Cyber Diem Project

My friends/main characters in my Cyber Diem Project

From left to right: Ariel, Lawren, Carly, Samantha

As of today, I have 11 days until I return to my hometown in New Hampshire for the summer. The past month I have been immensely busy with projects and finals in all of my classes. Tonight, my project I'm most proud of will be showing in Rosen Auditorium at 7pm as part of the Cyber Diem Project.

The Cyber Diem Project is the final for my Visual Anthropology class. Basically, everyone in my class (all five of us) were asked to create a 24 minute documentary, each minute roughly acting as an hour of a day. We have been watching documentaries from every time period this semester and have a good understanding of what goes into making one. This endeavor was easier said than done.

My documentary was about my four best friends at Lasell. After days and weeks in the library, it became a coming of age story about them, documenting their struggles and worries about their futures. The most beautiful part about my movie was that our friendship was portrayed so well. I'm very excited to be part of this project and think it's great for students across campus to come and watch what their fellow students have accomplished.

The Cyber Diem Projects will be showing tonight at 7pm in Rosen. There will be free pizza and drinks!

The Most 'Foreign' Activity Offered at Lasell

This year, between homework, club meetings, activities and friends, I have been quietly working on something that I hope will change my view on the world for the rest of my life... I have been filling out paperwork, renewing my passport and applying for an Italian visa because I'm studying abroad in Florence, Italy next semester!
My family has rich Italian and Irish backgrounds and it has always been my dream to visit both places. At the beginning of this school year I knew I wanted to study abroad and Lasell made it so easy! There were various meetings and that helped me decide which program best fit me. I chose to travel through AIFS and they have been a huge help. Constant conversing through e-mail with my admissions officer has kept me up to date on everything I need to do and have done.
Two days ago I got my official acceptance letter and it was that moment when the excitement really sunk in. Studying abroad is such an amazing opportunity, one that I am so glad I am taking advantage of. I think it is extremely important for American students to travel and gain a better understanding of countries other than our own. I am taking one communications class, various elementary Italian language courses and a number of art and photography classes.
The cost to travel right now is absolutely horrendous, though through the Lasell College study abroad program traveling to another country and studying there is no more than your yearly tuition. Thankfully, this means all of my financial aid also carries over! The only money my family and I have worry about is for my flight and spending money.
To experience a new culture, language and way of life is something I have always wanted to do and I truly look forward to opening my mind to a new and exciting country!

Reflection Halfway Through College...

As the year slowly, but surely, comes to a close, I've recently begun to reflect on what I have done my past two years at Lasell. Realizing that I am half way through my college career is scary, but also very exciting. My whole life I've been looking towords college and had only vague dreams of what comes after... but, here I am! Successful, and almost completely finished.
I don't have many regrets about how I have conducted myself thus far in college. Though, my biggest piece of advice, to any current or prospective student would be to become involved within your school as early as possible. Becoming involved with a group or activity on campus opens you up to so many new people, challenges and adventures. The only regret I could truly say I have about the past two years is that I didn't take that advice and only became involved my second year at school.
The Office of Student Activities is a great place to start if you are searching out a club to join. Clubs on campus range from environmental awareness, like Urth, tolerence, like S.A.F.E., or even the Campus Activity Board.
Entering college is terrifying and walking in to a meeting with a club you are unsure of is also, but in the end it really is worth it. Becoming involved on campus will give you an amazing sense of belonging. As part of a club you feel needed, you have something to do with your free time, and you can even sometimes make a difference.

Seasonal Activities

Women's lacrosse players (and Boomer!) honor their senior players on "senior day."

Photo borrowed from Ariel Walkmark's facebook.

Spring is in the air and seems to be treating everone on campus well. Lasell has been buzzing with students who have been locked up all winter and just now starting to see the promise of summer.

As I stated in previous posts, I live in Rockwell (the residence building closest to the lacrosse turf) and activities and spirits have surely changed on that side of campus. On a sunny afternoon it's not uncommon to see groups of people congregating on the turf, kicking soccer balls, playing some lacrosse or just sunning and chatting with friends.

Lacrosse, baseball, and softball have all gone into full swing in the past few weeks. All of the teams have been experiencing surprisingly good turn outs at games. Each event has proved to be a great time not only to socialize but also to get a taste of school spirit.

Another trend across campus this season: The Library. With finals leaving us with two or three weeks left to tie up loose ends for projects and papers, the library has become quite the hot spot on campus. I, myself, have spent the majority of my free time there this week working on papers and even a Window's Movie Maker project for my documentary film class.

