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And
We’re Back!
June 5, 2008
Wow. What a stressful month! Finals are done, grades are out, and summer
school will soon begin. I have officially graduated, but somehow, I
can’t escape Moraine! I just love it too much! My summer class starts
Monday and I’m working orientations, so I’m still on campus a lot. My
jobs are all in full swing and by the end of the summer with all this
heat, I’ll probably lose ten pounds.
I got a new laptop as well for graduation and will soon be getting some
peace and quiet once the family leaves on vacation. For some reason,
everyone seems to like Florida. I can sweat my butt off just fine at
home during the summer for a quarter of the price thank you very much.
And it’s not like I tan anyway.
Well, those summer nights are calling, and I must be on the run already.
I thought that not having school would slow things done, but that’s not
the case. Goodbye for now and it looks like I’ll be updating you over
the summer as well!
Don’t
Worry...It Will All Be Over Soon
May 13, 2008
The time that everyone dreads is here: finals week!!! Ahhh!!! I wish you
all good luck, and if yours will be as hard as some of mine, you’ll need
all the luck you can get. As of now, the semester and its course work
have run down, along with all the projects, papers and presentations.
These included the Honors Conference and the Honors Showcase, in which I
presented 3 different things. (Lucky me.) In the Honors Conference, my
old Honors Vet’s Psychology group presented our classic “How to Give a
Proper Interview: Racial Biases and Self-fulfilling Prophecies in
Interviews” video. It basically spoke for itself and here’s the link if
you want an example of what our Honors Psychology class allowed for us
to do with our awesome creativity skills:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1004617633205&subj=654755205
(Hopefully you have a facebook. If not, I’m sorry…)
I also had the chance to present the child psychology project poster
during the showcase, along with a review of our Honors Psychology 101
class. In both events (especially in the showcase), dozens of honors
students were able to show-off some of their projects and work they had
done in their honors classes throughout the semester to other students,
faculty and the general public.
Speaking of projects, my group and I presented yet another project in
Anthropology regarding that Buddhist temple mentioned earlier. Needless
to say, Team “Awesome-o” did an “awesome” job (no pun intended) in doing
so. And let me tell you, in doing all this, I really do now miss my
massage therapy class. Weekly massages help a lot! Well, good thing
there’s the clinic open for people like me, in serious need of back and
body mending.
Well, as the year winds down, I don’t know if I’ll be able to bring to
you my experiences of life and Moraine very much longer. I’m not
certain, but this could very well be my last post. (Although I will be
here in the summer.) So if it is, I want to say thank you to everyone
that made this journal possible, including Jodi Marneris and the
marketing and creative services department at Moraine. I also want to
thank all the students (Student Life and other great people), faculty
(yes, you, too, Admissions Office), and all the teachers and advisors
who have made my stay here at Moraine Valley so very memorable. (Special
thanks to everyone I won’t see over the summer because they’re
graduating. I’ll see you at graduation!). And I also want to thank…
*music plays in the background*… oh well, looks like they’re kicking me
off the stage. Thank you everyone and I will catch you on the flip side
(at least for now)!
Late
April 15, 2008
“I’m late. I’m late, for a very important date. No time to say ‘hello,
goodbye.’ I’m late. I’m late. I’m late.” Yes, I am quoting that crazy
Mr. Rabbit from Alice In Wonderland. (Don’t sue me Disney. I’m just a
college kid with little money.) But that’s how I feel. As most of you
will experience in the next month and a half, especially all those
procrastinators out there (yea, I know who you are), everything needs to
get done yesterday before GRADUATION! Oh no! So much to do before then!
As for me, I’m getting there…kinda. The psychology project is almost
done (key word is almost), and we just need to put our heads together
and come up with a decent display for all who will see it April 23 at
the Honors Showcase. We already got to play with the children, but the
fun part is over. The same may be for anthropology. Now is the
last-minute scramble to finish that project. Anybody up for going to the
Buddhist temple again? The fun is mainly over but the getting the group
together and actually presenting part is a different story. Hooray for
everyone’s busy schedules! Why don’t we just live an easier life like
the Europeans? I don’t know. Maybe we feel guilty if we’re not always
busy and overwhelmed. Well, at least I can burn off some steam in my
Argumentation class in the forum debates.
Phi Theta Kappa activities are well underway: 5-K Walk/Run, car wash,
campus clean-up, and about five service projects. You think we got
enough going on? The Ambassadors are in the same boat. Apparently, more
people like tours in warm weather. Hmm... never thought of that. And
can’t wait until orientations! Helping 4,000 new students over the
summer pick classes and register sounds exhilarating. Can’t wait for
that, two other jobs, and a class. By the way, the Geography Bee is
coming up. Now that’s something to look forward to (at least for me).
