Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Finals are here!

It is finals week and I am stressing at this point. I am amazed thought that I have managed to remain calm and productive. I have been planning my schedule for the rest of the week, so that I can balance all my projects and tests without going mental. Currently, I have a group project due today. I have to meet with another group to work on our presentation that is due on Monday. I have to meet with a teammate on another project for Advance Social Psych. We also present on Monday. I just received an essay test to work on for my Assessment class. It’s the final grade for the class and it is also due on Monday. I have journal writings that I will need to turn in on Monday and I also have a final essay paper to complete and turn in. When? You guessed it, on Monday. And I just received a notification from my Assessment professor stating that one of our projects will be returned to us for a grade improvement. I wonder how bad we all did. And when is this due? Monday of course!

So, this Monday is not looking great for me in terms of projects, presentations, and essay papers to turn in. With that said, I am trying to remain calm and take it one day at a time. I try to work on each project and essay one at a time. Then, I remind myself that I have just a few more days to work on it all and complete it. Normally I would wait until the last minute, but I am reminded of how much is due in one day. Plus, I would hate to blow it all off. That would mean I would not complete the degree plan I am in now and delay the second degree I plan to work on next. Next weekend I graduate and so I am definitely using that as a motivator to complete all my work. I just hope I can make it through the week and have enough time. I also have other commitments I must complete on campus, such as a work schedule, committee meetings, and candidate presentations. I have total commitment to work, school, and involvement. How do I do it?!?!? Summer break here I come!!!! Best of luck everyone on your papers, exams, presentations, etc!!!!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Packed Schedule

I have had so much going on the past few weeks that I am amazed to still be standing. Last time I wrote about the candidate interviews. Well, for the most part, those interviews are going pretty well. But now, I am attending candidate presentations for another office and my schedule is starting to fill up fast. One day I even had conflicting meeting times! Have you ever had two events or meetings occur at the same time that you were unaware of until you tried to confirm them both? Here is my solution— attend one event for a bit and then head over to the other.

I still have not had time to work out. I know I had mentioned in a previous blog that I would like to begin a workout routine. Well, I have not had the time or energy to start one, so I guess I will need to wait until the next few weeks are behind me. Yeah, we will see how that goes.

As for classes, the stress is intensifying (like many of you I am sure). I have three group projects due next week and an online final exam. I am honestly quite pleased that the three groups I am working in are outstanding! I am sure many of you have worked in a group at some point in time in your academic career. There can be some pretty difficult moments when working in a group. You come across classmates who do a majority of the work, those who do little or nothing, and those who do not even participate and simply sign their name on a project. Am I right? In the I/O program there is a group project in almost every class! So we try to get used to those cohorts who are good team players and equal contributors and remember those who are the opposite. The 360 degree evaluations really do come in handy.

I had a very rewarding weekend despite the horrible weather. I attended the Student Leadership Banquet and received several awards including Distinguished Leader of the Year. The Student Government Association received the Organization of the Year award. I was very proud of that achievement. Special thanks to my teammates Connie, Jessica, and Steve! That following Saturday, the UHCL SGA hosted the Texas Student Association Student Leadership Conference. I was elected Chair of the organization for the 2009-2010 year. I was honored to have peers from other universities nominate and elect me into this position.

This past Wednesday I attended the Who’s Who Reception. I (along with other student leaders on campus) was recognized by the Who’s Who among American Colleges and Universities.

So now it’s back to the books. I hope everyone takes some time to eat, sleep, and even have a bit of fun.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Candidates

Applying for higher education jobs is pretty tough; at least, based on the process that I have seen. If you want to apply for a staff or faculty position at a university, there is a very lengthy process you must go through. I tend to remind myself of this process when I entertain the idea of working in a professional position at an institution of higher education.

First and foremost, there is the application/resume process. In most cases, you submit your application, resume or actually vitae, and a cover letter to either a job search website (like higheredjobs.org) or the university’s human resources department. The human resources department will then review the vitae and match it with the compatible job descriptions, so that it lessens the amount of vitas to be reviewed. At this point, a search committee is formed to review the applications approved by human resources. The committee entails members of the office or department in which the position will reside, a faculty member from at least each of the four schools on the UHCL campus, a staff member, and a student. Each committee member then reviews all the applications that have passed the initial stages and scores them using an approved scoring system. Imagine reviewing a stack about three inches high in applications! The scores are then compiled and the candidates are narrowed down to anywhere between three to eight candidates. Tired of reading yet? Wait, there is more! Telephone interviews are then conducted and the candidates are then narrowed down to an even smaller number. Then the campus visits take place. At this point, my patience would be wearing thin having to jump through all these hoops. Once the candidates meet members of the university community (including the students), the committee then makes a recommendation to the deciding party. Finally, a new staff or faculty member is selected.

I‘ve had the pleasure to sit on a search committee for the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. It was a great experience, but I was so tired at the end. The Office of Student Life is currently undergoing two searches for two open positions. I really feel the stress of having to serve on one committee for one position, but to have to serve and conduct two search committees?!? Yikes! As Student Government President and SGA being tied with Student Life, I have been meeting with the candidates. So far, I have seen bright young prospects. It will be a hard pick, but they will have a great list of candidates to choose from.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Rainy Days

It looks like it is going to rain today. When I have days like this, a variety of feelings emerge.

There are some rainy days in which I feel like I am free of all obligations and deadlines. I hear the rain falling (and in some cases pouring down hard) and it just soothes my mind and relaxes my body. When I am in bed at the time, I feel so at ease and the sheets, pillow, and comforter feel one hundred percent better than they did before. I snuggle in my bed and cuddle with a spare pillow and just let the rain sing me back into a deep sleep. I can sleep through all types of rain. I slept through most of Hurricane Ike. Of course, I work up here and there when there was a loud noise but for the most part, I was dead asleep. When I am awake during the rainy day, I am completely lazy and slow moving. I definitely do not want to leave the house and risk getting wet in the process. Don’t you know I am made of sugar!?!

Then there are some rainy days in which I just feel completely useless and even develop a state of depression, but to a level of concern. The obligations and deadlines I tend to free myself from remain constant on my mind and even intensify. I then allow my mind worry about other things in life like coursework, money, bills, laundry, life and school, and, oh, remembering to record Heroes next Monday. The bed with all the relaxing and comfortable threads then becomes my escape from everything when I pull the sheets over my head. But it isn’t too long before I snap back into reality, remove the sheets from my body, force myself to get up and face the world as it is— a challenge. But I will still not try to step out in the rain when I can.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

SIOP in New Orleans

Last Saturday, I visited my friend Marcus. He lives in downtown area and we had plans to meet up and gather materials for our student organization’s event. Marcus is the President of Hispanics Advancing Culture and Education (H.A.C.E.). We will be having a Cinco de Mayo celebration on campus next week (April 15, 2009). We serve great food, arrange time for guest speakers, and provide Mariachis for entertainment. If you have time this coming Wednesday, stop by.

