What He Said...

Happy last few hours of 2009, everyone! This has certainly been an interesting year, but I'm glad for it to be over. Isn't it strange how New Year's always feels like we're wiping the slate clean and starting fresh, even though nothing around us is changing at all? There aren't any changes in weather, in the day/night cycle, and there aren't any strange signs indicating that a new year has indeed begun (aside from a giant, sparkly ball falling in Time Square). Maybe some attitudes are changed for a couple days, with resolutions being made (or not, as Mike showed with his Calvin and Hobbes quote... nicely done), but soon everyone is back to the same old same old.

But whether I end up feeling very different or exactly the same when the clock strikes 12 tonight, I know that 2010 is going to be a big year for me. I have no idea what I will be doing in 2010. I don't even know where I will be living! Everything is all up in the air until I start hearing from graduate schools and start thinking about where I want to be and what I want to do. It's a little scary, but I know I'm not in this alone.
So come on 2010... I'm ready for you.

~Bianca

Hello 2010!

Might I point out that it's nearly two weeks since the beginning of winter and we've only had one significant snow storm (at least where I am) and there is hardly any snow on the ground at all. This would be catastrophic if not for the fact that ski resorts are able to make their own snow.

But I digress, after all, we're on the cusp of a new year. I was always fond of New Year's Eve, mostly because I go to my Aunt and Uncle's house (father's side) to count down the New Year. You see, for Christmas, my relatives from my mother's side of the family head on up from Staten Island. It's always a pleasure to see them, but, seeing how I have no cousins from that side of the family, all of them are on the verge of qualifying for social security, that is to say, ahem...old. My father's side is different, I am one of eleven cousins, and when you put us all together in one spot, we were prone to wreak havoc. Being the youngest of them, I always became the scapegoat for anything and everything that went wrong, I was even given the moniker "Low man on the totem pole." Family is family though, and it never gets old, so that's where I'll be heading to bring in the New Year.

I leave you with this, from Calvin & Hobbes, the greatest comic strip ever conceived by man:

Hobbes: "Are you making any resolutions for the new year?"
Calvin: "Resoultions? Me?? Just what are you implying? That I need to change?? Well buddy, as far as I'm concerned, I'm perfect the way I am!"

Brilliant.

Happy New Year!

Off to Work I Go!

I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas! I know Santa was very good to me this year! My highlight was def. my new digital camera and photo frame! Im studying abroad next fall in Africa and Im really going to use them!



Sadly, Christmas came and went so quickly and now I am back to work, and taking my fifteen minute break to blog =]! I work at a law firm in the billing department so I get to make fun spreadsheets of the lawyers time and income, do their time slips, and unfortunatly file. It's funny because I have no intention of becoming a lawyer but I have learned so much about different laws and law just in general. I have my own desk in an open cubicle and it's piled high with literally 247 bills that need to be filed! Everyone jokes around that im starting to get lost under it all. It's alot of work and but I love having a 9-5 job. The lawyers and paralegals I work with are awesome and take the time to explain everything that goes on.

This is a picture of me and my coworker from the summer cleaning out the basement! After seven years all the files get stripped and thrown away and I spent a good week with my coworkers cleaning out the file rooms!

I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Year's Eve!!! Write to you next year!! ';]

<3 Liv

Home is where the heart is.

Hey Everyone!

So, you know that old saying "Home is where the heart is"?... Well, I'm in a bit of a predicament... My heart is in two places.. Siena, and Long Island... I guess I have two homes.

