Shantivia's Blog

Farewell

2008-04-19T21:25:57Z

Unfortunately, the video that I did for you guys was too large to upload for you. So I'm kinda bummed about that. Hopefully you will soon be able to view a powerpoint slide on the housing website with pictures from all of this past year's event, later this summer. The web address for that is www.usca.edu/housing/rsa. Also, Today is the last day of classes. In the past couple of weeks we've had end of the year programs, including the student leadership awards program in which the organization that I'm president of, RSA, won Organization of the Year!. Last week,we ended the semester with Resident's Week-a fun-filled week with a spades tournament, roommate game, wet-n-wild, free food, lots of music,and a great way to close out the year. I'll be moving off campus this week, with only 3 more classes to take next semester before graduating. So I'm excited.

I hope that you guys have a great summer and stay safe. Love ya!!!

Breaks Over & School's Back In, but On it's Way Out!!!

2008-03-29T03:31:51Z

I know... I know. Spring Break has passed and you guys haven't heard from your girl in a while. Well believe me, there are many reasons why. Spring Break didn't turn out to be your typical Spring Break. I ended up staying in Aiken to work until the Wednesday after it had started. I was hired at an assisting living facility for the elderly as a certified nurses assistant (cna) and a med tech. So, orientation was over spring bring and the week afterwards. I finish up training tomorrow, but that took up most of my time. I am happy with the job though, and now I have two! Anyways, the rest of my spring break was spent resting and with family, but it turned out to be a normal weekend visit. :( So much for Spring Break!!!

So school's back in, and it's time to wrap up the school year. We have tons of tests and quizzes, but as the academic year comes to an end, the end of the year activities on campus increase. I missed a lot of greek week because of work, but I was told it turned out great. This past week, RSA has been planning events for the residents to end out the semester and on April 1st were having our version of American Idol called Pacer Idol. We are also having Resident's Week the last week of class with more than enough activities to keep everyone busy. The leadership banquet is right around the corner as well and Relay for Life is next week! So as you can see, I'm pretty busy. But I'm never too busy to write to you all and update you on my crazy world.

Lastly, I'm in the process of trying to get a place off campus. Don't get me wrong, University Housing is great, otherwise I wouldn't be president of the Resident Student Association. However, being that I only have 3 classes left after this semester, it's time to venture out a little. So keep your fingers cross that I find some place. ttyl

P.S. I'm still working on that video.

Friendly Competition-College Life is Great!!!

2008-03-07T02:22:44Z

Hey,

So this is the last week before SPRING BREAK, March 8-16 or for me spring break :-(. This spring break won't be much of a break for me because I need to work and finish up my senior research project! But, I do plan to squeeze in a little fun here and there. After some work at the beginning of the week, I'm going home to be with my mom for her birthday and unfortunately surgery, as well as, with the rest of my family. It'll be good to go home for a while. I'm working because I'll be moving off campus soon and I need the extra cash for an apartment. So let me know if you know of any affordable yet nice apts. This week was pretty loaded with presentations, quizzes, and test, but its finally over now and it time to SPRING FORWARD! I can't wait for all of the great things that come with spring at USCA, like "Spring/Greek Week" right after sping break, Pacer Idol, Leadership Banquet, Relay for Life, and alot more. I'll keep you posted on how my spring break went and the upcoming events. Oh yeah, if you're wondering what the title is about: If you're a current USC Aiken Student, Join the Facebook Group "My USC Aiken Is..." and tell us what USCA means to you!!! Post my name at the end of your comment...I'm in competition! If your not a USCA student go to facebook anyway and look me up. I can always use more friends! Or join USCA's myspace group!!!! ttyl
-Check Back After Spring Break. I May Have Some Videos For You!!!

