Dollar Store Library - Part 20

Ok, ok so I haven't made 19 past posts about my literary hauls from my local Dollartree, but I think in retrospect, I should have. It occurs I should give them props and show off just what you can get at a good location.  Today, I dropped in to get some Christmas cards and maybe a can of Spaghetti-o's for brunch.  Up at the very front they had a box of assorted brand new books on tape! This one caught my eye:

Then I snuck off to my little hideaway, the tail end of the toy/school supply isle, to check out the newest shipment of hardbacks.  They still had multiple copies of the Gay Talese memoir I've been eying for a week or two, and then I saw something new.

Not bad for two bucks...

These aren't my first finds in the Dollartree book section.  It's not even the first one this week, actually.

On Tuesday I picked up a copy of Tylers Gray's The Hit Charade: Lou Pearlman, Boy Bands, and the Biggest Ponzi Scheme in U.S. History.  Granted this was published in the pre-Madoff era, so that title is not exactly accurate anymore.  However, as an *N'sync addicted teen of the late 90s, I was always very curious about the reasons behind Pearlman's legal troubles and subsequent jailing while being behind pop biggest (and still record holding) groups.

 

A week before that, I got Extreme War by Terrence Poulos.

I kind of want to go back through now and really get a listing of all the cool books I've gotten.  Perhaps a project for the break.

Jack Kent Cooke Nomination

Hi, Ami,
You have been nominated for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship. Although it is one of the most competitive undergraduate transfer scholarships out there, you have an outstanding application. Thanks for the opportunity to read about all that you do and I hope you continue your journey in developing into a service leader.

Take care and all the best.

Cheers, M. Odu [Directing Professor].

A day after getting this, I still feel a bit like I'm in a dream. Is this really happening? I actually had to submit my high school transcripts for this. I got about nine sealed copies and one open so I could scan and submit them to JKCF.  I looked over the graduation report and the most intense sense of surrealism came over me.  

Everything I put forth of myself two and half years ago, and put a plan into action to get, is coming to fruition.  I was not raised with a large emphasis on how to set goals and achieve them, so this on going process is a very heartening journey.  

An old dog, learning new tricks,
Ami

Start Living, That's the Next Thing On My List... Par Deux

Dance 6 Questions Assignments (ASAP)

Q 1 : Summarize the lessons on Musical/Jazz Dance

Q 2 : What were the major influences of the Paris Opera within the field of ballet? What important innovations are seen in its history?

Q 3 : What were the major contributions of Russian ballet? What important influences are seen through its history?

Q 4 : Describe the impact of The Ballets Russe. Who were the major contributors? How did it influence English ballet? And who were the major figures important to the development of British ballet?

Q 5 : How did the NYC ballet begin, and what influence did Balanchine have on the field of ballet in the US?. How do other major contributors take part in the story of ballet in the USA?

Q 6: Outline the three periods of Modern Dance; Early Modern; the Modern Pioneers; Post Modern Dance. Who were the major contributors, and what did they do to contribute? Name the dances as well.
Turn it all in!

Dance Reviews (ASAP)

1 - Dusan Tynek (Notes/Need to write)

2 - ? 

Marine Bio Chapter Article 15-20 presentation Power Point (Present on 23rd)

-Pick and Read Article

-Presentation

Marine Bio Research Paper  E-copy of presentation (Nov 28)
-Submit

Jack Kent Cooke Essays (Due by 28)

- 500 word limit - Narrative Autobiography

- 300 word limit - Identify one event from the 20^th century that is relevant to today’s challenges.  Apply a lesson from that event to a current challenge,.

- 300 word limit -  How different a person would you be if you had been born 50 years earlier?

Memorize Liz Lemon/30Rock and Nora/Dolls House Monologues (Nov 29)

Performance Workshop Monologue Written Analyses (11/29)
Play Review (12/12)

Marine Bio Seminar Attendance "Conservation Biomechanics of Sand Tiger Sharks (Nov 29th)

-Attend

-Submit

Marine Bio Volunteer Event Attendance - Invasive Plant Removal @ S. Gandy Park (Dec 3)

Early American History Take Home Final (due 12/5!)

Three two page responses to choice of 6 questions.

Performance Workshop Final and Cold Read 3 (12/8)

Intro to Dance takehome final (12/8)3 page long essays

Marine Bio Community Service Reflection Statement(12/12, with lab notebook)

Reflect upon your community service experience. Describe what you did and explain how your efforts helped to improve water quality in Tampa Bay. Write your reflection in essay format. (Refer to guidelines presented for Exam 3.) Your response may be typed or hand-written and should be a maximum of one page in length.

Marine Bio Take Home Final (due 12/12)

Marine Bio Lab Notebook Turn In (12/12)

◊Black Box Activity

◊Survivor: Which trait is the weakest link? Natural selection game results and conclusions

◊Diffusion and Osmosis – data tables, figures and conclusions

◊Ecology Field Report – UTB (see field data below) and Gandy Bridge Site

◊Field Site Comparison: Compare and contrast the UTB and Gandy Bridge field sites. Refer to your textbook, your ecology field reports and your laboratory manual to be as technical as possible in your response. For example, characterize the biome represented by each site.

◊ Reflection statement         

Lab Notebook Reflection Statement Guidelines

1.    Respond to the following prompt: Reflect upon how the laboratory experience facilitated your understanding of the course curriculum. Refer to some specific examples.

2.    Write your reflection in essay format. (Refer to guidelines presented for Exam 3.)

3.    Your response may be typed or hand-written and should be a maximum of one page in length)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11: The Results Show

And she aces the Dance Paper!

