Thanksgiving – New York Style!
 |
| Just some of the seniors from the Class of 2012 on Spirit Day; we display our Loughlin “L” quite proudly!!  |
 |
| Happy Thanksgiving |
 |
| My favorite balloon of the whole parade! |
 |
| SANTA!! |
The parade was awesom…this was truly a Thanksgiving to remember!
Live Jesus in our hearts. FOREVER!
Topics: Christopher Hueg | No Comments »
Half Marathon, Retreats, and CANNED Food
Alright…I know its been forever and a day since I have updated this blog, but after reading all that has been happening, you will understand where I have had no time to update. With the days getting longer and longer (because of sunlight, or lack there of…), I have been getting more and more tired when the work day is complete. It was told to me when I arrived that you are not a true New Yorker until you are able to fall asleep on the subway, and wake-up either before or just as the train is pulling into your stop. Thankfully, it has taken me many train rides and countless times sleeping through my stops to finally be able to call myself a true New Yorker, and wake myself up the stop before I have to get off the train!! In my book, that is a huge accomplishment!! .
Now, onto all the exciting things that have held me back from updating (please bear with the short novel you are about to enjoy):
When we last left off, I had just completed running a half-marathon! It is still hard for me to believe some days that I actually still completed it, and sometimes wonder if I just dreamt it, but then see my medal and race number, and realize I didn’t. With the fun had that weekend, I wasn’t sure how it could get any better, but the following weekend proved it would! I made a surprise return trip to good ol’ Romeoville, IL to visit some friends and share in some wonderful experiences shared by others. 
. I was so excited to be able to pull off such a huge surprise, and I am pretty sure I can vouch for my friends that it was just as exciting. I never imagined how much I would miss people until I moved away and was able to return! Though the weekend was extremely short, I loved and soaked in every minute of it!
It was then back to New York to begin another week at work but one that proved to be nothing less than exciting. I received a text on Monday morning from my boss alerting me she would be staying home with her daughter who was sick. I immediately became nervous and anxious for work that day because I would be in the office by myself hoping nothing would go wrong. One day turned to two and then three. I can honestly say I learned that I am an extreme people person from this experience; I began to turn on music in the office, look at pictures of friends on facebook, just to remember what it was like to be around people! It’s sad to admit, but honestly, there’s no surprise in knowing I need to be around people and their high energy! 
Though it was different being in the office by myself, I was also able to learn a lot about my responsibility and ability to create tasks for myself when someone is not present. I also got the experience of running one of our freshman retreats all by myself (with the teacher and 2 guidance counselors in the room…). Needless to say, that retreat will forever live in my mind, as a good (and bad) experience!
The week was short, having Friday off for Veteran’s Day, yet I went into work late morning for our Lasallian Youth day retreat! This retreat was planned by our Exec. Board Senior students on Lasallian Youth for the rest of the LY students. This year’s theme focused around the idea of cyber-bullying. As all participants learned, cyber-bulling is an up-and-coming force that is destroying the lives of so many young middle and high school students. I believe the students did a fantastic job planning and executing the retreat, and for once, it was nice to be a participant vs. leader.
As the days were growing closer and closer to Thanksgiving, Bishop Loughlin’s Canned Food Drive was getting closer and closer to ending. As you well know by now, the house system at Loughlin is central to all activities/competitions we partake in throughout the school day. I believe the canned food drive is one of the two largest competitions (aside from the Penny Drive). This year, we set a goal, hoping to beat last year’s total of 4,000-ish non-perishable food items. Now, if you are asking yourself why it’s called a CANNED food drive, yet other food was donated, that’s a good question. After last year’s drive, the food pantry we donated to got an infestation of pantry moths and had to close down. All of the food found in boxes/bags had to be thrown away, and thus causing the pantry to no longer accept ANY food donations. The thought of not providing meals to needy families during the holidays was heart-breaking, and the pantry began to accept donations again from us under one condition; ONLY CANNED ITEMS WOULD BE ACCEPTED! This put a lot of pressure onto the school for breaking last year’s record, but the students rose to the challenge.
As a part of the food display above, we had a giant revealing to the school at our Thanksgiving Assembly.Topics: Christopher Hueg | No Comments »
End of Semester
Well as we all know the semester is just about through. Classes are winding down and winter break is near. With the library open 24/7, a good number of my friends are looking a little sleep deprived. This semester it looks like the finals won’t be too rough. The only one I am really concerned with is Instrument Ground School. It is pretty exciting though how the classes are slowing down. Today being Thursday, I only have 3 classes Tomorrow: Intro to Human Communication, which there is a presentation from a group speaking, Flight lab (when I go flying) which I thoroughly enjoy, so it doesn’t feel like a class, and Air Transportation, which I have a final in. Needless to say, Winter Break is upon us!
