So, I am writing a story for the Ipulse on where Lynn alumni are now. It’s rather fun getting in contact with everyone and seeing what they have done since graduating, where they are living now, and what they miss most about Lynn. I think it’s a fantastic idea, as students can get a picture of what they should appreciate at Lynn, and what sort of opportunities a degree at Lynn may present.

So, keep your eyes open for this new Ipulse feature – it should be coming soon!

Families weekend on campus always seems like a blast! In all the years I have been here, I honestly haven’t attended the event. It’s not because I am lazy, or have no desire to go, but rather because I fear I may start crying if I do!
Do you remember when you were in the school play as a child, and you’re searching the audience for your mom and dad, and they’re not there (my parents always run late! I hope they don’t read this!) …then that lump develops in your throat and you can’t hold back the tears… oh, and there is goes, you’re crying. Well, I fear that feeling. Perhaps I’m just melodramatic!

As an international student, my parents always seem to miss Families Weekend. It infuriates me! Now I’m truly going to sound like a baby, but I want my mommy and daddy there too! I don’t want to watch other families reunited and having fun! It would make me miss my family even more.
For those of you who’s family will be down for this fantastic event on campus, you should appreciate every minute of it! This tradition at Lynn is one of the events that makes Lynn the community it is.

And on that note, if anybody wants to adopt me for the weekend… just let me know!

Perhaps we should have a stand at the event, adopt a parent for the day. Teachers and staff could volunteer as families weekend parents, and perhaps ‘parentless’ students could make a small donation for their ‘adopted parent’, which could go towards a cause, such as an orphanage in the area?

I am so sick and tired of people who don’t understand that a library means quiet!
For those of you who are with me, I say we stand up for our rights!
Last week I specifically made my way to the second floor of the library, to a quiet corner, where I proceeded to write a midterm paper. I went to the second floor, to escape from the noises on the first floor. Just as I was getting into my essay, I was disturbed by a ‘jabberer’! There she was, sitting in the lounge area, beside all the desks, chatting away loudly (and what’s even worse is that it wasn’t about anything educational…but rather about some guy). So, I sat there… my train of thought lost! I waited for a few minutes, to see if she would end the conversation…nothing. So, I cleared my throat…still nothing. So, I cleared it again, and added a little cough on the end…still nothing. My boiling point had been reached; I gave her her chance. So, I jumped up furiously and stormed over to her (although I had lost the guts to say all the things I would have liked to say to this selfish girl) and said, ‘Excuse me, do you mind, I’m trying to work here.’ She just looked up at me and moved around a bit, awkwardly. So, I returned to my desk, but it took her a few minutes to leave!
Why, would you talk on the phone in the library? For those of you who know me, you know how much I despise talking on the phone! I can understand if its something about what you’re working on, but at least whisper! Why would you want everyone else to hear your conversation? It’s not as though we live in a world without text messaging and silent mode!
Personally, I think that the librarians should put their foot down and be forceful about the rules within the library.
But I also believe, that it is our responsibility as well. So, next time you hear it, put your foot down and stand up for all the individuals who go to the library to work!

On Friday, I had the opportunity to help out at the shoot in the studio. Angela Barioli, the secretary of the National Broadcasting Society, interviewed five students that had participated in a program called Project Shell (Soaring High in Language and Literacy), funded by the department of education. The students took classes at Lynn in secondary education, and also participated in after school programs teaching students who needed extra help in learning English as a second language. This project was a five year project that has drawn to and end, and thus Angela interviewed the students in regards to their experiences.

I was in the studio at 10am, but because so few people were there to help set up the studio, we only started rolling cameras around noon. I was there for two reasons, firstly, I was taking photos for the Ipulse story I wrote on the event, and then secondly, I was shooting behind the scenes for the National Broadcasting Society. They will actually be shooting again this coming friday at around eleven am, so if you’re interested in having a peek behind the scenes, make your way to the 3rd floor of the library – there are plenty of seats for guests, and you can always lend a helping hand.

