The Perspective of a New St.A.R.T. Member

This is my first blog entry for St.A.R.T. because I am a new member! I am very excited for what St.A.R.T has to offer me and what I can potentially do for St.A.R.T. I must add that I have only blogged in my English 104 class prior to this blogging. Thus, the whole blogging experience is somewhat new to me. However, I feel like blogging can be very beneficial both for the individual writing the blog, as well as the person reading the blog. I read over some past blogs to get a better idea of what exactly people write about. It was very interesting to see the variety of topics addressed within the blogs.

I was very excited after attending my first St.A.R.T. meeting at the Alumni Center. I am involved in various organizations on campus; however, I have never felt so “professional” before at a meeting. I think it was the environment primarily that made me feel this way. Most meetings are held in the library, TC, NQ, etc. However, to have a meeting held in a VERY NICE room in the Alumni Center is a very different meeting experience. The fact that we have our name signs sitting in front of us is awesome as well because it helps me get to know the other members.

I enjoyed the meeting also because it was short and sweet. It was to the point and I felt like we got alot accomplished; however, it did not drag on forever like some meetings can. I think it is great that a breakfast is served to the members as well during the meeting. Another thing that is different from St.A.R.T. compared to other organizations is the meeting time. I think 8:00 a.m. is a great time that works well with many individuals’ schedules.

I look forward to blogging again in the near future. I am a very detail-oriented person; therefore, I do not think I will have problems finding things to say! I am honored to be able to call myself a Student Alumni Relations Team member. I know being a St.A.R.T. member will be a very rewarding experience!

*Michelle Rinard*

Greatness, plus some flaws

Well the day has come where Ball State is having an event on Secondlife. Gov. Howard Dean is coming to here to Ball State to talk to student about the importance of getting involved in politics. So that’s pretty exciting. It’ll be the first time we’ll be having a Secondlife event  in real time- or live, I think. I helped come up with the idea so hopefully it’ll be a hit. Hopefully it is!

School has been pretty stressful the last couple of days – heck last couple of weeks . Accepting defeat is very hard when you’ve tried so hard to do the best… to do your best. You wanna know what else is hard? It’s hard not to get caught up in this idea that my identity and who I am depends on how I do in school. I’m try to convincemyself that I’m still somebody without school…. Sometimes I feel like I try SO hard but don’t see the fruits of my labor, grant it I’m really hard on myself, so when I do do something right I don’t usually see that, I immediately focus on what I can do better.

Why is that? Why am I a fixer? What can’t I just accept what I’ve done, encourage myself, and then try to do better next time… gosh that’s so much easier said than done!

I wonder if it’s just girls that do this. Are we the only ones that beat ourselves up for doing fine and not doing grrrreat? I wonder if boys freak out over grades like us girls do? I wonder if any boys (or men) are even reading this and what they’re thinking?

So this is my goal for the rest of this semester everything I do right I will focus considerable time on and everything I do wrong I will acknowledge, see how to fix it and move on. This will be my motto, “nail it, move on!”

It’ll be my focal point. I just hope that I will be able to keep it up.

Richard Nixon once said, “The greatness comes not when things go always good for you. But the greatness comes when you’re really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes. Because only if you’ve been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.”

I like that.

Sally Prosen

Boo! (hoo)

It’s Halloween and I’m tired. I’m plus five hours of sleep, minus about 24 throughout this week. Goodness even as I write this my eyes are blurring, my head is dipping forward and my thoughts are slurring together. Like I said I’m struggling.
So Halloween – yeah it’s not so much my thing. Today, October 30, 2009, I saw a few pretty dressed up in what I presume are costumes. There was one girl I saw that looked… different…but I’m not sure it was her regular attire or a costume so she I guess she doesn’t count. Hmm, anyway besides her, I saw (I think) four people dressed up. I’m sure there will be more creepin’ around campus but I am confined to an 8 x 10 cubicle today so the funniest/weirdest things I’ll be experiencing is my co-workers (sorry Steve, you’d fall under the funniest and Laura ahh well… you’d be the weirdest – just kidding)

So if I don’t like Halloween, what will I be doing this weekend?

