Home for the Holidays!

Well, I finally made it home on Saturday. Although I am happy to be home, you know you are a Mercyhurst nerd when you are already itching to get back! I really do get "homesick" for Mercyhurst when I am away...I guess it is a good thing though! I guess once you move off to college and make a name and life for yourself, you begin to really get set in your ways and comfortable. When I'm home, I spend most of my time at our local coffee shop. It is a really nice hang out area in town. I will enjoy my time home, but I cannot wait to be reunited with all my friends and roommates back at the 'Hurst. A couple of us are actually going back to school early, which will be very nice! We are even having a little New Year's Eve get-together which will be fun. I guess I will have to learn to enjoy my old life at home, and get ready to head back to my crazy hectic college life. Living in the moment is something I am trying to do much more. I have a habit of constantly planning for the future, which is not a bad thing, it just sometimes overshadows the "now". Alright everyone, have a great holiday season, and I'll make sure to do a New Years post!

Carpe Diem
~Jeremy

Christmas: Mercyhurst Style!

Me and My Roommates (Eric, Andrew, and Joe)

Me and Rhona B. 

It's Christmas time at the 'Hurst that is for sure, and one thing that my group of friends and I do that has become a holiday tradition is our annual Christmas party. Last year we starting doing a gift exchange with our group of friends and yesterday was the day the dinner and gift give-a-way took place! All of us dressed up semi-formal for dinner at a local favorite "The Brewerie".

Aldyn S. and Me

In total, there were 16 of us decked-out in our holiday best! We had dinner and then quickly drove back to my apartment for the gift exchange! Today was also the first really good snowfall of the season, so it was a perfect night for a holiday party. We came back and began opening gifts. I was very happy to see that my secret Santa bought me a new pair of slippers which will totally come in handy during the cold nights in Erie! Everyone had a great night and we celebrated with pictures, cookies, and a movie! The saying is really true, "the friends you make in college you will have for a lifetime". I know that these friends are my best friends. We are crazy and funny and I would not change them for anything!

Mr. and Mrs Santa Claus!

The second part of Christmas cheer that happened this weekend actually just happened today! I was asked with one of my good friends Meghan H. to dress up and play Santa and Mrs. Claus for our annual Christmas on Campus at Mercyhurst College. More than 100 local children were treated to milk and cookies, games, crafts, storytelling, and of course a visit from Mr. and Mrs Claus! Meghan and I had such a wonderful time playing the part of the jolly couple, and I am very happy that we could bring some holiday spirit and Christmas cheer to some children that may night have had the chance to go and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. I hope that I did a good enough job to play Santa next year, we will see! So what do you all think, did we make a convincing Mr. and Mrs. Claus?
Throughout this Christmas Season, just remember to Carpe Diem, no matter how you do it!


~Jeremy

Ambassador's Chrisgiving

Sarah B, Me, and Aldyn S. at Chrisgiving!

So today was the annual Ambassador's Chrisgiving, which is a holiday party that the Ambassador club has after Thanksgiving and before Christmas to get everyone into the holiday spirit. Every year, the theme of the party is "ugly sweater". It is really fun to see everyone dressed in their best ugly Christmas attire! Last year I really didn't do anything special, I just had a really (I mean so ugly) ugly sweater. This year, I wanted to do something a little more festive! So of course because I am a college student, I waited until the day before the party to put an outfit together...which may have actually worked out in my favor! Rhona and I went to the local Salvation Army to find some great outfits, and give back to others. While at "SalVo" I found the PERFECT sweater. In addition to the sweater I collected other wonderful pieces of Christmas cheer to make my "Mercy-Elf" costume even better!

Me, Rhona B. and Lindsay C. sporting our holiday outfits

The final product was an elf hat, an oversized sweater with tinsel and bells, and my TOMS shoes which I sewed bells on to make the perfect elf shoes! Although I was super excited to show off my Christmas cheer, the feeling quickly subsided when I walked across Mercyhurst campus "jingling all the way"! At the actual party, it was nice to socialize with the other Ambassadors, see everyone's outfits, and meet the new Ambassador pledges. After everyone feasted on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and desserts, it was time for the voting of the "ugliest outfits". I honestly did not think my ensemble was "in the running towards becoming Mercyhurst Ambassador's next ugly Christmas outfit", so I was not really bothered in paying attention to the whole voting. Much to my surprise, the social committee voted myself, and Nathan K. as the ugly outfit winners. In addition, Paige B. and Adam F. were winners for their combined outfit of "grandma got run-over by a reindeer"! All in all, it was a very great night and I loved hanging out with all the Mercyhurst Ambassadors. I'm going to have to start planning my costume for next year...what will it be....?

Me, Nathan K., Adam F. and Paige B. the winners of the "ugly outfits"!

