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MEET POUND CAKE!
Nov. 16, 2009
Alright, here’s a little
introduction into how I got the pleasure of caring for a 5-lb bag of
flour, which I named ‘Pound Cake,’ for 48 hours. I’m taking Human
Sexuality (PSY-211) this semester and for it I was assigned a project,
most accurately entitled: “Human Sexuality: The Outcome.” Well, who knew
when I first took this class that I’d be assigned to do this? But, I
must say, it has been a very eye opening experiment in parenthood.
 First
off, I’d like to say that I give ENORMOUS credit to all those parents
out there that willingly take on a baby. Even a bag of flour was an
undertaking and my little Pound Cake didn’t even cry… or poop. (Thank
God!)
But, anyway, Pound Cake was my lovely 48-hour-baby, who slept, quite
soundly, for two nights in the cradle next to my own bed. Alright, bear
with me here, it was a shoe box but it really was the best cradle I
could come up with on such short notice.
I was awakened four times throughout the night to my alarm because I had
to feed my crying “baby” for twenty minutes. I really am sorry to say
that I slept through the first two alarms that I set. I really do sleep
like the dead though, and I don’t think that an alarm or a baby crying
would wake me up. Not a good thing, I know. When the third and fourth
went off, I tried so hard to stay awake and did, but really don’t know
how effective a mother I would be to a crying baby. I think I would
really have a problem if I actually had to take care of a real baby in
the middle of the night.
 I asked my mom if she would babysit Pound Cake for me while I was at
work/school but she told me “no” and that I’d have to figure out some
other arrangements. So, here were my options: let Pound Cake sit in the
car (ABUSE!), leave her at home alone (NEGLECT!), make a little bed for
her under my register (I’M SURE MY BOSSES WOULD LOVE THAT!), or drop her
off at great-grandma’s house (THAT’S IT!). Let’s just say that my
grandma was rather amused by the whole situation.
I had to keep Pound Cake with me at all times, or else account for her
whereabouts if I left her with someone. So, when I drove, I had to strap
her into my backseat, seatbelt and all. A little two-door Ford Focus is
really not the kind of car to have with a baby because it really gets
quite difficult to buckle a child in back there. I took her to dinner at
Baker’s Square and even got her a booster seat (I think my waitress had
fun with that one). I took her with me to Target, where I calculated the
cost of a year with a baby – I wouldn’t reach the budget needed.
At this point, I really was tired of lugging a five-pound “baby” around
with me everywhere I went. By the end of my 48-hour-period with Pound
Cake, I was really relieved to know that she was only a bag of flour.
But then I think: What if Pound Cake was a real, living, breathing
infant? I would have such little time to spend with her, and she’d
constantly be shuffled from baby-sitter to baby-sitter. To me, that is
the saddest part. My time would be spent elsewhere, trying to give my
“baby” the best life I could and still trying to make myself happy in
the process.
Although I am not ready to be a parent, I give such credit to those
parents out there that do have screaming infants. I roll my eyes
sometimes when I hear a crying baby out in public, thinking “Take that
child home, will ya?” But now that I think about it, maybe those parents
have no other option, like me. You can only depend so much on someone
else to watch your child, and those parents do as much as they can to
give their kids a wonderful life. All I can say is that this project was
quite eye opening, and I give all those mothers and fathers out there
that do this every day so much credit because I really don’t know if I’d
be able to handle it.
This whole assignment really showed me that by no means am I ready – or
willing – to have a baby right now. As lovely as it was to carry and
“feed” and bring a 5-lb. “baby” with me everywhere I went, it really was
wonderful to put her in my kitchen cabinet at the end of our 48 hours
together.
BOO!!
Oct. 16, 2009
'Tis now the very witching
time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world.
- William Shakespeare, from Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2
I don’t know about the rest of you out
there, but I cannot believe that we are flying so quickly through this
semester and year. At an altitude of 30,000 feet, I hope you’re all
buckled in because before we have a smooth landing we always experience
some turbulence. So, keep your tray tables in their upright and locked
positions because it’s a nose dive from here, through the holidays,
tests, and papers I know we’re all looking forward to writing.
But… speaking of holidays, Halloween is
coming right around the corner. So, without further ado, I’d like to
say… “BOO!!”
