Fresh Perspectives

The best thing I can draw are a few stick figures standing in an ugly flower garden.  I can't distinguish a Van Gogh from a Monet.  To me, Rembrandt is a brand of toothpaste. And, wait, red and blue make purple, right?

As you can see, I'm certainly not an Art buff.  Give me music or movies any day, but art....it just ain't my thing!  And with my first big Art Education 101 test less than 48 hours away, I'm kinda freaking out.  The test is made up of multiple choice questions on the stuff we've covered in class:  style, blah blah blah, dynamic, more blahs, types of painting, yadda-yadda, and so on. You get the picture? (Wow...no pun intended!)  I don't know what it is, but this art stuff is just not clicking with me.  The only thing that's going to save me are the identification questions and the extra credit.  For the I.D. questions, all we have to do is look at a picture and identify the title and artist. (Pure memory...hopefully, I can handle that.)

So, for the next 2 days, I'm going to be neck deep in an art book!  Believe me, this is not my idea of a good time, but hopefully all of this studying will pay off so that maybe one day I will AT LEAST be able to draw a few stick figures standing in a pretty flower garden.

Posted by Kendall at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since I have officially completed the first week of my second semester in college, I decided I'd take a few minutes to share the initial opinions I have of each class.  Now, I know my views will probably change by the end of the semester.  It seems I'm nearly sick of every class by the time exams roll along, but so far I realy enjoy all of the courses I'm taking...

Biology 206:  I want to begin by warning you that I am not a huge fan of the sciences.  Actually...that's quite an understatement.  I'd rather eat cardboard than study chemistry and physics (these harsh emotions stem from a bad high school experience that I'd rather not talk about!!!).  However, the title of this course is "Genetics and Society".  Since the study of genetics is moving so fast and causing so much controversy, I thought "why not learn more about it?".  It also helps that this is a science course for non-science majors.  So far, it's been really interesting, and the professor keeps the class from getting too dull.  He's extremely passionate about what he teaches and he does a great job of explaining things.  So, if you ever have a chance to take a class from Dr. Reisman...go for it! 

History 112:  I love history, I admit it!  I'm probably sounding like the biggest dork ever right now but The History Channel is probably one of my favorite channels on television.  Over Christmas break, I was sick for a little while, and I watched The History Channel one day while lying in bed for 7 hours straight.  (Because of those 7 hours, I am now an "expert" on the Cuban Missile Crisis and disease during the Civil War....interesting, eh?!) Anyway, back to the point, this is my first history class in college and it is set up with 2 lectures a week (with about 300 students) and one small discusion group a week (with about 30 students) with a graduate teaching assistant.  I really enjoy this set-up.  Since I am an auditory learner, I do well in large lectures (I know...most people hate them).  But I think it's also great to get the smaller, more intimate learning experience in the discusion groups.  This way, any misunderstanding can be cleared up, and you can interact with other students in the class.

English 285:  This class is set up exactly like history (2 lectures per week and 1 discussion class). English 285 is an American Literature Theme clas and the theme of my particular class is "Up and Down the Ladder of Success in America".  So, basically we're taking a close look into the lives of some famous Americans and how they became successful.  We'll read works about Benjamin Franklin, Captain John Smith, Horatio Alger, etc. 

ArtE 101:  This is your basic Art Education class and I'm taking it as an elective.  I'm sure, like me, you're familiar with the phrase "an appreciation for the arts", right?  Well...what in the world does that mean?  I think to myself "Yeah, that painting's pretty and all but what does it mean to truly appreciate it?"  Well, hopefully by the end of the year, I'll find out!  This is an 8 am class and usually the lights are dimmed with painting after painting being projected onto a screen at the front of the classroom.  Can you guess what I do for most of the hour?  Right!  Try to keep my eyes open. 

MGSC 290:  This class is required for all business majors, so when it fit into my schedule I was excited to be getting it out of the way my freshman year.  The first day of class, I walked into a room filled with computers.  I felt so dumb! I had no idea it was a computer class.  No biggy though, we all had to go through computer hell in high school.  This is just another one of those classes (with a lot of focus on Excel).  In all honesty though, a 12 year old could probably pass the course with an A. 

