Zombie ants…

I know this sounds like a Halloween blog title but, I have a biology story for you.  On Wednesday during Microbiology lab, my class was able to help some researchers from Penn State.  We researched Zombie ants!  Zombie ants have been infected by a fungus that takes over their brain and tells them to climb up a tree.  When they have climbed up the tree, they latch on and die there.  From this point the fungus can reproduce and infect more ants by spreading spores from the high elevation of the tree.  My class went to the site where the researchers were studying these ants.  We searched for ants in nearby trees.  I was so excited when I found my first Zombie ant!  Next we helped dig up ant colonies so that the researchers could use the ants in the lab for further testing.  We moved to another site to set bait traps for ants.  The baits consisted of honey, Pecan Sandies, and cat food.  This does not sound very appetizing to you but, the ants love the combination of s
alty and sweet.  We had so much fun getting out of the lab for the day and going on an adventure!  I have included some pictures taken by Roel, who was in the research group, of us making our way towards the Zombie ant site and making baits! (I am the one in the Camo hat!)  I hope you enjoyed learning a little about Zombie ants =)

An Evening at the Theatre

I am a lover of the arts: music, theatre, fine arts, writing, dance. . . so even when I am not involved in these, I also enjoy partaking in them from the other side, as part of the audience.  After all, what is a play, opera, ballet, poem, or sculpture without someone to enjoy it?  The arts are popular at Erskine, but sometimes students forget that there are great opportunities in the surrounding communities to enjoy the arts as well.

A lovely Saturday evening.

Abbeville, a mere fifteen minutes away, is a small community that offers many such opportunities, especially through the Abbeville Opera House.  Curiously enough, this historic building in the rural upstate is actually the state theatre of South Carolina!  Every year they put on a full season with about a play a month, and other special shows between these.  One of my good friends, Amber, was in the opening show of the season, The Sound of Music, so I drove over with a couple of friends for the last run of the show.  We ended up sitting close to handful of more Erskine students who had the same idea.

It is always fun to see the original stage version of a musical, especially one as well-known as The Sound of Music, and that I have seen so many times in its movie version.  There’s nothing like a live show, especially at a local theatre showcasing the talents of people in the community.  After enjoying the play, we greeted Amber, who played Frau Schmidt, the family’s German housekeeper.  Finally, after lots of hugs, congratulations, and animated discussions of the play, we ended the evening in typical Erskine fashion – a trip to IHOP for fun conversation and good breakfast food at 11:30 pm.

Welcome to Spain!

Some of the festivities

One of the things I love about Spanish culture is the great value they place on the family here. In accordance with this cultural feature, I was whisked off to a huge family dinner at a charming local restaurant within minutes of arriving at Puri’s (whose house I call home while I’m in Spain. There I was introduced to a staggering number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandchildren, and everyone was—as is typical of the Spanish, I’ve found—extremely warm and friendly, welcoming me as one of the family. I’ll admit, I was a bit overwhelmed at the time, due to the lingering effects of jet-lag and language skills which were far more limited two days after my arrival than they are now, after three weeks of living in Spain. Looking back on that afternoon, however, I grow to appreciate that time with Puri’s family more and more.

Since that quintessentially Spanish meal (which is a two-hour-long event replete with paella), I’ve met more members of Puri’s extended family, and they’ve all been incredibly kind and welcoming. This weekend, in fact, during my recovery from a bit of a stomach bug, Puri’s sister Rosa came by to check on me when Puri was at work for the afternoon. I’ve felt very cared-for since arriving in Spain; I greatly appreciate my Spanish family!

My first plate of paella, a delicious rice-and-seafood dish that originated in southern Spain and is a huge favorite in Alicante

During my first week at Puri’s, I was able to get to know her nephew and his family, who were visiting for the week…and one member of the family happened to be an adorable ten-month-old named Sara. Especially during my first-week language struggles, it was often quite comforting to simply babble to Sara, who didn’t notice or care if I paused for inordinate amounts of time between words or simply devolved into coos of “cariño” when I just couldn’t find the words I wanted. It was also during my first week that I got to witness, first hand, the type of communal festivities which are such an integral and valued part of Spanish culture. A typical week in the barrio (neighborhood) of pescadores (fishermen) where I live? This involves live music played until late into the night and a neighborhood-wide celebration of the history of the community.

I was rather taken aback by the scope and scale of the festivities at first, and I couldn’t help chuckling to myself during the first few nights of the week-long party when I mused to myself that a similarly hearty and animated celebration being held on the street until the wee hours of the morning would surely violate some noise-level ordinance in most US neighborhoods. One evening, I watched the municipal band of Alicante parade up the street behind local denizens bearing the figure of the Virgen del Socorro, the patron saint of fishermen, to the hermitage where she is housed. As all of this happened to take place right beside
Puri’s balcony, I had a highly convenient, front-row view of all the goings on. Another evening, the loudest round of fireworks I’ve ever heard was set off, and on the final evening of the celebration, a neighborhood-wide costume contest was held. All in all, I would say that my first week’s introduction to Spanish culture was quite exciting!

