September 2007
Back to School

The transition from summer into “school mode” is always hectic.  No need to worry though because following the frenzy that is Welcome Weekend and the first week of classes is the Labor Day weekend, hence a three day weekend for our first weekend back on campus.  During the summer there is a special quaintness to the Canisius campus, one which only a city campus could encompass.  But as the academic year approaches, the activity level on campus begins to skyrocket.  Everyone is busy as bees getting everything in place for the new and returning students.  Dorm furniture is shifted, classroom assignments are finalized, Welcome Weekend activities are being prepared, and most importantly, the students begin moving into their dorm rooms. 

Being a resident assistant (RA), I have the opportunity to move into my dorm room about two weeks prior to the beginning of classes in order to attend RA training.  These two weeks are always a blast as old faces become fresh again, new policies are learned, and the excitement of meeting your new residents is almost overwhelming.  Saturday, August 25th, the day after freshman move-in day, was upperclassmen move-in day.  This day was much more exciting for me as I finally had the chance to meet all my new residents.

It’s always exciting going to one’s classes for the first time each semester.  My classes this semester seem as if they are going to be incredibly exciting, stimulating, and fun.  My American Catholics in the Public Square class, taught by local political celebrity Dr. Kevin Hardwick, will inevitably be a rousing start to my day twice a week.  Additionally, I finally have the chance to take Endocrinology, the study of hormones, which I have been waiting to take ever since I was a freshman. 

Sunday breakfast trackside at Saratoga Race Course.

Labor Day weekend is always a nice respite from the first day of classes.  Usually I just head into the suburbs to visit my family, but this year I went to the Capital District with a few of my friends.  I have always loved the thrill of thoroughbred racing on TV, but never had the chance to actually attend a meet in real life, so my friend Jon thought it would be a good idea to take me, along with his girlfriend Brittany, to the oldest horse track in America, Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY. 

Thoroughbreds coming around the top of the stretch.

What an experience! Saratoga was such a beautiful place, both the race course and the town.  We went to the track on both Saturday and Sunday.  The meet’s giveaway days always draw a crowd and cooler giveaway day was on Sunday.  One of the highlights of our trip was eating breakfast trackside.  We arrived at the track around 8:00am to enjoy a breakfast buffet in the clubhouse.  Eating breakfast while watching the thoroughbreds go through their morning workouts was quite the experience, one I’ll never forget.  We were hit with a nice surprise when Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby winner, now a stable horse, came out for a morning saunter.  Even more exciting was seeing Rags to Riches, this year’s Belmont Stakes winner, prance around the track!        

At the main entrance to Saraotga Race Course.