Sprachen, Idiomas, e Linque

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Rachel graduated in 2008. To read more current student blogs, click here and remember to visit Hopkins Interactive for more blogs, pictures, videos, and more!

it's not just about the bike

so this is my shameless plug for the Hopkins 4K.  Actually, to be quite honest, it is the farthest from a plug because of what it stands for.  So any of you wondering about community service and philanthropy at Johns Hopkins, have no fear, I am about to enlighten you on the goods here at Hopkins...

So junior year has to be one of the most stressful years here at Hopkins, not  because you're finally an upperclassman, but mostly because it really gives you a reality check on where you are in your life and where you're going.  Now, me having changed my major like 20 times, the fact that I have a year and a half until I graduate is extremely frightening.  Right now, I could give about 30 different ideas I have for the future, and they are changing daily, but one thing is certain, and that is this summer.

I wanted to do something beneficial to me, beneficial to other people, because as much as I have wanted to, I have not been able to get involved with community service here beyond my brief teaching era way back when during freshman year.  But this year, I can honestly say that not only have I been working hard, doing well, but I've also met some incredibly inspirational people that live each day as if it were their last.

So enough suspension...I am doing the Hopkins 4K for Cancer, and that's where I've been these last 2 months.  That's right...I've been hiding out with my Hopkins 4K buddies and the Hope Lodge staff and residents.  So you ask what is the Hopkins 4k? It is a non-profit organization that raises money through donations to fight cancer.  Oh, right, and yes, we do bike 4,000 km across the country during the summer (from Baltimore to San Francisco), and there are usually about 25 of us, so that's what I'm doing this summer, exciting huh?

Anyway, so the last 2 months I've been hanging out with these fabulous 24 other people and visiting the Hope Lodge, which is a home away from home for families who have family members going through treatments...kind of like a Ronald McDonald house but for adults.  Anyway, we go down there at least once a week and cook dinner, decorate, entertain them and just spend time with them, and if anything makes you realize that your problems are so much smaller than you think, it's this!  

The 4K has just been a super experience so far, and I've met so many people that I probably would have never met before on campus.  They are absolutely wonderful, even wonderful enough for me to invite them to my formal, which was last night, AND amazing...pics to be posted later!

Anyway, I should get back to work considering I have this HUGE 20 pg. paper due on Friday, and my research is not completely done yet...ooops, but classes are over, and only 3 semesters to go!!!! AHHHH!!!!

oh the weather outside is frightful...but how are those classes going?

Greetings everyone and happy pre-December! So maybe I'm just a little too excited about December getting here, but I've decided that it's time that it got really cold and we get some snow. I've had enough of this cold-warm weather, and well, a little snow might just brighten up my day at this point!  There's something just so calming about walking outside when it's dark out, and it being so cold that there's that snow smell in the air -- you can just picture everyone curled by the fire, drinking tea, reading a nice book.

Yes, it's time for winter to be here, and just as winter hits, school will be getting out, and I cannot even begin to tell you how ecstatic I am about that!!!! That's right, folks...2 weeks of doing absolutely nothing and then I get to come back and take a course on wine tasting for Intersession. You couldn't even begin to complain with that kind of schedule. But in all honesty, I wanted to use this blog to write about academics here, without the glamour and the "zaa-zaa-zoo" (thank you Sex and the City). Because whether you like it or not, at every point wherever you are in school, you have that moment of "zaa-zaa-ewwwwww" (once again, thank you Samantha!!!).

First let me address the fact that I have never regretted my decision to come to Johns Hopkins, and it has been one of the smartest decisions I ever made. I finally found a place where almost everyone actually cares about their academic success, whereas in my high school it was very much a beauty competition with a little-to-no college plan depending on where you were in your relationship. At Hopkins, I like to say I'm with "my people."  I have always felt that I can be myself and I am not pressured to go a different direction with my life because everyone else is.

One of the biggest myths about Johns Hopkins is that we are too competitive and cut-throat, and though my school does have its problems, this is not one of them. The problems that Hopkins does have are lessened because of the people on this campus. In no way do they help add to the stress level here. Yes, we are competitive, but we are competitive with ourselves.  I am always competing "against myself" to do better, to improve, and when I do ask other people how they did, it's more to evaluate myself on the given subject. Hopkins is an intense environment, and we all realize that we are in it together and take advantage of that fact. After being bombarded with work one week before classes ended today, I knew that I could talk with everyone else in the class and that we could work together to get everything done. This myth is the farthest from the truth and I think most people here would back me up on this!

