Tag: family

Day in my Life: Southport, North Carolina

by Olivia

Coming to visit family in Southport, North Carolina is the best way to relax and unwind. Zac Brown Band sings, “I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world.” Those lyrics are relevant anytime I’m by the ocean. But, being with family, while having the peace of the beach nearby, allows my mind to completely be at ease.

The charm of this small, southern town is perfectly captured in the movie, Safe Haven. I tried my best to capture the charm of Southport through my own lense. Although, what you can’t capture through a camera’s lense is the friendly nature of every resident in Southport. Every store we entered we were politely acknowledged and when leaving it was always “bye ma’am.” Talk about culture shock.

We started the morning with coffee and chit chat and ended the day in the same way. We went to Loco Joe’s for lunch, this is landmark for my family and I when we come to visit family here in Southport. Fish Tacos are a staple there, but I opted for a Ahi Tuna and Shrimp Wrap. The wrap was the size of a small hoagie and somehow, someway, I easily devoured the entire thing. My Mom, her sisters and even my 91 year old Nana were a rambunctious bunch, in the best way. They prove age is just a number. But, I don’t think the sweet, southern people who have probably lived down south their entire lives, sitting next to us, were used to loud New Jerseyans like us.

After our meal we headed into town. First, we stopped by the shore. They have swing chairs that look onto the water. We all snapped some pictures and then drove over to the boutiques.

When we got back to the house my Mom and I went bike riding around St. James Plantation. The two of us act like we’re about to get our own show on HGTV. Every house we pass we mention what we like, dislike and what we would change (I hope the homeowners didn’t hear us).

Dinner back at the house was nothing but tasty. Old bay sprinkled over shrimp, sausage and corn are one of my favorite meals. It doesn’t get much better then sitting around a table and eating with family you only get to see a few times out of the year. There is always something to talk about. The night was ended with watching the Bachelorette and drinking tea but that’s nothing new. . .

Today, and each day spent here with my Mom’s side of the family is a reminder to always be grateful for each moment spent with family.

91 never looked so good.

Loco Joes in Southport, North Carolina.

Ahi Tuna and Shrimp. YUM

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A Reflection on my Freshman Year at QuinnipiacU

by Olivia

To think I almost didn’t attend Quinnipiac. That thought now seems unimaginable. Coming to Quinnipiac has been life changing. I am so appreciative of all this school has done for me so far.

Coming into my first day I had no idea what to expect. My heart was still in Baltimore, Maryland, where I thought my home was going to be. Move in day was hectic and overwhelming. Would I be okay without my parents, would I make friends, would I do well in school? My mind frantically ran through all of these scenarios, but I kept a strong face. When it was time to say good bye to my home, New Jersey and my family I did, even if I didn’t want to say good bye just yet. Little did I know the year I had infront of me.

My direct roomate is more than a best friend to me and what a relief that is. In dorms you hear all the gossip surrounding your hall and a lot of times girls who are “best friends” become distant, problems arise and that friendships fades. That wasn’t the case with Cara and I. Our first hall meeting there was a talkative, energetic girl who for the life of her could not get her TV to work. I welcomed her into Commons Room 139 to look at our TV and the rest is history. A life long frienship began. Through rocky roads and stressful days, these two have been my backbone. These two constantly push me, better me and are there for me whenever I need. I have never met individuals like them before.

Outside of my dorm I had so many other things to be grateful for. One being my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. The news paints a harsh picture on what Greek life is like, but Greek life here is nothing to be scared of. The girls apart of move in crew had on bright pink hats with “theta” written across the front. The Kappa Alpha Theta girls were so sweet and we began chatting. Little did I know a few months later I would be initiated into Kappa Alpha Theta, a place that felt like home the moment those girls moved me into my dorm. Months ago I attended orientation where I was broken into a small group of incoming freshmans, we were assigned two groups leaders who were older students. Their job was to get us excited about going to Quinnipiac and make us feel welcomed. I instantly got close to my orientation leader, Erica. Fast forward 3 months later she is my big in Kappa Alpha Theta. She is the closest thing I’ve ever had to an older sister.

Q30 is my home away from home. A family, away from family. I can’t explain it any better. To those unfamiliar, Q30 is Quinnipiac student run televison station. Q30 covers, sports, entertainment and news. I worked as an Associate Producer for the Newscast, but I look forward to working more within sports next semester. Q30 is so much more to me than just being Quinnipiac’s television station. The people I have met are the most genuine, caring and hard working individuals. They each strive for greatness. A lot of people strive for greatness but don’t actually work towards it, that is not the case for people in Q30.

From formals, to nights in and nights out, this year at Quinnipiac has been more then I ever imagined. The quote, “everything happens for a reason” is something I never believed in until now. Loyola wasn’t meant to be and it all makes sense now.

Quinnipiac, you will be missed. I’ll see you in August.

Bid Day for Kappa Alpha Theta: September 4, 2017

Surprise of seeing who my big is: October 16, 2017

Mom visits: September 29, 2017

Celebrating mine and Cara’s birthday: March 23, 2018

Interviewing President Lahey: March 28, 2018

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13 Years of Friendship: Mother Daughter 2016

by Olivia

As odd as it may sound, kindergarten doesn’t seem that long ago. It feels like just last year I was facing, what I thought to be major milestones in my life. Moving on from elementary school to middle school felt life changing. Going through relationships and break-ups felt melancholy and sour. Losing friends and making new ones felt eye opening and bittersweet. Growing up every little thing was a milestone. Although now I know minor things in life aren’t milestones, I am so fortunate to have my Mom and friends to face even the smallest of milestones with. That’s why our 13-year long annual Mother Daughter is a special event for me.

Mother Daughter is a celebratory event for my friends and I. We get to not only enjoy our day with our Mom’s but with each other. I remember how it started, tea at American Girl Doll. The ultimate 5-year-olds dream. We all dressed up in our “fancy coats” and attended the tea party not only with each other but with our look-alike dolls (and yes they recieved their own chairs). From then we matured slightly each year seeing the Nutcracker, The Rockettes, or other shows. We always either started or ended our Mother- Daughter with a meal altogether, my favorite time to spend time with my friends, my Mom, and my second Moms.

Our final year before we all part ways was something different and special. Through the course of a 13-year friendship, there were rough patches. A once large friendship split up into smaller groups and I knew this was part of growing up. At the end of the day, we were always there for each other and loved each other. This past summer began our senior year journey, we all picked up right where we left off leaving any bitterness behind. Today, I couldn’t be happier to be finishing high school with the same girls I started elementary school with.

For the past 13 year’s Mother-Daughter has allowed me to strengthen my love and friendships with my best friends, their Mom’s and my own Mom. My friends have traveled through my biggest and smallest “milestones” with me for the past 13 years. Each year we celebrate Mother-Daughter to highlight the bonds we have created with each other and enjoy a piece of the holidays altogether. If you think this was sappy just wait for my graduation post. Have a Merry Christmas!

xx Liv

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