Hello! My name is Marisela, or Mari, and I am a new student blogger here. I am a junior studying English/Creative Writing and French. I like reading fiction novels, baking cupcakes, making music playlists for my friends, and taking photos. I am living in Cook Hall this year because I will hopefully be studying abroad in the spring (more on that soon!) I am SO. EXCITED. to be able to share my Hope experiences with you all, introducing you to my favorite spots on campus/Holland, and giving you glimpses into my junior year and what activities I am involved in. So, here we go!
It feels good to be back on campus. I missed walking through the Pine Grove and bumping into friends and even the occasional frisbee (it has yet to happen since I’ve arrived, thankfully). I missed how beautiful campus really is in the early mornings when I would walk around a few minutes before class. If you are not a morning person like I am, trust me, Hope will make you change your mind. Professors are up early preparing for their classes, drinking their morning coffee from Lemonjello’s or JP’s while students head over to Phelps for a hearty breakfast. Workers in front of Phelps are putting in new grass and flowers. Construction workers are busy finishing up the new musical arts building too. So I don’t know about you, but all of this hustle and bustle that goes on each morning gets me going.
Not that Hope is only pretty in the mornings, though. I think it’s also best to come visit Hope right during midday, around noon. You will see the campus at it’s busiest, with students walking, jogging, (occasionally sprinting), and long boarding to class. But what I loved about Hope when I came to visit during high school is that the students here actually say Hi to one another! Look, I grew up in the city of Chicago and people there aren’t as friendly. I would never say hi to anyone walking down the street because they would truly think I was crazy ok? But here, it’s the opposite. A wave hello to a complete stranger is not weird, and I like that.
Now that classes have started and my schedule is starting to get busier, I try not to forget to step back and appreciate this beautiful campus I get to live on everyday. Take in those few minutes of alone time in the morning and appreciate where you are, where you come from. Maybe even be brave enough to say hello to a stranger on your way:)
Tweet me @HopeMarisela16 or shoot me an email at marisela.meraz@hope.edu. Have a great day and thanks for reading!