Well funny you ask because I think Ray Charles is a great singer. There is one song that he sings that says it best…

Studying, Studying, the whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Studying on my mind
Talkin’ ’bout Studying
I’m in Bracken
A song of you

Ok so his song was about Georgia but I think my remix has potential, don’t you?

(Ha Ha) I will be studying this weekend and let me remind you, it’s not because I WANT but because I HAVE too. I will be studying Spanish for a Monday exam and probably do some video editing for class. Blaaahhh.

I can get through this, right? I mean, come on, many people have gone before me and accomplished this, what would make it impossible for me?

Nothing. I can do this. I can make it through this semester. I can make it to graduation (May 2011, hopefully). I will succeed. But hey, if I don’t make it, it won’t be the end of the world.
(I don’t think the world will end if I don’t make it…but I don’t want to find out if it does! haha)

Signing off now, have a boo-tific night!

Yours truly, The Singing sensation-remix extraordinaire, the One and Only,

Sally Prosen

So close yet so far

 This week has seemed like a month long, hasn’t it? My goodness I feel like I’m in slowmotion- fast foward. Oxymoron, I know but stay with me here… I feel like I’m stuck in slow motion because the days drag on BUT my days are crammed full of stuff to do. Am I the only one out there that feels like life steals your “you time?” I don’t have time to relax. Time to dance. Time to workout. Time to sleep even. I don’t have enough time in general. You know, my mom asked me the other day what are my priorities – my committments?… I told her, “Everything I’m invovled in I am committed too. I don’t have anything in my schedule that doesn’t have a purpose in being there!” CLASSES, WORK, ST.A.R.T., AIA, and CHURCH are the only 5 things I really have as responsibilities but I feel like it really should be a list of 20 activities, geez. You see I have a very wise mother who said I shouldn’t take on anymore and she made it verrrry clear (you know in THE VOICE) what my top priority should be which was an education. Education, period. That will be what will get my time over anything else! I mean it always has been a priority but this semester I’m going to really do all it takes to get on the Dean’s list. It’s  been a goal I’ve had for college, I know it’s possible, and I know it’d make mom so proud. Plus, going back to the theme of some of my earlier posts this semester… school is an opportunity, I’m going to take FULL advantage of  it!!
          Other goals I have for my college career…
1. Deans list
2. Pass Spanish 202
3. Get enough scholarhips that I won’t have to take out another loan
4. Learn how to play the guitar! 
5. Get one of my pictures in National Geographics magazines/win one of the contests!

Well until my Nathional Geographic debut I’ll share some pictures with you from the Homecoming Parade 2009!

Running & taping is harder than patting your head & rubbing your bellySt.A.R.T. loves Ball State Football

Handmade signs are so classy, Allison & Nicole prepare for the HC parade and tape up the St.A.R.T. sign

 

 

 

 

Girls just wanna have fun! Ball State ST.A.R.T. girls threw out candy and cheered on BSU football!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St.A.R.T. loves Ball State Football

 

Keep chirpin’
Joyfully,

Sally Prosen

midterm week

For all of those who are under stress, don’t worry the week is almost complete!  This week has been a busy one! My week thus far has consisted of studying, studying, and more studying, a presentation, along with being assigned more class projects, attending outside of class speaker and viewing a required play. Even though the week half way over, I still have a handful of things to accomplish. I have more studying to do, assignments to complete, a midterm to take and one INQSIT quiz to take. I just keep telling myself …”you can do it”

My advice to all who are under stress is to tell yourself that everything will be ok and take one thing at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed, eventually you will get through it. Have confidence in yourself!

-Sarah G.

Family Weekend Cornhole Tournament

With family weekend coming up, students are wondering – what can my parents and family members do while they’re here? Well I have the perfect answer! This Saturday, October 17, Student Foundation is holding its first ever (soon-to-be) annual cornhole tournament! The tournament begins at 9:00 AM and will be held on the Alumni Center lawn across from the football stadium. Cost is $10 per team and registration begins at 8:45. Here’s the BIG news – the winning team receives a $500 scholarship! But wait, there is also something for the second place team – two gift cards to Applebees. There will also be small give aways throughout the tournament. Some come out and test your skill! Family and friends of students are welcome and eligible to play! Those that are tailgating and want to come and give it a shot are also welcome! We’re hoping this event goes off with a bang so we can hold this every year before a game and supply students with a little extra money.

