Women In Communication

Hi Everyone!

These weeks are flying by.. One minute I am in Seattle for a weekend-long conference, and the next movement I know, it's midterm and project week! About a week ago however, I traveled to Seattle, Washington for the Association of Women In Communications annual conference. This year celebrated 100 years of the association, so it was particularly exciting for everyone.

After traveling from BWI airport on Thursday morning, and arriving to Seattle, WA Thursday early evening (5-ish), I was ready to check into my hotel and get things settled for Friday-Sunday's festivities and lectures. Not only did I travel by myself to Seattle, but it was also the first time I had been to the state of Washington. Everything was so new and exciting, that I couldn't wait to explore a bit after the conference lectures were completed. A nice thought, right? Unfortunately, since midterms and projects were coming up the following Monday morning after returning home from my trip, I had to bring along 3 of my textbooks and complete work! Oh the life of a college senior! It wasn't all bad though, by any means. The hotel, The Sheraton, was right smack-dab in the center of Seattle, which can only mean 2 big things: 1) SHOPPING! Specifically, the home of Nordstrom and 2) Microsoft and other big tech companies like IBM and PR firms. I did get to walk around a bit while I was there, so although I wasn't able to really explore Seattle, I got a good taste of the city life and people.

Now back to the conference. The conference was 2.5 days long, from Thursday evening to Saturday evening, where professionals in the communications fields, as well as students, gathered to network and learn new skills. I met so many amazing and powerful people at this conference, that the networking aspect itself was a good enough reason to attend. Further, I was able to attend some interesting lectures. One lecture focused on business and blogs, and another, which proved to be the most popular, focused on what men do not tell women in the work place. On the final day, I even met Ann Curry! She was receiving an award from the association. After dinner, I made it a point to take a picture with her and introduce myself. All in all, Seattle was an amazing opportunity.

For any students in the communications fields, you should consider joining the student chapter of AWC here at our Notre Dame chapter. For more information on AWC please visit http://www.womcom.org

Intro and Background...

My name is Kristin Hood. I am a senior double majoring in Criminology and Psychology. In addition to school, I have a 2-year-old son, work part time, and have my Practicum internship. My internship is at Villa Maria Continuum, which is a residential treatment center for children ages 5-13. They are a branch of Catholic Charities that help kids with behavioral and emotional problems. In the residential treatment center, the children are offered family counseling, individual counseling, group counseling, and support on managing their issues. My blog is going to focus on my internship. If you are a psychology, criminology, or education major, this blog may interest you.

I work directly with boys ages 9-12. These kids face a lot of problems, which is why they are in Villa Maria. All of them have behavioral problems, while some of them are considered mentally challenged because of fetal alcohol syndrome or because of drug abuse by their mothers while they were pregnant with them. Some of the boys have juvenile records because of stealing, arson, or fighting. What I have realized up to this point is that, while these boys seem troubled, they can be really good kids suffering from horrible upbringings. I am not directly blaming the family of the kids for the problems, but how would you act if you were abused by your stepfather, watched your mother get abused, had a father in and out of jail, or had a mother who told you to your face that she did not want you? I feel like these kids deserve a chance to be able to change their lives and either go back to their families, group homes, or foster care.

Zoey Here! And It's Halloween

Hey guys, Zoey here. How about this weather we are having? One day its raining like today, and the next it is sunny. I am not complaining though. It's fall and this is to be expected. I am so happy that this Saturday is Halloween! Baltimore has so much to offer this time of year. Did you know they have ghost tours of Fells Point? It was a blast! I learned so much about the history of that specific area, not to mention the stories. They were really interesting. If you are interested in taking the ghost tour check out their website (http://www.fellspointghost.com/order.html). It is a lot of fun, and the prices fit perfectly into a college student's budget.

