Heyyy Bloggers and Viewers!

Just popping in to say hello!  Hope all that nasty snow is clearing up and let me tell you, I cannot wait for the sun to come back outside.  Besides of COURSE playing in the snow!, I had a pretty busy week!  Haha, as always.  So this week we had TWO snow days in a row!  Can you believe that?!  Well it was a nice break from classes, but hey I still had work to do.  Thursday was a crazy day and I wanted to end it with a nice relaxing night, so I went to the A Cappella show in Lenape Hall with some buddies.

So basically, here at SUNY New Paltz we have a few music groups that travel from hall to hall performing and showing off their talents!  And man are they talented.  We have Absolut A Cappella, the Sexy Pitches, Male Call and our newest edition Glee Club.  Only the first three performed that night, because Glee will be performing next week in College Hall.  It’s their debut performance and I am very excited.  The singing groups do all different covers of popular songs.  (some that we do or don’t know)  But hey, it’s still so so much fun to watch.  My friends Sabrina and Katie came with me the first few times and then we got their whole suite to come.  Their friend Emma just got into Absolut A Cappella.  Depending on their set-list they will perform in different orders and do different songs every time.  I try to go to almost every performance because it’s really entertaining and I always have a blast.  These shows are EXTREMELY popular so you have to get there at least 1/2 hr early to even get a seat!  *I would recommend going even earlier, hint hint.  But here are some pictures taken from Katie Chirichillo herself!  And we have some cute shots together too

Sexy Pitches!

Male Call!

Absoult A Cappella!

And here’s some pictures of me and the wonderful photographer, Katie! <3

Both Katie's!

Our "We're so sad it's still snowing" face.

Keeping Warm!

Anyway it was a very great performance.  If you’re interested in these singing groups, “google” them or look them up on Youtube!  They have a lot of examples on there, soooo check it out!

Till then, see you guys soon

*Song: Faint-Linkin Park

-Katieeee

Heyy!

So these past few weeks have been craazy!  New Paltz has been really great and not to mention snowy!  In the past week or so it’s been snowing quite a bit.  But today it’s absolutely beautiful.  I think I may even go walk around the track today.  But anyway, classes are going well.  I’m definitely into the swing of things now.  Lately, this semester I have been trying to go to the gym a lot.  The Athletic and Wellness Center is our newest building built in 2006!  It’s one of my favorite places to go on campus.  I have been going to this free exercise class called “Hip Hop Cardio”, which is amazing.  I was kinda nervous at first because I have absolutely no experience in dancing.  But hey I was just doing it for fun, and I loved it.  I got a bunch of my friends to come with me (Sabrina, Kelly, Nick, Marissa!) and there were a lot of people there.  We had a warm-up on jumping jacks and crunches which were fun because the trainer blasted music and motivated us.  The first dance I learned was to “Move if Ya Wanna” by MiMS.  I’ve never heard the song before, but now I really like it.  I have been going to a few of those classes and the good thing about them is that they occur weekly are are FREE.  It’s like having a dance lesson!  They are on every Tuesday and Thursday.  Some of the other classes I hope to take include Zumba, Willpower and Grace, and Belly Dancing.

The Athletic and Wellness Center has so much to offer students here.  Access to the gym is included in the tuition which is great.  You can take part in intra-murals in pretty much any sport!  I have done intra-mural field hockey before and it was such a fun thing to do.  You can make a team with your friends or just become a free agent and meet new people!  We also have the Outing Club at New Paltz.  They go on outdoor trips all over the area at a very cheap price.  For example, you can go ice climbing, hiking, skiing, white water rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, etc!  I mean how often can you do these things?!  It’s a great way to get off campus and meet others.  If you’re not up for anything adventurous, you can simply just rent out equipment from behind the welcome desk and have a blastt.  I’ve rented out tennis rackets before and went to the courts.  We have a full-length swimming pool, racquetball courts, basketball courts, dance studio, etc.  Basically, the options are limitless and hey, everything is so convenient and fun  I’m so glad I chose my Residence Hall close to the gym so that I can go daily.  Actually, I am going to go in 1/2 hour so I have to go!  But until, then keep warm and enjoy!

