Ending October

Hey everyone!

These past few weeks have just flown by! I have had a lot of fun with my friends, from weekends in San Francisco and shopping in Corte Madera and attending the different campus activities. This past friday was the Halloween Dance - everyone got dressed up and had a great time. Yesterday, Dominican held a Haunted House in the old Meadowlands: all of the students and local neighbors came out and took part in the event. Those who were brave enough dared to take the tour throughout the house were able to be terrified. Halloween's coming up in just a few days and I can't wait to dress up and get ready with all my friends!

Last Wednesday, the first year liberal studies major's went on a field trip to Saint Raphael Preschool. We were able to see the school and tour the area where we will be observing spring semester. I am so lucky to be a part of the Dominican Liberal Studies program - not only is the program unique, it gives each student the opportunity to interact with the children so early in their college career. I cannot wait till next semester!

Luckily, I won't have too wait long! This semester is passing so quickly - I can't believe its already the end of October! I already have so many memories with the great friends I have made here. I am so happy I chose Dominican, its been such a great fit for me and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I hope you all are enjoying your senior year as much as I am enjoying my freshman year!

Good luck with everything!
Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Until next time,
Amanda :)

What? October?

WOW! October is already coming to a close! This school year is just flying by! Since my last post, I've been taking it pretty easy. I'm in between midterms, not too much homework; just in my usual routine of class, work, and the occasional night out on the town. :D But I can definitely feel the pressure of my next set of exams and papers coming!!

As for med school apps, I am in the process of my second rounds of applications! It's pretty intense! When you apply to medical school, you first have to fill out a common application for all the schools you are interested in, then you go through another round of applications specific to each school; after that, you may be asked to interview and then you are notified whether you have been accepted! Phew! Stresses me out just thinking of it all!! So right now is the time where I have to sell myself to these schools just by my responses to the short answer questions. I'm also at the point of asking professors for letters of recommendation. Luckily, at DU I've had the opportunity to really get to know all of my professors, so they will be able to attest to my academics and persona.

Other than that, I've planned my schedule for my last semester at Dominican, which was pretty cool. I only need 6 more units to graduate so I'm pretty much filling up the rest with fun classes! I'll be taking digital photography, neuroscience, epidemiology, foundations of fitness, a math class, and spanish music and dance. :D (remember I'm a math/science person, so all those classes are fun to me! :D

I'm excited for tomorrow because I'll be hosting a Grey's Anatomy social for my residents in the dorms!! I along with a lot of the DU population love that show! :D

Until next time, Have a great safe Halloween!!
Monika :D

Crisp fall at Dominican

I would say things at Dominican have been pretty busy these past two weeks! Mid terms are coming to a close but that means that we are headed towards the end of fall semester. The weeks are going by really fast.
I have a lot coming up, for starters I am studying for the LSAT which I will be taking in December. I am also planning on taking the GRE's so I can apply to PhD programs upon graduation.
I am also becoming an activist! It's pretty empowering, I recently participated in the MAWS march (Marin Abuse Women's Services). I got to help lead the rally chants and speak using the megaphone, it was so much fun and I think one of the most important things I have ever done up until this point in my college career. I am really happy to be a part of the Dominican Grrls group we marched together and rallied in hopes that one day domestic violence is something that will not be apart of any one's life. San Rafael has many opportunities to promote community activism and service.
I am currently in my senior year here at Dominican and am applying for a position to work with the future mayor of Fairfax as a job shadow. I think the position would be very beneficial for me because I would like to be an activist in the field of women's politics.
I hope that everyone realizes how much power they hold within their voice and takes active steps for the things that they value the most.

Until next time take care and enjoy the remainder of October.

-Miss Gretchen-

Well midterms are finally over, and I did pretty damn good on all of them if I don't say so myself. By far my two favorite classes, although the most stressful, are my Colloquium classes Medieval European History, and Medieval Art History. I know it sounds pretty boring but the teachers are great, and they really make this stuff exciting. Today, for example, we watched Kingdom of Heaven for both classes and we got bagels and cream cheese. How sweet is that?
But enough of school business, the highlight of the past week was definitely the spoken word concert we had this past Wednesday. Solomon Sparrows Electric Whale Revival a group of award winning slam poets came her to campus to perform their show, all because a student worked to arrange it. It was one of the most hilarious and thrilling shows I've ever seen. The poets were amazing and the crowd was getting into it, which in my opinion is key to a good concert.
So this weekend, besides the Campus Visit Day, I have a Geology field trip I'm not looking forward to but oh well. Hope everyone else has a great Halloween and a good next couple of weeks.
Until then...
Ciao.


