Since the first day of the semester I have spotted “Blood Drive Today!” signs and posters all across campus.  Literally, I feel like everywhere I go and no matter where I look there is a sign there- no matter the day.  I had never donated blood before, and never had much interest in donating.  Honestly, the whole idea and process really scared me.  Then one day I was talking to a friend about the Blood Drives that were happening on campus and she told me that the one in November is actually a competition between Michigan State University and Penn State University, and the school that has the most donors is announced at the game. (Of course donating blood becomes a competition…it wouldn’t be a good rivalry without one, right?)

It took a couple of days, some discussion with my floormates, an actual shove, and some encouragement….but I finally made my way over to the Blood Drive one day last week.  I went with two other friends who had never donated blood, so we decided to try it together!  We were all terrified! A familiar face of my friend’s was working it, so of course we bombarded her with questions.  After an extremely long wait (which they shouldn’t give you because after thinking about it for a while many chicken out-which I desperately wanted to do, but didn’t) I went first behind the barrier to where the Red Cross had their whole set up.

The man who called me back could tell how nervous I was, but he was extremely kind and understanding of the whole thing.  He said that most people were, which made me feel a little more comfortable.  First we went to this make-shift desk contraption where there were some medical supplies and a computer.  He went through the process of registering me in their files, taking my temperature, and then checking my pulse and blood pressure.  But before I could actually donate my blood, he had to check my iron levels.  The do this with a little tool that pricks your finger a TINY bit so that they can get a little sample of your blood. They would like all donors iron level to be at least  12.4.  But unfortunately mine tested slightly below the limit at 12.1.  He tested me again, and it was even lower at 11.4!  Honestly, I was really disappointed.  This meant that I could no donate my blood like my other two friends were doing, and I wouldn’t be able to really contribute in the schools’ competition- the only reason I manned up to donate in the first place.

Although I couldn’t donate, many of you still should!  It’s an excellent way to save 3 lives AND beat MSU at something other than football…hopefully.

Last Thursday after my 9:45-11:00AM class I hurried over to the BJC (Bryce Jordan Center) Ticket Office for the first time, in order to purchase a guest ticket for the Temple football game on Saturday, November 15, 2014, and for the Michigan State football game on November 29 after our Thanksgiving break. Why did I hurry?  First, all semester long I’ve been hearing horror stories about the long lines at the BJC so people could get tickets for upcoming football games.  That is why my amazing roommate offered to go over at 10:30AM (thirty minutes before the ticket booth opened) to save me a spot in line, while I was making my way from class in Sackett.  Second, the cheapest tickets go fast!  And earlier Thursday morning the Ticket Exchange had the cheapest Michigan State ticket for sale for only $11.50.  How can you beat that price?!  But as it turned out, there was barely a line at all.  When my roommate got to the BJC there were six people in line, all in pairs (so really three).  Basically, she really didn’t have to save me a spot.  Although not THE cheapest tickets available for each game, I still got them at a decent price.  In total, a Temple guest ticket for my younger brother was $80 ($50+ a charge of $29.99) -not the best of deals, and a Michigan State guest ticket for my boyfriend was about $44 ($13.50 + $29.99).  I guess the early bird really does get the worm.  Being pre active, and going two weeks before game weekend paid off.  I won’t have to wait in a longer line later this week either.  Overall my trip to the BJC was a bit expensive, but money well spent.

Before my excursion across campus, I called the Athletics Customer Relations at 814-863-1000 with all of my questions, and they were extremely polite and helpful.  They had all the answers.  I also visited the Ticket Exchange website for directions on how to purchase guest tickets and to view the Student Ticket Exchange to make sure there were tickets available to be purchased.  I highly recommend taking advantage of both resources if your interested in purchasing a guest tickets- or a ticket in general!

Normal Business hours for the BJC Ticket Office are Wednesday through Thursday 11:00AM-4:30PM.  Guest tickets must be purchased with a credit card, NOT Lioncash!

= Disappointment

Last Friday, October 31, 2014, I along with a handful of other Discover House members braved the cold and went to check out the Halloween Lantern Tour at Old Main being advertised around campus.  Although it was not John and Cami’s fault for scheduling such a what would become, awful time to walk over, they did not plan for the forty-five minute line we had to wait in-just to get our hands stamped.  It was freezing!  Originally we had planned to walk over and go on the tour right away, with a maybe ten to fifteen minute wait. But that wasn’t the case.

Once we finally got all of our hands stamped, we were directed to wait on the steps/porch of Old Main.  From there, the Lion Ambassadors scheduled various groups to entertain those waiting for the tour.  There were dance groups, singers, and even some members of the Blue Band stopped by.  Plus there were free refreshments and warm drinks being offered to all of us who were patiently waiting.  However after waiting in line for forty-five minutes, then watching three performances and eating light snacks while we waited for our group to be called, it all took about another hour.  At this point, we were all questioning whether or not the tour was worth it.  It was unanimously agreed that we all just wanted to see the bell tower!  After all that’s the most exciting part, isn’t it?

After waiting for forever in the freezing air, and with successfully numbed hands, our group was finally called! We walked through the doors of Old Main, and BAM! We were actually inside of the infamous building.  The decorations were appropriately cool, and basically perfect for the scene they were setting; not to outrageous but not pathetic either.  A screen and short clip were displayed in front of us which we eagerly watched, anticipating the tour that would come next.  But to our surprise… just as soon as we had walked in, we walked back out again.  Apparently the “tour” was not of Old Main.  It was around Old Main.  And that was some serious false advertising on the Lion Ambassador’s fault.  Perhaps locals and upperclassmen knew what the Halloween tour entailed, but underclassmen did not.  It was a real disappointment.

Part way through the tour about three quarters of our group had wandered back to the dorms to get their Halloween costumes on, and get ready to go out later that night.  The tour was like a flash back of the history of Penn State.  Before I bailed at fraternities and sororities, I met Mr. and Mrs. Atherton, Old Coaly, Mr. Carnegie, Mr. Shields, and several other characters.  It was extremely corny and not really entertaining at all.  Even though I waited all that time, neither I or most of our group stuck around for the end.

I heard that those who did, got to go in the bell tower at the end of tour.  If only it was at the beginning!  Either way, I still do not regret my decision to head back early.  Overall it was a disappointing experience and did not meet up to the expectations I had for the tour.  But I guess Lion Ambassadors were doing the best that they could, and being as resourceful and creative as they could.

It was more of a tour for older alumni, locals, and younger children.  Especially with many of the jokes, that our group just flat out did not get.  It would have been more appealing if it was a lantern tour throughout the building, with spooks and characters along the way, as we learned more about the building’s history.

I’m sorry it was so disappointing.  But I am looking forward to eventually going on an actual tour of Old Main, itself!