...and the Dance presentation goes awesome!
...and the monologue cold read was great!
...and the marine bio presentation went sort of well
...aced marine bio exam 1
...aced marine bio exam 2
...got the Jack Kent Cooke App Submitted

...updated the list of crap I have left to do into a new post

Updated 11/23/11

Start Living, That's the Next Thing On My List...

Marine Bio Test Questions(ASAP)
- 1
-12
-14

365/365 Performance 1 - 11/12

365/365 Performance 2 - 11/13

American History Paper (Due 14th)
-Topic
-Outline

-Draft

-Final draft submission

Marine Bio Research Paper Draft (Due 14th)

-Topic

-Outline

-Draft

Choose 3 Monologues (ASAP)

-Comedic - Liz Lemon/30Rock

-Dramatic - Nora/ Act III-A Doll's House

-Classical

Dance Research 20 min Research Paper Presentation Power Point (Present on 15th) Presented on the 21st

365/365 Performance Runthrough - 11/15

Dance 6 Questions Assignments (ASAP)

Q 1 : Summarize the lessons on Musical/Jazz Dance

Q 2 : What were the major influences of the Paris Opera within the field of ballet? What important innovations are seen in its history?

Q 3 : What were the major contributions of Russian ballet? What important influences are seen through its history?

Q 4 : Describe the impact of The Ballets Russe. Who were the major contributors? How did it influence English ballet? And who were the major figures important to the development of British ballet?

Q 5 : How did the NYC ballet begin, and what influence did Balanchine have on the field of ballet in the US?. How do other major contributors take part in the story of ballet in the USA?

Q 6: Outline the three periods of Modern Dance; Early Modern; the Modern Pioneers; Post Modern Dance. Who were the major contributors, and what did they do to contribute? Name the dances as well.
Turn it all in!

Dance Reviews (ASAP)

1 - Dusan Tynek (Notes/Need to write)

2 - ? 

365/365 Performance 3 - 11/16

365/365 Performance 4 - 11/17

365/365 Performance 5 - 11/18

Ruth Eckerd Hall Shift 12p-330p - 11/19

365/365 Performance 6 w/strike - 6pm call  - 11/19 


Ruth Eckerd Hall Shift - 530-730p

Graduation Workups - 11/21 

Marine Bio Chapter Article 15-20 presentation Power Point (Present on 23rd)

-Pick and Read Article

-Presentation

Marine Bio Research Paper Hard and E-copy (Nov 28)

Jack Kent Cooke Essays (Due by 28)

- 500 word limit - Narrative Autobiography

- 300 word limit - Identify one event from the 20^th century that is relevant to today’s challenges.  Apply a lesson from that event to a current challenge,.

- 300 word limit -  How different a person would you be if you had been born 50 years earlier?

Memorize Liz Lemon/30Rock and Nora/Dolls House Monologues (Nov 29)

Monologue Written Analyses

Marine Bio Seminar Attendance "Conservation Biomechanics of Sand Tiger Sharks (Nov 29th)

Marine Bio Volunteer Event Attendance - Invasive Plant Removal @ S. Gandy Park (Dec 3)

Transfer Application Essays (before Dec 1st *Did not have them done in time for Dr. Lyons' review, but I did get the rest of my applications and my reccomendation requests in.)

-Columbia GS
Autobiographical Essay (1,500 – 2,000 words)

-Common App

• Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below. (Short Essay/Long paragraph
• Personal Essay 
• Please provide a statement of 250 – 500 words that 
•  addresses your reasons for transferring 
•  the objectives you hope to achieve 

 -Barnard Supplementals (Short Answers, 4 lines ea)  

• What factors have influenced your decision to apply to Barnard College? 
• 1. What intrigues you about Barnard’s approach to the liberal arts and sciences? 
• 2. Transfer student and alumna Margaret Mead ’23 said, “If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.” 
•  How would you add to the fabric of Barnard’s community? 
• 3. If you could work for any organization or company which would you select and why? 
• 4. If you could plan and lead a semester-long college seminar what academic topic would you choose and why?

-NYU Supplementals (1500 characters or less per answer) 

• Why NYU? 
•  Regardless of whether or not you have an intended major or concentration, please 
• a.      Elaborate on your academic area of interest. 
• b.      How do you wish to explore that area at NYU's New York Campus? 
• c.      Please share any activities or experiences you have had that have cultivated your intellectual interests. Specify how they lead you to choose to study at the NYU New York. 
• d.      What intrigues you? 
• Tell us about one work of art, scientific achievement, piece of literature, method of communication, or place in the world (a film, book, performance, website, event, location, etc.) 
• Explain its significance to you.

Early American History Take Home Final (due 12/5!)

Three two page responses to choice of 6 questions.

Marine Bio Take Home Final (

Updated 12/2/11 

Intro to Dance Research Paper

Click to read.

First results...first apps...and a scholarship?

Dance midterm aced.
Early American History paper, "B".  A little disappointed, I really didn't put as much effort into it as I should have.  Getting an earlier start on the next one (read: now).
Also I found out about the Jack Kent Cooke transfer scholarship.  I working on my app currently.  The mere utterance of being granted enough money to actually afford Columbia with out taking out insane loan amounts more suited to my first mortgage, is a mammoth carrot leading my academic horse.  It's sad to see more than one Honor's Institute graduate, not be able to afford and subsequently have to turn down, a once in a life time acceptance.  It has happened.  Just this past spring in fact.
I'm starting to really get the nuts and bolts of the application process down, too.  Dr. Lyons' Transfer and Scholarship Workshop is less than a month away, and I'm just doing what I can, when I can.
The play is going...ok.  I'm still a little shakey on the one longer part I have, it's all there but it seems to blank out when performing it...I'm still calling line on it quite a bit, as we're technically off book already.  We open the day after Veteran's Day, but I'm not completely terrified.

