEWS01/801030392/



Daniel Ferraro died last night. Now, it was a stupid way to die. You don't go making pipe bombs to blow up an old wooden playhouse in your backyard, which is in the middle of a subdivision in a very populated suburb. You just don't.

But that's not the point. I knew him. He was Navy ROTC. He was in Pistol Club. He was my RA (and a good friend of mine)'s little brother. I have known him for a year and a half, because of all my navy classes. He was funny, witty, and just cool to be around. I always knew him as Ferraro. He was just a cool kid. He was also only 19.

This is the fourth Miami kid to die this school year. Two were hit by trains (both theoretically suicidal), one ODed on meds that he shouldn't have had in the first place, and now this. But this is the first guy I've known, and actually known, talked to, liked, and was generally good friends with, who has died. I've known others, yes, but it was a distant knowledge. Barely acquaintences.

Now, we're talking ROTC people here. They're a close knit family. I knew this kid. And I knew him well. I can see his face, hear his voice, hear his laugh, watch him play pranks. He was an amazing kid, even if he did do stupid stuff.

And I'm also good friends with Victoria, his older sister, my RA, and a good friend of mine. She's the one that taught me swing dancing can, indeed, be fun. She's dragged me along to dances, and convinced me to get out of the dorms (bless her heart). And now her little brother is gone. And I have no way to comfort her. And this hurts just about as bad. I know her parents, and I knew her brother. The only person I didn't know in her family was her little sister.

Visitation is going to be on Sunday from 4-8pm. I'm definately going, and for probably all four hours. I need to be there for them. I love that family, and I want to do all I can. The service will be at 10 am on Monday - I'm also going to that. They only live 10 minutes away from me.

I've been a complete wreck all day. When mom told me about it this morning, she didn't know that I knew him. But I've been crying and depressed all day. I'm just a complete mess. I can't focus, I can't concentrate, I can't do much of anything today. So if I'm not very conversational, I apologize right now. But I'm missing a great guy and grieving for his family and my friends. I'm not used to people I actually know really well dying. This is a shock to me, and I'm still trying to cope.

I hope everyone else is having a better day, and I will talk again later.

So, it's been a while...

I apologize to all you loyal (haha) readers. I think that's called, mm... Steph? ;) Anyways. Very brief update.

Last week (Oct 14-20):

* Had a heck of a time scheduling on Monday. Took me all day to sort it out. I think I'm golden now.

* Monday: As soon as that's done, I get a call saying dad went to the ER. Long story short: he had a (MILD, thankfully) heart attack. So Monday night I went home to take care of the animals and grandparents, who got in around 12:30 Tuesday morning (Course, I didn't get home till 11 or so Monday night). Very stressful. He's very good now. Everyone's happy.

* Got really irritated at a professor when he marked down my paper because he didn't like my writing style.

* Took a midterm on Thursday. It was one of the classes I didn't go to on Tuesday. Mrrf.

* Friday: Went home to see everyone.




THIS week: OCT 21-27:

* Been working on a midterm from the guy who doesn't like the way I write. What little incentive I have.

* Got to see Noah.

* Took pretty pictures of Miami when it was foggy and pretty.

* FINALLY got heat in the dorm. Now that I don't need it.

* Went to a Toga party last night... a Gods and Goddesses party for Classics Club. I was Artemis. ^_^ Oh yeah. Tons of alcohol there - needless to say I refused to touch any of it. I actually took my own soft drinks to the thing. I'm still happy I did. And I was happy I didn't drink. I was also happy no one held it against me that I prefered to be sober.

* Have thoroughly enjoyed sleeping today. Also went to WalMart with Jordan, to pick up supplies for my informal presentation of my pirates project from summer. It definately won't be as cool as that in Upham. But I'm gonna dress up as a pirate for it, instead of dressing casual like they wanted us to. I wanna be different. :-D

Below are pictures of the beautiful Miami, and the toga party. In brief. If you want more, you need to contact me.





This picture is for Steph:



Wes and Gus:



Foggy Miami (Top of Tallawanda):



Foggy Miami:



Bell Tower:



Very pretty:



More pictures for Steph:



Bell Tower:



Harrison Hall:



One of the old dorms:



Bell Tower:



Somewhere on top of a hill in the woods:



CLASSICS CLUB PARTY! TOGA TOGA TOGA!








































Hope you enjoyed!