Carpe Diem, no matter what!
~Jeremy

Happy Holidays: From Wayne 132

Mercyhurst Colored Christmas Tree

So my roommates and I are back at the Hurst and are very excited to start a new academic term. The winter term sometimes gets a bad rap, but it is actually my favorite term out of all three of them! So while most students would be relaxing their last couple of days before the term starts, my roommates and I could not resist getting into the holiday spirit. Today we decorated out entire apartment in Christmas cheer. So as you can imagine, being an apartment of four guys we are already at a creative difficulty when it comes to decorating, but in the end our apartment turned out looking really great! The first thing we did was set up the Christmas tree. Our tree is just a little artificial one with lights, blue snowflakes and silver garland. We couldn't all decide on (or find for that matter) an appropriate tree topper, so we settled on a Santa hat for the top of our tree.

Christmas in our living room. 

After adding the finishing touches on our Christmas tree, it was time to cover the living room and kitchen in lights. Again, we really don't actually know what we are doing when it comes to decorating, so you will see what a crazy Christmas mess our apartment is in. We added white lights to the ceiling of our living and dinning room area. Since we were not really sure how to do the lights, my roommate Joe suggested we just zigzagged them back and forth along the ceiling. The finish project looks pretty good if I say so myself!

The "Christmas" Kitchen 

As if that was not enough lights in one college apartment, we added even more lights to the kitchen and counter areas. At this point, we ran out of traditional white lights and went for a more "green" outlet and added brightly colored LED lights (Mercyhurst is a very green campus so we are just doing our part). The finished project is one very VERY decked for the holidays Mercyhurst College apartment. Even though sometimes guys get flack when it comes to decorating, my college roommates and I did a great job of jumping "snow boots" first into the holiday season!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, Carpe Diem everyday!
~Jeremy

Presentation with Sisters of Mercy

Mercy International Center

Today a group of six of us got to go to the Mother House which is just above Mercyhurst to tell the Sisters of Mercy about our experiences while studying abroad in Ireland this summer. It was so wonderful that we were able to recount our stories and experiences to the Sisters. I know that it really made the Sister's day that we were able to them all about our trip. We prepared a powepoint presentation that included facts and pictures from all of the towns we stopped at and the sights we went to while touring around Ireland. Although the first part of the trip was mainly sightseeing, we wrapped up the trip in Dublin for a conference at the Mercy International Center. Here, we were able to interact and talk with Sisters of Mercy from all over the world. The Sisters inspired me to try to emphasize Mercy in my everyday life and do all I can as a student to spark an interest in Mercy in my peers. I was so glad that we could all talk about the amazing trip and that I could meet such lovely Sisters of Mercy so close to home. I can't wait to work with the Sisters further as I continue on at Mercyhurst College.

Me with Catherine McAuley

Finals at Mercyhurst College

Mercyhurst College's Hammermill Library

So this weekend is not the most fun one here on the hill, but it is an important one that every college student at "the hurst" will experience...FINALS WEEKEND! This is the weekend when we all say goodbye to our lives and hello to the library for the *cough* first time all year. The nice thing about Mercyhurst is that instead of studying for five or six finals (like at most schools) I only am studying for three. Technically I only have one real final though which makes it very nice!

Final "Blue Book"

Professors each choose just what they want students to do as a "final evaluation" of everything  you have learned in a class. Some professors decide to test your knowledge and do an actual test, where others have you complete a final paper. In one of my classes, we are completing a rather lengthy public relations campaign paper, so this is taking the place of an actual final test. Oppositely, in another class I have an actual final test on Monday. Whatever class you take, I am sure you will have some sort of final evaluation. I'm not sure which I personally like better, honestly I think it depends on the class. Sorry it's not more of an exciting weekend at Mercyhurst, but duty calls and I guess studying once and a while is always important too! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and don't forget, Carpe Diem!

MSG Speaker Series: The Buried Life

Last night was the big night, the day MSG members have been planning since May, The Buried Life were coming to Mercyhurst! It was such an exciting experience and came together so well. Around 2 o'clock myself and our MSG Events Coordinator began getting everything ready at the PAC (performing arts center) where the guys would be giving their presentation. After the final touches were added and the dressing rooms were organized we began waiting for The Buried Life's arrival. As soon as Ben, Duncan, Jonnie, and Dave arrived I began to get a little nervous. The guys were all super chill and immediately introduced themselves to me. I walked them in and showed them their green rooms and they thanked me and continued on with their sound check. I had to finish checking in the VIP pass winners so I went to the lobby and began organizing the VIP winners into one section of the PAC.

Dave

Duncan 

Before I knew it, it was showtime! The PAC began filling up with the tons of students, some of which were waiting since 6 and the doors opened at 8. Those were the very dedicated fans! At about 8:25, the guys went out on stage and gave an exhilarating hour presentation on "What do you want to do before you die?" The guys told all the students how the got the idea to start helping others while accomplishing things off of their bucket list. It was so amazing to see how an idea blossomed into this truly great project! Here are two of the guys from the group. Dave is personally my favorite and I thought he was the funniest out of all of them.

