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?

Sick *sad face* and email accounts

Hey guys, today I'm writing to you from the comfort of my own room. For today is the day I admit... I have a bad cold. I've emailed my Professors of my lovely cold and am now taking refuge under about 20 blankets in order to keep myself warm.

My cat says hi! Shes walking on my computer as we speak... lovely little kitten devil...

As I was saying before, being sick has one benefit, it gives me a reason to talk about the email system in berkeley college. As you all know you are given an email account when you first register at the school. This email account is how they contact you, your professors will notify you, and how everyone pretty much communicates. My email is even hooked up to this blogging account to notify me every time someone comments!

This is why I stress that not only do you check your email once a day, but if you can, set it up so your phone will notify you every time you get another email.

Well guys I know this was a short blog but I don't want to give my computer a virus! Hah, its a joke because I'm sick and... yeah it wasn't funny I know....

Words of the wise: don't let a sick 19 year old work a toaster...

redbull, and midterms!

Hey everybody out there in interwebz land!

Ok, so I'm typing to you on a redbull high and having just finished my Principals of finance midterm. Probably wasn't the brightest idea because I wrote so much extra information I had to ask for an extra book half way through. Sad part is I didn't know ANYTHING on one of the questions and I couldn't even pretend to know it. I managed to guess 3 out of 5 of the elements of the question but on the other two I just gave up. Hopefully partial credit will at least get me a B on this midterm.

So, as stated previously I'm on a redbull high! yes, I've drank 2 medium (12 fl) redbulls and it's not even 10:00AM. In fact, I probably drank them before 9:30. BUT I DIGRESS!

In really really really REALLY good news, my business law class posted the midterm grades and I got a brilliant A in the class. Can I get a w00t w00t? Ok, I should attempt to calm down because some of you probably think I'm insane as is, but I assure you there is a thin line between insanity and genius... I walk that line!

In other news, I would like to offer you all the greatest studying tool in the whole wide UNIVERSE! You probably already use it, but I assure you you don't to its full potential. Acronyms! For my law exam I made a bunch of acronyms in order to remember the lengthy amount of information it required me to. For example- CLOC is an acronym for the elements of a contract. Consideration, Legal Purpose, Offer and Acceptance, and Competency. Another one I made up for Law was for the elements of Fraud. KIRD- Knowledge, Intent, Reliance, and Damages.

If you can't form a word out of them you could always create a sentence to remember it. Remember, from elementary school, how you learned the 9 planets in our system? My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. Though, Pluto is no longer a planet... I suppose it should go My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos... I blame the RedBull...

Today's words of the wise 19 year old: Never over think anything, you have one life to live waste it DOING things, not THINKING of what you COULD do. Though I'm sure these words can be turned obviously against me.

Midterm day? Or Not.

So as I posted Tuesday today was the day of 2 of my 3 midterms. Well, I showed up at 8:00 AM with a redbull in hand ready to take on the evil Principals of Finance test, but there was no teacher there. Apparently class was canceled. A couple of students were scattered in the class room chatting about how they wished they would have checked their blackboard... Silently I wished I had did the same.

So for all Berkeley college students I make a very very very strong suggestion that before you leave everyday, in the morning, check you Berkeley college email and blackboard. Otherwise you might look like a drowned cat as you sit in the library (it was raining and in my rush to be on time I forgot an umbrella).

Also to help remedy the problem I found out that blackboard has an Iphone Ap that you can install to alert you of announcements, and guess what, It's free! So for all you apple fanatics(I'm one and proud), I suggest you go download that free ap so you wont be like me.

Outside of me looking like a drowned cat, I have good news! I am officially done with my online course and I'm most definitely getting an A!!! Yes, that information needed to be in bold red letters... I would suggest taking accelerated course online to everyone who wants a competitive course because I find them to be very good.

Words of the wise: Don't forget your umbrella...ever.

