I'm still stuffed.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

And, a belated "Happy Thanksgiving"!(I hope you all listened to Adam Sandlers "Turkey Song" at least once).

It is so great to be back at Siena! Now, don't get me wrong, I love being home... But, with three weeks left in the semester I want to spend as much time here as possible. It's absolutely insane how fast this semester is going by. I could only imagine how the seniors are feeling.
All throughout these next few weeks I'm going to have the Rocky theme song in my head to keep me motivated. This is crunch time for all of us students. Assignments that we forgot about, normal homework, semester long projects all come boiling down to this.

For me, after this week I'm almost in the clear. I have a 20 page Marketing Project due Monday (15 pages already completed =]) This project is great though; we have to conceptualize our own business, and then go through all the steps of a typical Marketing Proposal. My business is called "Ice Cream De Jour" and is a high class dessert restaurant. The bar has ice sculptures pouring martinis, and a glass floor with exotic fish swimming below. I've created the menu, SWOT Analysis, Customer Analysis, Business Analysis and much much more. Then, after that I have a 10 page english paper that I'm actually excited to write. I'm writing it on this book called "Not Wanted on the Voyage" by Timothy Findley, and I already have it all outlined, and I love my hypothesis ( I would share it, but I don't want it stolen =P).

Well, I hope you all have a great week. I have to go finish my 30 questions for religion... fun =/

Until next time!
Leanne

Turkey Overdose

Well, its Sunday night, which means I'm back at Siena after an awesome Thanksgiving Break at home. I went home Tuesday after my Endocrinology class. It was about a two and a half hour drive to my house in CT which isn't too bad. I have my car on campus, so I carpooled with another Siena student who actually lives right down the road from me.

Over break, I had family come over and celebrate with us. My cousin has a 6 year old niece who is a bundle of energy. I had a lot of fun playing with her. She had a lot of fun with the Turkey this year. She even named our dinner "Joe." She thanked Joe for giving up his life so that we could have a nice family dinner.

In between spending time with family, I also had to start studying for my Endocrinology test which is coming up on Tuesday. Actually, that's what I'm about to do right now! I know it sounds crazy to study for a test a week before the exam, and the fact that it was over break is even worse! But rest assured, its really not that bad. I usually start studying for exams a few days before. There's always a lot of material to cover and I find that reviewing it over a few days is a lot easier than trying to cram the night before.

Well, I guess I should get back to work. It's going to be a busy week. Well actually, it'll be a busy three weeks until finals are over. I've still got two papers to write, a presentation, and an exam! Yikes! But its really not that bad. I have plenty of time to work on it all.

I've also got a lot of things to look forward to in the next few weeks. The Bhangra team has a performance this upcoming Thursday in Schenectady, and we're also doing a program with Residential Life on Bhangra. There's also the BLSU (Black and Latino Student Union) Winter Weekend Ball which I usually go to every year. And a whole bunch of basketball games to go to! Oh yes, its going to be a busy three weeks filled with academics, club activities, and fun too!

Thanksgiving!

Hey Everyone!

Happy Monday! My goodness, it has been quite the hectic week(s). 5 Day medical leaves do not work in your favor, I'll tell you that much. My professors helped out a lot with the "catching up", but, I still haven't pushed the boulder all the way to the top of the mountain top just yet. I'm thinking tomorrow after my accounting exam I'll be able to breath again.

But, there is a happy ending to my hectic week...IT'S THANKSGIVING BREAK!! Granted, everyone has already left, or is leaving tomorrow and I'm here until Wednesday to close the building, but I have a lot of fun planned for the next 72 ish hours. Firstly, after my accounting exam at 2:30 p.m tomorrow I plan on taking an incredible nap. One of those naps thats more comatose than anything you've ever experienced. Then, I plan on playing Mario Kart against my residents (we have quite the tournaments). After some recreational fun, I'm going to the basketball game with my boyfriend and one of my best friends. After we get back, me and my fellow Hines Hall RA's are having an "RA sleepover" in the office :). Then, all I have to do Wednesday is check the rooms and then I'm on the road back to Long Island. I've got it all planned out :)