Well, time for me to head out and get back to my busy life. Peace out!
Full Swing
March 7, 2008
Well, it’s time for Spring Break. Woo!! But first, I can update you on
classes so far. American Literature II is tedious, and for me, not too
exhilarating. But that’s what I get for reading about dead American
poets. Psychology (Honors Lifespan Development), on the other hand, is a
little more interesting. We have been assigned groups for a project that
would involve teaching small children at MVCC’s Daycare Center some sort
of lesson. We have already observed the little ones for the project
(watching them pick their nose and run around aimlessly was quite
entertaining) and will soon try and figure out what lesson they could
possibly teach me. Sounds interesting, huh? Just wait until my next
post, and you can see how well our MVCC offspring do. Or you can come
watch the Psychology Department’s showcase later this year where I’ll be
helping present two projects. Argumentation is also quite intriguing. We
will be soon debating in forum style, a very new concept for most in the
class. Maybe our teacher just decided that my first speech was 10
minutes too long. Anyway, Cultural Anthropology is also serving me well,
at least on the creativity end.
We had to scratch the firehouse idea (darn) and now we’ve decided to
visit the Buddhist Meditation Center in Willowbrook for our participant
observation. Can’t wait to tell you all about that experience. And my
Massage Therapy class is now over. Ahhh… I know. No more free massages
for practice (but maybe my regulars will get them anyway—don’t let the
word get out). It was worth it; a massage a week definitely can’t hurt
anyone. As far as organizations go, Phi Theta Kappa is very alive. A lot
of service projects, guest speakers, and other activities are keeping
the chapter active. (Same with the ambassadors.) Student Life is also
alive; reason being more free food for Women’s History Month. Besides
that, the campus is kickin’ and all is well. Well, I must be on my way!
Until next time…
BUSY
Feb. 11, 2008
Ah life…can it get any busier? Can we get
any more snow? (Two great questions.) Well, the first is easy. Of course
it can! Work, school, activities, and sometimes a social life are
draining. Hitting on a few things, there is a lot in store for fellow
classmates and me. Phi Theta Kappa and ambassadors with shoe drives and
stuffing envelopes (yes, all of you on the Dean’s/President’s List,
someone had to send all those), Knights and Youth Group with Fish Fry’s
and retreats, school with tests and projects, work with cold and now
broke (thank you, Christmas), customers; there is no end in sight. There
are a few things I can’t wait to do (besides taking a vacation). And
they actually include Moraine. I can’t wait to do participant
observations. “Wait, is this kid talking about wanting to do school
projects?” Yes, I am. I have a great group to work with in my Cultural
Anthropology class and hopefully I’ll get a good group for my Lifespan
Development class for a similar project. Observing children for
psychology sounds fairly interesting, but I think observing the
happenings at a firehouse will blow that out of the water. Hopefully,
our group can get into a firehouse and perfect this anthropology
project. We’ll see what happens with that. As of the present, the only
thing that has caught my attention is the Black History Month activities
mainly in Student Life (probably because they have had awesome food as
of late). Other than that, life as usual is busy and insane and Moraine
only helps. And for the second question… well, I hope so because I
really want to go sledding!
Last Semester
Jan. 24, 2008
So the semester has begun. I have about 5 months until classes end and I
graduate from Moraine Valley Community College. L Cyndi Vasquez-Barrios,
assistant dean of Student Life, is also leaving. And if you have had
anything to do with Student Life, you know her and you probably will
miss her. But enough about sad things, let’s talk about what there is to
look forward to. Phi Theta Kappa is offering a rough year for me and the
ambassadors will have their hands full as well. Wait, that isn’t that
happy either. Oh man, at least I can look forward to doing all that
homework for my 5 classes, right? Wow, this might be harder than I
thought. I liked Welcome Week in Student Life though; there was free
food. Ummm, let’s see. Well, I can always fall back on my 3 jobs come
summer. That’s something to looking forward to. I’ll be saving money so
I can spend it all in the first semester after I transfer to a
university. (Yay!) No wonder our generation has problems with
depression. But seriously, I love Moraine and all the people that I know
because of my attendance here. Can’t wait for the “adventures” that will
ensue throughout the semester. You’ll be hearing all about them…
Break
Jan. 6, 2008
Hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays and/or winter break so far! Right
in the middle of break is where we now stand. Too bad, for me at least,
it doesn’t really seem like much of a break. The two jobs in which I
find myself going to every day manage to keep me on my toes. One of
those jobs is at Moraine, in which many of you have probably seen me or
will see me (orientation/registering for classes). The holidays weren’t
as good this year and I suppose it’s because I’m not young anymore and I
don’t yet have any children of my own. Santa Claus loses his effect
after so long, unless you’re Tim Allen and you find yourself morphing
into him in The Santa Clause 17 or something. But I guess life goes on.
