Changing of the Guards

posted by: Zuri

Okay, so I was really excited about going to see Andy Warhol's work, however it wasn't as interesting as I intended. The worst part about it all was that it took more time trying to find the place then to see the art. I was literally in there for eight minutes. Also, the gallery was featuring his earlier works which weren't as colorful and entertaining as his later pieces. However, something good happened to me. I got to meet the mayor of "the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea" where I am a resident for the next four months. The school gave an American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) reception at the town hall and we were all able to meet and mingle with him.

This past week I also got to see the Changing of the Guards. It's when the new guards replace the old guards that watch over Buckingham Palace. They are replaced every 48 hours and given a huge celebration everytime. But, that's pretty much it, I have two group projects to look forward to this upcoming week, so I guess I should get started.

Until next time.

Zuri

Fashion Show

posted by: Joshabel

Hey again,
So, we just started planning the fashion show that will be going on at Rider in about two months. There's so much work to do, but, I'm so excited for it. Auditions are going to be in just a week and I will be one of the judges! The show will be co-sponsored by three organizations: Women's Center, the Black Student Union, and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
In class, we've had so much reading that it's hard to keep up but when the professor reviews it in class it's great because it reinforces everything that I read. Taking two French classes back to back has been even better because I've been improving on my French skills dramatically. With two hour and a half sessions of each class: An Introduction of French Literature and Special Studies: Francophonie, it's hard not to improve.

The best part about classes though is that I've planned them so that none start before 10 AM so that I can go mentor kids at the Emily Fisher Charter School. Recently, the program has switched so that I am now mentoring eighth grade students instead of high school students. I feel that much more progress has been made and that they are much more receptive to accepting some direction from a college student. Now, when I walk out of the school I feel like I've accomplished something and it really makes me feel good! Well, 'til lata!

joshii!

"The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself-the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us-that's where it's at." -Jesse Owens

Internship is fun!

posted by: Katie

It's been another long week, and I've been super busy as always. My internship is becoming a lot of fun - now I have been finding stories that I want to pitch for a tv segment. It's really cool, finding stuff that I choose, and if it gets on the air, then it was my idea! It makes me feel like I am actually working at a big network, doing something the network can actually use.

I've also been really busy with the television studio. Going out and taping events, and then editing them can take some time. Like until 1am kind of time, but it's all worth it, watching what I have done myself make it on air. I'm really excited that the communications department is starting the Rider University Network online, so people can now go online, anywhere in the world, and check out the station, and see what's playing right then. Now people can watch me as the anchor, all over the world- maybe help me get a job...? I like my major though- it's not just writing papers, it's entertaining people, which makes it the best major, and job, out there. For example, this Friday was the Rider Rumba, a dance-a-thon to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. My job was to go there, tape the event, and have fun! It was a blast, Rider raised a lot of money, and there were some great prizes, like a hotel stay in Atlantic City, and a 9 day Carribean Cruise to the person who raised the most money.

Even though I have been super busy, I do find time to hang out with friends, and just relax. Right now, the game Guitar Hero on Playstation is sweeping the campus-literally. Everyone seems to be playing it. I even got it as a Christmas present and play it in my room. It's definetly the thing to do after classes and homework.

But now I am off again...and will most likely play Guitar Hero after class, work and meetings...something to look forward to during this busy time!

~Katie

My two courses in London

posted by: Zuri
So, I'm really enjoying myself in London. The classes aren't that bad. I set up my schedule so I can have Fridays free which will allow me to travel on the weekends cheaper. I noticed though, that the school system in England focuses more on group projects than individual projects as we would more commonly have in the U.S.. I have a group project in every class. I'm not complaining though, because I find it less stressful for me.

I was smart during course registration time and decided to take two courses that allow trips once a week. The first is "History of London" which I find rather interesting because I learn so much more about my new home away from home. Not to mention, the professor takes us to museums every Wednesday. So, far I have gone to the Museum of London and the British Museum. However, this is the only course that I have to pay a fee because some of the museums charge. I had to pay 20 pounds which is equivalent to 40 U.S. dollars. Yea, I know it might sound like alike, but you can't really think about it when you spend money because you'll never buy anything. At least that's what I keep telling myself (haha). The other class is "Art in Context". The basis of this class is to be able to look at a work of art and be able to tell exactly what the artist was thinking. I find it so exciting. I always wanted to be that person that can walk in a gallery and decipher the meanings of the art work with no hesitation. Sounds fun right? So, every Tuesday this professor takes us to art galleries. So, far we have gone to the White Cube Mason's Yard Gallery and saw the work of Anselm Kiefer. He's a German artist who's most famous for his two monumental towers titled Jericho. They are suppose to represent the Twin Towers. But, I'm so ecstatic for the upcoming Tuesday because we are going to see the work of Andy Warhol at the Timothy Taylor Gallery. His name speaks for itself!
Until next time.

Zuri

Black History Month

posted by: Joshabel

What a week! Black History Month officially began yesterday and, at Rider, the Black Student Union has a series of events which this year show the impact of black. Maxine Maxwell performed in the Bart Ludeke Center theatre last night and it was truly an amazing moment which even brought tears to my eyes. The show that she performed was called "Echoes of the Past" and it was a series of five monologues which really made me experience and feel the pain and strength the people that she portrayed have.

This semester my classes are amazing! I have two French classes and an enthralling History course and of course I told you about my course in Jamaica over winter break and then I have a course called the Student Global Village. The Student Global Village is a course where we videoconference with students from the American University in Cairo, Egypt. We've been preparing ourselves by learning about the region's history and culture and we begin video-conferencing on Valentine's Day! I will update you when we start that portion of the course.

Right now I'm on duty (it's my turn to take care of the building) so 'til lata!

joshii!

I'm graduating in May

posted by: Nick
The second week of classes is almost over already… time sure flies! I wish time would slow down. I'm graduating in May, so I'd like to stretch my last semester at Rider out as long as possible. I'm really going to miss it here, but, I have a couple months before I have to worry about that!

I'm taking a full course load this semester. Actually, one of my classes is a graduate-level class. I am ahead and I only need four classes to finish my undergraduate degree, so I got approval to take the graduate class as a second semester senior. It's pretty exciting! I really am enjoying my classes so far. All of my professors are awesome, which definitely makes the classes much more enjoyable. The course material is also very interesting because I'm taking all of my major core courses.

So far, I've managed to keep one of my New Year's resolutions of going to the gym regularly. I've worked out a schedule to go three times per week for an hour. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will last throughout the rest of the semester.

My fraternity (Sigma Phi Epsilon) is also keeping me busy. It's "rush" right now, which is the period of time during the first few weeks of school when there is a big push to recruit new members. It continues until Bid Day, which is on February 17 th , so we'll be holding a lot of recruitment events until then. So far, we've had a Guitar Hero (which seems to be the latest craze to take over Rider's campus) tournament and a BBQ. We're also planning a Superbowl Party, an Applebee's night, and a video game night, as well as a few others.

I've also been busy running the Interfraternity Council, which I'm the President of. We had our winter retreat before we moved back to school and we had our first meeting on Tuesday. My schedule also includes Student Government Senate meetings, working in the Admission Office and at the Information Desk in the Student Center and homework.

Yes, I'm busy, but I really do love everything that I'm involved with at Rider. Plus, I'll be working full-time after I graduate, so I have to get used to a busy schedule. OK, time to get some homework done… talk to you soon!

-Nick