Semester End Reflections/Year End Reflections

Although I did not know at the time, my 88 year old grandfather got very sick during my final exams. (Holidays and packing up to go home were interesting, to say the least.) He passed away a few days ago. He was smart, hard working, and very friendly. He lived a pleasant life and, being the goodhearted person that he was, was aware of what he had, even as Alzheimers and Parkinsons amongst other things, seemed to take that away.

He served in the navy, attended night school 15 years for an accounting degree he never used and accepted unusual work commissions with his glass installation company. He went fishing with his friends every weekend, as a young man. He did so many community service hours that a day in Connecticut was named in his honor, and cashed out his life insurance policy so that my mother could afford her last year of university.

He always had a resolution to be better, but I don't think he had any regrets.

That's how I felt, while dealing with the aftermath of my first semester of college. I had a great time in the city. I haven't spoken to many school people in this chaos, but I bonded enough with people that spring should be a blast. I passed all my classes and made Dean's List, although it seemed rather close. (My grades were the lowest I've seen in years. I haven't gotten the equivalent of a 3.7 since the start of middle school.) I don't have it all, or even a fraction of what CUNY promotes itself of capable of giving me. I want to be more social, more scholarly, and do find/develop the cool extracurricular that never materialized this semester.

I want to live life to the fullest in Gram-pa Larry's memory.



Is it in poor taste to post a picture of a loved one's hearse in a school related blog on New Years Eve? NO REGRETS, and have a great 2011.

Please let it not snow anymore!

As I am sure you have all ascertained by this point, there was a lot of snow the day after Christmas and there is still a lot of snow. I was supposed to work at the Rubin yesterday but the museum was closed as was most of NYC. I am still at home in Westchester and have had the opportunity to see many of my friends from home, which is great! The snow has forced me to hang out and most importantly, go and play in the snow like I used to when I was little. Sliding down a slide full of snow into a huge pile of snow in my 10 year old snow pants was a blast! I just hope it doesn't snow again too, too soon. I miss the hustle and bustle of the city and being able to go out and do things in Manhattan. I also miss working at the museum.

Right now, I am doing optional hours in Visitor Experience over the break and learning how to work the front desk. The computer system and protocol is much more complicated than I thought it would be but it is a really fun challenge. I enjoyed doing a mini-tour of one of the pieces in the museum with two groups of adults last week. Working with adults and children/teens is not that different but the adults did make me realize that I need to learn more information about the artwork in the collection. I am looking forward to doing some research over January!

In other news, I am still attempting to finalize travel plans and hope I will make it to Indianapolis and Florida over this January break. I just want to travel and snow is bad for traveling too!!! I am glad I am not taking a class and that I can focus on starting the Sociology club, DKMS Americas club and on volunteer work. I also hope to apply to an honor society that can help me with scholarships for grad school. GRE studying is also imminent. Well, I must go back to the city now. Enjoy the rest of this holiday season!!!

SNOW!