Part 2: Aggie Homecoming Weekend 2010...

Homecoming weekend was fantastic. Driving north on I-15 I realized I hadn't been back to Logan since I moved to SLC back in August. Sardine Canyon was a kaleidoscope of fall colors. Trees transitioned from full to barren as my car sped around the winding canyon corners. I called my good friend Josh as I endured the remaining 9 miles into downtown Logan--what I like to call the stretch of death. I stopped at his apartment to catch up before I headed over to Hamilton's for the All Aggie Reception.

At the reception I made the rounds to see all of my former co-workers: Bobbi, Patty, Craig, Scott, Cecile, and most importantly, Kim. Seeing them was like coming home. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I hugged each one of them and caught up on life. I grabbed some delicious tacos courtesy of Cafe Sabor and parked myself at the registration table to hang out with Kim. Aside from a few kids, I was definitely the youngest person at the event. The turnout ended up being far beyond our expectations. Over 200 people attended the reception, rather than our 70 we had hoped for. When the reception died down I helped pack up and headed back to Josh's to pick him up to go to Chad and Shelly's house.

Chad and Shelly's house is so cute! I hadn't seen it since shortly after they moved in when there were boxes everywhere. The home had a warm, inviting spirit. I love being around "The Andrews". They are so happy and cute. Seeing Chadly finally get his happy ending gives me hope for the future and strengthens my testimony of prayer. It feels like it's been "Chad and Shelly" forever. Even though Chadly is married he's still my Chadly. He is honestly one of the best men I have ever known. He's the older brother I never had. The Andrews had invited some other friends over so we all sat in the living room sipping cider, eating dessert, and chatting with each other. After a few hours it was getting late so I took Josh home so he could see his girl friend. Then I fell asleep on Chad and Shelly's fabulous RC Willey couch.

Saturday morning I got up, threw on a sweatshirt and flip flops and headed to pick up Tessa. We rendezvoused over to Angie's: Where the Locals Eat. As always, it was packed. I ran into Cecile again while she grabbed some breakfast post hosting the dignitaries breakfast. We each enjoyed delicious breakfasts. The best part was the enormous mint hot chocolates. They seriously made me so happy. I practically made myself sick they were so good! Afterward we popped out to Main Street to watch the remainder of the Homecoming Parade. While we watched the many dance groups, local politicians, and USU clubs push across the pavement I was filled with a great sense of happiness. I love being out to experience community events. Logan is a little slice of everyday America. You can't help but love it.

Of course a trip back to Logan wouldn't be complete without a trip to the USU bookstore. I grabbed game day shirts for the fam and for Sar, along with a few other items. Oh how I love my Aggie gear. Next it was time to hit the pre-game party. I grabbed my Texas Roadhouse and pulled up a chair next to Kevin. He and I have worked together for alumni and on the A-Team for the past two years. The food was good but I was greatly disappointed by the lack of rolls. Texas Roadhouse has amazing main entries, but the rolls are the best. Kevin, Liz (the girl they hired after I left), and I manned the $18.88 Club table and then put away dozens of tables and chairs. We stopped work for a few minutes to pose for some photos. Kim is going to frame the one of us jumping in her office! Rain started to drizzle as Kevin and I headed up to the game with Kim's family. By the time we sat down and the game was 5+ minutes in, the downpour the weather man had promised began. Needless to say, we headed out at half-time.

On the rainy, windy ride home I got, as the Fidler say, "verclemped" listening to Kenny Chesney's "Boys of Fall". Out of nowhere I started to cry. They weren't sad tears, but more tears produced by reflecting on the good times in life. My time at USU was good. I found myself and for the first time in my life, I had a really good group of friends--people who I hope to keep in touch with forever. The good times are too many to count or recap here. We are all in different places now but there is a unity between us that will always exist, no matter where we end up in this world. I feel so blessed to have attended Utah State. While it's weird not being in Logan anymore, I am beginning to embrace my life in SLC. I don't long for Logan. Instead, I appreciate the time and experiences I had there. Going to Logan will always be like coming back to an old home. Comfort and peace are what I feel driving the familiar streets. Even though life will never be the same as it was there, it's not painful. Instead, all I feel is joy. Coming back to Logan really is a homecoming.

