Mary Kate O’Keefe ’11

Dear You,

Bonsoir…it’s my last night here in Malvern, PA before returning to the lovely HC for another few weeks of Spring Semester. Spring Break has been quality; I got some work done, caught up on my movie-watching for class, and baked…and baked and baked.

My listmaniac behaviour continues…here’s the BEST OF for Spring Break 2010:

Most Ridiculous Thing I Did: Played “butterflies” with a three year-old (which consists of running around aimlessly flapping our “wings.”)

I’m Proud Of: My attractive cupcakes I made today for the fam (and some for friends at school, too)

I Wish I Had Been Here: Either somewhere blisteringly hot where I could get a little color OR one of the Holy Cross service trips

Best News: I had my first doctor’s appointments since my ‘betes fiasco two months ago and apparently am doing super well taking care of myself; my blood sugar charts look like a “normal” person’s (without Diabetes) SWEEEEEEEEET!

Best Thing I Ate: Lemongrass Soup at Royal Thai Orchid (funny story: their takeout phone number is only one digit different than my home number, so we get TONS of hungry individuals calling in for Buddha Dumplings and Pad Thai every week by mistake!)

Resurrected: Salon Loyola! Just kidding…this time it was Salon de Mary Kate, and I cut two of my three sisters’ hair. Turned out much better than expected!

Thank You To: My Aunt Pat, who brought over a book for me to read about athletic competition with ‘betes

Funny Moment: Prank texting my sister Megan with my mother’s phone, making it look like Mum insulted Megan (which led to a 10 minute giggle session in the car with the Momster, stopping traffic in front of the craft store…oops)

New Fave Song: “Speechless” by Lady Gaga and currently exploring Citizen Cope

Best New Discovery: Dad showed my a radio show, The Many Moods of Ben Vaughan (j’adore.)

Looking Forward To: THE ACADEMY AWARDS! Ahhhhh! And seeing all of my friends. 

Tell me how delicious my cupcakes look.

SO delicious.

Salon de Mary Kate: "Hope you didn't want that hair..."

Bonjour tout le monde!

Next week is…drumroll…SPRING BREAK! (During which I will put up some quality posts with photos.) I am so excited to come home and spend time with my family. I have a lot of schoolwork and studying to do in order to keep myself in the game of HC academics, but working hard from the comfort of my cozy house in Malvern, PA will be no hard task! 

My Nana will be coming to dinner, I’ll be working on a triathlon training program with Dad, Mom and I will grab eggplant sandwiches from Gryphon Cafe, and I’m sure my sisters Megan, Colleen and I will watch some movies or play Blokus (current favorite game) when they’re not at school. Until then, I must put my nose to the grindstone in a very intense way until Friday rolls along and I can jump on that plane! So excited!

To my friends going on service trips to Appalachia and New Orleans, I commend your intentions and wish I could come with you! Enjoy yourselves and soak up every minute of the experience. I look forward to hopefully participating next year.

Ciao, MK

Recently I’ve been getting stressed about “the future” and whether I want to go to graduate school, follow an artsy path, work immediately after graduation, etc. I blame being surrounded by frantic seniors. Anyway, I discovered two photos in my email inbox this week from my lovely and encouraging mother entitled “a famous artist’s humble beginnings” that made me laugh, smile, and remember that my passions are enough and will take me into “the future” to find my niche. Check them out!

Baby MK (and Dad)

Artiste, age 9 (cool shorts, I'm aware)

Ciao Curious Blogoliscious People,

A few weeks into this new semester, the good times are beginning to roll. Classes are getting me inspired (creatively and otherwise) every day and I’m soaking up knowledge like a sponge…awesome. I spoke with the HC Dijon kids via Skype two days ago and they are all looking fabulous and stylish these days. I especially adore Colin’s new glasses. Tres chic, mon cheri!

