True Blue #2

Hey everyone,

For the second blog I guess I can talk a little about my time at duke so far and where I plan on going in the future.  I think I mentioned in the previous blog that I'm studying Electrical and Computer Engineering (that's one thing for the record.  When I tell people that they get really impressed because it sounds like I'm mastering two forms of engineering) and possibly Computer Science.  I love playing sports so I do some of the IM league stuff like softball and hopefully basketball and soccer next year once my shoulder fully recovers.  I also got to play some club rugby and quiddich.  Rugby is obviously sweet and I know it's really absurd but seriously if you think you're too cool for quiddich you're missing out.  Great workout, super violent, and very relaxed sense of commitment.  Most of all I just like lifting and exercise; it's a great way to forget about how horribly I did on my last math test or what have you.  One big recommendation I have is to find time to get out and stay active.  It'll help you both with your health and in the classroom.  For real though.

Another very new part of my life right now is Greek Life, as I joined Delta Tau Delta in the Spring.  I know this may give a wrong impression since a lot of people have preconceived notions about fraternities, so I just want to give a quick idea of how I ended up in this organization.  I, like most people, did not want anything to do with Greek Life coming in to Duke: I was scared of getting hazed or letting my grades slip or something like that where I lose control.  But a friend of mine convinced me to "rush" in the spring, which I knew was supposed to be fun but I was also worried because I didn't know any group particularly well at all.  Anyways,  I actually had such an amazing time and met so many great people that I didn't know where to choose.  In the end, I made a tough decision but couldn't be any more excited about where I am.  I have some of the best homies a guy can have, a support system for school and classes, and a guarantee I'll have friends across the country once I leave Duke.  I'm not saying you won't have these if you don't join a fraternity, not at all.  The idea you need to be in Greek Life to have a social life is very untrue and I know I could survive without it.  That said, I do encourage you all to rush to at least get an idea of what we're all like.

Since I'm only a year older than you guys, I don't have much of an idea about where I'm going in the next few years, but I have the confidence my University and group of friends will help me get along the whole way through.  I hope you're all as pumped as I am about where you're all headed, because you're going to love your life and it only gets better.

Intro Post to True Blue

What's up, everyone.  I'm Steve Mazzari out of Montclair, New Jersey, and I'm heading into my sophomore year here at this ridiculously sweet place called Duke University.  Before I talk about more Duke stuff, I guess I should share a few things about my background. I've lived in Montclair my whole life and spent ten years (pre-K through 8th) at the ultra tiny elementary school Lacordaire Academy where my mom taught and is now principal at.  Despite being a Jersey suburbs dude through and through, I actually went to Catholic high school named Regis in Manhattan where I ran track and cross country. Now I'm here in the Pratt school studying electrical and computer engineering.  That's basically my whole life in, like, six sentences.

Enough about my uneventful existence, I wanna talk about you people. you guys have to be pretty freaking nervous right now.  Honestly, I'd be worried about your state of being if you weren't.  When I was in your spot, I wasn't worried about leaving home or even living on my own, although that stuff is pretty scary.  It's that horrible feeling of "Will I be happy here?  Will these people like me?  Will I like these people?  Can I do well in school and still enjoy my hobbies and have a social life?" which all kind of culminate in the "Did I make the right choice?"  All legitimate questions for sure, but let me ease some of your worry.  Duke is easily diverse enough to let you meet literally any group of people (and I don't mean ethnicity or nationality) and more than exciting enough to provide you with the exact opportunity you want even if you don't know what you want yet.  I know these are pretty huge claims here.  I also know other colleges say the same thing, and honestly, a lot of them are right, too.  That said, I can stand by Duke and my comments when I say this is truly a special place where if you put in the effort you will find your place and love every minute of it like me.

Now onto O-week.  Since it was only about 11 months ago, I remember my first days as a freshmen very well.  It was hot and humid and I sweat nearly the whole week but it's a crazy fun time.  You basically get a list of about a hundred things to do and you try to go to as many as you can while meeting as many people as one possibly can.  I know this is really daunting for you since you all just formed your friends for life in high school and gosh dangit why do I have to talk to complete strangers now I should just sit in my room and watch Netflix for 6,700 hours and close out the year bla bla bla but WAIT.  I need you to trust me one more time when I say it's all good because everyone is in the same boat.  You won't be introducing yourselves and going over the same tedious routine when getting to know people for four years.  Just like, a couple weeks.  Everyone is desperate to be your friend so the process is smoother and quicker.

As for True Blue, this is one of the main events during orientation week which will really help give you an idea about college life and ease you into the year.  It's pretty funny and a little weird too, so I won't give too much of it away but you got to see it my future homies.  I can't wait to be friends with all you peeps, and welcome to Duke!!!