*Song:  Move if ya wanna- MiMS!

<3 Katieeee

Hellooo guys and gals

It’s great to be back at New Paltz.  I have to say I really enjoyed the winter break but I missed everyone so so much.  All of my finals went really well and it showed in my grades.  I did really well for the semester and it was a nice ending to a great semester.  So I packed up and went back home.  First thing I did was have a homemade meal with my mother, which was so great.  We got to catch up on everything and just relax at home.  All of my friends came home at different times so we picked a few days before Christmas to meet up and have a little get together.  We have an annual Christmas Party with yummy food, music and of course presents!  We do this thing called “secret snowflake” where we have a mystery person to buy for.  It’s a lot of fun for all of us.  It’s held at my friend Kathryn’s house and this is the one time where we get to fill each other in on EVERYTHING that has been going on!  I asked for a gift card to AC MOORE and I got it from my secret person, Caroline  It was such a great night, ah I love my friends. <3

Christimas-time was especially busy because all of my family celebrates it.  I spent Eve with my mom and Christmas Day with my dad!  I cooked so much this break and it’s even better when you’re doing it for an entire party.  I got some really neat things such as:  an Ace of Cakes book, a recycled canister from Starbucks, movies (elf, hp6, up), nice smelling bath and body works set, etc!  *AND FUN FACT:  ONE OF THE ACE OF CAKES DECORATORS GRADUATED FROM NEW PALTZ! When I found that out I was so excited.  My mom thought something was wrong when I screamed, haha.  So so cool.  And another amazing thing about Christmas-time for me is the 25 days of Christmas on ABC Family. Loveeee it!

A few days later…(5 to be exact) was my birthday!  I turned 20. Jeeze, doesn’t that sound weird.  Anyway, I woke up and my mom made me a birthday breakfast and gave me my gift, which was so sweet.  I got lots of phone calls from loved ones which was cute.  And that night I went out to this restaurant called Jani’s with my group of friends and they came back to the house and we played Taboo.  (Basically the whole night.)  It was hilarious.  It was such an awesome day and I couldn’t have asked for more. <3333

So the rest of break I spent trying to see other friends and family that I don’t get to see often.  I traveled pretty much everywhere which was cool.  I visited Marissa in Dix Hills and Shannon in Riverhead!  For all you Long Islanders, you know where I’m talking about lol.  And soon enough it was time to go back to New Paltz!  I was sad to leave home but excited to be back.  I came early to do INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION!  It was so much fun.  I got to meet people from all over the entireeeee world.  There were people from Australia, England, Egypt, Sweden, Japan, China, Korea, Ecuador, etc!  I mean how many times do I have the opportunity to meet people from all around the globe?!  Sabrina, Marissa and I did the orientation together! It was so cool.  We helped them get schedules, rooms and such and we even brought them to the mall!  It is such a once in a lifetime opportunity to study abroad, now I wanna do it!  But anyway I loved every minute of the experience.

I will write about classes and such soon!  It’s the first week and all

*Song – Secret Valentine-We The Kings

Until then,

Katie

Why hello!

Just wanted to pop-in and say a quick hello over winter break.  This will be a short post.  For most, you’re probably back at school already!  I hope winter break was as good as it was for me!  I had plenty of time to relax and see all of my family and friends.  It’s gonna be nice going back to New Paltz and seeing everyone  I will be coming back the 20th to do International Orientation with my friends Sabrina and Marissa!  Anyway, I will certainly write again very soon but I just wanted to say hello and wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! <3

Enjoy!

*SONG:  Speechless-Lady Gaga

-Katie!

What’s up everyone?!