But, before I go back to studying 6 chapters of Accounting (YIKEEEES!) I'll leave you with this. Recently, my "family" and I have been attending church every Sunday at 6 p.m. It is this hour that has led me to peace of mind, and a state of relaxation. It is such a safe haven, and the masses are great. But, what's even more great about it is that I'm with the people I love. Everyone says in College you meet your friends of your lifetime, and it's true. I consider my friends here my family because we're here for each other through everything, no questions, and no judgement. It's something you all definitely have to look forward too :)

Have a great week everyone!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

P.S- No pictures (boring, I know) but, I would like to congratulate my ex-roomie, Liv for becoming a member of our team!

Fall Fusion 09: Under the Big Top!

I can't believe it. Last night was my last Fall Fusion at Siena. ever. Next year I will have graduated! But that's certainly not going to stop me from coming back to see the show!

But seriously, the show was awesome! The acts were so good! I was able to watch parts of the show and see my friends perform. I know they videotaped the whole show, so I'll have to get a copy of it!

The theme for the show was also a circus theme, so everyone was dressed up as clowns and lion tamers and ring leaders! The decorations were also so bright and colorful! It made me want to be a kid again!

So the last act of the show was the Bhangra Team. I was getting so anxious waiting for us to go on! But the performance was great! If you want to check out the video of the performance, click on the link below!

Siena College Bhangra Fall Fusion 09

I hope you guys enjoy the show!

Siena...after school job placement

Hey everyone! Sorry haven't been on in a while, the stomach bug ran through me for the past week or so. I have to catch up on work and all that good stuff now, but thats for later. On a different note, last week in physics lab our professor had asked us to go to one of the seminars the department was putting on. Everyone was skeptical, and didn't want to get their feet wet, but we all decided "what the heck" and left to go listen. I have to say, it was probably one of the best decisions I've made in a while. The presentation was from a local business in Albany called Albany Nanotech. I never paid much attention to the big corperate company/research facility even when driving by it to go to cross gates; however, their business does some serious work. Especially in my field of work as a chemist, they mass produce a bunch of different equipment as well as further their research in a number of medical procedures. One such product that was talked about was memory chips in cell phones. Their company manufactures these chips and they need scientists such as me to produce them. (I wish I had the time to intern in the summer, but it makes it hard living in VT) I know it may sound geeky, but when your in class all day and studying for rediculous tests, its nice to know that if and when you get out of school, you could possibly be doing something cool with your life. This prosentation was just one of many the school of science offered, I just thought it was one of the more memorable ones.

Thanks for reading...Josh Baillargeon

Something I realized today...

Hey everyone!

First I want to welcome Liv to our blogging team! I can't wait to hear all of your fun stories. I'm Bianca, by the way *waves*. And I love your pictures!

Anyway...
I spent most of my day today working in the lab, but when I got a break for lunch I was walking toward the Sarazen Student Union, and I was reminded of how much I positively love Siena. I had just had such a horrible morning of tedious labwork, and I was tired and cold and starving. But as I walked to the union to go grab a much needed wrap from the wrap shop (Pepsi Cafe), I looked around myself and had to stop for a minute right in the middle of the path. There is nothing quite like the Siena College campus. Especially when the sun is shining (like it was this afternoon), everything just looks so welcoming and homey. Even though no one was playing out on what we call the "Siena beach," which is a common sight in the springtime, a smile came to my face. I looked around and saw people walking every which way to class and to lunch and to meetings. Everyone was just smiling and waving and yelling across the academic quad about homework and plans for later. It just felt like home. I remember even experiencing that same feeling of being at home before I came to Siena officially. I was on a Shadow Day when I was looking at schools to go to, and I just remember feeling welcomed, and comfortable, and at ease on the campus. That's really why I made the decision to come here.