I think that's a good enough update for now.

Surprise, Surprise...

Spring semester scheduling is done.  It's not as bad as I was expecting, but here's to nothing getting canceled.  I need everything I registered for, though I wish I had more acting curricula. 
It's so weird to plan the endgame of something that's been in the works for five years.  I don't know if that's because I feel I've finally found a balance between a social and an academic life for the first time in my life, or because I'm completing something and that's kind of a big deal for me, or if it's because there's no good reason I should be in this position, given my academic past.

Maybe....it's a little of all three.

Brittany's already been accepted to University of Kansas.  It's going to be sad to watch her leave the best friend space. She's been with me the longest, since before Honors, since Torregiante was drilling us on Pavlov and Freud and the imaginary audience theory in General Psychology.

So the schedule for Spring '12, my final semester is as follows:
- Honors Western World: Modern Europe
- Honors Public Speaking
- Honors Selected Topics in History: Irish History and Reveloutions
- Stagecraft
- Script Analysis
- Capstone Connections: Cultural Connections through Film

Classes this semester have been shaky.  Marine Bio is extremely confusing because the professor is extremely confusing, skipping around from topic to topic with no real syllabus.  Early American History is going well.  First papers of the term were due Tuesday. It was finished Tuesday morning at about 1AM. The assignment was to select a previously assigned primary source and analyze it. I wrote on Hakluyt the Younger's Discourse on Western Planting:

Click to Read

It's not my best paper ever, but it's not bad, well cited I thought.  We'll see how grading goes on it; I'll report on that when I get it back.  Performance Workshop is going great; the entire group has meshed really well for the most part.  Our play, Suzan Lori-Parks' 365 Days/365 Plays opens November 12th on the HCC Ybor Mainstage.  I'm supposed to be off book by Thursday..."or parts will be cut."  I'm not sure if that's normal or achievable, since the script order was just finalized last Thursday.  And then, there is Intro to Dance, that sweet little class I could  care less about.  It's kind of grown on me.  My term paper's is on Korean traditional court dances or Jeongjae.  It's a topic I selected my self, because of my interest in Korean culture, so I'm quite happy I get to explore a part of it academically.  

I thinks that's about it, with the exceptions of extracurriculars, but admittedly they need their own post to update them all. Which I'll do sometime this week. So with that, I close.  Have a good evening everyone.

Graceful Exhaustion

   My mind is mush, and I am truly worried.  A whole paper has gone unplanned in the stead of club madness and extracurricular obligations.

"I Put In Work, Did More Than Called Upon..."

Its been a day of prepping a lot of good work, just to be told its worth and useless.


I stayed up til 3am last night working on a powerpoint for Honors Marine Biology for a presentation on the chapter we're supposed to read...only to get to class and have the professor go a completely different direction with something that wasn't on the syllabus

...with out telling anyone.
...less than a week off chiding the entire class for not being prepared to 'lecture' on the assigned content.

Then I find out just now, that the Harvard Model United Nations qualifying position paper I've been working on since July, wasn't even read because too few people submitted overall and the evaluations we're cancelled.

That's a double whammy, because I'm the marketing chair, and I was delegated the campaign for HNMUN.  Ugh.  Whatever.  Birthday's on Friday, second installment of year 25.
Work's below as samples feel free to read/peruse.

Click for HNMUN Position Paper

Click for Marine Bio In-class Presentation

A Note To My 16 Year Old Self

At 9:10am the 2nd horrific part of the most defining moment of your generation has just occurred 6 minutes ago. You know no one directly, but you'll cry. Your world will see big changes, past generations will have no advice for, and future generations will never know an America without. 

Your family will fly flags and in a year or two when you side with a couple of outspoken country singers, some of them will condemn you. You'll move on, just like everyone, 9/11 will become a cultural reference point and vernacular. At least 10 years on, you'll be ok, working towards amazing things like planning to make that city home because being there felt like home. 

All in all, you will feel a loss with out reason, like so many. However, you will also feel insurmountable hope for not just your own country, but after taking time to learn about their adversities, for those on the other side of the extremism. The ordinary Afghans, Iraqis, Saudis, and so many others simply wishing for peace and realize, they too are fighting and recovering after all these years

There will be uncertainty, yes, but so far you will have the luxury of never feeling directly threatened, and will be secure in the knowledge that thousands of men and women, some familiar faces, some family, are stepping up to protect and serve daily, the country that for all it's political squabbling has managed to be a persistent sentry in the matter of foreign attacks and uphill battle guardians for those wishing for peace.

 

  The sub-title of this blog was, for a while, "following logic instead of rules."  It's a standard that generally holds firm and usually is in line with how things are done in work settings, academic settings, socials interactions and the like.  I don't subscribe to the notion that what's good for the goose is good for the gander, neither do I adhere to any sort of one size fits all bureaucratic notions.  I feel while many processes can be streamlined and automated, other, more serious endeavors, such as issues with schools must be handled case by case. Just saying...

Transfer Applications - Part One

So right on par with my advising from Ms. Urbizu and Dr. Lyons, I'm getting a jump on my transfer applications, namely the Common App and supplements.  A friend at the coffee shop commented I was starting to glaze over, at that point I had been there for 7 hours running on dollar store microwave chow mein and a tall green tea lemonade, a specialty of my barista, Dan.

Extremely long story short, When I started writing this blog back a year ago, visiting New York and Columbia were daydreams. A GPA and academic record possibly worthy of admission, were laughable afterthoughts. 

Not anymore.

