Roseberry Hall

Roseberry apartments are one of the three female-only halls on NAU’s campus. Located on North Campus, they are well known for their quiet coziness and their participation in events such as Save Our Peaks.

Each apartment includes: 3 beds, a shower and bathroom (1 sink, 1 mirror), 3 dressers, 3 desks, 3 wardrobes, a bookshelf, and a kitchen (with fridge, gas stove, microwave, sink,  and table with 3 chairs).

One of the three beds is a loft with room underneath for a desk/dresser. Rooms on the west side of the building feature sliding glass doors. All apartments have carpet.

Each apartment also includes a bookshelf for all of your textbooks.

The community features a front desk, laundry facility, on-site mailboxes, TV and study lounge, exercise room, and a common balcony.

Exact dimensions can be found at http://nau.edu/Residence-Life/Housing-Options/Residence-Halls/Roseberry/

Information and room layout found here.

Thanks to Jamie for the pictures of her apartment!

A Difficult Conflict Caused by a Viral Video

Joseph Kony is one of the world’s worst war criminals and I support the international effort to arrest him, disarm the LRA and bring the child soldiers home.

– Invisible Children KONY 2012 Pledge

This morning, I ran into the Student Media Center in the Communication Building (where I work for NAZ Today), excited about an idea for a story I could do. I ran up to my producer with my eyes wide open. She looked up at me and greeted me. Without even a beat, I told her I had an idea for a story to do today. That’s when I said two words: Joseph Kony. She looked at me like I was crazy. “Who is that?” She asked.

That’s when I explained to her the viral video going around that was uploaded to the internet on Monday, March 5th. This video has almost 12 million hits at this point and that number is constantly rising. It explains Joseph Kony and the things he has done in Uganda, Africa to the children. It was created by a famous non-profit company called Invisible Children. Their claimed goal was to reach out to the public and tell everyone about the horrible monstrosity who abducts kids in Africa in the middle of the night and turns them into child soldiers and sex slaves.

As soon as it was uploaded, people jumped all over it. Viewers shared the video on social network sites including Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. The hashtag #StopKony has been number one worldwide since the widespread news. Everyone was shocked; everyone wanted to do something about it.

Well, not everyone.

When I told my producer exactly what I was planning to do with the story, she loved it. I was excited. I was finally going to cover a story that was huge. It was one that was popular and was most definitely going to be watched by most of Flagstaff. I began to work on my story, gathering interviews and talking with some people about it. My producer assigned a Photog (the videographer) to me and had me explain the story to him. My story was going to be simple. Explain Joseph Kony, then explain what Flagstaff is doing about the issue. He looked skeptical, pulled out his iPad, and began to do some research, asking me a question here and there. He then looked at me and said it wasn’t going to be as simple as I thought. There was another side to the story, one that I, 12 million people, and Invisible Children inevitably missed.

In a letter to Jason Russell, the person responsible for the film, a blogger named Amber strongly addressed this other side. It was titled “Kony 2012: Causing More Harm Than Good.”

Dear Jason Russell,

After being bombarded with your KONY 2012 crusade, I have no choice but to respond to your highly inaccurate, offensive, and harmful propaganda.  I realized I had to respond in hopes of stopping you before you cause more violence and deaths to the Acholi people (Northern Ugandans), the very people you are claiming to protect.

Firstly, I would like to question your timing of this KONY 2012 crusade in Uganda when most of the violence from Joseph Kony and the LRA (The Lord’s Resistance Army) has subsided in Uganda in the past 5 years. The LRA has moved onto neighboring countries like the DRC and Sudan. Why are you not urging action in the countries he is currently in? Why are you worried about Kony all of a sudden when Ugandans are not at this present moment?

This grossly illogical timing and statements on your website such as “Click here to buy your KONY 2012 products” makes me believe that the timing has more to do with your commercial interests than humanitarian interests. With the upcoming U.S. presidential elections and the waning interest in Invisible Children, it seems to be perfect timing to start a crusade. I also must add at this point how much it personally disgusts me the way in which you have commercialized a conflict in which thousands of people have died.