Before we headed out to begin our procurement adventure, Marcus was showing me his graduation invitations. Let me tell you that making your own invitations not only allows you to be creative, but saves you money! If you are on a tight budget then I highly recommend it. The invitations he made looked great, but after looking at the design and chatting about making our own invitations, I realized that the time has come in which I must start planning for my own graduation.

When I graduated back in 2007, I planned a big party weekend. Graduation was on a Friday; so, the party started on Thursday. My weekend started with the Graduation kick-off party. I got to mingle with other classmates and professors. Afterwards, I met up with some friends and had an informal gathering. I decided to reserve a hotel suite in the Galleria area for the weekend as part of my graduation celebration. Although the interior design of the room was a little outdated, the size of the suite was enormous! It had not one, but two bedrooms with two queen size beds in each room, a full living room, a dining area, and a full kitchen. It totally felt like an apartment. Sunday was my birthday so I booked space at a club called Chrome Saturday night. I sent invitations to all my close friends and we had a blast! I could remember most of the evening, but not all of it. Sunday was Mother’s Day.  So I had brunch with my mom and friends who all stayed with me at the hotel. The weekend was definitely uneventful.

Now graduation is just around the corner and I have not even made invitations. I have so much planning to do, but I am just not sure what I want to do for my graduation weekend. Time to plan!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

SIOP in New Orleans

I had the pleasure to visit New Orleans yesterday (April 1, 2009) for the Society for Industrial Organizational Psychologists (SIOP) Master’s Consortium. Students who are in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at their university must be selected by their professor in order to attend the consortium. My professor, Dr. Pereira, selected a classmate, Jessica Attocknie, and I. I am sure some of you may know her; she is an awesome student leader and a great classmate. She is the President of The Management Association. I suggest those of you interested in that particular field of business should track her down and arrange a visit. The Management Association is a great student organization to get involved in.

Anyhow, we now return to the consortium. I decided to fly to New Orleans rather than drive. I am starting to think that I have no patience for driving long periods of time and especially when traveling alone. The flight was on Southwest and departed from Hobby Airport which made arrangements easy. The plane ride was only an hour long, so that was not too bad. I found it to be entertaining when the flight attendants came around to deliver drinks and peanuts because it was literally a few minutes later when they strolled through the aisles again picking up the trash. I barely had time to finish my peanuts! The cab ride was rather short. I had never been to New Orleans; so it was nice to drive into the downtown area and see the difference between their downtown and ours. I got to see the Super Dome. There is not much to it, and honestly, it looked pretty dull. I would have liked to look around more, but I was in New Orleans for business.

The consortium was very informative. I had the opportunity to meet and mingle with other I/O students and share my graduate school stories with them. The entire crowd of students was all very friendly and professional. The guest speakers were very informative; they gave us real world experiences, advised us on how to make the right decisions, and how to avoid potential mistakes. It was indeed a great opportunity. I unfortunately did not have time or the money to attend the full SIOP Conference that started after the consortium, but since I am a member of the organization, I will be attending next year’s conference. For those who are in the UHCL I/O Psych program, I highly encourage you to take some time to attend the SIOP Conference. They usually host the conference during the spring semester.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

London and the Return Home

Yes, more on the London trip. It was so good that it gets two blog entries. The trip to London was a well needed vacation and I so enjoyed the time away from home, but it had to come to an end. Honestly, I did not want to come home. I have been to London enough times that I now catch myself looking at apartments “for let” and positions available for hire. The UK is suffering just as much as the US at this time; so, unemployment numbers are growing. Therefore, I do not think I could get a job at this time, but I did manage to research some universities in my previous visits. I would not mind living there for a while. But I had to put all that aside and pack my stuff to head back home to Houston.

I have too much here at home to complete before I could even think about leaving. Of course, I need to graduate! Plus, I still have my Student Government commitments. This week was the UHCL SGA Executive Council elections and I decided to reapply for President. I decided to register for a second master’s degree while I make arrangements to apply for other graduate programs and/or PhD programs in following years.

I will be taking my time with this second degree and so that will leave time to continue my work with SGA and seek employment during these troubling times. I was running unopposed and I was quite surprised about that. The elections went well and I have been elected as the student’s President for the 2009-2010 academic year. My goal for the UHCL SGA next year: tradition. The SGA on this campus is non-traditional and as this university seeks to expand into a four-year university, I believe SGA will need to grow into a more traditional organization. Of course, Rome was not build in a day and I do not seek to change the face of the organization in one academic year, but I hope to help lay the ground work to ensure the organization grows with the campus.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Spring in London

I had a great time during the break. As I mentioned in previous blogs, this has not been my first trip to London, but I will say this has been the first time I have traveled to London when the weather was fantastic. Every day I was there the sun was out as bright as can be and almost clear skies. It was just unbelievable. In previous trips, I have had to deal with scattered sunrays, clouds and even slightly rainy days (rather than bright and sunny days). So, the weather this time was a real treat.

When I arrived at my hotel, I was surprised to see no major activity for St. Patrick’s Day. My hotel is just a few yards away from Trafalgar Square and in previous years, there has been a stage and festival on the Square. Not this year. Later I found out that Londoners party for St. Patty’s Day all throughout the weekend before and if the day happens to land in a weekday or the middle of the week, a few pints after work at an Irish pub will do the trick on the day itself. There were a few pubs I passed when I walked the streets that had long lines; so, no luck in celebrating the event in an actual pub. I did manage to find one place off the beaten path where I drank a few. It was not beer though; I do not drink that…and no ladies and gentlemen: no green beer was discovered. I guess it is an American thing. Perhaps they have green beer in other countries. I guess I will have to check that out one day.

One thing that made things easier this trip was an offshore account. I figured that since I have been traveling so much to the UK, it was necessary to open an offshore account. During my last trip, I researched a few banks and found only one bank that offered a really low minimum deposit. Others wanted a minimum deposit of $10,000 dollars. Yeah right! I am only a college student and $100 dollars is much easier to handle and maintain than a wealthy man’s account. With this account, I am able to transfer the amount I plan to spend into the account from my home account and the wire transfer will convert the two currencies. Therefore, there is no need to worry about converting while I am there. Plus I save on currency conversion charges on my bank and credit cards. Furthermore, if I run out of money in my pound sterling account, then I am done! I have to fool myself—that way I do not overspend.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Break Time!