Well, the semester is over! I can finally relax. I came home Wednesday and right now is the first time I have to just relax. We had two family parties this year at my house, so we were constantly prepping. Christmas, my moms side of the family came over to celebrate. It was a little difficult this year because my cousin was recently deployed to Iraq for a year, but we all banded together and had a lot of laughs. At the end of the night we watched the Hangover and had a sleepover. Sunday, we had my Dads side of the family over... All 26 of us! It was great seeing everyone, and we even got a corny picture of all of us on the porch. At this point, my cousins are having babies, and it's so astonishing to see the kids grow up right before your eyes. You know how adults always say "I remember when you were a baby!"? Well, now I'm that person. I can't believe my baby cousins are already 7 and 5, and my other baby cousin is already 1! I'm starting to teach my 7 year old cousin how to play basketball and lacrosse- so, we had an intense game of basketball outside my house. It was me, my 5 year old cousin, Tom vs Dylan (my boyfriend) and my 7 year old cousin, Nick. Now, Dylan has a height advantage (he's 6ft), but, me and Tom still dominated the courts... in a dress and uggs... How's that for being a bit of a tomboy. We had the whole family outside cheering us on.. It was so much fun... And, now my spot is secure for the "Favorite Older Cousin" Award.

Now, it's time to relax. For most of my days I will be working, but I will also be making a few roadtrips. On January 9th, the club that I coordinate along with 3 others will be honored for our work with Project Linus during the halftime of the Siena Mens Basketball game by Trustco Bank. This is an incredible honor for all four of us, and I know each of us are humbled.

Well, thats all for now. Happy New Years Everyone!

I'll see you 2010!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I've finally started to let myself relax at home after unpacking, organizing papers, getting my grades, and doing last minute Christmas shopping/baking. There is truly nothing like a college Christmas break if you've never experienced it. See in high school, you only had about 2 weeks off, during which you had to complete assignments and projects for the unfinished semester. But in college, your semester is over, so there is no work left to complete! No assignments are looming over your head. There is only opportunity to relax, spend time with family and friends, and maybe make some money (or if you're an overachiever, prep for next semester).

So what am I going to do this break???
- Teach 8 dance classes (pre-ballet, ballet, modern, jazz)
- Attend dance class myself (I'll need it after tomorrow!)
- Dust off my piano and guitars, and work on some music I haven't had time to focus on
- Choreograph dances for my students' performances
- Read! I have several books I've been meaning to get into
- Hear from grad schools!!! *crosses fingers*
- Hang out with my friends from home
- Hang out with the fam
- Go sledding!!
- Drink lots and lots of hot chocolate
- Think about organizing my Honors Thesis (which is mostly written!)
- Think about writing my reflection paper on service projects I have completed since Freshman Year
- Go ice skating!
- SLEEP!

What do you guys think? I think it sounds like a pretty good list of things to do. I especially like the last one. :-)

I hope everyone has a fantastic break!

~Bianca

P.S. Liv, when am I getting invited over for some of that pizza?? :-P

The End of the Beginning

Yesterday at 5 o'clock I left the friendly confines of Siena for the equally friendly confines of Mechanicville, New York. I took my last exam during the last time slot for exams, and, when I finally left campus, I felt like one of the last to leave. There's evidence behind my saying so, my car was very lonely all alone in the Foy Hall parking lot, which is typically filled up during classes. As I am a local boy, my trip home isn't terribly strenuous considering that I live a mere twenty minutes away. While its good to be home, I'm able to see my family pretty often throughout the semester and, believe it or not, that's the way I like it. For example, when hunting season comes around, I head home for the weekends to take part in the venerable pastime with Dear Ol' Dad (for those of you offended by such a prospect, I hasten to add I am not very good at it).

Like I said though, its always good to be home. I have a pretty full agenda for the break. I have to finish up all my law school applications ASAP, continue to work on my thesis proposal on American executive power, read some Kierkegaard (a fellow I deeply admire, if not always agree with) for a philosophy class, and son and so forth. As the saying goes, all work and no play make one a dull person, so I'll have to delay this important work, for the most eminent 'work' of all: relaxing and enjoying Christmas and New Years. I hope you all do the same!

Merry Christmas all,
Mike

Finals Finally Over & Back on the Island!

I can't believe finals are over! I felt like this day would never come, I unfortunatly was one of the few people who had finals in all five of my classes. And after countless hours spent in the library ( One of my favorite places on campus) I am home! It was so hard staying to the very last day I hated saying goodbye to all my friends. I already miss all of them, even though in a few short weeks we will be back together. It's funny how much of a family my friends have become.

