@God – Wait, What?! How Social Media & Communications is Expanding the SMU Catholic Community

 

Being raised in a conservative Catholic family, one of the most important values instilled was tradition. This value quite frequently comes into conflict with the not-so traditional ideals of the millennial generation. The only form of church “social media” was the old-school stock-paper weekly newsletter that was distributed to churchgoers as they exited Mass. Unfortunately, the few newsletters that were accepted were in turn used as a plate to pile on as many of the warm, highly coveted end-of-mass donuts that were served by volunteers immediately after every Sunday morning service. Absolutely an incentive to get out of bed at 8:45 on a Sunday.

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The Final Lap to Come….Studying Abroad

With three years of college done, the final lap has begun.

As a junior in college it has definitely been the most difficult year. This was the first year I had to juggle work and going to class full time while still staying involved on campus. As a member of the SMU Service House, I was required to complete over 60 hours of community service and serve on a committee. Junior year was filled with lots of stress and tears but it did not stop me from enjoying the opportunities that came knocking on my door.

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Three Down, One to Go

As junior year draws to a close, I reflect on my past three years at SMU and look forward to one more

Where has the time gone?!  Really – I have no idea.  I feel like it was just yesterday I arrived in Texas, ready to start my new life as a college student, and then BAM!  I blinked and now I’m suddenly twenty-one and about to spend the summer interning in NYC before starting my senior year of college.  It’s bittersweet — I’m simultaneously ready to go into the world and start ‘real life,’ but not yet ready to prepare for a year of ‘lasts.’  I guess it’s so hard to think about leaving after next year because I’ve so loved the time I’ve spent here.  I’ve made amazing friends and memories, and have started to figure out what I want in life — started being the key word.

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Jamie Benn: A Dallas Hero?

Jamie Benn: A Dallas Hero?

Is Jamie Benn a hero or an enemy?

Dallas Stars Picture

Dallas Stars Headshot

Jamie Benn is a 6’2″ 210 pound Left Wing for the Dallas Stars. He was born July 18th 1989 in Victoria, British Columbia. In his career, he has scored over 100 goals, 140 assists and has 244 points. So Benn is the captain for the Dallas Stars, and has done great things for them… What makes him an enemy then?

Well for those of you who have not kept up with the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Jamie Benn really screwed the pooch for the USA Mens Hockey team.

To make it simple, Benn scored the lone goal for Team Canada in a 1-0 semifinal win over USA today.

Picture of Benn in Canadian

Benn in Canadian Jersey

What makes him a hero?

Well, Dallas fans have known for a while that Benn is an elite NHL forward. After this semi-final round in the Olympics, he became a national hero. Not for team USA and his beloved Dallas Stars, but for his home country Canada.

Today, Jamie Benn announced his presence and was finally accepted as an elite hockey player to all those that doubted him. What this means for his future is still unknown. USA fans may look down on him, while Canada fans are loving him.

The question remains, will Dallas fans forgive him?

Well at the start of the 2013-2014 season he was award a “C” on his Stars Jersey. One thing is for sure, he did step up. All we can hope for is that he brings the fire he has in his eye as a Canadian, back to the Big D.

Corvette Museum Sinkhole

Corvette Museum Sinkhole:

40-Foot-Wide Sinkhole Swallows Eight Priceless Corvettes.

The sinkhole that swallowed 8 priceless Corvettes

The sinkhole that swallowed 8 priceless Corvettes

On Wednesday this week, a 20-foot-wide and 30 foot deep sinkhole swallowed eight priceless Corvettes at the Church of Corvette in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Today, the doors opened as usual but the mood is slightly different.

As you can imagine, this is not an everyday occurrence. The Museum surprised everyone by opening up this soon after such an event.

“We’ve been given an OK and everything is safe” Said Museum spokesperson Katie Frassinelli.

Although the Museum may be open the Sky Dome, where the sinkhole took place, will remain closed indefinitely.

The cars that were affected by the sinkhole were two on loan from General Motors, a 1993 ZR-1 Spyder and a 2009 ZR1 “Blue Devil”. Also affected were a 1962 black Corvette, a 1984 PPG Pace Car, a 1992 White 1 Millionth Corvette, a 1993 Ruby Red  40th Anniversary Corvette, a 2001 Mallet Hammer Z06 corvette and a 2009 white 1.5 Millionth Corvette.