Secondly, I would like to address the highly inaccurate content of your video. Your video did not leave the viewer any more knowledgeable about the conflict in Uganda, but only emotionally assaulted. I could not help but notice how conveniently one-sided the “explanation” in your video was. There was absolutely no mention of the role of the Ugandan government and military in the conflict. Let alone the role of the U.S. government and military.  The only information given is “KONY MUST BE STOPPED.”

I would like to inform you that stopping Kony would not end the conflict. (It is correctly pronounced “Kohn” by the way). This conflict is deeply embedded in Uganda’s history that neither starts nor ends with Kony. Therefore, your solution to the problem is flawed. There is no way to know the solution, without full knowledge of the problem itself.  We must act on knowledge, not emotions.

Joseph Kony formed the LRA in retaliation to the brutality of President Museveni (from the south) committing mass atrocities on the Acholi people (from the north) when President Museveni came to power in 1986. This follows a long history of Ugandan politics that can be traced back to pre-colonial times.  The conflict must be contextualized within this history. (If you want to have this proper knowledge, I suggest you start by working with scholars, not celebrities).  President Museveni is still in power and in his reign of 26 years he has arguably killed as many, if not more Acholi people, than Joseph Kony. Why is President Museveni not demonized, let alone mentioned? I would like to give you more credit than just ignorance. I have three guesses. One is that Invisible Children has close ties with the Ugandan government and military, which it has been accused of many times. Second, is that you are willing to fight Kony, but not the U.S. Government, which openly supports President Museveni. Third, is that Invisible Children feels the need to reduce the conflict to better commercialize it.

This brings me to my third issue, the highly offensive nature of your video. Firstly, it is offensive to your viewer. The scene with your “explanation” of the conflict to your toddler son suggests that the viewers have the mental capacity of a toddler and can only handle information given in such a reductionist manner. I would like to think American teenagers and young adults (which is clearly your target audience) are smarter than your toddler son. I would hope that we are able to realize that it is not a “Star Wars” game with aliens and robots in some far off galaxy as your son suggests, but a real world conflict with real world people in Uganda. This is a real life conflict with real life consequences.

Secondly, and more importantly, it is offensive to Ugandans. The very name “Invisible Children” is offensive. You claim you make the invisible, visible. The statements, “We have seen these kids.” and “No one knew about these kids.” are part of your slogan. You seem to be strongly hinting that you somehow have validated and found these kids and their struggles.

Whether you see them or not, they were always there. Your having seen the kids does not validate their existence in any shape or form or bring it any more significance. You say “no one” knew about the kids. What about the kids themselves? What about the families of the kids who were killed and abducted? Are they “no one?” Are they not human?

These children are not invisible, you are making them invisible by silencing, dehumanizing, marketing, and invalidating them.

Last year I went to Gulu, Uganda, where Invisible Children is based, and interviewed over 50 locals.  Every single person questioned Invisible Children’s legitimacy and intention. Every single person. If anything, it seemed the people saw Invisible Children as a bigger threat than Joseph Kony at the time. Why is it the very people you are trying to “help” feel more offense than relief with your aid?

“They come here to make money and use us.”

“It makes us feel terrible to be presented as being so stupid and helpless.”

These are direct quotes. This was the sentiment of the majority of the people that I interviewed in varying degrees. I definitely didn’t see or hear these voices or opinions in your video. If you are to be “saving” the Acholi people, the very least you can be doing is holding yourself accountable to them and actually listening to what they have to say.

This offensive, inaccurate misconstruction of Ugandans and its conflict makes me wonder what and whom this is really about. It seems that you feel very good about yourself being a savior, a Luke Skywalker of sorts, and same with the girl in your video who passionately states, “This is what defines us”. Therefore, I can’t help but wonder if Invisible Children is more about defining the American do-gooders (and making them feel good), rather than the Ugandans; profiteering the American military and corporations (which Invisible Children is officially and legally) than the conflict.

