Before I attended Xavier University, I didn’t know what to expect. I am originally from New York but i came to New Orleans from Atlanta, GA. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like New Orleans because it was so different from the other places that I’ve lived. But when i came here in August, I simply fell in love with the city of New Orleans!!!! I fell in love with the culture, the people, and most of all the FOOD!!!!!!!! New Orleans cuisine in nothing like I’ve ever tasted before in my life!!! I started my freshman year thinking that college would be just like high school. I couldn’t have been so wrong before in my life!!! Now, college is not hard, but it is more of a matter of how bad u want it and prioritizing your time. I think my biggest problem has been setting time apart for work and for my social life. When second semester comes around I now know what I must do. I have to be more serious about my education, I can’t wait to the last minute to do an assignment, and I have to know when I can go out with my friends and when I need to do my work. It’s kind of sad that it took me a whole semester to learn this, but I would have rather now then my last semester of my senior year.
Current Events Monday, Dec 8 2008
Current Events 3:26 pm
This week, I read an article from The New York Times titled “Even Worse for Teens”. This article was about how the unemployment rate of the country affects the teens of today the most stating that, “the percentage of teens employed has fallen from nearly 45 percent in 2000 to about 30 percent today”. and also the article, said that “Young people who fail to find early jobs are more likely to remain underemployed or unemployed into their 20s and beyond. The risks are compounded for low-income youth, who are more likely to leave school and have other problems when they do not find work”. I think that this article is very important for young people to read because it gives them an in-depth look on the how the economy affects everyone, not just adults. Before I read this article I was unaware of the effects the failing economy had on young adults, but now that I have read this article I am greatly appreciative and knowledeable of the information that i have just learned.
Favorite Customs and Traditions Monday, Dec 8 2008
Uncategorized 2:57 pm
I am originally from Brooklyn, New York so I am not familiar with the customs of New Orleans. But now that I attend Xavier University of Louisianna I do plan on embracing the culture and traditions. When I first got here I didn’t quite understand why the cafeteria made red beans and rice every monday and fried catfish every friday, but now that I have been living in New Orleans for a few months now I researched the reason behind it and now I appreciate it. I also want to experience my first Mardi Gras this coming February. I always wanted to go, my friends would tell me about it all the time; i heard so many fun stories about it. I was fortunate to experience the Essence Festival the past fall. It was nothing like I experienced ever before in my life. We attended some of the concerts where LL Cool J, Musiq Soulchild, and The Dream performed; it was so much fun!!!! We walked around the city and so many different kinds of people and we ate so many different kinds foods, they were delicious!!!!! I will be attending Xavier University of Louisianna for the next four years of my life and I plan to enjoy every minute of it!!!
Lessons Learned….. Monday, Dec 8 2008
Wrap Up 12:50 pm
After graduating from high school I knew that it was time for me to make a transition into the world of college. For me, high school didn’t appear as a hassle during those four years. Work came in small loads and most subjects seemed fairly easy. That was before I got to college at Xavier University. It’s not that work is more difficult in college, it’s just that more is expected from you as a more matured student. There is much more responsibility and an entirely different type of work atmosphere. There are a few things that I know now that I wish I would have known before. I wish I would have known that I didn’t need to buy all of the books they “say” I am supposed to, because some you never even use. Also, I wish that I would have known about the different types of tutoring and study resources that are available to me.
If I had a “do-over” for this semester, I think that it would be to study more for my Chemistry classes, instead of taking hour-long naps. Another “do-over” would be to take use of my weekend time as study time; more studying, less partying. My approach to Spring semester will be much different. I will have more confidence in myself when it comes to testing, and will be more focused. I will stay in my major for this upcoming Spring semester because I feel that I have what it takes to obtain a Pharmacy degree. Since I’ve been here at Xavier, I’ve noticed that its strongest aspect is helping its students excel and succeed, and thats what I plan to do.
Wrap Up Monday, Dec 8 2008
Uncategorized 6:47 am
During my first semester at Xavier I have gained a lot of new knowledge, concepts, and friends. The things that I know about college and Xavier overall is that you should not procrastinate on every assignment and instead just do them when they are given. Another thing is you should not take the beginning of the semester lightly, because if you start of poorly it is going to be harder to bring your grades up. If I had the chance to do the semester over again I would defiantly take the all my classes more seriously and try to focus more of my time with school. Well now I have learned from my mistakes and hopefully I will now be able to focus on my main goal, which is to maintain my grades to its highest potential. Since I have already started in this direction or major I’m probably going to stick with it. The reason is because I know I want to be in the medical field and help others and becoming a pharmacist at one the well known university is one of the main reasons. I am defiantly returning to Xavier in the spring and have my scheduled made out already so I am ready to go. But it might be harder next semester because now I’m taking 18 hours instead of 14 which means I need to step up my game. Now that I have finished one semester at Xavier and been through ups and downs at times I would have to say this university is really backing its reputation as being one the best colleges. Xavier has a really high expectation of its students and faculty which means they care and want you to succeed with the best quality education experience that one can have and use it to your advantage. If there was a weak aspect of Xavier it would not be in the schooling or structures, but the parking is a bit of a problem. My opinion would be to build a parking garage so that every body will have an opportunity to drive and have a decent place to park.