Part 1: Aggie Homecoming Weekend 2010...

"Once an Aggie, Always an Aggie..."

Today marks the beginning of Aggie Homecoming Weekend! I'll be driving up to Logan tonight to attend the All Aggie Reception at Hamilton's. Tomorrow I'll hit the homecoming parade, pre-game party, and football game. I'm so excited to see Kim and my old co-workers again. I still miss them every day! Plus, I get to see Chadly, Shelly, and Joshua...hoorah!

I haven't been back to Logan since I moved to SLC. It'll be nice to drive through Sardine Canyon again (even though it makes my dad sick with worry). I wish Sar, Em, and Cass were here to celebrate homecoming with me, but Cass will be home in December and next year Em and Sar will be home. We'll have our own little homecoming celebration.

I am grateful I had the opportunity to attend USU. It changed my life forever. I found myself on that campus. I'll post more about the festivities after this weekend.

Go Aggies!!!

An End of an Era...

I wrote this a few weeks ago but never posted. It's not totally finished but here it is the way it stands:

In less than two weeks it will be the end of an era. The end of a time in my life when I found more of myself. A time when I finally found real friends. A time when I allowed myself to live and love and lose. A time that started out as mere survival and turned into something real.

When I came to Utah State University in August of 2007, I was weak, wary, and weathered. After withdrawing from BYU less than a year earlier, I was still tentative about starting college again.When I left BYU in November 2006, I didn't know if I would ever return to college. Uprooted by severe, clinical depression, life seemed hopeless. While I still had a will to live, I no longer possessed hope in my ability to live the life I had imagined. Waking up and getting dressed was a big accomplishment during those days. It was my inability to function at a normal level that led me to leaving BYU. I couldn't keep running at such a furious pace. I was too worn down. I had nothing left to give.

Leaving BYU saved my life. Coming to USU made my life.

"There's something about this place that makes me think I could be more than I ever could be." Simple words on a 4x6 postcard. Words rehearsed to hundreds of SOAR students in the summer of 2009. Words that inspired one who was hopeless. Words that confirmed USU was the right choice.

Clarissa Fidler Named HASS English Student of the Year

Look everyone...I'm kinda cool! I was selected as the English Department Student of the Year. I was completely surprised when I got the email and actually a little confused. I asked Susan Anderson, one of my writing center bosses and a lecturer in the English Department, what the email meant and she got all excited and started shouting, "Clarissa!! You're the department student of the year!! Star and I nominated you! CONGRATULATIONS". It was a fun moment. I feel very undeserving and like I am not cool enough to get the award, but I am very grateful. It is a wonderful honor and recognition for all of the hard work I have done throughout my college career.

Here is the write-up that appeared on the English website:

CLARISSA FIDLER NAMED HASS ENGLISH STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Clarissa Fidler is an outstanding student in every way. Over the past year, she represented the English department as student orientation staff-member for the A-Team, webmaster and newsletter writer for the Alumni Association, secretary for the Society of Technical Communicators (STC), and peer mentor for USU Connections. Clarissa is a tutor and supervisor in the USU Writing Center and is managing editor for the Helicon West Community Broadsides.

Clarissa will be listed in the HASS Awards Ceremony program as Student of the Year for English. Many students from other departments will be recognized as well. The ceremony will be held on Friday, April 9, at 2:00 in the Morgan Theater. Everyone in the College of HASS is invited to attend.

Visit this website to view the actual write-up:
http://english.usu.edu/

3-Time WAC Champs!

The Aggies are WAC Champs once again! So sad to see Jared Quayle go, but we've got some good players in the mix. I can't wait to watch the tournament. Some say we could make it to the Sweet 16. If so, there's gonna be a huge party!!!

It's so weird to think that Saturday was my last basketball game as a student. I hope to come back after I graduate with my fam and watch the games but it won't ever be the same. Before coming to USU I wasn't the biggest basketball fan. Sure I went to some games in high school but I used to much rather watch football, baseball, or hockey. Utah State changed all that. Aggie Basketball is truly AMAZING! Plus, our players aren't too bad to look at either. My favorite player (looks-wise) is Matt Formisano. Chad and Joe loved to tease me about it. He is just so dang hot. Tall, dark, and handsome and an athlete...WOW!