Lastly, I would like to address the harmful nature of your propaganda. I believe your actions will actually bring back the fighting in Northern Uganda. You are not asking for peace, but violence. The fighting has stopped in the past 5 years and the Acholi are finally enjoying some peace.  You will be inviting the LRA and the fighting back into Uganda and disturbing this peace. The last time Invisible Children got politically involved and began lobbying it actually caused more violence and deaths. I beg you not to do it again.

If you open your eyes and see the actions of the Ugandan government and the U.S. government, you will see why.  Why is it that suddenly in October of 2011 when there has been relative peace in Uganda for 4 years, President Obama decided to send troops into Uganda? Why is it that the U.S. military is so involved with AFRICOM, which has been pervading African countries, including Uganda? Why is it that U.S. has been traced to creating the very weapons that has been used in the violence?  The U.S. is entering Uganda and other countries in Africa not to stop violence, but to create a new battlefield.

In your video you urge that the first course of action is that the Ugandan military needs American military and weapons. You are giving weapons to the very people who were killing the Acholi people in the first place. You are helping to open the grounds for America to make Uganda into a battlefield in which it can profit and gain power. Please recognize this is all part of a bigger military movement, not a humanitarian movement. This will cause deaths, not save lives. This will be doing more harm, than good.

You end your video with saying, “I will stop at nothing”.  If nothing else, will you not stop for the lives of the Acholi people? Haven’t enough Acholi people suffered in the violence between the LRA and the Ugandan government? Our alliance should not be with the U.S. government or the Ugandan military or the LRA, but the Acholi people. There is a Ugandan saying that goes, “The grass will always suffer when two elephants fight.” Isn’t it time we let the grass grow?

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Amber Ha

In this angry letter, it is clear that a conflict is arising here. Are Invisible Children’s intentions really as good as they seem? Is Uganda really in trouble? Is defeating Joseph Kony really going to change anything?

This is something that people cannot ignore. Many Kony 2012 supporters are still rallying, not caring about the controversy that undoubtedly faces them. They believe Kony must be stopped, no matter what country he is in. NAU students have even started a group to help stop Kony and get the word out. On April 20th, 2012, they plan to put up as many posters as possible all around town to let the citizens know what is going on.

Problem is, we don’t know what is going on anymore.

What we do know is this: People in Africa are suffering.

We also know (or should know) that they aren’t simply suffering because of Kony or even the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They are suffering because of many things including the lack of food, water, money, and education.

What about TOMS? The company who donates one pair of shoes for every pair bought? How come we aren’t rallying for them? Shoes are important. Shoes save lives.

What about the many other companies out there that are doing everything they can to help people in Africa and even all over the world?

This is when I realized there was no way I could do this story for NAZ Today. It was too large and too controversial for a 1 minute 30 second episode. I ultimately dropped it.

What do you think? Are the Invisible Children actually helping those in Uganda? Or are they in it for their own reasons?

Edit: Invisible Children’s reaction to the controversy

A Bug Strikes NAU…and There’s No Car Named After This One!

Coughs, sniffles, and the inevitable sore throat; NAU has been hit with a horrible bug.

Students all over campus have been stuck in their rooms, “forced” to ditch class and mumble to their pillows how much they hate their lives; a cough or two in between each word.

With the snow storm this past week, more and more people have fallen ill with a rough cold or even the dreaded flu that many fliers warn us about all throughout campus. My roommate and I are two of the people who have caught this illness, and we have been practically locked in our dorm room all week, forcing tons of vitamin C down our throats in attempt to get better.

If you have been one of those lucky enough to not have gotten sick yet, be sure to wash your hands plenty and take your vitamins. Try not to be one of the unlucky ones!

-Ash

All American Rejects Are Coming to NAU!

So in case you haven’t yet heard, All American Rejects will be NAU’s free spring concert this semester.

The concert is going to take place on March 31st in the Walkup Skydome. *This has been confirmed.