And I was reminded of that decision today, at a time when I desperately needed a pick-me-up. So after I stopped and looked around me, at the heart of Siena College, I felt a little bit better. So I grabbed an amazing wrap, picked up my mail, and walked back across campus to the lab, saying hello to everyone along the way. That's another thing that is unique about Siena... I don't think I've ever walked somewhere on campus and not run into someone I knew. It's a good feeling. But after that random moment in the academic quad, my day went from being not so good, to pretty wonderful.

I'm going to miss this...

~Bianca
This was the path I was walking on (the Sarazen Student Union is in the background)!
(Picture taken from www.siena.edu)

Finally Posting!

Hey Everyone!!Y

I'm so glad I am finally getting the chance to post online, things have been so crazy! I thought I'd use my first post to introduce myself. My name is Olivia, you can call me Liv! I am an English Education Major and a Creative Arts Minor.

I love getting involved on Campus and I am a Siena Ambassador. I enjoy giving tours so make sure you come up to get one! As you can see I am also an active member of the Dog Pound! GO SAINTS!! I haven't missed a home game yet!

Siena College has become my home away from home. And I know that sounds cliche, but I couldn't imagine anywhere else feeling this way. The sense of community is amazing, and the people here are so welcoming. On campus I live in Padua Hall with two other roomates who are the greatest! Having a bathroom in the room is excellent!
* Sorry were working on getting more pictures together*

Getting to the actual blogging part today was awesome! I got to travel with Admissions home to Long Island! I talked with over a hundred guidance counslers all over the island, about why Siena would be an amazing fit for their students. It was great to have the opportunity to give back to Siena by helping out at the event. I'm going to cut it a little short this time because well I am procrastinating! College is all about time management!


<3 Liv

The Saints are Back

The long dreary time that is the Siena Men's Basketball off-season has finally ended and the team is back playing on the court. While Siena has plenty of great sports teams, there is none that has as much fan support throughout the community as our men's basketball team, and not without justification. Over the past two years the team has won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship and made it to the NCAA Tournament, winning in the first round both times (upsetting Vanderbilt in the first round two seasons ago, and beating Ohio State in the first round last season). The team played its first home game this past Tuesday against Northeastern, which was broadcast live by ESPN. While the game was during the middle of the day, there was still a good turnout, including yours truly. You see, tickets are distributed to students on campus. Although the team plays off campus in Albany, bus transportation is made available for a quick ten minute ride to the Times Union Center.

Expectations are high this year given that almost the same group of starters has been together for a while now. So, when Siena students rolled into the Times Union Center in Albany, where the team plays its home games, there was no doubt our team would win. I have to say though, it was somewhat unexpected to see them start off down 20-6 after the first several minutes. Fortunately, the team regained its focus and ended up winning 59-53.

So far so good, as the Siena Saints, as they are affectionately named, start off right!

"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team. ~George Raveling

I always knew there'd be days like these.

Hey Everyone,

Even though it's technically Tuesday, HAPPY MONDAY! I have been swamped this evening, so I am sorry for being tardy for the party. (Housewives reference, anyone?). Parents, please do not worry... this time is not uncommon for me. Tonight has been particularly eventful- Pathfinder meeting (DIANA- we missed you), two fire alarms, a few RA situations, and accounting homework. 3 am is an early night :)


As Bianca has made note of, it is registration time... DUN DUN DUN!! Hopefully, I will get all the classes I am looking at. I register tomorrow (or today.. however you want to look at it) at 11:30. I'm nervous to be honest. With this whole "Declared Major thing" I'm starting to see my future form in front of my eyes, and I need all the classes I want in order to move forward. I'm also pretty excited to finally be on a track to something. I keep realizing more and more how perfect this major is for me. I also realized that later in life I can a lot more than just work in the restaurant. (Foodie Columnist, anyone?) I have also obtained an internship over the winter to learn more about different managerial aspects. Each day for an hour I will learning how to run a kitchen, how to match wines with different dishes, how to do the books, etc. I'm eager about this, and I'm being an apprentice to some of the best in the business so I know I'm in good hands.

Anyway, I have to write a few reports up before going to sleep for an hour or two (It's more like naps, to be honest).

I hope you all have a great week!

