It's Beginning to look a lot like "Chrisgiving"

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, its always a day that I'm reminded I'm beyond blessed with everything I have, and I love going home to see friends and Family.  My break was pretty excellent, the end of the fall term was rather hectic for me, so I spent most of the break relaxing.  But we're back now, and I am loving the new winter term (more about this later!)

This past Sunday, Ambassadors club held its annual "Chrisgiving," an event where we celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, and being an Ambassador.  We were directed to go to the party wearing ugly sweaters or Christmas themed costumes, so my friend Adam and I (who are historically known for clever costumes and antics at Ambassador events) put on our thinking caps to design an undeniably creative holiday costume.  We settled on going as "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."    

With a little thrift store shopping and some theatrics, we pulled of the costume and won the contest for the best dressed!

The event was really fun, it's great to have a good organization on campus to spend time with and stay in touch with campus life!  

Wishing you a beautiful beginning of winter, 

Paige

Occupy Library

Hello All, 


I'd like to begin this post with what I feel is a relevant quote that one of my friends first shared with me.  Gleaned from The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch, the successful professor eloquently addresses the secret to his success in saying, "It's pretty simple, call me any Friday night in my office at 10 o'clock and I'll tell you."  I took great comfort in this affirmation this weekend, as I spent a great deal of time in the Hammermill Library this weekend.  

This is the library!  The link above has some great information about all of the resources offered here.  

Finals are less than one week away now, and I have some pretty big fish to fry.  (Metaphorical fish, me being a vegetarian and all.)  But rather than dwell on the entire slice of notebook paper that has become a to do list, let's talk about what I did this weekend.  


On Friday, I finished up a term paper for History III.  Although this class has been a challenge, especially since it is not for my major, I was able to write about something I'm truly passionate about-- the crack cocaine epidemic and the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. *Pauses to remember that not everyone shares such enthusiasm for such narrow topics*  What this meant for my paper was that I quoted rap lyrics from the early 1990s, since they'd be considered primary sources...it's not everyday (not really any day) that one gets to legitimately quote Biggie Smalls in an academic paper.


As I write this, I sit again in the same area that captured the picture above, it's one of my favorite spots to work given there are not many distractions.  On tonight's agenda is revising the crack paper, and meeting up with a group member for my aggression class for our final project.  I have never liked group projects, so wish me luck!  


I'm anticipating a late night, 
Paige

It's been such a long time

Dear Friends,

I am sorry for my short disappearance from the blogging world, I have been infinitely consumed with school work-- which is not a good excuse for ignoring my posting obligations.  So as a pre-finals blog (truly where does time go,) I will attempt to make up for my negligence with an entertaining and exciting update.

The biggest change in my life is that one of my professors has hired me as a research assistant.  This, as those of you who have read my past posts will know, is a dream come true.  His project that I'm helping with is a study of juveniles in the adult criminal justice system.  I am beyond thrilled for this opportunity, and delighted to have such an experience with the "real world."

Although classes are always hectic (as evidenced by my three week hiatus) during this time of year, it is arguably one of my favorite times, because I love fall and Halloween.  Despite an initial plan to stay in this weekend and prepare for finals, I decided it would not be right to miss my favorite time of the year.

Friday was the campus' branch of UNICEF's Halloween fundraiser.  My roommate Jordana and I decided to go, especially since it was a costume party.  I have to say, this might have been my best costume ever.  Pictured below- me as a jellyfish!

This picture was taken moments after the creation of the costume, hence the shorts and tank top, when I wore it out I maintained the monochromatic black to make it look as if I was floating.  The glowing effect was created with a LED flashlight that was taped to the handle of the umbrella!  

Saturday night was another great night for Halloween activities.  Each year, student activities council puts on "Haunted Hurst," an event that celebrates fall with cider, fun, and food, and explores the haunted stories associated with our school through a haunted tour through campus.  As an ambassador I got to be a ghost, and after my performance the previous year, I was again depicting the ghost who haunts the elevator on the third floor of one of the buildings.  My friend Adam and I were told we could go professional with our spooking abilities.  

Adam and I, spooky scary.  

Although I had a great weekend, I need to refocus, I'm writing this from the library as I study for an Antecedents of Aggression exam, which is on Tuesday.  This is the final stretch, people, and this one needs to finish strong.

Vowing to return on a more consistent basis,
Paige

This is my life

Hello friends,

I'm in the library now, currently taking a break from making an outline for my Sociology of Evil Exam coming up this Thursday.

But I've realized, we haven't really talked for a long time, so here I am with apologies and updates!

As promised, I figured I'd share with you about my year so far.  I'm living with three other girls in an on campus apartment.  It's a really great set up, I'll include pictures eventually (goal for blogging this year!).  I'm living again with Maura (my roommate from freshman year,) and two girls named Lauren and Jordana.  We like to do crafts and make food.

Last week was pretty busy, I had a few papers due and an exam in my Aggression class.  I am constantly doing work in some form or another, and I think the combination of harder classes and higher expectations of myself is making this year extra busy/challenging.