I can’t lie though. I really cannot wait until this construction is
over. But Moraine appears to be like all of the other schools in which I
attended, the best additions come after you graduate. The campus was so
much more beautiful and less confusing before construction, but I think
it will be more spectacular when it’s all finished (around 2025 or when
pigs fly). In any case, I enjoy finding the campus peaceful and quiet
over break.
And if you haven’t seen me (cause I haven’t), apparently I am now in
MVCC’s new commercial for the spring 2008 semester. I hope I look better
on TV than I do in the picture to your right on this page. Hopefully, I
can take better pictures and make it onto the side of a bus. I’ll just
say that is my goal. I’ll be happy when the “average joe” can crash his
car into the side of my face and have me not feel a thing.
In all seriousness, I’m still alive and kicking. And for some reason, I
don’t know if I do or don’t want to go back to classes. Don’t get me
wrong. I love Moraine and the people here (especially those honors
kids—you know who you are). I guess it’s just that it is my last
semester here and that means that moving on is eminent. It’s time to
grow up and move on without a lot of the people I have spent my time
with here at Moraine Valley both in and outside of class. So I believe
it’s up to me to make the most of it and savor every moment while I
still can.
Leaving on that note, enjoy the rest of your break everybody (even those
not going to Moraine) and I will see some of you around campus!
Ahhh!!!
Dec. 5, 2007
Yes, that is exactly what you will hear from every student everywhere
right before finals. Papers, projects, and homework are all due at once.
Do we have to clone ourselves to get it all done? Hopefully not, and if
you did the smart thing like me and did the work over Thanksgiving break
to burn off that turkey, it’s almost entertaining for you. After this
week and finals next week, it’s smooth sailing from here until next
semester. I wish.
But whatever shall I do over break? Well, put in extra hours at work or
get another job (in my case, both). Ah yes, putting ten-hour days in at
my job will definitely make me feel the holiday spirit. Right? Or if you
are not yet a student at Moraine Valley and are going to orientation
over winter break, you might see me there. Yes, apparently I will be
helping all the high school students who graduated early get their
appropriate classes. No offense to those graduating early; don’t let
everyone else know that I think you guys are the smart ones. Less high
school=more freedom. And I will be doing the same in the summer for all
those coming in the fall (when I have three jobs—yay!). How exciting is
my life?! Good thing I’m taking that massage therapy class next
semester, so I can teach myself some techniques for stress relief.
Well, right now I have some family responsibilities and a job to go to,
so hasta luego everyone!
Turkey!
Nov. 21, 2007
So Thanksgiving is here, but may be gone by the time this is posted, but
whatever. All I know is that it is the perfect excuse to ease the
tension and stress of my life by doing nothing but eating all day long.
Yay! A small break from school and life is all that I need about once a
week; too bad that normally doesn’t happen. And that brings me to my
next point.
This also means that classes are almost done. I’m excited and sad at the
same time. Whatever shall I do without all my lovely classmates and
teachers over break? (Winter break, that is.) Projects are also coming
to an end, one of which will be spectacular. Did you hear that Nick
Shizas? It will be the best Psychology project presentation ever, and
mainly because it was my idea. I’m just kidding. I send kudos to my
group and all their hard work and ingenuity.
Student Life just had their turkey dinner yesterday and I also thank all
involved for a great free meal. I only bring this up to show that
Moraine—if you plan to get your education right and join
activities—offers a lot of great events to take part in. Most of them
include free food!
Speaking of turkey, by the time you read this, all or most of the 600
turkeys that were in my work’s cooler will be gone. Thank God! This time
of year at a Butcher Shop sucks. Well, just wait for Christmas. 93.9 FM
(the Lite) couldn’t wait to celebrate the holidays. Yeah! Relentless
pounding of Christmas songs for more than a month straight! Okay, I
think I’m done. Work needs to be done and socializing over break must
ensue. Goodbye all!
Overdrive
Nov. 11, 2007
Well, I won the Geography Bee again. And
the best part of it all—I’m thinking of taking Regional Geography next
semester. Ah, I love irony.
Anyway, this week will definitely test my
patience. My future is basically decided now (when I pick classes this
and next week) and through the rest of my stay here at Moraine. I’m
really not sure what to do yet. Anyone have any suggestions? I’ll just
take a plethora of classes and see where I end up (free classes* that
is—yeah, you’re all jealous).
J
Homework continues to pile up and this weekend I may have more of a
social life than usual. Hopefully, a visit to Loyola will work. All of
my activities are also pulling for any help I can give them and it
continues to be difficult. None of this is easy, but it all should pay
off in the end… I hope.
