Tag Archives: summer

Summer with (a) View

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Performing arts in the Adirondacks. Sounds pretty idyllic, right? I, along with two other SUNY Oswego students and 3 students from other schools, got to work at View Arts Center in a variety of functions such as graphic design, events, and performances. My specialty was performances, but arts organizations are often small which means that there was a good deal of crossover.

Hanging with my buddy, Url.

A little background on View: it began in the yard of a woman named Mirnie Kashiwa. Dedicated to her community and its enrichment, she began to display art on chicken wire in her yard and then raised money to eventually buy a building and expand the art gallery. To do this she created the Arts Guild of Old Forge. She established the Kinderwood Preschool program for young children and the organization really expanded throughout the community and area. Eventually, the guild was able to expand even more and buy land and create a LEED certified gallery with workshops and performance space.

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason

As the performances intern, I got to write press releases promoting the shows, work with performers, and handle a good deal of logistics that go along with putting on a show. We would put on concerts and theatre performances that cover genres from opera to folk to broadway. Some of my favorites acts included Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, folk performers who frequently collaborate with Ken Burns (they have Grammy nominations for their work on the Civil War documentary) and the Dan Brubeck Quartet, a jazz act from Vancouver who had their music featured in Baby Driver. I found that performers were kind and generous and very easy to talk to, which made the job more rewarding.

A photo I took to promote our ice cream social

Aside from coordinating volunteers and assuring the venue was prepared for a performance, I also participated in the other events we would host. For the annual gala View hosted, the interns along with the COO and secretaries were responsible for running the fundraising efforts during the gala such as the silent auctions and taking bids for the main auction. We also were man power for the craft show, antique show, and other events.  

Francesca Antonello (@chessmanceramics) aka my lovely roomie and throwing teacher

This internship was more than just working though. I was fortunate enough to meet some amazing people, particularly my housemate Francesca Antonello. She was the workshop intern and a very talented ceramicist. I was also able to learn new skills like glass fusing, pottery making (thanks Francesca!), and yoga classes. During the summer I was able to expand and learn more about myself, both in a personal and professional context. Plus, it helped to do it in such a pretty place.

Adjustments: Moving Back Home

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“Hey, wanna go grab ice cream?” This was the question I asked my best friend Alexandra on the second day I moved back home last year. She was hanging out at my house, so we got in my car and got our chilly desserts. Approximately 10-15 minutes, I got the text. You know, the quintessential parent to child text that strikes fear in your heart.

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After getting used to the autonomy of college, I realized that I had to tell my mom my location. I told my mother and she was fine with it, but it was a wake-up call. Yeah, in college I might mention that I was grabbing dinner with friends, but the task isn’t compulsory. I realized I would have to make a key adjustment moving back home.

It’s easy to forget when you experience the kind of big lifestyle change that college provides. It is often the first big stepping stone for many and is their first taste of living on their own. The biggest recommendation I have is talking things out with your parents and understanding their expectations for you. I definitely live under a certain set of rules, but my personal growth in college has an impact as well. I have more freedom than I did in high school, but I still need to respect my parents as well.

College is certainly a great experience, but that doesn’t mean going home for the summer can’t be great, too.

 

Spring Broken!

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Hello followers! It’s been a while since my last blog post (I’m crazy busy this semester-emphasis on crazy) and I just returned from a week in Ft. Lauderdale, FL with 6 of my best friends. It was incredible to get a taste of summer in the middle of March. Even though my trip was an absolute blast, it exposed me to some of the major health risks that come with the elevated temperatures and sunshine. We’re only 8 weeks away from freedom, so take notes on these obvious tips! You should really listen to them, I promise you won’t regret it!
Water
I cannot stress this enough and I know this seems pretty obvious but it’s easy to forget to grab a bottle of water when you’re focused on getting yourself out in the sun. When your body is dehydrated you’re not only thirsty but you’re functioning at a lower level of cognitive and physical performance.
Sunscreen!
Really. Just wear it. Spare yourself the ache of raw peeling skin and throw on some SPF! You have all summer to get tan and on top of that there are plenty of products that can help you mimic the tan that you have yet to build! Hope you all enjoyed your break as much as I did!
Alcohol Consumption
Be super careful whether you’re drinking at the beach or at a summer party. Alcohol dehydrates you to begin with and as I learned from “Toilet Talk” it can increase your risk of getting Sun Stroke.