Now, many people are pretty angered by this. Why? Well I’m not sure. ASNAU picked All American Rejects based on student polls that were sent out a couple of months ago. Students were asked to vote on different comedians and bands to come this spring semester and perform. All American Rejects won out by about 100 students. Many people aren’t very happy about this.

First, let me take the time to point out that not very many people voted. For the many people who go to NAU, only a couple thousand voted. It’s not like ASNAU rigged the polls to make All American Rejects won. Many people that I have talked to voted for them. However, they were voted mostly for the nostalgic feel of hearing them again. People who are against AAR coming are arguing that this band is dead when in fact they are supposedly coming out with a new album this year.

So, for the students who are against AAR coming to town, who are they wanting to come instead? Kid Cudi and Wiz Khalifa. These two artists were the two runners-up (with AAR being 932, Kid Cudi at 851, and Wiz Khalifa at 719). It’s no doubt that these polls ended up pretty close. However, unfortunately for hip-hop and rap fans, the alternative genre won and the other guys will simply have to suck it up and not take advantage of this semester’s free spring concert.

Update: Tickets will be available in the Union at the ticket center on March 25th at 8pm.

Let’s take a second poll, shall we? Who did YOU want to come to NAU this semester?

-Ash

Google Questions

This is a master list of questions that you guys have typed into Google to find my page. I’ve seen a lot of these questions and have been able to answer them. The ones I don’t know? I ask around. I will continue to keep track of the questions and add to this list as I go. Hope this helps!

1) Do any of the NAU dorms have air conditioning?
No. Unfortunately, none of the NAU halls have air conditioning.  This is their way of saving energy (Flagstaff is a very very GREEN town; everything is about saving the world). However, fortunately, it’s pretty cold most of the time you’re here. With the exception of summer terms and the first month of school, air conditioning is never really even needed. We do have heaters! However, only controllable by the Resident Hall Director (however, you can change how much heat you want in your room). Suggestions to get around this? Buy a fan. I’m not talking about a little mini desk fan, I’m talking a big guy. It will help not only keep your room cooler during the hot month, but also keep your room more sound proof from the hallways!

2) I’m too scared to meet people in my dorm hall.
Why? Honestly, there’s no reason to be scared! Sure, a lot of people can be immature, but for the most part, people in college are really nice. At NAU, almost everyone opens the door for you. However, if you’re scared, just remember other people are scared as well. It’s a new environment for everyone in your hall (considering you’re a freshman). Suggestions? Keep your door open! This is an invitation for others to stop by and say hello! It might be awkward at first, but you’ll be living with these people for the next 9 months, so it always helps to get to know them. Also, visit rooms with their doors open! It shows that they’re looking to meet new people and get to know the people around them. Overall, don’t be scared. People are nicer than you may think, especially when everyone else is scared as well!

3) Which NAU freshman hall has the most guys?
I think I posed this question before on the Life as a Lumberjack Tumblr. I believe Sechrist may have the most guys, however I’m not sure. It also ranges year-to-year depending on how many/what types of applicants NAU gets. For the most part, NAU is mostly girls. I’ve heard a rumor that it’s about 2-3 girls per guy. For guys, that’s a good thing. For us girls, not so much.

4) What are different ways to rearrange your dorm room?
I am actually planning on making a post about this. I will link to it as soon as I do! For the most part, it ranges on your creativity level.

5) What are the first few weeks of school like?
Well gosh. This certainly depends on your grade level. However, since I’m a freshman, I will answer this as a freshman.
The first few weeks are honestly a little bit intimidating. You’re having to get used to a whole new environment and schedule. The first day of classes are usually a bit hectic. There are always freshmen scattered everywhere with obvious confused looks on their faces. Everyone is either lost or carrying around a map. There are those few (including myself) who know their way around, but for the most part, it’s a confusing mess. The first classes are intimidating. However, the first week is always syllabus week. This means professors spend forever lecturing on what the semester is going to look like. Make sure you hold on to your syllabus’. They have important dates, deadlines, and grade information.
After the first week, you usually fall into a schedule and routine. You know where your classes are, you know how to get back to your hall (I’ve had a freshman ask me where her hall was), and you know what your classes are like, for the most part. This is the routine you’re stuck in for the next semester. You’ll meet new people, either learn to like or hate your teachers, and learn that procrastination is no longer a viable option in college.
It’s fun. The first few weeks are exciting.