Leanne


EDITORS NOTE- I GOT ALL MY CLASSES!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Its Crunch Time!

Many of you know that I am captain of the Bhangra Team. Well, our first performance is right around the corner. We will be the last act at Fall Fusion this Saturday. Fall Fusion is put on jointly by the Asian Students Association and the Black and Latino Student Union. The show is basically a multicultural talent show with singing and dancing and poetry and music and anything else you can think of!

This year's theme is the circus! ASA has been working on decorations for quite some time now. I have to say, they look pretty awesome! They've got giant elephants and tigers and clowns... and so much more! I can't wait to see what the final set up looks like. I'll have to get some pictures for you folks.

There are a lot of students performing in the show. It is a pretty big event on campus; anywhere from 500 - 600 students come to see the show.

I know the Bhangra Team is performing Last. The Step Team will also be on stage. They're really good. I could never step like they do. I've always wanted to learn how to step. It looks amazing when they do it on stage!

One of our members on the Bhangra Team, Eben, is also preforming a ballroom dance routine. I saw him practicing today, its looking pretty awesome!

There is also the fashion show. All the outfits are student made and look pretty edgy! A lot of people participate in the fashion show because it doesn't take too much time and c'mon, who doesn't want to be the star of the runway?

Fr. Dennis is also in the show. He's a Friar in Residence in Hennepin Hall right now. He plays guitar and drums and is in his own band. He sometimes plays on campus at certain events. It looks like he'll be at Fall Fusion this year!

I've also got a few friends singing and playing guitar. They're really talented and take advantage of any opportunity to play.

My friend Derrell also has an awesome hip hop routine going with his friends. They perform every semester and are pretty good. That's another thing I wish I could learn, how to dance hip hop. It looks like so much fun!

Well, I can guarantee that there are wayyyy more acts than what I just listed, but it is obvious the amount of diversity we have in our show. It is always an awesome event. It also serves as a fundraiser too! I believe we are donating to the Red Cross for International Relief Funds.

Well, make sure to check the blogs next week, I promise to pose a picture or two from the show!

The Year of Big Steps

So as you guys know, I just made my last Siena schedule on Monday. I signed up for everything without a hitch (the benefits of being a senior in the honors program).

Also on Monday, I sent out all of my transcripts to the graduate schools I am applying to: Albany Medical Graduate School, SUNY Albany, RPI, Johns Hopkins University, Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cornell, Harvard, and Tufts. And a few minutes ago I just filled out the applications and sent in all of my GRE scores. All of this is just coming together so quickly! It is exciting, but I am so not ready to think about where I'm going to spend the next 5-6 years of my life earning a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology/Plant Biology.

The next step is that I have to write my personal statement, which is essentially a statement about what I have done with my life, what I want to do with my life, and why I want to attend that particular program. It is going to take some thought, so I have been putting it off for a little while. I'm hoping to tackle it this weekend.

Anyway, now I'm off to my last thesis meeting of the fall semester... another big step. I don't know if I can handle all of these conclusions! I just want to go back to freshman year! Please??

~B

Bhangra!

As some of you may already know, I am currently the captain of Siena's Bhangra Team! Bhangra is a north Indian style of dance. Our team usually performs at Siena various times throughout the year, also at community events, and we even compete in bhangra competitions!

The picture you see above is our school's Bhangra Team last year. That's me in the bottom right corner! This was taken right before our performance at Desi Dhamaka, a local bhangra competition. We didn't place, but we definitely put on a good show! The audience loved us!

So, our first big performance of the semester is coming up! Fall Fusion is November 21st. It is hosted by the Asian Students Association and the Black and Latino Student Union right here at Siena! It is basically a multicultural talent show. Many of the performers are Siena students. There are also some acts from the outside community. There is singing, and dancing, and poetry, and music, and fashion, and everything else you could think of! Siena is certainly a very talented college.

So, the show is coming up in less than two weeks and I'm getting nervous! We still haven't finished the last minute of our choreography, and we have a lot of work to do in terms of formations and being in sync with one another. Next week we will be having practice every day of the week to brush up on our dance and make sure everything is stage-worthy.