If you are interested in signing up or have any questions, feel free to contact me through the Student Foundation email address – studentfound@bsu.edu

Student Foundation is a student-led organization on campus that raises money in order to provide for student scholarships. 

Allison Stepp

Attitude Adjustment.. bitter or better?

     Let me first begin by talking about how incredible this weekend was minus the Ball State Football loss. I’ll quickly run through my 2009 Homecoming weekend. The whole week had been great and busy of course but homecoming really came to full bloom for me on Friday, October 2, 2009.

      Friday started off pretty early for me. I woke up at 7 a.m. read a little then got ready for Political Science and Spanish. After class I picked up a camera to get some footage from the bed races on Riverside. The event was energetic and hilarious, from costumes to catastrophes of teams running up and over the curbs. My personal favorite costume was the Sigma Chi guys who were the Jamaican bobsledding team from Cool Runnings. After supposedly ‘accidentally’ crashing their bed the team picked the bed up and walked it down the rest of the raceway. They had the crowd clapping and laughing. It was pretty cute. After filming I edited some of the footage I had which was ok. I’m still working on my storytelling skills with a PD -150 (I.E. another name for a fancy camera) Then I immediately went to the Alumni Center to code stuff and also because I had to work on Spanish in second life – or in espanol, segundo vida. (No me gusta – I don’t like it) After about and hour and forty minutes and much frustration I called it quits and went home to get ready for the Alumni Center Awards dinner that night being held in the Alumni Center.

            I was tired from a long day and frustrated after just spending such a long time on Spanish and still being unsure if I was doing the right thing, but I had to get ready so that’s just what I did. My parents arrived at my house around 6:15 p.m. and by that time I had decided that I was going to enjoy the night and the time with my parents. Which leads me to a very important lessons I learned that day that I hope I will continue to exercise the rest of my life. This lesson deals with attitude.  

            When I was a kid my Mom always you used to say “Are we going to have to have an attitude adjustment?” I hated that. I really couldn’t stand it when she asked me that, cause it was obvious that I did – I mean why else would she have asked that if I didn’t need an “attitude adjustment”? On Friday I could have been bitter, upset, tired, grumpy and just plain miserable if I wanted… but I DECIDED I wasn’t going to be all those things and more. I decided that I was going to have fun, enjoy my parents, and be joyful! And sure enough as the night progressed I was SO GLAD I made the decision I had because it ended up being one of the most important moments of my Ball State careers. As I thought about what I might write today I thought about possible quotes to include because I love quotes and I came across this quote by Lou Holtz, the famous head football coach of Notre Dame for some time. Holtz said, “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” How cool is that I hope this quote and lesson gets you thinking about your life and what decisions you make about your attitude everyday. Remember even though it is YOUR attitude it does effect others!

            Finishing up this blog, on Saturday I was in the parade with 4 other girls, Sarah, Maggie, Nicole, Allison and Kate. We passed out candy and balloons. It seriously was a blast! I really enjoyed my time with the girls and just watching them interact with each other and the little kids. Then after the parade we got the opportunity to help out with the Homecoming Pre-Game rally! We took meal tickets, put on tattoos, and helped register Alumni. It was great to see all the red and white Cardinal Pride for Ball State.

And what do you know, before I knew it Saturday had come and gone and Sunday was on its way. And sure enough Sunday came and went faster than Saturday it felt!

So here I sit Monday afternoon blogging. I thoroughly enjoyed this weekend. It will most definitely go down in the books as being a highlight at BALL STATE!!!! I can’t wait for next year.

Keep chirping

Joyfully,

Sally Prosen

(Ps. Mom if you are reading this thanks for preparing me when I was little for the moment I had this weekend to adjust my own attitude. You’re the best Ma!)