Well, yesterday was my MAT test and I PASSED! yay!

I am so relieved. I still truly have no idea which questions I got correct and which ones I got incorrect. However, I passed and that is what counts!
You have 60 minutes to finish 120 questions…and I ran out of time around question 80! So, I was sure I had failed… but clearly not!

I am so relieved! For the past week my life has revolved solely around that exam! And now my life can revolve around all the papers I have due this coming week! So, I will know shortly if I have been accepted to the Grad Program, and then the Grad assistantship, and then I have t get my visa organized (yes, the trivial issues of an international student!).

Okay, so as I have explained, this week has been mad. Today, I have been running around trying to get my graduation forms and minor declaration forms signed. It is such a mission! You run from one side of the campus to the other and then back again (oh and then you forgot that you actually needed that other persons signature) so you run back…and they’ve already left for the day! and through all of this…I would have managed to wear my most uncomfortable shoes…the ones that dig into your foot leaving you hobbling around for the rest of the week!
So, I’m finally home… not quite relaxed, but ravenous for something to eat. And of course I’ve been too busy to shop for food (and you can’t rely on the men in your house to manage a quick pit stop into publix to stock up) (but somehow they manage to make their way to the golf course!). Any how, here I am, all I could find to eat was a 2 week old flax seed biscuit (which was not as tasty as it may sound) and I’m about to indulge myself by opening an eensey-weensey packet of fruit gummies (which have been neglected for the last month as I had previously over indulged in this specific treat)… Yah, just opened the packet… and was overwhelmed by a previous feeling of over indulgence/nausea…I’ll have to resort to coffee… it’s the only thing that has managed not to deplete in this household. But come on…try a gummy…you know you want to…

…too late, my hunger got the best of me (and the gummies!).

Well, I am absolutely exhausted! The days just seem to run away…I still think we’re in September (where did this last month go?). I feel as though I haven’t done anything, and more and more tasks are piling onto my plate. Well, I suppose thats midterms for you! By far, this is the hardest semester I have ever taken. On top of that I have the MAT this weekend.

I am so nervous and am cramming in studying every odd minute I have. As a friend advised, I have been studying the practice tests and have actually learnt a lot. I may have just been ignorant, but I had no clue what the Roman Numerals were after X, nor did I pay attention to which presidents face was on what coin. So, I am slowly but surely learning all this useless information, which will one day surely prove useful! I’m struggling most with the fact that many terms are different where I am from. Additionally, after three years in the states, I still have no idea how to work the Imperial System (i.e. working out Fahrenheit and miles from Celsius and Kilometres).

Anyhow, I am going to hit the sack and enjoy some DJ Pillow at Club Blanket.
Good Night!

So, on Saturday there was an open house for the Grad Program at Lynn. It was kind of odd going to it, as I work in admissions as a tour guide. For the first time (well actually second, as I once was a prospective student on a campus tour) I found myself on the other side of the table, asking the questions and feeling nervous.

I arrived at about midday, and dragged poor Thomas along (my boyfriend who absolutely detests anything like this and shopping). He was immediately calmed when he saw that there was a large table boating coffee, drinks, and most importantly on his list, FOOD. Well, I suppose you can guess where he headed to first. (what is it with men, they eat and eat and never put on a pound…I glanced in the direction of the food table and instantly gained two pounds). So, I was given a name tag, but felt rather ridiculous putting it on, as I work with most of the admissions staff as it is! I have already applied to the grad program. I am going to be doing the Master of Science in Communications.