How exciting! Fall has come and I can
almost hear the werewolves howling in the night. I love the ghostly
sounds, incredible costumes, and eerie chill in the air. Even though I
rarely dress up anymore, I always look forward to this holiday and time
of year. There’s something spectacular about the ghost stories and
creepy crawlers in the night. The fall season, though turning colder,
always presents a feeling of bountiful warmth. Scary jack-o-lanterns
light up front stoops, spiders weave their white, cottony web across
bushes, and scarecrows greet the passers-by. As the summer slowly dies
into winter, something about autumn’s comforting embrace always makes
this season the warmest and most welcoming of all; and, of course, the
most chilling.
 This Halloween, I
am going to dress up. When I was in Germany last summer, I bought myself
a traditional German dress known as a Dirndlkleid. I’m sure you’ve seen
these dresses on St. Pauli Girl beer boxes. But, I have a real one from
Germany, and this year it’s going to be my costume for Halloween. My
bosses at work are having a little contest for best costume, and I’ll be
participating as a German “mädchen aus München.” This is me in my dress
last year when I wore it to an Oktoberfest celebration.
What a great holiday! Do you know what I
think is so great about Halloween? For one day, you can be someone
different. You can wear a mask or an outfit that hides all the emotions
and problems of your life. Like the infamy of Carnival in Venice, you
take on a different persona and you can have an accent, or wear an
outfit you never would, or dance and sing without embarrassment. How
great a day is Halloween, to give so many people one night of freedom
from their own insecurities.
So, I hope you’re planning your Halloween.
Even if you lack a place to go, I’m sure the trick-or-treaters in your
neighborhood will be happy to know you’ll be there to answer when they
ring the bell. But, beware those things that go bump in the night. Watch
out for the blood-thirsty vampires roaming about. If you live on Elm
Street, take heed of the nightmares that will haunt your dreams. But
most of all take care on this All Hallows Eve and enjoy the hocus pocus
that surrounds you.
The American Spirit
Sept. 11, 2009
I know that everyone has their
own images of September 11, 2001. It is a day that will forever haunt
the pages of American history. Most Americans can easily see again those
images so horrendous that they don’t even look real, they remember the
archived footage that will be viewed again and again every year on 9/11.
They cry for the families that will never see the loved ones they lost.
They never again will think of the World Trade Center without
immediately thinking of that day. They will always feel their heart
speed up when they see a plane fly too low, and no American soul will
ever forget where they were on September 11, 2001.
But, sometimes, I wonder…
What makes us remember that day so vividly and with such incredible
distinction? Was it the moment itself that shocked a nation? Was it the
awakening of this sleeping giant? Was it the threat to the greatest
nation in the world? Was it the faces we saw on TV, each revealing its
own fear and disbelief? Was it the people next to us, to whom on this
day we suddenly felt the connection we never before had noticed? Was it
the abrupt need to be with our loved ones after realizing that life is
just too short? Was it the fact that we were living through monumental
history? Was it that we could finally hold hands with our neighbors, at
long last understanding that our petty differences don’t really mean
much? Or, was it the stark reality we felt in knowing that this moment in
time would have an irrevocable effect on each American life?
Every year since that day I have had a moment of silence in which I stop
and remember exactly where I was on that day. Each time I’ve realized
precisely how 9/11 has shaped the face of America as we know it now.
Eight years is not a long time but it is enough to have made it fade
from many of our thoughts. We spend so much time rushing through life
that we don’t even know how to react when it all stops.
But, if you remember, on 9/11 it did stop.
Even as a sixth grader, not understanding exactly what all my teachers
were watching on TV, I knew that it must have been something awful.
Wide, shocked eyes, brimming with tears, stared up at television sets
that reported the news. All I can remember thinking is: “Why has
everything stopped?”
I know now that only a moment like that first plane crash could bring
our busy, fast-paced nation to a dead standstill. Never would I have
thought to see so many silent faces, so many hands coming to shocked
mouths, so many people stop dead in their tracks while they hurried to
do important but now menial tasks.
But what was it that made us all stop and stand and stare? For most I’m
sure it was the shock. For some, perhaps, it was incredulity. Others
most likely felt fear, wondering if it would happen again in another
place, mere hours later. Anger, sadness, disbelief and many more feelings
circled the United States of America. Those emotions flipped up and
down, spun around and enclosed our hearts, moved from person to person,
from coast to coast, and even, I don’t doubt, across oceans, to our
brothers and sisters in other lands. The images and sounds of September
11 showed each of us exactly what it’s like to have everything fall
apart in a matter of moments. Even though I was only a junior high
student, I saw the same videos you did and I felt those feelings, too.
