Lazy Days of Summer... yeah right!

Vacation? What vacation? I'm here at Hunter right now, waiting for my Classical Mythology class to start. I'm taking the full 6 credits this first summer session ( classical mythology, along with Asian American Women Writers). I have not had a single day of faithfully following Bruno Mars' "The Lazy Song", and I really can't wait to have one.

Summer classes are truthfully much easier than their regular semester counterparts. I'm really glad I'm taking the last two GERs that I need to graduate over the summer, rather than during the year. This way, I can hopefully clear up space for physics and other classes I need for either my Biology and/or Environmental Studies major.

I'm thoroughly enjoying interning at the marine biology lab at Baruch. It's quite different from the last lab, a multidisciplinary science lab at Hunter, that I interned at. There, I performed more biochemical/genetics/biology experiments. Here, its definitely more chemical experiments, with a lot of interaction with organisms, such as oysters. The Baruch lab allowed me to touch an oyster for the first time in my life. Ironically, this first time was when I had to shuck said oysters, a really physically taxing endeavor for someone who's :a) pretty weak; b) never shucked an oyster before.

I also volunteer at the Dental Medical Clinic at LIJ. I've always wanted to be a dentist, but I never really understood the entire scope of the profession. Yes, I do like teeth, but other than that, I didn't know much about what a dentist really does and how much effort and time is needed to become an excellent dentist. So, I decided to shadow a dentist this summer to not only gain shadowing hours if I decide to continue as a Pre-dental student, but also to use the experience to better inform me about my future career choices, and to help me decide whether or not I really want to be a dentist. I'm really glad I am shadowing dentists now, because I am learning a lot more about dentistry than I had previously learned before. Sometimes it can be really boring, sometimes quite fascinating, sometimes shocking, but never is there a completely dull moment. I'm really starting to warm up more and more to the dental profession now!

I must say that this is the most craziest summer I have ever had in my life. I've never had to juggle summer classes with a lab internship, dental shadowing and random sports practices. I don't want to sound like an incessant complainer ( I am extremely grateful for both the lab internship and the dental shadowing opportunities), but seriously, I wasn't even this busy during fall or spring semester!

The Return of the MacBlog!

Oh MacBlog, did you think I would desert you? If you thought yes, then to be honest I did for a while. But no fear! After stopping by the Honors lounge today, Betsy informed me that the blog is still very much up and running during the summer in spite of the lack of posts. That's right; even bloggers don't take a break. And why would we? Blogging is just like talking to friend (albeit imaginary), and speaking to you as a friend...Do something over the summer! Don't just sit on the couch and catch up on all those missed TV episodes. You (and your body) will thank me later. Take this opportunity to explore all the free events that are offerred in the city. I can honestly say that I wanted to go to college out of the city, but I am so glad that I stayed. There's so much that I didn't, and still don't, know about the city. With the dorms conveniently located near the Lower East Side, East/West Village, Union Square, Waterside, Chelsea, Herald Square, Times Square and all the other places I haven't explored yet, you'll never be bored. If it's within walking distance, then go for it. Take a walk instead of taking the train. Safety first, of course, so always have a friend with you. That way you double the fun!

Take summer for what it is: A break from school. But this doesn't mean you should hang out with your friends 24/7. Volunteer at an organization! Get involved in your community! A lot of places offer positions during the summer. They need volunteers, interns, and employees. So get yourself out there and do something! It can be for fun like volunteering at an animal shelter a few times a week or it can be financially rewarding like working at a clothing store. This may mean your weekdays are occupied, but that leaves your weekends completely free so you still have time to do the things you want to do.

I just started volunteering at Beth Israel in addition to taking a course at Hunter. It's a hassle to wake up at 7AM in the summer but it's so worth it. After volunteering for just a week there, I learned a lot about the health care industry, the work culture, and myself. Even though I probably won't end up working in the medical field, I find it important to immerse yourself in a new environment from time to time. First, you come in contact with new ideas. Second, through your interaction with unfamiliar concepts, you learn something new and build upon yourself. Third, and most importantly, you're using your adaptations skills...Survival of the fittest!

Hope everyone is having a lovely summer. I can't wait for the fall to arrive so I can see my friends and meet some freshpersons (I'm told this is the PC version of freshmen).


Until next time,
Ting

Long time, no post

Dear Readers -

I really enjoyed getting to speak to some lovely rising high school seniors at the Macaulay open house last weekend - especially those of you from my Alma mater, Stuy, and two girls who also had insulin pumps (diabetes bonding, yay!). That was definitely a first. Best of luck, and as always, you can reach me anytime at kt.ohagan@gmail.com.

