Stop! It's Stonehill Time!

Stonehill Eight, Stonehill Nine...

The second day began with a whimper...

I was tired and getting sick, but still had one more day left. We woke up early once again to a breakfast of french toast and scrambled eggs. Soon after breakfast was done, we made sure the incoming students got right off to their advising meetings without delay as the PM's enjoyed the sun and caught up on the first day of Orientation. With the echo on "Piano Man" on our minds, we simply laid in the grass and waited for the half-hour to be over.

Once the meetings ended, the shuttling began. With rotation sessions once again filling the morning, we did little more than make sure everyone in our group got out. Once Dunkin Donuts opened, we had our fill of watermelon coolattas and iced coffees to get us through the day.

With lunch came burgers and salad, but also a surreal feeling that the end was sadly, close at hand. We went back into our groups for a final group time to reflect on the day and a half that was, play some final games, and say our goodbyes for the summer.

I took my mark on the steps of Donahue Hall and stood among the Peer Mentors welcoming the incoming class up the steps and to college life. A member of our group read in front of all a statement that encompassed the characteristics of our group and where we stand in the greater Stonehill community. I blew my vuvuzela, which by now had become a trademark in our group, and just like that, the students went home and our job was done.

We stood on the steps, took pictures, and hitched rides on golf carts back to the Commons for our wrap-up meeting. After the meeting, we all received our paper plates to make our "Paper Plate Awards" for our partner. Each year, we design and decorate paper plates to give our partner that highlight an certain aspect of their personality.

This year, I gave Nicole the "Ribbon 'round my Finger Award." For some reason that week, I simply lost everything that I had. From binders to books, bags to cowbells, she was the one who reminded me where everything was and made sure I didn't worry.

We presented our awards later that night at a banquet held in Alumni Hall. We are given a nice dinner and an ever nicer slideshow remembering the week that just passed. The night is filled with laughter and tears.

Around 7pm or so, every member of the Orientation team gets up and presents the paper plate award to their partner and says a little about what the experience has meant to them. These can go on for a loooonnnnngg while and this year was no exception. At around 12am and a venue change, we finally had all the team members say their peace. The hugs and goodbyes continued well into the night. Jeff and I were hungry so we decided to take a ride over to the Brockton Burger King for a little Whopper action. Though the sustenance couldn't mask my tiredness, I finally called it a night around 3am. I had to drive to Seaside Heights, NJ in the morning for a Bachelor Party and needed at least try and rest.

As I look back on Orientation, I realize it was the "First of My Lasts". The beginning of my closing chapter here at Stonehill. Never again will I experience the excitement of a Day One Breakfast in Cleary Dining Room, or the thrill of running into the Sports Complex yelling and screaming, or the pride at the end of the second day as the group ascends the Donahue Stairs. But I can say this: if this week and a half was any indication of my remaining time here, it is going to be one helluva year...

Stonehill Six, Stonehill Seven...

Hey there folks!

We are back to orientation after a short break in posting. I'll promise I'll wrap this up soon and there'll be plenty more to tell about my vacation and a wedding in the family.

But let's get back to Orientation Session 2.

I awoke early yet again on Thursday morning. I finally began to feel the effects of orientation. My voice was hoarse and my throat was throbbing. But this was a special opening: I was assigned to an entrance!

The entrance, in my opinion, is the best assignment for PM's on the first day. You are the first person to see them as they drive into campus. We try to be as energetic and ridiculous as possible while, inevitably, the incoming freshman cower in the back as their mom or dad honks the horn at our signs.

I was posted at the Route 123 entrance. So I grabbed a vuvuzela (those annoying horns from the World Cup) and a sign ("Honk if you're awkward!") and made my way to the entrance with the rest of the crew.

We got some great reactions from both incoming students and Stonehill staff alike. But soon the time came to head back to the Sports Complex and do our famous run-in and cheer! It was weird to know it would be the last time I'd ever do it, but armed with my whistle and cowbell I knew at least it wouldn't be half-hearted.

We met our group soon after and began, once again, all that is orientation. It was another beautiful-yet slightly hotter-day so we moved some games inside and made sure to take a few more water breaks. We found that our group loved a game we had recently learned called Ninja. It's a pretty fun game and involves so bobbing and weaving. It was a perfect antidote for the usual early awkwardness.

At night, it was once again time for PlayFair. Nicole was lucky enough this time to be able to head to W.B. Mason Field early, while I made head-counts and made sure everyone got there on time. It turned into another beautiful night for my last PlayFair. It was our turn also to leave early, so just before the famed "Rock, Paper, Scissor Showdown" half the team had to leave their posts and help set up the Commons Activities. This included filling up cups of water for the thirty post-PlayFair students and getting the makeshift bingo hall ready for use.
The dance took on a special meaning for all the seniors. We made sure to dance throughout the night as much as we possibly could and enjoy being on the that stage one last time. Once "Piano Man" came on, there were very few dry eyes in the place. The seniors formed a smaller circle surrounded by a larger contingent of PM's and we swayed to the melody before eventually breaking up to find a partner to finish the song with.
It was at this time that the end of Orientation felt all too real. Only one more day was left...

Stonehill Four, Stonehill Five...

Session One was done. Wednesday was a day for some rest and relaxation.

Despite it being my one day off that week, Wyatt and I awoke early (9am) to make our way to Back Bay Bagel. We each had a gift certificate there, so we sat in peace devouring our bagels and juice.

