Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Finally! After a marathon of classes with no fall break, students prepare to head home for Thanksgiving. After classes finish on Tuesday, we will lug home loads of laundry, whatever homework we have not yet finished, and our appetites for home-cooked food. What we should bring back, though, is also exciting.


Ever since I can remember, I have been obsessed with Christmas; so when my boyfriend brought me to a floral shop completely decked out in holiday decor, I was inspired to remind readers to bring back their winter coats and holiday decorations.


After spending such quality times with family over Thanksgiving, we will be anxious to do it all again for winter break. Decorations in IU's residence halls and on campus are always great this time of year, but having your own in your room cannot be beat. If nothing else, they will make dead week seem a bit more lively and help to lift your spirits throughout the finals stretch.


So remember to bring back your winter holiday decorations from home, and have a happy Thanksgiving and a relaxing, much-needed break!

Dancing "For the Kids"

The Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM) will take place this year Nov. 13-15. The biggest student-run organization on campus starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, and participants do not stop dancing and raising money for Riley's Children's Hospital until Sunday. Hip Hop ConnXion, a company team on campus I am a part of, has been preparing for our performance at the marathon this week.


We will be performing a set composed of four mixed songs at 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning, featuring choreography by our own Sarah Mattingly and Wesley Owens. Performances help to keep the energy level up while dancers are inspired by the stories of Riley's patients and their families.


Our pre-IUDM practices have been auditioning and setting team members for these routines. This is my first year on the team, and I am extremely excited to be able to participate in the marathon for the first time, just to be amongst the positive energy and caring there.

Art Inside Art

When deciding what to write my blogs on, I try to think both about what readers want to see or know, and what I want to take photos of. Now that it is dark out by the time I walk to evening dance rehearsals, I noticed something that fit both of those descriptions: the IU Art Museum. The sky-scraper of a pole with color-changing LED lights shines onto the white stone walls of the museum to provide a peaceful but vibrant view.


This work of light draws several people each night, whether they are simply taking their own photos of it, or laying on the ground looking up to watch the changing colors, or even using the spot as a place to play music with friends.


As many know, IU's campus is already beautiful enough in the fall, but at night, no matter what the season, 7th Street draws crowds to view the gorgeous light show. If you are scheduling a visit to IU or a campus tour, make sure you leave time for yourself to come back after dark, and see one of the many reasons IU students are proud to be Hoosiers.