However, the feedback I've gotten so far is positive and I just keep going.  I think I'm going to head back to the apartment soon, it's always a tough call between the quiet of the library and being and to wear pajamas and drink copious amounts of tea at home.

Tea is probably going to win,
Paige

This year might be challenging

Hello, Everyone!

I guess it's kind of been a while since the last time I posted, but classes are in full swing, and sometimes I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water.

I've had some good feedback with grades, and I'm trying hard to do my best with work this year.  I'm in the library now with some coffee, and my history books are calling my name, and I'm doing a great job of ignoring them.  My assignment for Monday is to do a short reading and write a paper about the Cuban Missile Crisis.  My history class is particularly challenging, since it is not for my major I find it hard to motivate myself...and I haven't had a history course since high school.

So far my other classes are going well.  I love Sociology of Evil and Antecedents of Aggression...both classes tie in my love for sociology and criminal justice, reassuring me that I'm not wasting my time in college.

I just realized that my first day of classes post largely neglected to share about my roommates and extracurricular involvement, which are essential to this year, I promise you can look forward to that in the next post!

Hitting the history books,
Paige

Junior Year: The Beginning

Well hello there! 

I truly have missed you all, I hope everyone had a good summer, I know I did and I'm looking forward to getting back in the game. 

In case anyone is looking at this for the first time, and as a refresher after our long summer apart, my name is Paige, and I'm a junior (wow), at Mercyhurst College.  I'm a student ambassador and this is my student blog.  I'm a criminal justice major, and I absolutely love the program.  So it's nice to meet those of you who are new, I am waving and smiling at all of you.

Formalities aside, let's start junior year.

I spent this summer working at a hotel and swimming, needless to say, it was mindless, relaxing, and perfect.    However, as I usually do towards mid-August, I grew restless and started thinking about classes and even the fall weather.  I moved back in the third week of August, and classes began last Wednesday.

Here is the breakdown of the four classes I'm taking this term-

• The Sociology of Evil-  Truly, yes, this IS a class.  I love it too.  Although I'm not required to take this class, I decided to just for the learning aspect.  It was certainly worth the extra work. 
•  Personality Psychology- My minor is in the Psychology of Crime and Law, and this class is one I have to take for that requirement.  I've taken this professor before, her classes are interactive and fascinating.  I have realized though that since attending college, my goals have shifted.  Initially my interest was mainly in psychology with me leaning towards criminology, however now it is the reverse, I still have a great appreciation for my psych courses though.  
• US History III- The school requires that everyone take at least one history course.  I really do enjoy history, however, sometimes taking classes that don't relate to my major seems like a waste of time.  However, I was able to take US History III, which covers 1945-present.  I figured this way, a lot of the social movements and laws of the later years will transcend into the criminal justice/sociology aspect that I love.  
• Antecedents of Aggression- This course is also for my minor.  I went in it really unsure of what to expect, but it is basically just about the psychology of violence.  I've expressed my interest in street gangs before, so I'm really excited that there is an emphasis on youth violence, which applies neatly to gangs.  

So that is my world right now.  I'm currently eating cereal and going to the gym soon.  The gym trip will likely be followed by hours in the library, and then probably a movie night with my roommates after the work.  

Wishing you a beautiful day, 

Paige

A Year in Review (as promised)

Hello, once again--  for the last time this year...

First, I want to thank all of you who have been reading my blog throughout the year (and those of you who just check in occasionally get thanks too, and first time readers...thanks all around!)  It really means a lot to me to be able to share my experience, and if you ever have questions or comments, please contact me! (Even during the summer, I will respond!)

To say this year brought changes would be an understatement.  I feel as if I went through enough changes this year to last me the rest of college, but each year is without change, and each change is for a reason.  While contemplated a top ten list of memories, I realized my year cannot be put into ten distinct positive happenings, as to do so would exclude the inevitable bad moments, and greatly omit good times 11- 99+.

So for the benefit of inclusivity, I present a stream-of-consciousness style flashback-- if I had a TV show, you might imagine some chimes here as the edges of the screen get a little fuzzy *chimes, fuzz*

Move-In Day:  I walk into what would be my first residence of sophomore year.  As I unpack my belongings I anticipate a repeat of freshman year; the same friends, the same study habits, the same plan for the future.  Yet the year had a lot in store for me, and classes began...

Street Gangs Class:  As I began to read Life in the Gang: Friends, Family, Violence, I realized that I might actually want to work with gangs in the future, I am really happy I took this course.

Winter Term: I realized winter term I wanted to seriously dedicate myself to the criminal justice department.  It was a revelation of sorts, combined with some positive feedback from my professors that turned obligations as a student into obsessions of a scholar.  I realized I needed to make some changes, to improve my life in other ways in order to be fully devoted to school work, one of which was moving out of my original apartment.

