Last month was my last official performance as a Fontbonne Griffin Girl!

For those of you who don’t know, Griffin Girls is the Dance Team at Fontbonne.

We mostly just perform at the halftime of the Men’s Basketball Games, but I know that the team is looking to grow by performing at other events and even going to dance conferences/conventions in the future (which I sincerely hope that they do so).

I have discussed my love for dancing in a previous blog post before, which you can read here.

However, I’d like to use this blog post to dedicate my love to the Griffin Girls, which has been such a big part of my experience here at Fontbonne.

Below are some pictures we took at our last basketball performance for the season.

Seniors on Griffin Girls (I also wish that Erica N. and Kelly could be in this picture)! I wish them all the best after graduation!

I love my team!

This is the lovely Conner, who helped me so much this school year with choreography! She is amazing!

This is the super sweet Heather, who happens to be both a Griffin Girl and a Student in one of Fontbonne's Graduate Programs! I have so much respect for her being able to do both.

This is Katelyn, currently our only Freshman on the team. I wish her all the best in her future years on the team and at Fontbonne.

This is my fellow Dancer and Senior Speech Language Pathology Friend, Lee! Our experiences go way back to Freshman Year together.

This is Shannon and she is such a star! I'm amazed by how great she is with not having as much dance technique experience as some of us.

This is Miss Kristen! She makes some of the best faces and is just super rad.

This is the fabulous Tabitha, who tries to do it all! I feel like I've been involved with so many things with her that I can't even keep count of them all. I'm amazed by how much she does, but I also hope that she finds the time to rest.

This is Adrienne! I've had the privilege of being in classes like Yoga and Psychology with her, which have been great. It's been so wonderful to be on the team with her as well.

This is Katy! She always brings so much power and energy into her performances, and I admire her for that.

This is my wonderful Coach Mandie, who has helped guide us all these years. She has basically been the team's mother and one of our biggest supporters.

I’m going to miss dancing with all of these beautiful ladies so much, and I wish all the best for them!

This is the Griffin Girls at our first performance this school year at Fontbonne's Griffinsanity Event.

Peace, Love, & Griffin Girls.

I’d like to take this opportunity to dispel a myth of sorts that exists regarding college athletics. I feel that when most people think of hardcore, elite, watch-worthy teams, the only schools that come to mind are places like Mizzou, KU, Notre Dame, Duke, etc. – the big name Division I teams, basically. I would agree that these teams are legit, for sure. I mean, they’re paying scholarships to all their best players, so they certainly ought to be.

But when you’re looking for an enjoyable battle on the court or field, don’t forget about small schools like Fontbonne! We may not have the mad skills that other schools do, but we certainly have the drive and desire to win. I really enjoy taking advantage of as many athletic events as I can at Fontbonne – especially because they’re free! So when I feel like kicking back and watching a little basketball, I don’t have to shell out for tickets. Score. And it’s always an enjoyable time, no matter what the outcome. And that’s totally a win!

There is this market called “In and Out” located behind St. Mary’s hospital on Clayton road that my friend and I found at the beginning of the school. It has all kind of drinks, a coffee bar, and more. This week I have been fighting for time to get all my homework and projects completed. One morning after 6AM practice I ventured over there for come caffeine to keep me going for the day. The owner, named Jason, told me to take a seat and he would make me the best coffee ever; Twice Baked. It is a mixture of vanilla, caramel, and pumpkin spice. I have been getting one every day now. I highly suggest you stop in and try one over your finals week!!

Today, I am back home in Kentucky. After the art show Monday night, my mom, dad and boyfriend packed the car and drove the 5.5 hours back home after a 5.5 hour drive to St. Louis. 11 hour drive in one day! They are keepers.

The show was fantastic and there was a great turn out. A lot of people and a lot of beautiful art. I am thankful for everyone who shared that special moment with me. I will forever be thankful for the relationships I have made here at Fontbonne.

