Well summer is upon us in full. The school year ended and life changes for the better. After spending the day watching many of my friends graduate in the traditional CofC fashion, it was time to turn to my own summer plans. I spent the better part of this past month of May taking a 3 week class on Hitler and Nazi Germany, which was extremely interesting. Although it was a lot of hard work and readings i stuck to it and got a lot out of the class. This only took up my mornings however and the rest of the time I was enjoying all that Charleston has to offer in the summer. My good friends Qi and Tim are also in town for the summer and we got up to some great little adventures roaming around the city as well as celebrating Tims 21st birthday! Also new since my last post is that I have started seeing a new lady friend named Taylor she is also in Charleston for the summer working for the school and we have been enjoying each others company. This memorial day weekend she invited me down to stay with her family in her hometown of Augusta Georgia, home of the Masters. I had a great time and am very grateful to her and her family for their hospitality. Next up on my plan is to move into 24 Thomas Street this coming Thursday with Jake and both us of are very excited to start living together. This Sunday part 2 of my summer begins when I take off for London until the end of June. Ill be back with updates and pictures then. Until next time
Alex H
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Spring and The End of the First Year
Well its been a while and I dont feel like working on my English paper so heres another update on whats going on down at CofC!
The Spring Break trip was a BLAST! I had an awesome time going all the way to Miami with my brothers and visiting other chapters along the way everyone was very welcoming and we had a very cool experience seeing just how similar our brothers at other schools are from us. After the break it was back to the books and back to a crazy event schedule. The weekend after we got back our chapter of Phi Gam had its first ever Pig Dinner, a graduate event that has been going on since the late 1800's. I had the great pleasure of getting to talk to Bill Bracewell educational director for the fraternity he even gave me a vintage Fiji news letter from 1950 as well as some great advice on leadership. The day before I participated in Dance Marathon, the colleges largest philanthropy event that lasts from 5pm to 11am the next day. You are supposed to stay up all night dancing against children's illness. It was tiring but very well worth it.
In other news I was nominated for New Greek Member of the Year and those results will come out on Sunday. Also this Friday is the first ever Fiji formal im very excited its like prom with no drama!
In addition to being busy with Pledge Ed and Classes im still finding time to enjoy the city and the awesome weather.
With the school year coming to a close it is great to see how good of a choice it was to come down here, mom and dad will be here next weekend for mums bday and Easter then its just exams and the summer adventures BEGIN!
The Spring Break trip was a BLAST! I had an awesome time going all the way to Miami with my brothers and visiting other chapters along the way everyone was very welcoming and we had a very cool experience seeing just how similar our brothers at other schools are from us. After the break it was back to the books and back to a crazy event schedule. The weekend after we got back our chapter of Phi Gam had its first ever Pig Dinner, a graduate event that has been going on since the late 1800's. I had the great pleasure of getting to talk to Bill Bracewell educational director for the fraternity he even gave me a vintage Fiji news letter from 1950 as well as some great advice on leadership. The day before I participated in Dance Marathon, the colleges largest philanthropy event that lasts from 5pm to 11am the next day. You are supposed to stay up all night dancing against children's illness. It was tiring but very well worth it.
In other news I was nominated for New Greek Member of the Year and those results will come out on Sunday. Also this Friday is the first ever Fiji formal im very excited its like prom with no drama!
In addition to being busy with Pledge Ed and Classes im still finding time to enjoy the city and the awesome weather.
With the school year coming to a close it is great to see how good of a choice it was to come down here, mom and dad will be here next weekend for mums bday and Easter then its just exams and the summer adventures BEGIN!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Moving Into Spring
Hey all I cannot believe Spring Break is only a week away I feel like college is just flying by! Well a lot has happened since my last post so heres a little recap on whats going on in my crazy life.
First after some serious thought I dropped Ancient Greek as a language it just wasn't working for me and I wasn't really getting anything out of it. In other news on campus I was recently picked up to be a new member of the Charleston 40 which is the organization on campus that gives tours to visiting students and their families, so if your ever in town let me know so I can give you a true tour!