Last night I went out to The Flying Rhino (only my second time there) and was pleasantly surprised by my pumpkin ravioli in rum sauce. I highly recommend it for any of you students looking to get off campus to eat, parents visiting, or prospectives making your way to Worcester to scope out the scene. I was tempted to get Felafel (I’m so obsessed…if you’re ever in NY or Philly, try Maoz vegetarian “fast food”…it’s to die for), but I went for the ravioli instead…asparagus, walnuts, cranberries- what’s not to love about that entire dish? My mouth is watering thinking about it again.

Another weekly round-up. Here are my of-the-moment loves and favorite moments of the past week:

Time I felt Supercool: when my first “Crusader” newspaper article came out on Friday (about award show fashion bashing.) I totally sent a copy to my Nana…

Song I’m Playing on ‘Repeat’: Alejandro by Lady Gaga

Fun Moment: SanGAGAria party (combining two loves: Sangria and the current pop queen.) An homage to the star as well as a casual, fun time with my friends.

Movie: Charade (Grant and Hepburn equal ON FIRE and so stylish)

TV Show: Discovered “Dawson’s Creek” (about two decades too late) this week…Capeside High, je t’aime. Also, I’m considering resurrecting some 90’s fashion concepts this season. Light wash oversized jeans, chunky sandals, and belly shirts anyone?

Artist Obsession: We talked about Egon Schiele in 20^th Century Art History and now I’m intrigued. The guy only lived to be 28 years old before dying during an epidemic in Europe, and yet his work is some of the most controversial and visually interesting in existence! I love young and crazy artists.

Drink du Jour: Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte from ‘Bucks

Best Time of the Week: 10:10 pm on Thursdays…Fools on the Hill (a capella group) mini performances at Cool Beans. I love the socialness of it.

Please NEVER go here: “Sweet” is a dessert bar on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. Their chocolate-enrobed cheesecake is very misleading. It’s flavored like lemon Crysal Light mix even though it’s not even labeled as lemon flavored. Also, their cupcakes are humungous and adorable but taste bad. Best go to Caffe Dolce.

Lusting after: one-piece retro swimsuits, Rodarte dress, more free time, a summer internship

Can’t wait for: Hot weather, Spring Weekend, visiting my BFF in Chicago

Fave thing a friend is up to: Jenna (RA in Hanselman) is making her February bulletin board about “How to Treat a Lady” just in time for Valentine’s Day. Take note, boys! It has advice from real girls on campus. Totally hysterical.

I miss: My three sisters…a lot.

On my Schedule Next Week: Seeing that new stacked-cast movie “Valentine’s Day” with a hoard of fellow singles at Blackstone. How on EARTH do you cram that many stars into one picture?

I wish I was in Paris right now too...with Cary Grant...

VINTAGE! Trip to Bruges.

VINTAGE! Taize trip with my Amis Franco-Americains. Bucolic.

(Me), Colleen, Megan, and Pattie. Can't wait to reunite with these cuties in a few weeks!

Ciao blog readers! It’s Saturday and I find myself very busy with assignments for my new courses, playing catch-up for the classes that I took in Dijon, artsy favors, and watching movies galore. I do, however, have a few minutes to give you the skinny on the first (complete) week of classes Holy Cross-style…

This week, my favorite:

Cause: Haiti Relief Effort (HC is having a Haiti Culture “Blue and Red” Day Feb. 2^nd!)

Spot on Campus: My Carlin common room sofa…cozy cozy cozy!

Song: “Let Me Go On” by Seabird

Food on Campus: Eggplant Pesto sandwich at the new Science Center Café (absurdly melty and delish…I’ve ordered it twice already)

Drink: Chocolate Soy Milk, sold at Cool Beans!

