Once A Bobcat, Always A Bobcat

Posted on April 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

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This is a blog post by Brenna, one of the social media interns. Brenna will be graduating this upcoming Saturday with the rest of the class of 2013. Enjoy the rest of your time here at OU! Once a Bobcat, Always a Bobcat!

I’m sitting in my room with notes and books sprawled out on my bed, as if having them in my sight will encourage me to do my homework. Instead, I have been looking through my entire photo library from the past four years. I have pictures with my best friends and pictures with people I’d like to forget. I have pictures of Athens that look like something straight out of a dream. I have pictures that bring up memories of OU that may seem pointless to someone else, but to me they are treasures. As I get lost in photos upon photos, I find myself coming to the realization that in a short four days, I will be forced to leave Athens and move on to something new.

I can remember my freshman year when my future at OU seemed overwhelming and unmanageable. Many phone calls were made to my mother, begging her to let me come back home and go to school with my friends. I have never been so grateful for her constant answer of  “no, you need to stay there. It will get better.” And it did. I found my best friends. I fell in love with my classes. I discovered Athens.

There are so many things I will miss about Athens. I am going to miss the way the sun hits the trees on College Green, making it a paradise within a paradise. I will miss the familiar faces at our favorite bar, always happy to see us again. (That one is for you, Lucky’s). I will miss my teachers who helped me discover my passion. I will miss the feeling of being a part of something even when you’re among thousands of cheering fans at a football game. I will miss driving on the bricks. I will miss the way Athens looks when you’re coming in from the freeway. Even though we only really experienced it one semester, I will miss how beautiful Athens looked covered in snow.

To those of you who still have time left here in Athens- soak it up. Do everything you want to do. Make a bucket list and don’t leave until it’s accomplished. Don’t stress too much about classes or jobs. Remember it’s important to have some fun and let loose. You probably won’t fully understand what I mean until you’re in the same shoes as I am. For now, appreciate your last few years in this wonderful place called Athens.

Ohio University has made me who I am today and will forever shape me through the trials and tribulations I am sure to face. I leave here with an ache in my heart, but a smile on my face because I had the blessing of becoming a Bobcat. Cheers to you, Athens. I’ll miss ‘ya.

OU

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Posted in Brenna Kowall

Enjoying the Cherry Blossoms

Posted on April 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

Shaina_OHIO This blog post is by Shaina, one of the social media interns. Let us know how you’re enjoying the cherry blossoms by tweeting us @oudeanteam.

The sweet spring tones of the small harps vibrated through the warm spring air. An illuminated canopy of white and pink blossoms surrounded us. The trees’ branches lovingly engulfed us as we glided under the waving peddles as the wind danced through the blossoms. “I didn’t know we had cherry blossom trees,” a friend warmly said to me. “This is so peaceful.” –My experience enjoying the cherry blossoms with friends

cherry blossoms

Near the Convo, along the Hocking River, are rooted hundreds of Somei Yoschino cherry trees, also known as sakura. For a short time, the elegant sakura blooms, reminding Bobcats of the friendship between Chubu University and OHIO. Planted over 30 years ago, the blossoming trees—a gift from Chubu, O.U.’s sister school in Japan—let members of the Ohio University and Athens community know that spring has arrived.

The way we honor the sakura and the relationship between Chubu and O.U. has grown over the past several years. New this year, Athenians both far and near were given the opportunity to watch the buds blossom through “Sakura Watch.” Each spring, as the flowering buds bloom, the university lights the trees from 8 p.m. to midnight, encouraging community members to enjoy the sweet scents of the blossoms after a long day. Since 2005, the Japanese Student Association has hosted a Sakura Festival to commemorate the relationship with and donation of the trees from Chubu. The sakura tree lighting was also utilized as the site of the ceremony to honor victims of the tsunami and earthquake that hit Japan in 2011.

As the school year winds down and the spring air becomes sweeter, make sure to take the opportunity to frolic through the grove or enjoy a picnic under the cherry blossoms while they are still in bloom.

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Posted in Shaina Kass, Social Media Intern Team

Time to get cultured at International Week

Posted on April 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

SzFqE9dmevzWE1BPe20tpK3Okq55FnFlABxYzV5xqNY%2CGGV-EC_LDMku5Y1mPm2i3Oz8naQ8xjUfuZ_bSccdfdQThis is a blog post by Kristin! Have an event during the week you’re excited about? Share it with us in the comments section or tweet us @OUDeanTeam!

For those needing a more cultural alternative to fests and binging on junk food during studying, look no further than the International Festival.

The Senate Appropriations Commission, the International Student Union, International Student and Faculty services and the International Week Committee will sponsor International Week: “Connecting People, Celebrating Cultures”

The week includes different cultural events including a keynote speaker, art exhibits, sports and more.

The keynote speech will be given by U.S musical ambassador Toni Blackman. Blackman, one of ESSENCE Magazine’s “30 Women to Watch.” She travels and gives performances and lectures and was also was the first hip-hop artist to be chosen as an American cultural specialist by the U.S. Department of State.

At the end of the week, the Athens community will come together at the 31st International Street Fair. The fair showcases groups and other local organizations and their international food, crafts, music and dancing

All events are free and open to the public. For a list of events visit http://www.ohio.edu/internationalweek/schedule.html

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Posted in Kristin Salaky