With Spring Break approaching my plans changed but are now settled. After finding out I wouldn't be able to go to Mardi Gras my friends RD and Christian and I decided it would be fun to stay in beautiful Charleston and chill out in the city and on the beach. We also have planned for in the middle of the week to go to the University of Central Florida to meet some Fiji brothers as well as have a good road trip for the break.
In other news I took a pretty big step and signed my first lease! I move into 24 Thomas Street Apt C on June 2nd and will be there until July 30 2012. I am living with my good friend and Fiji brother Jake Kanugezki (Kanzo) and we are very excited to move into our more homey space check it out www.24thomas.com.
Finally my summer plans, I have decided to remain in Charleston for May to take a "Maymester" class on Hitler and the Nazi party as it is not only something I am interested in but it also helps with my newly declared history major and international studies minor. After that class ends in May and I move into my apartment in early June I will be flying home to London on the 5th via Reykjavik Iceland and return on the 27th. After that it is back to the Holy City for July and August so that I can take Italian 101 and keep giving tours to the incoming freshmen as well as help with fraternity recruitment.
I have to say on my actual final note that this place in the spring/summer is awesome! Going to the beach and wearing shorts in mid February is just too good. One of my favorite moments this semester was the other night when my friend Griffin and I sat on the back porch of the Phi Gam house and smoked a stogie and had a great talk about life and where we see everything going followed by a fun game of Corn hole with RD and Christian.
Until next time,
Alex H
First after some serious thought I dropped Ancient Greek as a language it just wasn't working for me and I wasn't really getting anything out of it. In other news on campus I was recently picked up to be a new member of the Charleston 40 which is the organization on campus that gives tours to visiting students and their families, so if your ever in town let me know so I can give you a true tour!
With Spring Break approaching my plans changed but are now settled. After finding out I wouldn't be able to go to Mardi Gras my friends RD and Christian and I decided it would be fun to stay in beautiful Charleston and chill out in the city and on the beach. We also have planned for in the middle of the week to go to the University of Central Florida to meet some Fiji brothers as well as have a good road trip for the break.
In other news I took a pretty big step and signed my first lease! I move into 24 Thomas Street Apt C on June 2nd and will be there until July 30 2012. I am living with my good friend and Fiji brother Jake Kanugezki (Kanzo) and we are very excited to move into our more homey space check it out www.24thomas.com.
Finally my summer plans, I have decided to remain in Charleston for May to take a "Maymester" class on Hitler and the Nazi party as it is not only something I am interested in but it also helps with my newly declared history major and international studies minor. After that class ends in May and I move into my apartment in early June I will be flying home to London on the 5th via Reykjavik Iceland and return on the 27th. After that it is back to the Holy City for July and August so that I can take Italian 101 and keep giving tours to the incoming freshmen as well as help with fraternity recruitment.
I have to say on my actual final note that this place in the spring/summer is awesome! Going to the beach and wearing shorts in mid February is just too good. One of my favorite moments this semester was the other night when my friend Griffin and I sat on the back porch of the Phi Gam house and smoked a stogie and had a great talk about life and where we see everything going followed by a fun game of Corn hole with RD and Christian.
Until next time,
Alex H
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Second Semester Shenanigans
Well here we are second semester, we're only 3 weeks in and what a ride it has been. After first semester ended I headed back to DC on a flight that was made less than pleasant both by passengers and the delays due to snow, but I was happy to finally be back home. The break started off with Dad's retirement party, it was great to see old friends from all the different parts of his carrer to support him in the next chapter of his life, I gave a short toast and got to let him know how proud I am to be his son. After that Christmas had come and after some nice festivities at home I got to go into the city to meet up with two of my fraternity brothers from CofC RD Weks and Elliot Dickerson. We had a good time running around and got to go Nandos again so no complaints. After a great New Years at the Wanets house it was time to head back to the Holy City to start the second half of my Freshman year. This time around I am taking English 110, Greek 102, Greek Civilization, Modern World History, and Business Calculus. I also went and declared my major as History and am now trying to plan my summer. Right now it looks like I will try to stay in Chucktown for May so I can take a course on Hitler and Nazi Germany which should be interesting, afterwords I plan on heading to London for a few weeks to watch both my kids i taught last year graduate to middle school and to watch my other friends from HS graduate. Aside from classes I have been enjoying life down here as always and can ofter be found at the new Phi Gam house at 107 Wentworth Street having a good time with my Brothers, this coming Tuesday (Feb 2) we will be putting on our first Philanthropy event Chucktown Follies; a talent show to help raise money for the Ascend foundation for cancer. This past weekend was also Mountain Weekend, so we all drove up to Gatlinberg TN to stay in a a huge cabin for 2 days for some country fun enjoying the beautiful weather and nature, I even got the chance to go do some skeet shooting something I havent done in a few years.
