Happy New Year

Hey guys and dolls!

Sorry I have not been writing in a while, break has surely been a break that was much needed!

By the way, I hope everyone has had a good break and is now ready for the new semester next week! Can you believe it is 2010? Its going to be so weird writing that on my papers now!

This semester, I have another 16 credits, including an on campus, media internship. My other classes include: Cultural Anthropology, Video and Field Production, Advanced News Writing and Reporting, Introduction to Psychology, and Christian Tradition Honors. I am looking forward to all of my classes, and do like to learn what I can. College is very much about broadening your horizons, and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Since I only have a year and a half left in college, it is not too early to start thinking about grad school. In fact, last week I took a trip to the city to go see the CUNY Graduate School for Journalism. And man I am excited! It is a three semester, intense, and competitive program, that prepares their students for life in the world of communications-whether you are taking a career in journalism, going for multimedia, or just really interested in editing and field production, they have it all. And since  I am such a Journalism geek, I was also very impressed to know that the building they are in is the old Harold Tribune office. Can you say perfect match?!

In all, my break involved lots of running around the city, seeing some old friends, working, and resting.

Ready for another awesome year!

Peace for now!

Krystal

End of the Semester!

Hey Folks!

Sorry I have not written anything in a while! The end of the semester gets really crazy with papers, exams, presentations, etc.
But fear not! Christmas break is here, and its time for rest! As I look back on the semester, I can honestly say it was one of the best ones I have ever had! I was surrounded by great friends, I am editor of the campus newspaper that is currently holding 14 awesome staffers, (and hopefully adding more)! And I have been give some cool opportunities not only academically but socially as well.

Now, as I head back to NYC for a month, it will be time to recoup, rest, and geat ready to come back strong in January. Next semester is already looking promising as the Lions Tale picks up meetings, and production in Jan/Feb, J Cru picks up in Feb, and my internship with the GCU alumna magazine takes off in Jan.

So on that note,

Have a great break and take care!

Catch ya on the flip-side!

Krystal

So close to the end…

Hey guys!

Well I must say it is way weird to write this, but we are almost in November! Know what that means? We are so close to the end of the semester!

This week is week 10, and there are about four more full weeks of school left. It is crazy! I still have so much to do in such a little bit of time!

GCU is having their Halloween Celebration tomorrow in the Casino from 5 to 7, and then the party “Blood on the Dance Floor” at 10 pm for the students. I am actually not going to the party because I am not into Halloween, but some of my friends are.

Instead, my other Court Cru ladies and myself are going up to Montclair state university for our monthly JCRU Campus Crusade for Christ Event. I went to the one in September and could not wait for this one. Then on Saturday, some of my friends and I are heading to Fright Fest at Six flags. I have never been, but I am ecited to go! As long as someone holds my hand during all the scary stuff, I should be good!

Then Sunday we welcome in November, and we are one step closer to ending out the school year!

Till next time,

Krystal

Work, work, work, busy, busy

Hey guys!

Well it is more then half way done with the semester and so far I have not been bored yet! Mainly because I don’t have the time to.

My school work, classes, work, friends and clubs and activitiess are surely keeping me on my toes! I have 10 page paper due the end of this month, a 5 page one due in a week, and other writing assignments due shortly. But who feels pressure?

This weekend I stayed on campus because yesterday was our first Open House of the fall semester. I am unsure of how many prospective  students came, but it was a great number even despite the cold and rainy weather.

Then on Friday, we worked on the Lion’s Tale Issue one layout. We use a program called InDesign,  and it was pretty cool to see how a newspaper, layout out wise, really comes together. Next weekend I am heading home, but not before our Poetry Club performs on  Thursday night.

I am really excited for Christmas in two months, as well as my 21st birthday!

Till Next time,

xoxo

Krystal

One Month In

Hey guys!

Well it is already week 6 in the semester, (but who’s counting?)

Its so hard to believe we have already been here for a month already!  I feel like I just moved in yesterday!

So far, I have already had tests, quizzes, and a few papers here and there do. And the rest of my commitments have already kind of fallen into place-Service Learning, Lion’s Tale, etc. I guess you could say I was born busy!

This weekend I stayed on campus for two reasons: The Jersey Metro event at Montclair, and Family Day. Jersey Metro is part of Campus Crusade for Christ, and its all the Campus Crusade groups in all the NJ universities meeting at Montclair for a night of worship music, fun, and a brief message. I got involved with Court Cru-Georgian Court’s Campus Crusade for Christ group, last semester after being invited to Bible Study by one of my other friends, and fellow poets. I have been going ever since. Since I am Christian, this is the perfect group for me to be apart of on campus.

Family Day was cool because it was the first time the Poetry Corner had a table since our beginning in the spring of 2008. We came up with an activity that was a total hit with the crowd! “Sponge and Splat” was an activity where the kids came and painted t-shirts with sponges, their hands, and anything we had of availability to them. I don’t mean to brag, but our club cleaned house!

Despite being exhausted, this weekend was awesome, and I look forward to many more like this!

Till Next Time!

Krystal

Pounding the pavement

Hey folks!

Well were are already well into the new semester, but it kind of feels like we have been here for quite a bit now!

Classes and everything else are pretty much into place, and so far everyone is off and running on a good start.

The Lion’s Tale had our first newspaper meeting this past Thursday with me at the helm as editor in chief. I am so excited to be taking on this new task as well as a little anxious to really see where it is going to head, and what ground-breaking stories my staffers are going to come up with.

The Poetry Corner also had our first Executive board meeting this past Wednesday and we are all really excited to get back to writing, performing, and getting more people involved with that project as well. We will officially start meeting Wednesday, September 16th.

