My Summer in Alabama in PICTURES

I have created a webshots account devoted to my adventures in Alabama. The address is http://community.webshots.com/user/campwareagle, check it out. I will try and update it weekly.

On to more important things, this weekend was quite wonderful, just a lot of chill times. Saturday a whole bunch of us went to dinner at a place called NIFFERS, it was glorious. They had these AU-some lil treats called corn nuggets...they are little balls of sweet corn dipped in batter and deep fried...they are to die for. The south surely loves deep frying things and I've also discovered they love using Styrofoam...Styrofoam everything down there...don't they know its not biodegradable. Anyway Niffers was a good time, they a bunch of us explored downtown Auburn which was a fun time. Sunday was a chill day consisting of sleeping late and watching tons of movies including the Mask, 10 things I hate about you, Miss Congeniality, and Return to Me...all of which were great. And to top it off Star cooked a FABULOUS dinner for a few of us and Natalie made A-mazing bean dip.

Today I was bombarded with facebook message from camp counselors who feel life out from my blog, so I would like to give a shout out to Chuck, who grew fu-man chu facial hair which was hilarious, plus I sneetched with Chuck and it was a good time. I also Sneetched with Julia, Dana, Bethany, Tyler, Rachel K, Ross and Kitty. Next I would like to holler at Phillip who is quite possibily the strangest person I have ever met, but I mean that in the nicest way possible. Phillip is at times a man of few words, but always has excellent facial expressions. Phillip also designed the H-O-T camp war eagle shirts for the new students. The back has a tiger face on it, but hidden in the tiger is most of the Auburn Creed, it's intense. Phillip had his own clothing line with a friend and always dresses to kill. Phillip admits to dressing from toe to head aka he plans his outfits around his shoes! Finally a shout out to Heather Lynch who corrected my mis information. In my earlier blog I mentioned Auburn's 3 eagles and I knew 2 of them were Tiger and Spirit, but was unsure of the 3rd eagle, turns out it's name is Nova. So thank you Heather for that!

Also today was a Memorial Day cook out at Katie Davis and Emily's at the Exchange, it was a fun day out by the pool...too bad I was covered up due to the 9th degree burns on various parts of me, but nonetheless it was a good time of socializing, good food and a few games of beach volleyball (I was laying in the sand more than hitting the ball...big surprise, but I had a FUN time and that's all that really matters.) Katie and Emily were great hostesses...and all the food was yummy...especially the 3 different bean dips and the spinach dip!

So once again check out the pics some you can see some of the wonderfulness that I am describing and once again I will get back to people's e-mails ASAP...unloading pics was quite the adventure tonight. http://community.webshots.com/user/campwareagle

War Eagle!
Jenn

Deep Fried Pickles

Session one of Camp War Eagle was a complete success! I had a fabulous time and all went well. The 2nd evening consisted of the Real World Auburn skits which were hilarious and really well done. I was very impressed by all the counselors in it. Also the 2nd night was a hypnotist which was quite scandalous if I say so myself...all I kept saying was I thought the south was supposed to be conservative, but overall it was very entertaining. The main portion of camp on the 3rd day was getting the freshmen registered for classes, which they were all stressed over...but I actually found the process to be smoother than expected. Also the 3rd day I had a chance to get a real southern biscuit with egg and cheese along with some grits and sweet tea, as well as had ample opportunities to make fun of Wes, which is very simple because he is such an easy target. Oh another fun thing is that Star and I discovered our mutual love for the Justin Timberlake SNL skit Barry Gibb Talkshow...so I found it online and we watched it and almost cried from laughing. Here's the link for those who either love it or have never seen it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aOf0A-9Vgk

After camp officially ended we had a huge wrap up session which went well, there wasn't much to change because camp ran really smoothly, especially for a first weekend...so hats off to all the staff and camp counselors! After the wrap up meeting I had planned to lay low and go to sleep early, but that didn't happen. Just after I finished watching 1 episode of the Nanny and 2 episodes of Golden Girls I get a phone call to go out to dinner and to hang out. So Star, Natalie, Katie Doc, Katie Davis, Emily and I ended up going to a restaurant call Cock of the Walk which is named after Peacocks and they have 2 outside in a little caged playground. We ended seeing 2 other Auburn peeps and had they join on for dinner.