The Move:  It took four people all day to move two of us to a new apartment.  This probably was the biggest change and learning experience of the year.  The lesson-- create your own happiness.  Also, as Mercyhurst students we get 20% off at Eat n' Park, as we found out after a day of packing and hauling inevitably led to a late night celebration.

Late Nights in the Library:  I whisper a word of thanks to the coffee bean farmers who have made these nights possible.  Although each year I vow to never procrastinate (though sometimes that is at fault), dedication and boarder line neuropathy all too often pulled me to study more, write more, revise more.  Yet these late nights have brought me closer to peers in my classes, establishing good connections for next year.  

Hinduism:  At first met with apprehension, Hinduism became one of my biggest teachers this term.  Sometimes I was frustrated that reading and writing for this class pulled me away from my criminal justice classes, however, the experience proved to be rewarding.  I learned that we do not have the luxury of being interested in everything we do, and to embrace learning for the sake of learning.  Also if I'm ever on Jeopardy, and the category is Hinduism, I might just run circles around the other players.

Packing for Home:  As I pack up to go home, I realize how far I've come since the fall.  A box of notebooks represents a year of learning, but this does not account for the personal learning, the internal growth.  I've made great friends, memories, and goals, all of which I look forward to again after the summer.

Thanks for letting me be nostalgic, may you all have a lovely summer.


Wishing boxes were as portable as memories so they'd fit nicely into my car,
Paige

The Last Exam

Hello!

I must apologize again for not keeping up with my blogging better, however, in my defense I thought one I wrote a few days ago posted, but I guess it never did.  So sorry for this!  The missed post covered the fact that Springfest was an absolutely wonderful time, and for the most part the weather stayed nice for us.  I mentioned before that it was one of my friends last Springfest, so we were sure to make each part of it memorable.

Also in the post that was not was an elaboration on my paper for Hinduism.  Our assignment was rather broad, as we were allowed to write about any topic within Hinduism.  During my research I found a way to incorporate criminal justice, through the discussion of yoga programs in prisons.  Despite some lost hours of sleep, I think my paper turned out to be okay, especially since I learned so much about something so new and different.

But, as you know it is finals week here.  That means I was up late last night, and woke up early this morning, to study for a final I have a 1.  It will be my last one not only in Hinduism, but also in my sophomore career.  The coffee is brewing, and I plan to go out strong.

I still have a hard time believing that by late afternoon I will officially be a junior.  In this time, I think I need to start focusing on internships and my plans for after graduation.  While I kind of am nervous about what is to come, I think this year I learned a lot (stay tuned for a year-in-review-esque post), which will inevitably prepare me for whatever direction I chose.  

Not going to let the Hinduism final make a fool of me,
Paige

Confessions of a girl searching for motivation

Hello Everyone,

I'm at work now, however no one needs help with papers, so that leaves me more time for you!  People likely do not need help with papers if they are in the same boat as me, the boat of people struggling to start. I am trying to write a paper for Hinduism, however am at a loss for topics and the hutzpah to get it going.

I have so much going on right now, I do not know where to begin.  It is as if while I attend to one task, the others will slip away unfinished, but multitasking provides inadequate attention to all I have left.  I'm thinking a lot about next year, which isn't bad, except it is pulling me away from this year.  I registered for classes for fall term.  I am taking:

-Antecedents of Aggression
-Personality Psychology
-US History III

As of now, all of my grades in current classes are where I would like them to be, and maintaining them should not be unreasonable.


This upcoming weekend is Springfest, which is one of the largest events on campus.  There are going to be a number of bands and activities, all of which I look forward to.  One of my best friends, however, has decided to transfer next year, so Springfest will carry some degree of sadness as one of the last times I will be able to see her.  I'm feeling the same way about one of my friends about to complete his senior year.  Despite always being really busy, I have grown close with a few individuals here.

Now to start the paper,
Paige

I feel like I've done this all before

Hello Friends,

This morning as I walked to class, I started to reminisce about last year.  This time last year the weather was warming up, people spent more time outside of their dorms or apartments, and everyone was touched by the pandemic of Spring Fever.  Well, I think it's getting to be that time again.

All of my classes are so close to being done, yet I feel as if there is so much to do.  I took one exam today, and between now and the end of the year I have two exams in Research Methods, a quiz and a final in Hinduism, a paper to write for Hinduism, and multiple art projects and assignments for my art class.

Weekend life is picking up as well, as things with yoga club are escalating into a whirlwind of activities and undertakings.  We are participating in Relay for Life this Saturday, and although it is too late to be registered as an official team, we are able to collect money for the cause and offer information and literature about the health benefits of yoga.

I still have a number of hours to finish for Ambassadors Club, (although after this is posted I'll be thirty minutes closer!)  Tonight I'm scheduling classes for next fall.  Starting my junior year scares me a lot.

Spring Air is Delicious,
Paige

I've truly missed you all

Hello Everyone,

I vowed when I began blogging, I would try with everything in me to avoid starting a post with the old, "So I've been so busy I've barely had time to blog," excuse, however that literally is the case! 

