Kira's Blog

A-Broad! (2017)

Hello, friends!

After a long period of anticipation, I am happy to share with you about an exciting adventure coming soon: "A-Broad!" That's right, folks - it's finally time to announce my upcoming study abroad plans!

But before I do, let me set the stage a bit . . .

It's Friday, February 17th. The 2nd annual Global Reveal celebration is set to begin at 4 pm in the Ritchie Center. It's around 2 pm, and I am heading to South High School with a group to work on a project for our leadership program. We are all buzzing with excitement to find out where we will be going abroad in the fall. There had been rumors going around all week that you could go online to the portal and see what your program was set as, but I boldly declared that I would wait until the official reveal.

As we talked about the places we had applied to and what we were hoping for, I felt immense anxiety. (I'm kind of a worrier, so this is typical of me - don't worry). I had begun thinking earlier that morning that maybe I had made a mistake. I had made the University of Westminster program in London my top choice when I applied, but what if that was no longer what I really wanted deep down?? What if I got into what was my first choice but was now second to New Zealand?! I was getting pretty amped about it.

We finished up at South, though, and then we had an hour to pass before the reveal. Unfortunately, I had a paper due for leadership that night that I had barely started (oops), so I ended up "working on that" until 4 - in reality, I thought about it a little and ended up on Facebook or something.

Now it was 3:50 pm, and a group of my friends and I had decided to meet down in Nelson lobby so we could walk over together. After we finally assembled all of us, we quickly crossed campus to the Ritchie Center. My heart was beating really hard in my chest, which, I recognize sounds really silly. I think this was due to a) being partially out of shape b) being sick at the time and c) freaking the flip out over my fate !!

When we finally arrived at the Ritchie Center, it was honestly a mess. There was a massive clump of the majority of my class clogging the main area. Supposedly we were in lines to pick up our little envelope (!), but I kinda doubted that. It seemed like more of a free-for-all. I nervously ! chatted ! with some other friends as I made my way incredibly slowly up to the front. Then I got my envelope, thanked the overwhelmed staff, and hurried to find my friends.

THEN there was a whole ordeal of making our way into Magness Arena. I don't know why it was so hard for us as a collective to do that, but it was. I was still anxiously pawing at my envelope and squealing with nerves. Hopefully I looked put-together, idk.

So once everyone had meandered there way in - as if we didn't have very pressing matters to attend to - then we had to stand through a mini presentation celebrating some actually really cool photography from students who had studied abroad last year. I appreciated it and all, but at the same time, envelopes??!?

Finally, we all started counting backwards from 10. I looked at my friends, hopping from foot to foot and literally dying with anticipation. We got down to one, and I began to tear into my bright yellow envelope and . . .

The winner was Moonlight!

Haha just kidding.

What actually happened was I pulled out a sleek red luggage tag that opened to reveal "University of Otago - New Zealand."

I immediately screamed, jumping up and down, which was awkward because no one else screamed really? But I was elated, so whateva. I hugged my friends, found out where they were all going, told them I loved them and was so happy for them and all that jazz.

And then we all celebrated with international food!! I ate so much food and could not have been happier with life, you know? Like, the universe just knew and things worked out.

Afterwords, to celebrate, I finished my paper - yeah! I also went to Sonic approximately ten minutes before it closed with my best friend Bryce to eat an absolutely delicious peanut butter cookie dough master blast (no, this is not a paid advertisement).

So long story short, can catch this broad studying abroad in New Zealand this upcoming fall!!

 

Study Abroad Update: 12 Days of Application

Okay, it's finally the moment I'm sure you've all been anxiously awaiting for the past six weeks or so: an update to my Study Abroad application. Also, please enjoy this beautiful world map art I found online. I can't take credit for it, but I felt I had to share it with you.