Besides the minor monsoon-like rains we have been experiencing the past week or so, it's obvious that the activities on campus have been making a smooth shift from winter to spring.

Off Campus Activities

This past year my friends and I have started taking advantage of activities off campus as well as on. As I mentioned in a past post, hiking is something we've grown to really enjoy and try to do regularly. As well as places you can reach by car, the T has been a big help in finding a remedy for a boring afternoon on campus.
Lately, a lot of great bands have been coming through The House of Blues Boston on 15 Lansdowne St. Over spring break I saw my favorite band, Bloc Party, play there and in late April Jack's Mannequin will be coming through as well. Bands and singers of all genres seem to stop in The House of Blues and most of the shows are all-ages. Getting there is extremely easy from the Woodland T stop near Lasell. Take Woodland to the Kenmore stop, walk up Brookline Ave. towords Fenway Park, take a left on to Lansdowne St and the House of Blues is right acroos from Fenway Park... How much easier could it get?
Another fun place directly off the T is Newbury Street. Take the green line to Hynes Convention Center and you're there! Great shops, boutiques and restaurants can be found here- even if you want to window shop this pricey walk will not dissappoint. At walking distance to the Prudential Center, their shopping mall and The Top of the Hub is also easily accessible.
Some more great places to visit would be The Museum of Fine Arts on the E train on the green line, or The Aquarium. The Aquarium has it's own stop on the blue line, but is also in walking distance from Government Center. Both of these places have discounts for college students and provide hours of entertainment.
Taking advantage of the T and other public transportation systems can save you a lot of cash and most definitely takes the stress out of parking in the city! So, if the college scene doesn't do it for you, you're lucky because, here at Lasell, Boston is your back yard.

"Boomer's" Reveal

Last night, the school mascot was revealed. A surprisingly large amount of students filtered into the Athletic Center. Small flashlights were given at the door representing, what we soon found out, was a laser.

At about 7:45pm, a casually dressed President Alexander was introduced. He dramatically read a speech reviewing Lasell College sports and pride, present and past. It was buzzing through the students how great it was to see him there, so enthralled in what was going on.

When the lights were turned down, small flashlight-lasers shot through the dark and howling students could be heard straight across campus. The tension was high and finally our mascot was revealed: Boomer the Torchbearer. A navy blue character who looks like he shot out of the sky... laser-like? How fitting.

So that was that, Boomer is Lasell College's first official mascot! As we all know, torches have played a large part in Lasell history since the beginning when they started being used at graduation ceremonies. A torchbearing mascot seems more than appropriate.

As I see it, the reveal was an overall success. The new mascot was very well recieved. It was a great opportunity for all students to come together, united in a fun and historical moment on campus.

Picture borrowed from the Boomer the Torchbearer Facebook Fan Club.

Spring Break on a Budget

For my Magazine and Feature Writing class last week we were asked to write two short features relating to Spring Break. Immediately my mind shot to how my spring break would be spent... on a budget.

Not everyone has the money to fly to Cabo and sip on fruity drinks this school year. Here are four tips on how to take advantage of your surroundings and save some cash this spring break.

1. Do something for your community. Volunteering is free and an immediate boost to any resume. Instead of sunning on beaches, conduct your own clean up! Everyone feels good after friends, beach, and indulging in something “green.”
2. Find something new in your old town. A state park, nature trail or museum could be hiding around any corner. Most local parks and museums don’t involve any fee and often can lead you to other interesting locations.
3. Host a BYO party- everyone gets involved! Another way to reconnect with high school friends, “bring-your-own” parties are creative and promise a good time. Everyone will be relieved to have a low-pressure, inexpensive evening.
4. Do something for yourself. For guys, this might mean spending some time at the gym or playing your favorite video game. Or for girls, getting a blow out at your local hair salon can cost as low as $20 and is a great way to get a little confidence boost.

No matter what you do, make sure your Spring Break is safe, fun and maybe even inexpensive!

Hiking at Noon Hill

A couple of weekends ago, my roommates and I realized we were all getting restless in our dorm rooms. The usual weekend routine was driving us nuts and we wanted to do something different! A recent snow drew us outdoors and with a little research we found Noon Hill in Medfield, MA.

Just over a half hour drive from Lasell, Noon Hill looked as though we had stopped in the northern most part of Maine! There were 4.5 miles of trails, just strenuous enough at points to feel challenging. The snow was white and the trees bare, everywhere you looked was a photo-op!

Reaching the top of the Hill at 370 feet felt like such an accomplishment! It was refreshing to be outdoors and challenging ourselves in other ways than just academically. It was a great bonding experience for my roommates and I. It's never easy living with three other people, but it is so important to keep those bonds strong- your rommates become your family-away-from-home and it's not uncommon to fight like siblings sometimes! Pushing and supporting each other to achieve a common goal was extremely rewarding for everyone involved.

