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?

Alright, so it seems most of my audience seems to be primarily High school students and parents. So I thought I would Highlight some of the positives and negatives of this community. Maybe this will help give you a broader view of Mount.

The Bad 

• Maintenance... For me, I've had a huge problem with many things getting broken and staying that way. Lately a lot of washers and dryers have been broken. On my floor there are only 2 washers and dryers. And one of the washers have been broken for a month. It's extremely annoying. Especially that I have only one day a week to do laundry. There are numerous other washers broken too. Microwaves break a lot without getting any fixing, and I've had a huge problem with central air last semester.
• Internet... Its weird how the internet works here. Sometimes it works great, but for the most part its been slow, or on West at least. Now its worse with the new generator from when the transformer caught on fire.
• Tuition Costs... For everything including tuition, Room and food, and other fees here and there... the overall cost is about $32,000 a year! However, the Mount is very generous with handing out grants and scholarships, which for some people can make this place cheaper than some public universities. Which is one of the reasons I came here.
• Financial Aid Offices... I've just had a lot of issues with the system the have set up. A lot of aggravations and stress.
• No Pool... 

Sorry I haven't updated my blog lately. I've been busy with 11290274089237432 different things. The internet never working for me doesn't help either. It just seems like everything is broken at the Mount. Since the transformer went down I can't get internet in my room. It's aggravating. The heat is horrible. It feels like 47238907423908^oF in the Scholar Center (the only place I can get on the interwebz 0_0). I have laundry to do and every washer seems to be broken. The dishwasher machine at the dining hall that I work with, has been broken for months. And oh, did I meantion it's warming up and they don't turn the air on until May. sl;dfhkljwdhfjkh.  It has not been a good day. Failed an important test for Chemistry. I'm struggling with my Bio papers. And I cut a huge gash into my finger at work tonight

 Blahhhhhh....Enough of my ranting.

Anyway I have a lot of updates. I don't remember if I mentioned my spring break but it was pretty lame. I think the highlight of my entire break was eating at a Ihop. I spent the entire break researching two final presentations for the semester. NOT FUN. However my grades are good...except for chemistry >_>

I just recently applied to be an RA. I'm superstoke about that. I hope I get the position. Everyone reading this wish me luck on that =D.

The club has finally shaping up. We got about 25 members. I have a lot planned for this organization. This week we're having a huge old school Pokemon gaming Night. I know right? We're hard-core . Within the next two weeks, we should hopefully be having a big lasertag event with lasercraze coming in for everybody!! That should be pretty fun. We're trying to start a fundraiser to get more money to have big events like this to build a bigger gaming community. I'm also starting sometime soon, maybe even next Semester, a fundraiser call Gamin for Kidz. I want to raise money for kids in areas like Over the Rhine. I wanna get them Nintendo DS's with games like Brain Age that helps them learn, and it will help keep them off the streets. This is just an idea right now but hopefully it will manifest into its own eventually. Oh I'm also in the process of creating membership paperwork and raise money  to get T-shirts for the club. And I'm organizing the Springfest booth as well. Gosh after writing all this down, I've realized I've been busy.

Well gotta go, Lot's of work to do. This week I will have plenty of blogs. Lot's of ideas. SO stay tuned!

 Can't believe I actually slept through that. Best rest I've ever had :) Ermmm off topic....Anyway one of the transformers in the library basement caught on fire. Causing the library to be closed and the Mount servers to crash. Means no internet. No one can live without the interwebz anymore haha.  The school was very empty and quiet this weekend. Kind of eerie. And the community had to learn to cope without any internet. I got withdrawls within the first few hours. It's really sad how our lives are completely intune wtih technology. If you literally think about it, or at least for me, I don't go without using some sort of gadget for more than an hour. Besides sleeping of course. Which consists of the computer, cell phone, Ipod, or the TV. The lack of internet was a breath of fresh air. All my friends on my floor gathered in my room and we just talked and made jokes. No technological involvement at all. It was nice. Nice to actually feel human for once. Too bad the internet is online again.

Imagine if we lost all power to fuel our electricity. How we would we evolve our lifestyle? It could happen...Click on the link below                                                                                       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waXFlrUUAH8  

Last weeks Gameworks event was closed because of the fried transformer and for right now is being put on hold. So I have no pictures to share                                                                                        However, we're having a huge gaming night on thursday in the food court. Wings, Pizza, Chip & Cookies, and Soda will be provided

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.