On Friday, October 30th there is going to be a Halloween party, "The Monster Mash", from 8pm to 10pm in the International Center. I hope to see you there. They are having a costume contest, music, and food (of course). I don't know about you, but this seems to be a great way to start the holiday festivities a day early. So come on down in your costume. Also, if you want to, check out my youtube account and subscribe to my channel. I posted my first video last week (a tour of my home away from home). Here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnY1h21lkjo. If you like it keep checking back. I will have another video posted soon.

Hugs and Stars
Zoey

Campus Event !

Remember when I talk about priorities and how it is important to do those things that can enhance our lives or will make a difference ( hopefully positive difference). Well, please come to an event right here on our main campus where you will attain an appreciation for another culture...

What is it you ask?
The Phi Xi Chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi invites one and all to the "Focus on International Education" meeting.

Who? Dr. Marcia Thoma Taylor, MSDE, Social Studies Coordinator, will introduce the program Civitas Eurasia and a panel of Armenian educators visiting Maryland.

When? Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 7 p.m.

Where? Feeley International Center--Multipurpose Room

Educators and all those that love to learn about other cultures, this is a wonderful opportunity to expand your horizons. You can RSVP to kbull@ndm.edu or jsattler@ndm.edu . There will be a light meal and lively discussion with the panel on Armenian Education. Hope to see you there!

Time!

Hey all! Zoey here. :) Man, this week has been CRAZY and it's BARELY even started. Tons of work for the classes, and that midterm "break" we had over the weekend...does that even qualify? Because I had a ton of work over that supposed "break." :P

But, all in all, I am enjoying my classes this semester. The workload when you really sit down to think about it, though, isn't too bad. I just may, occasionally, procrastinate...well, who doesn't?! At least I'm loving the classes! :D

Bachelor Ball is coming up soon! Very excited. Too bad they changed the date to the 21st of November. Just gives me more time to get ready! Gotta get out to Towson Town Center and attempt to find a dress...on a college student's budget. Well, this oughta go interestingly. Perhaps I should start a "Donate to Zoey's Dress" fund. Anyone want to donate? Anyone?

Darn, I was hoping for some takers.

Anyway, darlings, I gotta fly. Class starts in a few. BUT! Feel free to email me, at zoeyndm@gmail.com! I want your feedback and questions! I am generally willing to write about anything, so feel free to email me with ideas! I'll also be getting ready to start posting Youtube videos--I like to catch my friends at random moments. Check me out HERE for those: http://www.youtube.com/user/rUaZOEY

See you all later!

Hearts and Stars,
Zoey

Priorities!

Hi, Everyone!
I've missed posting, but you know how it is~life happens... computers crash, children get sick, work sneaks up on you, and the next thing you know a week or two goes by and you wonder...what happened? Then you think back on all the stuff you did and become exhausted all over again just from thinking about it.
Well anyway life is all about priorities! What is important? What do you think is a priority in your life? Who/What are those people, things, and situations that take precedence in your life? When you have a lot on your plate, how do you decide what to do and in what order?
Everyday, I have to prioritize and many times will myself not to feel guilty or beat myself down about the decisions I make. I consciously try to accept the outcomes, as well as not allowing others to belittle my decisions. Sometimes you have to let people know that it's OK to be different and the decisions you make may not be the ones they would make, so don't 'should' on you! The ones closest to us, the ones we want to please and make happy, are the very ones that can't see the trees for the forest (smile). Here are a few quotes that I hope will help you enjoy the process and journey that is your life!

• The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
  By Marcel Proust
• You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think. The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think.
  By A Course in Miracles
• Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to make more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is in reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want. By Margaret Young

Priorities--we all have to make them, especially if you're a student and have a life outside of it. In my case, prayer and fasting have been a guiding light for me. It allows me to see things in a different light, and as a result I tend do things slightly different than before. It is amazing what a change in perception and perspective can do! Don't let life burden you down--PRIORITIZE and LIVE!