This weekend though, I was very sick, which contributed not only to the amount of work I have to do now, but also my lack of ability to blog.  Also, when you're only awake for 6 hours of the day, there is not much to report!  There seemed to be a terrible bug going around; I'm blaming the rapidly changing weather conditions.  However, a big thank you to Western medicine and Vitamin C, because I am as good as new! I celebrated (and maintained) this miracle recovery with washing my sheets and buying a new tooth bush (Mother, I hope you're smiling and taking credit for this!) 

But to catch everyone up, I took two midterms last week, one was in Hinduism and one was in Research Methods.  The Hinduism test I thought was very difficult.  I was unsure of how to prepare for a test where the material was so abstract, and unlike the tidy nature of Research Methods I felt simple memorization and appilcation would not suffice.  My Research Methods Test was more comfortable, and I hosted a study session the night before to prepare. 

I got both of these tests back yesterday, and was pleasently suprised with both of the grades!  Because I wrote an essay for bonus in Hinduism, I managed a 100% on the exam.  Now I feel more comfortable about future tests.  I think my advice to anyone with a professor for the first time would be to ask a lot of questions about the test format.  It really helped me to expect a section of essays and identification. 

At the beginning of the week, I met with a girl for tutoring.  I am really enjoying this job and am glad I heard about and pursued the opportunity.  I always advocate finding people within your major who you can collaborate with acedemically, and to become that for someone else is really a great feeling. 

It has been raining a lot lately, which I would take any day over snow.  Hopefully things brighten up by the weekend, I have some sundresses that have been feeling neglected. I feel bad for the poor, poor dears. 

Promising never to neglect blogging for that long again (I really missed you),

Paige  

Almost midterms already?

I can't believe it's almost that time of year again, but all of my classes are picking up and I'm struggling to fit everything in.  However, things always have a way of getting done, and it seems that there is always exactly enough time for everything that counts.

In Research Methods I got my test back, and was very excited to have missed only a half point on it.  I guess studying endlessly does truly pay off.  I'm also finding that I really enjoy research.  

Since I'm doing well with this and my other  classes, I took an exciting step the other day in applying and becoming a tutor!  This means I will get to work with people in other criminal justice classes and help them keep up with and understand course material.  It's great because I will be able to earn a little extra money while I help others.  You can be a tutor for anything at Mercyhurst, as long as you have a B in the course and can commit at least three hours a week to whoever requests you.  

I've been doing a lot with yoga club in terms of wrapping it up for the year and figuring out where to go next with it.  I'm a little disappointed in what we did not accomplish this year, and I think I could have been much more organized.  I guess though for being the first year it was not entirely bad.  

This past Sunday I went to a poetry reading that my Hinduism teacher said we could attend for bonus.  I ended up actually being really fascinated by the poet, David Whyte.  

On my agenda for the rest of the day is work study, reading, and preparing for a presentation I have in Research Methods.  This week has been more stressful than the beginning of the term, and I'm looking forward to the weekend.  

Love love love, 

Paige   

Hello All,

I think it's safe to say my life is officially in full swing again, and I'm glad that my class schedule is less hectic because everything else is picking up rather quickly!  The weekend was really fun, I spent the weekend hanging out with my roommates.  We never really plan anything official to do, but we always end up laughing endlessly.

Monday I began preparations for an exam in my Research Methods class.  I studied with a nice group of people, but I'm not sure how I did, it was a difficult test.  My Hinduism class is picking up and getting deep, I'm really trying to grasp it.

Tonight I have art appreciation.  I'm really glad to have an art class during all of this chaos, it is nice to have  a way of detaching from the rest of my classes.  I feel like this is one of my shorter posts, mainly because I don't have much to say now, but I'm sure by the end of the week it will be a different story.  

Going back to the Hinduism,

Paige

Sun, Sumatra, and Smiles

Dear Friends,

Do you ever have one of those days where from the moment you want up everything seems perfect?  Today is one of those days for me, and as I did some dishes this morning, I half expected woodland animals to scamper in the way they did for snow white to assist me in gleeful cleaning.  This feeling continued as I walked out the door (without a jacket and wearing a dress,) to amazing weather. 

Before going to work I stopped by the cafeteria to get some coffee, since I didn't have time to make it this morning, and my favorite Sumatra blend was brewing!  No one has come into the writing center yet today, which means I get to study and update my blog.

I have a tour to give today at 1 to a prospective student.  I love giving tours, especially on a perfect day like this.  The weekend ahead does not have that much planned, except hanging out with my roommates.  It is also my friend Tyler's birthday (Happy Birthday, Tyler), so I will probably see him at some point. 

The sun is shining and so is my soul,
Paige 

Half Way Through

Hello All,

So since I don't have Friday classes, I'm officially half way through the week.  This idea absolutely thrills me!

