Category Archives: Uncategorized

“The most important emotion is LOVE”

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Quotes can often INSPIRE and MOTIVATE people to live life a certain way. One quote that has consistently done that for me is “the most IMPORTANT emotion is LOVE” by Sonia Sanchez. I remember the first time I heard this quote; it was about 3 years ago during an inspirational speech given by Sonia Sanchez. For those who do not know who Sonia Sanchez is, she is an African American poet who has had a huge impact on the Black Arts Movement. After hearing this quote, I was concentrating on the power and meaning behind her words, I could not stop replaying the quote in my head trying to justify whether this quote related to me. I knew there was something special about these words and I still do.

“The most IMPORTANT emotion is LOVE” because without LOVE there’s no PASSION, without LOVE there’s no DETERMINATION and without LOVE there’s no MOTIVATION. So if LOVE is associated with all these great qualities than without LOVE there is NOTHING. If you are not PASSIONATE, DETERMINED, or MOTIVATED by anything in the world than what is your PURPOSE? LOVE builds relationships, LOVE builds businesses, and LOVE builds US as individuals that are PASSIONATE, MOTIVATED and DETERMINED to do something in life on this earth.

If this is not true than why are we here? We are all put on earth for a PURPOSE. To LOVE one another UNCONDITONAL, to find what it is that we LOVE so we can use that to DRIVE us to the things we are PASSIONATE about. So let me help you understand, my LOVE for basketball and fitness is what MOTIVATES me to be the best I can be in those aspects of my life and to help those around me live to their HIGHEST POTENTIAL. I am MOTIVATED, PASSIONATE and therefore DETERMINED to be SUCCESSFUL at those things that I LOVE. I hope this makes sense and if not I hope this gives you something to think about, just a little food for thought. I will leave you with another quote “Who you are is Love itself, even if you do not recognize it; for LOVE has NO LIMITS, it just IS, and just as you are, ONE WITH EVERYTHING!” ~ UNKNOWN

Taking a stance

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I wasn’t quite sure what to write about in this week’s blog, and I decided to write about Tyler Clementi.

This past week a freshmen at Rutgers University named Tyler Clementi died after jumping off the George Washington bridge. Most of the time, when I read about kids killing themselves, I’m often times apathetic to hearing about it. Now hear me out, I don’t mean to be rude or uncaring, but when someone takes their own life, it’s obvious they didn’t care much about themselves, so it’s often times hard to feel sympathy for someone who takes their own life.

However, in the case of Tyler Clementi, I felt absolutely distraught. For those who don’t know, Tyler ended up jumping off the GW bridge through embarrassment of what his college roommate did to him. His roommate recorded him having sexual intercourse with another male and posted it on the internet for the world to see. Through this invasion of privacy, Tyler took away his life at the age of 18 with a bright future ahead of him.

Being a supporter of gay rights and an overall humanitarian, this story hit very close to home. It really got me thinking though. What kind of world is it that we live in, where people are mocked so much so to the point of suicide? Why do people have to see the world in sexual preference, age, race, gender, etc? Why does the world put so much emphasis on who people are born as, rather than their own personal character? I get it, people judge other people, it’s inevitable, but why do people put so much emphasis on race, sexual preference or gender, rather than their personality, moralistic values and overall character?

In my Comm 100 class, I spoke up about how I support equality of all forms. I said something to the effect of how, to this day, I don’t understand, why in conversation people still feel the need to point out ones race or sexual preference when they’re just people. Just because they are different does not make them outcasts in today’s society. I mean, how many more lives must be lost through suicide through discrimination and bullying before someone takes charge and stands up and says enough is enough? When do we as a society decide that this needs to stop? When does the world stop seeing in black and white, and see everyone as equals?

I’m heartbroken over this whole situation, and I’ll still wonder what it will take to prevent a tragedy like this to happen again. All I can say is, my condolences go out to the Clementi family, and I personally and taking action to raise awareness on equality, acceptance and prevention of bullying. It’s going to be hard, but all it takes is one voice to stand up for something.

Traveling….

