"Scheme Eugene" by Red Light Company

The town of Slippery Rock is a very small town, at least for those that have come from anywhere near Pittsburgh. Me, I came from an even smaller town, California. I'm used to this kind of distance from anything. I hear, though, from many people how little there is to do here at Slippery Rock. In my opinion those people are either blind or stubborn.

There are so many things going on all the time, if you just look around. Several weeks ago was Homecoming week and with Homecoming week comes our Homecoming Gala. For those of you who are not familiar with it, picture prom yet less formal and likely more fun.Tickets were only $10 which included a great dinner; better than anything you'd find at the FLU. This was my first time going but I had a really good time; mainly because I had decided I was going to have a good time no matter what. You make what you want out of it.

On a similar note, I have discovered something that every week I look forward to. Let me back up a bit. I spend a lot of my time at the ARC. If I had the time to, I'd be there every day running and lifting. However, those were the only thing I every used the ARC for until I noticed a class taught every Friday at 6:00. I was reluctant at first but it's something that could be a ton of fun. It is a Ballroom and Social dancing class and it is great. So far we've learned a little Salsa and West Coast Swing. It's definitely a great experience but really so much here is. You just have to make the best out of life.

"Bullets" by Tunng

Fall Break. It means midterms are here and Thanksgiving is still 7 weeks away. My opinion, 2 extra days is no where near enough time to recharge and prepare for the things to come. While I relish any time off, Fall break is really just a speed bump of life. Not the good kind that keep you from running over a kid, the random kind that throw you off track.

I have finally caught up with everything; 6 tests later. That, in part is the reason I have time to talk today. Midterms and Finals can be quite rough, but at least most aren't the cumulative monsters that I always thought college was about. There was only 2 test from one class that I could have considered cumulative, however they were also my greatest worry. Anatomy & Physiology 216 is by far my hardest class this semester. The teacher, Dr. Borsch is really nice but his lectures are like torrent of information. I feel as if he plans for us to create life by the end of the year but expects our first attempt should be Kate Beckinsale or Kathrine Heigl. Anyway studying for those two test was the only thing I did over Fall Break. Although doing anything productive at home is nearly impossible and while I did not get much studying done I did enjoy the time off, however short it might have seemed. Hopefully, luck pulled through for me and helped me pass the test because we get it back tomorrow.

These past couple weeks have been stressful but not all bad. This past weekend I went to Pittsburgh with a friend of mine to a concert at Club ZOO. I saw Relient K, Ludo, This Providence and House of Heroes. I spent the weekend at her house and had a really nice weekend. I didn't bother trying to do any homework and while it set me back, it was nice to get away from everything.

It's alright to slow down sometime; sometimes it's unavoidable and sometimes it's just necessary. The important thing is to remember when to get back up on your feet and continue the race towards the finish line.

"Never Miss A Beat" by Kaiser Chiefs

Graduation 07

Since this is the first post, to introduce myself would seem the most appropriate course of action.

My name is Travis. I am studying exercise science and am in the 3+3 program for physical therapy. This is my second year at Slippery Rock University. I am also in the Honors Program and a member of Exercise Science Society and a SRU Triathlon Club. I am trying to get more involved on campus this year especially with the Big Election coming up. However, classes are definitely rougher this year. The 3+3 program is no walk in the park; its a heavy load and on top of work I only have so much spare time. but Overall, life is good and life is moving, so I can assure there will be more to come.

So that is where I am today, but how I got there is another story and a good one too. During high school I never had imagined I would be here at Slippery Rock. In fact, I was not even considering exercise science as a major; I was no where close.

By my Senior year, I had everything set up. I was going to major in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and I had gotten into both Pitt and WVU. My only worry was what school did I want to go to and by the end of the year I set my mind on WVU.

However, everything changed at orientation and my world was turned upside down. Whether it was just anxiety or not I can not say but I was struck with panic. It was like I was seeing through the fog for the first time and I didn't like where I was heading. I wasn't for lack of trying, for I had spent months wrestling with what career was right for me. Regardless of what it was the reality of it had finally hit me. I told my parents at orientation that this was not the major for me. They took this pretty well, however several days later I told them I also didn't want to go to WVU. Keep in mind that this is mid-June, a time when most colleges have stopped receiving applications. My parents were hysterical. I don't blame them cause there was so much that had to be done; it was a lot to ask from them.

It took two weeks; two weeks to change my major, my school, my career, my life. It was a huge jump from where I was to where I am but I really feel like this is where I belong. I have made wonderful connections and great friends here. I have reached goals and achieved dreams and it is all thanks to my parents and a gut feeling that led me to the hills that I now call home.

London 2008

To take another look at this, it is said that about 80% change their major at least once. I just changed mine before I even started class.

~travis