Cock of the Walk was quite the dining experience...I wish I had my camera with me. It was a very rustic "old timey" (which Melissa and Star SWEAR old timey is a word, but is it NOT). Anyway they whole place was wooden and the cups and plates were metal, but the food was awesome. They had deep fried pickles, which I will admit the thought of that scared me, but they were delicious and you are supposed to dip the pickle chips in ranch dressing yum. There was also really good cornbread, hush puppies (which are kinda like cornbread balls with onions deep fried), and there was outstanding cole slaw.

After Cock of the Walk we found ourselves at Katie Davis's apartment and we played Phase 10, which is a sick card game that I just learned last week. It was quite the intense game, but I was having poor luck, so once I was at about -375 points I decided to nap because it was late and I was tired. At once point while I was napping, but still slightly awake I hear people talking about me sleeping so I sat up and screamed which was hilarious and scared them. Doc ended up winning the game and then we came home and I slept very well, minus the fact I woke up at 7am and 8:15am thinking that I was late to training or CWE.

Today a bunch of us ended up back where Katie Davis lives at the Exchange and laid out at the pool ALLLL Day....like 6 hours. I am QUITE red with hilarious burn lines, but once I get a base I will tan. And I desperately need the tan, my legs were so white while wearing the shorts for CWE that I was afraid I was going to blind someone if they stared directly at my legs. So let's home to red turned to tan sooner than later.

I am thinking about creating a Camp War Eagle webshots album because trying to post multiple pics on here is really annoying, plus someone is going to show me how to put them on facebook as well. So hopefully tomorrow I will post pics somewhere and write back to all the wonderful e-mails I have been getting.

War Eagle!
Jenn

Camp War Eagle Session 1

Quick hello from the middle of session one of Camp War Eagle. I have been having a fabulous time. Check in/move in was the quite the process...too bad it was about 1,000 degrees outside. Let's just say move in involved u-hauls, luggage tags and alot of sweat (you can ask me about it later). The freshmen seem really happy and excited as well as the Counselors. Yesterday morning before the session started we had a cute meeting where Dr. C (aka the great faculty member at Auburn and a CWE Legend) gave us all Camp War Eagle Pins with out initials and year engraved on the back! Then after that everyone said the Auburn Creed and sang the Fight Song. I have still not been able to get a hang of the creed or the fight song so they all tease me, but I'm getting there.

The opening session was fun, the counselors did a War Eagle Welcome skit which was hilarious and it ended with quite the dance montage. Then "the NUN" aka Coach Nunley did an activity which was fun...it was like a group scavenger hunt, she would call out a item and have people bring them up to get "points" from there she would give out "Fun with the Nun" t-shirts...it was awesome.

The next few hours for the staff were calm, which meant we were doing a good job because there was very little drama. Just spending time with the staff is great because they are all as crazy and funny as myself. So all of us together is a leg slappin' good time. And I am quite pleased to say that my nickname that Mark gave me Ginturn or Jenntern has stuck, no only is staff calling me that, but so are the counselors. Yay a nickname finally!!!

Yesterday night was a Pep Rally in Jordan Hare Stadium, aka the MONSTER football stadium that seats OVER 87,000 people and on game day Jordan Hare is like the "largest city in Alabama." For the record Jordan Hare is pronounced Gerr-dan Hare and they will get mad if you say otherwise. At the Pep Rally which was for both parents and students the SGA gave out pom poms called "shakers" and chant books which had all the chants in it. The cheerleaders taught the students the chants, fight songs and we sang the alma mater (Yes they have ALOT of pride in Auburn which is AU-some!) I was also to work on my chants/fight song...I'm getting better. The highlight of the Pep Rally was Aubie, who is the tiger mascot for Auburn. Aubie is quite the ladies man and did a fun routine for everyone. I didn't get a picture with Aubie this week, but it is on my "to do" list. Speaking of mascots, Auburn also had eagles which fly around at the football games, one eagle is named Spirit, one is named Tiger, and I think there is another one but I don't remember its name...I think its Glory or something. The eagle names Tiger is the main one and she is like golden apparently and flew at the Olympics, but yesterday they found out that Tiger is sick with cancer and it made FRONT PAGE NEWS...an eagle being sick was front page news, but apparently she is a big deal down here so I thought that I was interesting and wanted to share.