2008-02-27T16:15:29Z

This is a public service announcement: Don't park in the yellow lines or in any parking space besides the housing parking lot before 2pm if your a resident. In the past 2 weeks, I've recieved 2 tickets! Guess I didn't learn my lesson the 1st time, but I had good reasons for parking there. That started my weekend, which was pretty much a blur! I went home and it was nice, but that's all I remember. And here I am...middle of the week... and tons of things to do. Last night, I attended a Hunger Banquet which discussed the different social classes and how majority of the world's population is in need of some kind of assistance(money, food, shelter, etc.). LETS DO OUR PART! Tonight is Bingo Night for Residents and its also Senior Night at the Pacer Basketball game. I also just realized that I have a test and quiz tomorrow and a presentation, test and quiz next week. Fun Times, right?! Ttyl.

Making My Mark

2008-02-22T01:41:54Z

Hello everyone out there in Pacer Land! Just wanted to update you all on the craziness and excitement in my life. This week was pretty calm when it came to my studies. After getting those 3 tests out of the way, things kinda slowed down on the academic side ,and I did pretty good on my test. I probably should've done better in physics, but what can I say-It's PHYSICS!!! But "teach" is helping me out (shout out to Mr. Miller)! Anyways, the personal life was bananas this week!!! After a long weekend of catering with the restaurant, Monday I went "window shopping" which turned into buying and then I came back and went to the library (boring! but I got a lot done). Tuesday, I became a superstar!!! Not really. I shot a commercial for the school and you can check that out on the school's website soon! Then, after a long day of class, I went to the gym and "pump some iron".- spring break is coming! Wednesday, I had lunch wtih the donor of my scholarship this year and it was wonderful. She's a very friendly lady. That was followed by a long and busy day of meetings. Finally, today I heard back from two out of the two nursing homes that I applied to work at to keep up my CNA liscense. You always have to have something to fall back on. So, tomorrow, its interviews, decisions and a trip home to visit my family. I've got alot to do this weekend and on top of that I've gotta squeeze studying in-but I'm making my mark!!!!! ttyl

StUdY or pARtY?!

2008-02-13T16:04:39Z

Hey-it's been awhile-I know, but so much as been going on. You guys wouldn't believe. The week after I last blogged, was a very interesting week, yet difficult week. My great aunt passed away after 95 wonderful years, and I had to end up going home to attend the funeral. But all of my professors and the staff that I work for were very understanding, and they allowed me the time to spend with my family. I ended up missing, USCA's very first Dance Marathon, but I heard it was a great turn out and alot of money was raised for the Children's Medical Center at MCG. The following week when I got back, you would not believe how busy and crazy things got. It was homecoming week!!!! This year's theme: I love NY! There were fun activities all week including a hypnotist and more of our traditional events like Painting the Streets! I wasn't able to attend all of the events though because RSA was preparing for our 2008 SCORE conference, where most of the resident housing associations from different college campuses in SC get together and plan ways to make living on campus better. This year it was at Lander University and USCA took home the prize for best banner and Outstanding philanthropy. We left friday and came back Saturday, just in time to catch the Women's and Men's Game for Homecoming and we won both games! Just as we were deciding where we would go out to party I realized that I had 3 TEST the upcoming Monday and Tuesday. Not 1, not 2, BUT 3! So what did I do...party or study? Let's just say I think I did pretty good on my tests this week! Check out the photos from the conference below and see more on my profile on facebook!!

2008-01-26T20:30:25Z

What's up guys?! Well, this past week as been fun, and everybody's getting back in the swing of things. Of course the professors aren't slacking off with it being the first couple of weeks and all. I've had 4 quizzes so far, but it's not at all stressful, yet! This week kept me pretty busy because I had a lot of meetings for different things here and there but I'm kinda use to those things now. We also had a pajama party last night that turned out to be pretty good. You can see pictures oft the pajama party below. Today in the day to vote in the democratic primary in SC, so if you didn't vote in the republican primary, get out and VOTE! Doesn't matter who you want to vote for just VOTE. So what's my plans for the weekend... Tonight is pack the house night for the women's/men's basketball games. That's where I'll be , supporting the PACERS. Tomorrow...hanging out with friends and STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! Check back in with me later, we have a lot of things coming up...including HOMECOMING. ttyl!