Today they are realistic goals.  Achievable, very real goals with very real tangible results at the end of them.  I don't speak simply of the degrees or the job offers they may foreshadow, but of projects I will start...and finish.  Research I will do. Roles I'll play. Papers I'll write. Arguments I'll make. Change I'll inspire.
Tears of joy I'll cry when I do it.  The pride I will feel in 10 or 20 years, when a student of mine comes to understand a concept I've taught, because I had such a world class education.

The Honest Question

  This place, whatever this place is, is lonely...very, very lonely.  So much needs to be said if honesty's what we're aiming for.  Fuck the clever videos and song lyrics.  I want the life I've never had back. I guess you could say I live in fear of screwing up, it's one observation.  Really, though, it's so much more logical than that.  Life and a somewhat pathetic belief in fate, has made me a chess player in which every opportunity, every person met is to be evaluated as to whether they're the one with whom my story is altered.  When you're on your 2nd maybe even 3rd chance in life, you get really good at asking the intimidating questions up front, "seeing the moves" before they're made.  And, on the other side of that, is this insane honesty centuries of uptight sophistication and gender role ingratiation and social rules have left isolated.  To look at a person, at a friend, a co-worker, a stranger, a classmate...and wonder is this the person that's going to change my life, with out hesitation, is freedom. It's pathetic what we do to avoid that question, or worse still what we do to avoid letting ourselves believe the answer, if it's not convenient, if it doesn't fit how we need it to, if it doesn't work for someone else, if it's not right, right now.   We lie to ourselves and the friends, co-workers, classmates, and strangers.  We create a non-existent noble farce in keeping silent.  We save face.  We rescue the status-quo and for some short time convince ourselves how things are is how we want it.  That because we've staved off change, we've mastered life, in that aspect for a time, for a time.  But that's all we've done.  We have not progressed or moved forward or made a grand choice.  In denying the answer, or denying to answer such a simple and horrifying question we have become stagnant. It is in asking we live, and accepting the answers we are alive.

Summer Chem Aced!

  Grades are in and I'm on top again.  Aced Chem and Society. Wooooo!

 GPA Update: 3.692

I PASSED THE WWTBAM TEST!

So I am majorly geeking out right now, I attended the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire live audition this morning, AND PASSED THE TEST SESSION!

 

  We were told before tests were graded that if we passed we'd receive a postcard either way, if we were selected for the contestant pool or not. They came back in with the results and called us out by test number,  They had us do a personality questionnaire, waivers, and then had us interview with a producer.  I think I did really well with that.  I don't think I talked too fast. I was purposely trying to slow down...and I didn't talk over the producer very much like I tend to do when I'm nervous.  :D 

  So now I've got the whole day...I think I might go to the beach.

Wrapping Up The Summer - Part Two: Looking Ahead

  During today's final, I felt oddly at peace as I paced through the 50 questions.  Many of the answers came easily, much different from my last test, in which I sat aimlessly hoping for solutions to spring from some remote indistinct and dank corner of my subconscious.  Who knew that when you study and get your mind off stupid insignificant %@#%, you can actually do more than give your self a massive headache at test time?

  So that's it, no work left to be done, just waiting for grades.  Luckily, I'm plenty occupied with pre-season catalog and package sales at work, and club position duties, extracurriculars, and, oh yeah, the first stirrings on completing my transfer applications. 

  As for fall, I feel like this is going to be a quick few weeks off, with the number of books assigned for the semester. The book list for fall includes:

• Early American History (Honors)
• 1-ATTITUDES TOWARD SEX IN ANTEBELLUM AM. - Horowitz  ISBN:9780312412265
• 2-DEFENDING SLAVERY - Finkelman ISBN: 9780312133276
• 3-DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA - Detocqueville ISBN 9780312463304
• 4-ENVISIONING AMERICA - Mancall , ISBN 9780312096700
• 5-GREAT AWAKENING - Kidd, ISBN 9780312452254
• 6-JOHN BROWN'S RAID ON HARPERS FERRY - Earle, ISBN 9780312392802
• Marine Biology (Honors)
• 7-MARINE BIOLOGY - Castro, ISBN 9780073524160
• Marine Biology Lab (Honors)
• 8-ECOLOGY OF TAMPA BAY: A USER'S GUIDE - Ehringer, ISBN 2818450011020
• Acting II TPP-1111-15076
• 9-ACTING ONE/ACTING TWO - Cohen, ISBN 9780073288543 (Already own :D )
• Performance Workshop TPA-1290-15073
• No Listing (...yet)

  In other news, my birthday's just a couple months out, and I was thinking of some self gifting.  I think I finally want to get that bracelet tat I've been wanting for ages.  As I wrote to my grandmother after telling her about the great idea, "The song is "Question Existing" by Rihanna, who wouldn't generally be the first artist I'd consider scribing on to my skin, but the questions are timeless to me.  I can't ever see myself regretting these or being embarrassed to show them to my grandchildren."

Who am I living for?
Is this my limit?
Can I endure some more?

So, I checked my school email for the first time in a few days, and got floored this morning:

From :     Jack Clark
To :     Ami Fazchas

Hello Ami - hope you are having a wonderful summer.

Are you still interested in forming a theatre club? If so, would you be willing to be the first president?
I will be getting "all ducks in a row" for the club before Fall commences, and will send you the application form to sign if you are willing to be "the chosen one" for the Fall term.

Please let me know.

I have no idea what wrenches this throws into, the Arete/Honors stuff, the Hoffman/P:SS volunteer stuff, the actuall school/classwork stuff, or the work stuff; all I know is that my gut is screaming: "YESSSSSSSS!  TAKE IT! TAKE IT! TAKE IT!"

