G.O.T. S.K.I.L.L.S.?

   This past Thursday I was fortunate enough to attend a G.O.T. S.K.I.L.L.S.? event here on campus.  It was a lecture given by Dr. Maura Cullen about diversity.  She was extremely informative and interesting to listen to.  She talked to us about how what we say can affect others.  We also participated in little mini activities that got us thinking about our perceptions of people, and our surroundings.
   You may be wondering what G.O.T. S.K.I.L.L.S.? is.  I did not know what it was until coming here, and I only really grasped it since researching it more for this post.  G.O.T. S.K.I.L.L.S.? stands for Socially just, Kindness toward others, Inclusive toward all people, Leading at every turn, Listening with care and, Self-respectful (good thing we have the acronym).   The program is designed to "encourage students to attend programs and activities that promote human dignity". The program puts on events to promote the ideas listed in the acronym, and at each event you get a survey and the survey puts you into a raffle.  The prizes range, but they vary from $5 gift certificate to higher housing bids.  This program is very cool and it makes it possible to live somewhere really nice next year.
   In short, the program was very insightful.   I will definitely be attending more G.O.T. S.K.I.L.L.S.? events in the future.  They are interesting, and they also can win me cool prizes.

Art Hopping

    This weekend was the South End of Burlington's Art Hop and I was lucky enough to get to check it out.  I had to go for my first year seminar class, but I would have tried to get there anyway.  My assignment was to check out two artists and to write about their work.
     Living Digital is my first year seminar and it is incredibly interesting.  A first year seminar, for those of us who don't know, is a small, discussion and writing based class for first-years.  The class doesn't need to go along with your major.  The main goal of the class is to hone writing skills and help one's transition into college.  Here is the link to the first-year seminar web page on Saint Michael's website.
  So anyway, I needed to go to the South End Art Hop and the only time I had was late on Friday night.  Fallball games for softball started this weekend, so I was super busy.  I ended up just making it to the art hop and I am so happy that I got to see it.  My friends Michaela, Misha, and my roommate Katie came with me.  We caught the bus to Burlington and speed walked down to the Art Hop.
    The flyers said it ended at 9, the event was still in full swing when we finally got down there are 8:50.  Our first artist was set up on a front porch.  He had gorgeous airbrush paintings set out for everyone to look at.  Here is his website, definitely check it out.
   Then we made our way over to the S.P.A.C.E. Art Gallery to check out even more cool works of art.  In the S.P.A.C.E. there were people who painted, sculpted and experimented with light set up.  Here is the link for that website as well.
   After all of that walking around, we really built up an appetite.  We got Samosas from a street vender.  They were absolutely delicious, and a bit spicy.  Michaela and I got the Vermont Spicy potato and Katie got the Vegetable one.  Both were outstanding.
     We topped off the night with Ben and Jerry's to cool off our roasting tongues and headed back to campus.  When we got back, I had a special treat because my family had made it up here to visit.  They came up to watch my softball games this weekend.  It was very good to see them again after the few weeks that I have been here.
     I can't wait to check out the Art Hop again next year.

Dorm Tour!!

On one of my first days here at SMC on Joyce fourth floor, we were all sitting around getting to know one another when we decided to do room tours.  Everyone sets up their room a little differently.  I find dorm rooms to be the most interesting examples of people's personalities.  Here are some pictures of my dorm room.  I love my room, even though right now it is pretty toasty.  So, welcome to Joyce 402!

A panoramic of my room (Go Iphones!!) I think if you click on this you can see a larger version

This is my bed and my gorgeous quilt.  I am still working on wall decorations. 

My desk.  Note the fans, the fourth floor gets real warm.

My roommate's desk and our fridge and microwave.

Our shelves.  I love these shelves.  

My closet. I love the huge above cabinet because it fits everything.

Our room from above.  Check out our cool rug.

Our beds.  We went with the line method, trying to add space in the room.  We also half-lofted our beds.

Our map.  This is a map of Burlington and surrounding areas.  We also have the places we want to go this year all around the actual map.

View out our window.  I believe we have the best view of everything happening out in the quad and on the library lawn.

Well, I am off to some more studying and some dinner later.  Have a good week!