Do you know how much it stinks to finally grow up and deal with things in the "real world"? I definetly figured this out quickly last week. As I have discussed before, I am signing my lease for my apartment on Friday. This is all exciting news and such, however along with an apartment meant I have to set up arrangements to get TV/Cable, internet, and energy. Naturally, I assumed this would be a fairly simple process, much like signing up for a new email account, or something of the sort. WOW WAS I EVER WRONG...

First of all, I logged onto the websites of the local cable and internet providers, hoping to compare prices and get some basic information on their packages. No. That's asking too much, apparently. I found it ironic that their websites did not list any clear prices for me to compare, but rather I had to CALL the companies individually and begin setting things up (whether or not I wanted the service) in order to understand a price. I found the sales representatitves to be pushy and confusing, and I was quickly overwhelmed into agreeing to mystery packages of services for my new place. After wasting THREE HOURS (this is not an exaggeration) on the phone, giving out my credit card and social security number to these companies (which was required, mind you. I am not normally one to give out either information very easily), I had two dates set up for service men to come out nd set up my cable. I found that there was no other way to get the information I needed to make a decision about my services without actually making the decision...if that makes sense.

i think/hope I finally got this sticky situation figured out It took a lot of research, talking to friends who have been through cable/internet/new home setup, and a few firm responses to the pushy sales representatives. This situation taught me how harsh and confusing the real world is going to be, and that not everything is simple and cookie-cutter. Preparing for this new apartment has definetly helped me realize how nice it has been to live in the dorms for two years, because you don't have to worry about cable, heat, water, internet, etc...bills. However, we all have to grow up sometime, and perhaps this is my time?

Hey everyone!

Just sitting watching the Olympics! I remember when the summer Olympics were on in Beijing, and I definitely love them! You get a lot more homework to work on on your own in College classes…especially in Graphics classes!

I’ve noticed as I get further into college, I’m expected to do a lot of improvement on my own. We’re working on a big project right now: the art and design poster for the college. It’s a class project that we have to turn in for a grade, but it’s also a contest among the Graphics students to create the poster that will be given to high school art classes to let students know about the Art program at the Mount. Let me tell you, I’ve been working on it like crazy!

But that class (Graphic Design 4: Identity Design), we only meet once a week. And between those classes I’m supposed have a huge amount of work done. It’s really been a design sprint, trying to get everything done in time!

I’ve been having a ton of fun designing, but tonight I’m working on some other stuff, taking a much-needed break, and I’ll have to get back to working on it later this weekend. I’ll have to show you guys what it looks like after it’s all done!

Anyway, it’s super late… I should think about bed! See you guys all soon!

Hello world. I hope everyone has been surviving in this snow globe of a place lately. The MSJ community was graced with another snow day on Monday, thanks to white death part deux. I kept hearing that it was coming, however I was unimpressed with the slight dusting that was on the ground around 5am that morning. It must've just been dumped on us like a five-year old with a bucket of Legos, because the next thing I know, it's 9am and there's snow up to my knees. Hey, I'm not complaining. 

Alright so this year has been quite different for me schedule-wise than my freshman year. Actually, it's almost opposite. Last year all my classes were during the day, usually beginning at 8:30am and ending around 2pm or 3pm. Typical day, much like a high school day or some work days (yawn). When I started to schedule for this year, things began to get trickier and more limited because there were less sections being offered for the classes I need to take for my major. When all was said and done, my schedule consists of classes that don't start before 1pm, and night class 3 days out of the week. To some, this would be a dream schedule! Sleep in...wake up in time to catch lunch...awesome! However it has its downsides to it as well such as today, when school was closed until noon because of the white death. That really didn't help me much, but everyone else seemed to be thrilled. I also hate knowing that at dinner time while everyone else is unwinding and filling their bellies up for a night full of studying and ping pong, I'm mentally preparing myself to sit in a classroom for three hours straight without completely losing it . Either way, I have found that my night classes are filled with more adult students which sometimes has the potential to make the discussions and learning atmosphere more serious and stimulating than a room full of freshman and jocks during the day (no offense). Night classes are not for everyone, however I have started to adjust and almost acquire a liking for them.

Hello there. First off want to say happy white-winter-wonderland day to everyone. As most everyone in the greater Cincinnati area is aware, the dreaded "WHITE DEATH" has struck our area again, giving us a break from classes for a day. It is kind of nice being off, but boring as well. What exactly does a college student do on their snow day? Well.......

There are quite a few options, but one of the most common ones is to catch up on sleep and homework that should have been done last night (hey, that's part of college, right?).  Of course I was thrilled when I got the automated phone message this morning at 5:56 AM saying that the college was closed for the day, but that was quickly wiped away by some panic. WHAT IF THE DINING HALL WASN'T OPEN?!?!  The thought of a snow day without food makes any college student cringe.  Luckily our devoted food services director Greg Kathman was there to save the day. I think there are very few times that I don't see him running around the dining hall getting things done for us, that includes weekends. Alright, that was a little off-topic and a small shameless plug but I had to stick it in nonetheless. There are so many people like Mr. Kathman around here who really work hard to make the residence life at MSJ move smoothly. Anyways, luckily we had hot food and despite the college technically being "closed", everything seemed to be normal around lunchtime. 

Now, once the hunger situation has been taken care of, the options of this "free day" really seem to open up. I sat with my roommate and pondered what ever could we do? I heard distant laughter and screams coming from outside the window, and when I went to take a peek I realized there was no other option. Sledding. Yes, sledding. Despite the fact that we are all adults who are busy with jobs and studying hard, snow days give us an opportunity to break out and let our inner-child(ren?) play for a day. Last year, as I remember, the dining hall was getting ready to go trayless, and during one of the snow days they handed out the plastic blue lunch trays to students to use as sleds. This was wildly popular all over campus.  Unfortunately I don't have my tray from last year, however my roommate has come prepared with sleds in the back of her car.

So, I thought I would just share with you all my admittance that yes, even in college snow days are a time for fun. 

Hey everybody. There are a few simple variables to the equation of being a college student. Two of the biggest ones are sleep and food, which is why Sunday morning at the Mount is hands-down my favorite time of the week.

On Sundays in the dining hall they host “community brunch”, which means friends and family members and whoever else you could pretend to be acquainted with is welcome to come and eat the buffet style brunch that they serve. That’s all lovely and dandy, but for the students who live on campus it means the most delicious meal of the week. The cooks go all out in preparation for the guests (whether it be your Aunt Betty or the hobo you found on the corner of Delhi and Pedretti), and it makes bearing the disguised leftovers all week well worth it. I usually have to prepare my stomach about twelve hours in advance for the feast that I indulge on, because it is that amazing.  After a Saturday night full of board games and studying (or whatever else innocent college students choose to embark on), the brunch could not come at a more perfect time. I have many friends who choose to go home on the weekends, and I always shame them for missing out on Sunday brunch. In fact, if my parents ask to see me, I usually let them know my ETA will be around 1pm or 2pm, long after I have committed caloric suicide and just in time to crash on their sofa for a nice post-feast nap. Ahh...

So, that is what I leave you with now. If you’re going to come visit the Mount, or stop in to say hi, bring a few dollars and stay for Sunday brunch, it’s worth it.