If you guys want to check out our Bhangra Team's performance at Siena during Spring 2009, click on this youtube link:

Siena Bhangra Team at Expose 2009

Enjoy the Show!

And the verdict is...

Hey Everyone!

I am currently on Duty tonight, and decided to blog from my humble office over in Hines. As an RA, we are required to be on duty every month. Here in Hines it varies when you're on duty because we select the days randomly. So, for instance- this week I'm on duty Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but won't be on duty until we close for Thanksgiving, and then again in December. Duty is fun though. A lot of times people just come in a sit in the office with you (as my friend was doing prior to me typing this), and we just have to walk around and check the building to make sure it's all up to par.

Now, last week I wrote about how I was conflicted with the choice of a major... and, I've decided- I'm going for Marketing and Management with an Honors certificate in English. The more I think about it, the more I realize what a great fit it is for me. I also know it will encourage me even more to enter the restaurant industry upon graduation. I have a great passion for that industry, even with all its' hard work, so I know I will succeed.

Well, that's all I have for you tonight. I have to go do a round before Gossip Girl, hehe :)

Till next week,

Leanne

Halloween pictures I promised....

Hey everyone, like I had promised, I have provided some pictures of the Halloween fun that took place on campus last weekend. My roomate and I were Wayne and Garth from Waynes World on Saturday and hockey players on friday. College can be pretty fun and a great way to meet new friends, but its also rigorous academically. Siena, in particular, has a challenging course curriculu no matter which major any of you choose to pursue. I, myself, am a Chemistry major, and, honestly, I am extremely happy with the decision I made; both with the school I chose and with the field I'm in. Although the course load is demanding, the faculty make it that much easier. The teachers are some of the most down to earth people you will ever meet. Doors are always open for help or in case you just want to talk. Some professors stress appointments for extra help, but the majority of the time they will allow you to walk right in. I live for office hours to survive in my classes and teachers are always willing to give a helping hand. I know it may seem like I'm glorifying the school and the professors it has, but coming from a small high school and a town where everyone knows each other, I wanted that connection with my teachers. I wanted them to know me as well as allow me to know them. Being the 1 on 1 learner I am, I have been pleased that Siena has been able to provide this relationship with teacher and student. For me tougher classes are made easier to succeed in through extra help, and you know just as well as I do, its nice to succeed.

Take it easy everyone... Josh Baillargeon

Making Schedules

Hey everyone!

So I can't believe this has snuck up so fast... on Monday at 7:30 am I will be making my last class schedule at Siena College! :-/

We usually make our schedules here about a month before finals. We have to check our CAPP reports, which basically show what requirements we need to meet in order to graduate, and in order to earn a degree in our major(s) or minor(s). Then we get to see what classes meet those requirements, or what classes we'd be interested in. And Siena is really great with having just enough required classes so you get a really well-rounded education, but you also get a strong focus on your major, and you can experiment with new things, too. After we decide what we might be interested in taking, and everything fits in a feasible schedule, we meet with our Advisor. Everyone at Siena has an Advisor that helps them make decisions throughout their college career. My advisor is Dr. Lise Wilson, who is in the Biology Department (you are most likely matched with an advisor in your own department). I just met with her about an hour ago and had our last bittersweet meeting. Then we talked about the future and grad school, etc. She has been a great advisor to me these past four years.

So what did I decide to take next semester? Well, I will be taking Biochemistry to finish up my last Biology requirement. And I will be taking Drawing I to fulfill my Creative Arts requirement. Then I'm going to take a course that doesn't meet any requirement at all... Philosophy of Language. That will be my personal interest course of the semester. It'll be tough, but worth it. On top of that, I have to take my final Honors Thesis course in which I will be completing my thesis. And I will be doing research in Dr. Ken Helm's lab (as I have been for the past year and half). That's it!

I really can't believe this is my last schedule :-(

But anyway, let me know if you guys have any questions about schedules, requirements, or advising. I would be happy to tell you about any of these things!