We are known across the nation as being some of the most intense fans around.

This year wouldn't have been complete without "Wild Bill" Sproat. He made front page news on Sports Center, ESPN, and The Washington Post, just to name a few. Each game he would wear a different get-up during the second half to distract the opposing team's free-throw shooters. Needless to say, it was flippin hilarious. I think my favorite outfit was when he dressed up as a mermaid. He sat on the side and flipped his flipper when no one was free-throw shooting. HILARIOUS!!



Aggie Basketball is a huge tradition at Utah State. All summer I told my SOAR students that you can't truly experience Utah State without going to an Aggie game in the Spectrum. USU has made me an Aggie fan for life.

Go Aggies!!

January 2010 Aggie Insights

I just published the first 2010 issue of Aggie Insights, the USU Alumni Association e-newsletter I create and write every month. I am really proud of this issue. I have re-designed the header and revamped the entire design of the newsletter.

Click here to check it out!

They're back...

All is back in order at Brooklane Apartments. Yesterday my friends that left for the summer returned!! Logan, is once again bustling with college students. The summer citizens have flown back to their nests. Vibrant youth has replaced humble age.

Sarah moved in yesterday and it feels like she never left. Josh is back, only this year he is living in #14. Cody and Matt stopped by and we all got caught up on life. Chad's still here too, only he's living in #4 instead of #5. It was just like old times with our boys next door, even if none of them are actually next door anymore.

Matt and Cody are living in Nottingham apartments just a few blocks south of Brooklane. Yesterday, talking to Josh, Cody said, "Nottingham is very naughty" in a lovely British accent. That kid is truly one of a kind. Matt asked if he could enlist my help to decorate his room, so we went to Wal-Mart and got curtains, a curtain rod, rug, and shower curtain.

After chillaxin in our apartment for awhile, we all ended up going out to dinner together at Firehouse. Then for A-Team, I headed up to the quad to help get the pre-back-to-school-bash party started. I danced it up on the quad with all the freshman until Em, Josh, and Maddie came up for a bit. Then we all headed back to my apartment to watch a movie and guess who was there....Jeff and Kyle! This year they are living in the Round House, just up the street from our apartment.

I don't know if I am really ready for school tomorrow, but I am so glad we're all back together again!

A-Team Banquet

Thursday, August 6th was the A-Team closing banquet. We exchanged our blue polos and khakis for the more refined attire of dresses for the ladies and shirts and ties for the gentlemen. For the banquet, we convened at Logan's famous Blue Bird restaurant. We had our own banquet room, which was a good thing because as an A-Team we have only one real volume...LOUD. It felt weird to be in such a formal setting with everyone; a little out of our element I think. We are like one big family who are never shy around each other. So much of our summer is spent together, we gravitate to that state naturally.

The banquet was complete with a poem, video of pictures from the year, and awards. After the formal proceedings and dinner, it was a huge picture fest (see below).

I feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of the A-Team. Everyone is truly amazing and has touched my life. The unique bond we share is so valuable. I feel so much more connected to the university and my peers because of A-Team. Being a part of the A-Team is one of those things that college life is all about. I have so many memories that I will look back on for years to come.

Because as the say, "Once an A-Teamer, ALWAYS an A-Teamer..."

The Spiral Jetty and more...Memorial Day '09

Saturday night Chad and I were talking to his roommate Dalin and the spiral jetty came up. I'd never heard of it but Chad has learned about it in all his modern art classes but never actually seen it. Talking about it further, Chad remarked that it would be a great memorial day activity. That was that.

Monday we had lunch and then left for our Spiral Jetty adventure. On our way there we stopped at the Golden Spike to take a few pictures before heading off on the dirt and gravel road. There were tons of huge potholes and major puddles on the road out to the Spiral Jetty. Luckily, Chad has a truck, so we had an awesome time roughing it through the mud...in the words of Brad Paisley, we "gotta a little mud on the tires". Driving to the Spiral Jetty was just as fun as seeing the Spiral Jetty.

