a little late, i know.

I know this is a little late but I so had to post something on the topic of Valentine's Day. I do not know how we can even call it a holiday, honestly it is this made up day that Hallmark & American Greetings makes millions off. It's a day when singles are aware of their singleness, and those who have a significant other go absolutely INSANE trying to find that perfect Valentine's Day gift.

I myself had a significant other on this dreadful holiday and i told him way before how I hate this made up holiday & how I do not even bother celebrating it. If you honestly love someone, what difference does it make saying you love them on February the fourteenth versus saying it oh I don't know, on March the sixteenth. Nothing. If you love someone, you love them regardless what day of the year it is.

Though Valentine's Day is actually based upon the teachings of a real saint, I still do not think it gives it enough credibility to be on a calender and let alone be an actual holiday. Everyone has their own opinion on this subject, but I think my own opinion holds true for not just myself but many other people at that.

..rain rain, GO AWAY!

Can anyone explain why the weather has been so wacky lately?

No, no one can. But honestly tell the rain & snow to just go home. I want it to be spring or even summer for that matter already. It's rainy & snowy days that make me think that we will not be having a summer this year. And that my friends, would be dreadful.

Not only is it cold, but have you noticed what mood changes the weather causes in people. For instance when it rains all I want to do is cuddle up on my couch with my blanket and watch movies all day, resulting in me not getting any of my school work done. Can I use this as a reason for not having my math homework? NO.

Also when the weather is constantly changing, it causes more and more people to get sick. I know myself, I have not been able to shake my cold for the past three weeks, I just want this eighty year old man cough to rid me.

So if you see mother nature, please tell her to make up her mind already!

Staten Island vs. Jersey

Staten Island vs. Jersey, hmm what to say. We're close relatives, only a bridge ride away, whether it is the Goethals or Outerbridge, but that's all I can say collaborately about the both.

Let's start with Jersey, my hometown, birth of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, the love of the beach. Thinking about Jersey really pings my heart. I get very sentimental thinking about my hometown. I moved to Staten Island in August, and I try and go back to Jersey each chance I get. My boyfriend, my family, my first friends and my bed are all in Jersey. I live within the radius of seven malls, all holding stores that I adore. We have Hooters and Bloomingdales. Yes there is quite a stench on the turnpike but not that of the West Shore Expressway as you pass the garbage dump. We talk with somewhat of an accent but not that of the missing R in this place called Staten Island. Jersey is home to Giants stadium, and soon to be an indoor ski ramp. I can go on and on about the state I call home.

Staten Island on the other hand, does not have a Hooters nor a Bloomingdales. There is one mall, where it seems like EVERYONE hangs out, so parking is impossible. You see the same people everyday in the same places. They don't speak using R's and make fun of Jersey. I think the funniest thing I heard was "Jersey girls aren't trash, trash gets picked up" c'mon now, this phrase can hold true for any state. Staten Island is like forgotten with most things. And the traffic really sucks, it's like everyone decides to drive on victory at the same exact time.

I guess you can say I love Jersey but I don't necessarily hate Staten Island, I'll get used to it.

To join - or not to join?

"To be or not to be".. a famous quote that many know.

Welcome to St. John's Staten Island, a sort of sub division of St. John's Queens. Picture this: your done with classes and can't wait to eat some of that yummy cafeteria food, you grab your food and look around at where to sit, and your stumped. You then get your food to go and go sit in your car and eat. Why?

I'll tell you why. St. John's Staten Island is a school very based on it's greek life and involvement in Greek Life. You walk into the cafeteria and there are long tables set up with a frat at one, a sorority at another and so on and so forth. Being part of a sorority I kind of know first hand what it's like being in that cafeteria and not having a place to sit or someone to talk to. Joining a sorority definately was one of my best choices I made here.

As a greek, we are involved in so much more than "the party scene", my sorority for instance just raised and donated a large amount of money for my friend whose house just burnt down. It's not about the greek letters, or the frat boys, its about time, committment and love. The bond between me and my sisters is something that I really can't explain in words. They are my best friends, the ones I always turn to.

Also on your resume being Greek looks super good ;)

So, if I can leave you with any information, take a look at the greek organizations on this campus, and maybe think about joining one next semester or even just attending an information night.

college = change ?

Many say that once you enter college, change becomes almost an immediate part of your life. To me, it definately has been imbedded in my every day life. I would have to say the biggest change when going to college especially in a different state, is trying to still keep friendships strong at home. Many of my friends chose to go to community college rather then go away like I did. I joined a sorority, became active in community service and even got a boyfriend. To my friends, it was a constant struggle to maintain our strong bond, because for me to get home on the weekends started to become a hassle.

The constant push pull between budgeting my time between my friends, sorority, and boyfriend has been getting to me lately. My friends from home made me who I am in college. I definately think going away to college is different then attending community college. Part of me wishes my friends could experience what I am experiencing as I am sitting in class writing this. I definately reccommend at least going away to college for a semester, if it isn't for you, then you can always transfer back home. I am not telling you that you will lose all your friends at home, but it is going to be extremely difficult, your going to lose some friends, but you will gain SO many friends while at college. Learn to budget your time, but don't constantly go home because you won't get the full college experience.

I'll leave you with a quote that sums up everything: "It happens as you grow up; you find out who you are, and what you want, and then you find out that people you've known forever don't see things the way you do. And so you keep the wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on. "