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So I just realized that I have not been home since March. I thought this wouldn’t bother me, but it has slowly began bother me. i loved spending my summer in Oswego. And it went by so fast, I didn’t even get  chance to go home for a weekend. Usually, I wait until Thanksgiving to go home, but I may just pop on over home and surprise my mother. I mean, it’s only a 6 hour greyhound trip and a an entire day of travel. When i think about it, traveling is what kept me from going home. I love being back home and I love being in Oswego, but I DESPISE traveling back and forth. Sitting on the Amtrak train or that greyhound bus for hours is no bueno.
Hopefully I can see Brooklyn sometime soon before November.
By the way, Gospel Choir Saturdays 1-3pm TYLER HALL rm 102.

Crank That Heat!

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Ok Ok ok, so maybe it’s not really that cold out. So what! -Shrugs- I’m feeling that wind (it can no longer be referred to as a breeze). I’m prepared though I got the cupboards stocked with tea, hot chocolate, the grandpa slippers with the fur inside them by the bed, some pajama pants and a duvet ready to ship I’m set!

If it’s not time to crank the heat up on the thermostat it definitely is time to crank up the heat on them books! Its October now, September is gone no more “Play Play”!

There are definitely some important dates on the calendar this month. Alumni Dinner Oct 9th, Media Summit Oct 14th, Friends & Family Weekend Oct 15th for those who indulge. There are a bunch of other events but those were the ones that stuck out to me, if there are anymore your more than welcome to remind me in the c-section.

In any event the front side of my week is packed with test to study for, people to study with, a few projects and assignments due. So its best we keep it short you get back to your work and I continue with mine.

Till Next time Ladies & Gents,

~Kwa

ReScramble Your Stress

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It is really hard to be motivated sometimes when lots of stuff is going on in your home life. I really can testify to this and I think it is an important part of college that even the toughest individual should acknowledge. I know a lot of us, especially our over achiever friends tend to keep it all in bottled in and just make a mess of things inside and out.

That’s what I did today. So things have been bothering me about my brother and such, I am just worried about him, my family has gone through a lot of custodial battles and such, the result hasn’t worked out well. However, that’s beside the point, the point is what I do to relieve stress when I do get worried.

I clean like the Tasmanian devil. Yes, I OCD cleaned my whole house today, and it wasn’t even my turn to clean this week. My housemates/villagemates… think that I am nuts again. Apparently it is not normal to do this, so say my mates 🙂

But, the idea behind it all was just to take my mind off things. Some people run, others listen to music, I clean. It makes me laugh because I always pick weird ways to blow off steam, but you’ve gotta do it. If it is your first year or your last, you need to pin point how you can shed something that is bothering you and get back to your focus, zen, chi, zone, whatever you want to call it. It is the best way in my opinion to keep your college career in the right direction while still being chill enough to have a blast. I never forget it, find it and keep moving 🙂

Be Ozzy

Four Years, Millions of Memories

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I’m finally settling back into the groove of things in Oswego, and it’s starting to hit me that I’m a senior. What?! Yes, a senior! After four long, yet unbelievably fast years, there are only seven months left until graduation. Therefore, this is a blog of reminiscence. And if you know me well, you understand that I often live my life with a camera close by. Here are the most important lessons I learned at college, and the pictures to express them.

1. The friends you make here will give you the memories you’ll never forget.

I’ve come to know so many people, but there are a few that I know will be with me forever. These people take classes with you, go to lunch with you, hit parties with you, and eat absurd amounts of food with you (Subshop, Zonies, Enzo’s, Azteca’s, Rudy’s etc).

From top left, clockwise: Jeff, Dylan, Me, Kyle, Meghan!

2. Get involved in organizations — you’ll learn much more than in just the classroom.

After working at The Oswegonian for three years, I’m confident that I’ve developed the skills I need to enter into the journalism field after graduation.

The 'Gonian before we switched to broadsheet in 2009!

3. Find something you’re passionate about.

I joined Colleges Against Cancer my freshman year, even though it had just launched. This organization has people with so much heart, and I love working in Relay for Life each year to help work toward a day when cancer can be cured.