A social life again!

2008-01-18T15:45:32Z

Schools back in and I'm surprisingly happy. First off, last semester was my last time working with Papa Russ' as a waitress, I'm still doing catering here and there, but I didn't have to work at all over the break. I returned to school early to start my old job back on campus and I'm really glad to be back. I have nights and weekends off and I'm enjoying every bit of the social life that I've regained. So the first week of classes, crazy busy and fun. I've been getting events scheduled for RSA(Resident Student Association) this year and we have a lot coming up, from a Conference at Lander, Pajama Party next Friday and a Valentine's Dance co-sponsored by AASA (African American Student Alliance). So I'm busy, yet excited, with that. This week was also a special week because we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and on Monday we are out of school in recognition of what he did- so do something positive this weekend that will impact and benefit others. Lastly, but certainly not least, It snowed in aiken this past week. Ok, for those of you that don't know, that's a real big deal! We also had a visit from Ms. Tatiyana Ali and Mr. Kal Penn supporters of the Barack Obama campaign and stars of Fresh Prince of Bel Air and House, respectively. They encouraged us to vote in this years South Carolina primary on the 26th of Jan because the youth vote is very important and literallly changing the face of the election. So Vote. Check out the photos from my christmas break and the first week of school. ttyl!
(Trip to Hilton Head)

(Family Photos)
(First Week of School)

Exhale, it's over!

2007-12-13T15:22:17Z

Well, exams are here. I'm done with two and have two more to go. I'm just happy that the semester is finally done and that I get to go home instead of staying this christmas break to work. Hopefully, I've passed all of my classes. It's nerve wrecking going to check your grades after professor put them in. I guarantee you that most students probably check vip for grades back to back, 10 times a day after taking their exam. But, this semester I'm going to try not to worry. My focus is getting done with the exams and enjoying my break. I promised myself that next semester is going to be better as far as my social life goes, with work and classes I wasn't able to get out and get involved as much as I wanted to this semester but that's going to change. I'll be working on campus again and will have nights off and more free time to travel on the weekends. It's senior year, time to have fun!

Have a great christmas and happy new year! ttyl
P.S. Congrats to the Dec 07 graduating class!!!!

1 down and 1 to go

2007-11-30T20:55:56Z

That's right. We only have 1 week left in this semester before finals and I'm too excited. I'm finishing up a research proposal for my senior year research in exercise and sports science and I think reality is finally setting in that I may not have much longer here. Next week is going to be about wrapping everything up and getting ready to get all As on the finals. That's the goal at least, we'll see how I do. Catch up with you guys later!

Refreshed and Ready

2007-11-27T22:12:52Z

Hello All,
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. My break was wonderful. I didn't have to work and I got the chance to go home and stay with my family for 5 nights. This thanksgiving that was what I was most grateful for. I did take books home and as you will see in the photos below, I did some studying, but not as much as I had planned to do. But that's to be expected when I go home, because its hard to study there.

I was having such a good time that I almost forgot to take photos for you guys to see. So the photos below are of the end of Thanksgiving break. Besides the food went so fast, I couldn't get a photo of my family having dinner if I wanted to. I got a chance to see everyone back home, and spent time with my boyfriend's family as well. We also took professional photos (to be seen at a later date) and we went to see the new movie "This Christmas," which by the way is an great film. And most importantly I'm stuffed.

Now I'm feeling refreshed and ready to tackle my finals and wrap of the semester. Yesterday, I had a lab practical in one of my courses and despite some of the slacking off I did over the break, I think I did pretty good. (Note: I am in no way encouraging slacking off. Believe me, I just got lucky!) Now, it's time to put the finishing touches on my research paper and enjoy the rest of this semester. I have a meeting to get ready for now as president of the Resident Student Association, so I'll ttyl . Enjoy the pics below!