6) Can freshmen live in Gillenwater Hall at NAU?
No. Gillenwater is a sophomore hall  located on North campus across from the Union. Freshmen are not allowed to live in it. Freshman halls include Sechrist, Allen, Reilly, Wilson, Cowden, Tinsley, and McConnell.

7) How do I move all my stuff into the dorms at NAU?
Most people use cars & boxes. Once you get to your hall at NAU, you check in, they give you your key and a cart (if you need one) to put your stuff in. Then, bring your stuff to your room, and put it in there.

8) Do you like Northern Arizona University?
Yes. I love NAU. Honestly, I love the atmosphere, the people, and the classes. I like how everything is walking distance and it’s a beautiful walk (with the exception of the large amount of construction that always seems to be going on). I would recommend it above any other Arizona school.

9) How do I tell dorm to be quiet?
Talk to your RA. If your floor is having issues and it’s past quiet hours, they can certainly write them up. Even when it’s not quiet hours, there are courtesy hours, meaning they cannot simply blast their music and scream down the hall. The best thing you can do is talk to your Resident Assistant. They will be able to help you out.

10) If you’re a girl can you have guys roommates at NAU?
No.

McKay Village Tour

One of many types of apartments offered at McKay ranging from 2-4 students

McKay Village is a variety of apartments for upperclassmen. The types of apartments range from 2-4 students, depending on which one you receive. McKay is only available for students with 60+ credits (Juniors, Seniors, Graduates). It is located on Central Campus right next to Reilly Hall on University Dr.

Each bedroom offers a double bed, a three-drawer desk, a bookshelf, a closet, a ceiling fan, 4 outlets, and one window.

Non-university lofts are not allowed in the residence halls.

The living room offers 5 outlets, a couch, a coffee table, end tables, a window, and a ceiling fan.

In the bathroom (there are 2 in a 4-person apartment), there is one shower/tub, exterior sinks, a toilet, a vanity with three drawers, one outlet, and a mirror with an overhead light.

There is also a large kitchen which offers a fridge, gas stove, microwave, dishwasher, a pantry, five upper cabinets, five lower cabinets with drawers, a ceiling light, and five outlets.

The apartment also offers a hallway with a closet as well as a washer and dryer.

Another feature of the kitchen is it’s lovely breakfast bar with three stools.

This is a fully-furnished apartment. It offers a telephone jack and ethernet hookups. It’s open year-round and also has a convenience store and a Community center and game & exercise room.

Disclaimer: All the lamps shown in the room pictures are bought/brought from home, as well as the white 3-drawer bedside table thing.

Information and pictures thanks to Kristina G. and Northern Arizona University’s webpage.

Interested in sending in pictures of your place? Send them in to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com!

Reilly Hall Room Tour (Double)

Picture provided by NAU

As you walk down the hall inside Reilly you’ll notice a fun atmosphere of energetic freshmen excited as their first year in college rolls on by. Each floor offers its own lobby as well as 40+ rooms (with the exception of the first floor) with 2-3 people each. This room tour is of a double (2) room, so we will act as if this were the case. I will be doing a tour with a triple as well to show what those can look like.

In this room, there are 2 adjustable (but not loft-able) beds, 2 desks (with desk chairs), a small fridge (with a freezer), a trash can, a recycle bin, storage above the desk, 2 built-in closets, 2 dressers, a sink, a mirror above the sink with a medicine cabinet, and a large window. Everything else shown in  pictures did not come with the room; they were brought from home (or bought).