Back on campus, we retreated to my room for the USA World Cup game on my big screen. We sat in dread until the first minute of extra time when the USA team scored a goal that sent them to the next round and saved them from elimination! We went nuts!

Wyatt left soon after and I spent the afternoon left with nothing to do...

...so naturally I indulged my passions: clean clothing and Bruce Springsteen. As the purple knee-socks spun in the dryer cycle, I laid on my bed watching the new Bruce concert DVD that had come in the mail for me. Eventually, my rest turned into a full-on nap. I really needed it.

I woke up around 3:30pm and showered and dressed for our 4pm "meeting". Every year on our day-off, the PM team organizes a trip to do something fun. Last year, we stayed on campus and did karaoke. This year, we met to find that we were going to Starland Recreation Center. It about 30 minutes away and has mini-golf, go-carts, laser tag, etc.

A few of us piled into my car as we hopped on Route 3 to find the place. Once there, we got right in line for the laser tag. I showed off my stealthy moved honed from years playing NERF around the house...by myself. What got me was they didn't keep score!!?? Are you kidding me?!

Go-carts and I normally don't mix very well; I almost seem to crash them or have some time of incident that almost gets me banned. However, I climbed into this one, looking around at the unsuspecting tween workers who have no idea of my history.

Thankfully, no incidents this time. Afterward, we hit up the batting cages and even some mini-golf.
We capped the evening off with a sno-cone and soon we were back on campus getting ready for Round 2. Nicole and I hung name-tags up, we went over the grid, and soon I retreated to my bed for an attempt at some sleep.

Here we go again...

Stonehill Two, Stonehill Three...

The night of tossing and turning had come to an end. It was Monday morning. Showtime.

I awoke from my room in the Sem early. Like 5:45am early. Showered, dressed in head-to-toe in purple, and drove to the Commons for breakfast with the other PMs. It always seems that it is at this point that it really hits me. Music is playing (cue the "Bulletproof"), everyone in the room is filled with nervous energy, and it all culminates when the Director of Student Activities, Jim Hermelbracht, greets us with a hearty "Good Morning!!"

After our breakfast of eggs and bacon, we are off to our assigned locations. I was stationed at Boland Hall. Along with a few other PM's, we helped check incoming students into where they'd be staying that night.

9:30am came very quickly as the masses assembled at the Sports Complex for the Opening Ceremony. It is at this time that the PM's run in and do the famed "Stonehill Cheer" that are the inspirations for the titles of the posts. Nicole and I donned tiaras and a hat shaped like a baseball respectively. For the record, the whistle was a total bust.

After we all ran out, we stood around the Sports Complex with our signs and it was showtime. We met our groups and proceeded to spend some time with them, bring them to various presentations, and eat a boxed lunch on the quad. The time eventually winds around to dinner and everyone begins to prepare for PlayFair that night.

Inevitably, this is the conversation between a PM and an accepted student:

Student: What's PlayFair?
PM: Hmm...I can't really explain it.
Student: Why can't you tell us?
PM: It's hard to explain. It's kinda like a giant icebreaker. But fun! And active!
Student: (skeptical look)

PlayFair is best described as a three-ring circus that acts as a giant, non-awkward icebreaker. It is very active and you meet almost all the students at that session in about 2 hours. PM's usually have just as much fun as the students do. We usually work up a heavy sweat by the time the students get to it.

We all line up on the football field in two lines clapping, chanting, and just all around being loud. The students then must run through us like the starting lineups for a basketball team.

After PlayFair, the skeptical looks turn to big smiles and exclaimations of "Wow, that actually was pretty cool."

When it is done, everyone goes to the Commons for some activities like Bingo and a dance. Yet again, the PM's seem to be the center of attention as each evening winds to a close with the playing of Don't Stop Believing and Piano Man. The seniors prepared ourselves for the sadness that would accompany these songs come Thursday night, during our last orientation. For now though, the mood was light and as we went to bed it became hard to believe it was only Monday still.

Tuesday came quite early. Though sad to say, it was almost like sleeping in. I awoke around 7am and met our group for breakfast. Tuesday is a lot less tiring of a day for the PM's as the incoming students are in meetings and presentations for much of the shortened day and we simply walk them from place to place for much of it.

After lunch, we have our last group time. This is always a fun one because after about 30 hours together, the students really open up and feel comfortable with each other. We usually play some games, reflect on orientation, and have some time to check out the bookstore!

At 3pm, the PM's line the steps to Donahue Hall as the students walk up the hill for the closing ceremony. Liz, our Orientation Coordinator, gives a little speech and each group presents a series of "We Are" statements that best sums up their group's characteristics. It was a pretty cool end.
And with that, session one was done! The team retreated to the Commons to sprawl across the floor and go over what went right/wrong with the session. We moved it along quite quickly however, because, per tradition, we are treated to dinner at TownSpa, a local pizza joint.

Coming back to campus, some of the team went to hang out in a common room while others went to the Quad for some Capture the Flag. I tried the latter and got bored, so I headed in fairly quickly to see the rest of the team. My plans to get to bed early were easily forgotten as the midnight hour passed. After almost dozing off on the O'Hara Common Room floor, I summoned my strength and retreated to my room. But not before grabbing my comfy mattress-topper from my room!

Session 1 down, 1 more to go. But not before our day off and a much needed surprise...

To Be Continued.