Take me for an example, not only am I in the Honors Program but I am also the president of the Black Student Union.  This means I have obligations to both two clubs. For the Honors Program not only do I take honors course and keep my grades up in those classes but I also do any other activities we plan. For example, we always do the Pink Feet race in October and it is our job to sell a few of those. I think it’s important to not only get the benefits from the honors class room experience but also with all the parts of the program. Also with being the president of the black student union I have duties to mu club. All of this is by choice. I don’t have to be in these clubs but I see the joy and the sense of community in joining clubs. I also know fellow students who are in a few clubs too. We are all in the same circle. We need more people in everything.

That’s my spill.

Bye now

Let me update you on what’s going on: I’m living in the Boulevard Apartments with five great ladies, I’m playing softball, I’m interning with a non-profit organization called Luminari, I’m taking classes, I’m working at The Globe, and I’m still trying to have some fun!

I’d like to focus this semester on athlete topics. Not too many people pay attention to us here at Point Park University, so I’m giving all of you a shout-out! It can be tough when we have three hour practices every day, games, homework, work, etc. Things get a little crazy! But the great thing about being an athlete is that you always have your team. When I feel like I don’t want to go to practice because I have 12,000 other things I need to accomplish, I just think about my team. I know they are all going through the same thing, and that helps a little.

But this goes for non-athletes too. When you feel like you are trying to do so very much in a very short amount of time, just remember…here at Point Park, we don’t have class on Friday. And soon enough, the week will be over and we’ll all be relieved for a few days.

Keep your eyes on the prize, guys! I know it’s only Sunday night, but it will be Thursday night before we know it. Fill out those planners, grab your pens, and prepare yourself for another Point Park week. We can do it!

So here is the funny little letter I would write to request tea in offices that offer coffee.

To Whom Ever It May Concern,

It has come to my interest that while your office has a coffee maker there is not tea maker of any sort. I and other non coffee drinkers feel discriminated against in that our hot drink of choice is not offered in the work place. While it may not be possible to have a tea pot in the office maybe a hot water machine with tea bags on the side. A variety of flavors, caffeinated and decaffeinated is best. This would be a nice thing to have.

Thank you for your consideration

Signed X _________________________

Just a little funny note.

Membership/ Recruitment Tables

February 13th and 15th

3-4pm

The location for the first one is Lawrence Hall Lobby 1 and the second day is Lawrence Hall lobby

(I am assuming one is closer to the door or something.)

Movie Nights

February 16th 7:30-10:00pm “The Help”

February 23rd  7:30-10:00pm “Bamboozled”

location JVH Thayer Hall both days

snakes provided, no charge

Panel Discussion on African American Stereotypes and Place in Society

February 29th

4:30-6:30pm

JVH Thayer Hall

Panel of both 3-4 university staff members and 2 students.

video clips shown to illustrate certain topics.

I have been so busy these few couple of first weeks. So many things to do thanks to all the roles I play here on campus.  What roles do I play you ask?

1. student (given)
2. Honors Program office assistant (work study)
3. Black Student Union president (elected)
4. Blogger (Five blogs last time I checked)
5.  Reporter (for the Globe, the Cavalcade and To the Point)
6. Dancer/Yogi (jazz and ballet once a week and yoga on Wednesdays
7. SGI Buddhist member (my faith)

I think you get the point in how many things I have to take on while I’m here at Point Park.  Under those roles add in time to study, do homework, plan events, do paper work for myself and others and keeping in touch with my family back home. I’m beyond stretched thin. I have given up on any personal/ social life unless by some grace it just falls into my daily activities.  I prefer the feeling of getting things done then going out to a party and feeling guilty. There will be time for that when things slow down. Right not I am really focused on getting things  done or in the works. One thing school does for sure is challenge us.

Well got to go write something, study something or sign something.

Peace, Love and Productivity

Some good ideas to keep our brains used to learning and thinking are reading, writing in a journal, and checking our email. Each of these task shouldn’t seem like much but they may help keep you in a bit of a student mind set. Reading should always be done no matter the time of the year. Only by reading can we become better writers, recognizing new words and helping us to understand concepts. You don’t have to read a news article but even a personal interest book on the topic of your choice is fine. I have found by reading more I have a lot to talk about with someone new I meet. When I return to school I can ask a new classmate if they have read any good books lately or discuss concepts of a book my professor has read. Next, I suggest writing in a journal of some sort. Even a live blog is fine as long as you are expressing yourself and writing down record of your daily life. You can become a better writer by practicing writing. Even a few sentences a day about a funny joke  you heard or what you did for Christmas will keep you writing. Writing for one self and writing a term paper are very different but both are writing indeed. Who knows you might inspire a thesis for a choice paper to write for class. Last I think getting into the habit of checking our email is essential to college life. So much important messages are sent about school or in reference to our classes. Even over break we might be sent information about returning or new class changes. It’s fine to not check it every second of the hour but it should be checked at least once a week. Most likely the school isn’t going to call you if they change any policies, you will get an email first. Don’t worry I do not think the school can kill your inbox over the break, that would not be very merry of them.