The week of Midterms is upon us >.>

Hey guys, so its the last class before 3 midterms and I must say I am tired. In Principals of Finance we went over all the material and what not but I still don't feel terribly confident. For the test we need to memorize a bunch of ratios which I'm having a hard time committing to memory. That's why I'm attempting to think up catchy songs to help me memorize them. Wish me luck!

Outside of Principals of finance Business Law and Ethics are also having reviews today. In ethics we'll be submitting our own questions for the test. Hopefully it'll be an easy A because I have so much to study for as is. On that note everyone out there should take advantage of the Academic Support Center, which has super helpful people who are always willing to help you out. Personally I'd like to work there, but I'll wait until next year to try out.

In order to work there you have to have gotten an A in the course and also get a recommendation from the teacher. I would prefer to teach either Law or English but because I am an accounting major I doubt I'd be able to grab Law.

Oh, and my online course has its final this week wish me luck taking it! I've been doing good in the class and if my project and final go over well I'll have my first online A!

BUT, I digress... Midterms are all day thursday so wish me luck!

Words of the wise: Uses ASA before week 6 >.>

Spark of inspiration

Well, I know I don't usually post on Fridays and this late but I felt a need to talk about my latest spark of inspiration. Today I sat down and wrote a 7 page short story in about an hour and I must say, I very proud of myself. The problem is, what should I do with it? I would really like to give it to someone to read but I find that friends will only say "wow it's really good." Even teachers say that to me now and I find it rather irritating.

So I ask all readers who have an interest in English to leave a comment with there email if they would like to read it a review it. I think it would be a great idea to get a real peer review outside of school, so I hope everyone out there is willing to help.

The story is written in third person narration and is a conversation between Jane, Mary, and Daniel. It's in medias res, so there is no strict introduction in that sense. I personally think it adds more to the story. I'd love to hear what you guys think. Oh, by the way the entire think is about love and my personal ideas behind it.

Words of the wise: There are always people who wish to help its just a matter of finding them and asking.

Week 5

So we're nearing the half way point of our studies for this semester meaning the next week is going to be filled we lots and lots of midterms. I mean, between studying for Business law II and principals of Finance, I'm struggling to finish my final report that is due by Sunday for my online Ethics course.

That's the bad thing about doing an accelerated course before you know it it's over. Though I have gotten most of it done! All that I need to do is add a conclusion and create the bibliography page.

On that same note I am extraordinarily happy to say that I received a 100 on my last exam in that class meaning that as long as I get a B on this project and a 85 on the final test I will be getting my lovely A. Whew, I thought I might have to settle for less than perfection in this class but it seems that online courses are in fact a strength of mine.

I know this is a short post guys but I don't want to be late for ethics (the one that's not online).

I leave you with these wise words: Never settle for anything less than what you're worth.

Halloween

By far my favorite holiday ever, is halloween. There's just something about dressing up and acting like an idiot that i find appealing. Although normally I try and mix beauty with terror this year I decided I was going to be the most gruesome creature I could create. I'm a zombie.

Now most people just but a nice costume for a fair price but not me- I make my own costumes. So even though I saw a pretty decent zombie costume with tattered clothes and a skeleton mask, I took the more expensive route and bought a load of supplies.

Liquid latex, prosthetic gores, pints of blood, and a pair of scissors destroying and outfit. It was all worth it for the response I got out of my Girl Scout troop at the annual halloween party. Everyone kept telling me how I "didn't look like Jessica" I suppose zombification really does that to you.

I made the costume and applied everything myself and I must say it was not easy. I mean, my bathroom looked like a murder scene by the time I was ready.

Is the financial crisis of 2009 a business ethics scandal?

So my online course has recently handed out the project for the course. It irked me a bit that she didn't tell us more in advance and she left most of the class in bewilderment because no one knew where to find the information on the project. Eventually we found it in week four's welcoming notes, and quickly we began to discuss it on the discussion board.