I am finally done with midterms! I had two very tough midterms and I am glad they are done. Now, I just have a few items and events to complete and I will be leaving the campus for a whole week. After this Friday, I will not be setting foot on this campus until we return for classes. Well, I will return that Tuesday when we return for classes. I am looking forward to the break. I am finally feeling well (no colds here) and I hope to start a workout routine that will hopefully continue when I return to campus. But the best part is that I get to travel! I love to travel.

I will be heading to London for the break. For the past two years, I have visited Limey town for the spring break holiday. I have been fortunate to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the UK and let me tell you, it is a blast. The Irish population of London party all day and all night. I remember St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday during my first spring break visit. The St. Patty’s Day festivities lasted all weekend. There were major festivals all throughout the city and I recall nothing but happy spirits and the occasional drunken Irishmen roaming the streets or tube stations. They meant no harm though. It was a great experience. One thing I did not see, but was brought up by a friend of mine, was if people in the UK drank green beer. I know most of you know that here locally there are a few bars and restaurants who serve green beer in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. It’s simply green dye in beer. I did not see any green beer while in London; so, my guess is that it’s an American thing. That will be something I will be keeping an eye out for next week when I take my stroll through the streets of London on St. Patty’s Day.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Midterms and Safety

Let’s see, I am deep in the middle of trying to get through this crazy week that most students call, MIDTERMS! I have talked about it in past postings, but the week has finally come. The funny thing is, once I get through this week, it seems that time speeds up even faster and before you know it, its time for finals! Even though I have only two midterms and I am taking three classes, the two exams I have are REALLY stressful. I had a classmate come up to me and tell me that she was amazed that I thought my Advanced Social Psych class was going to be easy (she read an earlier blog and took that class). I told her that at that point in time, it seemed easy. We will see about that here soon.

In other news, I am not sure if anyone read his or her email, but the UHCL Police Deptartment sent an email regarding an incident on campus. To sum it up (because I encourage everyone to read that email message) a UHCL member was assaulted at the southwest side of the Bayou Building. For those who do not know the location, it is just by the new designated smoking area by the School of Education area on the first floor. The police chief stopped by the Student Government Association Office and did mention that the victim, although very shaken, was not severely injured. I was very shocked to hear about the incident. I am not one to act naive and think that crime does not happen on campus. It’s just that, when compared to other campuses, it is not frequent or severe. I am proud of the police department though. Through the leadership of the police chief, they have really stepped up to the plate and made themselves more visible then in previous years. I thank them very much for all the help and support they give to the university community. I suggest everyone who reads this should take the time out to thank any officer they see. Be safe everyone and if you see something or someone strange, better to report it then turn a blind eye.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Time for Exercise?

Last time I blogged about being sick. Since then, I have been able to keep my cold from getting worse. Now the only thing I am having to combat is this dry and sometimes sore throat of mine. Luckily it has not developed into anything serious. If it does, I am in BIG trouble. I have midterms starting this weekend and I need all the brain power I can get. So I need to keep my strength up. Maybe I should go to the gym!
The gym, it is one of the hardest places for me to visit. Honestly it should not be a bad thing to do. I realize exercise is very important, but the one thing I lack and surprisingly is the only thing, is the motivation to go. Once I go I am amazed at how easy it was to enter the gym, work out, and head home. I tried on a few occasions to work out in the morning and it was okay but I had to wake up early in order to maintain that routine. I love to sleep! There are just some nights in which for whatever reason (evening events, a good late night movie, class paper or test the next day) I will sometimes head to bed as late as two o’clock in the morning. So that leaves me with VERY little sleep since there are days in which I am needed on campus as early as eight o’clock in the morning. Then there were some times when I would try and work out later in the evening but that routine wouldn’t last very long because of my coursework. Most of the core I/O Psych classes are only offered in the evening and most are offered in the seven o’clock slot. So by ten o’clock I am ready to shut the brain down and head home for some rest. I am trying to work something out to where I can work out during the day but that is already becoming an issue. I guess I just need to not worry about when I should just go! I just need to find time to exercise and not spend time planning. We will see what happens. I think it’s time to shed some winter weight. Spring break and summer are just around the corner. Oh, not to mention graduation. WOW! Time is flying…

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Not Well

We are not even halfway into the semester and I am already getting sick! I have the worst time shaking off a cold. When I catch a cold, it usually stays with me for about a week. There are even some times when I have to break down and see a doctor so that I can get some medication. Normally that is what you should do when start to get sick, but since I am a poor college student, I have no insurance. I can’t wait to have a job with medical insurance.
My colds usually start with a sore throat. Actually, now that I think about it, it starts with excessive sinus drainage. The sore throat is usually a result of the drainage. Then the coughing starts. For me, the chest is the next part of the body that is hit hard by a cold. Once that happens, I am no good to anybody. The fever kicks in between all this mess and so does the body aches. Once the chest is infected, my asthma sets in as well. I am glad I do not have chronic asthma, but when I get chest colds, you can hear me wheezing a yard away. Sometimes it gets so bad that I have to take nebulizer treatments to help break up the chest congestion. A nebulizer is a machine that takes liquid medication and produces a mist so that when you breathe the mist, the medication goes straight to your chest and breaks up the mucus. I think of it as a fancy inhaler. I tend to use my rescue inhaler as well when I have a cold.
Once I am over a cold, the only thing that tends to stay with me a bit longer is the cough, but that subsides after a while. I hate being sick. I get all whiny and pathetic. It’s really not a pretty sight. So with that said, I am going to lay back down now and get some rest before this cold gets out of control.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Horror Films

I was watching the television the other day and saw the preview of the new Friday the 13th movie. As some of you know, this movie is the remake of the cult classic of the early 1980s I believe. The movie trailer looks really scary; so, I hope I am not disappointed when I go and spend the ridiculous amount of money on a movie ticket (even with a student ID).
I love scary movies and thrillers. I remember watching them when I was kid with my mom. I was too young to watch alone so she, loving horror films as well, would watch them with me. Surprisingly, I never had any bad nightmares, thoughts of killing animals, or anything like that. So, watching scary movies proved harmless in my childhood. Some of my neighborhood friends, however, did not have the permission that I had to watch a scary movie. I had this one childhood friend who had terrible nightmares but insisted on watching the movies without his mom’s permission.
One night we had a sleep over and a bunch of friends watched A Nightmare on Elm Street. I, myself, was scared the first time I watched the movie. Freddy Krueger was the creepiest of the horror movie villains. I thought he had the coolest killing weapon though (right-hand glove with sharp knives for claws). Anyhow, later that night we all tried to out scare each other and of course, my one friend who could not handle his horror, got too scared to tease and decided to go to bed. The rest of us continued to watch horror movies and decided to watch Halloween. That movie I must admit is my all time favorite to this day! Even the remake did not even compare to the original version. Anyhow, later that night a bunch of us thought it was be funny to freak my friend out. We filled a bowl of warm water and placed his hand in the bowl. Not too long after that… he wet his sleeping bag! The next morning he thought he had another nightmare and so he did not say a word about the sleeping bag. Of course, as we all grew older we all ended up telling our one friend. We were able to laugh about it now, but only after he got us all back! I will save that for another time.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Course Load

I have good news and bad news regarding my course work this semester. The good news, I did not have expensive books to buy, so I have extra money! The bad news, I have more reading in all three of my classes then ever before. There is so much reading that I am already behind. I am taking Advanced Social Psychology, Assessment in Industry, and Seminar in I/O Psychology. These are my last three classes!!

