Oh The Places You'll Go

As I sit and reflect upon my first semester, I catch myself smiling and laughing about all of the amazing moments I've experienced here. I've met friends to last a lifetime, I've been to some pretty amazing parties, and I've gotten the opportunity to see the things I've only seen in the movies like the Statue of Liberty and Times Square! A couple of weeks ago I went to the tree lighting! I remember sitting in the living room with my family watching it on TV, but I was there!! It's so amazing just to be able to do all of these things, like a dream come true.

I know...it sounds so cliche, come to New York and all of a sudden I'm "living the life". But it's the truth, I didn't come here to be a star or to follow my dreams (although if it happened I'd have no objections :D), I came here to go to school and get an education. But in the process, I've found my home. My entire life I moved from house to house, state to state and not once have I truly been able to call those places my home. This city is my home, no questions about it. And I thank Marymount Manhattan College for the opportunity.

I remember when I got the email saying that I was accepted into the school! I was at a loss for words, (and trust me, that doesn't happen often). Now that it's been a whole semester already, that seems like such a long time ago! I'm proud of the choice I made. The classes were great, the people are amazing, and the professors!! My script-analysis professor is probably the most brilliant person I've ever met in my life! His knowledge of the theatre is so vast and on-point! I just want to sit at his feet as absorb in all of that knowledge! It's just amazing the things I've learned, and the places I've gone since I've been here.

The last week of the semester, I knew that I was going to be leaving the city for a while and couldn't sleep at all! One night I was up all night, and around 5:30 I decided to walk to Hot Jumbo Bagel (best bagel place anywhere near the dorms!) and get a bagel while I watched the sunrise. It was the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen!

That's what I love about the city; it has a beauty unlike anything else. Palm Desert, CA is a pretty city as well, but there's nothing quite like a New York City Sunrise :)

I had a great semester...wouldn't change it for the world. Thanks Marymount Manhattan College for this fantastic opportunity!!

~*Darius A. Journigan*~

End of the semester's here, shed a tear.

I don’t have any classes today. This is good because I’m practically nodding off at work right now. Luckily, Marymount is pretty sleepy at the moment. Everyone has gone home. When I went shopping for last minute Christmas gifts last night, the excuse my suitemate Starr and I used for everything was, “It’s our last night in the city.” Gigantic plate of fried chicken and fries from Plaza Diner ? Last night in the city. Ice cream? Last night in the city.

Of course, it’s not really. We’re going to be back next month; in fact, since my Dad lives in Westchester county I’ll probably be back within a week or so. It’s different when you’ve been living here though. You get used to the sound of horns and your noisy suitemates. In the suburbs, the silence is deafening and eerie.

I was hoping to continue my job at MMC during the break, but with the cost of Metro-North tickets and subway fare, I couldn’t make it worthwhile. I still have plans for my January break— writing my novel, visiting friends and family in Florida, and researching summer internships come to mind—but I’m raring to come back to MMC. I got into the theatre program for the production and management concentration and I want to start my stagecraft class today. 

(above: me in about six weeks, but with glasses and long hair)

Instead, I’ll have to settle for wandering down to Times Square before tonight and picking up a “Stage Manager” star.

I hope you have a wonderful January. I’ll see you when the spring semester starts.

-K.M.

The Time Has Come!

Hello world,

The fall 2010 semester is finally over! I love school, but I need the break. So many great things have happened to me this semester at Marymount, and I’ve learned some amazing things in my classes.

 

I expect to end up with four A’s and one B. So far I only have my final grade in my Intro to Journalism class, an A. Journalism was one of the less interesting topics I’ve learned about this semester. Interpersonal communication, on the other hand, was the most. My interpersonal communication course has actually taught me how to become a better communicator throughout my daily life. 

For example, my skills from my interpersonal communication course helped me to communicate effectively during my interview for an internship at MTV. I got the internship, and I’m psyched! I’ll be preparing media clips and other fun intern stuff. I’m not too sure on the specific details yet, but I will be receiving three Marymount credits for the internship!

 

I’m on winter vacation until the spring 2011 semester begins in early February, although I begin my internship on January 18, 2011. While on my one month break I plan to do a few things: work on my strength and conditioning (something I neglect too often during the school semester), read 3-4 books, and write a television script. I am currently half way through the script writing process, but haven’t started the actual script yet. 

Have a Happy Holiday season!

Have fun! Be safe!

Until next semester,

            Howard

P.S. There will be no cookies over the break, I’m on a diet!

First Semester of College… CHECK!

The other day we had a hall meeting with our RA at the 55th Street dorm to learn about how to check out of the dorm for the winter break. I feel like it was just yesterday I was sitting in the hall learning about the ins and outs of the dorm, and now I’m already checking out. My first semester of college is coming to a close. With exams, papers, and work, I don’t have much of a life right now. It is a stressful time, but that’s just part of college. I am looking forward to December 23rd @ 9am when I board the plane at LGA and say goodbye to New York for a few weeks, being able to relax at home.

As I look back on my first semester at Marymount I think about coming in August, moving into the dorms for Jump Start, and meeting all of the 25 other people that did Jump Start. I had never met any of the people, other than talking on Facebook. And now I am best friends with many of them and we are like a mini family. It has been really easy meeting new people and friends at MMC. Everyone is so accepting and comes from all over the world, so it’s a good mix. (Left, My Jump Start group @

5Pointz in Queens.)