Later last night James (a HCC) and I were doing "New Member Management" which means making sure that no students escape camp or that upperlcass students don't come near the new students or that no "dirty rushing" happens with the greek organizations. James and I ended hearing that a camper got into a car with someone, so James and I drove around for nearly an hour trying to find them and WE DID, they car tried to lose up a few times, but thanks to James and his super driving skills we were able to catch up with them until the car got stuck in a dead end. So we got the camper and gave her a nice little "speech" and took her back to the residence halls...it was quite exciting.

Today has been pretty chill, worked at the CWE info table for most of the morning. I got to interact with a bunch of freshmen and parents and staff. Also today Kendall (a HCC) and I did a presentation called "Tigers in a New Territory" which was for out of state students...that was a lot of fun. I got to talk about being new to Alabama and Auburn which was great and how I love the south already, plus I got to poke fun at southern accents which is always a plus since I get ripped on constantly.

I must get back to Orientation Mayhem which I LOOOVEEE...look forward to pictures once this session is over because I've been taking a bunch. For everyone who has been writing me e-mails or ims or calling me I love it...and I will get back to you all soon, but I really enjoy reading them and hearing from you so keep them coming!

Warrrrrrrrr Eagle!
Jenn

Stars upon thars

Yesterday I did Quinnipiac's infamous Sneetches/Boundaries Breaking activity with the camp counselors here. We split into 5 groups, the HCC and I lead a great of about 7. I was nervous/excited to share this activity with CWE because it means so much to me and Orientation at the Q. For those of you familiar with the activity I started with a abridged version of the Sneetches speeches which they seemed to enjoy and then we broke into our small groups. My group was AU-some (it's an Auburn thing). They really opened up and we all got to know each other well. We only had about a hour, but it was a nice way to start friendships with people. The feedback that they gave about the activity meant the most. The really liked it because first it prepared them for the fact that students will randomly throw out questions and they will be on the spot to answer them. They also really liked hearing from their peers and answering questions that don't usually come up in normal conversation, but are very interesting and aid in really getting to know people. We ended with a small group hug and some other fun conversations. Sneetches is a magical activity and it worked here and I hope the CCs can use some of the ideas I presented and continue to get to know me and each other.

This morning the staff planned a secret surprise CWE graduation for the counselors. We played pomp and circumstance (which I had in my itunes and on my ipod), there were certificates, gifts, speeches, and recognition. It was a really nice way to end a really intense 10 days of training. Tomorrow is the first session and I am confident that all the counselors will be great. They have put in so much hard work (the counselors and the staff) that there is no way that it won't be AU-some.

Must get back to some last minute work
War Eagle!
Jenn aka Ginturn (looks like the nickname has stuck)

Say cheese

This morning we took staff pictures on the grass in front of this beautiful building called Samford Hall. We had to wear our Camp War Eagle Uniforms in the picture, including 3 of our 4 shirts that we have, since each shirt was donated by a bookstore. I don't think I've smiled that much for pictures since prom! It was a good time, although at 8am it was already hot. I was spoiled by cool weather the first week I was here, but since this weekend it's been HELLO HEAT.

Wednesday starts out first session of Orientation aka Camp War Eagle, I am very excited. I feel prepared and I think the counselors and staff will be an amazing job. I am more curious just to see this whole well oiled machine known as Camp War Eagle work. Lets hope for good weather!

For those of you who are familiar with the Sneetches activity that we do at Quinnipiac, I will be introducing it to Auburn this afternoon. I won't be showing the video, but I will be doing most of the Sneetches speeches and questions.