Advanced Social Psychology should be a pretty easy class if you keep up with the readings. There will still be a level of difficulty. The professor is very encouraging and is willing to help. I have quite a few friends in that class so it makes it even easier to tolerate.

I am really excited about my Seminar in I/O Psychology. The professor designed the class to where the students interact with one another each class session rather than a topic lecture. The goal of this class is to prepare us for the real world. We are responsible for seeking information regarding I/O Psychology so that we can share our findings with the class. We will be able to identify jobs related to I/O Psychology, build resumes, apply for those jobs, and apply interview skills we gain in class. The professor stressed to us that our grade is determined by how much effort we put into the class.

The Assessment in Industry is going to be very difficult. Right now we are reviewing some statistical concepts that we will probably use in this class, which I am already dreading. I really hope we wrap up the statistical review soon because I am already confused and stressed! I have been assigned an assessment to present in class and although I am kind of excited about researching this particular assessment tool, I am not looking forward to explaining the statistical part (validity and reliability). If there is anybody who is very skilled in statistics and is reading this, please get in touch with me!!!! I need a little refresher in stats and would not mind a tutor.

That’s it for this week, talk to you all soon!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Winter Break

Welcome back everyone! I am not sure if everyone felt like this, but by the end of the fall semester I was completely exhausted. The winter break was looking real good by the end of my last final. I so needed the break and I definitely took time to enjoy it!
The Christmas holidays are my favorite time of year. I love the cold weather outside, the trimming of the tree, and decorating the house. It is such a festive time. The best part of the holidays for me is all of the love, and of course, gift giving. I love to give more than receive. It is a time to spend with loved ones. When you are a full time student and heavily involved on campus, like I am, there is little time throughout the semester for leisure time with family and friends. So, the winter break frees up time to spend with everyone and it is such a relaxing feeling.
Another good part of the holidays are the parties! I attended three different parties during the winter break. The first was a party hosted by the Applied Behavioral Analysis Student Organization (ABASO). The members of this organization invited all members from all UHCL organizations to help celebrate the end of the semester and of course, Christmas. It was a blast, especially the “ugly sweater” photo taken at the party. Each guest was to bring an outdated or “ugly” sweater to the party for a photo. If you did not have one, there was one provided for you (which I thought was so funny).
The second party I attended was a Christmas party in the Greenway Plaza area of Houston. A friend of mine invited me to attend a party with them. The hosts used to work with my friend and they were so nice. They had such a beautiful home and definitely had a huge spread of food, wine, and spirits!
The last party during the break was my New Year’s party. A group of close friends thought it would be safer and cost effective if we all stayed close to home for the New Year. So, I hosted a party at my house and we ate, drank, and even played Trivial Pursuit 90’s Edition (which I highly recommend). We had a blast. Then after midnight, we all took a swing at the New Year’s Piñata bear! It was crazy.

There is more to come this semester, but I will leave you now with a “Best of Luck” to you all this semester. Study hard and learn something new!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Christmas Decorations

I always know when the Christmas season is here; boxes appear in the living room marked “Christmas decorations.” Many families decorate their houses right after Thanksgiving. My best friend will decorate her house Thanksgiving day and sometimes even before then. For my family, Christmas decorating usually takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving. For me, it is a time for my family to help decorate and reminisce about the good times. Some decorations bring good memories while others remind us of some of the pain we must overcome.

It seems strange how every year we see stores, shopping centers, and even other members of the community decorate earlier and earlier. It almost seems like stores now have isles for each season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) all at the same time. I guess companies just wanted to capitalize on consumerism. It kind takes away from the fun of the spirit of Christmas.

It actually reminds me of this one episode of The Simpsons. The episode begins with businessmen and women sitting around a table at the town’s Costingtons (got to love the writer’s humor) discussing a new holiday to help boost sales because the other holidays have been saturated and overrated. They come up with I believe “Fun Day” or “Love Day” or something to that effect, and before you know it, to prove successful marketing of the new holiday, Marge has a yard full of the new holiday decorations and accessories. Not even two minutes later, the decorations are in the trash. So, again I laugh at when I see all these stores up-selling new and innovative decorations each year.

Sure Christmas is about decorating— I am not saying otherwise, but it’s more than that. It is a time to enjoy the holiday weather (when Texas actually gets cold weather in December), enjoy the time off from school or work, and spend time with family and friends. Not many people spend enough time with family and friends during Thanksgiving and Christmas; I believe that it is good to have those holidays very close on the calendar to one another. I am just not sure about the amount of decorations stores aim to sell consumers.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

This Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving holiday went by pretty fast. I blinked and it was already over and a new week has begun. Although it went by fast, I did manage to find time to rest and enjoy time with family and friends.

The first part of the week I spent in Orlando, Florida for a Student Leadership Conference. The Student Government Executive Council attended the National Certified Student Leader Conference. Those council members who are not already certified attend training sessions and take a certification exam. No council member has ever failed the exam and I am pleased to report that the tradition still stands. We did manage to find time to visit Disney Epcot Center. The place was just how I remembered it when I was 13 years old but of course there were a few new attractions. The place was somewhat empty. I guess it was a sign of the times. Disney is a luxury right now in today’s economy.

We arrived back in Houston Tuesday evening and everyone in the group had time to plan for Thanksgiving. Wednesday was a pretty light day. I had time to wrap up any business at school (as well as class work) and after that day, it was time to relax and enjoy the weekend. I know for some it would be a time to catch up with course work, but for me it is a time to really relax because the last two weeks of the semester are the most stressful.

