Memoir of a Graduating Senior—Published on FOX News Channel University 04/28/2010
It seems like just a few years ago I was sitting with my friends in the junior high lunch room, gushing about the distant future. We mulled over what we imagined high school to be like, what we imagined our weddings to look like, and what careers we would end up with.
To my surprise, that distant future flew by in a matter of (what felt like) months, and next thing I knew, I was purchasing my university graduation regalia from the SAC.
Lately, many people have been asking me how I feel about graduating from college. They want to know if I am scared, nervous, or even reluctant.
That’s when I look up at them, smile, and simply reply, “I am proud.”
I am proud that I was able to complete my higher education from start to finish, despite the many trials and tribulations I encountered along the way.
Also, proud of my fellow comrades who will be graduating with me. There is a sense of unity that “We did it!”
Yes—the swift change from sixteen years of a structured education system is going to be a challenge. No more spring or winter breaks. No more summer vacations. But to me, that is the beauty of growing up.
It is a wonder how fast the past few years have gone by. In the next few weeks, I will have gained yet another diploma.
Nevertheless, as I fondly reflect on my past memories, I know there are plenty more waiting for me.
Good Ways to Relax- Published on FOX News Channel University 03/08/2010
Ever been so tense for so long that you’ve forgotten you were tense in the first place?
You’re not alone. Let me tell you, long ago I used to be really good with exercising and aerobics. Back when I used to run varsity track and field for The Beacon School and had a weekly Tae-Bo schedule.
Then, akin to what has happened to most of my peers—I fell off. In college, I found between classes and a part time job, I just could not find the time I needed to keep my body fit and active.
This week I learned that I can train my body just like the good old days, without having to leave my dorm!
Here’s how:
Begin by clearing a decent pathway for yourself on the floor of your space and do a lot of stretching. Just because you’re not a yoga queen or king does not mean you still can’t stretch. Stretching your limbs helps to alleviate any tension in your body.
After you are all loosened up, put on some calming background music (turned down low) and meditate. Meditation helps to relax your mind which can reduce stress. Opening your curtains or blinds on a warm spring day may help regulate your breathing as well.
If you have built up your confidence and are ready to become more adventurous then start taking walks. Many of us on college campuses have free bus service that transport us from around the corner to down the street. I’m too am guilty of being lazy—waiting for the bus when I could have been to my destination and back four times already. Now I walk instead as long as the distance is not strenuous. Walking allows me to collect my thoughts and enjoy the scenery. It is a good way to loosen up.
Reduce the amounts of caffeine you consume. High dosages of caffeine cause you to feel wired and sometimes come with an awkward crash that leaves you feeling spent.
Lastly, set a bedtime routine. Try reading before bed, a warm bath, or a cup of herbal tea at least an hour before your bedtime. These light activities help to ease and relax your nerves so that you will have an easier time falling asleep. Make these activities consistent and you will see how refreshed you wake up feeling. I know I do!
Unconventional Spring Break 2010 Ideas- Published on FOX News Channel University 02/16/2010
However on a more serious note: in the last 10 years we have witnessed one countless unfortunate event after another. Thousands of civilians around the world are still struggling to cope from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Haiti earthquake, September 11th, and the 2004 Tsunami.
The underprivileged men, women, and children of the world could really benefit from the humanitarian activism of us all.
If you are willing to trade in that string bikini and bronzer cream in return of strengthening your leadership skills—check out the opportunities below.
UTSA Today: Help build homes, and other community service deeds in New Orleans, Amarillo, and San Antonio, Texas.
Date: March 14-19
Apply: www.utsa.edu/today/2010/01/altspringbreak.html
Peru 109: For one week work with children of a low-income elementary/middle school program in Trujillo, Peru.
Date: March or April
Apply: http://www.peru109.org/volunteer_abroad_spring_break.htm
Live United: Help the United Way of Southern Mississippi rebuild the Mississippi Golf Coast.
Date: March 28th – April 3rd
Apply: http://www.liveunited.org/asb/
Volunteer Abroad: Work hands on with homeless children in Honolulu, Hawaii for 1 to 2 weeks aiming to improve their quality of life.
Date: N/A
Apply: http://www.culturalinstituteofamerica.com/
United Planet: Interested in bettering the ecosystem? Volunteer with United Planet in Costa Rica on the conservation of the cloud forest and protecting endangered sea turtle beaches.
Date: 1- 12 Weeks. (Month N/A)
Apply: http://www.unitedplanet.org/quest/application.html
My Clips as an intern for FOX News Channel
This Bad Boy's Fiercer Than Beyonce!
Faculty and Students Prepare for Budget Cuts
It was announced yesterday that Rutgers University officials will be laying off staff, cutting courses, eliminating programs, and raising tuition to compensate a reduction of $60 million in state aid.
In previous years, Rutgers has allowed the separate campuses to hold their own separate and unique commencement ceremonies. Hundreds of students are very disappointed with this changed. They say the new consolidation takes away the uniqueness of the university.
“It’s disappointing to not have that unique commencement ceremony,” Livingston College junior Alana Warner said. “I figured when I graduate I would be able to have my own ceremony with the rest of Livingston College students as the last class, and I’m disappointed to hear that won’t happen.”
Some of the other challenges distressing the Rutgers community are course cancellations, and professor and staff layoffs.
Faculty and students alike are shaken by talk of layoffs. Certain students feel like the University will be losing some great professors— for some their favorite—and in a time like this jobs are scarce. Susceptible staff members worry about how their family income will be affected by this change.
Romero Diaz, housing maintence staff on Douglass campus, said “You know, it is very scary…the way things have been going these days, I may wake up and have no job. I have been working at Rutgers for over ten years; I don’t have a back-up plan.”
