KTV's page

and training continues…

KTV — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:24:48 +0000

What an amazing staff! I think we knew from the beginning that this summer would be amazing, but until you are knee deep in it all, you can’t really be sure. Everyone has so much energy and they truly make training a lot of fun. I can’t wait for everyone to meet them!

Today was the 3rd day of training and we had quite a few guest presenters. This being my 3rd summer as a member of the orientation program, you would think that everything would just be a repeat. Well, somethings are but no matter how many times you hear something, each time it gets even more important. I say this because the director of residential life spoke with the staff today. One of the topics he brought up was the ever-so-popular “Facebook”. We all know that if we have an account and don’t have security settings, that everyone will be able to view our pages, but what I don’t think people are totally grasping is the fact that others are making impressions based soley on these pages before they even meet a person. I’m sure that most of KSC’s incoming first year students have already checked out those who will be at orientation and will see some of these students in a few weeks and find themselves stuck with a first impression that is not personal, rather via the internet. Please, I really urge those first-year students reading this, to make sure that your accounts are what you really want others to know about you. Don’t try to make yourself something you aren’t. Be confident in who you are, because the transition from High School to College is a big one and why worry about keeping up with a superficial “you” when you could focus on other aspects of college, like getting involved and meeting new people.

Soooo as some of you probably are already aware of, Keene State has what we call “Keene Reads”. It’s the organization that picks the summer reading book and all the components that go with it. Each first year student is required to read it and is strongly encouraged to read it prior to move in day. This years book is “Omnivore’s Dilemma”. I just got my copy of the book and I began reading it, but today we had a few people talking about it. From what I read I really like, but from what I have heard, I CAN’T WAIT to finish it! It’s incredible and filled with so much information that would totally shock you. It is about our nations food industry and basically is always asking the question, “where is the food you are eating coming from”? It is so crazy to think that what we do everyday is really affecting what will happen in the future and also that the things we think we are doing right, might not be enough. For example, I try to eat organic whenever it is possible. What I did not realize at all is that even though I am buying an organic tomatoe from the supermarket, where they are being shipped from is so far away that I am actually now supporting the need to ship a tomatoe from California to NH and wasting all that energy needed for transportation of the product, when I could have just had a small tomatoe plant in my room that would have been just as good if not better (and cheaper!) I am completely ranting, but what I am getting at is that this book is really a HUGE eye-opener and I learned more than I ever thought I would as a third year o-staffer, just from the summer reading book.

Well I am off to bed so I can get up for another long, but wonderful day of training!

KTV

ps: thanks for the comments! I hope more people jump in as well!

Summer is here!

KTV — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:03:30 +0000

I can’t even believe it! Graduation has come and gone! What a beautiful day for a graduation it was too! Seriously… you could not ask for anything more. It was so sunny and warm, with a perfect breeze It’s a bit strange not having anything to do right now actually. That’s a feeling I don’t get often, but I am sooo pumped for orientation to start. Crystal and I move in on memorial day and then the rest of the o-staffers the following monday. But what I am really excited for right now is that I am 1. buying a new car (I would really enjoy a yellow bug but I know its wishful thinking… but wouldn’t that just be so fun?!?!) and 2. my graduation party is coming up!!! My parents got a dj and there’s potential for a moonbounce. I’m trying to convince them that there will be a lot of little kids during the day, so a moonbounce would be prime, but she doesn’t trust us big kids later in the night haha. And we are all going to be sleeping in tents in my backyard. Hopefully the pool will be open too! yayyy!!!

Well before I go and get ready for the day, I just want to urge those incoming first-year students and parents who are reading, to comment with any questions that you may have. Why let them brew until orientation when you can get a speedy response now? andd it gives me something more focused to blog about then just ramble on about my life!

Enjoy the warm sunshine!

KTV

oh no!

KTV — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:44:43 +0000

Wahhh!!! I just came to post and I realized that my last post never quite made it! It was a long one too!

I pretty much just was replying to Crystal’s comment on the last blog. Her question was in regards to MVP, one of the organizations I am involved in. MVP (Mentors in Violence Prevention) is a group of student mentors who go to classrooms and facilitate discussions on topics such as sexual assault, sexual harrassment, alcohol and constent, gender issues, homophobia, the cycle of abuse and female objectification. Each member goes through a weekend of training prior to beginning classroom presentations and returning members help conduct the training. There are weekly meetings (right now they are every monday from 6-7). The group is a lot of fun and definitely makes you more aware of what is going on around you. I recommend it to anyone!

and just an FYI…. graduation is in 11 days! holllerrrr!!!