So, by this point, I was really hoping that I would have some exciting news regarding my Study Abroad application. I mean, it's arguably one of the most exciting prospects that you have at DU! Realistically, these past six weeks or so of winter break - when I should have been cranking out the app - have been filled with more anxiety about the whole venture. I don't really know if that's normal or I'm just being a worrier as per usual. Anyway, because of this irrational fear of the application, I made minimal progress over break. Thankfully, I have a solid 12 days left to complete it all (cue stressed laughter).

What could possibly be so overwhelming about applying to study abroad, you ask? Well, for me, it was narrowing programs down. I had a great selection of about 10 different programs that I was like, "Sure, that could work (?)". This isn't like normal college application processes where you can apply to every school in the nation if you'd so like. I had to cut that list down to 5! And even then, 5 program choices mean about 10 essays to write - hence, the reason you apply early. Oops.

But don't worry too much about me yet. As I was saying, I have a solid 12 days left to apply, and I have actually started on the application! Waves of progress, my friends!!

And that is where the exciting update comes in! Everyone is always curious about where you're looking, so I figured I'd share that now. My current choices include: University of Westminster in London, Goldsmiths University of London, City University of London, Bangor University in Wales, and University of Otago in New Zealand. My hope is to take courses that will count for credit towards my Media Studies major, and after searching through different programs, these are the options I think would fit well with me. Ideally, I would cut a few more options, buuut we'll see what happens.

Wish me luck as my adventure with Study Abroad continues, leading up to the Global Reveal Day on February 17th!!

Happy New Year!!

Hello, friends!

I'm reporting to you live from the first day of classes back at DU. If you think that it's weird that we started on Tuesday, I would agree with you. I get that it's just the way the calendar fell, but still.

Anyway, I moved back to campus yesterday with a car-full of stuff - honestly, why did I think I would need so much stuff ? And since we had yesterday off, I missed out on Environmental Systems : / and Sociology.

But that means that today, I had to start off winter quarter with a 3000-level Spanish class. Not exactly a friendly welcome-back - I haven't spoken Spanish since August, when I got back from a Spanish department trip to Spain. Sure, that sounds fancy, and you might be thinking I'm fluent, but you would be very surprised, I think, if you talked to me haha. Thankfully, I survived and understood most of what profe said. Although, there was some confusion on my part about whether or not the textbook that we need to buy is available to buy. . .? Like, I'll definitely have to look into that. But otherwise, la pasé bien.

Luckily, your girl has a really nice schedule, and that was my only class today ! So, I had a ton of time after noon to just get some work done. And I don't know if it's this whole "new year, new me" vibe that kicks in after every New Year's, but I actually had a very productive day of work. I got all organized, and I even chipped away at my study abroad application - updates still to come.

Coming up tonight, I have a fam dinner at 7:30 - my friend Montey is making alredo pasta and lemon cake (honestly, I'm dropping hints that I love my friends) - and then Exit 205 a cappella rehearsal at 8:30. 

Definitely not a bad start back to the quarter - minus the fact that the temperature is quickly dropping. Supposedly we're getting 9 in. of snow over the next few days? We'll see about that, Colorado.

Anyway, I hope you all had a happy New Year and that you're enjoying the rest of your break if you're still on it! Stay warm!!

 

- Kira

Update: Week 6

Yes, ladies and gents; it is (finally?) week 6 of break, meaning that in a little under a week, I will be moving back to DU to tackle winter quarter.

This is always an interesting time in the break, as you realize the impending doom of being back in school but you are also cramming to make the most of the final days. Some students feel a sense of calm, feeling that they have tied up all the loose ends of their break and are ready to return to a regular schedule. Others feel anxious - not very eager to get back to the many hours of homework that, as much as you feel you're chipping away at, are never quite surmounted. Others, still, are excited and already packing their stuff up (sorry Mom, Dad) to rejoin their friends. 

Last year, I was very much in that last group of people. I was like, "Byeee Mom, Dad! Love you much, see you soon! xx" I actually said "xx" instead of "kisses." It was weird.

But this year, I feel a bit more . . . reluctant to go back. Chalk it up to being wiser or hardened to the reality of college/adult life or even to pure laziness, but I don't feel so ready to go back.