Jonnie

Ben

By the end of the speech these four young men had me convinced that anything is possible, and no dream is too big. Sometimes I feel like we get caught up in too many things and forget to take a step back and remember the small things. Maybe you want to run a marathon, go to Japan, or go to the Moon. No dream you have is too big, and these guys helped me realize it. I keep a "bucket list" of things I want to do before I die, and seeing The Buried Life has helped me take charge and begin crossing things off of my list.


After the speech in the PAC the guys did an autograph and picture session in the art gallery beside the PAC and everyone went crazy meeting the guys. Luckily enough, the members of MSG got to have a short picture session after all the fans went through. Below is the MSG Executive Board with The Buried Life boys! This was by far one of the best events that MSG has put on since I have been at Mercyhurst. I cannot wait to see where this organization will go in the next year and a half, and just who we will bring in next for the students of Mercyhurst to enjoy! Stay tuned and see just what we do!

MSG Executive Board 

Remember Remember Party

Movie Poster

One really great thing that happens when you come to Mercyhurst is that you have an RA that lives in your building to make sure everything goes smoothly. Our RA for this year is really awesome and plans a great amount of fun programs for the residents to go to. Today, the 6th of November, our RA is holding a V For Vendetta party. Even though it is not the 5th of November, it is still really great that we are having such a fun party. In addition to watching the actual movie with several different people in our building, we made eggs in a basket and are drinking root beer floats. I am really happy that our RA is such a great one, and loves taking our suggestions into consideration when planning building programs. Well, we are currently half way through the movie, so I should probably get back to watching it, but I had to blog about it real quick before I forgot!

Eggs In A Basket

MSG Weekend!

This weekend was a very exciting one for Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG). All day Saturday, the members of MSG had what we call a "consultant day". This is a day when two student government professionals come in and teach us how to better run our organization, and make the best out of what we have. Steve and Nick are the two individuals who came in to help us with the structure and vision of MSG this school year. It was a very productive day, and was very beneficial for us as an organization. The day was a long one, we started at 9 in the morning and the conferencing went until 5 in the afternoon. After the conference was over, we took a group picture with the guys!

Pufferbelly's 

          After the consulting was over, the Executive Board of MSG went out to eat with the two consultants. We went to a local Erie favorite, called Pufferbelly's. This restaurant is a really great place, and I recommend if you are in Erie, that you go to it! It was very nice to get to spend more one-on-one time with Nick and Steve. The dinner was very exciting, and it was nice to get some personal advice when it came to my current job in MSG and any future ambitious I was hoping to pursue. These two guys really know their stuff when it comes to student governments and communications in general and they were so very insightful. I cannot wait to see where their advice will take me, and see all of the amazing initiatives that MSG will accomplish this year!
Have a great Sunday everyone, Carpe Diem!

VIP Passes

The VIP pass under the bell in Garvey!

So I previously mentioned how MTV's The Buried Life is coming to campus next Tuesday, but what I forgot to mention is that MSG is giving away nine VIP passes to meet The Buried Life! Since I am the PR Coordinator for MSG it is my job to execute fun interactive PR, this is how I came up with the idea of the VIP passes. Today, tomorrow, and Friday I am hiding three passes around campus at random times throughout the day. In addition MSG's Facebook page will release the location of the passes through our statuses. It is really exciting to see so many people trying to hurry and be the first person to get the VIP passes. The pass will allow students to cut the autograph line after The Buried Life's speech and will allow them to have special seating. I hid the first pass under the bell in Garvey Park! I cannot wait to see how many people go for the passes tomorrow and Friday! Im getting so excited to see The Buried Life, and cannot wait to see the student response to the event!

That's all for now, Carpe Diem!

Hello Everyone!

"Mr. Mercyhurst" outside of Old Main

My name is Jeremy and I am a junior Political Science International Relations major here at Mercyhurst College, in Erie, Pennsylvania. I am very excited to start blogging about my experiences here at Mercyhurst, and can't wait to tell you all about the fun and amazing events we have on campus!

So one of the main school clubs and organizations that I am involved in is Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG). I have been a Senator on MSG since Freshman year, and now I am the Public Relations Coordinator of MSG! This organization is so important because we are responsible for not only serving the students of Mercyhurst College, but also for preparing and executing all of the fun events that happen at Mercyhurst! One of our first events is the arrival of our first speaker in our speaker series: The Buried Life!

The Buried Life

The Buried Life is a group of four guys that have a show on MTV. On their show, they cross incredible tasks off of their "bucket list" and while doing so, they help-out total strangers along the way! I am so excited to see the "What do you want to do before you die?" speech and to hear their insight on paying-it-forward! Well, I will surely have an update next week on how our speaker series: The Buried Life went, and maybe I'll have a picture or two as well!

Remember, Carpe Diem!