The birth of the Coolness

Are you suppose to sign these blogs with your name? Hmm I wonder. I dont know I feel like the idea of it being anonymous just has this awesome sense of “coolness” to it. I don’t know how cool “coolness” sounded, but its the only word I could think of to describe it. It kind of reminds me of Harriet Spy except she always signed her name…well it has the whole spy, secret mystery surrounding it which makes it soooo much closer to “coolness.” The only thing that would make this cooler is if I create a super secret ALIAS although it needs to be extra cool , like Rupert Maximus or maybe something unisex so no one could guess whether I am male or female…or Electranious Exlax…well maybe not…who knows I’ll come up with a cool name, even though its too late to add it to my past posts. Well, until I come up with a cool name…I’ll just sign all my posts with…

-Super Secret Coolness

The purpose of the Weekends ;)

Life has been pretty busy lately. With the fashion design society and my promotions class. I’ve been on overload! Days seem to be longer and the hours seem to be shortet and the only way I feel like I have a break is when the weekend comes, but not this weekend. I won’t be able to enjoy homecoming with everyone due to unforseen circumstances. To some this maybe a DEATH sentence of sorts, but to me I look at it as an opportunity to make my other plans bend circum to my WILL of being enjoyable. Nomatter what the situation i WILL purpose to have fun, because what else are the weekends for? To study most definitely NOT, unless you have a test monday morning you haven’t studied for. For Thinking about next week…ABOLSUTELY NOT! For sleeping of course! Whoever said you can’t catch up on sleep was a LIAR! The weekend is for relaxation…its a couple extra days than it took God to rest…hey we’re only human! I hope everyone has a great and SAFE homecoming weekend…and know that wherever I am, it will still be homecoming in my heart. And I will purpose to enjoy the weekend regardless of where I am and who I’m with or not with. Safe weekend to All!

An attempt… a FAIL

Ok, ok, ok I didn’t fail but I didn’t exactly complete what I set up to do.  Think feathers. Think beak. Think Chirp Chirp. What figure defines Ball State University? You guessed it -well I hope you did at least- Charlie Cardinal. I planned on trying out for Charlie Cardinal. Before I get into the logistics of the try-outs, costume, and commitment I’d like to tell you about me. I am a 5′5 lady with chin length dirty blonde hair, piercing baby blue eyes, and a spunky personality. I was told my many people that being Charlie Cardinal was the job for me. Although I would’ve much rather invented a girlfriend for Charlie Cardinal and be her (or Claire as I’d like to have named her) but I guess a newbies can’t really change tradition huh!? Therefore, tryouts for Charlie would have to do.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING. There were about 20 students who showed up at Worthen Arena eager to hear the requirements to become Charlie Cardinal and the Chirp Crew. The requirements were mostly common sense stuff (I.e. must be Ball State student, have a minim GPA of 2.0- I think, and have a fun personality.)

TRY-OUTS. Try-outs would follow the next day. Every participant choosing to try-out would pick a number which would decide your position in line for routines. I forgot to mention earlier that students would need to put together a 1 minute dance routine with the BSU fight song as music. And you would perform in the costume in front of the judges, which included other current Charlie Cardinals and also Chirp Crew employees. **Disclaimer: some event possibly could have changed.

MY PERSONAL TRY-OUT… never happened. After the informational meeting I decided that being Charlie Cardinal was a HUGE commitment that at this time I couldn’t make. Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to be Charlie (or my secret name- Claire) Cardinal but my class, work and prior commitment schedule just wouldn’t have allowed me to.

So an attempt but very far from a fail because I did learn a valuable lesson through the process…Charlie Cardinal is the personality of Ball State University, but he isn’t the only face. I am a student here & can represent BSU too. When I wear BSU sweatshirts, baseball hats, or say I attend BSU I am actually giving a face to Ball State University. How does that face look? Am I showing people how great BSU is when I speak, think, and act? It is a concept to think about. Who am I to Ball State University and what is Ball State to me?

Bleeding Cardinal pride and chirping all the rest of my days!

Joyfully,

Sally Prosen