My 2009 RFL team!

Now I’ve launched Ed2010 at Oswego State, an organization that helps students break into the magazine industry. I want Oswego State students to understand that just because we go to a small school doesn’t mean you can’t make big dreams a reality! So if you’re interested in working in magazines, join our Facebook group here!

4. If you have a good roommate, stick with them.

People often dread figuring out who their roommate is going to be each year. Will they like me? Will I hate them? Are we going to have conflicting schedules? How do we set ground rules? Fortunately, I found a great roomie. Meghan Stewart and I have been living together for three years now and we currently share a house off-campus with another fantastic friend, Kayleigh Kimberly. Which brings me to my sub-point: be nice to your R.A’s! They could end up being one of your closest friends. Kayleigh was my R.A. and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

Meghan, Kayleigh and I

5. Get a job.

Believe me, it’s so much nicer when you have a continuous flow of money coming into your bank account. And you can’t rely on Mom and Dad forever (nor should you), so you might as well start weaning yourself now.  I’ve worked at the campus fitness centers for three years and my co-workers are like a family. Some of them even took me to Canada for my 19th birthday!

My gym family in Canada for my 19th!

6. Don’t force relationships…

Too many people go into college trying to sustain high school relationships. If that’s what’s really meant to be, then good for you. But don’t hang onto something that you shouldn’t! College is about growing and getting to know yourself. I was single for two and a half years and it was one of the best decisions of my life.

7. But if you find someone great, don’t be afraid to commit.

Notice I said number six was one of the best decision of my life. Knowing when to take a chance on love was another great decision. I met Dustin during my sophomore year and we started dating during spring semester (We’ve been together nearly two years now). We were just friends first and he’s become one of my best friends. So my advice is find someone you can talk to, that you love being around, that you can trust. Someone you can laugh with (and at), who listens to your biggest fears and encourages your wildest dreams. That’s when you know it’s worth pursuing.

Dustin and I in N.Y.C. for New Year's Eve

These are the most valuable life lessons that come to me immediately. What are some of the things you’ve learned in college?

It’s Just Too Legit’ To Quit

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       Well since it’s technically saturday and I’m hopped up on too much caffeine to sleep I thought I should write.

       I’ve been thinking a lot lately about (yes its one of these blogs again) what being a chemist means. Dictionary dot com defines it as a specialist in chemistry (Dictionary dot com defines chemistry as “the science that deals with the composition and properties of substances and various elementary forms of matter”). This meaning is irrelevant, because it doesn’t get to the essence of what a chemist truly is. The definition gives no explicit or even implicit idea to what skills, requirements, or personality types a chemist has. With this definition anything from a plant to an ant can be a chemist.

       In my search for a better definition I think back on the things I’ve heard from professors and graduate students. One thing I remember was that for advanced chemistry lab (a 1credit chemistry requirement) students are asked to look through a journal of chemistry papers and told they need to make a compound, they must make there own procedure, catalyst, isolate the product they want from several minor or major products, run quantitative test, and purify a sample all on there own. This, in no uncertain terms, is just nuts.

       I also replayed another moment in my head. It was about how the chemistry professors decide if the general chemistry final is too hard. It was said that if the professor and the graduate students couldn’t finish the final in about 10 minuets it was too hard. If your jaw isn’t already on the floor let me explain exactly what this means; this means that the final that takes students 2 hours (120 minuets) can be taken by a chemist in about 8.33 percent of the time. This just goes to show the legitimacy of a chemistry degree and the mind boggling hurtles that you over come mentally to get to that level.

       I wondered if being a chemist meant you would just be good at chemistry or if it meant something more. To be a chemist, by ACS (American chemical society) standards at least, you would have to take organic and bio chemistry. In these classes you gain a lot of insight into how organic molecules are used buy biological creatures, how proteins and enzymes work, so you gain some biological background. You would also have to take three semesters worth of physics and math in addition to physical chemistry, which embeds the physical and mathematical background in quite deep. I also think that talent in chemistry can be applied to practically anything. I think this because all subjects have rules, and being able to memorize rules, exceptions, and being able to apply them is what makes someone good at chemistry.