This Thanksgiving was great because I got to invite all my close friends over for dinner (well a really late lunch) and enjoy their company. I had a few friends help out by bringing side dishes and dessert. We had ham instead of turkey just to change things up. I knew most of my friends had their families to visit and I am sure there was plenty of turkey there to eat. After we ate, we played Trivial Pursuit 90s edition. I thought since I grew up in the 90s, I would know many of the questions. I was wrong in many instances. But to see all the crazy faces and the bellyaching laughter is what made the evening the most enjoyable.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

DC in the Winter Part II

Last time, I spoke about my trip to Washington DC. I also mentioned something about earmuffs. Well, on our last day of the trip, my friend Shannon and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful, sunny, almost-cloudless day and walk to the various monuments and memorials for picture moments. Well, looking out the window and seeing a beautiful day is not the best method to gauge the weather.

We dressed in winter gear, but we did not expect the windy conditions. IT WAS SO COLD. We hailed a taxi and asked to be dropped off by the Washington Monument. There is nothing around the monument to break the wind (no trees, high bushes, etc.) and, so, we felt the wind immediately. We had scarves and beanies on, but I did not have the gloves or earmuffs that I definitely needed.

Despite the sunny, but windy day, we walked all over the National Mall and saw the Washington Monument (but did not go to the top), the new World War II Memorial, the Lincoln Monument, the Korean War Monument, the Vietnam Memorial Wall, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Capitol Building. We took a break sometime in the middle of all the sightseeing to eat some brunch (it was Sunday) and went to a place called Crème. We had researched the menu online before we left the hotel room and found quite a few tasty items, but there was one that especially stood out, Fried Chicken and Waffles. We had never heard of such a plate and it did not seem appetizing at first, but when we got the restaurant, just about everyone was ordering the what seemed to be the popular plate. We saw the plate in person after we had already placed our order and found ourselves utterly curious and wishing we had ordered the chicken and waffles. We promised each other that when we return to DC, we would definitely have brunch again at Crème and eat their chick and waffles plate.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

DC in the Winter Part I

A friend of mine, Shannon, reminisced with me the other day about our trip to Washington DC this past January. The trip was a great break from coursework and campus involvement. The purpose of the trip was not only for leisure, but to visit the University of Maryland and George Washington University. Both universities had a pretty interesting Industrial/Organizational Psychology programs. Since most campuses were on Christmas break the early part of January, we had to travel the first week for school. Of course, we made sure our itinerary did not interfere with campus commitments or coursework.
When we arrived in Washington DC, it was like magic. My friend Shannon always mentions the story of waiting for a taxi as snow began to fall. The snow was indeed beautiful; just like you would see in the movies. It was like the city was welcoming us with a light snow fall. We stayed at the Palomar Hotel in DuPont Circle. We only had a few weekdays in our trip so we had little time to visit the two campuses that peaked our interest.
It was a Friday afternoon and we had just finished getting ready for the day. We had slept in from late night festivities. The subway station was only a block or two away from the hotel. We had no problem finding the entrance; it was fining the correct rail line that got us slightly confused. We finally made it to the University of Maryland. I was so impressed with the amount of time it took to travel to the university. You can travel just about anywhere using the DC subway system. I also did not realize how close all the states were until we hopped on the Metro (subway). So, we exited the subway and started walking to a nearby building. We were thinking (and according to the directions on the internet) that the subway entrance/exit lead directly to the university. It turned out not to be the case. You had to take university shuttle that would bus you to the campus. We found this out the hard way when we walked to what we thought was a campus building. It turns out that it was a Department of Health and Human Services building. So the time was 3:30pm and we had little time to make it to the campus. We decided to skip the visit to the University of Maryland and travel via subway back to George Washington University for a visit. When we made our travel arrangements, we made sure the hotel would be close to GWU. Therefore we had no problems with directions to that university. The campus was real nice. It reminded me of NYU; completely integrated into the local federal buildings and other government agencies. We were able to speak with someone regarding the programs and even had time to shop at the school store.
I am going to leave you hanging with a cliffhanger until next week. I will tell you more about the trip then. The only hint that I can give you involves a pair of earmuffs…

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Change Indeed

As I watch the election results on the television, I feel a sense of transformation. It is a great day in history and I have my generation to thank. In record numbers, we voiced our opinions, our concerns, and our hopes. As I write this blog, the time is now 9:00pm CST and the Democrats have officially reserved 52 Senate seats over 35 Republican seats, and Presidential candidate Barack Obama holds 207 votes over John McCain’s 129 votes. With only 270 votes needed, I am honestly not worried. I know the Democrats will win the necessary seats and positions to gain control of our government.

The results clearly state that the country has spoken that the country needs to move in a different direction. There needs to be stability in the US economy so that our country’s contribution to the world remains strong. Locally, we are all very concerned with our nation’s economy, but it’s our economic structure that influences the worlds markets and as a strong viewer of global news broadcasts such as BBC World News, it is VERY clear that the world is closely watching the United States and these Presidential elections.

I know this may seem to be a one sided perspective on US politics, but I believe that (despite the overused slogan “Change”) we need a change in government. Yes, both US political parties have their good ideas and their bad choices. I believe it is also fair as a free republic, to allow each party a chance at leading the country into a prosperous and peaceful future is a goal that candidates should strive for. Sure, this is more of an idea then a reality, but we must think positively.

I know as I write this, there may be some people with certain political views who may not fully agree with what I am trying to say here, but do know that I am speaking as fair and as realistic as possible. In the end, we are all human and we all give it our very best in life, whether you are an undergrad student or the country’s Commander in Chief.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Dress for Success

Last night I attended The Management Association’s Professional Development Speaker Series. The guest speaker was Kathy Bullard. She is a Senior Sales Director for the Mary Kay Company. She is in the top 2% of all Directors in Mary Kay. Kathy learned the importance of a professional image from her prior career which was in Medical Equipment Sales. She spoke about how to dress when attending a job interview and other professional sessions.
I am sure most of us learn some of the basics when attending a job interview; so, I am sure of what I heard will be a review, but some I did not know.
Ladies, it is known that a skirted suit outweighs the pant suit in the business world. According to Kathy, the skirted suit represents trust and confidence.
Ladies and gentlemen should be sure to keep their nails clean and to some extent, manicured. Women should not wear any loud and distracting nail polish. It is deemed inappropriate.
Shoes, shoes, shoes. Kathy stressed that it is one thing people look at; believe it or not. She said that everyone should be sure and wear shoes that do not look worn out or have heavy scuff marks on the heel. If there is a pair you wish to wear for an interview, if need be, take it to a shoe repair place.
For men, blue, gray, and brown are your friends when it comes to choosing a suite to wear. If you do not wish to wear a suit or do not have one, then be sure and wear a nice pair of dress slacks and a nicely pressed shirt and ties are a must. If possible, wear a power tie if you have one. She did not go into detail, but I heard elsewhere a power tie is more of a solid red or teal colored tie.
Ladies, be sure and wear your skirt slightly above the knee or slightly below the knee in length. In the middle of the kneecap is just not good!
Men, be sure to clean up the hair on your face. A clean shaven faces is preferred, but if you wish to sport facial hair, trim the hair down to where it is presentable.
The handshake – this was one of the most interesting items in the discussion. Many people shake hands in a variety of ways. One way, that I cannot stand, is what is called the crab claw handshake. That is one of the “weakest” handshakes and does not promote confidence. It is when women (and even some men) shake hands with their hands facing downward and clasped like a crab claw.
There was much more Kathy spoke about, but I was unable to stay there the entire time. I did learn a lot from Kathy Bullard the short time I was there. The Management Association is one of the longest running student organizations on campus. The goal of TMA is to inform and educate their members on developing themselves professionally through networking activities via TMA meetings. I am not a member of this organization, but I highly encourage everyone to attend one of their meetings.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The President’s Plan