With that said and done I have February and my 19th birthday to look forward to as well as new pledges, Baba and Mimi visiting, and whatever life might throw at me.
Until next time
Alex
With that said and done I have February and my 19th birthday to look forward to as well as new pledges, Baba and Mimi visiting, and whatever life might throw at me.
Until next time
Alex
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Details and Pictures
Its amazing what little details I can forget so here are some of those along with some pictures
First here are a few photos from Halloween, being the second most haunted city in the US its a pretty big deal here in the Holy City so naturally my friends and I all went out and had a good time
First here are a few photos from Halloween, being the second most haunted city in the US its a pretty big deal here in the Holy City so naturally my friends and I all went out and had a good time
Next was Pep Supper it is an annual dance competition between the Greek Organisations that is also a food drive for the local food bank, after putting in many long hard hours of practice FIJI managed to win not only Best Dance, 2nd most food donated and 3rd Best banner but we also won the whole competition! heres a link for our dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_NkMWusamQ
As the year moved on my dorm College Lodge hled its annual Mr College Lodge pagent, in which I decided to be a participant it was a very funny experiance and I would deffinatly do it again given the chance even though I did not take home the crown. Here is a picture of my formal wear and interview and a picture of all the contestants
As for other events I dont have photos for, I participated in the Locomen Race for the Cure running a 5k in support of breast cancer research. But something I do have a photo of is Phi Gamma Deltas Fall Semi Formal 2010 which was a fantastic event held at Eye Level Art, I wore a bowtie outside of a tux for the first time and I gotta say I love that southern style. I had a wonderful evening featuring a dinner out with a few of my brothers and our dates followed by an evening of dancing and fun. As I mentioned before there are also some pictures of the Beta (2nd) pledge class who are now all my brothers along with the founding fathers.
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| Pledge Cabinet Left to Right Jake Rutter, Cam Starr, Joey Severens, Tyler Pederson, Alex H |
For my last photo note here is Chris and I at Nandos USA
Hope to have more pictures and news soon
until next time
Alex H
1st Semester Recap
After a little bit of thought I realized that I am terrible in keeping old friends and family up to date on what is going on in my life. Facebook helps but stalking can only tell so much so I decided to start a blog so that I can keep more and more people in the loop.
I cant believe it but my first semester of college at CofC is almost over with just two weeks left to go! It started off in late September when Mom, Dad, and I drove down from the house in VA, it was my first time in Charleston and I must say while I was not impressed this city has come to grow on me, it has a very English charm which makes me feel at home after being in London for so long they even have black cabs here. I moved into my residence hall College Lodge which is an old motel from the 1950's that The College bought back in the 1970's to accommodate the growing student body, it is even rumored that Elvis stayed in my room. While it may not be the cleanest, or most modern building on campus it certainly is a great place to live I am on the top floor (6th) which is lovingly called the penthouse, and I get along with pretty much all of my neighbors, to the point where no one really closes their door unless they are asleep or in class. My roommate Richard (Dick) Lysgat is from Cleveland, Ohio and is a pretty nice guy we run in different social circles and dont see much of each other but we do our best to look out for each other so no huge complaints, other than his hockey bag which smells like a dead horse.