Last night I got to talk to one of my best friends Sara Leidner who just got back from 2 weeks in Mexico as part of her grad program. Hey I'd go to Mexico for 2 weeks for 3 credits ANYDAY. Sara is just as crazy as I am, she got back from Mexico last night at 11pm and leaves today for her NODA summer orientation internship at University of San Antonio today at noon.

Today is exactly ONE YEAR since Quinnipiac Graduation. May 22, 2005 what a glorious day, but May 22, 2006 isn't so bad either!

WAR EAGLE!
Jenn

P.S. I had Sonic again last night...yum...they really need to open them up north.
And in terms of other food I've eaten I've have "real barbeque." The barbeque chicken was really good and sweet and I was even daring and had barbeque pork (okay that's a lie, I thought it was chicken until someone laughed at me and told me it was pork).

How do you measure a year?

At this moment I am sitting here in my apartment in Alabama watching the Quinnipiac Graduation webcast online and I can't believe it has been a year since my own graduation. I'm, sad that I am not there in person to cheer on my friends in person, but I am cheering from here. One thing that is really weird is that the first group of freshmen as an orientation leader are now the graduates, that leaves me with a strange satisfaction when I hear their names get called. Orientation is an important piece in students being successful. It's also exciting as former Orientation Leaders graduate, they were one of the groups of students on campus I knew best.

I am so happy the QU grads got a beautiful day, according to weather.com it says its 64 degrees which is perfect. Quinnipiac looks as magical as ever today. The weather last year was not as great. I remember waking up and it was pouring, I was so nervous about having graduation be held indoors in two separate ceremonies. The weather ended up clearing up enough for graduation to be held outside, it was still sprinkling for most of graduation, but it didn't matter. It's funny how in the pictures taken at graduation it looks like a clear blue day. It didn't matter if it was a little grey and wet it was still an amazing day.

I'm having a hard time gathering my thoughts because I am typing this as I am watching graduation. Granted it was only a year ago I remember my own graduation like it was yesterday. So many things good and bad have happened in this past, it has honestly been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. But overall it has been an exciting year full of memories, experiences and growing up. I have absolutely no idea where I'll be and what I have gone through a year from today, but I can't wait to find out. As sad as ending are, new beginnings are even more exciting.

Congrats to the Quinnipiac Class of 2006
and for good measure...War Eagle,
Jenn

Training Craziness

Now that I have my internet up hopefully I will be able to update this daily or at least every few days. Besides not having internet I have had 16 hour training days which are draining, but necessary and rewarding. The day after I got to Auburn we left for a 2 day retreat/ropes course. There we did a really fun adventure challenge in teams, it was a great opportunity to get to know people better and also be competitive (2 of my favorite things). After all the adventure challenge fun we had the grandaddy of all meetings which reviewed like every aspect of Camp War Eagle the meeting was like 5 hours long with 2 or 3 breaks. The CWE staff is SO prepared it is a-mazing, I was in awesome just watching them in action. That meeting was fun too especially when Mark (aka the CWE boss) would pass me random notes, pure comedy.

The next day we did some small teambuilders where I learned some amazing new games to add to my collection of icebreakers and teambuilders. My favorite was called "the smog and the jewel" it was fun and I was good at it. Then we were off to do a bunch of activities on the low ropes. We worked really well as a team and in the process I got to know everyone really well, especially Ben...I'll have to tell you that story in person if you want to hear about it!

The ropes course was a really great way to start training week and to get to know people. The past few days have been so jam packed that I'm surprised they are not a blur. We have had tons of speakers come in to present from various departments, I have presented as well as other staff members, I've already been in Jordan Hare Stadium (the ENORMOUS FOOTBALL STADIUM), I have also watched hours upon hours of Real World: Auburn practice and the War Eagle Welcome skits (both of which are hilarious), and this week me and the CCs and other staff members were certified in CPR. I am so thrilled to be certified, it was something I really wanted to do and I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to do the training there. It was scary and exciting. On Tuesday we spent 2.5 hours watching videos and listening to a lecture on CPR and emergency response and then today for 2 hours we got to practice on the dummies and then take the written test and the practical. I hope that I will never HAVE to use CPR, but if I do I feel confident in my abilities, I found the whole experience to be really interesting. I was also really impressed by the skills and abilities of the CCs who were getting trained as well.