Oh man.  I'm gonna take this opportunity to update the fall "Whats on Deck":
Fall '11
☐ - Honors Early American History (Social Sciences Req. - 3 Hours)
☐ - Honors Marine Biology with Lab (Natural Sciences Elective Req. - 4 Hours)
☐ - Acting II (Dramatic Arts Elective Req. - 3 Hours)
☐ - Performance Workshop (Dramatic Arts Elective - 3 Hours)
☐- 15-30 hours a week @ Ruth Eckerd Hall

+☐- Arete Marketing Chair Work/Meetings/Volunteer work
+☐- Ybor Thespians Society Presidential Duties?
+☐- Volunteer work with Project:Shattered Silence?
+☐- Harvard National Model United Nations participation?

☐- Independent study of Elementary Korean

Wrapping Up The Summer

So I'm almost there, Monday is my final for Chem and Society. After ten weeks, I'm sure it wasn't the most informative class I've ever taken, but I think I may muddle out a low "A". I know I should be happy with that, but that kind of attitude leads to bad places. I should be concerned with what I've actually learned. All the effort in the world means bubkus if I've taken away nothing useful.

This is the essay we had to write.  A relativity small one this time, it was only three pages.  I got unexpected funny looks when I mentioned citations.  Apparently, no one else bothered going that in-depth.  :\  Hooray, for overachieving.  Click below to read it in full.

Dean's List

 

  Considering I haven't been on anything resembling an honor roll since I was learning to add and subtract, this is kind of a big deal for me.  I choked up when I read it.  And now to celebrate, with a little cut loose, poignant sentiment, Niki Minaj ladies and gentlemen:

I wish that I could have this moment for life, for life, for life
Cuz in this moment I just feel so alive, alive, alive

Getting There...

I aced my first Chem test. 91%, however, the few questions I missed were due largely in part to rushing; I made a number of simple mistakes.

There is another bit of good news though, our dutiful President Kelly, has decided to make me chair of marketing of Arete, HCC Honors Institute.

Just Around the River Bend - Pocahontas (1995)

Not too bad...

  Not as evil as I guessed, the first two Chem quizzes came back with a 10/10 each.  The first Chem test wasn't as brutal as I expected.  33 questions and multiple choice, I wasn't too perplexed.  There was a question that through me about converting Celsius to Kelvin; I could not remember the conversion factor for the life of J.J. Thomson.
  I expect an "A" on it.  Actually, I feel really great about it.
  The labs are also going well.  I love the practical side of it, the mixing and products gained; I love to bake, so that's not that surprising.  There is something infinitely cool about combining two things and getting something new, ask any kid who is face deep in a mixing bowl of reluctant cake batter and they will tell you making stuff from other stuff is great.
  Yeah, real deep, I know. It's freezing in here. *goes to get a hot chai latte*   

The Chem Hath Hitteth the Fan...Par Deux

  Ugh!  I hate this stuff.  Convoluted rules that exist without explanation.  Bohr models and shells energy levels and nucleon numbers. The number of neutrons, deducible by an indecipherable notation system, based on the ability to perform quick subtraction. Well the dyscalculiatic redhead is frustrated and mad and disinterested.
  What the fuck was I thinking?

  Whatever, I made myself feel better and bought another book:

Geeky Habits Vol. 1

Collecting Antique Theater Books.
For instance this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/120727782410

The Chem Hath Hitteth the Fan...

  One week in to Summer Chemistry and Society, and I'm left bewildered by the fact that this is only a 3 credit course. It is, in fact, a combined lecture and lab, "chemistry basics" course. Ten grueling weeks of tests, three part lab reports, essays, and the like. Yet, unlike standard science classes where the lecture is 3 credit hours and lab component gains you another, for a total of 4, Chemistry and Society is apparently considered the bare minimum in Chemistry education. I am not very happy about this. You all know my "claim your education" mantra, never settle for what they are willing to hand you, rise up and take that which you can handle.
  Thing is, I never took Chem in high school; I skirted by with physical science and couple biologies. Looking towards an Ivy, I figured a base knowledge of Chemistry would be beneficial considering their rigorous science requirement. One week in, I'm scampering for the door after two three hour lecture sessions, so that I have enough time to muddle through pages of homework involving a level of math, I had all but forgotten. I've never felt like such an idiot, that corner of my brain a sort of rusty door hinge exposed to the elements, just opened after ages. The rules stood foggy, moving between the SI units you multiply by a 1000 or 1/1000 depending on the unit getting smaller or larger. The integer over 10, in scientific notation, looses a few if you move the decimal to the...left? Right? Left, yes...right.
  Oh! What have I gotten myself into?

  Stay tuned, this holds the promise of a fair amount of schadenfreude for all my dear readers.

Spring Finals Update Part II

Today is that fateful day grades are to be final for spring classes, so today's a big day.  I may qualify for NSCS by the end of it all, so the bated breath with which I wait is considerably loaded.

Right off the bat, Dr. Comnes' posted his this morning, here's the current standings. I'll be updating through out the day week.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Honors Philosophy: A
Acting I:
Stage Makeup: A
Honors Leadership: A

GPA updated: 3.50→3.558→3.60→3.636

Updated:5/11/11 10:20 AM

Honors Philosophy Writing Samples

On the spot short answer and essay samples from Dr. Gregory Comnes' Honor Intro to Philosophy class.
Sample #1
Sample #2

Spring Finals Update

Things below the surface seem dubious but, on the surface things couldn't be going better.