The above picture shows an example of something one could do with their room. The closet offers plenty of closet space, as shown:

Inside the closet there is a clothing rod, ability to put up curtains (through clips), and 2 large shelves with a divider between. When first coming into the room, the dresser is found inside the closet as well, however there are wheels at the bottom that makes it easily movable.

There is plenty of wall space to put up various wall-art. However, walls are too thick for staples or nails, so the only way to put things up are to use sticky substances. Command Strip has a nail that you can stick to the wall to hang up anything needing to be hanged (like the metal art that is shown above); however it can be a little pricey. There is a ledge above the 2 beds that stretches all the way across that allows thin objects to be placed above the bed. Note that the cabinet/pantry on the left of the bed did not come with the room. It was brought from home.

Speaking of wall art, there is plenty of space above and below the large window for any other wall decorations you may want to put up.

As I said in the above post, there are 2 desks and a fridge that comes with the room. The fridge, when first coming in, was originally placed between the 2 beds at the head of the beds. However, it has been moved in between the 2 desks. This makes it easy for any magnetic white boards or calenders to be accessed without having to buy any extra sticky substance for the walls (plus your snack food is right there). Every desk has a drawer, a storage unit (with capability to be locked), as well as 2 pull-out desks that makes it easy to do homework when there is a computer on the main part (as shown). Desk chairs do come with every hall, however not everyone has the same ones.

Here’s an example of the storage above the desks. It is about a foot and a half tall  and is great for iHomes, decorations, school supplies, movies, books, and anything else that you see fit.

The fridge (and a small TV brought from home).

A view of the sink in relation to the desk and bed. This was taken the day I moved in. This is why it’s different, messy, and with boxes. I forgot to take a picture of this area earlier. This will be updated at a later time.

Another note: Every room in every hall offers free internet, free cable TV (Reilly has assistance readily available to help with set-up of both), as well as a public restroom with public showers (and a bath?). There are 4 sets of stairs; one at each end of the building and one in the middle. There are 2 elevators as well.

I will put up pictures/information of the entire hall later on and link to it. Stay in tune!

Note: This is my room. This is also an example of picture’s I’d like from anyone submitting (make sure you remember the sink area if you have one. I originally forgot). Remember if you’d like to submit, check out the Guidelines  and email them to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com. The list of what I still need is on the sidebar on the left. Thanks!

Also check out Reilly Hall Room Tour (Triple).

First Few Weeks of School

Hey guys,

The past two weeks have been completely insane as I’ve been getting used to my new schedule with balancing school, friends, ect. I’ve been in classes, meeting new people, hanging out with old friends, and overall just enjoying my college experience as a freshman.

On Friday, it snowed on the I-17 outside of Flagstaff because it was so cold and rainy (snowy) out. My friends and I went to explore, but we went in the afternoon and by then it had already melted. However, we did have some fun taking pictures out in the forest, which I will post at the end.

As the third week is coming to a start, I just want to urge everyone to get to me with pictures and videos of their rooms. I still need someone to sign up for each dorm except for Reilly. I will probably be making and printing out fliers to post around campus to remind you. If you’re interested, or don’t know what I’m talking about, take a look at this link and this link. I’m really wanting to get these out there by the end of the month for future freshman applicants so they will know what they’re looking for when selecting their dorms. Not to mention current students who want to look at possible future dorms; so upperclassmen, send your stuff in!

Another note, I listed the halls in the sidebar on the left. The description is above the list. This way, you guys know what I do and don’t have. 🙂

Remember, if you’d like me to come and take pictures/video for you, just email me and let me know.

Also, I just wanted to announce again that starting next week, I am going to be an official reporter for NAZ Today. This means I’ll be more able to get stories and interviews, as well as the experience that comes along with it. This also means that I will be interviewing more people specifically for stories to post onto here every Sunday.

Once I start getting my dorm pictures/videos, I will be posting one every Wednesday starting this Wednesday with my own room as an example. Make sure you look out for that! If you are a follower of Life of a Lumberjack, I will also be posting a link from there so that you’re fully updated with my dorm posts. 🙂

If you guys have any questions or anything you’d like me to address in a future post, either comment or email me at northernazcollegelife@gmail.com.