Hope all is going well.  Sorry I haven’t been blogging as much as I should have.  I have been so busy with finals and such.  The end of the semester is always craaazy!  My first final was American Women Writers of the 20th century.  I have learned so much from that class.  We read literature from “The Awakening” to “Ethan Frome”.  They were all great novels.  Then I had my Human Biology final, which was 100 questions!  It seems like a lot, but I studied very hard and it wasn’t so bad.  After my final on Friday I went to a rollerskating rink with my friends for Kelly Speed’s birthday party!  It was soooo much fun!  We went to the roller rink in Hyde Park right by the Eveready Diner.  I haven’t gone skating in like, 10 years!  I was nervous, but surprisingly I didn’t forget how to skate.  There was cool music and we had a blast.  Some of my friends were there, such as Kris, Sabrina, Marissa, and Sarah.  It was a nice way to relax and have fun, and take a break from studying finals.

I HIGHLY recommend that during finals, you take some time for yourself and relax!  It’s unhealthy to study for hours and hours straight without any fun.  It can range from watching a movie, to going roller blading with your friends!  Here are some good tips to getting through those tough finals:

-Don’t forget to get PLENTY of sleep.  It’s essential!

-Eat right.  Don’t fill up on that junk food.

-Remember to space your time out evenly.  Try not to cram last minute information.

-Don’t forget to take care of yourself.  :D

And basically today I had my guitar final which went really well.  I played the song, “You Belong With Me-Taylor Swift” !  And the verdict is, I got an A!  Tomorrow I have to hand in my Interpersonal Communications paper and that’s considered to be my final.  Some professors choose to assign papers instead of taking a test.  And my Public Speaking final was a presentation in class which I did already, so I’m almost done.  I’m going to be leaving New Paltz tomorrow afternoon.  As much as I’m going to miss the college, I can’t wait to be home and see my family and friends. <3

So before I go, I just want to say HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

See you next year!

*Song- Bad Romance-Lady Gaga

<3 Katieeeeeee

Hey viewers!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a relaxing break.  I know I did.  That Tuesday night I came home and I was so glad to see my family and just hangout.  Then on Wednesday I got my haircut at this place called Majestic by my house.  My hair was so long, and I haven’t gotten it cut in a long time.  So, I decided to get bangs again and get 3 inches off.  While I was there I even saw my friend Kelly!  I ended up getting my hair blown out and I needed to prepare for that night.

Every time Thanksgiving comes around, our friends get together and have a Thanksgiving dinner!  At that point we all haven’t seen each other in a very long time so it’s a nice reunion for us.  My friend Patrick always hosts the dinner and he does most of the cooking.  I brought a string bean casserole and a dessert.  This time I made pumpkin bread <3!  It went over well and I had a really fun time seeing all my friends.

Thanksgiving day was so so busy! My mom and I cooked pretty much allllll day.  We had the whole works going.  My favorite thing to make at Thanksgiving is our home made poppyseed bread.  It is AMAZING.  We never use a bread machine so it’s more hands-on.  The bread takes 4 hours to make.  It’s time consuming but totally worth the wait.  Everyone loves it too  We had dinner at my house and 8 people came.  It was my mother, Jim, Jim’s father, my grandma and grandpa, my aunt helen, uncle dominic, and me!  Everything was delicious.  I just love the holidays and being home!

On Friday I went shopping with my mother.  I KNOW, BLACK FRIDAY. Dum dum dum.  It actually wasn’t as bad as I thought.  We didn’t go super early either, like in the afternoon.  It was crowded though.  We went past a Walmart that actually caught on FIRE!  It was crazy and there were fire trucks and police cars everywhere.  I was pretty successful shopping.  Then I went to go hangout with my friend Dave!  Haha, I told you I would put you in my blog  I went over to his house and tried his yummy cupcakes and played Othello.  Then we went to the best place on earth PANERAAAAA.  <3  A new restaurant opened up close to my house.  Right in Massapequa!  It was amazing, as always.

Basically the rest of the week consisted of christmas music, baking, relaxing at home and a bit of work.  I had such a great Thanksgiving, and I truly have SO much to be thankful for.  Hope everyone else had a great time off and woo winter break will soon be here!  Finals, here I come!

*Song!  Shattered- O.A.R.

Byeeeeeee!  Katie

Hello all!