After 9+ miles of road we made it! We walked the entire length of the man made rock spiral and took a bunch of pictures. It was absolutely beautiful. On our way home in a rainstorm, we discovered the ATK Rocket Display. We got out to take pictures and explore the rocket park. It was amazing seeing all the different parts that make up rockets, the parts weigh a ton and are huge...plus we took a lot of fun pics. Later on in the evening, after we'd gotten back and relaxed for awhile, we drove up to walk around the Logan Cemetery while the sun set. There were so many flowers and neat graves. Chad loves the Logan Cemetery and I can see why. It had a peaceful, content feeling about it. It was amazing seeing all the graves and thinking of the lives people lived and who they were. To finish the day, we watched Valkerie with a group of friends. I couldn't have asked for a better Memorial Day.

62.5%

62.5%...my grade on my last HR exam...in the words of Sarah, "DAMAGE"!! It's just one test but it still pisses me off! It's partly my own fault. I didn't study as hard as I should have and the night before my test I hung out with friends, went to the grocery store, and gave love advice to a friend. So that's what I get...a wopping D...worst test grade I have ever gotten in college. Even at BYU I never got a D! All my fun and slacking off this semester finally caught up with me. I will still most likely get a B in the class so it's not that big of a deal.

Today is just a 62.5% day.

Sometimes, some days, some periods in life are just 62.5%. You get that grade for different reasons. Sometimes it's because you can't get enough of what you really don't need. Other times it's because you just didn't try hard enough. And other times it's because you recognize that some grades don't matter at all. Sometimes you deserve the 62.5 you get. Other times someone else is to blame. You can give a 62.5 rating to someone else, because they can't see that they're seeing double with the wrong one or because they don't want to face the real facts of life. Or sometimes, people are just morons and they deserve a D.

Broadside Poster

I am on a committe for the writing center here at school that designs posters of poetry that is read at our bimonthly Helcion West nights. This is the first poster that I designed.

A-Team

At the end of last semester I interviewed to be a part of the A-Team at Utah State, and I made it! My roommate Amy is currently one of the student coordinators and she urged me to apply. The A-Team is in charge of carrying out all of the details of new student orientation during the summer months. We sponsor and administrate SOAR Days- Student Orientation Advising and Registration, where new incoming students come to learn more about the university, register for classes, get to know people, pay fees etc. Click here to check me out on the SOAR website!

January Aggie Insights

Click Here to view the January edition of Aggie Insights. I spent this week putting the entire newsletter together. It was crazy getting it all together because of the Christmas Break but I think I did pretty good.

December Aggie Insights

Click here to see the December issue of Aggie Insights. I have started a new column about Utah State traditions that will run every other month. This month is my first story on the USU Winter Carnival. Also, check out the pieces on the Alumni Online Community and College of HASS Distinguished Alumni Speakers Series (I wrote both of those pieces too!).

Basketball, Wingers, & Die Hard

 

Aggie Basketball is finally here! Last night, Sarah, Cassie, and I went to the basketball game with Kyle and Jeff. We played Montana State and won easily by twenty+ points. Only a few games into the season, the team is still trying to find its comfort zone and how to play with each other. Coach Stew Morrill seems to be playing a lot of guys right now, trying to find the best combinaiton of five. Our star, Jaycee Caroll is gone, but we have some veterans and promising prospects.

My favorite player is #44 Matt Formisano. Sarah and I like to say his last name in an Italian accent. He is incredibly tall, dark, and handsome...such a pleasure to watch on the court:-) I always get excited when he goes in!

After the game, we all headed to Wingers for sticky fingers and asphalt pie...yummy!!! We hung out for awhile while we ate our food, swapping jokes and talking about the game. Then we headed back to our apartment and watched the last movie of the Die Hard series, Live Free or Die Hard. I'd never seen Die Hard before. It was pretty sweet (even though I fell asleep at the end...it was 1:30am)

Click Here for the write-up of the game.

November Aggie Insights

So this semester I have been working on my Dreamweaver skills, working for the Alumni Association on their e-newsletter, Aggie Insights. Every month, I interview an alumnus for the Alumni Spotlight, write additional stories for the newsletter, and put the newsletter together. My limited Dreamweaver and HTML knowledge creates frustration for me at times, but I'm learning, slowly but surely. I recently redesigned the header logo, and slightly reformatted the layout.

