Interviewing Rachel Lalli on her experiences at Westfield State University. Enjoy her answers to some of my questions. She shares her personal experiences and dishes on the campus. http://allisonbruno.podbean.com/2014/04/10/westfield-state-university-interview/

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Somewhere Only We Know

I have two favorite places to go when I need an escape.  To the left is a place I call "The Forts".  It is an old shelter base that was built during a war.  It has concrete tunnels and an amazing view of Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts.  When I sit up top of those concrete tunnels I find peace. 

To the right is a spot found right here in Westfield.  Its deep inside Stanley Park but it is magnificent.  It is a hidden gem inside a huge park.  Watching the ducks and swans gracefully move about brings a sense of calmness to this hectic world. I enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by nature as I sit by the water.  This is my peace when I am far from home.

Lighting Up My Life

Best friend is not a term I use loosely but over 21 years I have gained two of the very best girl friends anyone could as for.  With their contagious smiles there is never an unhappy moment when we are together.  Being friends since we were in 6th grade has allowed us three to grow together and become more like sisters.  Their positive outlooks on life have influenced me for the better and I would not trade them for all the stars in the sky.

Campus Life

To all the girls out there with closets full of fashionable close, save them for the weekend.  It may not be the best look, but sweatpants and sweatshirts are a popular choice for hanging around campus.  College allows the freedom to have days where you don't have to get dressed; after all, isn't that the whole reason we go?

Not all colleges have the set up that Westfield State University does, but they should.  With the center of campus being all grass, spring time becomes the best season at school.  This open field is most often referred to as "the green".  When the weather gets warmer, and classes grow harder to get to, the green becomes a very popular spot.  Whether students are playing frisbee, football or even tanning, this is one of the best things about campus.

Sass with a Smile

Sassy. That was the one word everyone used to describe my personality when I was younger.  I always had to get the last word and I had an attitude that parents had nightmares about.  But as sassy as I was, I was lovable too.  I had a huge heart and loved to make other people smile.  

Flash forward 18 years, at 21 I am much less sassy, but just as lovable as I was at 3.  I love to laugh and I do it often.  My family switched my name from sass-a-frass to sunshine because thats what they say they feel when I come into a room.  My grandmother always said "A smile is a woman's best accessory" and I plan to wear mine as often as possible.

"You'll Be Missed, Miss California"

November 8th through 12th of 2012 two of my dreams came true.  First, I got to spend my 20th birthday in the golden state of California and I got to see my all time favorite band perform live for their last show ever. Jack's Mannequin formed in 2004 when I was just 12 years old.  Three albums and 9 years later, Jack's Mannequin announced they would be performing their last show as a band on November 12th, 2012, in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theater. Being from the South Shore, the chances I had to go see him were slim to none, especially because his first show for that weekend sold out in less than ten minutes.  After the show for November 11th sold out so fast, Andrew McMahon (the frontman, writer, and lead singer) decided to add a second show on the 12th.  With a pounding heart I typed my information into ticket master and landed four tickets.  One for me, my best friend, her sister and her mother (all huge Andrew/Jack's Mannequin fans).  I did not think life could get any better.  Not only was I going to see the band live, I was going to do so in California.  $500 later, we were on a plane heading out of the cold and into the sunshine.  For the few days I was in California, we jammed as much sight seeing as we could.  Visiting Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier and of course, Disneyland.  On the last night of our mini vacation was the concert I had been anticipating for 60 days since I purchased the tickets.  Being able to stand feet away from the band and hear them sing live was the best moment of my life thus far.  Jack's Mannequin's songs got me through some of my toughest years and their music puts my mind at ease.  Nothing can take the way I felt that night away and I would never trade that experience for anything in the world.