~Bianca

Well, midterm time is over with here at Siena, and I'm pleased to report I survived. It was also Halloween recently, and I survived the weekend, save for my pride, that is, after doing my best imitation of The Godfather's Don Corleone. In spite of that, I have been carrying on with my studies. One of the classes I am taking this semester is what is called, "The Symposium on Living Philosophers." Every other year, the school invites a real, live philosopher (yes, they do exist out there), to give a presentation at the school, and teach one of our classes. The class spans two semesters, the idea is, that by the end of the year, you'll be able to present your work to the philosopher and the community in a coherent manner. This year, the philosopher the school selected is a fellow by the name of John Caputo. The class is incredibly reading intensive and in-depth. Fortunately, the twelve brave souls who are taking the course are under the instruction of three superb professors, John Burkey, Ray Boisvert, and an "external scholar," Jeffrey Robbins, from Lebanon College. Though difficult, I am learning a great deal and am grateful for the opportunity.

It's Definitely not a Nashville Party.

Everyone on saturday with some bad battle wounds.

They decided to hunt me with nerf guns.

Hey Everyone!

I hope your Halloween weekend was as extroadinary as mine! Friday night I dressed in a cow costume (with squirting udders!) for an RA Party that we had. Saturday, the much anticipating Paintballing Program occurred, and it was so much fun! Getting hit doesn't hurt all that bad ( I got hit in the head, shoulder, ribs, knees and hand), and I can't wait to go again. Now, I know I typically write about crazy shenanigans, but todays post is going to be a little different. I'm struggling with that dreaded question- WHAT SHOULD MY MAJOR BE?!

I'm having the debate in my head, again. Currently, I'm an Undeclared Business Major, with a pursue in an Honors English Certificate. Unfortunately for me, I'm running out of business cores, and I'm going to have to make a decision before I make my schedule so that I remain on the right track course wise. Here's the thing.. I like two Majors. I like Accounting (strange, I know) and I like Marketing and Management. Accounting is tough- Majority of the time it makes me want to pull my hair out, but the level of accomplishment I feel when I do figure it all out is out of this world. Marketing/Management is more natural for me. It resonates more with me. I can bring real world experience into each of my class discussions. So, what to do? My real debate lies in this question; What major will bring me to my goal more quickly?

You see, I know what I want to do when I graduate college. I want to work in the restaurant industry. I am manufactured to work in that industry. It incorporates everything that I like. On any given day your work will include accounting, marketing, managing, writing, and customer service. You're never stuck doing the same thing day in and day out- and, that's exactly what my personality needs. I need a daily challenge, but I also need to be around people. I'm an extrovert- I thrive off of energies. I know that a restauranteur works long, exhausting hours- I was raised in this industry so I'm very well adjusted to that. But, when I'm asked "Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years", I see myself in a restaurant, and nothing else. So, now my big decision is how will I achieve this goal of mine? I guess only time, and a lot of "pro/con" charts will tell. I'll keep you all updated though.

I hope you have a great week!

Until next Monday,

Leanne

P.S- Of course I attached pictures for you. What kind of Blog would this be if I didn't ;-)

Spring Break already??

Another Halloween Weekend gone by...

Which means its back to work. Of course, Sundays are always work days for me, but its not too bad. I leisurely do homework in between the two bhangra practices we have today.

But more importantly, I wanted to tell you guys about that trip to the Dominican Republic I was talking about! I went last spring break with the Women's Center. We stayed with some Franciscan Nuns and worked with kids in a school the sisters had built. This year, I'm leading the trip. The first half of the semester was spent going through the application process. I had to decide who would go on the trip with me! Now, we have the finalize list of students and we had our first meeting on Friday! The meeting was just so we could get ourselves organized and start working on all the things that need to get done before our trip! I put people in charge of sub-committees so that everyone has a specific responsibility.

The meeting went over really well, and that has already started to get me really excited for the trip! Now, I realize that the trip isn't until February, but there' s nothing wrong with getting exited now, is there?

Well, enough procrastinating for me, time to get back to work!

Until next time...