On 9/11 and after, I think nothing greater than compassion came out of
the American people. Perhaps 9/11 was the worst and most devastating
event ever to threaten American soil, but I think also that it proved
the strength and resolve of the American people. Behind the mask of a
stereotypically arrogant America beats a heart of kindness and
willingness to do anything to help. If anything good came out of 9/11, I
think it’s that America proved she can handle anything.
And, from behind the curtain of smoke and dust and debris arose a
beautiful figure. She overlooked a city caught in a web of fear,
sadness, and desperation. But, with burning torch in hand, she
represented something bigger, she represented the American people. They
too could arise from the ashes and find their spirit again.
I think we have. Today, that beautiful figure means something more to us
than she ever has before. She was there when America stood still,
watching the smoke that carried the victims and she guided them home.
She guards the sacred freedom on which our country was built and we must
never forget that freedom. Since 9/11 her stance and visage and strength
has come to show us that we can stand tall against a mighty storm and
soar on the wind like the eagles we are, carrying our stars and stripes
along the way. I don’t think that the victims of September 11, whether
on the airplanes, in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, or in that
field in Pennsylvania, would ever want the people left behind to do
anything other than protect this wonderful, free, American soil. If we
work together with love, compassion, and bravery in our hearts, then
America will never again feel the threat of the hatred that could have
easily consumed us all. I hope we live up to the status of the woman who
holds the image of our liberty in her hands. Let us remember that when
it rains, it pours, but the sun will always come after a storm.
Stand tall in your freedom, America, and may God bless the U.S.A.
Fall 2009 begins
Aug. 31, 2009
Welcome back, everyone, to MVCC for the
Fall 2009 semester.
How exciting!! I don’t know what it is
about school starting again every fall, but I just love it. Fresh new
notebooks, books I’ve never read, new teachers and friends to make,
doorways through which I’ve never gone, nice new pencils and pens that
still write. One of my favorite things in the world is to start a new
school year and it’s no different this year.
I must say that I was anticipating the
horrible parking dilemmas so I chose to start school first thing in the
morning (and it has proven to be a good choice). I’ve heard much
groaning about parking issues even during this first week of classes.
But, with classes at the crack of dawn there’s no need for me to become
the stalker by the door who follows people walking to their cars.
Although, if you’re not as lucky as I am with your classroom hours, may
I suggest that you roll down your window and ask when these walking
students are leaving? Or arrive early to get a good spot? Or even find a
friend who leaves when you get to school and be ready to grab their
spot? Perhaps, I’m being a bit silly, but I know I’m not alone in the
knowledge of how horrible parking at MVCC has the potential of being.
So, onto the more interesting aspects of
going back to school. I don’t know if anyone reading this entry is as
hooked and dependent on energy drinks as I am, but I know I see many
cans of them during my walks around campus. At this point I’m all for
the light green can of AMP and even though I don’t know what kind that
is off the top of my head, I drink it because it tastes good. And, man,
do I need my AMP most mornings.
I’m taking 21 credit hours at Moraine
Valley this year and everyone keeps asking me if I’m crazy. Answer: No,
do I look crazy? I’m just determined and keeping my nose to the
grindstone. I must ask: Is there something wrong with that? Ha! Didn’t
think so.
At this point in the semester, I’m just
getting used to all the hours spent in a classroom and the demands that
an online class will put on my schedule. I know I’m not the first person
to be a little overwhelmed by the first week of classes, and I’m
certainly not the last either. I will keep you updated about my classes
and hopefully the fears that I’m crazy will not come to fruition. Wish
me luck! J
And, I wish you luck too in your classes
and life this semester. Let us make the fall semester as good as it
always feels it will be.
Summer Adventures!
July 23, 2009
This summer I took two science classes,
biology and chemistry. Let’s just say that the academic advisors are
correct when they say how overwhelming it is to have a 16-week class
shoved into an 8 week period. Especially with two classes, four days a
week for a five-hour day, definitely not what I call “summer vacation.”
But, I got through it, and with flying colors I might add.
J
So now I can say “ahhhhh” and enjoy the rest of my summer vacation.
And I’ve been doing just that.
I had a trip to Six Flags Great America, which ended up being a day at
Gurnee Mills Mall and lunch at Rainforest Café because the forecast was
“sunny” but it rained the whole day. Anyone else have an experience like
this at some point? But, I must admit, the day didn’t turn out to be a
total downer because I went to the movies, ate a nice lunch, and shopped
which always makes a rainy day a little brighter.