However, I will say this -- though we are coming out of this university with one of the strongest educations in the country, Johns Hopkins is not a regular university. People try to fight the rumor that Hopkins is "an intense environment." Though when I say intense, I am referring to the academic rigor, not so much the environment, as in the people around you. About 90% of the time, if you are a well-organized person (whether all-around or just in your own way), the workload is a very manageable thing. But around midterms and finals, like now for me, it gets a bit out of hand. Sometimes you have to "take one for the team," and suck it up and delve into that big pile of work. It's not fun, in fact, it's the exact opposite of fun. But it's just something you have to do. The nice thing is that this only occurs about once a semester. No place is perfect, and in reality, you finish the semester, realize that the week that you considered never-ending has ended, and you have accomplished so much. It's over, done, finito.

Right now, I'm having one of those moments -- where maybe, I'm not the happiest person, but the one nice thing is that everyone's in it together. We can ALL relate.  Tonight, I'm having a "release your stress" dinner with a bunch of Kappas, and we're going to enjoy a nice dinner, and just relax ... not talk about work ... not talking about Hopkins. So even if it is a rough time, you've got that support there. 

Another quick note is that even if you are swamped, I can say one thing about professors here: they are "mostly" understanding (yes, there are a few professors who are maybe not as nice as others). Most of the time if you walk in and explain to them what you are going through, they will say,"Not a problem, when do you think you can get it done?"  They all just want to see you do well and get something out of the course ... they don't want to see you only spend 1/2 as much time on something and not get as much out of it.  They WANT to see you succeed.

So hopefully, this has been helpful, and it's not just a repeat of what's been said in the past. If you have ANY questions, feel free to comment, and I'll respond as quickly as I can. Otherwise, keep working on those college apps and good luck with your midterms and finals!!!!!

"Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome!"

Yes, it's late...yes, I'm singing Cabaret, and yes, that makes me a HUGE musical theatre junkie, but that's ok because today is the most exciting day for any SAABer...LAUNCH DAY!  This is the day that we all look forward to, and is somehow always moved farther and farther away, so when it actually comes, it's "party-worthy," as we are having PIZZA in today's meeting ... can we say free food?! I LOVE FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!

But let me stop my raving and general excitement of launch day and introduce myself. My name is Rachel, and I am an admissions addict. (*Hi Rachel!*)  I am a junior German and Italian Language and Literature major here, but I also study random things like Jewish Studies, Film and Media Studies, and way back when ... pre-med.  Yes, I am the typical pre-med dropout who is PROUD OF IT! (Drop-out pride!) 

So what makes me unique at Hopkins other than the fact that I'm a language kid who sings musical theatre in the computer lab at all hours of the morning? well...I'm also from the South...Nashvegas that is(and for those of you who don't habla the southern, nashvegas is hillbilly for Nashville, TN).  Anyway, you'll probably hear a lot of culture shock in my blogs along with becoming the perfect Southern Belle and how I've become a domestic goddess (but really, I am).  I'm into just about everything here, so you'll get a whole mix of stuff in my blogs, like LOVE (*swoon*), my closet obsession with Sci-Fi (whoops...I guess it's not a closet obsession anymore), birthday *celebrations*, and apple-pickin' (and no, no joke...there are apple orchards in Baltimore).  Other cool, random facts about me: I'm a Libra, I sing in the Octopodes (an a cappella group on campus), I can converse in 6 languages, I have devoted 3 months of my summer to biking across the country for cancer , I bleed blue (that's right UofM Wolverines fans), and Mir ist ein Buecherwurm (yes...that's right, I'm a glutton for books).

Anyway, we're SO excited to  be launching H.I. 2.0 with all these new "bells and whistles" and AMAZING new bloggers, and we'd love to hear back from you!!! Do not hesitate to comment on our blogs because we love to hear from you. Actually, it's more of a popularity contest, so if you LOVE Grey's Anatomy, comment here!!!**ME meeting the former Addison Montgomery-Shepard**   By the way, we totally need to have a discussion of last week's semi-controversial episode that was beyond all expectations!!!! Good luck with your applications and happy studying!!!!