My leadership group project earned an "A" and my team evaluations a 145/150.  There are still three small papers to be graded, one of which was much shorter than the requirement of 500 words.  Admittedly, I had forgotten all about them, and so at the last minute threw it together.  In my defense, it was a reflection on the group project, and you can only write so much before it gets repetitive.  I had something to turn in, which is more than some could say.  Still a little more organization on my part, would have aided the situation.  Other than that, I'm still worried about how a number of absences from being sick in the beginning of the semester will affect everything else.  Stage Makeup, my biggest concern thus far, I have is the only grade actually posted so far: A.  My philosophy final exam went smoothly and I've been guaranteed an enthusiastic reccomendation letter by the professor.  I was really very moved and connected well to the anti- mass consumerism view of the class.   I took a lot away from it, in fact I was in angry tears by the time I had written the final lines of my final.  The convictions I took away from that class were that solid.  Oddly enough, straight from that final I went my Acting final filled with enough disgust, Tennessee Williams himself would have been proud of Maggie.  I transposed a few lines during my scene from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  This was due in part to the fact that the monologue had been cut from a longer version I learned closer to the beginning of the semester.  Once you learn a song or a lyric one way, it's quite hard to chop it up and re-memorize it, a second.  So the other lovely young lady, who performed the scene, Carmen Elia had much better memorization, but both ended up having two different flavors.


So let's look at the tot board:
Honors Philosophy:
Acting I:
Stage Makeup: A
Honors Leadership:

GPA updated: 3.500 -> 3.558

Lightning Strikes Twice for HCC Honors

At least two HCC Honor's Institute members have been accepted to Columbia this year. I can't help to think this is boding well, with a little less than a year until my transfer and just months until my application is due, this is a real boost that two women with similar educational backgrounds have achieved the same goal I have set for myself.  Congratulations to both Loren and Stephanie, I look up up to both of you immensely and hope that soon I too will be a fellow Lion.

Spring Grades starting to trickle in...

Honors Leadership is done and graded: an "A" it is!

More coming in the next week or so.

Philosophy, based on exam grades and our group presentation, I'm forecasting an A as well.  Stage makeup is a little shaky, because in all honesty, the time and money weren't there for me to take it seriously enough, and with only half the class ever bothering to show, it was hard to care when so much more was going on.  Not entirely sure whether it's a lesson learned.  I know coming out of that class that, I know the material I'm supposed to know, both rhetorically and practically, which is more than the professor can say for good many in that class.  Then, of course, there is acting.  Everything is on track to go well, but I'm really quite hating warm-ups at the beginning of class, I find my self getting in to Maggie (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) and The Stage Manager (The Father Clock) before getting to class, and wanting to jump into scene work. Then having to come back out and do some silly animal prep or exhaustive emotional memory exercise, after which I'm entirely too spent in the opposite direction to work on my scenes.  A little more memorization is needed, especially on Father Clock, which has had yet another addition. I'm not very worried about it because now all my other two large group projects have been presented and graded.

So here's the to-do list:
Philosophy
-Outline for final in class essay: "Is philosophy possible in the 21st century", ≤100 words or less

Leadership
-Habit reactionary ≤300 words (x2)
-Group project reactionary ≤500 words

Stage Makeup
- Short Answer Written final (in class)
-Group Portrait Practical Final (Manet's The Balcony)

Acting
-Final Performance of in Showcase for Arts Staff of "Cat" and "Father Clock" scene.
-Play Review (Going to see Eckerd Theater Company's Twelfth Night)

In other news Janelle has convinced me I need a Mac...and here's a picture I took of Columbia °ᴥ°

If I procrastinated, why does it feel like i havent wasted any time?

So, here we are in the final throwes of the Spring 2011 semester, and as luck would have it, I have quaite a few projects all happen to have due dates within the same week, namely tommorow. Here's a quick rundown of things:


Philosophy:

• 10 Min Powerpoint for group presentation on Hellenistics/Post-Aristotleans (4/25)
• Outline for in-class essay final (5/9)

Stage Makeup

• Finish Makeup Morgue (4/20)
• Final group project ideas (4/20)

Acting

• Memorize full Cat on a Hot Tin Roof scene for final performance (??)

Leadership

• Two reactionary papers 1500 words each, on two separate habits from Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (4/27)
• One Confessional Paper (no length requirement) about our group service learning project (4/27)
• 30 Min Powerpoint for group service learning project presentation (4/20)

Fall Schedule Update

+
Fall '11

☐ - Honors Early American History (Social Sciences Req. - 3 Hours)
☐ - Honors Marine Biology with Lab (Natural Sciences Elective Req. - 4 Hours)
☐ - Acting II (Dramatic Arts Elective Req. - 3 Hours)
☐ - Performance Workshop (Dramatic Arts Elective - 3 Hours)
☐ - Arete Board Membership (pending nomination)

Fall, will by far be one of the most demanding schedules I've had, to date.  Honors Early Am. Hist and Honors Marine Biology, dominate Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Dale Mabry (15 mile drive).  While Tuesday and Thursday are Ybor days for drama classes (20 mile drive).  Yay!

So on another note, I'm in need of a car that can handle such driving, as my '90 Camry is close to shuffling off it's mortal coil springs.

NEW YORK! Trip recap and summer schedule update!

*UPDATE*
Current Courses and Work and What's On Deck

+

Summer '11

☐- Chemistry and Society (Physical Science Req. - 3 Hours)

Fall '11

Update coming soon

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 New York pics after class, including Ami's Columbia hookup!

Midterms Par Deux!

Honors Philosophy: 93 +undetermined extra credit for an earlier paper = "A"!
Stage Makeup: 96 = "A"!