I really think it'd be the last reason. I mean, when you really think about it, how can you beat home-cooked meals? The comfort of your own, familiar bed? The lack of social pressure to actually leave said bed? Honestly, being at home is nothing to scoff at. 

Now, don't get me wrong. I love and miss DU very much - especially my friends. And it definitely would be nice to feel like I'm doing something with my days and my life, etc. I think my main rub with going back already is because I haven't gotten anything done that I promised myself I'd get done this break. 

But, you know, I suppose that's what this week is for. Well, and packing, which is literally the bane of my existence.

In any case, happy last week of break, friends!! Go out and enjoy what's left!

 

Colorado Sunsets

Let me, first, start by saying that if you would like to accompany this post with some music, I recommend "Colorado Sunrise" by Boulder-band-from-your-middle-school-days, 3Oh!3 or "Rocky Mountain High" by John Denver. Very different vibes, there, so take your pick. (Those are also the only songs I know that are about Colorado. If you know more, please submit them in the comments section below - thanks.)

Well, it is December 23, and I'm currently sitting in the Starbucks on Asbury and University Blvd, drinking a London Fog. Except, they ran out of Earl Grey tea, so it just has English Breakfast tea instead. Not exaaaactly the same . . . but it works.

It is 2 days until Christmas - and also Hanukkah this year, interestingly - and I don't have all my Christmas shopping done. At least you can call me consistent.

It is also the last day this break that I will  be giving tours - don't worry, though, I'll catch ya on the flipside for more campus tours.

Anyway, in this post, I really just wanted to boast about one of Colorado's best features: the sunsets. (When you live in a state as great as Colorado, choosing the best features really becomes a toss-up. But I digress.) We also have stellar sunrises, but I'm not generally awake at that time, so I can't speak to those as much...

But as far as sunsets go, we are GOLDEN. - And rose, and orange, and blue, and purple. Seriously: you can catch some unbelievable sunsets on camera on the reg. Of course, even those insta pics - that don't need any filters - don't do them justice. In any case, for you out-of-state-ers who have yet to experience a Colorado sunset in person, hopefully these pictures can hold you over until you have such an opportunity. 

These were taken on DU's campus just on Monday afternoon!

My last one, here, was even featured on DU's Instagram page. (That's actually been one of my personal DU bucket-list items. I'd like to thank the Colorado skies for this honor.)

I'm sure I looked like a total tourist - stopping in the middle of the walkway to look around in awe and try to capture this beauty. But can you really blame me?

White-Out

It's that most wonderful time of the year when snow falls and transforms DU's campus into a winter wonderland! This is just one of the beautiful snowy pictures I took of campus this morning after the AM tour. (Yes, tours are going even over break - come give campus a visit!)

I'm partially biased, but I think DU's campus is gorgeous - and that's all the time. I think it's especially attractive when it's all snow-capped. 

However, getting to this nice dusting of snow is a story that I experienced firsthand. I call it "Snow-pocalypse," other native Coloradoans call it "winter." Let me walk you back a few days ago - to Thursday - when I was on campus giving tours. 

It was mostly a nice day. There was a slightly biting wind, but it wasn't unbearably cold. There was also no snow in sight yet - not even a twinkle on the horizon. Here's a picture I took on that day:

Pretty nice, right? That was about an hour before one of our famous Colorado sunsets. Life's good.

Then, I come back down to DU on Friday. I'm with my best friend Skyler because we have a meeting later in the day for this leadership project we're working on. We also have plans to pick up one of our best friends, Reid, from the airport that evening. I give the morning tour as per usual and everything goes well. (My jokes actually receive a lukewarm reception, so I'm feeling GREAT.)

After the tour and our v-important meeting, Skyler and I discover that another one of our best friends, Bryce, is at DU. We immediately rush over to pick him up and make a day of it while we wait for Reid to arrive at the airport. 

