My Knightlife

I arrived in Washington, DC yesterday afternoon for the ACPA conference. We are staying at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center. I woke up bright and early this morning to ensure I was refreshed and well prepared for my first interview with EKU.

For those who didn’t know. I am attending this placement exchange in search for a residence hall director position. My experience on campus in Student Government, Programming, and Residence Life has propelled me to look into this opportunity.

I was really impressed that EKU is starting Greek Housing on their campus in the next upcoming year. Brotherhood and sisterhood development is so important to fraternity life, that I think they are going in the right direction. What really caught my attention was the fact that Nickole Hale, Associate Director of Academic Initiatives described the office enivornment as a “family”.  Lynn University is like a family to me and that is something that I am looking for in a higher ed job.

Filed under: Resident Assistant, Travel on March 28th, 2009 | Comments Off

So its only be several minutes since I last posted, but I figured that these results are so important. These individuals are going to be the student leaders who shape the future of SGA and how it is represented on campus. They will be the students that bring our community closer and continue to make strides to bridge any gaps between faculty, staff, and students. Your SGA Executive Board for the upcoming 2009-2010 Academic Year are:

President-Mohamed Abdalla

Vice President- Jennifer Rodriguez

Chief Financial Officer- Armando Castillo

KAT Chair- Zach Welsh

RHA Chair- Steph Hammerman

The two candidates that did not win show a huge amount of dedication, enthusiam, passion and contribution to our university and student involvement on campus. I am so proud of all the candidates that ran for these positions because they raised the bar. They have set new expectations for advertising…who would have thought to have placed sheet banners all over campus and bags lining the sidewalks. Ryan and Henry will be an asset to any leadership position on campus. Their passion for this university is immeasurable. Ryan always says, “If you asked me “Why Lynn?” I would say because of all of you; an experience of this quality is incomparable and priceless.”

Filed under: Lynn, SGA on March 26th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Sorry I have been absent from posting. I have been traveling around and there has been so much going on campus that I have had a hard time to find some time to write. However, I am back in the swing of things and today is one of the biggest days ever. It is also one of the sadest days for me.

Exactly one year ago I was elected into the position of Student Government President. It meant so much to me to have an opportunity to represent the student body. I was running unopposed, but achieving this position connected me with the university. Being President of SGA is no easy task. There are obstacles and challenges that you face each week and I am constantly working with administrators, and people from other campuses and organizations to see how we can improve student life on campus. As SGA President,  it has been an honor to serve the student body and work with all the students to help them achieve their goals and wishes.

Today, although I do not pass over my gavel, it begins to mark an end of my term. I sit here and try to reflect about what has happened and what has been changed, and I am overwhelmed by the accomplishments of SGA. We couldn’t have done what we did this year without the help of Academic Affairs, Student Life, Marketing and Communication, Accounts Payable, Matt Chaloux and the Maintenance Department, and each and every student.

As I set up the polling sites today, and then saw the candidates lined up on the sidewalks that they are able to campaign, it reminded me of the last years in Student Government. Creating advertisements that were new and improved, thinking outside the box, and capturing as many students to select me as the right candidate.

I have worked with both candidates Ryan Brooks and Mohamed Abdalla this year, as they sat on the executive board of SGA. Both of them entered this election with a strong understanding of leadership and what it means to serve as SGA president. Each candidate expressed different ideas, however all their ideas are linked to a central theme: Bringing Together the Lynn Community! To me, this is my home.  My heart and soul is here and it is because of all the people around me that create this caring, considerate, engergetic atmosphere.

Results of the election….to be posted immediately prior to announcement.

Filed under: Lynn, SGA on March 26th, 2009 | Comments Off

I didn’t get into bed until 2am this morning. The SGA executive board, civility team, RAs, RDs, Director of Residence Life, and a bunch of other volunteers went across campus last night from 10pm to 2am covering every inch of sidewalk with chalk to express words of gratitude and civility. Only to wake up this morning to see that the sprinklers washed it all away. Looks of devastation and depression covered the faces of everyone, but we didn’t let this bring us down. Breakfast on the Go, the first Civility Event, went very well as we greeted faculty, students, and staff with a breakfast and water outside Perper Plaza and ASSAF.

It is interesting to observe that some students are not sure how to act or respond when they are kindly handed a water and breakfast. Do you say thank you? Of course you do, be civil. Do a kind act. Be respectful. Civility Week 2009!

Filed under: Friends, Lynn, SGA on March 16th, 2009 | Comments Off

RA

Each semester we have to design door decorations for our residents. I always try to think outside of the box and create something that is unique and admirable by the students. This 2nd half of the semester I did Asian Culture…simply using Chinese boxes and chopsticks that were donated by local Chinese restaurants. Residents have raved about them! Their appreciation for what I do keeps me motivated in my role as an RA.

Filed under: Lynn, Resident Assistant on March 9th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Waking up at 6:30am this morning for some reason was very easy. Ever since I got to Cancun, I have woken up really early. It could be because I have an ocean front room and noise of the waves crashing up against the shore starts early in the morning. The smell of the fresh ocean air is amazing.

My friends and I were gong on a tour that left at 7:30 a.m. We had the opportunity to repel down into an underground water pool. I have never seen water so blue. The first woman that repelled had no idea what she was doing and they just pushed her into it.  After swimming we went hiking, kayaking, zip lining, and even had a meal prepared by the Mayans. After lunch we went to Coba, a large ruined city of Maya civilization. This area contained several pyramids, one of which we climbed. It was 120 steps, which sounds like not a lot, but when the steps are narrow and slippery it becomes a little bit of a challenge.