Tomorrow is the last day of training and then we have the weekend off yay! I cannot believe I have been functioning on 4-6 hours of sleep a night. Also, I had my first coffee since I got down to Alabama today, I was going through serious withdrawals so it was nice to get my "fix."

Honestly I haven't met someone down here yet that I don't adore from the students to the staff to the people that live here. The whole Long Island vs. Alabama hasn't really come up. I will poke fun at some of the things they say or have them repeat when they say a few times to tease then, but overall the talk without much of an accent, but it's the word choice like "ya'll" or "set" that I get a kick out of. Honestly it is not as different as I expected. Auburn is a great town with lots to do, eat, see, etc.

I am still in disbelief that I haven't been here for a week yet. I feel like I've already built some really strong relationships and know the area to some degree. Like tonight for example I went to dinner with 2 staff members (Star and Melissa) and a HCC (Katie). Then later tonight Star, Natalie (a housing staff member) and I watched Grey's from this week and like cried our eyes out and began to "process" that magic that is Grey's Anatomy. It was such a fun time, plus this weekend having some down time will allow for more nontraining related bonding with people like going to the movies, the mall, or out in town.

What I am most excited about is that the first of eight sessions of Camp War Eagle starts on WEDNESDAY!!!

WAR EAGLE
Jenn

P.S. I am also in disbelief that a year ago today I was participating in Senior Week at Quinnipiac leading up to Graduation, where did a year go??? Honestly, time has really flown by. I hope all my Q Seniors are living it up and taking pictures and that I will be able to hear all about the good times they had.

Retreat Pics

This is a picture of the 36 wonderful, wild and crazy Camp Counselors that I get to work with all summer in their fatigues on the first day of training week.

This is a picture from the retreat of the staff in our fatigues that we wore to welcome the counselors. In the pic starting from the back left is James - a Head Camp Counselor, Mark - the director of First Year Experience and Students in Transitions aka a BIG deal, Keith - a grad assistant, Jamie - parent program coordintator, Wes - a Head Camp Counelor, and Charus - works in admissions. In the front from the left is Katie - a Head Camp Counselor, Kendall - a Head Camp Counselor, Melissa - Camp War Eagle Program Coordinator, Star - Camp War Eagle Program Coordinator and my director supervisor as well as the most amazing person in the world, and me - the NODA intern aka Ginturn (which is a lovely little nickname Mark gave me).

My trip down to 'bama

This is a pic of me in the airport waiting for my flight down to Atlanta, I managed to give a half smile...it was 9AM and I had only gotten about 4 hours of sleep the past two nights. The night before I left for Auburn I did a presentation on Facebook at the Q for the Orientation Leaders...it was a nice way to get one last Qunnipiac Orientation "fix" before I left for the summer. I got to see many of the people that I know well and love. It was so happy and excited to see everyone for some hello's and goodbye's, I thought I was going to be able to get through everyone tear free, but when I ended my presentation I got a roaring round of "Orientation clapping" from the OLs and a few standing ovations for good measure, as silly as it may seem it meant alot. I know that Orientation at the Q is in good hands and I know that I have gotten everything that I could ever get out of it and it is time to move on.

Move on indeed, it was the move infact that made me the most anxious. Somehow I was able to pack mostly everything I needed for 10 weeks in 3 suitcases and a backpack (sheer magic). One of my bags was actually 10 pounds heavier than it should have been so I had to pay a minor fee, but it was worth it. The flight down was great, we arrived early and everything, but I was still anxious about catching my shuttle to Auburn and getting my luggage. I got my luggage, no problem, but finding the shuttle was difficult...after 30 minutes, asking a few people and making some phone calls I finally met up with the shuttle and got aboard where I actually fell asleep for a few hours which was MUCH needed.