Today I attended the UHCL Planning Presentation. UHCL President William A. Staples presented to the UHCL community several key items on the University’s agenda for this academic year. There were a few key items which he presented that I thought were very interesting and important (as a paying student here on this campus).
One item of interest was the economy and how it affects our university. While other states face much despair are forced to make major tuition increases, energy states such as Texas seem to fair well despite national economic troubles.
University of Houston-Clear Lake has also done well this semester and last summer in terms of student enrollment. Compared to last academic year, the university is slow heading in the right direction and data shows, as the president indicated, we are moving with positive enrollment. Much of this is due to the hard work from the staff, faculty, and the new Enrollment Management division (which houses the transfer counselors and student transfer scholarships). A twenty-five percent increase in international student enrollment was also commended by the president.
Another item which I am sure was of major interest to the UHCL community was the proposed staff and faculty compensation increases for the next fiscal year. President Staples announced that he will be including staff and faculty compensation to the budget.
The planning presentation also included new academic initiatives like an increase in online degree plans and other online availability, off-campus programs (including the Pearland expansion), and the development of new academic programs. One program in the works is a Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis.
One last item was the downward expansion of the university. For those of you who do not know, the University of Houston-Clear Lake is one of four remaining upper-level universities left in the nation. With the increase in four year programming and institutions in the area increasing its competition with one another; the University of Houston-Clear Lake set to propose to the UH System Board of Regents to expand the University to allow Freshman and Sophomore classes and offering full four-year undergraduate degree plans.
I was very impressed with the amount of information I received from the President of our university. Through his continuing leadership, I am positive that this university will rise in the ranks and make its mark in the nation with competitive programs, affordable tuition, and a friendly community.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Is it Saturday Yet?

Did you ever wake up for the day and you just knew it was going to be a long and stressful day? I am sure we all have that feeling. I felt that way today.
When I awoke this morning (and snoozed through the alarm about three times), I laid in bed just hoping it was Saturday. Realizing it was Wednesday and that I had a meeting soon, I finally crawled out of bed and got ready for the day. I looked in the mirror and I realized my hair was completely out of control and that definitely put me in a mood. For those of you who have seen me on campus and on the UHCL website, I like to wear my hair up. Lately, because my hair has grown out so much in such a short period of time, I now keep it down. I like to call my current hairstyle my “Political Pat” look. Some like it while others say I am just practicing my comb over, LOL! Anyhow, there I was standing there looking at my crazy hair when I had an overwhelming reality check of how much work I had to do before Friday! The stress began to increase.
Of course like most of us, I tend to let my mind wander all over the place before coming up with a game plan. (Well at least those who try to commit everything to memory.) So now I am trying to figure out what all I HAVE to do today, allocate any time left to work on other items due this week, while trying to figure out if I am missing something. And I am trying to do all of this while trying to comb my hair with a brush; yeah, a brush. I have not had to use a brush in a while. I normally just run my hands through my hair and make it stick straight up. Gosh, have you ever had one of those days? I am sure you have and I hope this one ends soon.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Tet

I am sure that I am not the only one whose mind wanders during a class lecture. For some, it is because the topic was very boring or repetitious. For others, it is easy to think about an assignment for another class, what to eat for dinner, or even what to wear the next day (or next event). For me, it was the writing on the board. The class before us apparently was a history class of some sort. The writings on the chalkboard dealt with the 1960’s and the Vietnam War. There was one item on the board that sparked an interest for me (and of course my mind began to wander).
One thing I learned while being involved on campus was learning about many different cultures. I have learned about the Muslim tradition of Ramadan and also the Vietnamese tradition of Tet. The Tet is an important holiday in the Vietnamese culture. It is the Vietnamese New Year and takes place on the first day of the month in the Chinese calendar; which if we look at our calendar, would fall at the end of January or early February. I gathered this information from a presentation the Vietnamese Student Association made at an SGA meeting last year. This student organization celebrates Tet on campus. If interested, check Student News and Events in the coming months.
So, it was to my surprise when I saw the words Tet Offensive on the chalkboard along with other (to my knowledge) Vietnam War topics. When I took history class in High School and College, we would always run out of time at the end of the semester and would stop at the Vietnam War. So, I know only the basics of the war and that’s about all. So, of course, when I saw that topic, I became intently interested in the subject matter on the chalkboard. Seeing as I had my laptop with me (while still following the class lecture), I searched Google© for the "Tet Offensive". Then I went to Wikipedia© and it explained that the Tet Offensive was a military campaign during the Vietnam war. The purpose of the offensive was to strike military and civilian command centers. A cease fire was agreed by the North and the South armies only it was violated by the Northern army in hopes to control the south and end the war. Now, I could continue with this history lesson, but what surprised me was that fact that a military campaign was raised during a time of peace. That time was the Tet holiday. I guess it was a not such a happy New Year for the Vietnamese people in 1968. I found it very depressing, especially since I am now familiar with the holiday and how happy the Vietnamese people are during that celebration. It was a real eye opener for me.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Back to Normal

Last time I spoke of the hardships my grandmother endured after Hurricane Ike. Although we are all still helping her cope with loss, grief, and returning to a stable life again, I am also trying to get back in the swing of things. Now that the dust has settled, it is time to get back to work and believe me it has been a really rough time.

After the hurricane and just before our campus re-opened, I caught a cold. I rarely get sick and if I do, it’s about once a year at the very least. So I guess with rare incidences like hurricanes hitting the Houston/Galveston area, I was way overdue for a cold. That did not help with my readjusting to my normal routines. The campus opened and there was much to be done.

