Hello Everyone!

I hope you all are doing wonderful! First and foremost, I’d like to thank you all for reading my previous blog entry and a HUGE thank you to my family and friends for their love and support!

The lovely view I am blessed to see every day

Life on the hill is very busy, but great! I met with my advisor earlier this week to talk about different classes I am considering for the spring semester. Though I had a huge schedule conflict with a lab I am going to take in the spring, the meeting went pretty well!

I am very excited for the next semester because I will be taking different classes that I never thought I would be able to as a first year student (I will let you know more about it once my schedule is set). For example, I am invited to apply for a job position on campus as a peer consultant in the Writer workshop and as part of the application process, I would need to take a writing class next semester called English 387: Composition Theory and Pedagogy! Another cool thing about this class is that it is also a requirement for students who wished to work for the Passport Program as a teacher assistant in the summer! As a Passport’s alumni, I am very thrilled!

Trick Or Treat

I went home this Halloween weekend for my grandparents’ 38th anniversary and also for my mom’s and uncle’s birthday!

A small surprise party for my grandparents’ anniversary

From L-R: Me, Dad, Mom, Little Brother, Uncle, Grandma, and Grandpa

Grandparents’ surprise anniversary cake

Choosing Holy Cross was one of the best decision I have ever made. As a Massachusetts resident, the campus is not too close to home to prevent me from experiencing the campus life away from home, but it is also not too far for my family and friends to come for a visit or for me to go home for a family weekend!

My grandparents came to visit me from Cambodia. L-R: Me, Dad, Little Brother, Mom, Elizabeth (My roommate), Grandma, and Grandpa

I got a lovely visit from my former high school advisors and they brought me a very thoughtful care package! Thank you so much!

I hope you stay tuned for another exciting week!

Stay Awesome,

Votey

Taken from Hogan- Summer ’15

Hello Everyone!

My name is Votey and I am a first year student on Mount St. James! I’m from Lowell, Massachusetts, but I was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

Crusader and I

Unlike most of my fellow classmates, I’ve been on campus since the beginning of August! The reason for this is because I did a 3 week summer program called The Passport Program and a weeklong summer orientation program called Odyssey.

My Summer Passport Program Class

First day in Odyssey

Though I was on campus a whole month early, I must say that I’m so grateful to have taken part in these two programs. I met so many first year students and upperclassmen from all over the country and the world, and I have already made so many amazing friendships. Many of these experiences I will cherish forever.

Friends

Convocation Dinner

One of the many things I like about the campus is the fact that I can always find a place to do work. There are always places in each of the libraries but also places in the different buildings! I can even go to the Chaplain’s office located in Campion House to study in their living room (where there are fresh-baked cookies!).

Tea time with Votey

I attached a few more pictures from my resident hall below. Enjoy!

My side of the room

My side of the room

I can see the highway from my window

My dorm-mates

Yesterday, I decided to attend a workshop about the Summer Research Program at Holy Cross that is open to all students in all majors, from all classes! Basically, this program provides us students with funding, housing, and a stipend for 9 weeks to conduct research! Students can devise their own project or can join an ongoing research project on campus! I am still trying to figure out a plan for myself in regards to this project, but I will definitely keep you all posted!

All in all, I cannot wait to take you on this journey with me and I hope you stay tuned for another exciting week!

Stay Awesome,

Votey