Summer '17: Graduation

On May 9, 2017, I graduated with my Associates of Arts degree from Broward College. I am so proud of myself. I feel like I've actually accomplished something and there's so much more to be done. 

The graduation process itself was long and draining (between the standing in lines, signing agreements, and trying to locate my support section),  but it was so much fun. The hustle and bustle of everyone combined with this energy of school pride and achievement was addictive. The best moment was when I was walking up the stairs of the stage and I could look out into the arena and see all the people who came out to support my peers and me. There was so much love in the room and the happiness was infectious. I've never smiled as much as I did when I received by degree. 

The Countdown

Hi everyone!
As you all know, this year has been very taxing on me. Senior year is very stressful and crazy and full of fun. I've learned so much and grown as a person. As this chapter of my life draws to a close, I'm reflective and proud of myself. Let's start the countdown.

                The Countdown:

9 college applications to: Hofstra University, New York University, Fordham University, Rice University, Tulane University,Pomona College, Stanford University, Tufts University, and UChicago.

8 classes: COMPLETED 
7 months of waiting for college responses: Finally over :)

6 acceptances: Hofstra University, NYU,Fordham University, Rice University,Pomona College, and Tufts University (waitlisted by UChicago).

5 fly ins: Pomona College Fall Weekend,Tufts University Diversity Weekend,Rice University Vision Program,Pomona College Spring Weekend, and Rice University Owl Days.

4 SAT/ACT attempts: not worth it. I could've stuck with my original scores lol.
3 full rides from: Rice University, Pomona College,and Tufts University

        2 days left of "high school"

    1 big decision

And I choose..........

RICE UNIVERSITY 

🎉🎉🎉Prom 2017 🎉🎉🎉

Hi everyone!
Last night, April 22, 2017, was my prom and it was amazing. The night started off getting ready with my mom and my friend, Chandler. We went to different aesthetic locations and took pictures. I felt so glamorous wearing this long royal blue gown and having people walk around with me and take my photo. It was like an impromptu photoshoot and I'm so glad I got to share it with my friends and family.

      It was fun to get all dressed up and see my friends from school doing the same thing. It was like all these people that I see on a daily basis suddenly became royalty and I felt so fortunate to be a part of it. The first part of the night was set aside for dinner. Then, we danced and danced and danced some more. While everyone's dancing, the music suddenly goes out and its time to announce the winners of the senior superlatives. There was only one superlative that I really wanted: Most Likely to Succeed.  I'm waiting at the table with my friends for the announcers to get through all the superlatives before my category. Finally, the Most Likely to Succeed comes up and they announce the male counterpart first (this REALLY smart guy that I've literally only seen doing schoolwork) and then the emcee lingers on the female Most Likely to Succeed and she says " Our female Most Likely to Succeed is everyone's favorite...Camille P- " and I couldn't hear the rest of what she said because everyone erupted in applause. I get up to see everyone cheering for me and it is so surreal. People are standing up and giving me all this applause and attention. It made me feel so special; it reminded me that my hard work and efforts do not go unnoticed. As I stand among the other winners, one of the emcees goes "we all love Camille, don't we?" and everyone starts cheering again! The positive vibes and support everyone had for me was so mesmerizing. And that's what made prom so amazing. It wasn't the fancy lights or the loud music, it was the people I spent it with.

P.S. Camy's Corner has broken 9,000 views from viewers from 60+ countries around the world!!! Thank you so much for your support. It really added to the magic of this weekend.

Thank you for making this such an eventful senior year <3

Rice University: Owl Days 🦉

Owl Days S'mores <3

Hi everyone!
I have just attended Rice University's Owl Days and it was absolutely amazing! I made so many new friends and met so many genuine people. I felt right at home amongst all these beautiful minds. The campus entrance looks like the fortress of a castle. The administrative offices and the classes are in said "fortress" and there are friendly staff and students all around. There is this humongous quad lined with trees; its so beautiful, I've seen couples take their wedding photos in it. The residential college system is really unique and encourages bonding. The eateries are delicious and vegetarian friendly (for those days I select to be vegetarian lol). I just love this school.

Bubbletea!!!

Owl Days is a three day event set aside for admitted students to get to know the campus better and to figure out if Rice is a place they want to live for the next 4 years. There are tons of scheduled events and opportunities to find one's community (or communities). I found the easiest way to make friends is to say "Hey, what's your name? Where are ya from?" and then exchange numbers or social media. Just being involved (or displaying interest in being involved) creates immediate bonds with current students, administration, and/or other students in the incoming class. Rice University is an awesome school full of exceptional people who will go on to do unbelievable things. All prospective Rice students should make an effort to go to Owl Days.

Pomona Part 2: Santa Monica

Hi everyone! I'm back at Pomona College in LA for the Spring Weekend. Once again and they are very organized. I have been picked up and brought directly to campus to arrive to the admissions directors smiling and waving to me with my folder in their hands. It feels so good to know that not only do they know my face, but they also know my name.  