Priority

2007-11-14T18:32:30Z

It's been one of those weeks again. So far this week I've had two quizzes, 1 test and a rough draft to my senior year research paper due in about an hour. Sleep right now is down to a bare minimum. But I'm hanging in there. With 2 more test to go, one of them being physics, Thanksgiving break is look more and more appealing everyday. I finally get to go home, for more than 1 night, and see my family!

I also have to go to work tonight. Work is a bit time consuming, it takes up about 25 hours of my week that could be devoted to other things, like going to basketball games and attending the AASA talent show tonight. This will be the first one that I have miss since I've been here. The international festival is tonight, as well. But I have to work. I would go after but I have to make good decisions and the first priority on my list of things to do tonight is study!!!

I know it seems as though I have been procrastinating, but honestly I haven't. I just have to make sure that I do well and with something due in my classes every week, that means studying up until the time of the test, even if it looks like your cramming. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's well worth it in the end.

Well I have to get ready for class. Check back in after thanksgiving for photos of my Thanksgiving break! ttyl

Speeding Through Senior Year

2007-11-05T18:23:47Z

I can't believe that fall semester is almost over. Everything is going by so fast. Thanksgiving break is almost here! Just the other day I was talking with one of my friends and it felt as though just yesterday, I was moving in on campus. Its crazy how times flies. But in the midst of all the excitement of senior year, it still is senior year! The classes are a bit tougher but majority of them are things that really interest me. Its why I came here in the first place. Right now, I'm in between classes and in the B&E computer lab working on my senior research project (taking a little break to talk to you guys), but its so surreal.

These last couple of months have been a bit trying and the stress meter reached its breaking point many times but I'm getting through it, and as I've been thinking about everything over the last couple of years in school its well worth it. No need to stress!

Lastly, I want to Thank everyone that helped to make the RSA Halloween Safe Trick or Treat a wonderful event. We really appreciate the support.

Ttyl!!!

Be careful what you ask for!

2007-10-26T14:54:06Z

Hi guys, Long time..no see right! I know its been a long time sense you all have heard from me, but you wouldn't believe how much has happened over the last 2 weeks. I mean it was one thing after another.

Ok, so fall break wasn't much of a fall break. I had tons of work to do, and ended up only getting one day to spend at home with the family. But wait...It gets worse! The Sunday right before we returned to school from fall break, my grandfather passed away and that wednesday I became really sick. Now remember before when I asked from a teacher's work day... I got it! I ended up having to miss three days of classes, one day to recuperate and the other two to go home for the funeral. I realized then that I have to be careful what I asked for. Although, my teachers were very understanding and made sure that I recieved the information that I needed for their classes and were able to make up test.

On top of all of that, I realized, at the end of last week, that I would have 4 test and a rough draft to a research paper this week, plus going to work. So you see why I've been MIA. Physics, Exercise Testing, Nutrition, and Health and Behavior Science....That's pretty much all of my classes and boy did it hit hard!!! I wasn't able to enjoy any of Fall Fest this week, but I'm glad that the worse is finally over. I just took my last test and if feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. The plan this weekend: prepare for the RSA Community Safe Halloween Trick or Treat and prepare studying now for future test in all of my classes.

Sorry I didn't take any pics over the break...you can kinda see how that was the last thing on my mind! Until next time....be careful what you ask for!

I need a teacher's work day!

2007-10-08T15:12:56Z

I am in desperate need of a break!!!! Lucky for me...Fall Break is only 3 days away. I'm going home on wednesday but I have to return back on Friday because of work. I'm use to short breaks though. For the last four years, fall break and spring break as really only meant not going to class. The work still continues because you always have tons of homework or a quz or test the following week. Truthfully the only real break you get in college is christmas break. But you learn to be grateful for any break because they come far and few! My plans...SLEEP, SLEEP, and more SLEEP! I also plan to spend some time with my family and friends and of course, study! I hope your week goes well. I have to get a bite to eat before my next class, but I will be sure to post some photos from my fall break next week, so stop back by!