Let's be real now, Baylor.

"Good night"

 Truth be told...
+It’s not official unless Facebook says it is.
+Nike shorts and Uggs don’t make sense.
+If your class is full of football players, get excited for a future ‘A’ ("stereotypes.")
+ “It’s alright,” is not a sufficient response when someone says they’re not in a sorority. It’s a preference, not an oppression. Oh, and it’s Baylor, not UT.
+The fact that you’re gaining a Baylor degree is an advantage; the reputation is there for a reason. Not only that, but the teachers, and general class atmosphere is superior to most.

+If you’re at a party and a shoe gets thrown out of the window, it was probably a good night. However if you are at a party and a table and chairs set gets thrown off the balcony, it was probably a bad night.

Baylor Highlights:
+Seeing the live Baylor bears get walked on a leash around campus.
+DIA: A holiday as awesome as Christmas morning that starts just as early.
+Collins flying saucer=Taco Bell with grade-A meat.
+Professor Korpi’s “F” word lecture in mass communications. One poor gal even went to the dean about this… “It’s just a word.”
+Christmas on 5th. Tell me another university that has a live stable, a concert, a Cinderella carriage, cider, and Santa Clause all in one night.
+Studying abroad…read my other blog.
+Penland worker, Pearl. She’s a gem!


Baylor Lowlights:
+No Greek row. Rumor has it that a lady paid Baylor a large sum of money to ensure this will never be in existence.
+Spring Break. It is never the same as other schools, probably in an attempt to limit the damages a week of college without class can bring. (However, this may change next year?)
+Chegg.com>Baylor Bookstore.
+Baylor Police. They’ll pursue through barbwire, fences, a forest…
+Those automated messages when someone with a weapon is trailing around our campus. Or robbing someone.

 

What every Baylor student should know but doesn't...

Baylor memorial of the Immortal Ten

The Immortal Ten: On January 22, 1927, Baylor basketball athletes, coaches, and fans were on their way through heavy rain to a game in Austin. Seconds before impact, Jame Clyde "Abe" Kelly saw the train, and pushed his roommate, Weir Washman, out of the bus window at the expense of his own life. Ten died that day, including Kelly, and the 1927 basketball season was canceled. The Immortal Ten mark one of the first sports tragedies to shake America, and they are honored during Baylor’s homecoming week every year.

Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana: “For church, for Texas” is what Baylor’s motto, originated in 1851, forever will proclaim on the University seal.

Baylor Bears iPhone app: Yep, it exists. Here to show you live scores, stats, rosters, schedules, photos, play-by-plays…

Noze Brotherhood

NoZe Brothers: The NoZe brotherhood was founded in Brooks College in 1924 after a group of freshman Leonard Shoaf’s friends said that they could “form a club” surrounding his nose which was of "such great length and breadth of nostril.” (What a great way for Leonard to be remembered on Wikipedia.) The identities of the members in this collegiate society are kept secret, however former members with notoriety include Bill Cosby "Bro. J-E-L-L-NoZe,” George Bush (43^rd President), Billy Graham, and our current Baylor Pres. Ken Starr "Bro. Non Hostis HumaNoZe Generis." The society dresses up in costumes, plays pranks, and in 1954 started its satirical spoof of Baylor’s Lariat, called The Rope. Let me quote Wikipedia once more, “In NoZe lore, there are four types of people in the world. Members are NoZe Brothers; non-members are ‘Infidels’. ‘Fortunates’ are infidels who have had sex with a NoZe Brother. ‘Exiles’ are NoZe Brothers who have graduated or otherwise left the University.”

Green n’ Gold: Our University’s colors were selected in1897 after a student committee member gazed at wildflowers and noticed that the yellow and green flowers make “a lovely combination.” Aw…

Ken Starr is so legit.

Chapel: Has always been a part of Baylor since the university opened. Originally faculty went along with the students, and it was every day instead of twice a week for two semesters. Be thankful. Plus, I completed homework, caught up on sleep, AND listened to the dude who created Veggie Tales. My favorite quote from his talk? “Imagine trying to convince a board that talking vegetables teaching Biblical lessons is a good, money-making idea.”

Ken Starr: If you don’t know he’s our University President, get out from under your rock. What not as many know is Starr was on the Independent Counsel whose investigation led to Bill Clinton’s impeachment. Go Getta’…

The Power of the Acquaintance

“Hey girl (common term for all: works great when name is forgotten), how are you?!”

“I’m great, girl, it’s been so long!”

“I know, let’s catch up soon girl!”

“For sure, I’ll see you later girl!”

“Bye, girl!”

[Repeat when another run-in occurs]

And there it is. The acquaintance relationship. Good for feeling like you have more friends than you do. Also works in situations where you find yourself around no one you recognize. The acquaintance then can be bumped up to temporary friend status.

We all have acquaintances. These can also be called “hey friends.” Will we be catching up soon? Nope. In the situation of catching up, would there in reality be anything to be caught up on? Maybe not, but it would be nice to think so. I have 1567 Facebook friends. To say I know them personally (or even by name), would be ridiculous; however for the most part, we have been acquaintances  at one point or another.

So where is the power in the acquaintance? People only have the capacity to maintain so many personal relationships, so inherently, most relationships in the walk of life will inevitably be kept at the surface level. It would be impossible to be an actual friend to 1567 people.

“Connections are everything,” said Professor John Cunningham in one of my classes last spring. “It’s not what you know, but who you know. It’s not the grades you make, but the hands you shake.”

He is full of them, but the clichés offer a priceless lesson. In our world, education, excellence, and involvement are becoming the societal norm. I’ve been through so many “make your resume stand out!” lectures. And when it comes down to getting an interview, or really getting anything you may want, connections are oh so valuable. An acquaintance is a connection. It is an inlet to resources. It can be the start of a grand friendship or an important business tie. A way to score a meeting with a future employer. A way to gain knowledge and more networking opportunities.

Connections are everything. The power lies in all the acquaintances that you find yourself wanting to “catch up” with throughout your day.

DIA del WINNING.

It's my day!

    DIA. Baylor calls a holiday and cancels class. The university pays for tug-of-wars, dog shows, free food, and Jack Ingram (the concert pick for this year). Tenth street residents pay more for inflatable slip-n-slides, bounce houses, neon paraphernalia, and kegs. For one Thursday, Baylor students get a glimpse of what life would be like at any state school. Everyone is accepted, and everyone is looking to have a great holiday.

    Last Dia, I walked up to tenth around 11 a.m. to a bonfire in someone’s front yard. After a closer look, that bonfire was actually a person (who is in good health today), and that accidental engulfment ignited a series of Dia festivities that ended with a $40 medium pizza (*with tip), losing a car, and scars that have some great stories behind them.

    What was Dia like when it started in 1931? It was organized by Baylor as a way "bring smiles to the faces of students" (according to the Baylor website), and was reorganized by the Chamber of Commerce in 1935. Dia del Oso (Day of the Bear) was not named until 1966, and before then the holiday’s official name ranged from All University Day to Physical Fitness Day to May Day.

"Witty" tanks are a Dia trademark.

    Dia del Winning (thanks, Charlie Sheen.) was the consensual slogan for 2011 Dia. Mud slides and mud wrestling. Dance parties on the roofs of houses. Spray-painted tanks. More neon-clad bodies than a techno rave. Shameless fanny packs and men wearing short shorts.

    Dia is the one day that anything goes, just remember that Friday brings class, physical ailment, and stories that may be better left in yesterday.