Luckily for me driving back home was such a breeze with barely anyone on the road. The three and a half hour drive is so nice. And when I feel like leaving the car at school its just a quick Amtrak ride away from Penn Station to the LIRR! And theres always someone to travel with having a lot of LI kids at Siena. Today I was lucky enough to have one of my friends on the basketball team with me. Im not too big on driving alone, and might sort of kinda have a led foot =].

After one Dunkin Donut iced coffee, a blueberry muffin, 3.5 hrs, and a fight about Queens being located on LI I was home and welcomed with a foot and a half of snow. My brother still doesnt understand fully how cold, cold can be! It was still so much warmer here to me. This all brings me to right now just relaxing with my family and waiting for Dad's homemade pizza! Born thankfully to an Italian Chef food in my house is always delicious. Sorry Sera Hall, but dad's cooking is unbeatable!

...Time to Eat!! Have a Great Holliday!!!

- Liv<3

Things I've learned this past semester...

1. Senior year goes by fast. and I mean really fast. I'm already halfway done!

2. Baking brownies for your housemates is always a great idea during finals week.

3. Always attend Siena events. I won a new GPS system at our Relay for Life kickoff party!

4. Having a kitchen is awesome, but sneaking into Saga (our dining hall) is always fun.

5. Always keep on top of your course work. Cramming right before an exam doesn't work.

6. Becoming friends with faculty and staff at Siena is the best thing you could ever do. (that includes Admissions staff, professors, dining hall workers, and janitorial staff)

7. Always make sure you've got a pair of gloves and a scarf. It gets cold around here. really cold.

8. Don't forget to make time to hang out with friends. Before you know it, everybody will be graduating and parting ways.

9. Payday is always an awesome day. Especially when you are a broke college student.

10. Never forget to make time for fun. Its the only way you'll survive all the work, and its the only way to make your college time some of the best years of your life. Take advantage of all the opportunity you can get and live it up! Once you realize you're graduating in a few months, its too late to go back and re-do the past three years.

:o) I love Siena. And I love the person it has helped me become. And not to sound sappy, but I am really going to miss this place. So I guess the only thing left to do is to make the most of next semester!

I thought I was invulnerable to it, but that's not the case, and if I can't escape it, nobody can. I am, of course, referring to the feelings of nostalgia one has when they are faced with the specter of graduation. Now, fortunately, I have another semester here at Siena, but I have to say that this one really flew by. I remember thinking that high school zoomed on by, but I have to say college moves even faster. So enjoy it while it lasts!

As you may know, Siena is in the midst of final exam time. One Siena tradition during finals is what is referred to as the 11th Hour. The 11th Hour is something of a prayer service, led by the Franciscan friars in the chapel here on campus (at 11 o'clock at night of course). It is aimed at refocusing our attention and putting things in perspective. Every semester at the 11th hour the chapel fills up to capacity, some students even sit down in the aisles. After the service, students are treated to comfort food, such as donuts, muffins, and bagels. Students from every year come to this, and I have to say, this year, as a senior at Siena, I've never recognized so few people. You see, Siena is a tight-knit community, and, if you come here, you'll be seeing many familiar faces over the course of four years. So, I was wondering why I didn't seem to recognize as many people as I did in the past, and then it hit me. As a sophomore or junior, you are more likely to know not only the students in your class year, but also those in the class above and below you. Well, as a senior, there is no class above you, and quite frankly, you don't devote a whole lot of time to getting to know every underclassman. So there I sat, struck by the fact that my time at Siena is almost up...and then I proceeded to block that ever-encroaching reality from my mind.

But, then again, I wouldn't want to have to take finals for the rest of my life.

Take care,
Mike DiSiena

It's the Holiday Season!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

It's the final stretch of this 2009 fall semester! As Bianca has noted, today was the last day of classes and theres a brief sense of relief running through the dorms right now... That is until Wednesday when most finals start.

For me, I have my Religion Final on Wednesday, my Accounting Final Saturday (at 8:30 am... YIKES!), and my Math and Marketing exam on Monday... Unfortunately, I don't get to go home until the 23rd so I'm trying not to think about it too much so the days go by faster. It's always weird being here while everyone else goes home. Usually the dorms have this energy about them thats not comparable to anything else, but when residents start going home the dorms become too quiet for my liking... and, not going to lie... I do miss my residents when they leave.

