Why Being in Vermont in the Fall is the Best

Being from a state that doesn't see too much seasonal change, being in Vermont is a total switch up from the norm. I have fallen in love with so many aspects of Vermont, but fall is probably one of the main reasons because of all the great things you get to do during fall. Thinking back, as November begins to get colder and colder, these are some of the main reasons I have fallen for fall!

• Apple Picking! It was one of the first things I did with MOVE when I got to St. Mikes and it was the first time I had ever gone. They do a First Year Apple Picking activity and all the apples picked go to a local food shelf. It is an amazing tradition and from then on I've loved going apple picking with friends and even got to take my parents when they came to visit this past fall break!

My parents as we stroll down the aisle of apples

• Iced coffee becomes hot coffee...and hot chocolate! I love iced coffee and usually make it that way, but as it becomes cooler and I don't want to hold ice cold bottles in my hands, hot coffee slowly takes its place and it fills my heart and wakes me up on the cold mornings! Plus, you can have all different flavors. My personal favorite? Mocha, because it's basically hot chocolate with a little coffee added in. When my parents visited for the break, we went to Sneakers, a popular breakfast restaurant right down the street from school, and waited for our table at the cutest coffee place, Scout & Co. which had delicious mocha's! I will definitely be going back soon!

My one true love: Mocha's

My roommate Callie as she also sips on a Mocha. 

• Hot Cider, Cold Cider & Cider Donuts. The hands down most delicious part of fall in the north east. Oh. My. Goodness. I had only had hot cider out of the packet that you mix into hot water and did not like it at all. Then, you come to Vermont and you can have it cold. And that's when I fell in love with cider. I slowly began to warm up to hot cider, and cider donuts will forever be the most amazing part of fall. Delicious in every way, there will never be such a thing as too much cider anything!

My mom after we went apple picking and were warming up with donuts and warm cider!

• The Leaves! The colors on the mountains are like nothing I've ever seen before and as you drive on the highway it is like a painting. Just driving through it all is the most amazing experience.

A beautiful day apple picking at Shelburne Orchards!

• The Holidays! Fall is full of some fun holidays, like Halloween and Thanksgiving. St. Mike's always does a Halloween dance and it is a weekend full of fun costumes, which I love because I love to dress up! But Thanksgiving is so wonderful too. St. Mike's does special dinners for holidays like Thanksgiving a week or so before, and it is the perfect cue up to the real deal. I always look forward to the meals because everyone, and I mean everyone, goes and fills themselves with turkey and mashed potatoes and cider!

When it comes to Vermont, fall is amazing. But really, you can't go wrong with any season! I am so excited for when the snow comes and turns St. Mike's into a winter wonderland! 

Becoming a Coffee Drinker

I've never been a huge fan of coffee. I loved the smell in the morning, but never felt the need to follow the morning ritual of a cup (or two...or five) every day. But starting off senior year, I had a feeling that I would soon grow to love and appreciate coffee in all of it's glory.
Now, a little over a month in, I am officially a coffee drinker. It has happened, after 21 years of not needing coffee I have finally reached the point where a cup of joe in the morning helps to get the gears in my brain going and helps my eyes go from sealed shut to somewhat open. If you have yet to become a consistent coffee drinker, congrats...but just you wait! I thought I'd go without coffee forever, but I find that my love grows stronger every day.
And with that in mind, I think it only right to depict the phases of coffee love through Elf, hands down the best holiday movie around (my mom and I still watch it multiple times when I am home for the holidays).

Phase 1: The First Sip
When you first try to drink coffee (especially without sugar or milk) and realize that it smells way better than it tastes.

Phase 2: The Adjustment

At least for me, it took a bit of time (and I'm still working on it) to not pour tons of milk and sugar (and chocolate) in my coffee.

Phase 3: Attempting To Add Less Sugar & Milk
And then it all backfires and it's too bitter. But you've committed to it and have to fathom every sip.

Phase 4:When You Begin To Appreciate A Good Cup Of Coffee
And you can start to tell the difference between the good stuff and....the hot brown water some people try to pass as coffee.

Phase 5: When You've Had Too Much
And suddenly your hands are a little shaky but you're in too deep and the energy levels are off the charts.

Phase 6: When You Run Out
And it is the worst. And you forgot to go to the store. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase 7: The Unconditional Love
It's happened and you don't know what's happened to you. You've finally fallen head over heels in love with coffee and there's no going back.

My love of coffee is official. After 3 years in college, my 4th year has begun this love and there's no going back now!

Back at it for Senior Year

It's been a while since I've visited my St. Mike's blog! There has been a lot going on between when I was last at St. Mike's (for the Fall 2014 semester) and now. I am entering into my senior year; a thing that I thought would never roll around and couldn't be more excited. I'm excited to see my professors, to see my friends, and to get back into the swing of things here on campus! Last semester, I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Seville, Spain and had the best time. I met so many incredible people and fell head over heels in love with the city. I have no doubt in my mind that one day; I will end up back there!
This summer, I have been easing my way back into campus life by working in the Marketing Department. I have been assisting in a variety of projects, taking photos, and making the video series First Year Fridays for the incoming students. It has been a great experience and I've learned a lot!

Mike the Knight photo shoot around campus

Pre-Orientation Weekend (POW)

Summer Researcher

One of the skulls in the Biology department

While working on campus, I have been living in downtown Burlington learning to cook for myself and hanging out with my two wonderful housemates. Between eating pints of Ben and Jerry's and watching New Girl together, it has been an epic summer that was hard to see go. But I am so thrilled for the upcoming year!
This year, I'm living in an apartment with 3 other girls I am so excited to be living with. I'll be the Alumni Relations Coordinator for Founders Society. I will be the coordinator for the Dominican Republic Extended Service Trip. And I will be Co-President (with my good friend Casey) of the AcaBella's. There will be a lot going on, to say the least, but it's everything I love doing on campus and people I love spending time with.
People have begun to ask me about my "post-grad plans" which reminds me of being a senior in high school and figuring out colleges. There were always the people who asked where you were going to college before you even started applying, and that's kind of how it feels now. I have no idea. I have absolutely no idea, and I'm totally fine with that. I see all my friends who have just graduated and just think about the different routes they've all taken. Some choose to do service, some find a job right away in their field, and some find a job that are temporary for now, but they have fun with it. I know I'll figure it out at some point, but for now, I'm focusing on enjoying my last year at St. Mike's!

I'm Going Abroad!

I, Kathryn Miyahira, am going abroad.
What?!
I can't believe it's actually here. It feels like just yesterday that I was thinking about when I wanted to go abroad, where I wanted to go, and what program I should do. It was so much to think about, and now, it's all decided and about to happen!
I am going through API to Seville, Spain where I will be living with a host family, be taking classes (Monday through Thursday!) and will be traveling all over! I have 12 days left until I leave, and I am anxious and so excited! I have started to review my final departure packet for my program, am starting to plan packing (quite a process and skill, I am finding out), and have started my new blog for when I will be abroad.
If you would like to find out about my adventures while I am in Spain, my blog is http://kathrynmiyahiraabroad.weebly.com/
See you senior year St. Mikes!