It isn’t even the middle of the semester and I’m already pulling an all nighter for a test tomorrow. I enjoyed myself this weekend, spending time with old friends, watching lots of movies for another class assignment, seeing Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, and Religulous, eating out in town and helping co-sponsor Rock the Vote on campus. However it is Monday morning at the wee hours and I now find myself depleted of money, hungry and sipping on energy drinks while listening to techno music to keep myself awake enough to study for this test. In other words, I am faced the consequences of a fun but irresponsible weekend. When I could have been studying between activities, I decided to sit out on the grass and read a book or watch a movie with a friend. This is a lesson to learn for all other weekends that I should plan ahead and actually stick to my schedule. Alright, I will get back to my Art of the Western World 2 work and stop procrastinating!

P.S. Has anyone ever realized how upbeat the band Justice is? You don’t need an energy drink if you listen to the track “Stress” long enough

So hey ya’ll. How’s everyone doing? Whenever I ask how people are doing, I seem to get responses such as: “Eh- I’m getting sick,” or “I’m tired.” So everyone take those vitamins and try to get some sleep. Ah I sound like my ma, but she’s totally right. I could really use some more Zzz’s. I know, I know, it’s easier said than done right? Yes, well I’m in the same boat as all you sleep deprived and sickly kids. However, hopefully this little viral “bug” will be stepped on soon and we’ll all be able to enjoy this lovely autumn season!

Anyway…

I know I just posted and ever’thaaang, but I wanted to give you an inside view of one of my classes. This is my class, Voice 1, with Professor Stephen Kitsakos where we meet every Tuesday and Friday from 12:15 until 1:30. I recorded bits and pieces of our class on Tuesday, September 16^th. On this particular date, we were each given one of our solo songs, which we will be working on all semester to achieve specific goals such as audibility, dynamic variety, clarity, resonance, etc.

So in this particular video, Shana Circe and her husband edited it (I cannot take the credit.) They did a really nice job! They incorporated background music when we weren’t singing, and has the page “flip” as a nice transition from one image to the next. However, I wish they edited me out when I’m singing in the end…buuuut I will not complain, since it’s beautifully done and all. OHand Professor Kitsakos told us to sing with a southern accent for fun, and mine came out…well…not southern… Oh dear. Amy Smith, the girl I was singing with in the center of the circle, now SHE had a southern accent. Not I!

OK enjoy! See how much fun we all have in Voice 1! Click the video below!

See Voice 1 for yourselves, on YouTube!

Talk to ya soon, I gather.

Alright so I won’t lie, I’m incredibly nervous about writing in this NPBloggers website. But I hope that you all will enjoy reading my thoughts and rants.

So today was the second day of classes and I’m very pleased with how my schedule is looking. I’m especially excited about my Women and Pop Culture Class! Its refreshing to take a class with people who like to analyze society and its roles that are accepted by the popular culture. At home, when I tried to talk to people about issues like that, sometimes I felt like I was hitting a brick wall, so I’m really looking forward to going to this class.

The only thing that could top off this semester, would be if some of my closest friends, who graduated last year were here to share it with me. I miss Jen, Renee, Andre, Christina, amongst the others who have gone into the “real world” as my mom calls it. But I wish them the best in all they’re doing, and I hope to see them soon so I can post pictures of all of them for you to see!

Good luck in classes to everyone for the rest of the week and I hope to see you around campus!

-Holly

Hello, All! Welcome to my blog! I hope that you enjoy reading all that I post throughout the course of the 2008-2009 school year!

My name is Jessie Ostrow! I am a junior, double majoring in Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication and Spanish, with a minor in linguistics. I am from Merrick, Long Island. Some fun facts about me are that my favorite color is orange, I play the tuba, and I love to spend time at the beach!

Anyway, I hope that you had a fantastic summer, as I certainly did! This summer, I was a Senior Orientation Leader for the Student Orientation and Registration program. I had so much fun working with the orientation staff to ensure that the incoming first-year students felt comfortable on campus. The staff this summer was truly unbelievable.. check us out:

Orientation Leaders rockin’ our blue polos & fabulous Lip Sync Finals costumes!

Furthermore, the students that I had the awesome opportunity to work with were amazing! The experience of working with such awesome individuals and seeing them grow in just days is truly incredible.

Towards the end of the summer, I spent some time at home. One of the best days of my summer was going to Ocean Beach, Fire Island with my mom. We spent the day walking on the beach, drinking iced coffee, and moseying throughout town. Fortunately, we happened to go on an absolutely gorgeous day!

Beautiful Fire Island Ocean & a Fire Island Water Taxi!

The following week, I went to Long Beach Island, New Jersey with approximately 35 members of my family, from all over the United States. We have been going to LBI for over 30 years, and it is always my very favorite week of the year! We had a few rainy days, but still managed to have a great time!

Long Beach Island, New Jersey!

Now, I am back in New Paltz and I am so excited to be living in Deyo Hall!  I work with wonderful staff and I am really enjoying being a Resident Assistant.

Deyo Hall RA Staff!

Yesterday was the first day of classes, and I am super pumped for this semester. I had my first Interpersonal Communication class, which was awesome. The professor seems fun and the material seems interesting. I then had Spanish Phonetics and Oral Practice, followed by Survey of Latin American Literature. These two classes are certainly going to challenge me, but I am looking forward to learning a lot.

Alright, well it is time for my second day of classes! Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy! -Jessie

Well, let me formally introduce myself, my name is Matthew Stracquodaine, also known as Matt, Matt Stracq, Stracq, and on some occasions, Nankenstein.  I am a Sophomore with a major in Art Education, and I am considering a minor in Art History -but keep that one on the down low…  Also, I currently hold the position of Resident Mentor or R.M. in Esopus Hall.  R.M. Diana, Senior R.M. Tiff and I provide advice and academic aid to the incoming first year students in the F.Y.I. (First Year Initiative) Program to make their first year transitions easy-peezy!  And like I said, we live in Esopus Hall, so shout out to the Esopus Hall Staff for being Superfantastical.

Anyway, as you all know -or will soon find out- today is the first day of classes to kick off the 2008-2009 academic year.  Personally, I have had two awesome classes thus far and one to go.  At 8am, on the bright, I went to my Religions of the World class and climbed to the top of the steps of Chichen Itza (spell check…) in the Humanities building to get there, and already Thursday’s class is canceled: sweet!  And in my Child Psych and Development class, I had the pleasure of meeting my professor, Lenore B. Douglas, and she is a riot.  And my next class is at three, so its up in the air until I get there.

Well, it was a pleasure to have met all of you, and I hope you all have an awesome first day of classes!

Matt