       I see the difference in skill level between me and the professors and graduate students. This difference is etched in stone and clear as day, but like any young aspiring chemist I know I can change the composition of this theoretical stone so that this difference becomes smaller and smaller. I think a better definition of a chemist would be: someone who has an affinity for change, with a vast understanding of science, who has obtained mastery of basic chemistry concepts; and can independently produce, purify, and test solutions.

       I think if the word chemist was defined that way it would make aspiring chemist even more motivated. If those words were attached legitimately to your job title, you would want to live up to them all the time. There would be no ambiguity you would either fit the definition or just quit. But personally, I think it’s just too legit’ to quit.

       PS. you should try and make your own definition for your career/soon to be career that you think is specific and captures the essence of the person who does it.

Community Comfort

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SUNY Oswego Black Students Union and the Sigma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha present Community Comfort an afternoon of Scholarship, Soul Food and Bonding.
The Goal of this Program is to aid students with the transition into college life and more specifically life here at SUNY Oswego. We are providing you guys successful strategies, tips, hints to get you started off on the right foot. Have you even been sitting in your room and had one of these questions pop into your head?

How do I calculate my GPA?

How do I pick what classes I need to take for next semester? Who should I take them with? How many should I take?

What should I do if I am not getting along with my teachers?
Where Can I get additional help with my class work?
What happens if I get an E or a D? Can I repeat that course? Will my financial aid be affected?

Having trouble adjusting to SUNY Oswego this semester?

All these questions and more can be answered by attending Community Comfort this Saturday at 3pm in the Campus Center Room 201. The Black Student Union and Alpha Phi Alpha will be having Soul Food and speaking about academic policies and student involvement. There are many different ways you can learn how to survive in college but what better way than to learn from your peers. Upper Classmen have a wealth of knowledge and experience that you can use for your benefit. We are encouraging all upper classmen to come out as well and assist in cultivating the youth of SUNY Oswego!

Please come eat and enjoy : )

You’re one of those…..

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Its been a few months since the craziness of Orientation ended and I’m getting back to the point where I miss my fellow Laker Leaders. As much as I can’t wait to get away once Orientation ends I miss my summer family now. I see some of them every day, and some once in a while but, I miss our group dynamics. Every morning when Zack and Will are both late, Kim looking like a model and Leah brushing her teeth in the basement bathroom. As busy as I am right now, it makes me look back on these people and times (and sunshine) more often.

APO is doing awesome!! We have 24 wonderful, beautiful (inside and out) amazing little pledges. We have a million and 8 service projects going on, so give us all of your cans this weekend ;)Were getting so big now that we have to change to the largest rooms to accomodate such large meetings. I must say looking at the pictures of this past weekends ritual makes all of the blood, sweat and tears I’ve given to APO over the past year and a half very worth it.

In other news: I have a study abroad meeting today. Hopefully June 11-22 I will be scuba diving in Honduras, and swimming with Dolphins. Its a quarter 4 class called BIO 301 that will be going to the Bay Islands. Hopefully today I know for sure if I will be going!!

I’m also looking for Internships for this upcoming summer. I’ve found one at Columbia University where I would be in charge of 10 high school students who come take classes and I’d be there to take them to explore NYC, and take care of them. When I get more info I will keep you updated.

As for now I’m at work and must go make some copies.

p.s. I have a really awesome boyfriend who bought me boots and windshield wipers. It’s love.

So Far……

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So it’s been over a month since I moved into The Village, and love it (well kinda). I love that I don’t have to keep my whole life in my room (ex: toiletries, towels, food, coats, laundry supplies). I also love that when everyone is burning up in the heat, I’m relaxing in the central air.

But one downside is that the Village is only for a certain of person. I am EXTREMELY social and I love to meet new people. Whereas the Village is place where you are really only going to be interacting with your housemates. Because of this, I am barely at home. Though I love when I am there, I can’t be trapped in my house and secluded from the world. I’m not that type of person.
But I think everyone should see for themselves if they will like it our not. To each his/her own.