With winter break almost here, all of my friends are talking and making plans for winter break. It’s real exciting to hear from friends who go to other schools. Thanksgiving break offers a taste of what’s to come for winter break, and it’s not that I have huge plans for break, it’s just going to be exciting not having to worry about studying for that test coming up or writing that essay.
Anyway, I have some Instrument coursework to study so take it easy all!
Topics: Steve Kowalski | No Comments »
Studying is Awesome!
Hello Again,
The semester is finally just about over and finals are set to begin in just 1 week, oh the excitement. Fortunately for me I only have 1 test on Monday and I think I’m done right after that. My next week and a half won’t be as hectic as some of my fellow peers, and the studying will be not as bad. I will be going home to the beautiful Bay Area, California, on the 21st after an extended visit in Illinois/ Ohio. For this I can’t wait another minute. There won’t be any sunshine back in Cali. most likely, but there’s no place like home.
These last 4 or so months have been an adventure since the very start and it only contributes to the great memories at Lewis. It’s always difficult to leave the friends you’ve made, although only for about a month. The New Year should bring some pretty chill stuff; 5 business classes await me with a full 18 credit hour schedule. It shouldn’t be too bad and I figure since they aren’t general education classes, I’m set up for success!
Well it has been great telling you all about my first semester sophomore year, and I look forward to telling you more about my second semester. Until then, Happy Holidays, oh and Happy Studying!
Topics: Matt Halick | No Comments »
Where did the time go?
I can’t believe we are down to the last few weeks of the semester! This past week has been anything but relaxing.
The common phrases of the week? “I don’t have time to do all of this!” “The project is due when?!” “I guess me and my bed aren’t hanging out tonight.” “I’m going to lose my mind” From now until the end of the semester, I have something due every single day. And it’s not really small, busywork assignments either. Suddenly, big projects that professors forgot to assign at the beginning of the semester are showing up and due soon! As a college student, it’s really common to feel stressed and overwhelmed by the time the holidays roll around. It’s like a seasonal change; everything is calm, and one the weather starts getting gross, the work starts piling on. The best way to keep everything in order AND remain calm? Two words: TIME MANAGEMENT. (or DAILY PLANNER. that one works too for me )
Managing time and breaking big projects down into smaller pieces makes everything better. The huge, terrifying projects suddenly don’t look nearly as bad when you only have to do one or two pages of a paper or a slide or two in a Powerpoint presentation. Over time, the project gets done, and you keep your sanity!
And with finals coming up so soon, studying has become my new hobby. The super study has started in the library, and I can guarantee you that I will probably be there until the early hours of the morning, studying and reviewing information I learned at the beginning of the semester (which I might not be able to remember at this moment….). Take advantage of the library, it’s every college student’s best friend.
Well, I’m off to study! See you again soon!
Topics: Emily Grimm | No Comments »
It’s starting to Look A LOT like Christmas!!!!
And the end is finally here. Everything we have done to this point will all be assessed through our finals in 3 short weeks. It seems like yesterday the end was so far away.
Anyway, the last couple of weeks have been really hectic. Intramurals have continued to highlight my semester and the final sport of the year is dodge ball which has turned to be one of the most exciting. Just remember, “the training, dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.” Hopefully by playoff time I’ll have everything mastered. Next semester should be really competitive as well.
Big Brothers/ Big Sisters came to an end and we parted ways with our littles. The hardest part of the program is seeing them go, but next semester will bring them back with even more excitement and enthusiasm. These kids continue to changes our lives even more than we could ever do for them.
Rigth before Thanksgiving, I went to Morning Star Missions and passed out food baskets for the registered families. Something like 400 families were given meals and this is the most rewarding part of season, giving to those to have none. Also the giving tree’s are up and I selected one of the ornaments; every year they are put up with about 100 gifts.
Finally, right before break, the lighting of Lewis ceremony was the highlight of my semester. We pressed the big red button and the entire school was lit up! Talk about amazing. That’s a wrap for now. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
Until Next Time,
Matt
Topics: Matt Halick | No Comments »
SNOW?!?!?