But, until then Hines Hall is having their Holiday Party. Tonight at 10 p.m, 24 hour quiet hours start so we're letting all the residents get their last bursts of energy out before then.

I hope you all have a phenomenal Holiday Season, and I'll be back in January to blog for you again!

See you 2010,

Leanne

P.S- I attached a photo I worked on that I took during the first snowfall. The trees are right outside of Hines Hall if you face Spring Street. One of the greatest aspects of Siena is that although it's a college campus, you can still find beautiful nature every where you turn.. It's the "Franciscan" in us ;)

Last Day of Classes!

So today is the last day of classes for the fall semester! I have been consistently crossing big projects, papers, and presentations off of my to do list, so today has just been about enjoying the last bit of lecture time and preparing for my 3 final exams. I have not really gotten into studying for them yet, although my first exam is on Wednesday (Vertebrate Biology). I've been doing pretty well this semester, so I'm not too nervous. Also, I've become a lot more laid back about studying since freshman year. I remember coming in as a freshman and spending every waking hour reading and memorizing and studying! But then I began to find a balance during sophomore and junior year... I do not need to make myself nearly as crazy as I did as a Siena newbie. Studying is all about staying on top of material through the whole semester, not overloading or overstressing, and never ever cramming! Believe it or not, I've actually become quite calm when facing finals week.



I'll probably be hyperventilating on Wednesday morning though... I haven't quite mastered being calm right before the final yet. Maybe by my last semester as a Siena student, I'll figure that one out.



Good luck on finals everyone! And happy last day of classes :-)

A Semester at College is Like a Good Vacation

Yes, you heard me right. What do I mean? Well, like any good vacation, you very much look forward to beginning your journey, and you certainly enjoy it while you are in the moment, but, when all is said and done, you miss the prospect of spending more time "on vacation," but are, at the same time, ready to return home. As each semester winds down, I am struck both by the fact that I am closer to where I want to go with the great education that I have received at Siena, and closer to having to part with campus life, and leave many memories and opportunities behind. Fortunately, I have one more semester, and I shouldn't look to far ahead considering I still have finals for this semester.

The last few days have been particularly enjoyable. As a part of the Orchestra here on campus (Yes, that's right, we have an orchestra. I myself play this monstrosity) I get to maintain my musical skill all the while enjoying some very good music. The orchestra itself is under the instruction of Dr. Paul Konye, of the Creative Arts department here at Siena. We played a couple of pieces, but the highlight of the performance was Franz Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony" (poor fellow couldn't quite finish it before his time was up).

This past Saturday, was the famed Siena vs. UAlbany Basketball game. The game has become one of the most important events in area sports in recent years, and the Times Union Center was packed. Fortunately both our men's and women's teams won, making students and alumni proud of our Siena Saints. The night was special because not only did Gina Castelli win her 300th game as head coach of our Lady Saints, but because the MAAC Championship Banner, which the men's team won last year, was unfurled. You definitely feel a strong sense of school spirit when you attend games like this.

All the while, I'm finally wrapping up a few loose ends in terms of course work. Today I got back a term paper I had written for my Shakespeare course on Macbeth and Masculinity. I'd never taken an English course here at Siena yet, but I have to say I really enjoyed it. Evidently, I must have learned something, because the professor actually wanted to keep the paper for her files. I now consider myself living proof that even a simpleton like myself can master Shakespeare with proper instruction. In any case, I hope the trend continues.

Take care,
Mike DiSiena

BINGO!