I had had no idea on what I wanted to do after I graduated (as I graduate a semester early in DEC). And after much contemplation I realized, who am I kidding? I’m not ready to leave Lynn! So, I filled out the application form, and applied for a grad assistantship. I had initially considered doing the Grad Assistantship in the Communications Department or in admissions, but after much thought, I decided I wanted to invest my time and efforts into an area which would benefit me in the long run. I remembered my friend Jena had been working in the marketing department, and her job sounded interesting and stimulating. I know that in order for me to work best, I need to work under pressure, I thrive under pressure. I just felt that the Grad. position in admissions and the position in Communications wouldn’t give me that. Not that there is anything wrong with either position, I just felt that the Marketing Grad. Assistantship would be a better fit for me. Additionally, Jena and I had worked closely in the past (as she was my producer) and I knew that if she enjoyed it, I surely would too. So, I have applied and am just waiting on my MAT Test (which is on Saturday!!!!YIKES – Wish me luck!).

So, Back to the open house… I firstly sat down with Dr. Fabj. If you haven’t met her yet, it’s a shame. She is a fantastic teacher! Once again, as I said, I thrive under pressure, and although her classes aren’t too stressful, she makes you work. It’s interesting work though, and you truly learn a lot from her classes. I truly dislike taking classes that at the end of the day I feel as though I haven’t worked for those credits. What’s the point of getting an A if you didn’t work for it and didn’t learn anything at the end of the day? Dr. Fabj is very organized, and I need organization! So she’s a great teacher and I truly encourage you take her communication theories class. So, Dr. Fabj explained the masters program to me. I will have classes twice a week (you do two classes each 8 week semester and each class in roughly from 6pm-10pm). I am very exited and can’t wait to get started!

Afterwards, I met with Chenelle and Ioulia, graduate counsellors within the admissions dept. I paid the fee for the MAT exam which I have to take for admission to the masters program. The Miller Analogies Test is on Saturday!!! I am very very very nervous and truly do not do well in test environments, specifically multiple choice as I over analyze everything!!!

Overall, the open house was a wonderful experience…I think the food table was a great idea to get the men there…and the coffee was definitely a pulling point for me!

Well, today is one of those lazy sundays. Its roughly 3 o clock in the afternoon and I still haven’t gotten up! I feel terribly guilty but this weekend has been so busy, I needed a break.
Living off campus is an expensive affair! Don’t get me wrong, I love having my own place and eating whenever I want and whatever I want; however don’t be fooled when you decide to take the plunge! One tends to consider only the cost of rent and the main utilities and bills… not the food, the mission of finding furniture, kitchen ware, etc etc etc the list goes on! ALOT!

Well, I have been living off campus for nearly a year. I absolutely love it and am happy I took the plunge… but it has its good side and its bad. Don’t be fooled, utilities are expensive. I share a two bedroom with my boyfriend (previously we also shared with a friend of ours, but she fell pregnant and moved out…long story, for another day). Anyhow, so, when you sign a lease with someone…make sure you have some sort of security.
So, between my boyfriend and I, we spend roughly about $80 electricity, $70 for cable and internet, $60 for water, and about $400 on food.

Obviously thats for two people, but it should give you an idea. Furniture is another thing no one thinks about! A mattress is ridiculously expensive, let alone all the little things you don’t budget for, but need! And then there’s cleaning supplies and things that break, and all the little extras that you absolutely have to have along the way!
But thats life, and I suppose its worth it. However, I recommend you wait until your Junior year before moving off campus. I feel so disconnected from everything that happens on campus, I miss the sense of community and seeing my friends. But living off campus, I like the quiet, the independence, and the stability.

So, keep in mind if you are planning on moving off campus… SAVE SAVE SAVE!!! it’s an expensive affair!

So, have you seen the Ipulse’s makeover?I think it’s fantastic; what a difference. It does look so professional.

I am one of the student writers for the Ipulse. We have to write three stories of roughly 200 words a week. My beat is generally about the environment, international coverage, and also local things to do. I think its great to be involved in something like a school newspaper. And I feel so proud to pick up the Ipulse and see my story. I’ve learnt quite a bit about what being a journalist is all about, and slowly but surely I’ll become better at writing my stories.

What a difference a fold can make