Woooooo!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

And remember, in this time of celebration, there are many struggling to make sense of great loss. To rebuild, they will need our help:

Red Cross-Your gift to the American Red Cross will support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.
Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.
https://american.redcross.org/

International Medical Corps—Text MED to 80888 to give $10 to International Medical Corps and learn about additional ways you can help medical teams administer support and healthcare. https://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org

Salvation Army—The Salvation Army in Japan already has three emergency service teams operating in devastated areas, and other global territories like South Korea and Hawaii have pledged their support. Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to donate or text "Japan" or "Quake" to 80888 to make a $10 donation (Please make sure to respond "YES" to the Thank You message you will receive).
https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org

Shelterbox—This international aid organization responds immediately to disaster and conflict-stricken countries by sending utility boxes that can provide up to 10 people with shelter and lifesaving equipment tailored for each location. And because you can track your box all the way to the recipient country, you are assured that your money is going where it's supposed to. Donate online.
http://www.shelterbox.org

Fast Retailing—Fast Retailing group, the Japanese corporation that brought Uniqlo to our shores, is backing the country's recovery program using its vast assets. President, Chairman and CEO Tadashi Yanai is set to make a personal donation of 1 billion yen, while 700 million yen of clothing will be sent to victims. All company stores worldwide will have donation boxes where customers can drop off donations. In the US, you can visit Uniqlo to drop off yours.
Uniqlo 546 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 USA.
http://www.fastretailing.com

Lady Gaga Prayer Bracelet —You don't have to be a Monster fan to join the pop superstar's latest cause. Gaga has designed a $5 "We Pray For Japan" Wristband on sale at her website, with all proceeds from the sale going to tsunami relief efforts. You'll also be given the option to give an additional donation. http://ladygaga.shop.bravadousa.com

Twitter Hashtags—A Twitter blog post has detailed various ways to help out in relief efforts (scroll down to read in English). Among other things, the site has identified special earthquake hashtags you can retweet and/or follow to help spread information about the disaster in Japan.
http://twitter.com
#Jishin: General earthquake information
#J_j_helpme: Requests for rescue or other aid
#Hinan: Evacuation information
#Anpi: Confirmation of safety of individuals, places, etc.
#311care: Medical information for victims

Google—Google's Crisis Response page lists news and information related to the Japan disaster. It also has Person Finder app which people can use to search or give information about missing loved ones, and other resources such as transportation status, blackout information, and shelter resident lists.
http://www.google.com/crisisresponse

Facebook—The social network has created the Global Disaster Relief page, which allows visitors access to information on a host of organizations where you can donate. Zynga users, for instance, can donate money by purchasing virtual goods in CityVille, FrontierVille, FarmVille, and other games, with the objective of raising $2 million for Save the Children's Japan Earthquake Tsunami Emergency Fund.
http://www.facebook.com/DisasterRelief

Global Giving—Online donations to their Japan project will be disbursed to a network of organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims, including International Medical Corps, and Save the Children. The site also gives you the option of making a gift donation or naming it in honor of someone.
http://www.globalgiving.org
-or-
text JAPAN to 50555 to give $10

Doctors Without Borders—This international medical organization is staffed by doctors and journalists, many of whom have been sent out as medical teams to support government relief response. They are also running mobile clinics and conducting needs assessments, all of which are funded by unrestricted donations given to MSF. To donate, visit their website online.
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

The Shock! The Horror! The Midterms! Ahhhhhh!

Alright, OK, so it wasn't all that bad. Honors Philosophy was quite interesting as it was a two day test; multiple choice and short answer, day one and essay, day two.
We just, so Brittany, Angel, the rest of our little breakfast club, and I are all still waiting as impatiently as little kids waiting for the ice cream truck on a sweltering summer day. This exam is 30% of the grade, so the intimidation is reasonably justified.

A Meeting!

Back on the 14th, I had the opportunity to meet, greet, and chat up a real live admissions rep from C:GS. 

Matthew Rotstein, Director of Admissions for GS, paid a visit to the HCC Honors Institute in an information session set up by Dr. Lyons.  He covered a lot of important questions I had about the Columbia Core, what credit would transfer, and what I should take while finishing up my AA.  I also managed to get my hands on a paper app:

Matt was even nice enough to recommend some tips about sitting in on a class!  Along with the email I received from Admin. Assistant Cathy Li, I am feeling really hyped for the New York visit in just over a month.

In other study news, I've taken learning Korean with the help of good friend Brittany!  I've done fairly well considering the small amount of time I have to devote to it.  I can already write my name ( 애미 ), and sound out/read most sentences as I read them, even though I lack the vocab for comprehension just yet.  As it turns out the Korean alphabet, Hangul, is extremely similar in phonetics and structure to the English one.  It also only has 26 majorly used letters, which compared to other East-Asian languages makes it a cake walk.  I'm really quite excited about continuing on with it, as I have never picked up the basics of a language so quickly before. 
Well that's it for now, I suppose. See you later!  나중에 봬요!

#%#^ Issues

  So, I've recently exposed myself as a harlot, a jezebel, an criminal.  My crime, you ask? I fell for someone I wasn't with and he reciprocated.

 I revealed the truth to my boyfriend of 4 years and he reacted with out much surprise, he had known I was very close with the person in particular, as friend; we spent quite a lot of time together.  Then, the person in question went on a trip to Korea over the holidays.  He stayed with what I was assured was his ex, that he had tried to get out of it because shes a miserable shrew, but that getting a hotel for himself would blow his budget.  I didn't feel good about it but, who was I start making demands, as we'd only been together for a barely a month and our relationship was never truly defined as exclusive.  He went, and I missed him profusely, and old feelings and close proximity led to a fanning of the romantic flame for he and his.

