Time Keeps on Slipping...Into the Future

It seems like time is just slipping through my fingers these days, which reminds me of the Steve Miller Band song in the movie Space Jam. Lately I've been flying like an eagle while "time keeps on slipping into the future". That song is the story of my life these days and if you haven't listened to the song recently...you should. PRONTO!

If my last post kept you hanging, relax! I'm now a member of Women in Business and I love the group! There is still such a disparity between the amount of women and men in the business school and it is comforting to be surrounded by other motivated women going through the same thing. We've had retreats, social events, round table discussions with women in the consulting field, carved pumpkins with the recruiters from Dick's Sporting Goods, and had a Thanksgiving feast. Women in Business has been a blast.

[My fellow committee members and I posing at the New Member Retreat]

Another exciting event I got to participate in was a Habitat for Humanity Build sponsored by Whirpool. I volunteered with some of my neighbors on my floor in the Kelley Living Learning Center and we had a very rewarding experience. We were building alongside many high ranking Whirlpool officers and their families, which was reassuring to me because I often fear that corporate America is cold and heartless (NOT TRUE OF WHIRLPOOL!).

My roommate and I began the year taking one picture every day. I am sorry to report that life got crazy and it became a hassle. I am proud to report that we lasted a month with our endeavor. Below is one of the last pictures we took which was before we went to a pre-recruitment event. Formal recruitment begins the Saturday after we come back from break. I cannot wait to see how everything unfolds for me.

A BUSY WEEKEND...

Let me tell you, with 15 credit hours and tons of activities you would be surprised by how fast time goes in college. One of these days I am going to blink and suddenly be graduating from IU. Honestly, during the weekdays I am too busy to remember to miss my family. However, when the weekend comes, and I have no classes, I do miss them.

Last Friday was the Kelley School of Business Freshman Induction Ceremony. My dad and grandma attended the event with me. It was a fairly motivational event. We all received Kelley School of Business pens and were encouraged to use them to write down our goals. (Little did they know I already have all my goals written down...hehe)

Another highlight of my weekend was attending the IU football game with a bunch of people from my floor. IU actually clinched a win against South Carolina State! Not that I don't have faith in my Hoosiers...it's just that we're known as a "drinking school with a football problem". However, I do have high hopes for the upcoming basketball season!

My weekend got even better on Sunday when I attended the pre-event for Women in Business. It was great to meet other girls with similar interests and the drive to succeed. I had my second round interview on Wednesday and I will know of my rejection or acceptance by Friday afternoon. If I don't get a spot, it's ok. I understand that everything happens for a reason. But still...send good vibes for me! Everything counts.

[Here I am with Nisha ready for my interview!]

Friday holds more than my fate in Women in Business. I have a lovely Calculus exam tomorrow morning which I am dreading with everything I have. The concepts don't scare me, it's the idea that this is my first college exam and I have NO IDEA what to expect. argh.

Time Flies When You're...

BUSY!

I've been meaning to post since class started but I just haven't had the time.

[FYI: Nisha and I are taking a photo everyday we have class this year...we've been successful so far! This photo was taken last Thursday after I had attended my first career fair (more about that later).]

Current Stats

Location: McNutt Quad in the Kelley Living Learning Center

Callout Meetings Attended: 9 (I think)

Classes: 5 + 1 internship with IUSA (so, 15 credit hours)

Interviews: 4 (I've gotten lots of practice)

Weeks in School: 3 (and boy have they flown by fast)
Speeches Given: 2

Roommates: 1.5 (if you factor in the amount of time Matthew is hanging out with Nisha and me)

Career Fairs Attended: 1

I've had a great time on campus so far. There is so much to do and there are so many clubs to join. I've been really busy attending call-out meetings and attending activity fairs. Believe it or not, I haven't joined every organization, although it is tempting.

However, I did the Honors Student Organization, which has fun activities available for Honors students as well as service projects. For the holidays they have a cookie decorating party! How awesome is that? I'm also the Co-Service Chair for the McNutt Hutton Honors Council Association. I had to submit an application and go through an interview process to get this position. I'm really excited to plan service events for Honors students in McNutt.