I am thankful for the teachers/education I have been lucky enough to have. I have learned so much and have been introduced to a lot more than I ever thought I would and the great thing is, that will never stop. I will always learn more and grow, and carry my knowledge with me into new situations.

I am thankful for my family for always supporting me and being ok that I moved states away to study art. They always tell me to try my best, and I do.

I am thankful for my roommate. I love her with all of my heart. I will miss her terribly when I graduate in a few weeks. I don’t know what I am going to do without all of my best friends. This means snuggling in bed with 4 of my best friends is a must at least 12 times a day.

I am thankful for my college life friends. These ladies have been with me since freshman year and I would never have wanted it any other way. I love them so much and thank them for always being with me. All of my memories are with them and my college life would have been totally different if it were not for them.

I am thankful for my body & my health.  I am happy I have gone through college as an athlete and have not suffered serious injuries like I did in high school. I am thankful that I did not get deathly ill while away from home. Not once did I have the flu or its equivalent while in a dorm room and I am very thankful for that. I do think I am getting over bronchitis though, but stressing over the show and spending too many nights awake rather than sleeping will do that to you, but still, I am thankful.

I am thankful for the new relationships & new friends I have made. I am so terribly sad that I didn’t meet these people earlier in my college life, but I am so glad I did at all.

I am thankful for the bad. I am thankful for the good. I am thankful for the scary. I am thankful for the unknown. Without all of these things, I would not be who I am or where I am today, and I am thankful. Happy Thanksgiving from KY!

-Kelia

Thanksgiving is only a few days away, and most of everyone here at Fontbonne has gone home for break. Only the few are left, including myself, but I will be driving back home this evening after dance practice for Griffin Girls. With the beginning of this holiday season, we are reminded of all that we have to be thankful for, and although Griffin Girls is preventing me from leaving for break sooner than later, it is the latest aspect of my life I am thankful for.

Dance was a part of my life for thirteen years, and upon entering college I decided for it not to be. That was a mistake. In the absence of dance I was able to realize all that is does for me. I consider dance to be my creative outlet. Everyone has one. My father’s is music, my sister’s art, but it is dance that allows me to put any frustration, happiness, or other emotion I feel somewhere, rather than holding it inside. Without dance my life seems like a mess, but with it I have a place to send anything I wish, and express how I feel. Today I am extremely thankful for the Griffin Girls dance team, all that they are and all they allow me to do. My family and others close to me will be coming to watch our performances this weekend, and I am grateful they are making the journey.

Griffin Girls at Griffinsanity

On a lighter note, I am thankful for tradition. Tomorrow I will me preparing my grandmother’s traditional holiday dessert: white pie! Many of you may not know what that is, but it is vanilla custard heaven in a pie! I’m sure next week I will be blogging more about its deliciousness and will try to include a picture. Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next week…

It has come at last!! Griffinsanity, formerly known as Late Night, is TONIGHT!! The Griffin Girl’s have been practicing and perfecting our routine! But not only will you see us perform, we have a special dance performance with….you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself!

There will be fun and games for all!! You will have the chance to meet the Men and Women’s Basketball teams and the Griffin Girls! But if that is not enticing enough, the first 75 people will receive a free GRIFFINSANITY t-shirt and a chance to win other prizes!!

Soo get PUMPED and head over to the DSAC tonight at 7pm– Dont be late!!

#Griffinsanity #GriffinNation

–Lee

Here at Fontbonne we have campus event almost every week. Basketball season is about to begin, and this year Fontbonne’s “Late Night” has turned into “Griffinsanity”. In the gym this Friday from 7-9 p.m. students, Fontbonne alumni, and others will be entertained with music, contests, boy’s and girl’s basketball scrimmages, and two performances from the Griffin Girls! As if that isn’t enticing enough, the first 75 students will receive a free Griffinsanity t-shirt!