Club day is also coming up soon, the 17th of September to be exact. Club day is a day where all the clubs are stationed outside in the A and S arcade trying to get the student body involved in the various activities that our campus has to offer. Everything from Campus Ministry to Bowling to LASO and everything in between is out there to offer.

Well guys and dolls that pretty much sums up everything for the moment.

Peace and Blessings,

Krystal

The shape of things to come

Hello there everyone in GCU land!

Well it is the second week of class and i must say I am adjusting pretty well to the new changes taking place on campus and just in general.

We have several new faculty members we are welcoming to the Georgian Court Community this fall, and we have a new online program called Angel that is replacing our old Blackboard program. I am still figuring some things out, but I will get it soon enough hopefully. Angel is a way to keep updated with professors and class assignments electronically. You can submit assignments, see who is in your classes, and get any extra readings on there that your professors may assign. It is almost like a classroom buddy and a way to save paper!

Aside from all these things, and more, I am settling into some new responsibilities myself. I am completing one of my Service Learning requirements, and also heading the school newspaper, The Lion’s Tale with one of my friends at the realm with me as co-editor.

Service Learning is a graduation requirement for Georgian Court Students. Think of it as a Community Service project-since GCU is a mercy University, Service is one of the main Mercy Core values we aim to instill in our students from day one. Your Service Learning then culmnates at the end with either a paper or a journal telling what you learned, and what you got out of it. Several classes on campus come with SL components, or you can make one up of your own if you like. As long as the professor approves it, you are good to go.

The Lion’s Tale is the student run voice of Georgian Court University. We have covered events such as the Presidential election, the new Wellness Center, and even our very first Scholarship day. We also cover arts and entertainment, and sports. I am very thrilled and excited to be working with our talented staffers, and look forward to what ground breaking articles we will turn out this year.

Then lastly, add on my school work, my jobs, and any other clubs and things I do and I am pretty sure you can call me a busy bee!

I am excited, and cannot wait until we REALLY kick it into gear!

Till next time kiddies!

Krystal

Move In

Hello dolls and some guys!

Well it is hard to believe summer is just about over!

I am somewhat bummed that my summer is done, but again, we must keep the ball rolling, and get back into the swing of things eventually.

I moved into my new dorm room in st. Catherine’s Hall today. St. Cats are Georgian Courts newest residence halls, and they are the suites and singles. The closet space is pretty sweet, and kind of gives the feel of having your own apartment on campus. The suites have their own kitchen area, while the singles you share only the bathroom with one other person. These dorms are pretty much on the lap of luxury.The other dorms are nice, but these are NICE!

Today was also the day the Freshmen in the class of 2013 moved in. I remember two years ago the feelings of excitement, and fear were rushing through my veins. The one piece of advice I can give to the newest members of the GCU community is this: Work hard!!! You have made it this far, and DO NOT quit now! It will be worth it in 4 yrs when you all receive your degrees at Graduation.

Since it is move in weekend, the big tradition GCU has is the welcome back BBQ. This year, we are having a Carnival, and dinner in the Dining Hall.  It is a great way to mix and mingle the freshmen with all the other upper classes.

Then on Monday, the semester really kicks into high gear with the first day of class. We have Labor day weekend coming up soon, so that will be a welcome break to being in class for almost two weeks.

Til next time kiddies,

Catch ya on the Study Side!

Krystal.

Life is oh so unpredictable.

Life itself never ceases to amaze me.

It is so beautiful, yet so tragic all at the same time.

It always seems to throw things at us when we do not expect it, and yet is so full of suprises it can make one’s head spin.

For example, I recently ran into two girls I had attended high school with in my neighborhood of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. One went to college in the Mid-West, and does not really care for it, but will finish up there. The other hit a rocky path for a time, and now seems to be on a much better path.

Interesting correct? And they happened when I was going to work, and coming from work.

Or another perfect example: I work at a camp, and our security guard for the summer was hit with a tragedy over the weekend. He was hit with the unfortunate loss of a loved one. His brother had his life slip away on a Summer afternoon on a Brooklyn street due to a cold act of violence. Quite difficult to fanthom? Surely. Unexpected? You got it. Shocking? Yes and no. Yes because his life was cut short by another human being. And no becasue death is indeed a part of life.

The lesson to be learned here kiddies is that life is short and unpredicable. Meaning then, life should be lived everyday like it is the last day, and should not be taken for granted. Often times we do not do what we wish becasue we have a case of the “Someday syndrome,” basically putting things off because we think we have tomorrow. So how about we not live like “someday” and start living for today.

I do not mean to sound preachy here, but it is the truth. And the truth is indeed stranger then fiction, and can sometimes sting.

Till next time

Krystal

Happy July!

Hard to believe it is already July!

It just seems like  yesterday I packed up my dorm room and came home for the summer, and in alittle over a month I’ll be heading back!

On that note, I hope everyone had a good July 4th weekend, and that it was how it was meant to be: Fun and spent with people that are close to you!

I started my job as a camp counselor yesterday, and so far it is going well. This is my 5th year working with Catholic Charities Operation FUN programs for the mentally disabled, and it seems like it gets more enjoyable each time.  This year, I have most of the same kids I had last year and a few new faces, which always makes for an enjoyable summer.

There are some new faces on staff as well, especially since we combined with SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program) which provides jobs for young people aged 14-24.  So it is a Catholic Charities/SYEP collaboration this summer. 

Everyone  basically has their set schedule of trips already, and for my group, trips include South Street Seaport, Brooklyn Promenade, the Coney Island Boardwalk, and Bowling. Tomorrow is the Promenade and I am excited for this first trip in the first week of camp.

For the next six weeks, this is what I’ll be doing, and I enjoy it!

Till Next time kiddies!

Krystal.

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