Last night was one of those nights... you know, the ones where nothing ever goes right and you flip out and say, hmmm I dunno, you completely tear apart your room, rearrange it, drop a futon on your toe, get mad and go to bed.  Well notice there was NO hmework anywhere in that sentence, none at all.  Know what that means?  That means that it had to be done this morning.

I was up at 4:00 this morning, I wrote a two page response on instructional and institutional responsibilities to students with exceptionalities, I completed twelve math problems that were review for my math test tonight, I read the 10 page selection that we have a quiz on for Dr. Green's class today, I got dressd, ate breakfast and packed a lunch.  I joined the throngs of other morning commuters fighting for spots on the high way and pulled into the parking lot here at the Mount at promptly 7:45 (somehow, exactly when I planned on being here).  I will be here until 8:30 tonight which makes for a VERY long day, but you know what??  I'm happy...

It's light outside, the sky looks slightly like cotton candy, warmer weather is on its way and the birds are singing their good morning songa again.  I have an incredibly busy day today but I'm not dreading it because Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days that I learn the most from my classes here at MSJ.  Tues/Thurs are full days, but they are satisfying and beneficial... they do their job by giving me the fundations on which t build a successful career as an educator in the real world. 

Mr. Santoro's class is about to start, so I'll have to post my art project later today.

Until next time...

I think it's safe to say that you have too many books in your bookbag (which generally means too much HOMEWORK) when you're driving down the road and your car starts beeping at you... You look down at the dash and see the passenger seat belt light flashing on and off.  My book bag was sitting in my car this morning and my car did its job and told me that the "person" in the passenger seat wasn't strapped in... it wanted me to put a seat belt on them.  The seat is weight sensitive so that when anyone sits in it without a seat belt the car will beep until the seat belt is engaged and the "person" in the seat was actualyy my poor, unfortunate, overstuffed bookbag.

Now you may not think that there's anything particularly fascinating about this incident, but I found it immensely amusing at 7:00 this morning when I left my house to go to class.  I cannot for the life of me figure out why my classload feels so heavy this semester... I'm not taking as many credits as I did last semester and I'm more on top of things this semester too... No explanation for it I guess.

Talking to my friends I've come to realize that I'm not the only one that feels this way.  Is it because we're all taking a double service learning credits or because we have Mr. Santoro and Dr. Green back to back in the same semester... or is it something entirely different?

 I don't know, but I do know that this semester will be an INTERESTING one to say the least...

...in my next post I hope to share with you all a project from my Art Education class.

I'm turning 20 now. A time where I reach adulthood. I'm becoming a man. This is the time I revaluate my past experiences and learn from them. A lot has happened since I started college. I've made new friends, tried "new" things, tried "old" things, lost the faith, gained it again, lost some friends, lost family...for a while, my tastes in music has changed. The experiences of our late teenage years truly define what we are gonna be like for the rest of our lives. For me I intend to change that philosophy. For years I've been trying to find god. Speak with him, just to let me know everything is okay and that he's watching over me. And faith in people's words and beliefs just isn't enough. Not too recently I spoke with God. We had a pretty rad conversation together. Much was said. He truly is an amazing wise fellow. Though not the shape I expected him to be. Besides the point it was truly a magnificent experience. Everything is connected. Everything is growing and advancing exponentially. God was there the entire time I was struggling with school, family, friends,  guiding me the entire way. I don't regret any of it, I learned from those past mistakes. You can't move forward if you can't forgive the past.

So what does that mean now. All new world has been given to me, a clean slate rather. First thing's first is too finish school, then who knows what. I just want to enjoy the ride I was given and hope it all works in the end. I mean it has so far.

We will all come to the point in our life where we have to admit that we feel defeated, that something has conquered us. We must change, not because we want to, but because we desperately have to. We can not take life in its current suffocating state, even to admit such desperation shows that we are feeling deserted, wandering the barren desert, a shell of our former selves. It is only up from here, it is impossible to sink any lower into ourselves or our circumstances. But we can be salvaged, a deliverance. No vice can stand, no fix can take. The thorn in the side can be removed, but you have to be willing to admit and surrender. Surrender your habits, your lifestyle, your past, your present, and your future.
 
Well I wanted to end the semester with a bang...Hope you All have a great holiday Break!