The 4th of July was a fun time because I went with my family and some
friends to my uncle’s lake house in Loda, IL. We went fishing and tubing
on the lake and had a nice Barbeque. Hmm, bratwurst (it was my German
side of the family). Last year, I was in Germany for the 4th so it was
nice to celebrate the holiday at home with my family instead of in
Berlin. So, yes, it was indeed a good time.
Well, this year I also visited Brookfield Zoo!!!! It’s been years since
I went there and it was a nice way to spend an otherwise uneventful day.
Honestly though, the only animals I ever give a hoot about are the
giraffes and we spent a good half-hour watching them eat, if you can
believe that. They are, in any case, my favorite! We saw gorillas, and
Timon and Pumba – I apologize for my Disney reference but I just LOVE
The Lion King – seals, dolphins, lions and tigers and bears, OH MY! It
was a lovely visit to a zoo that I haven’t visited in years.
I had some Harry Potter mania with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood
Prince in theatres. I made a day of it with some of my friends and first
visited the Museum of Science and Industry where they have the Harry
Potter exhibition and then went to the midnight show for the film.
The Museum was a lot of fun and I got to see all sorts of costumes and
the like from the films. No pictures though, Bugger It! I got sorted
into Ravenclaw House (as if that’s a surprise) and got to pull a
Mandrake from its pot. I sat in Hagrid’s ENORMOUS chair and saw
Professor Umbridge’s office. I even bought a Hogwarts tie from my
favorite house: Slytherin.
Even if you aren’t that “into” the Harry Potter series you must
appreciate the attention to detail and the creativity that goes into
such epics like it. If you haven’t gone to the exhibition give it a go,
I promise you shant be disappointed.
I also enjoyed the film but I was let down with how much it strayed from
the book. It lacked a lot of explanation and I must say that if I hadn’t
read the book I would have been staring open mouthed throughout the
whole three hours whispering “HUH?” But, the special effects far
outweighed what it lacked and overall it was a good film and I’m already
planning my second viewing at IMAX.
Enough about Harry Potter, because I promise you I’ve been doing much
more than pretending to be a witch at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. After all, I’m told there’s a thing called “reality.”
I went to yet another museum this year, The Art Institute of Chicago. I
took the train downtown and went to the museum with my dad. My favorite
part of the Institute is the Impressionism section. My favorite artist
is Toulouse-Lautrec and the museum features a small corner room devoted
to the artist. It has some of my favorite paintings by him particularly
the one entitled “At the Moulin Rouge.” I was disappointed to see that
the Institute has not yet put up its famous Gunsaulus Hall, which
usually houses battle armor and weapons. The hall has been replaced by
Indian and Asian art, and when I asked a worker about the Gunsaulus Hall
she said that there are no plans to put the armor back up. How
unfortunate, because in my opinion that was one of the best attractions
to the museum. C'est la vie (so goes life).
But, happily I have been having a very full summer break this year,
first with school and now with all these intriguing museum visits,
wizard mania, family outings, and rained-out Six Flags escapades! But
it’s not over yet, with about a month left before school starts up again
in the fall, so I’m already planning a trip to the Shedd Aquarium,
Planetarium, Field Museum, and just a day in the city. Can’t wait to
update you on my whirlwind big city adventures!
Tune in next week.
J
A Message
June 23, 2009
“I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't
know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it
comes at you, to make each day count.”
Titanic (1997) – Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio)
Since childhood, one of my favorite things to do has been to dream. I am
a dreamer and I have always wanted to do great things. When I say
“great” I mean like leave my mark, impact the world, I mean like “paint
the Sistine Chapel Ceiling” GREAT! (I know, a little outrageous right?
But, hey, don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on
the moon.)
Though I have always dreamed of achieving greatness and have worked hard
to be where I am today, I must admit that I have only vague ideas about
what to do with my life. I’ve reached a fork in my road, and for a while
now I’ve been a little lost as to where I want to go from here.
Recently, I learned a lesson. My cousin got married this month and one
thing about her ceremony sticks out in my mind. The short message the
pastor gave before marrying the bride and groom has given me a new
perspective on life. He said that though they may think they met and
fell in love by chance, it was in fact that they were following the path
that they were destined to tread. Every turn they’ve made throughout
life was designed for their footprints long before their births. The
message resonated through the congregation and no matter what our
beliefs the meaning was the same: we make our choices but they are only
small pieces of the puzzle that we are destined to complete.