Most people are choosing to write about the Enron case because it is by far the biggest and most well-known business scandal case. However, outside of that what other cases are there? I mean there are none so publicized that research is a matter of typing a word in google.

Being the rather difficult student I am I decided to enter more 'maybe' territories and argue that the financial crisis of 2009 was caused by a ethics scandal within banks. The fact that banks were giving out loans to people they knew couldn't pay them was morally wrong and because of those actions the stock market took a major hit.

What do you guys think about this topic? Green or Red light?

Words of the wise: Its always more fun to play in the gray but it may not be the wisest decision for your grade.

MTA makes me Angryface a lot

Does anyone ever wonder why the MTA is allowed to be a monopoly when their are so many antitrust and antimonopoly laws in our society. Can anyone really argue that the MTA is not a monopoly in New York? The public has no other option but to take the fair hikes and just pay them but its starting to get unrealistic!

I remember when the bus fair was $1.50 and it stayed that way all throughout my childhood, but now they want to raise it from $2.25 to $2.50. Although it may seem like a barely significant change it becomes quite noticeable when you look at the fair increase in monthly metrocards- a favorite of college students.

Monthly metrocards will be jumping from $89 to $104 a high increase for the already broke college students paying $25,000 tuition a year. Not to mention they've been cutting services left and right. buses that used to come every 7 minutes come 4 times an hour and usually all at once. Trains don't seem to ever run on weekends, and even on weekdays I normally have to deal with a train being over crowded because they cut back on the service.

Why is it that they cut services and ask us to pay more. Does anyone understand how a company can ask us to pay more for less of a good? I believe the MTA needs to be regulated by the state as a state program of transportation NOT a business.

I mean, we're constantly being told to help the environment, and unclog the city by using public transportation, but they're making traveling rather irritating. Not to mention they keep raising toll prices, which makes it hard to get into the city at all.

The MTA is a monopoly, which is allowed to exist because it was given the 'OK', but because it's ran as a business its filled with crooked higher-ups who give themselves raises freely and raise the fare of their irked subjects who are forced to pay.

Explain to me how this is productive to our environment? I would love to hear what you guys think.

Words of the wise college girl: If the MTA continues this way find a way to sleep in your first class so you'll get there in time.

Zumba and Scrabble

Hey guys so, for once I'm actually posting from the comfort of my own home, and I just felt a dire need to mention how much I love Zumba.

Zumba is a fairly new workout class that involves a mixture of different dancing, though hip hop and latin seem to be most prominent, and I must say it doesn't feel like a workout. I genuinely feel like I'm just hanging out and dancing with a bunch of friends. Its so unlike most step classes where your eyes will dart occasionally to the clock. Zumba is like having a party where you just dance and have fun. Oh, and for the record the dances aren't the classic stretches that most aerobics classes call 'dancing'. In Zumba you are getting low and shaking you butt!

Although it may not feel like you are working out it is a great workout nonetheless. An hour of Zumba burns on average 600 calories. From experience it also makes you just feel better with all the movement and catchy songs its hard not to smile and laugh.

Outside of Zumba I have become re-addicted to my most beloved board game- Scrabble. over the last few days I've played 10 games online and haven't lost a single one. I was wondering if their are any other Berkeley College students that like scrabble, if so perhaps we can form a little group within the school. After all, their is club hour still.

Todays words of the wise 19 year old: Always bring water when going to the gym, and try not to get sweat in your eye... it hurts.

Homework >.>

So, as many of you may know from previous blogs this was the semester I decided I was going to stop being a lazy procrastinator and do my work early- not on the date of the deadline. So far I think I'm doing pretty well, I'm ahead two assignments in Principals of Finance, and I haven't missed any assignments in any other class. I find that I even anticipated assignments before they come out because I'm eager to clear my plate so they wont get in the way.