The Student Government Association had much to work on once the campus was reopened to students. The Student Life Office had a lot to cover so that the students on campus returned safely and were ready to adjust to course work. Since I work in both those offices, I already had a lot to deal with regarding the reclamation of students after this catastrophe. In addition to helping with matters at home and battling my cold, I still had to be sure and communicate with my professors to let them know my situation. All this work on this first day back to campus and I was sick to top it all off. What a rush, but then again, as many of you may know, it should be no surprise — considering my plate always seems to be full even on a good day.

I have got to tell you, having a cold really does slow you down. Just as I mentioned in an earlier blog, we must listen to our bodies; they will definitely give you a sign that you need to slow down. I would have if I was in a different situation and the circumstances were less critical. So, I hope everyone is adjusting well as the campus returns to normalcy.

Monday, September 29, 2008

A Hard Hit

I am sure, like many of you, the past two weeks have been a tough period of adjustment. I have family all throughout the area and many of my older family members, including my grandparents, live on Galveston Island. They have lived on the island all their lives and have withstood all the hurricanes that have hit the Houston/Galveston area.

My grandparents are both in their late eighties and so it became harder and harder to convince them to leave the island. Went Rita came, we finally had them leave the island. When Rita decided not to directly hit our area, we never heard the last of it from my grandfather. Hurricane Ike was another story because not only did we know for sure it would hit the island, the dynamic of my grandparents changed as well. My grandfather’s health had worsened. My family had tried everything they could to keep him comfortable, but it just became too complicated and professional care was needed. Just before the storm, we had to admit him to a hospice nursing home with the intent to bring him home. Then Ike came. We felt it would help if he remained in professional care while we made sure my grandmother was taken care of. She, of course, insisted on remaining at home so my mother decided to stay with her. The reports of Ike worsened and so did my concern for their safety. A day before the hurricane, I had one cousin demand that my mother and grandmother leave the island and I am glad he did that. My grandparents lived on the west end of the island by Moody Gardens and it turns out that they received over 3 feet of flood water in their neighborhood. The house was ruined. But that was not all my grandmother lost. She lost the love of her life for seventy years, my grandfather. He had very little time left and so we all knew it was coming soon. We just had hoped we all could be there when he passed, but many of us could not be there. They had transported him to a facility in Kerrville, Texas where he passed away. I had flown my mother and grandmother to San Antonio where family there were able to drive them to the facility. So my grandfather was able to see them both one last time. I feel very bad for my grandmother. She has lost a lot in such a short period of time. But not only is she a very strong woman, she has a large family who will take good care of her.

This blog is dedicated to my grandfather.

Lawrence Nieves, Sr.
September 1918 – September 2008

Wednesday,September 10, 2008

Friends are Family

Do you recall your childhood friends? Are they still around? Do you keep in touch? For many of us, childhood friends are distant memories — for others they are the solid rock in our lives. For me, it is a little of both.

I grew in a neighborhood filled with kids. We would all play together at the nearby park and on each other’s blocks. We would ride the bike trail to the neighborhood convenience store and buy all the candy we could with the little change was were able to get from our parents. We would fill up on sugar and play it off for the rest of the day. During the summer, we would go to the neighborhood pool every single day. We were busy playing with our friends; we had no time to eat lunch or dinner. That’s what the candy was for. The kids in my neighborhood were very close. Everyone in the neighborhood went to school together. We did not have to go very far to play with each other. As we all grew older, our personalities changed, our interests changed, and many of us went to different intermediate schools before reuniting in high school. Many neighborhood kids moved away while others struggled with complex family living (at least for kids), but out of all the friends I had when I grew up, there are only a few I still keep in touch with almost every week.

The second day after I moved to the neighborhood, I met my best friend Stephanie. I remember it was a bright Saturday morning and I just finished watching my morning cartoons. I thought it would be cool to explore the other end of street. That is when I met her. She was collecting newspapers blowing down the street. Being the outgoing child I was, I went to talk with her. She was surprisingly friendly and not shy at all. Before I knew it, we were in her house playing with her toys. Eventually her mom contacted my mom, they met, and the rest is history. It is 24 years later and I still see her every week. We have become the closest thing to a brother and sister. I love my little sister.

Wednesday,September 3, 2008

Fall Organization Expo

One of the highlights in working with Student Life and Student Government is the Student Organization Expo. This event gives all student organizations a chance to promote their organizational goals and achievements to the student body. The event takes place on the busiest day on campus and lasts for most of the day. I enjoy the day because I get to see all my friends and we all get a chance to have fun and mingle with new and returning students. The popcorn is the best. It’s usually my lunch and dinner that day! There have been times when I eat nothing except popcorn all day!
I am actually typing this blog while I am at the expo and it looks like we will have another successful turnout. Once called the Student Life Fair, the expo was the main reason why I became involved on campus. Back then, I came across a classmate I knew and she encouraged me to join her organization. It was that moment that I felt like I was a part of the university’s community. Yeah, of course, I enrolled, registered for classes, paid for books, and showed up to class, but that was it. There was no real connection between the university and myself, other than its ability to facilitate as a lecture space.
My first step in joining an organization really gave me that sense of belonging. And, as many of you may know, the rest is history. Now, as a voice of the student body, I know that I make it a point to encourage students, like I once was, to join an organization. Participate in a workshop, conference, or festival developed by a student organization. They are taking the time to share their sense of belonging to you. Have a great semester everyone!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Across the Pond

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Road Trip vs. Flying

I did not travel much when I was a child. But when I did, we always took road trips. I have been to most of east Texas, and most of the Midwest and the east coast. I do recall taking a road trip with my parents. I was about 10 years old and my father, who worked for Southwestern Bell at the time, had to travel to Chicago for training. So he decided to take my mother and I with him. We could have flown to Chicago, but he wanted to make it more interesting. Of course, my brother got to stay home leaving the house at his disposal (party time!). The travel was amazing for a child my age. A road trip for a child is like taking a fantastic voyage into the unknown — only there is no need for an imagination, it was for real. We drove through parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee and stopped to rest. On the second day of travel we drove through Kentucky and Indiana before we arrived in Chicago. It was a great road trip but it will probably be my last for a while because as I grew older, the rest of my trips dealt with flying. So now I have developed a low tolerance for travel time. I now want to get there as quick as possible so that I can enjoy my destination. I would say my shortest flight was to McAllen, Texas and my longest flight so far has been to London, England. Flying to England was my first trip across the pond to Europe, and let me tell you, it was a FUN TIME! A while back some friends and I decided to take a Christmas trip to London and Paris, and we had so much fun. I am sure you’re wondering how much fun, but you will have to stay tuned… more next time.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

It’s Crunch Time!

