Cardinals' Nest: From One Adventure to the Next

The two hour escapade down to Louisville from my hometown outside of Cincinnati held countless talks of what we expected for our Freshman Orientation. We knew we were in for boring talks about Financial Aid, Campus Security, and a bunch of other things we would rather be sleeping through than hearing. What we didn't expect was protecting our mascots, countless cheers, and a scavenger hunt enough to make your legs hurt.

In high school, I never had spirit. I was never proud to be an Eagle and I stayed as far away as possible from spirit wear. In the four years there, I only acquired the shirts that were given to us at registration and Senior Brunch. In the day and a half I spent in Louisville for orientation, I showed more pride in my school and more spirit than I could've imagined having in the halls of Scott High School. Being surrounded by people who were just as pumped as being a Cardinal as I was made that an easier task than expected.

I was introduced to the spirit of Louisville by SOSer's dancing to Justin Bieber and an excessive amount of Ray-Ban sunglasses. After that, it didn't take much for me to settle in. I got my lanyard, information card, and folder, and headed into Davidson to take the much dreaded math test. After finishing what wasn't even remotely as bad as I had planned, I headed into the crowd of cheers. We then dispersed into our groups; I was one of Mark's Maniacs. From there we went about our day, from one adventure to the next.

The night ended the right way: with one big dance party. I enjoy a dance party as much as the next girl so one should assume I was having a good time. From an eight-minute-long Akon song to 'Imma Be,' people poured into the Red Barn to get their groove on. This was just more proof to me that the University of Louisville was a place that I would fit in well at.

The next morning for me seemed to go by far too quick. A mock class made everything seem too real; I really was growing up. Advising brought that reality even more to my eyes. Setting up my schedule for my freshman year felt great! I finally felt like an adult, like I was ready to grow up. From advising was The Cardinal Challenge. I didn't know I was in the most competitive person in the universe's group aka Michael Warren. I can honestly say that I don't think I have ever walked so fast in my entire life and to top off the burning pain of working out my calf muscles, I stepped on a peach thus staining my entire foot. We lost the challenge but came out looking good afterwards.

Lunch was its own experience. Not a single person was unhappy. Group pictures were taken, people were dancing on tables, there was shouting and laughing all with good food in good company.

Finalizing my schedule was the final task. A couple of clicks on ULink and I was done. I was a Cardinal.

I'm more excited than ever to be a Cardinal. I'm ready to leave my house and be an adult. I'm ready to expand my horizons and open my eyes to new experiences I wouldn't get the chance to be a part of in Northern Kentucky. I'm excited to change my life for the better and meet people who will help me stay straight on that path. I'm excited for in four years, me to be able to say that I am a graduate of the University of Louisville. I'm ready for my life to begin and it all starts at Louisville.

From high school graduation to freshman orientation, from welcome week to first exams, from the next years to college graduation; my life is going from one adventure to the next.