I FOUND YOU!

theraflu, sudafed, and afrin...OH MY!!!!

Ok, so to start this post off, if I say anything that makes no sense, I blame it on the meds.  Yes, it's true -- my immune system has failed me, and I have a RAVING case of the flu.  Now, let me tell you, if you haven't gotten the flu shot yet this year, get it NOW!  I haven't been sick like this in years, and it's MISERABLE!

It's mostly miserable because when you're sick, the last thing you want to do is homework. You can't go out and people don't want to hang out with you. But most importantly ... there's no one to take care of you, take you to the doctor, fix you hot soup, keep you bundled up all day. All you want is your mom's chicken noodle soup, and it is nowhere to be seen.  SOOOO ... what do you do in college when you're sick (that is, other than surround yourself in a sea of tissues)?

Now I am the ultimate tough-it-out person, and the less meds and the more pain, the better. As I always say, "Pain is only weakness leaving the body." However, there are a few instances where I cave in, such as this week. I was proud to be the first walk-in patient at the Health and Wellness Center last Friday morning, and yes you can just walk in without an appointment.  Usually within 30 minutes you're seeing a doctor, and it's absolutely wonderful.  Now if you're at death's door, you've also got Union Memorial Emergency Room right around the corner, about a block from Wolman (one of the freshman dorms on campus).

My problem is never seeing what's wrong. I always know something's wrong, but what do you do?  Ummm ... can we say free movie rentals from the library?  I cannot even begin to tell you how many movies I watched last weekend along with boxes of tissues I went through ... and may I say, there is none better than Kleenex Anti-Viral tissues!!!!!!!!! IMPORTANT NOTE:  ANTI-VIRAL TISSUES DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NOT GET A VIRUS!  They should really clarify this more!

Quickly, a word from our sponsors: But anyway, enough about the flu, and can we talk about YOU?!Really, I meant that honestly ... do you have any questions about applying to Hopkins or Hopkins life in general, PLEASE feel free to comment on the blogs OR check out Hopkins Interactive (only the coolest site ever made) in the next 2 weeks for some new information!!!!

Anyway, can I mention my extreme excitement for WINTER?  OK, even this Southern girl is ready for some snow and ice ... NEED I SAY MORE? There is something so classy about the campus when everyone is decked out in their scarves and winter coats. Although I must admit that winter coats do go best with flip-flops (maybe that's how I got the flu). I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for the 2nd annual Campus Lighting. I wish I had a picture of this because even if it's 70 degrees out, these lights make you feel like you're in a Winter Wonderland.  Basically, the lighting is just taking all the light poles on campus and wrapping them in holiday lights, and it just really makes you feel at home!  Plus, for the lighting, they have hot chocolate and apple cider!!! Did I mention they're free?! What more could a college student ask for?

he did the mash...he did the MONSTER mash

Ok, so all of you are probably way too young to remember this song, but sadly, I can remember singing this on my old-school karaoke machine that consisted of only a tape player with a fabulously unprofessional microphone that only worked if you hit it ridiculously hard against a marble counter...oh, life in the 80s! 

So maybe I'm not that old, but it was definitely a flashback today when they were playing this on GoodMorning America. Does that qualify me as a nerd if I get up at 7am to start watching GoodMorning America?  Actually, I think it was yesterday when in German -- we were talking about political engagements -- and my professor made a comparison to Battlestar Galactica and asked if anyone else watched this show. Well, let's just say I was a little more enthusiastic than most, and the only person in the room to raise their hand.  Yes, a slightly awkward situation only to be followed by me informing the entire class (actually trying to allude to political engagements) that yes...it's true...Ender's Game is becoming a movie.

Just wanted to let you all know to check out the blog later this week for a much more exciting post, but while you're at it...check out my pre-halloween and date party pictures.