Website: MrNewton.net

Moment of the Week: Dyeing Brian’s beard blue (in “Salon Loyola” as we called it)…not a success story

Thing That Made Me Laugh: When friends Jenna and Michelle gave me a stuffed animal Lorax (Dr. Seuss character) named “Beetus” after my new medical condition

Bold Thing I Did: Chopped six inches off my hair (sorry Mom and Dad)

Movie: “Citizen Kane”

TV Show: “How I Met Your Mother”

Holiday: First Annual National Lady Gaga Day (yeah, it was this week)

Cookie: New Dolce de Leche teeny cookies I bought off some 12 and 13-year old Girl Scouts in Hogan last night

Quote: “Be open and be a sponge. I’ve always been a sponge. You’re around really cool, creative people, you see what they’re doing, how they’re dressing, what they’re reading, what their tastes are. I mean that’s what makes someone better at what they do — they’re just open to what’s going on.” Bobbi Brown

Thing That Made Me Smile: Matt making me an origami rose out of a Kimball napkin at dinner a few nights ago

This week, I did an Exquisite Corps collaborative art project in my Sourcing Inspiration Class, traded my Medieval France history course for 20^th Century Art History, learned about Orson Welles’ genius in American Film, and discussed Feminist Filmmaking in my Cinema Français class.

Although it’s almost painfully chilly up on this hill, the week went well and I’m already filing away happy memories of my return to campus.  My life is finally getting progressively more organized and I have meetings lined up with deans, professors, and my Study Abroad advisor for next week as the transition period continues.

I’ve found that I’m already meeting a lot of new people on campus and that the friends I left behind when I traveled to Dijon are still here and as lovely ever. I am so thrilled to be back at my home away from home and have absolutely zero complaints at the given moment. Tomorrow I am going to be painting the Hogan Campus Center windows again for the Haiti culture day and for Black History Month. I will post some photos of that endeavor later on!

Lauren, Michelle, Baby Beetus the Lorax, Me, Jenna

After a tumultuous several weeks and a substantial change in plans, I have unpacked my blank notebooks and few items of clothing which are not in Dijon into my new room on the Hill. I now live with three roommates- Alli, Steph, and Amy- who are utterly adorable and kind and I’ve felt right at home almost immediately (phew!)

Yesterday was the first day of classes and I found myself in a history course about “War and Chivalry in Medieval France,” which should be right up my alley considering that a piece of my heart belongs in France as well as my background in Medieval Art History. I also had my first hour of “Race, Gender and Sexuality in French Cinema,” again, PERFECT class for me and I can tell already that it’s going to hold my interest in a very big way.

Today was American Film. I didn’t necessarily agree with the professor’s view on the recent “Avatar,” (yeah, the plot was kinda cooky and a little too spelled-out, but HEY, have you SEEN THAT MOVIE?!! It’s gorgeous!) but nonetheless find that the path that lies ahead of me in that particular course seems exciting and I can’t wait to start delving into these movies, many of which I’m ashamed to have never seen. We’ll also be covering “Charade,” one of my absolute favorites!

“Sourcing the Imagination” began at 3 p.m. with a reading of the classic children’s book “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” which has a message in it for us all, whether we may be 3 or 300 years old! (With modern science, that could happen, right?) Anyway, what I’m essentially trying to convey in this piecey and brief entry is that I have made it back on campus, am settling in, relishing the reunions and hugs, as well as getting some first impressions about the coursework on the semester’s horizon. And I must say: it’s looking pretty good so far! More later.

Here is a list of my twenty favorite memories from my semester in Tours and Dijon, France.

20.) Sitting in mud during a spontaneous hike in Marsannay. Colin would not let me get away with this...

19.) "Les Cent Marches" (The Hundred Steps) in that random little town on the way to Villandry.

18.) "Sound of Music" moments of pure, unadulterated joy.

17.) Chocolate-covered pears and pineapple in a Marche de Noel with Brenna..one of the best things I ever ate.

16.) Sunset on top of the Phillip le Bon tower in Dijon. Simplement Magnifique!

15.) Eating the walnuts Nanou found on the ground when we were taking a walk in NATURE.

14.) Riding trains "Harry Potter style!"

13.) Failed "Alice in Wonderland" photoshoot. Woops.

12.) SHE'S REAL! (Becassine doll.)