This past weekend was very fun.  On Friday my roommate and I went to an Art Gallery downtown to look at some exhibits.  Erie has a pretty rich and diverse art community.  After we got back we spent some time with our roommates and visited the neighbors across the way.  I guess all of this running about took a lot out of us, and the next day we slept in and watched movies.  Sunday was Spring Tea.  Each Spring a new group of Ambassadors is added to the club (for those not familiar with Ambassadors, we wear green and give tours of the school,) and Spring Tea is our way of welcoming them and celebrating the hard work to join the club.

And so with the end of a busy weekend comes a busy week.  I worked today at the writing center, as I will everyday except Monday.  I absolutely love it there.  Today, I had Hinduism and Research Methods.  Hinduism was a lot of reading, and it's getting really abstract.  I'm a little nervous for the eventual test and have no idea what to expect.

Research Methods on the other hand is presenting some unique ideas and challenges.  As I still toss around the idea of going into research, this class is important.  Today, however, we learned about something called the, "Matthew Effect,"  this basically describes how difficult it is  to become well-known and respected within the field of one's study.  So basically, if I want to be a well-known researcher, I should start working hard now.

Tonight I'm going to a seminar on campus about women and their power to negotiate within the work force.  My roommate is going for bonus for a class, and I'm going for fun.  The college always has these types of events, and I'm sure it won't be information wasted.

Enjoying the Daylight at 7 PM,
Paige

Spring Term, I love you

Hello everyone,

So I'm officially one week into spring term, which means only 9 more weeks until summertime!  Before I get ahead of myself, here is a quick overview of my classes:

Art Appreciation:  This is part of my liberal arts requirements here.  However, I absolutely love it.  I was in art club in high school, and now I get to take it for credits.  It is also a night class...and the only class I have on Mondays and Wednesdays (best schedule ever)

Research Methods in Criminal Justice: I know, this doesn't sound too thrilling...but again, criminal justice is my passion, and with new thoughts sprouting in my brain of being a gang researcher, this is good for me to explore a little more.

Hinduism:  This is fulfilling my second religion requirement here.  I like it so far, even though it's a lot of reading.  Also, taking Hinduism allowed for no Friday classes, so I can't complain.  Besides that, it really is an interesting religion.

So those are classes.  I'm not sure how this schedule became so lovely, and I'm doubting it will ever occur again.

Something else is new and exciting too, which is my campus work study.  I had worked in the admissions office, however my schedule became too complicated for that, and fate threw a new job in my face.  So, I'm currently a writing consultant for the writing center.  The writing center is peer run tutoring, so I get paid to revise papers and help people with writing (something I do anyway!)  I have a shift at 11.

That's really all that is going on so far.  Just trying to manage things and stay on top of the readings.  Also it snowed again last night, which I think means we deserve another spring break.

Passing out the fever to Mother Nature,
Paige

Spring Break (I needed it)

Hello friends,

Sorry for the break in posting, but as you know it was spring break, and I was catching up on the sleep I had deprived myself of during finals.  The sleep deprivation paid off, however, and I have some very exciting news to share!

My police functions class (my favorite and most difficult class of the term) undeniable got the most attention and time this past term.  I got an A on that final, which I stayed up until 3 studying for following my last post.  I even woke up allowing myself two hours to study before it too!  The exciting part though is related to the gang paper.  (This is the last time you have to hear about it, I promise.)  I got it back, and whatever I did the second time around (hard work and coffee,) worked because I got a 198/200 on it!  But beyond a good grade, this gang paper gave me ideas for my future, for example, being a gang researcher.  I really never considered this career before, but now it's a serious thought in my brain.

Break started out in the most excellent way.  I left campus on a high note with all the relief of being finished.  The first days of break one of my new roommates, Dania, stayed with my family and I because she was receiving a scholarship (congratulations, Dania!) at a banquet not far from my house.  During her stay there was a lot of sleeping and watching Lifetime movies, a nice and welcomed contrast to life during finals.

The rest of break was rather uneventful, I didn't work, which only meant time for reruns of Gangland and catching up on Law and Order: SVU.  I also had time to read The Bell Jar all the way through; this is my favorite book, and I haven't had the time to truly enjoy it for a while.

Some of my books for Spring term started to come in the mail.  I always order them from Amazon, and seriously save so much money.  My spring term schedule includes: Art Appreciation, Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods, and Hinduism.  I started reading some of the reading for the Hinduism course...it is definitely unlike anything I have ever had, so I'm excited but nervous at the same time.

Today I went to my favorite local coffee shop to post this blog, only to find out it closed in my absence.  I am at the bookstore now, which is just as wonderful.  In a little bit, I am meeting up with some friends from high school, which is exciting.  With the trimester system spring break falls earlier than most semester schools, so I rarely get to see friends, which is one of the only things I dislike about trimesters (but for all I like about them this is really a small thing).  But one of my friends is in for the weekend which is great.

Tonight my sister is going to be home too from her place ion the city.  I'm going to rent a movie from the Redbox; sadly, that is the only option because there are no video stores left her, which makes me sad.  I'll be back at school on Sunday, and my first class will be Monday.  By Tuesday evening, I'll have had all of my classes at least once, and will provide all the details!