P.S. If you wanna hear some of the poets go to: http://www.myspace.com/whalerevival

Wow! Half way there!

Alright...So midterms were the most crazy aspect of this year! I could not believe how many hours I spent studying for Organic Chemistry and Advance Microbiology. Organic Chemistry is seriously one of the hardest classes I have ever taken! There are so many formulas and structures to memorize! Sometimes I feel my brain wanting to explode! I have to admit, it's so much fun studying with friends though. The day before our midterm, a friend and I went to our friend's house at midnight and stayed up until 4 in the morning studying! It was fun and educational at the same time!!! A lot of laughs and

A.S.D.U is doing pretty good this mid way point. We are having so many events going on this October! We had our first annual battle of the classes and not to my surprise, the freshmen won! Seniors were second. Sophomores were third and my class, Juniors, came in last. What a shame!

This October, we are preparing this year's annual Haunted House in our own Meadowlands Dormitory. I am really excited to see how this haunt will be constructed. Last year, I was the director of it and it feels really good to pass on the torch and see someone else take charge of this project.

On Tuesday, I had my first meeting with the President of the University and the University Provost. We discussed issues on tuition, safety, and the student union. President Emily and I really made our points clear and will hopefully see Dominican's President and Provost implement all the suggestion we brought forth to them.

Well, I think that's about it for me! Life could not be any better!

Have a wonderful week!

DR

An End to Midterms

Hey everyone!

Since I last blogged things have gotten quite crazy. Midterms are now over and we all can once again kick back and take a much needed break.

Last week I celebrated my 18th birthday - with a great surprise party and a fun weekend with my family. It was a nice break in between cramming for midterms and all the events at Dominican. ADSU sure has been keeping everyone on campus busy, from the Battle of the Classes events, Chilly's trivia each Wednesday and all of our dances.

I was lucky to attend a big event for the Liberal Studies program - Jonathan Kozol speaking in Angelico Hall. He spoke about his new book "Letters To A Young Teacher" and how big of an influence we have on each of the students we have the privilege of teaching. I love how Dominican always manages to get a hold of such powerful and intriguing speakers to enlighten us on a variety of topics.

Yesterday was Dominican's fall break day and I managed to schedule a trip home this weekend. I am so happy to be able to spend some time with all my friends and loved ones but miss everything back at Dominican. I cannot wait to get back to school and spend more time with my roommates and all of my friends.

The Ambassador program has been going quite well. We have our next campus visit day on Saturday the 20th, and I can't wait to meet all of the prospective students. Hope to see you there!

Until next time,
Amanda :)

8 weeks down, 7 more to go!

This semester is flying!!! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was moving my stuff back to campus and telling myself that I would not procrastinate this year! :D In the whirlwind of the last few weeks, I finished my first set of exams, sent off my medical school application, and celebrated my 21st birthday!! This year is definitely going well!

On campus lately there have been activities galore. I'm always impressed by ASDU and the events they host throughout the semester, especially since it is run by the students. When midterms come around and most people are freaking out, there are still fun stress-relieving activities available for students such as the intermural sports and movie nights. It's funny but you can tell when midterms come around because you see a lot more people in the library at any given time and many more late night visits by the Domino's deliverymen. :D

A new event that I'm really intrigued by is the "DU Male Auction." Kapamilya, the Asian/Pacific Islanders club is hosting an event where guys from DU will be auctioned off in exchange for a favor. That's next week, so I'll keep you posted!

On Monday, we had a senior graduation orientation meeting. I still cannot get over the fact that in a few months I will be a Dominican alum! The meeting basically went over our senior audits (which outline what classes you have taken and what requirements they have met) and some basic graduation information. This year, graduation is going to be on May 17.