Hey everyone, all excited for Christmas I hope. I am so excited to go home. School is getting pretty stressful with last minute tests, final exams and papers. It’s hard to take a step back and breathe. Although work has wrapped up most of my time, I did however have a very exciting Saturday last weekend. Nearly all of the Siena campus went to the Siena UAlbany, but since I wasn’t a big fan of basketball I went to go play some bingo. Lame I know. I didn’t plan on spending my night at bingo, but my friends dragged me to it. I never realize how much fun bingo was, and the prizes, WOW. When the Student Events Board puts on bingo, they go big. The grand prize was a Nintendo Wii. Other prizes included an ipod nano, Chilies, Dunkin Donuts, and Applebees gift cards, Cds, and DJ Hero. Decent prizes huh? I happened to be one of the luckiest kids on campus that night, which is probably a once in a lifetime thing, but I took home an Ipod Nano. Wooo hooo! If you come to Siena and question bingo, go! You never know what you will take home! =)

Take it easy...Josh

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

It's the final two weeks of the fall semester and it's crunch time for most of us students! I had a 38 page Marketing Proposal due this morning, and I have 16 pages to write for my Honors English Class. Then, it's finals. Finals this year fall late for us, and because of that I do not get to go home until the 23rd. It's incredibly hectic though. I have to remind myself to breath half the time, lol.

But, in the midst of all this craziness, there has been many lights to end of this semesters tunnel. First, the first snowfall of the season came this weekend. I ADORE snow, so I'm like a little kid when it comes to this time of year. It's so beautiful to walk to class in this weather now. The campus just glistens.

Tonight, Pathfinders is doing a charity event for Project Linus. Project Linus is a program that makes blankets for sickly children, or people in need and every year they look for donations. This year, we decided to help out. We raised over $800 for fabric and materials, and tonight is when we make the blankets. I'm really excited about this event, and I can't wait to see how the blankets turn out (Of course I'll have my camera handy tonight).

Well, I have to do some of my English paper before the Project Linus Party tonight!

I hope you all are enjoying this winter beauty as much as I am.

Leanne

P.S- Of course I have pictures :) Attached is a picture near the Sarazen Student Union that I took while it first start snowing.

* Let * It * Snow *

Thats right folks, we got our first official snow of the season! Most of it came down on Saturday, although I think there were a few more flurries this morning. We got about an inch, or inch and a half of snow. Not a bad start. The roads were all cleared early this morning which was nice, so driving conditions were fine. The pathways around campus were also clear. That's one of the things I love about Siena. They do such a great job of clearing all the pathways really early in the morning, so you don't have to worry about slipping on a patch of ice walking to your 8:30 class.

The campus looks really pretty now too. There's snow everywhere! On the grass, on the cars, and all over the trees! The sight is gorgeous. I love the snow sometimes. That is, when its not too cold and it doesn't cancel my plans. Below are a few pictures that my roommate took of campus.




Don't you just want to curl up in front of a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa? mmmmm I can't wait until my work is done and I can start to really enjoy this holiday season!

Hi everyone!

So I forgot that yesterday was Thursday! I tend to always lose track of time by the end of the semester. We only have one week left before finals madness begins, and the week before finals is usually more stressful than finals week itself. I have something big due every day next week. But I will make sure to stay on top of everything. Even though there is a lot of work to do, my housemates and I decided to take tonight to decorate our townhouse together for the holiday season. It's going to be fun and relaxing, and I will be sure to take pictures to post up here next week.

I do not know if I have mentioned this before, but I am a professional ballet dancer, and I am currently in the middle of the Nutcracker tour with Albany Berkshire Ballet. Our first performances were on November 21st, and our last ones of the tour will be on Dec 20th. So I have been running around to Craryville NY, Burlington VT, Pittsfield MA, and Albany NY for the past several weeks. The Nutcracker is such a spectacular production, no matter who is putting it on, and I highly recommend going to see it to get you into the holiday/winter spirit.

That is one thing that I'm definitely starting to feel around here at Siena... the holiday spirit. Everyone has dug out their scarves and gloves, have started decorating their rooms with paper snowflakes and ornaments, are planning Secret Santas, and playing holiday music. This time of year kind of takes the edge off of everything we have to get done in the next two weeks!

I'll get our decorating pictures up soon! Good luck bloggers with all of your final projects, presentations, and exams!

This is a picture from our last performance in Burlington, VT. It's the Dance of the Snowflakes. I am the one in the middle!

~Bianca