Through the rainstorm

I was not much of a reader, but 6 years ago I began reading this book called “The Notebook” I became completely obsessed with this author and ever since then I have read all of his books. Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author, he has written 13 novels and some of them even became movies, such as “A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, and Message in a Bottle". On October 24, 2005 one of my wishes came true, my boyfriend drove me 3 hours away in the worst weather to upstate New York so I can meet Nicholas Sparks and have him autograph my new book "True Believer". The rain was falling extremely hard, the wind was making it difficult to control the car, when we were returning home it was even worst but I think it was completely worth it. I definitely recommend his books to anyone who like to read.

My First Tropical Vacation

Anyone who knows me can tell you I am seriously over-worked. For the past 2 years I have been going to school full time (taking 15-18 credits) and working full time as well. I also took on a part-time job so I never had a break since I had to work weekends as well. Thankfully, my boyfriend decided to treat me to a wonderful vacation that I will never forget.

I have never been anywhere tropical so I had to do some research. I spoke to a travel agent who gave me a lot of options from Bahamas, Jamaica and Dominican Republic. We chose a beautiful, adults only resort called “Excellence” in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The hotel was actually rated 5.5 stars and the service as well as scenery were amazing.

The first few days were rather strange since I forgot how it feels to not have to get up and do something in the morning. The only decision making we had to do during the day was whether we are going to lie out on the beach or lie out by the pool. At night we had a difficult task of deciding which restaurant to go to. This part worked out perfectly because there were 7 restaurants and we were there exactly 7 days (1 restaurant per day).

I would definitely recommend my resort to anyone who is interested in a quiet, romantic getaway. I hope I can do this again next summer!

"Changing of Guards"

I am a huge Yankee fan. So you can imagine how upset I was when the Yankees lost in the first round of the Playoffs. I even became more upset when they lost Joe Torre as Manager. There was some conflict about who would be the new Team Manager Don Mattingly or Joe Girardi both former yankees and assisted as coaches in the past. When all was said and done Joe Girardi was named the new Manager of the Yankees. Don Mattingly took it as an insult and refused the job of assistant coach. He later decided to follow Joe Torre to the LA Dodger.

So we shall see where Joe Girardi (who was named Manager of the year in 2006) will take the Yankees this year and who will be coming back and who will be leaving. This is a big turn of events for the Yankees... Lets keep our fingers crossed for good things.

If you want to see some good art...

The MoMA, Museum of Modern Art, will have Goerges Seurat's drawings on display. This is the first time his drawings will be shown on their own in nearly 25 years. As one of the founders of post-impressionism he is best know for being the inventor of pointillism, but his drawings dramatically showing the relationship between light and shadows. This exibit displays the importance of his drawings in 20th century art. Check it out. There are many other exibits to see while there.

The Museum of Modern Art(212) 708-940011 West 53 Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenuesNew York, NY 10019

I reccommend going to the online exibition.

The GoodWorx Foundation

I am a part of The GoodWorx Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that offers mentoring, tutoring, and Life Skills coaching to youth and young adults ages 8-23. Currently, there is programming in Middlesex and Hudson County. In Middlesex County, we have our middle school level program called The GWx/SMS MTC After-School Program which takes place Tuesdays through Thursdays on the Sayreville Middle School grounds during after school hours. We are expanding into the Samsel Upper Elementary School, also located in Sayreville, NJ, this January to provide programming to 4th and 5th grade students. We also have our Onward and Upward Program which focuses specifically on the issues that arise during the transition from middle school to high school. Furthermore, in Hudson County, we have collaborated with the New Jersey City University as well as the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills Program to form a university level program to aid student athletes. This is just a brief description of what goes on at GoodWorx, and, as you can see, there are a number of opportunities where you may get involved and lend a helping hand. If you are interested, or know someone that may be interested in getting involved please let me know. Otherwise, spread awareness--that's the next best thing! Thanks, Frances R.

My Army Life

Hi my name is Ingrid Macias. I've been in the Army National Guard for more than 5 years now. In 2004, I was deployed to Iraq for a year. It was definitely an experience that i will never forget. This picture is of my best friends and I waiting to board the plane to go to Kuwait, which was our first destination before we went to Iraq. They made everything so much easier while I was over there. Thank God we all came back home safe. I just thought I should share this with the rest of the class, hope you guys like it. Thanks.

Biography

My name is Greg LoBiondo, and this is my second year at Kean University. I am studying management in the Print Industry, and I currently work at The Cheesecake Factory.