A Fun Weekend

I went to the Aquarium with two of my friends on Friday. We took advantage of $8 admission after 5 PM on Friday evening. I suggest you go because there was so much to see and I actually learned a lot. We even got to go to the Maryland Science Center for free. There were so many interesting and educational activities to do. It was really suitable for all ages. I had never been to the Inner Harbor. I found it to be very lively and beautiful at night. I look forward to going back to experience more of Baltimore!

Sisters Academy

The highlight of this past week for me was my visit to Sisters Academy, where I will be volunteering with several other NDM students. Sisters Academy is a school for girls in grades 5-8 from low-income families. Two eighth-graders gave three other students and me a tour of the school. It's really nice. Their work is displayed throughout the school and they are really proud of their accomplishments. After the tour, we each went to one of the clubs that the girls have on Fridays. I don't know when we'll be going back, but we are planning to go two or three days a week. I'm really excited even though I'm a little nervous. I'm hoping to tutor French and help with the drama club, but I'm not sure exactly how I'll be helping yet. There are a lot of great opportunities to get involved in service at Notre Dame from being a tutor/mentor at Sisters Academy to serving food at a homeless shelter to participating in a walk-athon or blood drive to alternative spring break and service abroad. Have you participated in a cool service experience recently? Tell us about it.

What Next?

Wow! What an interesting week as well as weekend. Try studying for mid terms and taking care of two children with the flu...eewwuuu Yes the flu! I didn't think I was going to make it. You know when children are sick they don't care about your mid terms. Are you serious? Mommy I need medicine,my throat hurts,my head hurts,OMG!!! Calgon take me away. Lol They are recovering well and I am truly blessed it wasn't anything other than that! Until next time keep warm and wash your hands.
Cutrina

Hi, my name is Shikha Potdar and I transferred to Notre Dame from University of Baltimore last spring. I was taking Corporate Communication and switched to Communication Arts with a minor in Digital Media Arts once I arrived at CND. I chose Notre Dame because I wanted a small school with an environment that focused more than the students as individually, the teachers had time for me,I had a wider variety of classes to take and I could meet new people, make friends and adjust better to Baltimore. I'm from Montgomery County and have basically gone to school there or in D.C. most of my life,so moving here was definitely an adjustment process.

My summer wasn't very eventful-I spent the entire summer taking summer school classes both sessions and rooming with a group of graduate students from John Hopkins. I enjoyed my classes thoroughly, but I didn't really get to do much this summer, except for go to Cafe Hon for the first time and see Cake at Artscape. I enjoyed Artscape a lot and thought it was great fun. After summer school was over, I went back to Montgomery County for a bit, visited Great Falls with friends and then went to Pittsburgh to visit family. The Andy Warhol Museum was interesting and so was the Dusquene Incline, but I wasn't there enough to see everything.

Halloween is coming up, so my friends and I went to pick out stuff for my costume while they decided what they wanted to be. No, I'm not telling-You'll have to come to the party and judge my costume for yourself. I'm hoping people guess it-It's a bit obscure, but I think a Religious Studies Major may get it. Despite having to go to two different stores, I'd still say it was the cheapest costume I've ever bought. We also stopped at Little Caeser's, which was just awesome-I haven't been to one since the late 80's/Early 90's and I felt like a kid again!

That picture on the top is from Artscape-Yes, it's the Yellow Submarine and played it, too. The one in the center Pittsburgh-I saw it outside of the Warhol Museum and thought it was just awesome. The last one is me and one of my roommates enjoying ourselves by the harbor during the 4th of July.

A little about me:

* I lived in New Mexico for a year and studied there as well.

* I had a makeup artist's license that expired because I was interested in theater and film, as well as fashion, fashion journalism and cosmetics. I worked backstage in various plays as well.

* I love archeology, traveling and went on a pilgrimage to various temples in India in 2006, participating in various rituals and witnessing festivals and ceremonies

* I love writing and hope to publish my novel eventually. I'm even trying to see if I can participate in NaNo WriMo this year.

* When I was 5 years old,I wanted to be an actress on Guiding Light, so my mother could see me on tv and said so in my graduation speech.