So, put simply, that message from the pastor gave me new insight into my
own life. Though this fork in the road feels ominous, I do believe it is
a point in my life at which I am meant to be. Whatever the purpose, I
can have faith and hope in the fact that it is not for nothing. I do not
believe that we are making our lives up as we go along but following the
blueprints that have already been drawn up for us. Of course, our
choices have some influence on the direction we are heading but life is
a grand design and in every moment of our existence we are in the exact
place we were always meant to be.
I guess my point is that I am not going to allow myself to get stressed
out over what I want to do with my life. I think that if I just relax
and explore my options I will easily discover the direction I am meant
to head. Though we all walk blindly though our lives, we can still make
each part of it meaningful. I believe in destiny, and one day I know I
will realize mine.
Discovery: What’s in a Name?
May 6, 2009
For my final paper in my Humanities class,
I had to write about an influential person or culture in the time period
between ancient Rome and the high Renaissance. This assignment left much
to be discovered… and discover I did.
Having traveled twice to Italy, I have
always been intrigued by Renaissance art, particularly sculpture. Of
course, you cannot study Renaissance sculpture without landing in books
dedicated to Michelangelo. This artist has always captured my attention,
but prior to my research, I only knew limited information about him
which, consequently, amounted to the same amount of information that
everyone else knew. So, in an attempt to learn more about one of my
favorite artists, I chose to profile him for my paper.
The reason I’m sharing my little
rendezvous with Michelangelo is because, while researching, I discovered
a very interesting detail concerning my last name. Apparently,
“Carrarini” comes from the city “Carrara,” which is a city in a very
mountainous region of Italy. Of course, I knew the name “Carrara.” I had
heard it referred to in classes, throughout my travels, and even when my
family was discussing bathroom upgrades; although, I never realized how
much it was connected to me. When I read some excerpts in the novel The
Agony and Ecstasy by Irving Stone, which is all about Michelangelo’s
life, the connections became suddenly clear. Stone addresses
Michelangelo’s love of marble and his communications with the Carrarini
stone cutters. These are the people from which Michelangelo got the
marble for his world-famous piece, David. Upon further investigation, I
realized that the Coliseum was once covered in Carrara marble. Through
this research, I discovered how much of antiquity and Italian art was
influenced by my ancestors. Because of this paper I can now say that I
am proud to call myself a Carrarini!
Without doubt, this little source of
information concerning my last name has become one of the most rewarding
aspects of my Humanities 101 class. This simple connection to my
research made my paper that much more interesting to write. It makes me
wonder how much more we could all learn about ourselves if our minds
were to remain open. I mean, who could have known that I’d go into this
Humanities paper looking for information about a long-ago artist and
come out with a whole bushel of knowledge about my own last name? If our
curiosity took hold and our imagination flew, we might find out so much
more about whom we really are as individuals and how we connect to the
rest of the world. Because, let’s face it, there has to be a connection.
After this research paper and, thus,
discovery of my name, my curiosity has been piqued. I found myself
looking at my other research papers with a whole new attitude. I’ve
begun to look past the basic topic and try to find myself in the pages
of history and, quite honestly, I think you should too.
Major: Undecided
April 21, 2009
I am one of those students. I am an “undecided student.” I am one of
those students who falls into that ominous category of “do I want to do
this?” and “No! I want to do that.” Then, even after “deciding,” I sit
and say again “that’s not for me.”
Is there anything really wrong with being stuck in the category that is
swept under the rug? I do not think so. I have been asked so many times
“why did you choose Moraine Valley Community College?” and my
questioners sometimes answer that question for me. “Financial issues?”
“Couldn’t get into another school?” “Weren’t ready to go away?” Answer:
“Uh . . . no.”
I chose Moraine Valley because I wanted to go to school here. I loved
the environment during those short meetings prior to becoming a student.
The school has an ambiance of welcome and does not impose upon me. I am
not quizzed and prodded for a major or a minor and when I say I am
getting my A.A. degree I receive many nods of approval.
In high school, I took those AP classes that are meant to shove students
into the numbers at UIC, Illinois State, EIU, or even Notre Dame. At
Moraine, I am allowed to be myself, not just a statistic. I have an
amazing relationship with my professors and when I raise my hand, I am
actually called upon.