Fall Begins in Due West

Due West Fall Festival

Although the weather doesn’t quite feel like it yet, fall is here and it has begun to come to Erskine. We had several days last week that were cooler, teasing us all into thinking that maybe the heat was finished for the season, but we’re back into the 80’s again.  However, here and there the leaves are starting to change a little, even falling in some cases, and this morning was the annual Due West Fall Festival.

I admit that I had never been before, even though I remember being woken up by the music outside my window two years ago, so this year – my last – I decided to make a point of going.  My sister and I went about a half an hour before lunch, and were pleasantly surprised by the size of the festival that Due West can put on.

It was a little like a flea market, with hand made goods – baskets, jewelry, woodworking  – used clothes and house wares, a few inflatable toys for children, a stage with local bands and karaoke, a couple dozen old cars on display, and of course lots of great food, from boiled peanuts to pound cakes.  We found a few nice little handmade things for great prices, and got to meet some really nice people from the area.  I’m glad that I finally decided to take part in this Due West tradition!

Cars on display at the Festival

The Erskine Model A making an appearance at the Festival.

Classmates and Cupcakes

Yesterday I went to delightful, quaint cupcake boutique called “Las Manolitas” with the girls from my Spanish language class. I suppose there is nothing distinctly Spanish about cupcakes…the outing was, however, unique to Alicante both because of the atmosphere and because of the company with whom I went. Where else, but abroad, can one enjoy scrumptious dessert and Spanish-only conversation with friends from places as varied Japan, Maine, Korea, and Due West? I’ve been so blessed to spend my daily three-hour language class in the company of these lovely ladies. We have a great time working together, along with our wonderful teacher Natalia, and our time in class is punctuated by peals of laughter over various misunderstandings, and—increasingly, now that we can communicate better—good-humored joking.

Walking through the streets of Alicante on our way to the pana
dería (the Spanish word for bakery )

Spencer, Zaira, Hiroko, Lisa, and I at Las Manolitas

Delightfully persuasive decor…in case patrons need any extra inducement to sample the store’s products.

The scrumptious assortment of cupcakes we ordered

Our class, with our lovely teacher, Natalia, in the middle. We have such fun learning together!

It’s my first blog =)

     Hello Everyone!  I am Taylor Wolfe, a senior at Erskine and this is my first blog!  I enjoy long walks on the beach and Oreo milkshakes….. Just kidding!   I do enjoy the occasional Cookout Oreo milkshake though.  I am a chemistry major who lives in the science building at Erskine and I am also on the Women’s Golf Team.  Most of my blogs this year will probably be about my life as a senior and the steps I am taking from here.  Erskine has played a big part in shaping me for my future and I am thankful for every experience I have had here!

     I have been on campus for about a month now and my schedule has been jam packed!  I arrived early for freshman orientation because; I am on the orientation staff.  We had planned a “Woodstock” themed long weekend of activities for the incoming freshman so they could meet their new classmates and get used to being at Erskine.  This is one of my favorite times at Erskine.  You are constantly meeting new people, seeing the excitement on parents’ faces when you unload their over packed car for them, and working with new people who become your close friends.  When orientation was over, it was time to begin classes.  This is the tough semester of senior year for me.   With upper level chemistry courses, applying to pharmacy schools, and being in charge of the Erskine Entertainment Board, I have realized that there is a lot on my plate.  At Erskine, you can be involved in so many different organizations because it is such a small school. 

     The organization I am most involved in at Erskine is the Erskine Entertainment Board (EEB).  I have been on the board since my freshman year.  We plan all of the big events on campus from concerts, to drive-in movies, and give-aways.  This year I am the Chair of EEB and I am so excited for the great events we have planned for the campus!  Since Erskine is not in a big city, I think it’s important for organizations like EEB to give the students something to do on the weekends or during a random weeknight.

     Now you know a little more about me and I hope you have enjoyed reading my first blog!! There will definitely be more to come! Stay tuned =)

Parlez vous français?

I have taken Spanish classes almost every year since I was in eighth grade, studied abroad in Spain for four months last fall, chosen it as one of my majors in college, and reached a rather fluent level of the language.  I can meet a native speaker and comfortably have a conversation.

Now, in my last year of college I am taking introductory French classes.  Those who know that I am a Spanish major are surprised when they hear that I’m taking French, and ask if I need the elective credit hours for graduation – this is not the case at all.  In fact, as a double major, I hardly have room to squeeze the extra class in for two semesters, but somehow I am making it work.

Part of the reason that I began to consider learning another language was from looking into grad school this summer (and topic of several future blogs).  Vocal performance graduate programs encourage applicants to have a fairly versatile language background – most programs suggest two semesters of experience in French, Italian, and German, as they are three major languages of western vocal literature.  I had never been in a day of class in any of these, so I decided to take either French or German at Erskine this year to give myself an extra leg up.