Everyone have a good and safe third week of school!

A First Week In The Life of a College Freshman

Hey guys,

First off, I just want to say that starting next week, I will be doing scheduled posts every Sunday so that way it is more of a timed weekly thing and more organized. I think that this will make it easier for you guys to keep up with this blog and my posts about college life. I may do a random extra post once in a while throughout the week, so keep that in mind as well! It really just depends.

Now for the more important things. This past week has been my first week of college here at NAU. For many other freshmen, it’s been a relaxing yet scary time of minimum classes and homework, and maximum hanging out and enjoying the first week of college. For me, it’s been a crazy and hectic week with practically every minute of each day planned out to the max with classes, homework, and, well of course, hanging out with a few friends.

Northern Arizona University has a large campus and approximately 17,000-18,000 students attending classes. Because of all of the people, there are many times where it’s hard to get around quickly, even on a bike, because of the floods of people constantly contained on all of the main ways to reach classes. NAU is so full of diversity and interesting people, though, that it makes it more fun oftentimes. I’ve also found that The Union, a popular place to eat lunch during the weekdays, is often filled to the max with students trying to get a quick bite to eat in before classes…although this week, it hasn’t appeared to be very quick.

With that said, NAU is a beautiful campus, and I am grateful to know my way almost completely around North Campus. Because none of my classes are South Campus, I honestly couldn’t tell you much about it yet, and I almost never am down that way. However, it’s been really nice being able to know my way around North Campus, and even direct some upperclassmen around because they may have not had classes up here in a long time. I love how there are always people around, just chilling in the quad, playing basketball, talking and laughing with each other, and just enjoying their experiences in college. It makes it such a fun environment, and really has a great college vibe that gets me excited everyday to be here.

The quickest way I’ve found to get to classes is by using my bike. It honestly only takes me a couple of minutes to get from Reilly to any of my class building with my bike, and I always end up being early. I’ve heard the bus is a good way to go as well, and will especially be useful in the winter, although it gets crowded especially during major class times. Walking is a good way to go if you’re just wanting to leisurely get to class and enjoy the environment around you, and if you’re not in a huge rush. This way, you can better experience the people and the scenes going on around you, and really take in the awesome college experience. However, if you’re more in a rush, I would not recommend walking unless you absolutely have to.

All of my professors are males, ranging from grad students (math and English) to senior professors (everything else). They are all great professors and for the most part, I really like a majority of them. Although most of my classes are liberal studies this semester, I’m really excited to get started with more of my Journalism classes and be able to meet more professors interested in what I’m really interested in.

I mentioned The Union in an early paragraph. I really quite enjoy all of the options that they have available there, although I can see how they might get tiring after a few weeks. There is a lot of good food offered, and I really like not feeling like I’m spending money when I want to grab something to eat between/after classes. Having a meal plan through the university is a really great thing, and I almost have too many meals to use! The one complaint I’d have about it is how busy it gets during main eating hours, however if you can go when it’s not as busy, I’d really suggest that.

If you have any more questions on my first week of school, feel free to comment and let me know. I know this was a more general summary of how my week went, and less personal. I may add a more personal summary tomorrow as my weekly Sunday post.

Ash

Reporter for NAZ News

Hey guys,

I have some exciting news. I’m taking a class at NAU where I am basically going to be on the staff as a reporter for NAZ News. This means I have to donate at least 4 hours of my time a week to the studio, which is completely fine with me (now that I have my schedule all worked out). I’m really excited to be able to do this, go out on the field, and actually get a glimpse of what true news life is like, since it’s something I want to do with my life.

Anyways, I just wanted to share this because I thought it would be cool, plus it’d help me get some more things to publish onto this blog, which I definitely will still do.

Speaking of which, don’t forget to sign up for your dorm room to be a model! It’d really be great to be able to show the next year’s freshman what their prospective rooms could and do look like!

Hope you all had a great first day of school.