So this past Tuesday and last week I was involved with an event called, “The Tunnel of Oppression”.  This is a yearly program put on by NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary).  The Tunnel of Oppression is an event where people will walk though a “tunnel” and throughout their journey they will see the different oppressions seen in today’s society.  The experience is very quick and intense.  It is a diversity and awareness project designed to fight oppression we see today.  We have tour guides that lead others through the tunnel.  And as always, we warn everyone that it may startle some and that people will react to the scenes differently.  For set up, we dragged tables together and threw white sheets over that showed oppressive words of every nature.  We assembled them in a curve so that around every turn, there is something new to see.  We turn off the lights and put on the music and then everyone can have a chance to experience the tunnel.  This program is and continues to be so popular.  On our Facebook event, over 100 people came!  That’s fantastic! The best part is that the people acting out the scenes volunteered to do this.  People both in NRHH and outside helped so much and the program was a huge success!  After people walk through the tunnel, they have an opportunity to speak to our campus Psychological Counseling Center about what they saw and how they feel after the journey.  This was my first time volunteering for this event and I certainly look forward to it next year.

Song: From Where We Are-Lifehouse

Katie Harman!

Hey All!

Hope everyone had a very Happy Halloween

I decided to be Cleopatra! This was the first costume I have ever bought and I was so so excited to wear it.  The bundle came with a long dress with a gold sash, arm cuffs, a headpiece with a cobra and beads, and more.  Everyone started dressing up even the night before and the costumes were great.  I saw some people with home-made ones which were the best.  People dressed up as Disney characters, sports players, pieces of food, etc.  On Halloween day I watched a scary movie called “The Orphan” with my friends Kilfy and Sabrina.  Then I went to the parade which was a lot of fun! All the people from town went and marched.  I saw lots of little kids dressed up and the one that stood out to me from the rest, was this little boy that put himself in a huge box and made it into a DJ booth!  He was so adorable and he had all the equipment of a real disc jockey.  I also liked someone who was a Jellyfish, I think I saw that last year, haha. Still it was cool. A band played during the parade and they were good.  We also stopped by this student-run haunted house for the children’s center.  After that I got dressed in my costume and went to the college terrace for the HALLOWEEN BASH! It was very very nice and all decked out! There was snacks and drinks, games, music and much more. I got to see all of my friends there and here’s a pic:

Some of the Orientation Leader's!

Overall it was a really really fun night and I got to see a lot of people out and about.  Oh how I love Halloween.  Anyway , I’ll be blogging soon! Until then, see ya!

*Song:  Bad Romance – Lady Gaga

Bye! Katieee!

Heyyyy!

So last Saturday was Open House at SUNY New Paltz! And I must say, that it was a success! Every year we host an open house to all the prospective students for the next year. However, this year is special. We have TWO open houses, not one, but TWO! It’s fantastic. The next one will be October 24, 2009. This event is run by the Admissions Department, the Student Ambassadors and also, CREW! CREW stands for Campus Recruitment Event Workers. They are volunteers that help out with all the tasks needed to be done at the event. This includes giving academic tours, giving out information pamphlets, directing people and most importantly… answering ANY questions people have about our lovely college! Correct me if I’m wrong, but…we have approximately 130 volunteers this year! That is insane! I am so glad to see that many students from all years are trying to get involved and at the same time they are improving our campus. It is great volunteer work and you meet so many people during the process! I was in CREW last year and it inspired me to become a Student Ambassador. I love my job and I believe that all the CREW members truly enjoyed this experience.

So Meghan and I were designated to the Athletic and Wellness Center, which was a lot of fun. We got to direct people around the vicinity and help CREW members find their way. There were a good amount of people there and I was glad that I got the chance to help out. It just feels so good knowing that you helped someone or persuaded them into coming to New Paltz. I hope that our next open house is even more successful. I feel that more and more students are coming to look at New Paltz because it’s such a wonderful place! So anyone that is interested, PLEASE COME TO THE OPEN HOUSE SAT, OCT 24th!

The cool thing about open house is that there is so much to do here. You have you options of going to a Residence Life Tour, an Academic Tour, Presentations, etc. I would recommend going to as many as you can so that you can receive the full experience. Anyway, just making this a short blog, but farewell for now!

Song:  What’s My Age Again? – Blink 182

~Katie <3