11.) Visiting Chenonceau (chateau of the Loire Valley) with our fave guide, Olivier.

10.) The day we took a "family photo" at the Institut de Touraine.

9.) Knowing that at least one of the HC gang would be present at the Maison de l'Etudiant at lunchtime on a weekday...that was our SPOT!

8.) Being beach babes in La Rochelle.

7.) Doodling on the corner of my notebook with Colin in Mam’selle’s class at the Institut de Touraine.

7.) Meeting Ismael during our trip to Munich.

6.) Visiting Tom and Sean in Bamberg, Germany.

5.) Diabolo Menthes, Thes de Noel, and Chocolats a l'Anciennes at the best-ever cafe, Comptoir des Colonnies (Dijon.)

4.) Biking through the French countryside on our way to Villandry!

3.) Thanksgiving dinner with the Dijon Sept, Nanou, and Katie's host parents. Yummm.

2.) TUTTI GUSTI. Need I say more?!

1.) Arriving in France on Day One, scared out of my mind but SO excited to start the adventure!

Bonjour dear readers and Happy New Year!!!

While I expected to be writing this entry “from the other side” -all about the fun I had sipping champagne and gazing up at the midnight Eiffel Tower fireworks show on January 1^st, that’s not what I am going to do. Life has thrown me a little bit of an unexpected curveball and I rang in 2010 from a hospital bed…in the United States. Here’s the story:

After my holiday break among family and friends, my dad began driving me to the Philadelphia airport to begin my Year Abroad Round Two. Halfway there, we received a phone call saying to turn around and go to the Emergency Room because recent tests revealed that my blood sugar was dangerously high. Several hours passed and I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, formerly referred to as Juvenile Diabetes. Four days later, on the first day of the New Year, I was discharged and escorted to my car by a truly fantastic nurse, Kia. Those many hours sitting and absorbing the diagnosis and all of the information that goes along with lifetime management left me only slightly overwhelmed.

But enough with all the drama! Despite hearing the not-so-awesome news, “You have Diabetes,” I have quite a lot to be thankful for in this situation. I was able to discover the issue before something bad happened thousands of miles away from home. I have had the unconditional love and support of my family during the initial shock and now during the beginning of my treatment regimen. Not to mention I live approximately four minutes and thirty seconds from one of the best hospitals in the state. Not too shabby! (P.S. my room there was brightened by a surprise gift from Meredyth, Katie, and Brenna- a beautiful vase of springy flowers! My best friend Anna brought some more in person.) Another thing that has encouraged me is finding out that Halle Berry has Type 1 Diabetes (and looking pretty good, if I do say so.) It’s nice to have a successful and thriving role model or figure to look up to for inspiration. There are plenty of people who have Diabetes who live normal and fulfilled lives- including celebrities. Love ya, Halle!

Unfortunately I am not headed back to Europe any time soon (doctor’s orders), but that’s not going to stop me from continuing to have a fun, exciting year rich with diverse experiences. Instead the original plan, I’m headed back to Mount Saint James where I know that a host of professors, advisors, administrators, and fellow students are going to welcome me back with open arms. Don’t get me wrong, I’m disappointed that I’m missing out on another semester in Dijon, but in a way, this change in my plans is a blessing. I missed the Holy Cross campus, classes, and community so much while I was away and I couldn’t be more thrilled to “come home” to Holy Cross. I feel COZY there (if you’ve ever heard my Orientation Leader introduction speech, you’ll know what I’m talking about with the word cozy!)

If there’s a message in all of these shenanigans with the hospital visit, surprising diagnosis, and total readjustment of a year’s plans, it’s that choosing to have energy and a positive attitude will make any challenge easier to handle. Currently surrounded by a family that cares and in two weeks headed for a campus of supportive friends and an understanding administration, I know that I’m being watched over and that a lot of good will come of this.

Soon on MK’s Blog: top ten favorite memories from my semester abroad in Dijon, France!