So....there it is.  My Spring 2007 Course Schedule.  Not too bad, I suppose.  We'll see what I have to say about each class at the end of the semester...

Have a great week everyone!

Posted by Kendall at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who would have ever guessed that 200 pieces of paper bound together would cost $140?  Isn't that a bit rediculous...I certainly think so.  Since it's the beginning of the semester and I have 5 new classes, I've been busy buying all the books I need.  What I need is a winning lottery ticket to pay for all these things!  Last semester I spent a little over $400 on books, but this semester, the total is almost $700.

So, I'm here to warn you....start saving up now!  I'm only kidding, but really, when you're totaling up college expenses, don't forget to put books up there right at the top.  If you're lucky, you might get a used book.  I would definitely recommend going that route.  Usually, the books are practically brand new, and cost a ton less, so don't feel like you need a fresh book for each class.  You'll save a lot of money by purchasing used books.  Another tip: wait until the first day of class before buying your books.  Sometimes the professor will drop or add book requirements.  You'll save yourself a lot of time and effort if you wait to hear straight from the 'horse's mouth' which books you'll actually be using for the course.  And last but not least, if you know you need a book that can wait a few days, try amazon or one of the many other booksellers on the internet.  My friend got a textbook for $20 online.  He would have paid $120 for it at the Russell House book store.  Can you believe that?!  I'm usually not one for ordering things from the internet, but I'm always up for saving $100.

Hope those are a few tips that can help you out when it comes time for you to buy textbooks...until next time!

Posted by Kendall at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Grades are In!!!!

Alright, I found out like 2 weeks ago, but who wants to think about grades over Christmas break, right?  Anyway, grades were posted online the day after the last exam (even though most students were done a few days before then).  So there I was, sitting at work, getting online every 10 minutes (literally) to check to see if they were up yet.  Finally, I got online around 5 o'clock and 4 out of my 5 classes were on there...all A's!!! You'd think I would have been happier, but I was still extremely worried.  The only grade that wasn't posted yet was English, and that's the one I was most concerned about.  Why does stuff like that always happen?  It's like on the show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, when the contestant thinks the right answer is either A or B, but decides to use a 50/50 and the two remaining answers are of course...A and B. Okay, back to the point! To make a long story short, I banned myself from checking the grade until the next morning because I knew it would just ruin my night.  And it turns out I got an A in English too.  All A's!! I was really excited to start my college career off with a 4.0!!!

Now, to the good news.  I know being in high school can be stressful, especially if you're taking honors or AP classes. (I know, I've been there.)  I remember being so freaked out about college classes because high school teachers are constantly reminding you how hard they'll be (WRONG).  They make college professors out to be these cruel and impersonal intellectuals that could care less about who's taking their courses.  Maybe there's a few professors out there like that, but none that I or anyone I know have experienced.  Basically, what I'm saying is...don't worry that college is going to be super hard and that you're going to fail out first semester and end up working the late shift at McDonald's (not that there's anything wrong with working at McDonald's....a friend of mine used to work there and always hooked me up with some free Apple Pies!).  I promise, if you go to class, do your homework, and study a little bit, you'll be just fine. So remember....don't listen to all the scary myths that high school teachers like to tell you about college.  After all...they're only MYTHS.

Posted by Kendall at 05:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First of all, I want to apologize for not posting much this week.  It has defnitely been one of the busiest weeks since I've been in college.  There's only 1 week of regular classes left, so my professors are really loading the homework on.  I had three papers due: one was 2 pages, another 5, and a killer 8 pager.  Yeah, needless to say, my fingers are sore from typing so much.  And on top of all those papers, I had a huge Math exam (that I got a 103 on...yay!).