I speak quite often with my friends scattered at major universities
across the country and am proud to say that I am doing well here at
Moraine. I am able to save massive amounts of money to put towards a
degree I actually know I want. I am able to complete my general
courses without declaring a major in a subject I don’t even know that I
love, let alone like. And, finally, I can enjoy my social life and still
remain close to my family.
I actually am happy that I became one of the hundreds of “undecided”
students. Of course, I have my areas of interest but none of them has
made me choose it. I love exploring my options through elective courses
while still working towards a degree. Moraine has offered me so many
opportunities to plan my life out and still have fun while doing it.
So far, German and Political Science have taken hold of my interest and
I am exploring opportunities offered by Chicago’s German Consulate to
study or work abroad in Berlin, Germany. Though right now it is only a
dream, it is still one of the many areas that I have begun to
investigate.
So, no, mister questioner, I didn’t choose MVCC because a) I did not
have the money for another school or b) my grades were so bad that I
could not get accepted anywhere else; or, even c) that I wasn’t ready to
go away (I would love a study abroad program.) The simple answer to your
inquiry is this: I chose Moraine Valley because I LIKE IT HERE!
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Christina Carrarini
Tinley Park
Getting to know me
Well, hello there, dear reader. My
name is Christina Carrarini, and if you let me, I can be your best
friend. I have been blowing out my birthday candles since December 1989
(well, not really). But anyway, that makes me 19 years old. I live with
my mom, dad, and big brother, along with our golden retriever, Honey, in
Tinley Park. I am a full-time student at Moraine Valley Community
College, but am undecided in my major. Three very different areas of
study occupy my mind: German (for business or political science),
teaching English at a college level, or mortuary science. Yes, strange
areas of study, I know, but each has its own grasp on my interest. I am
at Moraine for a degree, and I’m just waiting to see where it takes me.
I went to Trinity Lutheran School for eight years, and I am also a
member of the church’s congregation. I attended high school at Andrew in
Tinley Park, and I loved it!! My passion is traveling, and I have been
to nine different foreign countries. I also traveled in 2006 with People
to People International (check it out, it’s cool). I learned German when
I was a child since both my grandma and mom speak it fluently. I also
took four years of it in high school and one semester here at Moraine. I
visited my cousins in Düsseldorf, Germany, and since that summer (2008)
with them, I have greatly improved my speaking ability. I work two jobs:
one at Eurofresh Market in Tinley Park and the other at Moraine Valley’s
Writing Center located in the Library (come visit!). My family means
everything to me, and I always make sure to put time aside to spend with
them. Although I love my family and am so thankful for their love and
support, I still remain a very independent girl. I pride myself on my
ability to take care of myself. Of course, I am not so naïve as to think
that I don’t need help, but I try my hardest to remain self-sufficient.
“Adventure” is a key word in my vocabulary. I strongly believe in the
benefit of taking responsible risks because, after all, what’s the worst
that could happen? I have been told that my behavior, my likes and
dislikes, the very essence of me is a complete dichotomy. For example: I
love school, but I hate sitting in a classroom. My friends sometimes
laugh at my contradictory statements, usually spoken in the same breath.
But even with all these things that I am—a teenager, an undecided
college student, a Lutheran, an employee, a writer, a traveler, a
daughter, and a friend—I’m first and foremost me. And I wouldn’t want to
be anyone else but Christina Carrarini.
Activities
Vacation Bible School volunteer,
member of People to People International, writing consultant in the
Moraine Valley Writing Center, cashier at Eurofresh Market … I love
hanging out with my mom and dad (they’re my best friends) and also
visiting my grandparents. I enjoy visiting my friends at other schools.
I love to write, read, travel, watch movies, listen to oldies music, and
participate in Renaissance Fairs and Oktoberfest.
Best advice for
students considering Moraine Valley
The best advice that I can
give to a student considering Moraine Valley is this: don’t forget that
you make it happen. You can’t rely on someone to hold your hand through
your time here at school. You have to take the initiative and have faith
in yourself. Although there are so many people here to help you through
your semesters (i.e. professors, coaches, other students, etc...) it is
not their job to make your education happen. You are the one that has to
make the grades and don’t kid yourself, you earn what you receive. You,
as a responsible student, need to make the right decisions to a) show
up, b) complete the assignments, and c) ask the questions that you need
answered. The ability to get the best education you can rests with you.
You are the only one with the strength to make your dreams come true.
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