"Making a day of it" turns into eating brunch at this nice little place called Tom's Diner in downtown Denver, perusing the Pavilion shops on 16th Street, stopping in for some delicious (!) coffee at Leela's Cafe, and then sitting through DU's women's basketball team warm-ups before their game. We're finally headed out to Denver International Airport - me driving - when I'm like, "Hey, it's getting kind of cloudy." Mind you, there had been signs posted on Thursday when I was driving home from Denver that warned of an impending snow storm with icy roads and poor conditions for that Friday evening/Saturday morning. I knew snow was coming, but my dear, sweet friends did not.

So, we go inside the airport and have your stereotypical rom-com movie reunion between the four of us friends when Reid comes through the gate. No one else was as hyped as we were, which is weird because it's the holidays!!! But it's okay; we got Reid and were happy once more.

At this point, we're all starving and ready for dinner, right? So we let Reid pick, since he just got home (from Georgetown - he's a big deal). Of all places, he picks Texas Roadhouse. They have really good rolls, though, so I can't complain too much. We all kind of filled up too much on said rolls and didn't eat too much of our dinners, so those ended up to-go. But as I look out the window of the restaurant, I'm like, "Hey. . . it's really snowing now . . ." And we all think, "Well. . . oops."

We get out to my car, and it's REALLY SNOWING A LOT and I drive a nice little front-wheel-drive volvo which, though it comes from Sweden, is not always the best at handling snow, as it turns out. I try to drive us out of this little shopping complex area, but it's a WHITE-OUT and I can hardly see ten feet in front of me. My back window is covered with snow and the heater can't keep up, and my front windshield is struggling to stay clear. 

I'm not actually very used to driving in snow, let alone snow on the interstate, so I am very anxious and also v tired. Honestly, I'm convinced that I'm going to slide right off the road, if not into another car. Then, Reid is all, "K-Pratt, I'm going to drive." And I get all defensive because I'm a Colorado native and I can handle it. But I turn it over to him, anyway, because he's so confident, and I'm really so tired. 

Reid (my hero) takes over and delivers us safely back to DU to drop off Bryce as well as all the way to his home in Loveland via I-25. Thank goodness for Reid, am I right??

Once we get to Loveland, I enter back into the story. After dozing off during Reid's stint, I am back and ready to drive Sky and I home to Fort Collins. Unfortunately, we get off to a rough start, stuck deep in the trenches that are Reid's un-plowed street. However, with our combined determination and stubbornness, we make it out after about 15 minutes. By now, it's past 1 am, and it's more or less a breeze getting to Fort Collins (where it is no longer snowing).

And that, ladies and gents, is my story of the snowstorm that gave DU it's current frosty glory. Take time to enjoy it because, despite my feelings about the snow on Friday night, it really is quite nice.

Let's Talk 'za

The second most important kind of "pie-oh"/(pio). - I recognize that wasn't my best.

Yes, friends, I'm talking about pizza and my inspiration may or may not be my current pressing desire to order pizza. 

Crucial to the college student's diet is pizza. Let's be real: you can get it relatively cheap, it can help you make friends when you walk in the residence hall with a steaming hot pie, and it's pret-ty delicious. By all measures, it's a staple. But you have to know the options! There are several prime pizza places in the DU area - each with a distinct character and flavor. Stay tuned and I'll give you my definitive, if controversial, rating so your next venture for pizza at DU ends in success.

 

Alright, first we have Domino's Pizza on the corner of Downing and Evans. 

If we're being real, Domino's is fairly basic when it comes to pizza. I mean, you can get it anywhere - unless you live out in middle-of-nowhere Iowa (i.e., my suitemate), you can probably call up a nearby Domino's and get your pizza fix. Is it the best you've ever had? probably not. Is it good? Sure. The main benefit to choosing Domino's is the ability to order. Well, and it's proximity to campus.

 

Next up, we have Anthony's Pizza & Pasta located on Evans (to the west of DU).