This semester I took five classes for 15 credits Ancient Greek 101 (Which is my hardest class), Physics in Films, Philosophy 101, History 103 (My major), and Statistics overall not too difficult a course load but getting into the swing of how things are done in college (efficiently and logically) vs high school presented some challenges. I joined a Fraternity (which I dont think is a surprise to anyone) I pledged Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) in early October and was elected to be on the pledge cabinet (as Historian) over the next 8 weeks I got to know my future brothers better and helped to Organise "Mustashio Bashio" and event held at the end of "No Shave November" (Yes I did grow a full beard and have shaved it down to a stash for the event) were all proceeds of the private party go to prostate cancer research, as of writing the party hasn't happened so I dont have total figures but as the first pledge philanthropic event I hope it will be a success so that future Fiji's can follow in our footsteps. I became a full brother about a week before Thanksgiving and I am very proud to call myself a Phi Gam, it is easily one of the best decisions I have ever made giving me opportunities in leadership, and academics I could have never imagined.
Thanksgiving was a much welcome break to go back to VA and see mom and Dad as well as my best friend from ASL Chris Steele who was visiting from USC, we had a great few days together catching up on some sleep and game time, as well as enjoying Chris's drivers licence and moms car around Woodbridge. Also for you London readers CHris and I along with a new friend from CofC made a trip to DC to visit the only Nandos in the US it was well worth the trip.
Other than that there is not much else to report College is going very well and I love living in Chucktown, the weather has been perfect until recently (its getting cold!) and I have taken many a weekend beach trip. I encourage anyone who wants to come visit to do so I would be more than happy to show you around, and to anyone thinking of coming to CofC for college please let me know so I can show you why I love this place so much
I hope everyone has a good exam season and for the family Happy Holidays and I hope to see you at Dads Party in VA
Until next time,
Alex H
PS Pictures soon to follow
I cant believe it but my first semester of college at CofC is almost over with just two weeks left to go! It started off in late September when Mom, Dad, and I drove down from the house in VA, it was my first time in Charleston and I must say while I was not impressed this city has come to grow on me, it has a very English charm which makes me feel at home after being in London for so long they even have black cabs here. I moved into my residence hall College Lodge which is an old motel from the 1950's that The College bought back in the 1970's to accommodate the growing student body, it is even rumored that Elvis stayed in my room. While it may not be the cleanest, or most modern building on campus it certainly is a great place to live I am on the top floor (6th) which is lovingly called the penthouse, and I get along with pretty much all of my neighbors, to the point where no one really closes their door unless they are asleep or in class. My roommate Richard (Dick) Lysgat is from Cleveland, Ohio and is a pretty nice guy we run in different social circles and dont see much of each other but we do our best to look out for each other so no huge complaints, other than his hockey bag which smells like a dead horse.
This semester I took five classes for 15 credits Ancient Greek 101 (Which is my hardest class), Physics in Films, Philosophy 101, History 103 (My major), and Statistics overall not too difficult a course load but getting into the swing of how things are done in college (efficiently and logically) vs high school presented some challenges. I joined a Fraternity (which I dont think is a surprise to anyone) I pledged Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) in early October and was elected to be on the pledge cabinet (as Historian) over the next 8 weeks I got to know my future brothers better and helped to Organise "Mustashio Bashio" and event held at the end of "No Shave November" (Yes I did grow a full beard and have shaved it down to a stash for the event) were all proceeds of the private party go to prostate cancer research, as of writing the party hasn't happened so I dont have total figures but as the first pledge philanthropic event I hope it will be a success so that future Fiji's can follow in our footsteps. I became a full brother about a week before Thanksgiving and I am very proud to call myself a Phi Gam, it is easily one of the best decisions I have ever made giving me opportunities in leadership, and academics I could have never imagined.
Thanksgiving was a much welcome break to go back to VA and see mom and Dad as well as my best friend from ASL Chris Steele who was visiting from USC, we had a great few days together catching up on some sleep and game time, as well as enjoying Chris's drivers licence and moms car around Woodbridge. Also for you London readers CHris and I along with a new friend from CofC made a trip to DC to visit the only Nandos in the US it was well worth the trip.
Other than that there is not much else to report College is going very well and I love living in Chucktown, the weather has been perfect until recently (its getting cold!) and I have taken many a weekend beach trip. I encourage anyone who wants to come visit to do so I would be more than happy to show you around, and to anyone thinking of coming to CofC for college please let me know so I can show you why I love this place so much
I hope everyone has a good exam season and for the family Happy Holidays and I hope to see you at Dads Party in VA
Until next time,
Alex H
PS Pictures soon to follow
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