I woke up in time to see the city of Auburn and Opelika, it looked pretty busy to me, and then out of the blue (or so it seemed) appeared Auburn University and let me tell you it is quite beautiful, luscious grass, tons of trees and flowers, brick buildings and ORANGE everywhere (on the street, on flags, on signs, etc). I met up with my super FABULOUS supervisor Star (who I felt like I already knew) and from there I got a little driving tour of campus before coming to the residence hall where I would be staying. Outside the residence halls were a few of the Camp Counselors.

***This is a perfect opportunity for some Auburn vocabulary***
*Camp War Eagle or CWE = New Student Orientation Program
*Camp Counselor or CCs = Orientation Leader
*Head Camp Counselor or HCC = Returning Orientation Leader who do not have groups and work closely with the professional staff (much like the "interns" at Quinnipiac).

After meeting some CCs Star and I checked out my apartment, it was a decent size and very cute in a traditional sense. From there we went to Mark's house (Mark is the Director of Freshmen Year Experience and Students in Transition which includes CWE). Mark and his wife Sara's house was beautiful and they had quite the spread of food for us, there ended up being about 14 of us including staff, people's significant others/children, and the HCCs. I had such a great time talking to everyone and felt really comfortable. From day one I have had a really good feeling that this is going to be an a-mazing summer.

I am exhausted,but I will leave you with some cute pictures that we took in the retreat.
WAR EAGLE!
Jenn

Sweet Home Alabama

Sorry I have not written sooner, but I have been in nonstop training with the entire Camp War Eagle Staff. Even now I only have a few minutes to write, but I wanted to say that I am having an ABSOLUTE BLAST! Auburn is beautiful, the food is delicious (I've had Sonic, grits, sweet tea, lemonade from Toomer's and all the fried chicken I can eat...haha), and the staff and students are wonderful. They have been so welcoming and fun, I'm loving every minute of it!

I gotta run, hopefully today I will be able to set up the internet in my apartment so I can write more, but look forward to a full recap of the past few days!

WAR EAGLE (that phrase has taken on many new meanings)

Jenn or Jenntern as I have now been dubbed

P.S. Apparently I brought a cool front with me when I got down here because the weather has been very very mild, but I know soon enough it will be as "hot as blazes."

1 week from now...1 year from now

I am in the process of packing up my apartment, which is coming along smoother than expected (knock on wood). In 1 week from this moment I will have just arrived in Auburn and I am extremely excited. I have felt so welcomed by everyone there, with the exception of Star (kidding, Star has been indeed a ROCKSTAR as far as answering all my random questions).

Another thing that is on my mind as I write this is that the 2nd years from our HESA program just received their masters. In just one year that'll be us, the 2007 J-Smacks cohort (pictured above, aren't we precious). Actually one year and minus a day will be our graduation because we graduate on CINCO DE MAYO, so 354 days til graduation, not that I'm counting. I think I am more excited about being able to focus on working full time, but at the same time no more school work for a while will also be a nice change of pace.

Well I must get back to the packing...WAR EAGLE!
Jenn

T-Minus 10 Days

Now that I have officially finished my first year of my masters program I can begin to focus on the next couple of weeks. All of which include closing the residence halls, packing my apartment up, and somehow bringing everything I will need this summer in 2 suitcases and a carry on bag (yeah I still don't know how I will swing that). I also will be presenting a session at Orientation Leader training at the Q all before leaving for Alabama on Saturday May, 13th. I figured since school work is done I can get a jump start on my blog. My plan is to write as often as I can and post pictures as well. We'll see how it all works out, but I think this will be a fun way not only to document this experience for myself, but to share it with others. If you are interested in all this Auburn and Camp War Eagle (which is the name of their Orientation Program) check out this website http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/student_affairs/success/fye/cwe/

WAR EAGLE (which is Auburn's "Battle Cry" and apparently a popular way to end emails which I quite enjoy so get used to it)

Jenn

I figured out how to add a hit counter. So this should be active as of 6/6 at 11pm.



Free Hit Counters