The last Phi Theta Kappa satellite seminar
is tomorrow (and thank God!). Don’t publish that; I might get kicked
out. No, seriously, the seminars have taught me a lot and I love
argumentative programming and discussion. The world is changing at an
alarming rate, and we have to learn as much as possible as to how to
adjust and continue to be at the top of our game. We are one step ahead
though at Moraine. I love diversity and I continue to learn a lot from
it here. The open house went well here, although the groups that I took
out for tours were still half asleep. Maybe we should have given them
more coffee. I don’t know why people drink that stuff anyway. Just take
a freezing cold shower in the morning. It does the trick.
Anyhow, it’s time for me to maintain my
GPA and get back to work. So much to be done, so little time…
* Publisher’s note: Kevin is a
Distinguished Scholar and as such receives free tuition.
The Show Must Go On…
Nov. 5, 2007
So apparently, it’s almost time for class registration for next
semester. Where does the time go?! Hopefully I can get some of
it back with Social Security checks in the future or something.
Anyway, it looks like I know what I’m taking and none of it’s
related. Yay Moraine! The time to explore new frontiers has
arrived: history, psychology, maybe a law class, and massage
therapy. Is anybody up for free back massages? Sign up!
The Geography Bee is coming up
and I’m anxious to see how that goes. Hopefully it ends with me
winning money again. I doubt it though, considering I still
haven’t taken a geography class since sophomore year of high
school.
Halloween, minus the Student
Life Halloween Bash at Moraine, was actually quite uneventful
this year. Not that much candy to go around, I suppose.
Halloween parties were abundant, but a Wednesday night did not
cut it.
Other than homework, plenty of
work to be done, and a few Phi Theta Kappa events, life
continues on normally. Then again, my life is far from normal.
This weekend will probably force me into overdrive, but that’s
just how it goes supposedly. I mean, who needs sleep anyway?
Well, more of my fantabulous life is yet to come. There will be
plenty of things to write about for next week. Soon you may
understand my motivation for a life of stressfulness and it may
have to do with a consistent sugar flow. Ciao!
My first entry
Oct. 24, 2007
Some people, when they hear me mention a community college, ask
me when I plan to go away to a “real” college. And I laugh and
say that they haven’t visited Moraine Valley (one of the best
community colleges in the country, if not the best). I wouldn’t
trade my experience here for the world. Well, I maybe wouldn’t
go that far, but you get my drift.
What could be so great you may wonder? Let me first introduce
myself. I am a 19-year-old “traditional” student. Why is this
important? Because there are a lot of nontraditional students;
with 18,000 students from everywhere (and trust me when I say
everywhere), diversity shines everywhere you go on campus. I
can’t get enough of Moraine’s free atmosphere. I am working two
jobs, am deeply involved in my church and school, am going to
school full time, and trying to have a social life. Sounds
rough, doesn’t it?
Well, when I tell you the perks, you may see why I choose to be
where I am. As a Moraine student, I am receiving free tuition
because I received the Distinguished Scholar Award (because of
my rank in high school). Perk two: I get to stay at home and be
involved with my community and church and my lovely family (no
sarcasm, of course). And best of all, while many of my friends
have gone away to universities and other distant schools and are
spending what little money they have or their parents’ incomes,
I get to save my money. Yep, most of it goes away into an
account and not to minimum payments for student loans. Trust me;
the best way to go through college is without owing $60,000
after you’re done. Moraine Valley Community College allows for
me to do all this.
From this point forward, if you care (haha), you will get a
small snippet of my stressful life and my experiences here at
Moraine Valley. How interesting, huh?! Don’t worry; I’ll spice
it up. If you want the inside scoop, I am your man. But until
next time, I’ve got to run!
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Kevin
Zickterman
Chicago Ridge
Getting to know me
I seem to be everywhere and part of everything. I'm a very
social person and love volunteering at school and around the
community. I'm usually stressed though with school (full-time
student), work (working at the Old Fashioned Butcher Shop),
school activities, and community/parish activities. I have two
younger sisters who, like myself, have traveled around the
country and have seen various countries. And most important: I
love playing and listening to music.
Activities
Phi Theta Kappa, Student Ambassador Club, Honors Program,
current community/parish activities: Ushers and Greeting
Ministries, youth group, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent DePaul
Society, Parish Pastoral Council
Best advice
for students considering Moraine Valley
There's no reason not to go for the gold at Moraine Valley
Community College! With MVCC, you can easily make a school
schedule adaptable to your own personal busy schedule and earn a
degree or certificate quickly. And while it's also a fun and
exciting experience here at MVCC, it's also cheap and
affordable! |
