Hey, cyberspace.

I’m generally not much of a blogger or “journal-er”, but there’s so much going on around here that I’m sure I’ll find stuff to talk about.. For instance, THON just passed a week or so ago (Sarah pretty much beat me to the post on that one, though), mid-terms & stuff are coming to a point this week, and spring break is in a few days!

Just for those who don’t know, THON is the affectionate nickname Penn State uses for our biggest, longest-running charity event of the year. Originally started as a literal dance marathon, it’s now a marathon of staying awake and on your feet–all the while collecting pledge money and donations for the Four Diamonds Foundation. Basically, it goes toward fighting childhood cancer by helping fund affected families in their time of need; it’s run out of Hershey Medical Center, and no family has ever been turned away for an inability to pay for treatments.. thanks to our help. In ‘73 when it was first started, the event took place in White Hall. Last year, it moved to the BJC for the first time and broke the $5 million dollar mark. THIS year, my first year participating, we beat that by a long shot with over $6.5 million dollars! “FOR THE KIDS!” Seriously, it’s just a really great thing to participate in.

So… for next week (since I live in VA, don’t have a car and didn’t feel like spending the money to go home–bad, I know) I’m going a little off the beaten path and building houses in Gulfport, Mississippi with Alternative Spring Break. I may sound like a big charity-addict, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and never had the chance to. This year at least it’s free, so the timing and everything seemed perfect. I’ll try and take pictures while I’m there.

(Oh yeah, can you say free daytrip to the Big Apple with photo club on Saturday? I’d never been before, and now I’ve been several times.. Always amazing!)
Annnd that’s it for my first post, guys.

If you have any questions about anything, you can leave a comment, email me: vlk5011@psu.edu, or try me on facebook.

Later.