I drop off my stuff with my  host and then go to the faculty-student student BBQ dinner. It was so great meeting other like-minded people. And the best part about that is everyone is so down to earth. There was just this environment where I could be myself and I was able to connect to people from all over the world so quickly. 

The next day I got up early and went to breakfast this little lounge underground and it was adorable. We met with more faculty and staff members and talk to them. We also met with alumni and discussed post college employment and things to do during college to ensure a smooth transition into the working world. Then we had lunch and went to Santa Monica.

Santa Monica is beautiful. The people are beautiful; the beaches are beautiful;the mountains are beautiful. It's so diverse and a lively. There are so many street performers that have raw talent and are just trying to make it. And the food was absolutely amazing! It's a ball of creative energy and endless determination and I felt so fortunate to be there. 

Throughout this weekend at Pomona I've realized a lot of things. First off, Pomona is an amazing school with so many resources and the people that attend the school I guess is amazing as those who run it. They truly stick to their motto of helping the student; the student is always priority. I also learned that I have to follow my heart. And to be confident in everything I do. Others may have comments and opinions, but this is the life that I will live and these are the choices that I will to live with. These are the most amazing people I've ever met and I know in the future we will still be friends. I can't wait to come back. I have to thank Pomona for introducing me Santa Monica and for showing me new parts of myself.

Grad Bash

Today all the "seniors" of my high school got on a bus to Universal Studios. The bus ride was long, but once I saw the flashing lights of Universal Studios, I felt more optimistic. We walked through the back of Universal in the 8 o'clock darkness just to stand in a herd of people to go through security. It's about 9:40pm by the time my friends and I make it through security and onto one "ride". At this point, I haven't eaten and I'm extremely hangry (hungry-angry). My large group of 13 breaks into the "I want to ride roller coasters now" group and the "where is the food?" group. The food group and I go to Broomsticks and eat Sheppard's pie, salad, and some baked potatoes. We also drink "butter beer" which turned out to be really good. Then, the food group breaks up into the extreme coaster people and the mild people (i.e. me and another girl). We start wandering around and hear the announcement of a Jason Derulo concert starting. We walk to the front of the park just in time to squeeze into the knitted crowd in front of the stage. The concert was amazing. He preformed all his greatest hits and some new songs. His backup dancers were great and full of energy. The crowd was so pumped and lively. It was just such an amazing thing to be a part of. The concert crew and the extreme coaster riders reunite to form food group again. We walk around and danced at an impromptu dance party.

It was a lot of fun and once again, the energy of the people made it that much greater. We ride a few more rollercoaters (including the very realistic 3D Despicable Me experience) before we start walking back to the buses around 2 am. This has been a crazy day, but it's been so worth it. Just being able to dance and sing and laugh freely without the stress of school was so refreshing. 

His Pick-Up Line: Give Me Your Number Before I Don't Want it Anymore

 Today I was in the library working on an assignment at some standing computers. I usually listen to music when I work, but this time my headphones were off because my friends would come up to talk to me and it was annoying to constantly put headphones on and take them off and put them back on again. So I simply left them off next to me on the desk and kept working on my assignment. All of a sudden, this guy starts talking to me. When I look at him, he's wearing a black shirt, camouflage shorts, and sunglasses...indoors. He sticks his phone out to me and says "put your number in before I don't want it anymore." I'm looking at this guy wondering how I should respond. Should I ignore him? No, he looks like he's determined. Should I rip into him? No. Maybe I didn't hear him right. So I ask him "I'm sorry, what?" And he repeats, still holding out his phone with an air just do it already, "give me your number before I don't want it anymore."

It is at this point I decide to put him in check. I say, "Oh no, you've got it all wrong. When you approach a girl, you're supposed to say 'hi my name is', not 'give me your number before I don't want it anymore'. So let's try it again. How about you show me your eyes." He removes his shades to reveal kind eyes. He's obviously not dangerous or crazy. I continue with "What's your name? How old are you? What are your classes? Do you ACTUALLY attend this school? What's your major?"

He answers all my questions and even pulls up his schedule online to prove he's a student. We have a whole discussion on wearing shades inside and why it is (or isn't) appropriate. I told him that when he approached me like that he came off as a butthole so he should use a different strategy next time. We discussed China versus Japan, the leaders in the Rap/HipHop industry, and why I can't understand anime (and trust me, I genuinely tried). All in all, he wasn't a terrible guy. He wasn't even cocky or conceited. He was just a nice Nigerian guy who wants to be a nurse approaching a smart girl with a fake personality that she knew he didn't really have.

Real knows real. It's much better to be genuine and be yourself than to try to make friends pretending to be another person. And if you're not being real with me, just like I did with this guy, I will call you out on it. Moral of the story: stay true yourself. That, or come up with a better pickup line.