Had I listened to my mother and all of my fantastic health science professors, my skin would not be peeling right now (though I don’t regret getting to go for a short run on the sidewalk along the beach!). All in all I had a great, safe trip and would go back in a heartbeat. Hope you enjoyed your spring breaks!


SUNY Oswego Seniors (Left to right) Tess Bierl, Kara Alheim, Laura Scaffidi, Heather Casey (Me!), Kelsey Harvey and Lauren Poggiali on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Where Did The Summer Go?!

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It’s hard to believe that Summer 2012 is essentially winding down to a close. With only a few days left of my Summer, I really have no idea where it went..

I spent this entire Summer at an internship with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, better known as the MTA, that I got with a LOT of help from Experience Based Education at SUNY Oswego. I have to thank them so much for being patient with me, because the process that I had to go through to get the internship was such a hassle. Thankfully, when I went in for the interview, I was hired on the spot.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, what is a broadcasting major doing at the MTA? Well, the MTA has a PR show known as TransitTransit News Magazine. It’s a pretty interesting show that’s been around for nearly 20 years. It airs Saturdays and Sunday’s on Ch. 25 WNYE-TV in NYC, and sporadically on the public access channels around the city. Don’t ask me what time because honestly, I’ve never watched the show on TV( I get DVD copies every month).

The internship was very helpful in a sense that I learned new things and was allowed to apply  all that I learned in school as well. I am extremely grateful that I was able to learn how to use Avid at TransitTransit, because it never really hurts to know more editing programs.

I also managed to take away a lot of life lessons from the internship. When it wasn’t time for “carry this, carry that, fetch me breakfast..” My boss and everyone taught me a lot about the business and people. That definitely was not rainbows and butterflies. But I guess the biggest and most important thing I learned at my internship was that  I still want to be an Editor or Producer, despite the negativity I experienced.

In about  5 days I’ll be Oswego bound. The semester is going to be quite an interesting one to say the least. I need to some how manage TA-ing, two positions at WTOP10-TV, 4 classes, and a job. I’ve got a lot on my plate this semester, but I am definitely looking forward to the challenge.

The Future

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The future has always been a concept that terrifies me. Even though it’s a reality for all of us, I hate not knowing what’s going to happen. I hate being afraid that the future isn’t going to be what I envision, isn’t going to work out. This creates a great deal of anxiety for me, and that was anxiety that I felt when I graduated from high school. I was terrified of leaving an environment with which I was comfortable and entering one with which I was not, and my freshman year of college was not very enjoyable; I made mistakes, and I made decisions of which, to this day, I am ashamed, and I can only imagine that it was because, emotionally, I was not ready for college. That’s not to say that I wish that I would have waited a year or two – definitely not; the only way that I could be ready was to experience it, which is ultimately why I’m glad that I did make mistakes. Still, though, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of dread that I’m going to make more, that I’m not ready for the “real world” and what dangers that it has to offer, the worst of them probably being uncertainty.

Luckily, I’m armed with something that I didn’t have four years ago; I’m armed with love. Four years ago, something that really beat me down was the thought that I was meant to be alone and that that was how I was destined to spend the rest of my life. I know; it was kind of ridiculous, but at the time, that’s what I believed, and if I hadn’t found my boyfriend Ray, I very likely would still feel that way. As a teenager, I didn’t really experience a real connection with another person like most teenagers do. Every time that I went to a prom or a ball, I went with a friend; I never knew what a real date was, a real romantic experience. Now, I do, and that very strong connection gives me faith that I didn’t have before.