The Sky Dome Untouched

The Sky Dome Untouched

What Other Sinkholes?

Well, this past year there have been a lot of publicized sink holes in the US. Cars have been swallowed in Toledo, Ohio, Broken water mains in Chicago, and even summer homes destroyed outside of Disney world.  Click Here for other articles on recent Sinkholes in the US.

Summer Bay Resort Lies Collapsed after a large Sinkhole

Summer Bay Resort Lies Collapsed after a large Sinkhole

Why do we care?

Sinkholes can be explained by science, erosion, mining, water main breaks, but the unanticipated appearances sometimes lead witnesses to interpret them as acts of God.

The giant holes can wreck vehicles and buildings, people can be killed and possessions lost.

“I’ve always said its a given that when you move to Florida you get beaches, sunshine, hurricanes and sinkholes,” Said a Florida Geological Survey Scientist.

Want to see more? Click Here to see more shocking pictures of a sinkhole in Midwest City in Oklahoma. The images and story here show some of the most significant road damage recorded by sinkholes in the US.

My Time at SMU

I’m finding it extremely difficult to accept that my time at SMU is coming to an end. The last three years have been the most challenging, exciting and unforgettable years of my life. I could write pages on pages, yet I still believe that would not adequately describe my time at SMU. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I wonder how many words a gif is worth? Inspired by my fellow classmates, I will be using gifs to highlight my time at SMU.  Continue reading

My 4 Years at SMU

When I began to look for a college, I was not desperately trying to escape my life at home. With two younger siblings I adored, friends I admired, and parents I respected, I didn’t see a reason to leave the northeast. At the time, my life seemed complete. My hometown of Lexington, Massachusetts breed’s students for local colleges; If you weren’t attending one of the Ivy Leagues that New England offered, UMass Amherst, Boston University, and University of New Hampshire were common destinations for graduates. Continue reading

My Time At SMU

My Time at SMU

My time at SMU has been one of the greatest 3 and a half-years of my life. While SMU originally didn’t seem like the obvious choice for me when choosing a college, it has been a choice that has brought me no regrets. Growing up in Pennsylvania, going to school in Texas was completely off my radar. I was hesitant to go to a school so far away from my friends and family, but when I visited the flawlessly beautiful campus and learned more about the school, stepping outside of my comfort zone and branching out into a new part of the country seemed worth the risk.

No risk I’ve taken has brought me such great rewards as choosing to go to SMU. At SMU I’ve made the greatest friends, made incredible memories and grown up as both a student and person. Coming into college, making new friends scared me. From pre-k through 12th grade I went to the same school and was lucky enough to grow up with the same group of friends that often knew me better than I knew myself. The thought of making as close of friends at SMU at the time seemed impossible. Fortunately I was wrong. The friends I made freshman year at SMU are still the friends that I spend my free nights with and the friends I go to when I need advice, even the boy that I started dating at the beginning of freshman year is still my boyfriend today. The friends that I’ve made at SMU are the friends that I have made my best memories with and they are friends that I will keep in touch with even if we end up on opposite sides of the country. Continue reading

Here’s to a Super Super-Senior Year

To say I’m a senior is a bit of a stretch. I graduated high school in May of 2010 and started my college career in August of 2010. All my friends are seniors and my graduation year is still 2014. I’ve even exceeded the total number of credits necessary to graduate from SMU, but I have a full three semesters worth of classes left before I can get my diploma. I might have (accidentally) stretched out my time at SMU as long as I could, but I wouldn’t change a thing about my college experience.

Visiting SMU my freshman year with my parents

Visiting SMU my freshman year with my parents

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Looking Forward to a Mustang Senior Year

Senior year in high school came and went far too quickly. If I learned anything it was to cherish the little moments I won’t have again. My senior year as a mustang will be overflowing with last chances with friends , excitement, and job searches.

I am most looking forward to the satisfaction I will feel next May as a graduating senior. Sure the entire year will be full of great lessons I will need for the real world – but what better lesson is there than knowing the satisfaction of success?

I know it will not be the last accomplishment in my life, but it will be the first accomplishment to make me feel truly on track to a successful and happy life.