Play At Centerstage

Hi Everyone!

Last night a group of the Morrissy Honors students went to Centerstage to see the play "The Importance of being Earnest", which is originally written by Oscar Wilde. This was my first time at Centerstage, and even though I had only got about 5-6 hours the night before, followed by classes and my internship during the day, there was no way I was going to miss going out with my girls! I was also excited because I had never gone to Centerstage before, so I wanted to see first hand what the craze was all about.

After driving myself and three other girls to the play (I was one of 3 drivers), and meeting up with the other girls inside, I was glad I was able to hang in there and go. There was upbeat live music by two wonderful guys; one on saxophone, the other on the keyboards. You could tell they were having fun! The atmosphere inside is cozy and very nicely decorated. Tons of people waited and chatted to each other while they waited patiently for the play to start.

The play was hysterical! Running a total of 3 hours, the actors were terrific; they brought so much energy to their words that you could tell each one was having fun with the character they played. The set was also amazing. All the girls immediately were "taking dibs" on which pieces of furniture they wanted to bring home! I myself would not have minded picking up one of the black and white chairs they used in the first scene.

I am sad to report I have no photos, but here is a YouTube video for your viewing pleasure. I recommend going to Centerstage and seeing this play. You'll have a great night out on the town!

A New Day

Thursday to be exact.

This Thursday was a pretty lazy Thursday for me. In between classes I just slept. It is probably because I stayed up until about 5 am Thursday morning then got up at around 8 for my 9:25 class. Oh well, I still went to all my classes and was partially alert! I was really sad when there was no coffee when I went to breakfast, but I still managed to survive.

My Sociology class was fun. We discussed human rights in specific states concerning homosexual couples. There are few states that give same-sex couples the same rights as opposite-sex couples in marriage. This is one of the big issues of our day so I think it's important to stay informed on it. I think everyone should stand for something. At least have a passion. I believe that human rights are important, but the subject of same-sex marriages simply isn't my passion. I am quite passionate about animal rights though! I was a vegetarian for a little over two years and I recently quite because I really like eating meat (I'm serious). I really don't like nuts and beans, even after two years, and those are staple foods for vegetarians. My iron was starting to drop and all of that good stuff so I decided to go back to eating meat for a while. I might go back, but I'm not sure. I think everyone should try being a vegetarian for at least a month of their lives. It takes a lot of self control and you learn a lot about what you can do with food.

Anyways, my IDS was so fun today! We went to an ELI (English Language Institute) class to discuss the movie "Crash" with the students. We got to hear about their cultural prospectives and share our own. They all came from such different backgrounds, some having graduated from a university already, others already had started their career, while some had just left high school! There is so much diversity right here at CND that you cannot feel isolated from the world. I suggest having a conversation with one of the ELI students because we can learn some new things about their countries and they could learn a few things about us Americans!

I'm happy tomorrow is Friday and I'll be sure to take pictures at the aquarium and post them in my next blog!

-Kristin

The Libra Time of Year!

This weekend I turned 18!! (Whoop whoop) I was waiting for that day all year but the worse things happened to me the day before and the day of my birthday. My friends and I were going to go over to Loyola for a party but my friend left her I.D so we didn't go. Then on the way back, I droped my iPhone; that was horrible. My entire screen, well not the entire screen, more like the top right corner, cracked. It still hurt especially since I don't yet have the money to get another one. Then we got back to the dorm, ordered food, and the people brought me the wrong order! I had to wait another 45 minutes until they brought me another sandwich.

The morning of was okay though. I went home and picked up some things and when I got back to the dorm, my boyfriend was here waiting for me with cake and some beautiful pink roses. He is the best. Later that day I got another tattoo. I got "to live is to love" in chinese on my back. It did not really hurt and it is really pretty, but the thing that made me sad was that my mom was supposed to let me borrow the car so that me and my friends could drive to D.C and at the last minute she said I could not any more. My friends and I just ended up downtown at a club but we had so much fun! It was really hot in there, but it was fun. The day after my birthday my boyfriend took me to breakfast and we laid around. All in all my birthday weekend was nice.