One of the greatest benefits of having a tour with only twelve people is that you really get to know everyone. We were the only Americans in the tour. The rest of the people were from Canada. The tour ended with a shot of tequila with salt and lime and an opportunity to purchase ridiculously priced photos.

We are meeting up with four of the people at Margharittaville in Downtown Cancun tonight for some fun and dancing. It should be a blast!

Filed under: Friends, Travel on March 3rd, 2009 | Comments Off

While regular hotels and resorts are struggling with rate and occupancy, Vacation Ownership Resorts are surviving and doing amazingly well. We are staying at Royal Resorts in Cancun Mexico. They own six vacation ownership properties within Cancun and each of them is between 95-100% occupancy for this week. The exchange rate here is $1 to $14.80 pesos. The resort has about six pools, fitness center, spa, tennis courts, numerous restaurants, pool side bars, market places, retail outlets, bicycle rentals, and much more. It is PARADISE! Besides going online to blog about what I am doing, I haven’t touched my phone or internet. There is no need to with all the options here.

Amanda and Bruno got here today. We did a tour of the resorts and grabbed dinner. Excited for the opportunity to go out tonight, we went to the Royal Carribean for karaoke. Of course, we know my talent for singing is non-existent. Nevertheless, a woman thought I was from American Idol. Apparently, she didn’t see me when Karina dragged me up to the stage to sing the Chris Brown part in No Air. I felt that I had to go up with Karina after I secretly put her name in earlier to sing Life is a Highway. The night was hilarious. Bruno got up several times to sing. This one woman thought she was the star of the night and was belching out the lyrics to some old song I didn’t even know. Her enthusiasm and excitement was powerful. The beginning of our entertainment for the week…

Filed under: Friends, Travel on March 2nd, 2009 | Comments Off

Relaxation is hard to come by in college. Don’t let that make you think that college is stressful. Being involved in Student Government, Resident Assistant, and everything else I do makes the college life exciting, thrilling, and unpredictable. Nevertheless, I am glad to be in Cancun right now on Spring Break.

I landed this morning at 8:3oam….don’t ask me how I made my 8am flight out of Miami. I barely woke up at 3:40am in time to leave for Miami at 4:20am. I don’t know why they ask you to be at the airport three hours in advance for international flights. In my opinion its just more wasted time in the airport.

Customs and immigration was a long wait. The economy may be hurting, but people are still coming to Mexico for vacation. I was a little nervous about coming since CNN all week long said “#1 Spring Break Destination not to go, MEXICO!” When I got to the resort it was 10:00 am. I couldn’t check it, but I didn’t care. A bathing suit, drink by the beach, and a beach chair was all I needed. Spring break was off to a great start! Especially after I found out we received an oceanfront room. Can’t get better than that.

Filed under: Friends, Travel on February 28th, 2009 | Comments Off

Multicultural Day is a success!

Getting up for a 6am flight this morning was a huge struggle. I stayed up 24 on Tuesday night because my flight leaving Nashville from NACA was at 5:35am. As soon as I returned to campus I went to the annual tradition, Multicultural Day. When I had booked my flight for NACA in January I made sure that I was back in time for this event. It is one of my favorite events that happens on campus every year. When I was visiting Armando in Guatemala, we bought a variety of bracelets, food, and other items unique to Guatemala to put on the table.

Ryan and I got a sampling of food from the variety of countries/regions represented. I am very open to new food dishes afterall, I did go to China and eat jellyfish and other items that are not seen as common food dishes. It is ana amazing event on campus because it really brings the community together. Residents, commuters, faculty, staff, and friends come out to enjoy this great event that I believe showcases one of our greatest values at Lynn University, diversity. With our university representing students from over 90 country, this program really is a huge success.

What added to the enthusiasm and positive environment during the the event was the performance of the Morikami Museum’s “Taiko Drummers”.This entertainment added a cultural awareness and was really powerful.

Morikami Museum’s “Taiko Drummers”

Filed under: Friends, Lynn, South Florida on February 18th, 2009 | Comments Off

Like you may know, I’m in Nashville until Wednesday for the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) convention. As one of seven graduate interns, I have been emailing the others to coordinate travel and how we were going to get from the Nashville Airport to the Gaylord Palms Hotel. Since the last email, Sarah, Beth, Brian, and I were going to sharing a ride to the hotel.

I just landed and expected to see Brian and Sarah, but apparently Brian’s flight got delayed and Sarah got a ride with her university. I texted Beth at first, but her plane was still in the air. When she landed she texted me that she was at baggage claim 5. I went to baggage claim 5 and tried to look for her, while not trying to look ridiculous because I had no idea what she looked like or what she was wearing. It would have been smart to Facebook her considering we have been interning since June 2008, but it never crossed my mind.

I texted her, “What are you wearing?” and immediately after sending it I kept my eyes pealed to see if someone looked at their phone. Of course, I forgot we were in the decade that everyone is constantly looking, playing, or texting on their phone. I did see a young lady take out her phone and then look up. Our eyes connected, but we were both unsure of the potential that either of us was correct. I finally decided to take a chance and “look like an idiot” or “find Beth”…. I wasn’t an idiot…it was Beth. We both laughed in reflection of our actions.

Filed under: Travel on February 13th, 2009 | Comments Off