As a part of the Griffin Girls dance team, I have been preparing for this event along with the rest of the team for the past month. We have really worked hard to make our performances the best they can be. I hope all of you try to make it, not only to see the routines, but to support Fontbonne Athletics. We have a jazz performance and a routine with special guests prepared for all who attend. Your Griffins need your support this Friday so come and check it out!

I am especially anxious about Griffinsanity this Friday. I am both nervous and excited because it will be my first dance performance in a year and a half! Whether you’re interested in dance, basketball, or just the chance of winning some neat prizes, Griffinsanity will be the place to be Friday night.

Until next week…

Our first game is on Tuesday. We call it an exhibition game when you play a division higher than you. Missouri Baptist has a great basketball program. We have prepared all that we can and we are out to beat them. Last year they started off with a quick lead and we came back only losing my ten. That’s not going to happen this year. Saturday, today, we scrimmage the baseball boys to strengthen us and to get some practice against other people besides ourselves for a change. We were more prepared than we thought and we gave the boys a run for their money. If you are around campus Tuesday, stop by the gym around seven and watch us beat the MOBAP women’s team for our first season win.

Woooooaah, sorry  about the 2-week hiatus! Time has totally slipped away from me!

These past few weeks have been so crazy, hectic, and a little sad. A mix of  tests, projects, work, and family concerns have me slowly spinning in circles. But, I am slowly figuring it all out without getting too dizzy!

In my Foodology class, what my sister calls my homemaker class and to which I refer to it as my “Homemaker Wednesdays” , I’ve made asian stir-fry using Ramen noodles. To make it healthier, my partner and I added broccoli, carrots, baby corn, celery, and red and green bell pepper. Then, we added a whole bunch of Indian spices like cayan pepper. It had a nice yellow color and tasted very good, if I do say so myself!

This week, our professor made us two separate meat dishes, Chicken and Beef, in a slow-cooker! Since it required 10 hours+ of cook time our professor made it the night before for us to enjoy in class. Both meats had a maximum of two ingredients added to them. I’ve always been aware of how easy a slow-cooker meal was, but my mom has never made these dishes in a slow cooker before. I was impressed with how easy it was and how good it turned out!

Last week, I finished and turned in my Hoodie I made in my sewing class!! SOOO PROUD!! I added a half-zip, and a massive hood! It’s navy, with a silver zipper, and striped fabric on the wrists! Now, I have two blue sweatshirts, did not think the color through, obviously! (Through out its creation, I would sew a new piece then have a photoshoot, naturally! Well, each time I got a little more excited because it was almost done!! When I finally added the hood I couldn’t stop laughing because the hood covers half my face when on!! So my entire face was hidden and I erupted into uncontrollable fits of laughter!!) Two weekends ago, my family (all of whom are in the U.S. at the present time) came into town. It was nice to see them but a very sad occasion. And I’m still kind of recovering and wrapping my head around certain events, but I feel it will take some time to be able to understand. It was also a nice weekend, very sunny and breezy. I also needed a break from school, so it was nice to be around my family and constantly laughing and joking around to lighten the mood.

That should catch you up on what I’ve been doing recently! AND Griffin Girls has started, that means that Basketball season is soon to be upon us!! EEEEEPPS!! So many exciting things happening! We are currently working on the dance for Late Night which is November 2, 2012!!! All ya’ll should come out and see us perform– because we are all pretty awesome!!

Have a good  weekend!

Lee

Women’s basketball is about to start up Monday the 15th. This year we have five stellar freshman that are going to help tremendously this year. We have worked really hard this pre-season with conditioning and weightlifting. This is my senior year, so I am giving it all I got this year. We have the potential of going really far in our conference, considering we have a lot of talent and height. Along with our hard workouts, we had a lot of fun with team bonding events. This year was our first annual mouse race fund-raising event. There were so many people donating and contributing for all of us to go to Daytona Florida for a Christmas tourney. Our favorite item was a free two hours at Pin Up Bowl on Delmar. There are so many good memories already made, and so many more to come.