I chose French because I am not so great at its pronunciation (I’m decent in German, I like to think), it is a close cousin to Spanish, and half of my family’s history is French (as my name gives away).  So I enrolled, and now I am two and a half weeks into the class and really enjoying it.  I seem to be picking it up fairly quickly, and I am reminded of how much I really love languages.  It is sort of strange to be starting from scratch with a language, since I haven’t been at that level in about eight years with Spanish, but it’s exciting to begin learning a second foreign language.  And just think, I will dabble in at least two more languages in grad school!

What to do?

Many people wonder what there is to do in Due West on a Friday night? Well, sometimes it can seem like much of nothing if you are looking for fancy dining or a night in the city. However, with a little searching, one can always find something to do. Erskine is famous for its unique types of fun such as tree golf, frisbee golf, or a trip to Lou and Perry’s. However, we also engage in a little bit of typical fun such as sporting events.

While we do not have a football team to root for on Saturdays, we do have 14 Varsity Sports teams to watch as well as several intramural teams to participate on. This past Friday night, I enjoyed a trip to the gym with my friends to cheer on the Fleet as the Women’s Volleyball team dominated St. Andrews with a score of 3-0. With this being the team’s third year of play, they are coming on strong as they have developed as players and as a team. Erskine also has gained Women’s Lacrosse in the past few years and is looking forward to the addition of Men’s Volleyball next school year.

After a long week of school, sometimes we don’t always want to go out all night and stay up until the wee hours of the morning. Rather, my friends and I thoroughly enjoyed dinner and the game, followed by a relaxing night of watching Sweet Home Alabama in the dorm lobby. Often times, it is the unexpected, uneventful activities such as this which foster friendships. Erskine isn’t the place to come for a roaring night-life, but it is the place for a friendship kindling atmosphere.

The Adventure Abroad Begins…

I don’t think I’ve ever been at such a loss for words when approaching a blog post. “Why the difficulty?” you may ask. Well, you see, it’s not because I can’t think of anything to say. Indeed, my happy conundrum is this: I’m in Spain, and I’m having so many incredible experiences and am learning so many amazing things that I don’t even know where to begin!

I suppose, however, that the response of bemused procrastination in which I’ve indulged during the ten days since my arrival in the colorful, beautiful country of España isn’t going to help me feel less overwhelmed about sharing all that I’m seeing and learning. Thus, I begin…

Although I was excited about the prospect of being “immersed” in Spanish, I simply could not have imagined, before I arrived, what it would really be like to be live in another country. Furthermore, as wonderful a job as my program directors did of orienting me during my first few days in Alicante, I was nevertheless a bit overwhelmed upon first arriving. Learning how to navigate a big city (quite a feat for someone who regularly gets lost in the environs of Due West), how to communicate in another language, and getting to know the family with whom I’m living, in addition to simply dealing with that phenomenon so lovingly called “culture shock”…all of this has been both exciting and challenging!

A view of the city taken near my house

Now, however, only a week and two days after moving in with my wonderful “madre española”, Spain is beginning to feel like home. Each day, I spend four hours in Spanish classes with a fascinating group of classmates from all over the world and under the teaching of fabulous professors at the Universidad de Alicante. During my daily bus ride to class, I’m able to have riveting conversations with people from Spain, Russia, Japan, and numerous other countries in our common language, Spanish (what fun to work on my language skills while making new friends from myriad different countries!).

Later in the afternoon, I return to my house to eat a delicious comida (the huge midday meal here in Spain) prepared by Puri, my lovely host mother. Typically, I then do homework and spend time on the beach—activities which are interspersed with travel and various cultural experiences. Hm…methinks this is a life I could get used to. Of course, I’m not considering transferring—I love Erskine too much! I am, however, thankful to be having this unique, horizon-broadening experience as part of my Erskine education. ¡Qué increíble!

Back in the Swing of Things

I am sure this no surprise to any of you, but summer break is officially over! However, while this common fact unites all of us schoolers, my transition between summer break and school is slightly different. As an Erskine College student, I have the opportunity to be involved with so many clubs, societies and activities. One of those that I proudly represent is the Erskine College Orientation Staff, otherwise known as “O-Staff”. Along with the thought, hard work, and unique challenges that come with this position also comes a TON of fun!

The fun begins when we move back to campus about a week before the freshmen even get here! (Yes, I know, moving back to school before you have to just sounds insane). Spending time with friends, fixing up my room, and re-acclimating myself to Erskine life is a joy that I look forward to as I get to do it more than two days before classes start. Throughout the week we hold meetings, work in groups…oh yeah..and this year we played paintball! There is nothing like shooting at 7 of your closest friends, but anyways. All of this planning builds up to the exciting move-in day for freshman where the fun and excitement truly begins. After these new Erskine members say goodbye to their loved ones, O-Staff guides them as they embark on their four year journey in Due West.

So, maybe now the fun and relaxed feel of orientation is over and classes have begun, but the friends made during it are not. Now, I walk around campus and know most of the new freshmen I see along with the new friends I made planning the event.  I honestly feel like I have been here for months, which is a good thing. That is the thing about Erskine, coming back always makes me feel like I am still at home.