KTV

Best weekend ever!

KTV — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:13:38 +0000

This weekend was so much fun and I didn’t even see it coming! It all started with friday, we had our very first o-staff meeting with the new group! This is going to be a great summer, I can already tell! The group has so much energy and is just such a fun bunch. It’s going to make this semester go by even slower, just knowing that the summer has so much fun to come! yayy!!! Saturday was our MMT (Magical Mystery Tour). The Holloway/Butler RA staff goes on an MMT every Spring semester for staff retreat. The day a a complete surprise and the RD and CA’s plan everything in advance. The only thing we were told was that we had to meet in Kim (my RD’s) apartment at 7:15 am with everything that we had on a list she passed out. The list was full of the most random things such as, spatulas, top hats, mustaches, ring dings, blue eye shadow etc. Our first activity was breakfast. A chef came in to Butler and taught us how to make a breakfast for champions. We made stuffed french toast and omelets… and even flipped them in the air! It was sooo cool! Once we were all completely stuffed, Kim introduced us to Rich, a latin dance instuctor. He taught us how to do the Cha Cha! Then Kim announced that we would be participating in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. I was upset prior to this weekend because I wanted to participate in this with MVP (Mentors in Violence Prevention) but we were scheduled to have MMT. So having it be a part of our day was super! The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is a walk that spreads awareness about violence against women. Men are suppose to show up, sporting their best women’s shoes and walking a mile down Main St. The boys on our staff had the cutest pumps and the women walked with them, supporting them with huge signs and confetti poppers. Our group raised over $1,100. This was the 2nd year they did this event and it was a huge success. After the walk, we got in the cars and drove to an unknown destination. We stopped at Panera in Worchester and ate in the cars because we were running late for something. After a long drive, we found ourselves in Providence RI. We were going to see The Producers on broadway!!!! (thats what the tophats were for!) It was AMAZING!!! I have alllwaaayyysss wanted to see this show so I couldn’t believe that was the next part of our adventure. After the show we got back into the car and headed back to Worchester. We kind of got a little lost so we couldn’t even guess what we would be doing. Finally we were outside this big arena. We had tickets to see the Sharks vs Devils Hockey game. Okay, so im not into Hockey, but that was the most fun I have had in a long time!!!! We all had big foam #1 hands and totally got into the game. I ate so much cotton candy that my teeth started to hurt. As much fun as the day was, I was happy to find that was the last activity of the day because I was exhausted! We got back around 11:45pm and I literally passed out the second I got back to my room.

Today I went shopping for my interview that is coming up on friday. I got a few nice suits to wear just incase another opportunity comes to wear them. After that was the Leadership Awards Banquet. This banquet is really great opportunity to recognize student leaders on campus. It’s fun to watch your peers receive awards because you know who they are and what they do, but when someone is up there, reading a letter about their efforts and committments, you realize that you really don’t know how much people around you are doing and it’s fun to learn so much about them. This year I was one of the (I think) 20 seniors who were presented with the Senior Service Award. The food there was sooo good and the dessert.. lets just say they had chocolate covered cherries! mmmm

Okay, well I am on duty right now and trying to finish up some homework… 3 more weeeeeeks of classes!!! :-O Nighty night

KTV

Cap and gown… holler!

KTV — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:18:47 +0000

sooooooo today was the commencement fair and we got to pick up our cap and gown. I’m pretty much wearing it right now and I probably won’t take it off till graduation day either… I wouldn’t want to lose it before the big day, now would I?

Anyways.. today was a beautiful day! T-shirts, tank-tops, skirts, shorts, flip flops, and frisbees took over the quad! That is one of my favorite parts about KSC. Just hanging out on the quad inbetween classes and doing homework… but I can’t fail to mention the jewelry guy who sets up shop in front of the student center! I bought 2 pairs of earrings and a bracelet! yayyy!

well it is a busy week with advising, homework, meetings and planning, so I am off to do something productive!

tootles

KTV

Beautiful Day

KTV — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:33:33 +0000

YESSSS!!! Finally… a lovely day! Today has been great already! Last night, the building that I am a Community Assistant in had their staff retreat. It was a lotttt of fun. We went out to dinner at The Stage on Main St. They had a great garden burger. Then we went to starbucks and shaws for necessary snacks for the evening. After that we went to this house that we were going to stay at overnight, but there was no heat or water, but it was still fun because we just played Hide and Go Seek instead. It was pretty spooky but totally fun at the same time. Then we went back to the RD’s apartment and had a giant slumber party, ate way too much food and played games. This morning we made breakfast and watched Night at the Museum… such a good flick! I hear there might be a 2nd one coming out? I’m super excited. Then I went to the gym and had the best workout ever! I have so much energy now that I am going shopping for new running shoes and other fun stuff yayyyy!!! okay well I am off to enjoy this perfect day…. tootles!