"so bring me two pina coladas"...yadayadayada...birthday fun

So in my last post, I may have left a few minor details to the last few weeks. First, there's a little good news, then, a little bad news. Good news is, I'm LEGAL and loving it! The bad news is I've officially grown-up, and when I say that, I mean that it's implied that I've grown up because I'm FULLY legal, but in actuality, I'm still a little kid that just happens to pay her own bills.

So yes, the headlines are true -- the good Southern Belle has finally turned 21, and I had possibly the best birthday one could ask for.  Let me tell you, you should definitely plan it that your 21st birthday falls on a Friday, and though you think that this is not possible, it's completely possible.  Number 1: you could travel back in time and change the day you were born, OR Number 2: you could move to a different timezone, like China, and please, do not question my logic. I've thought long and hard about this! 

So my birthday was not a normal one...it all started on a lovely Thursday night, and when I say lovely, I mean, it was 50 degrees and pouring down rain. But anyway, after watching Grey's Anatomy (and oh my goodness, I can't even tell you how excited I am), I was just sitting with some of my friends. At 11:30, a startling knock shook me from my work...ok, maybe I've overdramatized a little, but really, it was a startling knock.  Anyway, it was the majority of my sorority. Yes, the lovely ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma had come to sing "Oh Pat"(one of our "celebratory" songs) to me. I was then rushed to the first bar in sight, where I ordered my first drink ever *winkwink* and yadayadayada...I woke up and flew to Chicago the next morning!

Most people went ... wait, Chicago ... why Chicago? I must explain to you the importance of food in my life and that Chicago has the best food BY FAR in the country.  Most people think New York, but New York is so much more crowded and rushed, and well, in all honesty, Chicago is much better.  So I arrive in Chicago to find my parents and my two VERY best friends greeting me at the hotel with a HUGE suite.  So before I know it, I'm being treated to massages at the Four Seasons, Navy Pier fun, and lots of free "stuff."

I honestly thought that when I got to Hopkins, birthdays wouldn't be the same and celebrating was not an option. Thanks to Facebook, everyone remembers your birthday. Also, I've found that my friends really go out of their way here to make important days enjoyable and will pretty much drop everything.

But to catch you up on my life, it's CRAZY, which it always is. Our semesters are short, so though you may complain about the workload at first, you realize that we start about 3 weeks after everyone else and finish approximately at the same time or maybe a little earlier.  So right now, I'm insane with papers, presentations, and midterms, but then I realize, I'm already half-way through the semester, and I've only been in class for 5 weeks.  It's actually a pretty sweet deal!  But before I got sidetracked, I was talking about my pretty exciting life, which includes seductively eating apples on my apple-picking adventure with my sorority, and yes, there are apple orchards in Baltimore for all you non-believers! It's only like 20 minutes away from campus, and if you've got an oven, it's the perfect excuse to get off campus to fetch those apples for HOMEMADE apple pies.  Ok, so maybe it's just easier to walk to the corner, but honestly, how many times can you say that you went apple-picking in Baltimore?

I've also been living in Kappa Kandyland with Princess Lolli and Queen Frostine with recruitment preparation and retreats and Founder's Day, so I've pretty much been all over campus. But here's some exciting news ... are you ready? Because I honestly don't think you are!!!!  BARNES AND NOBLE OPENED!!!!!! 

Alright, see most people wouldn't get as excited as I would because I'm what most people call a book nerd.  No, not to be confused with a bookworm.  A bookworm is only a person with a fond appreciation of books, but a book nerd has an obsession with books.  When you walk into a Barnes and Noble and have to complain about the lack of a certain book in the economics and American government section, it might be time to admit you have a problem.  And this is the book, Barnes and Noble...get it in stock, it's so worth it (mind you this is coming from a girl who had to ask her economics major friend what capitalism was).  They actually were missing out on some key books, so just to convince you that I'm not a complete dork, the only thing I bought was my update on the latest gossip...See, I'm not the most pitiful 21 year-old! Yeah, in German, my obsession would be addressed as, "Sie ist Buecherwurm," which translates into, "she is a glutton for books."  I think it fits me quite well. 

Ok, and another addition...STARBUCKS OPENS TODAY!  For all you coffee addicts, have no fear, there is now the ultimate source of caffeine on campus.  For Starbucks addicts, this is what you dream of...

Yes, it's true...this addiction cannot be quenched without this cup in your hand.