Customs, Traditions, and Stories Monday, Dec 8 2008
Uncategorized 6:46 am
Well lets see, whenever Mardi Gras comes around each year my cousins and I would all ways be out in front of the food store that their parents owned and just have a blast. Some of the things we would do were of course catch a lot of beads and watch all of the cool floats. Besides that we would buy these bomb bags that were just like poppers and all they did was make a loud popping sound, and throw it at each other. Of all of the parades the one that I think is different and the more family oriented is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade because the parade goes down Old Metairie Rd. were there is more residency than commercial places. So that means that the parents can bring all the kids and even grand parents to enjoy the festivities. This parade is unique because they do not just throw beads but they also hand out fresh grown produce, like cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. I have yet to ride in a parade, but had the chance to do so at a smaller and local one but it was rescheduled. Every year that we had a king cake it was either my brother or one of my other cousins that would get the “baby” and it was mainly the guys, and they would try to hide it or frame some one else. An event that I like to go to is the Vietnamese new year fair that is held at a church that I go to in the west bank. We would always go and I would just be every where playing the games they had or eating all the foods that were not usually made at home. But I also like to sit down some where close to the stage and listen to the famous singers that you would see only in videos sing. The singers actually would come out and just act like one the regulars and mingle with their fans which is pretty cool. An annual event that my family gets together for would have to be Thanks Giving because we are more food oriented family and that is one day every body can cook all their craving foods and eat it.
Food, Music, and Faubourg Monday, Dec 8 2008
Uncategorized 6:45 am
Since my parents are from Vietnam they try to keep the traditions that were from their home town as much as possible. For me my favorite dish would have to be lasagna with garlic bread, but for the Vietnamese dish it would have to be the deep fried fish with the special sauce. But usually my family would always have some kind of main dish served with rice and some sort of soup as a side. Whenever there is a holiday or family gathering every would bring one of their specialties. Like my cousin would bring are pot of soup and my uncle would bring his famous home made fried rice which is really good. Once every body arrives and the party has started we usually would have a lot of left over’s, so every body would make a family size to go box to enjoy it tomorrow. Occasionally I would bake like brownies, cookies, or cupcakes but I have not cooked anything yet but would like learn one day. I am a type of person that would try anything new but I like to eat in general so I would have say I like every thing. My favorite restaurant would have to be a Vietnamese one in the west bank called Tan Dinh which has a few delicious dishes with a variety of others. Xavier’s food in the cafateria is pretty good for its price, but I like how they have a little bit of every type of food. After a good and tasty meal I would listen to some music depending how I feel, but I usually listen to some hip hop. But I’m the type of person that listens to every thing and since I’m Vietnamese as well I also like to listen to that as well. In high school I did play the trombone and was a decent player but got tangled up with work and did not have the time for it. Usually when I’m listening to my iPod I would have a play list with a variety of songs so I don’t get tired of one type of genre. I believed they made the film to inform us the viewers why New Orleans is one of the main cities that should and needs to be saved because of the history background it has. I am not from Treme but would like to visit it to see in person where all of the music of jazz started.
FOOOOD! Sunday, Dec 7 2008
Food Music & Faubourgs 10:08 pm
I love food!…and music! Food is very important to me! All my friends and family believe that I eat sooo much, and yes they are surely correct. I love to eat. Some people find it hard to believe that I eat as much as I do because I am so petite, but when it comes to me, looks can be quite deceiving. I eat all day and all night…but, fortunately, I am an athlete and I exercise about as much as I eat. So, there is a nice balance. My favorite entrees are gumbo, rice and gravy with stew meat or port chops, spaghetti with meat sauce,…the list goes on! Another one of my favorites things, as mentioned earlie, is music. I love to listen to music, sing, and also dance. I sing all the time no matter where I am! God has blessed me with the gift to sing, and I refuse to not use it. That is why I am in the church choir and on the praise team. Gospel and R&B are my favorite genre’s but I will also listen to pop music from time to time. I dance jazz, hip hop, contemporary, an ballet…all of which I enjoy. Dancing and singing have always been a part of my life and they are truly things that I do not want to live without…and also…FOOOOOD!!!!
Wrap Up Sunday, Dec 7 2008
Wrap Up 9:04 pm
Being at Xavier now for a total a of three semesters (starting with summer ‘08) has taught me a lot about the “college life” at XULA. At the start of the semester, I wish I would have known how important time management is. Xavier is a very challenging university and by being a Chem/Prephrm major, the courses that I am required to take seem even more difficult than others. I play on the women’s basketball team here and being able to manage time is a major key to being successful in the classroom and on the basketball court. It takes plenty concentration also. Another thing that I learned is that some courses are easier to take during the summer simply because of teacher selection and work load. Teachers seem more patient in the summer and because students usually take less classes in the summer, the work load is not that much. I was able to better handle my classes and my time during the summer semesters. If I had a “do-over” for this semester I would seek help early, manage my time better, and be persistent in completely my work and studying. I feel that I put effort into the this semester, but I know that I am capable of being much more productive; I just need to put my mind to it, stop being lazy, and get the work done. Yes, much easier said than done, but it’s not impossible. I do plan to return for the spring semester and during that semester, as stated earlier, I will manage my time better and just try to concentration and put all effort necessary and even more so that my grades will be much better. I know that I am capable of making good grades. Some of Xavier’s strongest aspect’s are its ambition and drive to challenge all students no matter what career they decide to pursue and allow students to grow and mature on a level with high standards. Xavier only accepts and produces the best.