Out and about now,

Paige

Final Post of Finals Week. Finally.

A warm hello to all, 

It is with great, immense, joyous pleasure that I announce the winter term is nearly over.  Let me just say, I'm ready.  Having four classes, 8 AMs everyday, and balancing everything else in my little world was really a lot this term.  So, here I am, with one Police Functions final standing between me and two entire weeks of sleeping in and watching reruns of Gangland (even though I know from my paper and classes this is an inaccurate portrayal, I still love it).  This last final might be one of my hardest, but one for which I am the most prepared.  So it just is.

My philosophy final was this morning, and hopefully, I did well enough on it to manage an A for the class, although that will be close.  I've been really hard on myself with maintaining straight A's, so I'm really trying to not let this possibility of anything less affect me because I really did try my hardest.  Some things I suppose just Kant turn out the way we'd like (Kant was a philosopher, that was a pun, at least I took that away)!  

Math Problem Solving ended for me last Friday.  I just realized how little I posted about math during this term, perhaps a sine (math pun) of just how busy I was. While not the most challenging class, I will not miss the abundance of numbers in the wee hours of the morning (wee hours=8 AM my time).  

My Psychology and the Law final was last night, and although it was more challenging than other exams in the course, I feel confident enough about my grade to predict favorable outcomes.  Reflecting upon this class, I learned so much.  More than a lot of classes, I am able to think independently about a lot of issues that I never really had opinions on before.

And now here we are just waiting for 1 PM tomorrow for the last final.  Hopefully I end this term with a bang, a good one though, not the ones of the destructive variety.  

Be well and happy, 

Paige

P.S.  I'm thinking of proposing the idea of "finals after dark," to the administration here.  I feel so animated at night these days, and think my tests could benefit from this post-dusk pep.  

One Week Until Home

Hello!

So last night after my post, I was quite productive, and I like productive nights for myself, and for the sake of interesting blogging.  I ended up FINISHING the gang paper...in that I met the requirements for length and content.  However, it's still not where I'd like it to be stylistically, so that is my next step.  Also last night, I was able to put the finishing touches on my Webpages, it was truly a miracle that I was able to do it, and I can't say I'd be sad if I didn't have to make webpages again.  Although the good thing about this is that I will be able to do it the next time.

I met with my professor about the gangs paper since he was underwhelmed, to say the least, with my first performance.  He gave me great pointers, and looked at some portions of the paper and said the writing is a lot better!  I'm really happy, because I felt like in the stress of my former living situation and the moving process my work started to be less than my best.

In other news, the 200 Mile challenge is still going, which I'm actually a little bit ahead in.  I'm currently at 198 miles.  (Yes, finishing those two extra at the gym today occurred to me, but it would have been pushing it).

The weather here has oddly warmed up, but after days when there was no temperature, my perceptions of warm might be slightly skewed.  My roommate told me that it is supposed to be 60 degrees on Friday.  Mother Nature certainly likes to be nice when I am too busy to leave my apartment or library.

I'm going home in a week, it's certainly a break I need.  I find that the stretch of winter term following Christmas break is always the hardest stretch, especially given that I normally take my heaviest work load during the winter term.

Prevailing over the most difficult term,
Paige

On my final nights with my gang paper

Dear Friends,

Hello!  So I'm sitting in the library with my gang paper, and I'm pretty sure that you might be as sick of reading about my paper as my roommates/classmates/ and friends are sick of hearing about it.  But it really has just been the most important thing this term.  I spent the first hours of Valentine's Day with it, and it really is my number one priority right now.  My relationship with it will however end Thursday, which is bittersweet, but mostly sweet.

Today we showed our video to our philosophy class.  I forgot to tell you the hilarity that was filming the presentation.  Joe told me to show up looking like a philosopher, so I did.  We made our presentation our interpretation of philosophers playing a game of Jeopardy.    

This is me as philosopher George Berkley.  Joe was Alex Trebek.

One of our group members ended up not showing up for the group, so I had to play two roles!  This is another reason I have never liked group work.  The second character I had to play was a doctor from the book we read.  He lives on the moon (only in a philosophy class does this entire situation make sense.)  

Luckily, I got creative and made a Moon Costume straight away.  

Different mustache + satellites.  This is probably an exact depiction of moon-dwelling doctors.  

I think the class liked our presentation, I'm just glad it is finished!  (More time for the gang paper).  

Tomorrow I present my other group project that I had for psychology and the law.  I haven't really updated about this for a while, but this is the project that I had to make webpages for.  I am appreciative of the learning experience (tactful code talk for the technology keeps giving me all levels of fever and I anxiously await the end).  

Also tomorrow I will go to my second to last math class (maybe of my life,) because that final was scheduled for Friday, before finals work even begins.  I am very happy for this decision though, because it is one less 8 AM exam during the finals week.  Plus, it's about Statistics and probability which is my favorite kind of math and what I find to be the easiest.  