  We were extremely connected and I felt the change 7000 miles away with out him saying a word.  I just kept being supportive about him enjoying the travel experience, while he regaled me with tales of fighting at DisneySea, splitting and  meeting back up at the gate at the end of the day, her making comparisons to an ex-boyfriend of hers, and crying after a apathetic round of sex.  When he finally returned, I felt the rift, it was days before we talked or saw each other.  I got up the courage to ask for a ride home, I did after all have a Christmas gift to exchange with him.  The next 2 weeks were strange, there was little conversation and it seemed to have lost the flow there had been just weeks before; he was pulling away.  Eventually he told me that since he's been back he's felt homesick and actually misses Seoul more than he enjoys being home and that regardless of the girlfriend being there, he wishes he was.  He explained that he needs space and time to be alone and figure himself out and figure out what he wants; he encouraged me to do the same when I go to New York.  When I pressed him about giving up us and the happiness that went with it, he stressed strong reservations about me leaving in a year for NY.  He said he didn't want to get close to someone who's leaving and set him self up to be hurt the way he was with the the (ex)gf in Korea.  That it was all very complicated because he had strong feelings for some parts of his relationship with her and feelings for me at the same time.

  Again, after only 2 months of being semi-together, this revelation hurt like hell, but it felt fair.  Which makes thing very complicated for me, because I have to let go of someone I don't want to for right now in the hopes maybe I'll be picked.  This is where my uber-fem-bitch-logic kicks in and screams: "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! DROP HIS ASS! NO MAN IS WORTH THE WAIT AND SEE BULLSHIT! WTF ARE YOU THINKING?!"

  So, I'm taking a break. I'm a simple girl when it comes to relationships, if I'm not having fun, if there's too much drama I'm extremely inclined to walk away.  I don't like to play games, and right now, all the sweet memories and sensations and promising things said, have an aftertaste of being "He really meant it! No, I'm being played. He will choose you eventually he just needs time. Run."

I know, a big part of me wants to not give him the benefit of doubt, but then I think: why does he need space from me and not any of his other friends? Why would he do that if he didn’t feel he was getting to close to something real with me?  He’s not one to lie, he’s not that good an actor and as much stuff as I know about him (his mom abandoning him and sibs when he was little, his stepdads suicide, his childhood friend going to prison, ect.) It feels so much more substantial that a 2 month fling.

 
  So anyway my point is that I've been extremely unfocused on school, and this has been dangerous.  I've let things lax, lost interest.  My heart hasn't been in it because it's been busy with the relatively inane.  I've become depressed and confused and thus have not been able to effectively deal with or care about what's important.

 This is not acceptable.

What's Wrong With Education In America Vol. 1

In Texas school districts, hundreds of tickets have been given to students, turning schoolyard shenanigans into Class C misdemeanors. Children as young as 6 years old have been ticketed, reported Dallas News.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/texas-schools-send-unruly_n_811801.html

Back to the grind...beginning SP11

You know, I truly hate the hurry-up-and-wait aspect of the beginning of the semester.  I know, in mere weeks I'll be bitching incessantly about not having enough time and being overrun with reading assignments and papers, however, the first week or so, before all the weaklings and dilettantes are weeded out through drop/add, are frustrating.

New Books...

So I racked 'em up for Christmas and book charging for next semester.

Gifts

• The Merchant of Venice (Barnes & Noble Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare, Julie Crawford (Editor), David Scott Kastan (Introduction) 
• Macbeth (Barnes & Noble Shakespeare by William Shakespeare, David Scott Kastan (Editor), Jesse M. Lander (Editor), Jesse M. Lander (Introduction)
• Four Major Plays: A Doll's House, Ghosts, Hedda Gabler, The Master Builder by Henrik Ibsen 
• Republic (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) by Plato, Benjamin Jowett (Translator), Elizabeth Watson Scharffenberger (Introduction) 
• Amazing full 1882 set of "Complete Theater of Emile Augier" (Sorry, this is a rare one of a kind collection, so no one sells it directly, but click for a photo.) includes:
• Book 1: La Ciguë (Hemlock), Un Homme De Bien (A Good Man), L'aventurière (Adventurer), L'habit Vert (Green Coat), Gabrielle, and Le Jouer De Flute (The Flute Player)
• Book 2: Diane, Philiberte, Le Gendre de M. Poirier (The Son of M. Poirier),... Ceinture Dorée (Golden Belt)
• Book 3: La Pierre De Touche (The Touchstone), Le Mariage D'Olympe (The Marriage of Olympia), La Jeunesse (Youth), Sapho
• Book 4: Les Lionnes Pauvres (The Poor Lionesses), Un Beau Mariage (A Beautiful Marriage), Les Effrontés (The Shameless)
• Book 5: Le Fils De Giboyer (The Son Of Giboyer), Maitre Guerin (Master Guerin), La Contagion (The Contagion)
• Book 6:Paul Forestier (Paul Forest),Le Post-scriptum (The Postscript), Lions Et Renards (Lions and Foxes),Jean De Thommeray (Jean Thommeray), Madame Caverlet
• Book 7 "Oeuvres Diverses" (Other Works): Les Pariétaires(The Wall [?]) - Les Méprises De L'amour(The Misconceptions Of Love) - La Question Électorale (Election Question) - Discours De Réception A L'académie Française (Acceptance speech at the French Academy) - Réponse De M. Lebrun (In response Mr. Lebrun) - Discours De Réception De M. Émile Ollivier (Reception Speech By Mr. Emile Ollivier) - Réponse A De M. Émile Ollivier (Response to Mr. Emile Ollivier)

Acting Class Text

• Acting One/Acting Two by Robert Cohen

Leadership Class Texts

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey 
• Freedom Summer: The Savage Season That Made Mississippi Burn and Made America a Democracyby Bruce Watson 

Philosophy Class Texts

• Cengage Advantage Books: Voyage of Discovery: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy (Thomson Advantage Books) by William F. Lawhead   
• Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman and Andrew Postman 
• The Road Less Traveled, 25th Anniversary Edition : A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck