My thoughts on Ch. 9

So I read Chapter 9 in our MUSE textbook and it was about learning to express yourself verbally and on paper. There were some helpful tips about how to speak in front of audiences and make sure the papers you write have some of your flavor mixed in.  If you are giving a formal speech, you might encounter a few obstacles and it is your challenge to overcome them and come out on top. Most people don't like public speaking so you're likely going to be nervous like most. You may lose track of what you are saying, stutter, shake, and avoid eye contact. To eliminate these, write key points on index cards, take a deep breath if you feel a sense of anxiety, and pause for a few moments to smile at your audience. Those are the tricks I use.

What am I doing on Furlough Day?

Well, you see, because of all the budget cuts in California, CSU schools are forced to have these furlough days. We pay more tuition, we get less schooling. So today, almost all classes are closed...kinda like a snow day but not.
Knowing I had no classes today, I stayed out til 3am. That destroyed my sleep schedule so I slept til 1pm. Then went to the DC, ate pizza, watched Hitch, then came back to my dorm where I am now. Sounds kinda boring I bet. I do have homework to do, or at least that I should be doing. Then tonight, my friend and I are pulling a prank on my friend.
You see, one of my friends is a Dodgers fan, the other is a die-hard Giants fan. (When questioned, she said she would never marry a Dodgers fan, even if he was super hot, the "one", or if her life depended on it). She's gone in SF til Wednesday so me and my Dodgers fan friend are going to cover her dorm door in Dodger memorabilia, articles of them beating the Giants, and pictures of her celeb crush Taylor Lautner, who is a Dodgers fan. I wish I could be there to see her face when she gets back and sees it. I'll update on how things went and her reaction.

SeLf pOrTrAiT PoEm

Alyssa
Caring , creative, fun-loving, friendly
Related to my dad, mom, and my 2 brothers
Care deeply for my family, my friends, the world
Feels independent, anxious, excited
Needs to get better cable channels, some mail, a hug
Gives love, baked goods, a smile
Fears being alone in life, creepers, being trapped
Would like to see a movie at the theater, my kitty, my friends back home
San Diego, Jane Street
Toshach

Manage Your Time Effectively

I like to think that I can manage my time between academics, social time, and "me" time.  I do this because it is important to me to have a balanced schedule that doesn't make my life too stressed out. By using these simple methods, I keep from [completely] procrastinating on assignments but allowing myself to have fun, as well.
1)  Write down everything in one planner! As referred to in my Tips & Tricks sections, it's a great idea to write down your deadlines for assignments as soon as a teacher mentions it. Pencil works best because not all teachers stick to the deadlines. Also keep track of social events, doctor appointments, work, friends' birthdays, etc.
2)  Don't wait til 11pm to write a paper if its due the next day. Contrary to the "Quiet Hours" in the dorms, people tend to get louder around 10pm-midnight (playing Nerf wars in mine). There are other distractions so just help yourself out and type up your paper before then.
3) Save time for sleep. No one likes to be around you when you are grumpy.
4) Save trips to the mall, to a local restaurant, or other places off campus for the weekend.
5) Make sure to schedule some time for yourself. Sit down with a good book, watch late night TV, or catch up wth family on the phone or Skype.

Combatting Loneliness

College is a big place with lots of people. This might make you feel all alone. It's time to make friends. Here's some of my suggestions:
- Leave your dorm room door open when you're inside. People will stop and say hi if they see someone in there and you will meet new people on your floor.
- Sit next to people in the dining commons. Or at least sit nearby and ask them what movie is playing and start the conversation there.
- Meet people in your classes.
- Join a club, group, or dare I say, go greek.
- Carry on with your daily activities. I've met one of my closest friends here in the laundry room.
- Be yourself! Everywhere you go and everything you do...It will draw people in.

Library Resources

Last Wednesday, my MUSE class met in the library to learn about the available resources that we can use in all of our classes on papers. We were taught how to effectively use the library catalog to find books, articles, and media. He also taught us how the article databases are sorted by subject and told us to make sure to document our resources to make the bibliography easier later. I asked how to place a hold on a book that is currently unavailable and he told us that we can also have a book shipped from another university library. I learned a lot from the lecture and now I know what resources I can use to make my papers complete.

Scavenger Hunt Reflection

Last week, my partner Maya and I were assigned to do a campus wide scavenger hunt.  We answered most of the 72 questions online but a few questions we needed to go around campus to find the answer for. The funniest one asked where people 21+ could obtain an alcoholic drink on campus. We asked people who were walking by or sitting on benches but no one seemed to know. Finally we asked the information desk in the Student Union and they directed us to the Market Cafe. Sure enough, it's a cafe and a pub. We had fun doing it and learned new things about San Jose State that we may have not ever known without doing the scavenger hunt.

3 Songs Stuck in my Head this Week

"La Camisa Negra"
by Juanes


"I Would Understand"
by Third Eye Blind


"Heartbreak World"
by Matt Nathanson

Similar Differences (Me & Elaine)

My roommate, Elaine, and I moved into our Hoover dorm 2 weeks ago.  Previously, we talked mostly on AIM about our personalities, music, classes, what to bring, and our excitement. She and I seemed to get along so I was looking forward to meeting her. I wouldn't say that we have sparked an amazing friendship and that we'll keep in touch afterwards, but we get along well.  We share my fridge and TV and her printer and microwave. I've met her friends that come to visit and she's met mine.

Our differences, you ask? 
- She lives in SF so she goes back home from Thursday night to Monday morning. I'm here til Christmas.
- Her side of the room is simple, not too much decor. Mine consists of my colorful scrapbook paper on the corkboard, my giraffe collection, and pictures from home.
- She likes to eat out with friends around town. I stick with eating food at the DC (after all, I am paying for it even if I don't go) but with my friends too.


Similarities?
- We have pretty much the same sleep and class schedule.
- We like the same music.
- We're both "hella" chill about our room...we keep our stuff on our own sides, keep it reasonable picked up, and try to be considerate when the other is studying


So we might not end up as best friends but I am glad she's my roommate. We can coexist in a semi-small place and share our new experiences.

Dorm Life

Walking back from my shower, I encountered one group of people standing in one hallway trying to figure out the huge Sudoku and in my hallway, there was a group of guys playing Frisbee from one side to the other. This is what it's like dorming in SJSU's Bricks (Hoover, in partcular)...and I wouldn't have it any other way :)