Tomorrow is our official opening of the science center. I'm going to be speaking, so I'm a little nervous, but looking forward to it!

Until the next time, have a good one!

Its October!!

Hey there!!!
It's October already, it's all very excited the semester is moving right along. This Friday is fall break day and that means no school! This is good because I need an excuse to get out of town and spend some time with a good friend of mine. Most students take this time to do some extra studying and get back on track with their homework. Luckily the majority of my midterms have passed and I am in the clear!
This Tuesday The Dominican Grrrls is hosting a feminist discussion, we are expecting a great turn out and hope to involve as much of our student body and community as possible! We are also planning on marching for Marin Abused Women's services (MAWS) the event is October 21st a Sunday, the purpose it to demonstrate that domestic violence and other types are still an issue in today's world and even in our own backyards. The rally will begin at Dominican and we will continue to march down fourth street. Some of our group members are planning on wearing prom dresses with combat boots. Femininity and women's rights are not possible with out a fight. WALK ON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! For more information please check out www.maws.org all are welcome!
When I'm not working in the community I am projecting my energy towards my senior thesis and planning for next year after I graduate. My thesis is primarily an observation using magazines as primary resources that asks the question does the dating advice in contemporary magazines enforce gender roles?
Take care!!
-Miss GRETCHEN

First Post!

So this is my first post...kinda exciting.
I guess I should introduce myself. Brandon's the name. I'm a Communications major, Pre-Law Minor. You can read my profile to find out more.
Well its been awhile since school started so I've settled in and my classes are all going very well. Just got through some midterms and have a big test in Politics and the Media on Monday.
Well one of the things that I've been doing lately is going to Chilly's Quiz Night, one of the intramural events here at school. It's pretty exciting. You pay two dollars and, with the help of your team, answer some pretty tough trivia questions. Winner takes the pot. My team has won twice. Paul Raccanello, the Assistant Dean of Student Life is not too bad at music trivia of the early nineties.
New catalog came out for Spring classes. It's always a good feeling to think about the new semester. I'm hoping to take some pretty good classes.
Well besides those few things life has been pretty standard. Fun things on the weekends (and Wednesday's Quiz Night) and school work during the week. I have to keep reminding myself that I am going to school and get my work done. Back to reading my Medieval European History.

Ciao.

Meetings, Classses, and then sum

There's been a lot going on in the world of David. I can honeslty say I have never felt so busy in my life! With meetings after meetings and homework after homework, it's just wow! Since my last post, I think there's been a lot going on that's making my time here at Dominican go by quick. We've had so many great events on campus such as movie night in Angelico, karaoke nights in the student union and small little socials that invovled free food! I think one of the highlights is going to the ballet with some Dominican students who are part of the LINES ballet program. I personally have never attened a ballet before and at first I was a little skeptical about going because I never thought I would be interested in something like this but...As the night went on and the show began, I was amazed with the body formation and the flexability some of these dancers performed! Being the science lover I am, I was mesmorized by the physiology of these dancers and while they were performing, I was reciting in my head which mucles where being used and thinking about the different types of tissues that were invovled in each movement...Yes, I know this sounds very nerdy but hey, I'm trying to be a doctor :-)
The Green club---one of the clubs that I am president of---is making progress in creating a recycling program on DU campus...Unfortuntaley, we have nothing in terms of recycling and recently, we have received backing from the university provost in stepping forth with this program. All green members are very excited to see what will become of this...It makes me smile to see students making the initiative to strive for a greater good for Dominican's enviornment.

This is week is battle of the classes week at Dominican. We are having different activities each day to see who will win the title of best class. Some of the events include twister, sumo wrestling, dodgeball, and a relay race. The winning class will be presented at this week dance with a decor of its class color. Today was the first event and seniors prevailed over the other classes...Let's see how these next events turn out...I will especially be including the results in my next post.

Classes are going well for me. I finally got my calculus exam back today and I was really excited about my grade...I never thought I would get an A on a calculus exam..Yes it was take home but I did work very hard in understanding the material. But overall, I think I need to study a little harder for certain classes and just take time in reading the material in books...Oh reading sometimes makes me sleepy!

Well, I think that's all I have for now. More meetings this week for me to attend! Have a wonderful day!

-David