So today is the infamous first day of flurries here in Romeoville, NOT GOOD!!! Now for me, I love summer and despise winter. Now that the snow is here is not a good thing! I hate being cold and yea, it isn’t a good day in my book. On the plus side, though, Christmas is near! 44 days! (Don’t question my logic, Christmas = Epic, Winter = Misery) What happened to this semester??? All the grounds faculty have strung up campus with Christmas lights and I can’t wait until they start lighting them up.
As far as classes go, I can tell that they are starting to wind down. The assignment schedules are getting shorter and the talks of final exams have started. I have just picked out my classes for next semester, and it looks like it is going to be mostly uninteresting gen eds (philosophy, music for listener, Search for Faith). But, on the positive side, this should be the last semester with mostly gen eds, which is very exciting. I also have determined what my minor will be, well actually double minor: Flight Dispatch and Business, so I pretty much have the rest of my time at college mapped out. If all goes well, I found out that I actually might be able to graduate early.
Onto the interesting flying stuff, I just signed up for airplanes for next semester. I am going to be flying Cessna 172′s with glass cockpits. I know that means a lot to you, but its a computer screen that I look at instead of the gauges of older aircraft. I also get to keep my time block of 9:30. Last year, I got stuck with the 7:00 A.M. flight block, which was very early, and I am not a morning person. I was waking up around 5-5:30 getting weather briefings and I resembled the walking dead once 6P.M. rolled around.
That’s about all I have for you, ’til next time!
Topics: Steve Kowalski | No Comments »
Goodbye Daylight Savings!
Now that the weather is starting to get colder (and the days are getting shorter!) it’s starting to seem like the semester is winding down. But that doesn’t mean that the work or the stress is winding down too! If anything, most students (including myself) are working harder than ever on papers, presentations, tests, homework, etc. With everything once again seeming like it’s due all at once, it’s hard to keep your head up. And sometimes, it feels like your drowning in papers. But it’s extremely important to remember to have some fun. College is supposed to be fun too, right?
So what do I do to make myself happy and take a nice break from studying? Well, I get out of the library. There’s the first step 
But in all honesty, I like to spend time with my friends, watching the next episode of our favorite shows (I’m currently ADDICTED to FX’s American Horror Story!) or getting some dinner at the Den or the Courtyard Cafe. And when the weather is gross, and I’m not planning on leaving my room for a while (who really wants to go ANYWHERE when it’s freezing, raining, AND windy?) I have some nice relaxing time to myself, watching a movie with a cup of tea
But then, once I’ve de-stressed a little, had some fun, and taken a decent break.. It’s back to the books. I recommend always taking at least a half hour break when you have a super study session going. Once you’re done with your break, you’ll find that you can focus more and are much more productive once you’ve had a little fun.
Topics: Emily Grimm | No Comments »
November is HERE!
Hello again. The school year is already halfway over…but it seems as if we just began? At least the Chicago Bears are finally wining so there is a little less to worry about. There’s nothing like relaxing on Sundays, watching the games in your dorm room.
Flag football is now over and the next intramural sports are beginning. 3 vs 3 basketball, Dodgeball, and Floor Hockey are finally here and the competition is heating up. The intramurals this year definitely topped last year.
Peer Ministry is going really well; I had a pasta social a week ago and this week a scavenger hunt through the building will be so much fun. The year just keeps getting better and better.
Improvements are continuing to blossom and the science center is almost finished; too bad I’m not a science major. Brother James and the rest of the administrators at Lewis are working hard to continue improving the school.
Men’s Basketball is starting up as well and you will probably see me at most of the upcoming games. I’m thinking they are going to be pretty good and hopefully they’ll pull away with a section championship and a bid for the NCAA DII tournament.
Until next time,
Matthew Halick
Topics: Matt Halick | No Comments »
It’s Official
Well it’s official… I AM A PILOT!!! I took my Private pilot FAA checkride last Friday and needless to say it went well. It has been my dream since I was young to be a pilot and it is still surreal to me. I could go solo flying as a student pilot, but now I can take passengers and I don’t need a flight instructor’s approval when I fly somewhere else. So needless to say, I have been very excited these past couple of days.
With school, I can’t believe that there are only 6 weeks of class left in the semester. This semester flew by (no pun intended), and it still feels like its still the beginning of the year. The workload has started to catch up to me, with a speech for Intro to Human Communications tomorrow and a pretty large presentation for Aircraft Accident Investigation on Tuesday. With that said, I have some research to do. Talk to you later
Topics: Steve Kowalski | No Comments »