Yesterday, I graduated, and it felt so strange. I knew that I was supposed to be overcome by an immense amount of bittersweet feelings – happiness because I have gotten through the last bloody and sweaty four years and sadness because I was leaving Oswego behind, a very special place to me that will always have a place in my heart, but I just felt embarrassed because I had lost my tassel. I looked around me for others that weren’t wearing one, but I didn’t see anyone, and I felt so embarrassed. Even now that it’s over, the fact that I graduated from college with an undergraduate degree hasn’t sunk in yet.

I’m now pursuing a really great, ideal job and hope that I get it. I could finally be looking at enough money to buy a car, which would really feel like a major step forward. I don’t even have my license because I’ve never had the support system that I would have needed, and I’ve never had the finances to afford a car. That may finally be a reality, but of course, it’s dependent upon whether or not I get the job. From experience, I don’t seem to interview well; I applied to be a DA on campus three times, was interviewed each time, and each time, I was rejected. I try to be positive, though. and I try to look toward the future as promise. My goal is to have a car by the end of the summer, so by August, and to then have an apartment with my boyfriend by January. On June 9th, I take two teacher certification tests, which is going to be really rough. They are in Syracuse, and the first is at 7:45 a.m. while the second is at 1:00 p.m. Then, I have another on July 14th. I am not good at taking tests; I never have been, so I’m nervous, but hopefully, I’ll be fine. I will definitely make an effort to write as often as I can throughout the summer.

Too Hot to Handle

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I don’t know where you are right now but chances are it’s hot as blazes. I happen to be home on a week long vacate in NYC and I feel as though I moved onto the sun. According to my roommates and friends back in Oz, it’s no better there. I’m actually writing this in front of a fan by the way. For whatever reason the AC isn’t running in my house and this has lead me to delirium to some crazy thoughts, such as wishing I was back at Oz to jump in the lake.  My latest genius idea was just to soak my shirt in cold water and walk around outside like “its all good baby.”

Anyway. I was browsing the internet while I waited for my megavideo time limit to pass (trying to catch up on The Office) and I came across an article on yahoo.com about the top ten ways to stay cool. I cannot attest for all of them ( like “leave cabinets open as well, as they will store heat.”) but I do know from experience that putting you fan by the window does bring in the greatest natural cool air mankind has ever felt in his room. Of course you need to have somewhat of a breeze blowing outside for this to work and right now there is none -_- . However desperate hot times , call for desperate cool off measures so give the list a once over and see what may or may not work for you. In the meantime I’m going to go give # 4 on the list a try.

 

( source link)

Summer Life: BBQ Edition

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This is DEF not a picture of MY bbq, mine was more charred and ugly

 

 

It may be a little bit presumptuous on my behalf to start looking back on the summer already but I must say this summer has been pretty good. In all honesty this is not what I had in mind months ago when I was looking forward to summer. I thought I would take a quick 3 week summer course, hop on the greyhound to NYC, grab myself a nice little internship and just make play dates underneath the city lights.

Instead, I find myself in Oswego, NY, in my second summer course, no internship and oh yeah I haven’t been home since April…April 17th to be exact. You won’t find many complaints from me though. I accomplished a lot so far this summer, not in the way I had in mind; but as you already know and I am learning life has it’s own plans for how things go sometimes, despite what you had in mind.

If you were to visit, Oswego anytime between the months of late October – June. Then you might ask as I frequently did , why anyone on earth would decide to live here. Not because the town or people are bad(they’re not), but because the weather and vibe can be downright miserable. At least for a city kid such as myself.