With less than two weeks of summer left, it is time to exchange those beach balls and swim trunks with backpacks and textbooks. Yes, summer is at an end for most of us. Of course there are a few of us who are wrapping up our summer classes, so there was not much of a summer to enjoy or wrap up. It is a time when we gather textbooks, syllabi, supplies, and designate time for our studies while maintaining the rest of our lives. There are some students who attend class right after a long day at a job or right after their family is settled in for the afternoon. For me, it is a time to organize my class schedule, and arrange a schedule with my job on campus that will work with my class schedule as well as my campus involvements. And of course, I have to make myself readily available to the student body. As Student Government President, I feel it is my duty to maintain availability with the student body. I am their representative in all university matters from tuition and fee proposals to campus life complaints I along with my Vice Presidents stand ready to assist the students on this campus and advocate for them through representation. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I have class to attend! So yeah, I have an extensive plan for the upcoming year. Many of you will probably have some version of heavy planning but if it helps just knowing that you can do only so much and you have the ability to ask for help (or simply arrange a schedule you can handle). It is a big responsibility to take on a lot of work, but I like to think of it as a challenge. What helps the most is a strong support system. Many of you have that support at home with family and friends. I feel lucky because my support system is not only at home, but here on campus as well.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I am an Official Government Investment

Investing in your education can be a real challenge. Most students have to rely on government funding while others have other sources of income such as career income or family financial support. But for most of us we have to relay on debt! Yes that nasty word that, for some, haunts us until the day we either pay off the loans or worse when we die. I am one of those students who just could not keep away from borrowing from the U.S. government. I am just glad that I started borrowing late in my education so that I do not accumulate a large debt later (What too late!). When I was working and attended community college, I was able to pay for my classes myself. I was just glad that the classes were a whole lot cheaper then attending a four-year university. When I finally arrived at UHCL, I thought I could continue to pay for tuition based on my job earnings, and was I wrong. So after my first long semester and my first summer session, I applied for student loans. Luckily I was in the middle of my junior year and preparing for my senior year. Three years, and a lot more debt later, I am about to wrap up my last year as a graduate student. So what then? Well, I will either reach for my goal and apply for a doctorate (in most cases most of the tuition is paid for via fellowship or internship), or get a job and work on a second masters. Either way, I will need to remain in school so that I do not have to pay the loans back right away. But the one thing that I remind myself and keeps me positive is that my education is indeed an investment. The return on that investment would be enjoying my new career and making the money I will need to pay back those who took a chance on me. So when asked what I do for a living, I tell people, I am an official government investment.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

TSA Today!

I had one of the most rewarding experiences this past weekend. I had the chance to meet with other Student Government Presidents and executives in Austin for what will become a statewide student advocacy organization. Higher Education in the United States continues to be a growing concern, especially at the state level. The state budget distributes certain funding to the public universities and colleges within the state. As the portion allocated for education continues to decrease, universities and colleges must increase tuition — placing the burden on the students. As a result, students must rely on government financial aid leaving them with a large debt upon graduation. Other students do not have the means to attend a college due to cost thus discouraging them from attending. This past May, several student government leaders from several state universities met to re-establish what was once called the Texas Students Association. This organization would be a statewide student advocacy organization composed of student government leaders from across the state. This organization will represent over 1,000,000 students at 109 public colleges and universities. By working together, each Texas University will work toward common goals that could not be done individually. Some issues the organization will address will concern tuition and textbook affordability, ensure that state financial aid programs adequately provide support for those in need, and expand those programs to include graduate students. As President of the University of Houston-Clear Student Government Association, I was invited, along with my delegation, to attend a summit in the state capital to begin organization planning. I was very proud to be a part of this process. Although I felt at times that I was at the Continental Congress of 1774, we were very productive and I know that by the end of the fall semester we will have a fully energized group ready to lobby at the capital next spring. Interested in more? Stay tuned!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Overload

Ah summer, for most of us it is a time to recover from a long and challenging academic year. For others it is a chance to work ahead to complete a degree sooner rather than later. And for the rest, it’s just another day. As for me, it is all the above. After I graduated high school back in the 20th Century, summers were a time to relax and focus on making money by scheduling more hours at my job. But I started to enjoy career life a bit too much. Time and time again, my summer breaks would roll into the school year. So - needless to say - it took me longer than 2 years to earn an Associates degree.

When I finally arrived at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, I promised myself I would NOT repeat a “seven-year plan” again. I took every available class during each semester so that I could complete my Bachelors degree. Only this time I would not let my job influence my decision to attend classes. I worked a full-time 50-hour job during the week and attended 4 classes during the weeknights each long semester and at least 2 summer classes throughout the summer period. In spring 2007, I graduated with my Bachelors and just when everyone thought this was the end - think again! I immediately applied for a Masters degree and began graduate work. I figured I would get an early start on the coursework.

Fast forward to today and I am tired. My first year of graduate coursework was a bit harder than undergraduate work but was a great challenge nonetheless. So for those of you who wish to work non-stop on your degree, please be sure to take a small break, even if it is part of the summer. For others who work and want to attend as many classes as you can, take a lighter course load so that you will not burn out. And for those who fear they may never return if they skip a semester or summer session, just take one class. We all need to listen to our bodies more often. I did and skipped the first summer session. Well that is it for now, more coming soon. Take care.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Hello everyone and welcome to UHCL!

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Patrick Cardenas and I am a graduate student in the school of Human Sciences and Humanities. I am currently studying Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Congratulations to you all for making this biggest decision in your life, investing in your education. Also, a very big congratulations to you for choosing one of the best campuses in the University of Houston System. This unique campus is filled with many wonderful degree plans as well as a very knowledgeable and diverse staff, faculty, and student population.

For many of you, it can be a bit difficult attending college while juggling the rest of your life. But one of the best things about UHCL is that the university atmosphere is filled with students who can relate to your situation. Many students on this campus have full time jobs, families to maintain, and are even starting their college career after a long collegiate sabbatical.

I can relate with some of you. When I was in high school I kept my head in the books with little extracurricular activities and decided to remain local rather than conduct nationwide college searches like most high school students do. Later my senior co-op job became a career, and community college became a very slow process in terms of completion. Now, I have changed my direction and focused on completing my education. I just completed my Bachelors degree in spring 2007 and immediately began my Master’s program. I have even made up for lost time in extracurricular activities by increasing my campus involvement. I have taken a very big interest in student organizations, honor societies, and even with the UHCL Student Government Association. I have now become a very reliable member of that organization as well as many others.

There are so many things I wish to share with everyone, but all in due time. I will be posting more in my upcoming blogs. Again welcome and take care everyone. If you see me on campus, stop me and say HI! Cheers!