So the newest lesson in life, go buy this book, grab a Starbucks coffee, and go apple picking...that's the real secret in life!

bringin' sexy back...love and allure at hopkins

Yes...believe it or not...you're getting your first orientation to college love.  I was hesitant at first to  blog about this, but honestly, we're all adults (or at least close), and I think we can handle the upcoming information.  Of all of us Hopkins Interactive people, everyone automatically assumes that I am the best person to write this blog, and let me just give you a little insight into how this has come to be.

I am the typical (really not typical, but for all you non-Southerners, I'll let you dream) Southern girl that when she reaches that certain age, she moves on from dating and into "THE SEARCH."  Most of my friends from home are: 1.) married, 2.) engaged, or 3.) have been in a steady relationship for at least a year.  It is unlikely that any of us will reach 30 and still be single.  My mother was married at this point in my life, and well, there's a little pressure there as well, so I came to Hopkins thinking, "Finally, I can meet a boy that understands and loves what a dork I am."

With that in mind, it would make sense that I've made my rounds, and I do not mean that in a scandalous manner in ANY way.  I mean that I've had my fair share of boyfriends at Hopkins, from the Computer Science majors, to the classic frat boy, to the "illustrious" lacrosse players.

One of the most common myths of Hopkins is that there is a magnetic force that repels guys and girls from each other and that relationships are impossible here.  Well, actually, it's not that scientific a reason, but people do have this pre-conceived notion that we are WAY too busy to actually have a relationship here, and that if we did...well, it would be more of a big study session.  Though I would love to paint the perfect picture of romantic dinners at Fells Point, movie nights at the Charles Theatre, and long walks along the Inner Harbor several times a week, I can't.  Hopkins is a challenging school, and though many look for love, we're not here to get our MRS. degree (or MR. degree for those boys out there).  School does come first for all of us, but if we find ourselves in a position to date, there's nothing holding us back.

So if people do date, you might ask...what's the dating pool like at Hopkins?  Well...first things first...we're not just limited to those within a 1 mile radius. We've got TONS of other schools in the area, so you start thinking: Naval Academy, Goucher, Loyola, Towson, University of Baltimore, U of MD, and for you guys...College of Notre Dame. So if you think that way, we've each got about 15,000 options, and though that might be a small number for Samantha Jones on Sex and the City, it suffices for us amateurs. But if you're looking to keep your boundaries inside the Hopkins campus, do NOT be concerned. Though we're a school on the smaller side, you never feel as if you've seen everything here. I'm in my junior year here, and I'm still continuing to meet people in my class that I've somehow missed for the past 2.5 years.

But I could keep going on for ages, so I thought I'd mix it up a bit and come up with Rachel's Fabulous Rules of College Dating:

1.  Be Yourself- Ok, I know this is WAY beyond cliche, but honestly, we were all a little bit of a geek in high school.  It might have been those 7 AP classes we took our junior year, or it might just have been our obsession with Disney movies (for me, it's StarTrek addictions), but when I first arrived here, for the first time, I felt like everyone had their own little quirk, and that it was NO big secret or something to be ashamed of.  So honestly, if you like to play with your pet brain (Michelle) or the next biggest thing for you is "Ender's Game" being made into a movie (I LOVE ORSON SCOTT CARD...and yes, it is, in fact, true), don't hide it because most likely, we've got a little something that's similar.

2. Though you might be college students, get off campus!!! I asked one of my sorority sisters about what constitutes a date, and she responded with, "Eating at the Fresh Food Cafe together is NOT a date."  Yes, us college kids are cheap, but in order to truly separate school and a relationship, whether it's going into Little Italy, cooking in, or getting carry-out from one of the local restaurants, you need to have a little bit of time that does not include classes or twenty of your friends.  A lot of people respond to that with they don't have time for that stuff, but someone's got to eat dinner, so not a valid excuse.

3.  DON'T immediately get into a relationship the minute you get here. This was one of my biggest mistakes. Within a week of getting here, I was already dating someone. Though I felt pretty good about it, the relationship ended, and I realized that I knew NOBODY because instead of meeting new people throughout the first month, I was trapped in my 10x10 dorm room watching movies with the boyfriend. Take your time when you get here and meet new people. College is not about finding the man of your dreams (though I definitely thought it was when I got here)...it is about new experiences and meeting new people and enjoying yourself!