However summer in Oswego reveals it all. This place is beautiful. I have a newfound love of Oswego. So far this summer I have attended quite a few bbq’s, had a makeshift one of my own , sat by the lake countless times, watched the sunset at Breitbeck Park, missed the 30 minute (felt like 5 minute) July 4th fireworks, been to Rudy’s thrice, Bev’s twice, (btw both were nice) and simply enjoyed the hot weather that is mellowed by a constant breeze off the lake.

As far as accomplishments go there have been a few but…let’s talk about that later. For now , there is still some summer in Oz left for me to soak up.

The 411

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One summer class down and the swan song on math in undergrad. Not too shabby huh? What have I been doing in this past week since class ended absolutely nothing. This is the first true break for me since the spring semester began, yeah travel back that far.

Alright, I may not have been being a complete summer bum, I just took out three books on loan from Penifield. Two by James Baldwin and one by David Benioff writer of the 25th Hour famously turned into a Spike Lee directed Movie, he also wrote the screen play for The Kite Runner and Troy. I figure three books is a enough to keep me pleasantly busy while allowing my mind to recuperate for the way I repeatedly put it through the grinder over these last 5 months. I’ve also been trying to make my way down to the lake as often as I can while the weather is nice and at the risk of this sounding like a match.com profile , I’ve been doing some bike riding around town as well.

At this point I may be enjoying summer days more than my friends. Everyday feels like a gift. One part of Oswego that is so underrated is the summer . We always hear about the snow, the strong wind gust and of course the sunset but summer is the town’s best kept secret. I have made it a goal of mine to share all of the different things that can be done for fun during the summer but I need to be selfish just a while longer.  Think of it as a finders fee.

Anyway I need to resume to this summer relaxation but don’t fret you’ll be seeing (hint hint) somethings from me pretty soon. Until then as Rob would say ” let that boy cook!”

Enjoy your summer day everyone,

Kwame

Let’s Catch Up

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Wow

It has been a while since I’ve really gotten into the flow of  things. Not to worry I am back and fully functioning. Took a much needed break. You know how hectic things can get for a college student. Hopefully to the demise of you the reader (just admit you miss me). With so much time passing , comes so much news.

This past semester I went through a lot. I grew a lot , I experienced a lot. I am grateful for it all , maybe not while it occurred or soon after, and truthfly there are issues I am still trying to resolve. However my new outlook has led me to be grateful for it all. Rain, sleet, Oswego sized snow days and sun. Whatever the problem I may be experiencing in the end will be worth the journey.

Success has found its way to me this year. This past spring semester I was inducted into the Lambda  Pi Eta National Honor Society of Communications. It was a pleasant surprise because although it has been my goal since day one of Oswego to receive academic recognition I never set out for this one in particular. Which made the induction and initial nomination that much more of an honor. I learned that when you take care of your business , stay focused on the goal at hand, the blessings will come. Also it never hurts to be able to send your parents a quick picture of you holding a Honor Society Certificate , all dressed up, with a great big smile with the caption “Hey mom just in case you thought I was going to Thirsty Thursdays every week.”

So all in all there has been a lot to occur. My birthday was exactly a month ago to the date( old & gray) , I received stitches for the first time (a lesson learned from that!), celebrated BSR (woop woop!), became Mr. BSU(check me out), My niece is 7 months and teething (poor baby sister).

As hectic as that may seem. I am still busy at work up here in Oswego. I’m taking summer classes, looking for employment, working on a possible intership/shadow position, and experiencing all that Oswego has to offer in the summer time (besides allergies and a sinus infection).

Rest assure though , we will be in touch!

-Kwame

Home Again

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It’s still really difficult for me to believe that this past semester is over. I went home last Thursday, since I didn’t have any finals, so I’ve been home for over a week now. Usually, near the end of the summer, I start having dreams that I am in school, in class or whatever else, but what’s weird is that I had one last night. I was in school, but it definitely wasn’t Oswego. I remember being outside, and I remember a waterfall. It was a big, colorful, beautiful city. I have strange dreams quite often, and most of the time, I can’t even begin to imagine what they mean.
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