It it finally the end of the year.

As happy as being done with exams makes me, I'm actually going to miss Furman. I know it sounds really corny, but it's true. Here is a list of things I'll miss while being away.

• The Beautiful Campus! It is so nice to walk around and see everything so green and colorful. 
• The Lake. As stinky and toxic as the lake might be, I'm going to miss having such a nice view from my dorm room.
• Downtown. Greenville's downtown area is wonderful. The food there is delicious, and Falls Parks is the best place to have a picnic.
• My friends. Once you finally start sorting out who your group of friends are, you have to leave for the summer. 
• Chinese Class! I love my Chinese class!!! It is the best class ever. If you ever have a free elective class, you should take Chinese. I have come so attached with the people in that class. We have spend so much time studying together and doing homework together that I don't know how I will be able to take Chinese next semester without a lot of them. Also, my professor is one of the best professors I have ever had. I can now tell you directions, how to check out books in the library, about art galleries, and much more! I'm so proud of myself. Wo ai xue hanyu!
• My job. I work in the Special Collections and Archives of the library, and I love it! The people with whom I work with are super nice and understanding.  I get to learn something new everyday about the history or present of Furman.

The end of the year has been very hectic. Between formal, projects, and exams, the time has definitely flown by. I have had more to do this past month than my whole year. Advice : Don't get involved in too many things your first year unless you love extracurricular activities as much as I do. You have time to do them all. Trust me. However, I have now met so many new people that I sometimes can't keep up (too many people to say hello to). 

I can't believe that I'm through with my first year of college. It seems like yesterday I moved into my dorm. Now I'm packing my stuff away to move out. Try doing that while studying for your exams. Awwww..... However, I must admit that my time here at Furman has been one of the best. No place has ever made me feel at home like here. I have no idea what I'm going to do with myself this summer without my late nights in Furman Hall (James C. Furman Hall and I have gotten pretty close), Einstein's Pizza Bagels, and papers to write. I'm just going to have Furman withdrawal. I'm sure I can cope.

For now, I just want to say how truly awesome it has been to get to document my time here at Furman. 

Thanks for reading!

Over and out,

Sofi

I’m finally in a sorority! I’m officially a Kappa Kappa Gamma! Me, Megan, and Cassie with theletters

Greek life at Furman is different than at other universities. For one, girls rush at the beginning if their spring semester (aka January). Rush consists of four rounds where sororities try to explain their philanthropies, uniqueness, and why they chose to join that specific sorority. Each round is fun and special in its own way from singing and dancing to crafts to skits. It was an experience of a lifetime. If you even have a 1% interest in Greek life, I encourage you to rush if only for the experience.

On campus, we have 7 sororities: alpha delta pi, kappa delta, delta gamma, chi omega, kappa kappa gamma, delta delta delta, and alpha kappa alpha. Each one very special and has a great group of intelligent and wonderful girls. I think their websites are linked to the Furman website, but I’m not sure.

Since I’m in KKG, I’m going to tell you my story.

I never EVER thought I would be in a sorority. In the many organizations, however, I met a lot of girls who were very involved and were in sororities. They were not your typical sorority girls, so I thought why not me? Could a sorority have a place for me? Let’s just say that I turned in my form 1 day before it was due.

My extended familyDuring rush, I realized that each sorority had girls who were involved in a wide range of organizations around campus. Kappa stuck out more to me specifically because these girls made me feel at home not to mention that they were fun and smart. I knew from the beginning that I wanted a sorority that was intellectual and scholarly. I had finally found it. By the time fourth round came about, I knew I belong in Kappa. And ever since then, the Kappa sisters have shown me more love and support than anyone has ever shown me. I now have a sister. Well, technically, 105 sisters. I have a wonderful family and a TWIN!!! Kappa has been an experience of a lifetime, and I’m so glad I made the choice of getting on the ride.

My Pledge ClassEveryone has their own story in whichever sorority they choose. Mine is as special as anyone else’s story. Whatever you want in a sorority is up to you, and every sorority is different (if I haven’t made it clear enough by now). If you have any questions about sorority life, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and I will try to answer it to the best of my abilities.

My Twin Morgan (M&M) and I (DP)

Sofi

Our nice holiday break has now ended, and it's back to school for all of us. Of course, the break was what i exoected ti to be. Relaxing. I think I slept the whole time. Well, at least I slept for most of it. However, It's always nice to be back.