Directions to Noon Hill could not be easier:
Start out going SOUTHEAST on COMMONWEALTH AVE/ MA-30 E toward CHESWICK RD.
Turn RIGHT onto WASHINGTON ST/ MA-16.
Merge onto I-95 S/ MA-128 S toward DEDHAM/ PROVIDENCE RI/ CAPE COD.
Merge onto MA-109 W via EXIT 16B toward WESTWOOD.
Turn LEFT onto MA-27/ SPRING ST. Continue to follow MA-27.
Turn RIGHT onto SOUTH ST.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto NOONHILL RD.
End at Medfield, MA

Though the Lasell Campus continuously offers students speakers, movies, dances and other various activities of interest, it always feels healthy to get off campus once an a while. Hiking is just one option and was, in this case, free! If you don't have the luxury of a car on campus (or a roommate with a car!) the T and commuter rail open a world of options.

Want more information about Noon Hill? Visit http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/342_noon_hill.cfm or call 781-784-0567.

Dr. Roberts Speaks at Lasell!

Last Monday, Lasell College had the pleasure of having Dr. Terrence Roberts of the "Little Rock Nine" speak in deWitt Hall.

In 1959, Dr. Roberts was one of nine African American students integrated into Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This historic event is recognized because Dr. Roberts became one of the first nine black students to go to a formerly segregated public high school in Little Rock and across the country.

His riveting speech touched on a number of topics, such as: how we continue to be confused by the construct of race, how our concept of community is still developing and how the lessons learned from "Little Rock" affects our decision making today.

A much sought after speaker, Dr. Roberts lectures on a variety of different subjects. It was a proud moment at Lasell to have him share his time and experiences with our community.

An Introduction...

It is currently 8:30AM on this icy morning at Lasell College and I have successfully made the trek across campus from my dorm, Rockwell, to work on the second floor of the Campus Center. My name is Jordan and I'm a sophomore here at Lasell. I am a Communications major with a focus in Journalism and work in the Office of Student Activities.
Coming in to work this morning I braced myself along with the other shuffling bodies making their way to class, work or breakfast. I've exchanged "hellos" with friends I passed on my way and "good mornings" to past and present professors. The beauty of Lasell, especially on a morning like this morning when walking is not preferable, is the smaller size of the campus. This means smaller classes and a more intimate student/teacher ratio. There are few people on campus I don't know or know of and even fewer that I've never seen before.
As I stated earlier, I live in Rockwell. It's one of the newer residence halls nestled behind the freshman dorms, McClelland and vanWinkle. Rockwell is primarily a sophomore dorm and is also occupied by a large amount of Lacrosse players. My roommate, Ariel plays lacrosse and so does one of my suitemates, Lawren... as well as the majority of boys on our floor. As a girl who has never been too interested in sports, living with people who have that passion has definitely been an eye opening experience. It's amazing the different types of people you meet living on campus in college.
I met Lawren last year in my old dorm, McClelland. Both of our roommates were rarely on campus and we found comfort in having someone else to spend our time with. Lawren introduced me to her friends and I did the same for her. Two of Lawren's friends, Ariel and Carly, were on the lacrosse team and by the end of the year they were looking for a fourth person to live with them next year in Rockwell. I was quick to accept the offer, and it is one of the best decisions I've made at Lasell! Living with three other girls is not always easy, but between the four of us we each add something unique to what has become an amazing friendship.
My job is also something I am thankful to have found myself with this year. My freshman year was difficult, as it is for many first years. I missed home, old friends and family and because of that I found myself not always putting myself out there to join clubs and involve myself in many activities on campus. Entering school this year I had a different outlook: I am exactly where I should be and I am going to enjoy it to the fullest. Being involved with the Office of Student Activities, I feel an even stronger connection with my campus. I know what is happening at Lasell and find myself further enjoying what this campus has to offer me. This year I joined a new club called Urth Club and was recently appointed secretary. Urth club focuses on our community, recycling, sustainable living and the benefits of "going green." I doubt I would have become affiliated with such a great group if I had not been more involved at school.
My job here is also fun- my bosses have taken the time and gotten to know all of the work studies in the office and isolated what they do best. At work I design and create bulletin boards hung around campus and write for this blog. Writing is a passion of mine and I am beyond excited to be able to do it now at work. Lasell is a great school in an awesome location filled with impressive students, faculty and staff. There is no doubt in my mind I will have a lot to write about this semester!