5.5 hour break

Hey guys so today I have two of my finals- Principals of Finance and Ethics. What that means is I have a 5 and a half hour break between my classes. So today I'll be sitting in the library watching southpark.

It's such an amazing thing that berkeley college has free wifi for its students and pretty comfy couches located throughout the building. Otherwise I'd have to use a desktop computer and I just don't find sitting at a desk all too appealing in comparison to lounging on a comfy couch.

On more academic levels I finished my principals of finance final today and I think I did really good! The only question I wasn't too sure on was one involving IRR. In truth, I wasn't too sure what IRR even was. However, after trying a bunch of different formulas and equations I think I got how to solve the problem!

I also got my research paper back from Principals of finance and I got an A-. I'd tell you why I got the minus but I haven't the fondest notion because he didn't write any comments on my paper.

Personally I can't stand when professors do that because I almost feel as if they didn't read my report. Nonetheless, he said if I ever needed any help in the subject to feel free to bother him so I''m sure he wont mind if I ask him about that minus.

An interesting Email

Hey guys, I just checked my Berkeley College email and received a rather interesting email.

"Dear Honors Students,

In recognition of the outstanding academic achievement that acceptance into the Berkeley College Honor Society represents, each of you who is registered for HON200 in the Winter Quarter, beginning January 2011, will receive an iPad as a gift from the College. The leather binding of the iPad will be embossed with the words Berkeley College Honors.

The iPad will be used extensively through the Honors Seminars as a way to surf the internet, to read electronic texts, to keep a journal and even to develop the components of a portfolio that will track your learning in a very personal way.

Please note that the iPad will be offered only to those students registered in the program.

Sincerely,

Dr. William Cipolla

Director, Honors Program"

I just figured I'd post this. Do good in Berkeley college and get a free ipad! I think you need a 3.8 GPA after a year enrollment in order to be accepted and get your free ipad. I remember filling out the paperwork and whatnot but I didn't think I'd be accepted. I definitely didn't think I'd get a free ipad out of it.

Almost the final week

Hey guys so we're almost at the final week of this loooovely journey of Fall'10. I'd like to thank everyone out there who emailed me and told me to keep at it, and wished me luck. I'm proud to say I think I've done just fine this quarter and will continue my academic learnings and what not.

I've given in my Principals of Finance report that was a whopping 20 pages-- all of which was written in one night. Totally not a good idea. So, now all I have to do is prepare for the onslaught of finals. I know my Principal of Finance final is in a week from today, and the other two classes I haven't the fondest notion. That's probably not a good thing.

I suppose i'll find out when my law final is in an hour or so. You know, I really am going to miss these two hour breaks, which I spend typing away on my laptop. At first, I found it a tad awkward not knowing where to go or what to do but after you get in the cycle of doing it twice a week everything just seems to fall into place.

So far all of those who hate their schedules, don't worry you'll get into the habit of it sooner or later.

Phone-less for a day

I always knew I depended on technology for a lot of things. I mean, I bring me laptop to school everyday, I check my email like 4 times a day, I don't even bring one book to school because every textbook I have is on my computer, and I haven't taken notes by hand since sophomore year in high school- and chances are the note taking was none too frequent.

However, I figured I'd be able to survive without my cell phone for the day- but I am finding it very hard. Even as I write these words i'm wishing I had my iphone 4 with me because it carries all of my music. Instead I find myself listening to the dull hum of the computers next to me and my own constant typing. Yet as odd and naked I feel without my beloved iphone I must say that being 'unplugged' from technology seems to make me more creative, and more sociable.

I mean, as I write these very words and listen to the cacophony of sounds idly I can't help but feel inspired to zone out through my writing. Yet I'm not quite sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I mean, have I become so dependent on music and other singular forms of socializing that I need to escape into my written world of stories in order to cope with reality? That's probably just the novelist in me talking.

Regardless, I must say Berkeley college has given me the means to write a story as I have found a nice nook within the A building. Wish me luck guys, I don't even know what I want to write about- but I'll keep you posted.

Words of the wise: Listening to nothing lets you hear yourself.

Back to school

I hope everyone had an amazing thanksgiving! Mine was alright. Sadly my older brother got sick so I made it my mission to irritate the contagious little bugger until turkey time. But enough about my randomness.

What the passing of thanksgiving really means is that it is crunch time in school as we only have a couple of weeks left before the quarter closes. It also means research projects and finals. Something I just can not be cheerful about. I find that everyone becomes just a tad more stressed than usual at these times so I suggest that instead of cramming every piece of knowledge you've learned in the last few months into your head you take a deep breath and relax.

Personally, when I stress out in my classes I tend to do worse not better. However, if you take a laid back approach and tackle each problem strategically then you'll do a lot better.

As I've mentioned in previous blogs you can also use the Academic Support Center to help you out in your studying if need be. I know that I find them very useful!

Good luck guys, I'm gonna go work on my Principals of Finance project!

Food for though: What is 'happiness'?

Zumba Fitness!

Hey guys, I'm pretty sure I blogged about Zumba before seeing as its the only gym class I follow religiously, but I got news in regards to it.

Today was the release date of the new Zumba Fitness video game, and I of course ran out to the nearest electronics store searching for it. The first store I hit was best buy on 5th avenue and 45th street and after 20 minutes of searching I asked a guy who worked there if he knew of it. I must say I love the response when I say the name "zumba" and "video game." What's a zumba? They tend to ask which launches me into a lengthy explanation about the dance workout routine it is. However, I suppose to the gaming community its even harder to comprehend.

Regardless, the first store I found didn't have it because it was on back order. Instead of waiting a day or two I decided to hike up to Rockafeller center where there is a gamestop. I must say that Rockafeller center is absolutely gorgeous at this time. I suggest you visit the area and go iceskating at least once in your lifetime its absolutely magical. As for the game, I'll tell you once I get home to play it.

Moral Obligation to Vote

In Ethics a friend and I have been singled out to debate the entire class on whether their is a 'Moral Obligation' to vote, as a resident in the United States. The idea of two students arguing against the opinion of 25 students at first might seem scary, or just unfair, but I believe the odds are actually in my favor. Perhaps it is because I find myself to be the best debater in the class, and partnered with a close, but less argumentative, number two.

Regardless, the topic is one I feel very strongly on because I personally don't see a need to vote in elections unless I feel strongly towards a candidate. My argument for the class will be the following:

The word Moral is defined as the 'right' principals of behavior which are conformed to by the majority. The word Obligation is defined as a duty; an action that must be done. These two words together bring up the phrase "Moral Obligation" that is often thrown about freely in order to make subjects comply. One major misuse of the word is involved in voting. Frank Pavone, the president of Priest for Life, was one of the main coiners of the belief that their is a moral obligation to vote. He claimed that their is a moral obligation to vote, and urged people to go out and vote against pro-abortion laws.

Even in the 'Scripture' of moral voting their is an underlying agenda. Frank Pavone would have you believe that their is only a Moral Obligation to vote when you are voting for a Moral reason. I assure you if you disagree with Pavone, then you are released from having a 'moral obligation' of some sort.

Outside of the Christianity and religious yucks trying to push their influences into the peoples minds their is more proof that their is no 'Moral Obligation' to vote. Approximately only 50% of the United states population cast a presidential ballot in presidential elections. The percentage is even lower in local elections. As the webster dictionary states, something is moral only when it is grossly accepted by the public. If half of the population does not vote then it is not GROSSLY accepted as a moral.

...

The debate continues in much more depth but how do you guys like it so far?