I also interviewed for, and was offered, the position of Director of Philanthropy for McNutt's Student Government. If you weren't aware, McNutt is the biggest dorm at IU and the third largest in the nation. There are 1,300 students in McNutt and I will be responsible for planning philanthropy events for them. McNutt works with Stepping Stones, which is a house for kids in need of a place to stay.

Going with the same service theme, I have also gotten involved in Indiana University Dance Marathon. Matthew and I are both on the Residence Hall Recruitment Council for IUDM and will be responsible for getting dancers to come to the marathon, in addition to raising $500. I'll post more about IUDM later because I have lots of new information to share!

An activity I am really excited about is my internship with IUSA (Indiana University Student Association). I will be working on the committee for tax free textbooks. IUSA hopes to convince the Indiana State Legislature to pass a bill to create two days a year for students to buy textbooks tax-free. We will be lobbying and doing who else knows what, all I know is I am really interested in getting involved.

One of the most eye opening things I have done so far at IU was attending the Finance Career Fair. Most Freshmen do not attend career fairs (no company is looking to hire a Freshman for an internship or a full-time job). Consequently, I was surrounded my older students, predominantly males, in black suits. I felt tiny and young. However, I met up with Aunt Beth and she introduced me to a few nice recruiters who gave me some tips about career fairs. Armed with their advice, I talked to some companies and made some connections. After all, business is all about networking.

I'm kind of proud of all that I've accomplished in these three weeks :)

IU Welcome Week

I moved into IU this week. I'm living in the Kelley Living Learning Center and so far my experience has been fantastic. I've met tons of amazing peers and faculty. I went to Culture Fest and heard Preacher Moss speak (he is a comedian but he ties racism into his act and it was a great way to start welcome week). We had so much free food at Culture Fest and then the next day we got even more at the Taste of the Union.

Although I am having a blast, I actually can't wait for classes to start on Monday! I got my new MacBook Pro on Wednesday at the Herbert Presidential Scholar Reception and I am so thrilled. The reception was awesome. I ran into a girl from the Young Women's Institute and another girl who I met when I was interviewed for Girls' Nation. These coincidences affirmed my belief that I have chosen the right school to attend.

Shout-Out to my mom, Hope (who is the only person who reads my blog), for making me two batches of amazing muffins since I have been at IU. You've taught me so much.

I Always Forget About My Blog

Honestly, I find blogging interesting. It's just that I never think I have anything interesting to say. So far I have made a sad attempt at blogging but today I have motivation. I start college at the end of this month and I move into my dorm in ohhh 17 days? My aunt gave me the idea to blog about my ENTIRE college experience. I've accepted her challenge on one condition: she has to follow my blog. So here I go... I, Lindsey Ellington, promise to blog once a week throughout my years at Indiana University.

{Here I am with my Aunt Beth}

It's Good to be Home

Over the last two weeks I have been touring "Down Under" in the South Pacific with my family. We were part of a tour group and got the chance to visit Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii. The trip was absolutely incredible! I thought this would be a good excuse to actually become dedicated to blogging (since I haven't blogged since last year...whoops) I can't wait to share all my experiences on my blog.

The first place we visited were the Islands of Fiji. There are more than 300 islands, yet only 100 are inhabited. When we got to Fiji we landed on the main island and had to take a small boat to reach the island our resort was on. Everywhere we went we were greeted with "Bulla" which is Fijian for "hello". The people in Fiji are all so happy and friendly, despite being ruled by a dictator. Below is a picture of my family and me ready to cross the ocean to our island (At this point we had been traveling for an entire day!)

We stayed in the Sonasali resort. We had the island to ourselves, no cars just peace and quiet. I spent a lot of time reading the book Superfreakonomics on the beach. However, the beautiful view surrounding me was quite distracting.

Below is a photo of me with our Australian tour guide Lisa!

We also took Captain Cook Cruise Ship to an even smaller island to go snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. The cruise ship reminded me of something from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. Scuba diving with my dad and Lincoln was unbelievable. I felt as if we were in a different world.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get it together to write about our experiences in New Zealand.