Falling

It has been absolutely beautiful here on the NDM campus. I love how all the leaves are turning and you can feel the faint breeze of colder weather passing through!

I can't believe my Tuesday is already over. It's already the middle of the week! I've been having a great time in my classes this week, so Friday will be here before I know it. I'm going to the Aquarium on Friday! I'm really excited because I've never been. I keep hearing fabulous things about it, so I know I wont be disappointed.

My classes have been nothing short of super interesting! My IDS class is discussing racism and with such a diverse group of people, there has been some conflicting opinions. I love to hear what everyone has to say, whether I agree with it on not. I have definitely learned not to judge people because some people have the most amazing stories about from what they have come. Things do tend get heated, but it's a learning process so sometimes I am willing to be a little more tolerant and hear other people out.

My sociology class is starting to get a bit tense. We are going to have a full on discussion about human rights on Thursday especially dealing with sexuality. I know people have a lot of strong feelings on that topic, so it will be fun to be apart.

Everything else is going well, I'm finding things to do and loving college life!

Till next time!

-Kristin

Monday Again!

Well, it's Monday again... my weekends just seem to fly by! Sometimes I do wish for extended weekends...How about a weekend from Friday to Monday, that way the week will be shorter and the weekend can be enjoyed a little longer?
Oh well, I guess it's best to just get my assignments done during the week. So that I can enjoy every minute of my weekend, enjoying family and friend and just doing whatever I want to do.
I made my plan/schedule last week and I'm going to stick to it. Starting today! I want to savor the weekend when it does get here, although, the week doesn't seem to go by as fast! I take that back, it does when I have assignments due and I need more time:-)

Graduate School Applications

Hi Everyone!

Well, if you read my last entry you know that I am a senior at NDM majoring in Computer Information Systems and minoring in Digital Media Arts. I'm also a part of the Morrissy Honors program, a STAR (Student Team of Admissions Representatives), the editor-in-chief of Columns, and work in the IT (Information Technology) department on campus. I'm definitely a busy bee, that's for sure.

Nevertheless, right now one of my main priorities is looking and applying to several graduate schools. While I'm not exactly sure what I want to do in my field, because I have so many interests, I do know that I love technology and visual communications. Since I was a kid in middle school I began using the computer more and more, and began to love it little by little. Obviously, choosing Computer Info Systems as my major suited me the best. Going to NDM however was also a great choice not only because they had my major and some interesting Art classes, but being that NDM is a liberal arts college, I find myself enjoying many other topics such as graphic design and communications. Personally at this time last year when I was a junior, I was beginning to see how almost all my passions and interests really do combine/integrate with one another. Choosing a liberal arts college really makes its students well-rounded and educated in all aspects of life and academia.

The thing now is that I need to get going on is grad. applications!!! They are due in by December 15......... little time :-/ So, where I am I applying? Well, I'm looking into U. Baltimore, John's Hopkins in DC, DePaul University in Chicago, NYU, and MIT. MIT has the most interesting program out of all the others, and Johns Hopkins really has one of the best communication arts masters programs I have looked into thus far.

More updates to come shortly!!

~Nikki

New Beginnings

Hi everyone. My name is Rachel and I am a sophomore here at NDM. The new school year is well under way now and I can't believe that it's almost time for midterms. On a happier note, we just celebrated Honors Convocation and family weekend and organizations are having their first meetings and events of the year. Honors Convocation is a great celebration of the traditions and people that make Notre Dame special. It was nice to see a lot of my friends get awards and hear a freshman and an upperclassman talk about their experiences and what the Honor Code meant to them. As I listened to them, I remembered how I felt at that time last year. It felt a little wierd to put on a cap and gown to say the honor pledge when I felt like I had just graduated from high school but it was exciting at the same time. It was the beginning of a new adventure. This year, my adventure includes our school newspaper Columns, our new service sorority Omega Phi Alpha, and helping prospective students explore NDM as a member of STARS. It also includes changing my major but more about that later. After I finish this I will be going to the Omega Phi Alpha midnight breakfast. I think it will be a lot of fun. Looking forward to meeting those of you who are prospective students at the open house on Sunday.