4.  Study together: I know it sounds terrible, but I mean this is in the coolest sense. Honestly, I find that when I'm dating someone here, I become a better student.  #1, because I'm a competitive person, and well, I don't want to be the "average" person that someone dates, and #2, because if you want to make time for a relationship, you have to be great with time management, and well, not gonna lie...I'm pretty bad at time management.  Plus, who really wants to sit in the library alone and do work when you could have someone to take coffee breaks with? (Have I mentioned we're getting 2 new Starbucks...no addiction, I swear).

But that's pretty much it...if you want to make the dating scene work, it's totally do-able.

all the things she said...

ok, so all of my professors are women, thus, "all the things she said, are running through my head" pretty much at a regular basis.  Anyway, this is just a quick "jot" saying that I am the middle of midterm CRAZINESS, and I will give you all a thoroughly entertaining post in a few days, but until then, happy studying for all!

"That's just the way it is...things will never be the same...CHANGES"

Greetings EVERYONE as I welcome myself back from a LONG summer break. Hopefully you all were able to enjoy yours as much as I did mine.  These last two weeks back on campus have been crazy, and rightfully so, considering the fact that we have ~1200 wonderful new freshman, and may I add...AMAZING new food and dorms.

Yes, it's true!!!!  After years of subjecting ourselves to mediocre food, our food has finally come up to par with our academics. Alright, that may be stretching it, but I am now happy to say that I can take a guest to lunch, free of all food poisoning thoughts.  No, it wasn't that bad, but now, you'd rather use your all-you-can-eat blocks than spend money at a restaurant.  And well...Charles Commons...it speaks for itself!  The laundry room completely says it all, and I mean that literally.  Your washer and/or dryer will inform you when your cycle is finished by email or by texting you.  Honestly, that in itself can promote Hopkins for those forgetful people who will forget about that pile of laundry they did 3 days ago...and yes, it has actually happened.

Along with all these changes, came some freshman's comment on my age...I'M OLD! OK, so almost 21 wouldn't necessarily be considered old, but considering the person I came into this school as, things have completely changed. The school and the community have evolved so much into what I now call my Heimat...(and for you non-German speakers), my home.  So to welcome in these exciting new changes, a bunch of my Kappa sisters and I made about a 100 point list of "You Know You're Old at Hopkins When..."

1.  when you parked your car during your first Hopkins visit in what is now the Decker Quad

2.  when the death lane (extra lane on North Charles St. where no one would look) was still a method of natural selection

3.  when the Blue Jay Cafe and the Fresh Food Cafe were still known as MegaBytes and Terrace

The list obviously goes on, but the point has been made. There has been a series of huge changes at Hopkins...and change can be uncomfortable but it is good and necessary.  I think that pretty much defines our incoming freshman class, or least that's how it was my freshman year(hard to think I can remember that far back).  You are in a completely different environment that can be scary, but it helps you grow as a person, and believe it or not, in 4 short years (and believe me, they are so short and go by so fast) this has become your home. So take advantage of your next few years and really enjoy them!

On a much more exciting note, and certainly less sentimental...classes have started. We have wasted no time whatsoever...and the start of classes means add/drop, buy/sell books, etc. Also the start of the new semester means unbelievable amounts of trips to Towson to pick up those picture frames at Target or buy a new set of sheets because you've already ruined your first set while you were learning how to do laundry (happens to the best of us). And we all know deep down that the only thing that can come of this are LONG lines. It is no wonder that seniors steer clear of the registrar's office and have had their books ordered for about the last two months. However, I was not as smart as those brilliant seniors and did quite a bit of time standing in line, so I conducted my own experiment. I recorded observations of what other people do while standing in line. Me, I'm the one that will find ANYTHING to occupy the time, such as trace through that phone book, take a book out of your bag and start reading (my personal favorite), or choose a point on the wall to zone out on for a few extra minutes until that nap later in the day. I am finding myself doing that about every 20 minutes, so in that case, I'm off to bed. But check in for an update later this week on classes and life at the Johnny Hopp!