When you're just walking down the street, it can be easy to pass over Anthony's. It seems kind of tucked away and not everyone has heard of it. In reality? Anthony's is lit! Anthony's serves up New York style pizza for take-out and delivery. Besides being close to campus AND coming to you, Anthony's also has a $1 slice night!! Guys, that's huge!!! If you're a broke college student looking to sustain your pizza diet, definitely consider Anthony's.

 

Now we move to Pearl Street, where some of your best options for mouthwatering pizza reside.

We start with Kaos Pizzeria, a tiny pizza parlor with a with a hipster-cool atmosphere. I personally recommend going to eat there at night when the patio lights are on. However, if you don't have time to eat-in, you can also opt for take out or delivery. So, what's so great about Kaos besides the setting? The pizza, friend. It's all in the flavors. Feeling something edgy? Go for the "jalepeno business" pizza with pesto, jalepeno, and cream cheese. (I've tried it and absolutely suggest it). Wishing that your group had chosen a breakfast joint instead? Try the "garden fresh" pizza that has evoo and garlic along with tomatoes, arugula, and a farm fresh egg. And if you're feeling less adventurous, any one of the classic flavors will go over just as well. If you decide to go for dessert, I entreat you all to try one of their whoopie pies. I don't even like whoopie pies and I almost cried of delight when I ate one of theirs.

Bonus: Kaos has gluten free options as well.

 

Finally, we come to Sexy Pizza.

What I would describe as the apex of pizza I have experienced in my life - and, honestly, what I'm missing most here in Fort Collins as I long for pizza.  Sexy Pizza, is sooooooooo delicious. And the slices are massive!! Sexy Pizza's location also has a pretty cool vibe to it. Similarly to Kaos, Sexy also dabbles in some fun flavor combinations, although I've only ever tried the cheese. But I'm head-over-heels for a plain cheese pizza! Like, isn't that indicative of how good Sexy Pizza is?? You can eat-in, take out, or deliver, and in any case, you won't go wrong. The only thing is that Sexy Pizza can be on the higher end of the college student's budget for pizza. Maybe it's a once-in-a-while-only pizza. But that's all the more reason to savor it.

 

Undoubtedly, there are other good pizza places to explore in Denver. (I've also been to The Mellow Mushroom downtown, if you want to know). However, I think it's safe to say that these are some of the best options you have in close proximity to DU. 

If you have any qualms or objections, then I invite you to give me a pizza your mind in the comments below (<- haha yikes).

 

December 01

Hello and happy December!!

That's right! We are officially in December, which is, arguably, the happiest time of year. And lounging around at home, getting all of the sleep that I want and perfecting my hot cocoa combination, I can't say that I would disagree.

I'm now on winter break from DU--or, I guess I was starting last Wednesday--so I will be reporting to you mostly from my home-sweet-home of Fort Collins, Colorado for the next few weeks. However, since I will still be giving a few tours down at DU this month, I might find some inspiration in my home-away-from-home, Denver.

Of course, the big question is: how will I be spending my - now - 5 week break from school?? While I would like to say that I've already gotten a solid start on my study abroad applications and brainstorming for potential upcoming research projects, that would just be highly inaccurate. I only just managed to apply for a seasonal job two days ago.

To say that I've been doing nothing would be pretty incorrect, too, though. I'm excited because I've finally had the time - and the motivation - to finish up an art project that I've been working on for about 2 years now! I wouldn't call myself an artiste, necessarily, because I really lack consistency in my artwork, but I definitely like to dabble. And having time to finally do something fun just for me has been sooo nice.

Even so, after that artistic endeavor is completed, I will have to put a lot of concentrated energy into thinking about study abroad and less into catching up on Dance Moms.

So get ready to join me on some winter break adventures where the work really never stops !

 

(But don't forget: it's December. So go out and share some holiday cheer, love, and hot chocolate for me.)

Carry On / Carillon

Happy Sunday afternoon, friends!