Salsa Classes

LA BAMBA!!

I just got back from salsa classes I am taking here in Southern Maryland. Never before have I seen strangers be so open with each other! Refreshing to see some free spirits are still alive and thriving!! Anything goes in that class...even high heels matched with gray sweats. =)

I never knew I would relate knowledge learned in my graduate courses to salsa classes..but let me tell you...salsa is all about culture. Culture is embedded into their wiggly hips! Also, salsa classes are very insync with the "gender roles" I have been studying in Dr. Peterson's course this fall. We are not allowed to learn the "lead" dancing steps if we are female. It sort of blows my mind that we are forbidden....not that I really want to "lead" in a dance with my significant other..but hey...why not play around and learn the other way? What if I wanted to go out dancing to a latin club in D.C. with my girlfriends? Neither of us would know how to lead and we would just dance in circles looking stupid....Hmmmm. And how do lesbians and gays dance salsa? Who leads??? I see gender discrimination!!!

On another gender-influenced note-----I am going to a "Fancy Nancy" birthday party tomorrow for a little girl named Bella who is turning 6. (another reflection of our culture!!) If any of you are not familiar...Fancy Nancy is a theme party for children in which they wear pearls and nice hats with scarves and heels. Everything is glamorous. G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S. They drink tea. The idea of acting sophisticated and drinking tea alone is enough to make me show up. I'm 24 and I still think---THIS IS TOTALLY AWESOME....and at the same time......follows very strict gender roles. What if the little girls don't want to dress that way? What if they are tomboys? Not exactly fair...what are we teaching them? that if they don't wear all of these articles they are not PRETTY??......hmmm......still going though and still very excited to wear my Fancy Nancy dress from Target. =) Will post pictures later!!

Have a great weekend!

-------Float like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee.

Hola October :)

Well hello there October and my fellow NDM peers. It's only the first and things are moving ahead full speed and by full speed I mean; God help me midterms are coming!...I know I'll do fine because I don't procrastinate and I'm keeping on top of my study materials, as I know we all are. It's going to get even harder with all the awesome October events that are happening! I mean what's this Legends of the Fog that I keep hearing about? I'll definitely look into it because I love intentionally scaring myself. I don't know if you knew this, but Comic-Con is coming to Baltimore October 10th. I have to be honest; that's not my scene, but it actually sounds kind of fun, so I may check it out.

My adventures are still continuing here on campus! I'm learning more about myself everyday, especially in my sociology and social psychology classes. Today I learned that I neither identify as male, nor female, but somewhere in between or androgynous. This is really exciting to me. It just means I have the typical authoritative and dominant male characteristics as well as the caring and compassionate female ones. I learned all of this from Bem's Sex Role Inventory, of course. You should take it some time. You might be like, "wow, never looked at myself that way", or "yeah, I already knew that about myself". Either way it's still fun to do!

I also had the pleasure of attending Fraser Smith's lecture on his book about Maryland's overlooked players in the Civil Right's Movement. I have to admit that his night lecture was more interesting than the one during my IDS class. I suppose the difference in audience made him talk about different things. Anyways, turns out that his point of view showed how open and knowledgeable he was. I thought it was exciting that he got to write this book with all his own opinions after spending a lifetime trying to be objective as a journalist. Actually his book mostly gave facts about the people he studied, but still he just took his own time to focus on something that he was really passionate about. I hope one day I can do something like that, whether it be write a book or climb a mountain!

Well, I don't what this next week will bring (besides classes and homework), but I'm ready for it!

-Kristin