Classes started at 8:30 on Moday for me. It was not my favorite part, but it was nice to finally have something to do again. On the other hand, I got hit with a lot of work. Also, everything from next year's housing appplication to study away applications seems to be due now. I forgot, I have applied to be an RA next year. I'm so excited. I have an interview next week. I think being a part  of hall staff would be a good opportunity fro me to grow in my leadership skills and meet new people. It will be exciting to find out if I get a freshman or upperclassman hall.

Another thing that has kept me busy these last couple of weekends is rush. The rush process here at Furman  is very unique since it is delayed until the spring semester to let the freshman get use to teh workload here at Furman. It consists of four rounds each very entertaining. I have to wait until Sunday to find out which one accepted me. It feels like college applications all over again except in two weeks. We will just have to see.

Sofi

The Paladin Regiment in our stands      

So, as I have mentioned before, I am part of the Paladin Regiment, aka the marching band. Being on the band has been one of the most unique experiences ever. First of all, I decided to switch instruments for marching season. What the heck... it's only college band. I went from a clarinet to a baritone. For you non band people out there, I went from a 2 pound instrument to basically a 10 pound instrument. Completely different. But I told mayself that I could do it. I love a challenge. Band camp was rough. It was one of the worst weeks of my life. My arms were so sore that it took me a while to climb my bed. That week, advil became my best friend. However, it got better as the season went on. Let me tell you, I got manly arms now. Oh yeah! However, the hardest thing about this was that people thought I was stupid or something because I couldn't play the music, but it wasn't that I was stupid. I just switched instrument. I knew how to read music. I've been doing it now for 9 years. However, people were still nice and didn't say anything about my aweful playing at first. Of course, it took me a month to hold my horn up in at a 45 degree angle. That was pretty hard. However, I love my section and all of our weirdness!Band has allowed me to meet so many people I would have not otherwise. If you are in band in high school, I strongly encourage you to jion. Even if you are not a music major, like myself, you will have a blast! Trust me, band will be yoor family at school, and its to know more people the first week than anyone else. Did I mention that you get to move in early? That in my opinion is the best part. So come join us or cheer us on or sing Hey Jude with us. (Our show for this year was Love by the Beatles).

Baritone Girls 

 Sofi

So, I know I've haven't posted anything up in a while and homecoming was two weeks ago, but I'm going to tell you how homecoming was.

First off, everyday is a different theme. On Monday, you could tie-dye shirts for free. That was freaking awesome since I have never tie-dyed in my life! To tell you the truth, I felt like a hippie. It was so great. Of course, my does not look anything like this picture. Mine had a lot more white in it. Oh wel... I still love it.

Then on Tuesday, you could go to the Matt Costa concert. If you do not know who Matt Costa is, YOU SHOULD!! He is so awesome! I of course had no idea either until I heard him and fell in l.ove with him. You should hear his songs. There's not much else I can say about him. You just need to listen for yourself. I loved him so much that I went down to one of the bulletin boards around the dorm and stole one of the promotional posters. He is now hanging on my wall.

On Wednesday, FUSAB (Furman University Student Activity Board) planned to play Iron Man on the lawn like a drive-in, but the rain drove us insode to MacAlister Ausitorium. Not the same but still enjoyable.

Thursday brought about "Viva Las Vegas" which was basically free gambling. They had several different games you could play. Who knew that I would be good at blackjack. At the end, youcould trade in your tokens for raffle tickets. Sadly, I did not win anything...

Friday was pretty intense since it brought about a carnival on the Milford Mall. Sororities anf Fraternties displayed their float (which did not move) while the school brought free rides and food. Let me just tell you that my roommate and I stood at the funnel cake booth for 45 minutes just to be told once we got up to that glorious window taht they were closing down. It seriously broke my tiny heart. However, one of our friends donated half her funnel cake to us. It was the most delicious thing I have ever put in my mouth. I don't know if it was because it was actually good or because i had anticipated it to be so good. In all, we had a fun time, and I got to ride a rackety ferriswheel.  

Saturday meant that I had to wake up at 8 in the morning for band practice. The game was  fun since we won, but the highlight came at night beacuse of HOMECOMING DANCE!!! I did not have a date, so I just went with my hall. We had so much fun partying it all out!

Did I mention that EVERYTHING was free except for the concert. That was the nice part.

Till next week or sometime around there....

Sofi

P.S. Here is something for your entertainment...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h8YEhyB-EU