In an e-mail, President Richard McCormick said the new budget cutbacks are necessary to balance out the $15.5 million cut in direct aid for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
However the question remains, what does this mean for the future of the Rutgers community?
Other Links:
Office of the Governor
N.J. State Debt
Fast Web-Scholarships
T-mobile Charges Man $26,000 in Texting Alone
A Philadelphia man received a $26,000 phone bill from T-mobile on Tuesday, when he attempted to beat a Guinness World Record for most text messages sent and received in a month.
“It came in a box that cost $27.55 to send to me," Nick Andes said.
Andres and his friend have become habitual text messagers since they met at a professional technical institute. The competition began, and they set up their T-mobile accounts to have unlimited text messaging. To Andres’ surprise, when the bill came, he owed $26,000 in texting alone.
T-mobile representative, Tamara Strizer, said “his accounted has been credited and we are investigating the charges.”
Andres was attempting to beat the largest monthly text message total he could find posted online which was 182,000 sent in 2005 by Deepak Sharma in India.
“We cannot say right now weather Mr. Andres’ record actually counts” said Kevin Williams, spokes person for Guinness World Records.
Texting messaging, since its introduction, has taken a hold and made a mark in our culture.
Julie Andres, Nick’s wife, said she “would try calling him on lunch breaks, but couldn’t reach him because he was tied up text messaging.”
Nick and his wife are happy that his cell phone account is cleared up, and he is waiting to hear back from Guinness World Records to see if he after all, broke a record.
Opposing links:
www.verizonwireless.com
T-mobile stinks
BBC News: Text msg harmful
Pharrell, Ryan Leslie, and Other Headliners of Rutgers Fest 2009
For the first time ever, the Rutgers University Programming Association hosted a silent rave at the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus where they announced the lineup of the artists performing at this year’s Rutgersfest.
The anticipated lineup up will open up with this year’s battle of the bands winner The N Result and then be followed by the three co-leads Ryan Leslie, Motion City Soundtrack and N.E.R.D.
“[Rutgersfest] has been a tradition for the past 10 years as a great way to celebrate the end of another successful academic year,” said RUPA Assistant Director of Programming Kiran Singh. “We work hard at making [Rutgersfest] a fun, substance-free way to celebrate across the University and bring together the huge campus community.”
Rutgersfest, which takes place on Livingston campus, will also provide students a chance to unwind with inflatable rides, carnival games and food vendors. This year’s festivities will be larger than last year’s and are free to students with the exception of the food, Singh said.
SO COME OUT TO THE BIGGEST CELEB BLOCK PARTY
Read More from tha source.
Rutgers Merges Commencement
Early this week Rutgers Vice President of Undergraduate Education Barry Qualls announced that next year New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses will no longer have individual graduation ceremonies.
“I feel that this change is going to affect everyone. Especially the next graduating class. It isn’t fair and in a way it is decreasing the school spirit we had” said Ben West, Rutgers senior.
In previous years, Rutgers has allowed the separate campuses to hold their own separate and unique commencement ceremonies. Students were able to graduate with the people they spend so much time with on campus and lived next to.
Dick McCormik, President of RU, said “We are striving to turn this university into the most functional university there is. Of course we want the best process possible.”
At 9:30am, the professional schools will have their own commencement. After that, 10,000 plus Graduating students of 2010 will all file into the Rutgers football stadium; and students’ names will flash across a screen as they walk across the stage.
“It is a shame that all of a sudden students will be ripped out a tradition that has been a part of their schooling for so long. Douglass will lose our tradition” said Margaret Shafer, Douglass College Dean.
Hundreds of students are very disappointed with this changed. They say the new consolidation takes away the uniqueness of the university.
Maggy O, Rutgers junior, said “The reason I came to this school was because of the community. I transferred from the University of Maryland, and instantly loved to uniqueness of the different campuses.”
The University is currently still working out the details of how they will accommodate this gigantic change.
Other Links:
http://www.dailytargum.com/opinions/college-identity-taken-away-1.1726436
Student Rants on topic
Women's Basketball Coach Reaches Hall of Fame
It was annouced Monday that C. Vivian Stringer, head coach of the Scarlet Knights basketball team, will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Bob Nielson, assistent coach said, "It is amazing to see how far she has come. I am proud of her."
As a child, Stringer's parents say she was always competitive in games. This passion trancended into her career in basketball.
Mrs. Stringer, Vivian's Mother said, "Vivian was quite the active one when she was a child. Everyone says she wanted to be like her father."
Stringer began her coaching career in 1972 at Cheyney State College, a small historically black college outside of Philadelphia.
Tracey Clark, Former Coach said, "She was always the first one to show up at practice and the last one to leave. I am not surprised she has blossomed into a very successful woman."
Stringer arrived at Rutgers in July 1995. She saw her plans come together in 1998 when her team of nine posted its first 20-win season in four years.
Kia Vaughn, Scarlet Knight Woman's Basketball Player said, "She deserves it. She has done a fantastic job bring back the Rutgers woman's basketball team from the dead and she is wonderful role model."
The induction is expected to take place from September 10th through the 12th in Springfield, Massachusetts. Other inductees include Michael Jordan and David Robinson.
Other Links:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/12/national/main2675273.shtml
http://www.nba.com/playoffs2009/
White House Bound
Alicia Keys and her mother, Teresa,were seen clinging on to one another as they headed to the White House to have dinner with the First Family to celebrate Woman’s History Month. Aside from a little home-wrecking, ‘Licia does a lot to promote a positive image of women.
Read more here.
Lenny Kravitz The Photographer
What do all of these pics have in common, you ask? Well, outside of A. Keys, Beyonce, Jigga, and Zoe being recognizable celebrities, Lenny Kravitz is responsible for snapping pics of them for the Vogue Russia April issue. Not half bad, Lenny.
Read more Here.