My first semester living in NYC and attending college has been successful. Meeting newpeople, making connects, getting a job, seeing performances, learning the subway, trying all the restaurants, and late-night Pinkberry. These are just a few of the things that made this semester enjoyable. I came to New York to come to college and have gained so much in the process. I have made friendships with people that will last forever and hope to make many more next semester. I have made connections with my teachers (who all know my name) and have started learning many of the facility at Marymount. It’s like a big family. (Right, Savannah and me at my first Apple Fest)

(Above, My friends and I on the American Eagle billboard in Times Square, really cool! If you buy something from their store you get your picture taken and it might show up on their jumbotron!)

It was hard coming to NYC for school because I thought I would miss my family and friends. But I have had so many visitors since coming to the city that has made the transition easier. Also, I have been able to “become” part of my friend’s families by going home with friends over the weekend and getting away from the city.

I made the right decision to attend Marymount Manhattan College because it is truly a perfect college for me! Everyone should come and explore our campus and see what makes it so unique, and maybe I will even give you a tour!

But for now, I leave you with this video, a unique perspective on the 55^th Street Res Hall…

Until next semester,

-austin

OHMYGOSHIMSTRESSEDOUT! (:

Hullo again fellas and lassies! Well, good golly miss Molly and a bucket of holiday cheer! I've been so incredibly busy lately, I almost fell asleep standing up at work today. I was pretty stressed out a couple of days ago...so I planned out every minute of every day in my handy dandy...NOTEBOOK! (Aka planner) You cant really tell, but I have about 3 free hours this week. Thats when I'll be sleeping hopefully. (:

As much as I'm totally complaining about being so busy, its what I'm used to and what, ultimately, I love. I just hate sitting around being bored and staring at the TV when there's a big, bright, bustling New York City waiting to be enjoyed! And its Christmastime...my ALLTIME FAVORITE! At our apartment, we've just dressed up Bruce the Spruce with some holiday trimmings courtesy of my lovely mother, including a countdown of mini presents to Christmas!

I'm so happy to be making more and more friends lately--I've found that the only way to find friends is to ... MAKE THEM! I've been chatting all the people in my classes up lately (you get more familiar with people as the semester progresses) and I found a group of lovely dates to the Snowball last weekend! All of them are in CAB (Campus Activities Board), so we arrived early (ish) to set up, danced allllllll the live long night, and helped break down. It was a night of swing dancin, big band, flapper-esque partyin'!

Work is getting busier and busier and I'm finding myself getting more and more classically "New York". For example, a couple days ago we had a line wrapping all the way around the BLOCK from 5th Avenue, down 58th Street and then around to Madison Avenue. I couldnt get to work there were so many people. I was getting a little frustrated because of the crowds and the ridiculous number of tourists walking SO SLOWLY. But then I thought, hey, NY is pretty amazing. I'm lucky I get to live here--these people may only get to see it a few times in their lives. Let them walk slow. (: I'm so incredibly lucky to be living in such a truly fabulous city.

So, basically this week I'll be gearing up in classes for finals in my two art history classes and my Bible as Lit class and rushing to finish the copy of a Vermeer painting that I somehow have to have done by Thursday. I'm also working on my junior exhibition. This is what I have so far....haha.

Constructive criticism is welcome and appreciated!

Cant wait--only a week and a half til I'm back in Virginia celebrating my favorite holiday with my wonderful family. I hope you all have happy holidays! (:



Stressed out?

Hey everyone. I’m not sure how many of you noticed how many of us were late with posting this week, but it generally means the same thing… WE ARE ALL DONE. Thanksgiving break always ends up being that much-needed rest that you are never ready to return from, because when you do start class again, it only means end-of-term papers, research, speeches (in my case) and exams.

Has anyone ever heard of a ‘reading period’ from his or her friends at other schools? It’s basically a period of time where all classes end and a few ‘reading days’ are given to students to study and write final papers. After that period, final exams are scheduled, and once you finish your last test, you leave for the semester. Sound nice? MMC offers a lot of support services during finals – free tutoring and extended library hours, to name a few – but no reading days…yet. In the true MMC spirit of independence and initiative, I’m starting a petition for a reading period here. Marymount really seems to care about what the students think --the administration has amended policies in the past because of student protest. (Did anyone notice that new freshman don’t have the Public Speaking requirement anymore? ) Keep your fingers crossed!

Other than school, I haven’t been doing much else. I’ve been pretty broke as of late and have been trying to stick to cheap/free activities. Last night, Amy and I went to the tree lighting at Stuyvesant Oval. There was free hot chocolate and apple cider and professional carolers. It was really nice and I can’t wait to head to Rockefeller this year. I usually wait to go when friends or family come to visit me.

I’ve also been basking in the Harry Potter marathon on ABC family and reading the books and still being excited after the 7^th movie just came out. I thought it was really good in comparison to some of the other movie versions that have been directed. What did everyone else think?

I’ve also recently become interested in the history of Christmas since I heard a theory about it being related to the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar. I’ll let you know what I find out! Good luck with work, and help me wish for snow!

Fun Times During My Commute

Hola World,

Three days a week I take New York City’s finest buses and subways to Marymount—my commute is approximately two hours in each direction. But with finals coming up in the next week or so, I’ve been utilizing my commute wisely by studying. I have to study for finals in Intro to Journalism, Business and Society, and Survey of Film and Video. But I also found time to get some footage of my commute to give you an idea of what it’s like. Enjoy! 

Until next time,

               Cheers!

P.S. My dad bought Strawberry Oreos last week – I don’t recommend them.