It's all very odd because I find that this productivity has carried over to more than just school work. I have been going to the gym more often, keeping my room cleaner, and just doing everything in a more timely manner. Perhaps it is possible to change who you are with a little work. Well, not 'who you are', but definitely get rid of some bad habits.

My principals of finance teacher even told me I should look into majoring in finance because I'm so bright in the subject. personally I think he is confusing good work ethic with intellect. I still find that the only subject that comes naturally for me is law and due to such I should become a lawyer.

Regardless, I'm just proud to say I have tamed my procrastinating ways and that everyone else out there should do the same. in retrospective I'm kind of procrastinating right now instead of writing a 15 page paper that's due in a month from now. I suppose I'll never be perfect in the whole scheme of things.

Word of the wise: If you risk nothing, you risk even more.

Accelerated Courses

This semester I decided to not only take my first online course, but also my first accelerated course. An accelerated course last half the normal term but is worth the same amount of credits. However, it is said that the work is a lot harder because is tightly packed in all at once.

This being only the second week I have already taken 1 GHA, been required to write 8 discussion board posts(I wrote more than 8 though), handed in a 1-2 paged homework assignment, and read a total of 4 chapters. I must say in comparison to my regular ethics course it seems to be very fast paced.

The reason I bring up my regular ethics course is because the online accelerated course is business ethics and I find the two are closely related. So far in ethics all we've done is review the international declaration of human rights. Personally I find myself taking a shine to the fast paced online accelerated course because I enjoy doing my work when I am free, rather than attending a class every certain day at a set time.

Furthermore I find the discussion board to be my most favorite tool in all of blackboard because it forces students to interact and have a discussion about a posed question. I for one enjoy this because theirs no awkward pause like their is in class in, which the professor must mediate. Perhaps its because I'm a thriving girl who lives off of the computer age, but I love the ideas behind it.

Grade wise in the class I have gotten a 92 on my GHA, a 100 on by written assignment, and complete 4/4 on my discussion board posts. So with a positive view I hope that I can achieve my first A on an online course!

Todays words of the wise: "Life is what happens while your trying to please everyone else." John Lenin

Day 2 Ethics and Business Law II

So, just like on last Tuesday I find myself in the midtown manhattan library writing to you guys about how my day has been so far. To start I suppose I should talk about Business Law II and Ethics which I had also yesterday but I didn't mention.

Nothing significant happened in Business Law II because the professor hadn't posted the syllabus yet and just generalized what the class would be about. However, I do find that he seems like a funny guy and that I think he'll make this class a very interesting one. One of the things he asked when he started the class off was if the stand fell on him and broke his nose could he sue. The answer was no because he is an employer for Berkeley college and would receive workers compensation instead.

Ethics was slightly more involving because the professor ignited my argumentative side and caused me to inquire on how he can personally claim that humans are good by nature. He claimed that as children we have an innate sense of fair and unfair and because of that we are good by nature but occasionally flawed. My rebuttal was simply a child only cares when they themselves are the one being treated unfairly. If they are the favored child then they wouldn't complain. It is because of this, that my conclusion is humans by nature are governed by self interest.

As for my second day of Principals of Finance it started of pretty bad but ended pretty good. I was late for the class at first because of the horrible rain and slow train service and got the glare of death from the professor when I walked in. However once I opened up my laptop and organized all my things the professor called on me to answer a series of questions. Luckily for me being the nerd I am I had done the assignments 2 in advance so I knew everything he was talking about even though I hadn't heard the previous discussion.

After proving my knowledge to the professor class continues up until break where I had a slight conversation with another student- his name eludes me. He was a senior in Berkeley and asked if he could check the questions he had for the first assignment with mine because he used the book in the school library. I obliged and showed him the questions which were the correct ones he was suppose to do. In the end we had a brief conversation on the price of textbooks and I offered to send him the correct question for the first two assignments so he would be able to do his homework while he waited for the next textbook.

Words of the wise: Make friends with people who you may need in the future its called networking.