Working down the "To Do" List, 

Paige

I need today to be productive

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the delay between this post and the last, but the move really took a lot of time from my school work that I needed to makeup for...But the good news is I did it (mostly).  I still have a lot to get done today.

My philosophy group meets today to film the project.  I really just want to present it live in class, but the majority overruled me so now I'm squeezing this into the day too.  I've never really liked group work because of things like this.

But aside from the philosophy paper I have to finish up some loose ends with my psychology work.  I really want to get a lot done today so this week can be dedicated to making everything perfect.  After all of my work today I have an Ambassador's club meeting.  I'm looking forward to a little break in my day to see some friends from the club.

On a more exciting/less stressful note, Maura (my roommate), and I watched a movie last night called The Borrowers.  We both discovered it was one of our favorites when we were little, so some reminiscing was in order.  There's nothing like a quiet night in and an early bed time to prepare one for a day of work.

I have to go now, but will likely be searching for distractions come work time, so maybe I'll find something extra to blog about!

Library bound, motivation found,
Paige

Thoughts over the first cup of coffee in a new place...

Good Morning!

So this is officially the first morning in my new apartment.  I am still living in the campus provided apartments, however, just one building back!  I'm sitting in our living room, which is actually larger than the old one, with the first cup of coffee (probably of many) to be consumed in the residence!

Moving our stuff was literally a twelve hour process from packing to transporting.  However, our friends Adam and Lauren were an amazing help.  Unfortunately, we were so into the moving process that I missed meeting with Joe for Philosophy, (sorry Joe, if you're reading this.)  After the insane day of moving, the four of us ventured to Eat 'n Park for some nourishment.

*Takes a break to fix cup of coffee #2*

We're still not entirely settled, but we were going to going to go to the store today to get a few things that we need for the new place.  I also plan some serious liquidation of the "beautiful garbage," I seemed to acquire over the course of the first two terms.

This weekend I also have to continue work on my gang paper, which will be hard to do considering all I have going on in other aspects of my life, but I know it needs to be done.  So in order to be all about the gang paper, I'm going to go now and attack the mess that is my life in boxes.

Heading towards the first shower in the new place,
Paige

Hello, Sunshine, long time no see!

Hi everyone,

So it's a sunny day in Erie, which means two things 1. I'm happy and 2. I want it to stay forever.  Perhaps mother nature heard my plea for better weather!

So a lot has unfolded that I need to share with you.  First of all, I'm moving into a different apartment this weekend.  The year started out with me living with three other people, and one of them is coming with me. There's not too much to say about this, except that I learned that not all people are compatible, and sometimes it's better to let go of something that isn't good for you, rather than trying to hold on to an old idea.  I'll certainly be posting this weekend about my move!

Today I have to meet with my psychology and the law group to start our project.  Our assignment is to created web pages about a specific topic.  Although I'm not sure about my abilities with technology beyond blogging, I'm excited that I will be able to hopefully post a link to my project for you to see.

Tomorrow I have another group project to work on.  However this one if for philosophy.  I'm in the same class and group with Joe (a fellow blogger,) so that helps out, especially since we have to video tape our project and Joe has experience that that sort of thing!  Philosophy is a class I haven't blogged about that much, probably because it's at 8 AM and by the time I blog it is repressed in the depths of my mind.  It's probably been the biggest challenge this term, because I've never been particularly interested in the subject.

The test I took last night I think went relatively well, and so continues the cycle that is study, test, wait, repeat.

I'll probably make use of the suprisingly not dreary weather to do anything that requires me to be walking to and fro (going to the gym, checking my mail etc.).  I hope wherever you may be is equally as bright and productive!

Packing, Sunshine, thinking finals can't really be on their way,
Paige

Well I suppose it's been a while...

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the week and then some that I didn't have time to post!  I've been absolutely overwhelmed with work and doing things for Ambassadors club.

Last Thursday my group in Police Functions had to present a chapter we read about policing in drug hotspots.  It was really interesting to learn, and I think we gave a pretty decent presentation.  Friday I got the first draft of the paper I had to write about gangs back.  I was not happy with myself, since I normally feel pretty confident about my writing.  I guess though I was distracted while I was working on it, and I will refocus myself for the next attempt.

Over the weekend we celebrated my roommate's birthday.  It was a fun way to end the week, and we got to catch up with a lot of friends we don't always have time to see.

On Sunday I went to my favorite coffee shop in Erie to start Operation Gang Paper Reconstruction.  Once I did this I felt less discouraged.  I also met with that professor on Monday to talk about what I needed to do.

Other than that, I have a Psychology and the Law test tonight, which I am going to start right after I post this and go to work study (so I'm thinking around 12!)   Ideally this day is also going to involve the gym and homework for police functions....the latter of which might be relegated until the test is over with.

Trying to take it one day at a time,
Paige

It was the best weekend ever!

Hello, all!

I write to you refresh, somewhat warm, and ready to start a new week.  But first, a quick word about my weekend.  After a long week of studying, stress, nearly tears, and the sidewalk falling (see previous post), Maura (my roommate) and I decided to make up for the entire mess by having the best weekend of our lives.