I hope this advice finds you all stress free in preparation to go home and have fun. Have a great break and remember your still a student come January.

Peace, Love and Good Books

My advice for surviving this time is to get sleep when you can, eat right, and do your work. We can look forward to all night cram sessions but sleep is important to the human body. We need to give our minds some hours of rest, off time. So not matter how much work yo have try and get some sleep. Even if it means not going out one night and sleeping in instead., sleep is more important. What use is all the information you studied if you can’t keep your eyes open for the test?

Nex, I suggest you eat right. This may be hard to do on a college budget and campus but it is not impossible. It’s about choosing the right things. Like getting a salad instead of pizza seven days a week. Or not going out to eat dinner every night. It’s simple really. Try and squeeze some vegetables and fruit in your diet. And try not to skip meals, especially not breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day for a reason. Taking a test on an empty stomach is like driving a car without gas; your getting no where.

And last but surely not least. Actually this may be the most important thing: do your work. It’s so easy to put things off until the last minute but it’s not fun to put together an entire paper or project at midnight the night before it’s due either. It is best to just do the assignments to the best of of ability allowing time to make changes if needed. If we doing something the night before we most likely will not review and revise it. Done will be done instead of trying our best. Look on the bright side, once the work is done so is the course and your ready for break.

In the words of my mother “do your work”

Peace, Love and Study Guides

Now it’s Thanksgiving break already.  I mean, it’s basically over, but I totally enjoyed it.  I had a lot of homework to catch up on, but I just took a break.  I’ve been working hard and having homework all the time, but break means break.  I wanted to actually relax and do nothing, catch up on my knitting and enjoy the day.  I really did a lot of knitting this break already.  I finished 2 Christmas presents and that just gets me excited to cast on a new project

Now when classes start back up Monday, it is seriously going to fly by.  It’s crazy how fast things go at the end of the semester.  We’re all bustling and hurrying to get things done but so want to enjoy all the holiday fun things downtown.  I can’t wait to get a skate in at PPG and check out the windows at Macy*s (oh I’ve been peeking but need to still “oo” & “aa”).  I love hearing the Christmas tunes passing PPG whenever I go to Nicholas Coffee in Market Square.

Now why didn’t I see all these things during Light Up Night you ask, well it’s craziness down here for one.  Which is totally fine, but us downtowners want to do it right.  Me and 3 other CF’s, some good friends of mine Remy, Avery and Tom, went up to Mt. Washington and checked out the lights and bustle from up there.  It was so pretty (and freezing)!  On our way over we saw one horse open sleigh’s but on our way back we saw Santa.  One of my friends, Remy was wearing an awesome knit mohawk hat to stay warm and doesn’t Santa say “Nice hat” and from then on Remy told everyone, “SANTA LIKES MY HAT!!!”.  It was great.  An awesome and priceless moment.

Well I’m going to try to get ahead of my homework.  Happy Turkey Comas!

Well, I don’t know about all of you, but I am extremely stressed. I had to take a quick second and breathe, and think “what can I do to relax?” So, I’m blogging! In the next two weeks I have so much to do: two research papers, an article, an analysis, two tests and more assignments than I can count. On top of this, I’m working 38 hours next week. Whew. I’m sure any student reading this is in the same boat. It kind of seems like teachers dump all the hard work on us at the end. And after our constant slacking through September and October, we have no idea what to do with ourselves. Well folks, here it is. Get yourself a planner. Write down literally every little thing you have to do in the next couple of weeks and map out when you’re going to get it done. Believe me, it is a life saver. Especially for those of you taking online classes. This Internet is a scary world, and it’s hard to keep focus! So the planner definitely helps to keep your life in line, I promise.

Another thing, don’t forget to relax during this crazy time. I know it seems like there isn’t enough time to sit down and watch your favorite tv show, but there is! This could actually help you. If you’re having writer’s block or math block (uhhhh…?) or you just feel so sick of work that you can’t do it any more…seriously. Take a break. Breathe. Because, we’re all capable of this work. We signed up for it just 2 and a half months ago, right? We’ll all get through it.

Aside from this little pep talk, I hope everything up north is going well. I’m excited to see the snow in January and be reconnected with all of your beautiful faces!