I hope you've all had a stellar Halloweekend and that you heard "The Monster Mash" play at least once in the past couple of days. Bonus points if you've eaten one of those caramel-apple lollipops. Those are my personal fave, and I would be lying if I said that I didn't eat several back-to-back last night alone.

Anyway, in terms of an update: I'm currently reporting from the beginning of week 8 at DU. Projects are rolling in, readings are multiplying, and fall is FINALLY setting in. It's getting chillier, so it's time to start digging up those chunky scarves.

But in other news, I had a very fun adventure earlier this week when I went to the Williams Carillon Tower for the weekly Team 1864 Tour Guide meeting. And if you've seen pictures of DU before, you've definitely seen the Williams Carillon Tower.
It's the gold-topped tower that frequents DU pictures. Fun fact: it is one of three gold-topped buildings in all of Colorado. The other two are the capitol building and Casa Bonita - a Mexican-restaurant-marked-historic-landmark that is known more-so for the experience it offers its visitors than the quality of its food. 

The tower is special because it houses DU's Carillon bells - one set of approximately 180+ in North America, and the second set in Colorado!

To get up to the bells in the tower, you have to climb a narrow and winding staircase which seems a little precarious if you look down or are faint of heart. Worth it? For sure. You get beautiful views of artwork in every direction you turn. The most surprising part for me? The wall artwork that appears to be a tile mosaic is actually made using a specific painting technique. Can you imagine how much time and effort went into that??

Once you have scaled the ever-winding staircase to the top of the tower, you are rewarded with one of the best views on campus along with the enchanting music of Carol - one of the carillonneurs who plays daily. The bells that chime every 15 minutes (yes, 15 - don't get thrown off by that like first-year Kira did) are not actually operated by a person, but a computer. However, any songs that you hear during the day come from Carol or one of her students.

Interested in learning more about carillon bells? You can take a class on them at DU! Even if you are not a music major, as long as you have some musical background, you can pick up lessons in the carillon bells and learn how to play your own special song for the DU community.

Check out more pictures from my trip to the top!

 

Bring Home the Pie-O

^ Actual sign I created for a hockey game last year. It hasn't quite caught on yet among the student body, but I think it will soon. I'm still actively working on it.

Anyway, happy hockey season Pios!! It's that glorious time of year when all of the stress of school can be redirected into intense school spirit and rivalry against a competing team. There's something oddly invigorating when some die-hard fan next to you yells at his favorite player to "deck" the competitor. Maybe it's group-think. Maybe it's Maybelline? 

I must admit that coming from a high school that had a stellar football team the year that I graduated to a college that doesn't even have a football field was a little disorienting for me. I mean, Where are the Friday night lights??

But I'd like to think that I have more than embraced hockey. It's nowhere near the same, but it's its own thing and I can totally vibe with it.

For one thing, Magness Arena is an absolutely gorgeous rink. Actually, I wouldn't know if it's truly superior to other rinks, but I do know that standing in there with the glowing ice and the perfectly chilled air gives. me. life !!

For another thing, in hockey, sticks get thrown, pucks are pitched into the audience, and players literally skate on blades - basically knives ! If that doesn't sound like an equally - or more - intense alternative, then I'm not sure what more you need.

Plus, the whole atmosphere of hockey games is SO much fun. Granted, some of our cheers are a little edgy... but they are a true marker of school spirit! The student section is pretty hype - especially the closer you get to the ice.

Personally, being this close to the action scared the bejeezus out of me. There may be glass protecting me, but the illusion is that a hockey puck is flying straight for my face to break my front teeth. I prefer to sit a couple of rows back. It's a little more my speed, but I can still get amped.

Our hockey team has really solid athletes on it, too. So it's definitely worth the $5-or-so-admittance fee to at least check out what DU's men's hockey team is all about.

Maybe you'll even be so lucky to end up on the jumbo-tron (is that what it's called here?) three times in one game like I did. Not to brag or anything. I think I just had a very photogenic day.

 

Please enjoy this v cute picture of some of my favorite people in the world taken at the first game where DU played Mount Royal (and won).