Hopefully you are all enjoying your summer, and making the most of your three months of freedom (two months that haven't quite arrived yet if you're still stuck in high school). My absence from the blog has been due to the whirlwind end of the semester and then my pure unbridled enjoyment of having FREE TIME again, and NO HOMEWORK. I'm thoroughly enjoying doing research at Roosevelt House (the public policy institute at Hunter college) three days a week. For example, today I spent the entire day looking through a Roosevelt family photo album - many of the pictures have never been published, and it was fun reading Anna Roosevelt's (FDR and Eleanor's oldest) captions. (Is my history nerdiness showing?) I also got to see Elizabeth Warren speak at Roosevelt House last Thursday, and I got to see Michelle Rhee speak at Roosevelt House on Wednesday night. (Check out the Public Policy Program Facebook page, which I run, for more info!) My one day a weekend job helps earn me the dough I need for hanging out with friends and getting cute new summer clothes and shoes :) All told, I have three days off a week - and not off in the school semester sense, but COMPLETELY off - no homework, no papers, no studying.

That said, I wouldn't be me if I didn't have goals and plans for the summer. On my summer to-do list (yes, there's actually a word document on my desktop entitled "Summer to-do list") is seeing Shakespeare in the Park for the first time ever (if I can get tickets) rereading the entire Harry Potter series in anticipation of the final film (I seem to own every book except for the first one - what? I may just have to get it from the library...) and learning to crochet or knit. I don't know if that last one will actually happen, but I'd like to at least try.

Other than that, I'm running around doing zumba, going to the beach, playing frisbee and just generally enjoying the beautiful weather. I wish I was going to Germany again this summer - I had such an amazing time there last summer! - but alas, I cannot afford it on my college-student budget. Sometime in the near future I hope *fingers crossed*

What are you doing with YOUR summer!?

next year

dearest readers,

I wrote a controversial post earlier this year about transferring. lo and behold, next year I'll be attending Cornell University for (hopefully) nutrition.

my decision was based on a lot of factors that I can explain to whoever is interested (my e-mail is sarah.c.roger@gmail.com).

the piece of advice I want to leave with readers and writers alike is this: 50% of college students don't graduate from the same college they started at. don't feel pressure to stay somewhere you're unhappy at if you cannot see yourself there for the next 3 years. macaulay has some amazing opportunities and, yes, it's free, but free education isn't something you should feel you owe someone. challenge the situation (any situation). if you're not happy, analyze what is and what is not working and find a place that you think can suit those needs. for me, I needed a campus environment. others need other things.

again, please don't hesitate to contact me if you're feeling uneasy somewhat into the process.
that being said, ENJOY macaulay at hunter and take advantage of all the opportunities and fun things they offer. make the most of it and excel and feel really, really good about yourself.

love and hugs,
sarah.

I haven't abandoned you MacBlog!

Now that the semester is officially over with all my grades in (except for the two stragglers), I can finally have a peace of mind. To make things even better, Macaulay held an Olympics and Picnic at Prospect Park. It was a beautiful sunny day with a light breeze. Everyone met up at the Grecian Shelter for food (which is always delicious and plentiful in all Macaulay events) and sign in for people playing sports. It was nice to see everyone again, although to be honest, I haven't had much interaction with students from other campuses except for the outward bound orientation and occasional events held at the Macaulay Building. But the thing I noticed first when I approached the Grecian Shelter wasn't the Macaulay banner and flags, but rather the huge mass of people sporting blue shirts that read "Macaulay Olympics Bring It On", courtesy of CSI.

I was impressed with the aesthetics of the design and the solidarity it presented which made me wonder why Hunter didn't create our own shirts. I got my answer about half an hour later when I counted about fifteen people from Hunter, eight of which were actually participating the Olympics. That is not nearly as impressive as the CSI crowd. After some food, most of us headed across the street to the Parade Grounds for the games to begin.

There was basketball, volleyball, soccer and ultimate. I had a chance to witness all the volleyball games and was pleasantly surprised to find that all teams had a fighting chance at the winning title. Each team showed strength and teamwork, giving high fives, pats on the back and words of encouragement. Even though I didn't get the chance to demonstrate my athletic abilities which have certainly decreased since my high school heydays, I took a shot at trivia. The questions were written by Dan, the trivia master himself, and posed quite a challenge as shown by my numerous passes and elongated pauses to think. All in all, it was a great way to end the semester by uniting all of Macaulay once again.