Kean University Sports

I feel as though Kean University does not talk too much about the sports. I've been here for about 6 semesters, and I barely hear about what sports are offered here at the University. As a student here, I wouldn't just want to have to read about it in the "school newspaper" or the cougars byte that is emailed to us. I feel as though sports should be more talked about, that way students would be more educated about whats offered at the school.

Coming here as a freshman, I wasn't introduced to any of the on-campus activities. I found out through word of mouth and that's probably it. Had I known, I would have continued on with my sports that I've been a part of since freshman year of high school. Yes I could've asked if I really wanted to know, BUT at the same time, if it was OUT there I would have jumped on it!! Yes it's online and in the papers, but no one talks about it. Therefore, I would assume that it's not "good" or not known. If you go to the Kean University website, you can find out what sports they have from there!

My thoughts

My thoughts I feel are hard to explain, distinguished by my knowledge I wish to gain, to provide others with a better perspective, to speak the truth and not sound suggestive, point out the flaws and pain that exist, and start good will I hope to inflict, the nature of the beast exists within, being moral is good but deep down we all sin, so this is the closing to the way I feel, remember this well and always stay real.

My project makes its way home!

I recently just towed my new project home, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle. I am so stoked for this project because I have always wanted to own a Beetle. Even better is that the car recently had the motor rebuilt using newer parts and the body is completely solid. I bought the car from a friend whose shop I work at. The only thing the car "needs" is interior, which is awesome because I can do it the way I want. Of course with any project like this, there is always a list, and a plan to make the car your own. My plan is to make the car my own, give it what is known as the "SoCal" look. I'm just excited to have the car in MY garage, where I can work on it all winter and have it ready for the spring. Whether it's cruising with friend's and the car club, or heading to shows to enjoy the company of others who have spent too much time and money on their rides.

So for now that's it, maybe I'll post again with updates on how the project is going! So I will leave you with a picture of the Beetle right before I towed it home. It was in dire need of a bath at this point.




And for those who want to make a Beetle of their own, or just play around here's a fun site that allows you to make your Beetle your own.

BugSelecta

Live, Love, Leblon

For all that don't know about a Cachaca called Leblon. It's new on the market. It is a run that is made from natural sugar cane from Brazil. The product is then shipped to France for 30 to 90 days and laid in a vintage cognac cask. Before arriving to the United States the Cachaca is triple-filtered for a smooth taste. This rum is perfect for the famous Brazilian drink called the Caipirinha. It's also good for other rum drinks. Next time you stop by your local liquor store pick up a bottle of Leblon and give it a try. Trust me you will not be disappointed. For more information about Leblon visit liveloveleblon

Helping kids with Disabilities IDEA (Individuals with disabilities Education Act.)

• There has been a new Act recently passed that states that "students with disabilities shall have access to a free and appropriate education with non disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate."

http://www.nichcy.org/idea.htm

Last Wednesday, the Democratic party had their 9th debate of the year. The top three Democratic candidates are Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama and Senator John Edwards.
The candidates on last Wednesday's democratic debate could not commit to have all U.S. troops out of Iraq by 2013.

Would you take that answer in consideration when you vote this November 6, for the primary elections?

From the top three democratic candidates who will you be voting for? or will you be voting for a republican?

Are you even considering voting? because aproximately 50% of U. S. citizens do not vote. If you are voting and have not register yet or want to find out how to register you can go here.

I hope you vote, and yes I will be voting, for a Democrat candidate.

Damaris F.

My New School

This is my first semester here at Kean University. I transferred from Fairleigh Dickinson University. I spent three years there. I am now a BFA peformance major here. I am enjoying doing my first play, Sleeping Beauty, and looking forward to doing many more plays with the theatre department.

Puerto Plata

Im exhuasted! I wish i could get on an airplane right this moment. If i could, i would definitely go to Puerto Plata,DR. The prices are pretty good specially in this Website. But i can only dream about it for now.

CPS 1031

I am enrolled in CPS 1031.We are learning about the computer and all of it's different functions. It's amazing how far computers have come. This is my first time ever posting a Blog. I am really not into facebook or myspace. I think its way to much personal information. I basically use my computer to do assigments for school, shop, and send emails back and forth.

On the Green River

This is a sample post to show everyone in the class how to create a posting. We all attend Kean University and are taking Introduction to Computers, CPS 1031. This is one of my favorite pictures from a family vacation on the Green River in Canyonlands National Park in Utah.