KTV

oops!

KTV — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:41:19 +0000

Wow! I totally have been forgetting to blog! Yesterday was my birthday and the Academic Excellence Conference! The conference was fun to watch all the other participants and see what they’ve been studying. Ours went pretty well I think, except for the question and answer section. I just couldn’t seem to answer anything! Oh well! And after that was the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges award banquet. I was nominated by someone so I had to submit my resume and I was one of them that the committee picked, so that was pretty cool. They had shrimps that were the size of steaks! It was insane! ok its time to do some homework! nighty night

ktv

“Ooo baby…

KTV — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:06:01 +0000

Here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours!” I think it is impossible to lick and seal 53 envelopes without tapping your toes and jammin to a little Stevie Wonder in your head! Today is the day! Orientation letters are ready! I am so excited to start working with the staff! yayyy

Last week was the last of my cardiovascular fitness class… bummer. I loved having to go to the gym 3x a week without a single excuse telling me I have no time. I’m hoping to go in a few minutes though because I don’t want to get in the habit of having extra time on mon, wed, fri, rather instead I want to keep going to the gym even if we dont have class.

I feel like today is a pretty good day. It’s very leveled. Not super anything and not horrible anything… just… a day! I like it! Not to mention that it is yet another New England day. It is snowing outside and yet people are walking around in t-shirts and shorts. Really, how can you not love the random weather of good ol’ NE.

ok gym time… tootles!

KTV

okay is… okay!

KTV — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:38:34 +0000

I learned something today… that when someone walks by and asks how you are doing, it is okay to say… “I’m okay!”. You don’t have to say “Good” or “Super!” just because it is what you are used to saying. It seems like most people will always use the same reply and just change their tone like, “How are you?” reply, “ohhh superrr” (long, drawn out, deep voice… topped off with a sigh). Now why not just say, “I’m doing okay, could be better” or “Actually, I’m not having the best day”. We get so caught up in this daily pattern of nonsense communication that occurs simply for the mere justification that we acknowledged the presence of another person, regardless if we care to hear their response or not. So I guess you wonder why not just say anything if they aren’t even listening for the answer? Well, today for me, the answer wasn’t for the person who asked, rather for myself. Why do I feel the need to maintain this robot like cheerfulness if I’m really not having a chipper day? When I replied with, “I’m okay”, I continued to walk on by thinking about what I could do to make myself feel a little bit better, rather than walking away thinking, “who am I kidding?” and then wonder how much longer I can keep this act up. It was quite refreshing and therapeutic to be vocally open with myself . Why are we so hard on ourselves these days? Everyone has an “okay” day… and that’s, well… okay!

KTV

Another weekend followed by another manic monday!

KTV — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:58:20 +0000

Well today wasn’t actually bad, rather it was sooooooo busy! I had a few classes, some meetings and then our big meeting for orientation selection. It was definitely hard to choose because we just had an incredible outcome of applicants this year! Those who were selected will know soon enough!

On another note… spring break is nearing! Just another tues, wed, thurs, and fri and it’s here! I know I am not going anything fun and exciting this year, but it will still be nice to wind down and take a break from all the classes and meetings. It will probably be a good idea to get a little bit ahead too if I let myself stray from the laziness! I am really excited though to see my best friends. One goes to Keene as well… actually she is my resident, and the other two are from my hometown (well surrounding hometown). There is never a dull moment with the 4 of us!

This weekend I was on RA duty and it wasn’t too shabby at all! No documentations… which is always a good thing. We are usually on from 7-2am on friday and saturday nights, but because of the time change, I thought we would be able to slice off an hour… but of course not! Why? because they change the clocks right at 2am! So instead of it changing at midnight, it goes from 2 to 4am. I don’t know how I never knew that. I guess it is because at that time it won’t mess up a lot of schedules for buses, planes, etc.

well I am totally exhausted and going to take the hottest shower ever then lay down and read! yayyy!!!

Sweetest dreams

KTV