We started Friday by grocery shopping and making dinner.  We made tabouleh, hummus, and flatbread (which is a personal favorite!)  After dinner we have over some friends and just hung out and stayed warm.

Saturday, the yoga teacher/advisor of yoga club, Betty, held a special class for Yoga Day USA!  It was a great way to start out the morning.  After I got back from that, Maura and I gathered ourselves to meet two of our friends at a little event called, "PAINTING WITH PRIMATES!"  This is a day when the Erie Zoo lets people come and paint the orangutan exhibit.  The primates love to interact with people, and they would come right up to the window.

This is us!  In order of height from the left: Lauren, Maura, Paige!  

Although the weekend had to come to an end, it gave me the faith that I can make it through the rest of the term.  A little sunshine would give me more faith.

Also...guess what the temperature is right now?  There isn't one.  It's been in the negatives for some time, which is all just too much to handle at the moment.

Mother Nature, if you're reading this...I recycle, don't eat meat, and don't let the water run when I brush my teeth..certainly you can help me out with this weather situation!

Going to Night Class in a Little,  (Burr)

Paige  

A break from a very long paper.

Hi Everyone,

So I made it through last week without losing too much sleep or sanity, took my tests, and did not fall in a snow bank!  *smiles as I contemplate the little things*  Now I'm waiting for grades (anxiously), and working on a paper for police functions!  I chose to write about gangs...since I'm still interested in them from the first term.  If only the paper was as easy as watching Colors or Gangland.  However, looking at what I have done, it's all just a matter of putting together the research I did.

It's not snowing now, but what is happening is freezing rain.  I found this out this morning when I steeped out the door, and was three steps away when I slipped on the ice.  But luckily this was shortly before 8 AM, so only two people witnessed it...and if I that was my worst moment of the day, I can be glad that it was over before I even went to classes!

Pretty soon we have to register for classes for SPRING TERM!  There are 61 days until spring (as per countdown sparked by the man,) and even less than that until the new classes start.

Last spring I was fortunate enough to have a schedule where my last Thursday class was over by 2 and my next class was not until Monday at 6 PM.  I hope that's the case this term...(I had all 8 AMs this term...I deserve something so luxurious!)  

But I really need to get back to the paper (I always rationalize taking breaks to blog and tell myself it's better than Facebook,)  but REALLY here I go!

Just made a playlist to finish the gang paper to,
Paige

Bundle Up, Study Hard

Hello friends,

I'm writing this in the library before I continue studying that began on Sunday.  A quick update of what I have done in that time: studied for and took two tests, wrote two papers, started research for another paper, and started studying for the police functions test that I have on Thursday.   I'm going a little bit crazy with all of the chaos, but my roommate Maura has lovingly sat with me for a good deal of that time (also studying), which made the time pass quickly.  In Police Functions I have to work on a paper that is due next Tuesday....but it's about Street Gangs, which is one of my favorite topics to learn about. 

We started to watch a good movie in Police Functions today which was called, "Colors."  It was a wonderful and welcomed break.  It's nice that professors try to incorporate such excitement into classes. 

The library reminds me of a snow globe right now because of the mess outside.  It's nice to look at, but I'm more than ready for spring now that I've had my white Christmas.  Guess what though?  We had to have a maintenance man come pull some hairs out of the drain and he informed us that there are 69 days until spring!  I have a countdown in my room now, and I'm really excited for all the springtime travels and sunshine. 

Tomorrow is going to be a pretty busy day as well, I have to give a tour and do more miles for the 200 a term challenge.  Luckily though, since I got some of the papers done early I will have plenty of time to do all of it. 


After Thursday I will be more sane,
Paige 

I was home for Christmas

Hello Everyone, hello 2011,

Christmas break was exactly what I needed in the middle of what has been a very term.  I spent a lot of time with my family, and even found time to work at my part-time job from high school.  However, the break came to an end in time with the start of the new year.

Coming back, I feel refreshed and ready to be here...and a little glad to be back into a routine!  This week I've already had papers due and two tests coming up next week.  Needless to say the coffee is brewing and my brain cells are preparing for some overtime.

We also have group projects coming up in my Police Functions class.  Group projects always make me nervous, but this one should not be too bad because we got to pick them mostly and I am working with my friend Mike.

Tonight there is a yoga class in the Rec center, which I am greatly looking forward to.  Which reminds me....I also have been working on "The 200 Mile Challenge," since the start of the term. The goal is to walk, run, or bike 200 miles before the end of the term.  I need to tally up where I am, but I'm making good progress I'd say!  This is going along with a New Years Resolution to be healthy, along with writing in a planner and getting more sleep.  I set the bar pretty low this year to lead to high success rates.

I can't believe it is already Thursday and that almost an entire week has passed.  I'm sure the weekend will lead to wonderful activities with my roommates to mix up the studying and paper writing.

Hoping 2011>2010 and not just mathematically,
Paige