And no, I'm not done yet.  I'm taking a self-paced Astronomy class, and I finally finished all my requirements for it this week.  I was SO relieved to get that out of the way.  The class is extremely easy IF... you're responsible and diligent enough to make yourself go fairly regularly.  So, if that sounds like you, I definitely recommend it.  All you do is go to the Astronomy Center and take 15 questioned tests on the computer.  They're not really graded;  it's more of a pass/fail thing.  (It takes 13 out of 15 to pass.)  And the best part is, you can take them as many times as you want.  17 tests gets you an A in the class, and there are also some units that are required, like Unit 8 for example.  Unit 8 is a cummulative test of Units 1-7 and it's basically the test everyone dreads taking b/c there are 30 questions.  I'm not proud to say it but....it took me 10 times to pass this one.  I framed the receipt and hung it up on my wall, no lie! (After each test you take, a computer prints out a receipt telling you if you pass the unit or not.)  So anyway, enough of this rambling about my Astronomy class.  I'm finished with it, and that's all that matters!

So, now that i'm completely worn out, i'm going to hop in my cozy bed and take a much needed and deserved nap!

 P.S.  It's South Carolina's Arbor Day, so don't forget to plant a tree!  My friends and I are going to Wal-mart this afternoon and buying baby trees to plant.  Well, my one friend says she's getting a bonsai tree, and everytime she tells me that I laugh because all I can think of is Mr. Miyagi from karate kid. Aren't we such great citizens?!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Posted by Kendall at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, if you've been reading my blog, then you know about the drama surrounding my first English paper.  Mine was the only one not graded.  Anyway, in class on Tuesday, the professor began handing back our second paper.  Class was almost over so he told us that when he called out our name we could pick up our papers and leave.  He called out everyone's name, and I was the only one left in the class.  I'm sure I looked pitiful sitting there alone.  My professor didn't really notice me sitting there and began packing his stuff up.  I slowly walked up to the desk and told him that he didn't call my name.  He looked dumbfounded and maybe a little embarrassed.  I just said I'd come get it the next day during his office hours.  Well...today, I rushed over to his office in between classes, and to my surprise (sarcasm) it still wasn't graded.  I'm starting to think the "English Paper Monster" is out to get me or something.  My professor promised he'd have it to me by tomorrow., so we'll see.  Next time he hands back our papers, I'm not getting my hopes up!

 P.S.  I need help! My mom's 50th birthday is next week.  (I'm sure she's be "ecstatic" about me sharing her age, but I have no idea what to get her.)  I'd really appreciate some suggestions!

Posted by Kendall at 09:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I need a break!  I'm sitting in the Library at exactly 12:34 am Wednesday night (well, actually it's Thursday morning) desparately trying to finish an English paper that's due tomorrow.  I think I have officially mastered the art of procrastination.  But anyway, my mind is in overload, so this is my break from Samuel Taylor Coleridge and how his biography is infiltrated into the poem "Frost at Midnight". Wow...just typing that gives me a headache!

 So, since Mr. Coleridge's poem is somewhat of a reflection, I figure I will do a little reflecting myself.  Two weeks ago, our 1st English paper of the year was due.  I was really proud of myself because I finished it ahead of time and really put a lot of effort into it.  Soon, our professor announced he was handing our 'graded' papers back.  The whole class was a bit antsy.  He called the students up one by one to get their papers.  "Bobby....Suzzie.....Tommy (and no, these aren't real names!!).....Kendall....WAIT!! Oops, Kendall, I must have forgotten to grade yours." Errr....it was so frustrating.  My paper was the only one he forgot to grade.  Everything worked out in the end though because he had some free time to grade in the class.  Soon, the professor came over and handed me my paper.  All I noticed was the huge red mark right at the top of the first page.  I'm ashamed to admit it, but....I spelled the FIRST word of my FIRST paper of my FIRST year in college WRONG.  I thought to myself, "You have got to be kidding me! Way to go, Kendall, this makes a great impression! Thanks alot 'Spell-check'!"  In the end though, my grade wasn't too bad.  And Einstein couldn't spell either, right, so I figure I'm okay.

Regardless, I will not leave this library until I have checked every word in this paper for spelling errors.  Back to work though.  Tomorrow morning's coming fast...

Posted by Kendall at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)