Click here to check out the November issue!

BYU Game

The USU vs. BYU game, which was a few weekends ago, was completely awesome! We didn't win but we scored two, almost three, times!! For our team, it felt like we won. Romney stadium was a sea of blue and white, since BYU stole our colors and all. At least we don't have game day shirts based on scriptures:-).



At the game, we sat next to the coolest BYU fan! He was there with a friend and their grandsons. During the game we had fun exchanging friedly banter. At half he left with some of the boys to get some snacks. When he came back during the third quarter, he distributed snacks to all of us and the group of students behind us! He gave us soda, popcorn, licorice, peanut m&m's etc. We liked him so much, we even took a picture with him!



The fourth quarter was the most intense of the game. In the last five minutes, almost every play had a flag called on it. It was insane. We should have had three touchdowns, but alas, the plays were reviewed and we were denied. After the game, we all went over to Cassie's house for pizza. Her parents and siblings had come up for the game and were nice enough to feed us. To finish the evening, we watched the movie Penelope.

MHR 3110 Project: USU Amphitheater

For my Managing Organizations and People class (MHR 3110) we are required to complete a group project. I lucked out and got put in a fantastic group! For our project we decided to refurbish the USU Amphitheater. The site was very rundown and not used very much. For our project, we sanded and stained all of the benches, in addition to cleaning up the entire site. A week after we renovated the amphitheater, we held a benefit concert to showcase the venue and earn money for the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Microloan Account. Our group got a lot of really great press, including an article in the Utah Statesman, and segments on the local Cache Valley TV Station and the student tv station, A-TV News.

http://www.utahstatesman.com/contents/campus_news/mhr_class_renovates_a_school_landmark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmuyxNoPe14
http://www.usu.edu/atvnews/archive.cfm
(click on October 20, 2008 and fast forward to 16:30 min. into the broadcast)

USU Hockey

"I'm on a highway to hell...We are the champions, my friends...Those girls, girls, girls"

Classic rock radiates through the Eccles Ice Center sound system as hockey players warm up. It's five minutes to game time. The music reminds me of my days as a freshman in the EHS weight room. The senior boys that year knew good music.

Tonight for my first USU Hockey game, it's Weber vs. USU. I'm so excited to be in a hockey rink that I trip up the stairs on the way to our seats. Later on, the cold bites into the bruise that has formed on my shin. As the buzzer sounds to start the game, Kara and I nuzzle under a blanket with her sister Kami and friend Amy. I love hearing the sound of blades against the ice. I can feel the dull chill in the air in my chest and toes.

Pucks fly and sticks crack. Let's go Aggies, let's go! Let's go Aggies, let's go! The crowd roars to life with every goal. A scuffle turns to blows as gloves are discarded. A Weber player pummels a USU player's face into the glass on the left side of the rink. Two Weber players are thrown out of the game. As play progresses, I continue to cheer my guts out. I decide that #22 is my favorite player. I mean come on, his last name is Arsenault, you can't get much cooler than that! Plus he's a captain and plays with great intensity and fire. My eyes dart from left to right, right to left, as I follow the path of the puck. All this feuding and fun just to see who can get a puck in a net the most. I love it. The energy is indescribable.

More fights ensue after the first period of play. At one point, 6 Weber players and 6 USU players are each put in their respective penalty boxes for foul play. Those penalty boxes are made for 2 or 3 people at the most, not 6 fully padded, angry hockey players. It was quite the sight.

In the end, the battle was worth it, with USU winning 8-5. Take that Weber! What a fabulous way to spend a Friday night.

First Day as a Writing Center Tutor

Ok,today is my first day as a Writing Center Tutor. I just had my first consulation. Overall, I think it went fairly well. Luckily it was a mechanical engineering major who just need to go over an internship paper. A good one for my first time! Ahh! His paper was 19 pages and he mostly needed help making sure his organization and explanation of his processes was correct. We went over time but were given the ok to do so. I think I helped him see some places where he needed clarification. He thanked me and said it was helpful so yippee!!! One down...many to go:-)