Therapy Dogs!

Yesterday, the “Schenectady Chapter of Therapy Dogs International” came to visit Union!

Photos Taken from the Schenectady Therapy Dogs’ FB page!

Now, what is a therapy dog, you ask?

According to the “Therapy Dogs International” website, a therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection and comfort to people! Therapy dogs visit all sorts of places, such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools (!!), and hospices, and furthermore, can help people with learning disabilities or who have just experienced something traumatic. All therapy dogs are required to have an “outstanding temperament” and an overwhelming love for people. And let me tell you, the doggies that came to visit us most definitely did!

 

The dogs were right outside of the library and so on my way to work (I work as a Writing Consultant at the Writing Center, which is located on the second floor of Schaffer Library) I stopped and spent a good fifteen minutes petting, and generally loving, the dogs.

I used the VINE app on my iPhone to film a short clip of a few of the dogs. Once I got to a computer, I looped it, put it to music ["Don't Worry, Be Happy"] and sent it to the Schenectady Chapter of Therapy Dogs International so that they could share it with everyone! [You can find it on their Facebook page!]

I hope that they come back to visit again soon!

The Gardens

This Sunday, the Spring weather that we’ve all been desperately waiting for arrived! It was a whopping 70 degrees and the majority of the students at Union took the opportunity to come outside and play!

I, of course, headed to The Gardens - my absolute favorite spot on campus. (How many times have you guys heard me say that by now?) My good friend, Remy, accompanied me, and while our initial plan was to do work, we quickly got distracted and ended up lounging around amongst a patch of yellow buttercups right beneath the Weeping Willow tree!

After three hours of flower-fun (hehe) we decided to delay work for a bit more time and instead, headed off to The Heavenly Voices Gospel Choir’s 4th Annual Spring Jubilee concert! There, not only did The Heavenly Voices Gospel Choir sing, but so did all of the acapella groups on campus (The Dutch Pipers; the all men’s group, The Eliphalets; the co-ed group, and The Garnet Minstrelles; the all women’s group)! It was a really wonderful, enjoyable show.

Unfortunately, Remy and I both discovered within a few hours that we were sunburnt (ouch!) but I think that our time in the sun was well worth it. This week the weather is going to continue to be beautiful and so I’m sure I’ll continue to be outside – but this time, I’ll be sure to wear lots and lots of sunscreen! (-:

Hope you all have had happy Tuesdays! x

Photo A Day III

Hi all!

Here are the next 6 photos in my “Photo A Day” series!

April 14th,2013 – April 19th, 2013

On April 14th, 2013 I spent most of the afternoon in the Unity Room doing work. These pins are always on display (and available for any student to take) and so I decided to snap a photo of them. They’re always a nice reminder!

On April 15th, 2013 I admired this beautiful tapestry (it covers the table in the Unity Room). I’ve been looking for the perfect tapestry for my own dorm room for awhile but have yet to find one.

On April 16th, 2013 I wore my most colorful accessories in hopes that dressing brightly would bring the warm Spring weather out. (Spoiler alert: It didn’t!)

On April 17th, 2013 Kadiatou, Andrew and I went thrifting after class! Thrifting is one of my absolutely favorite activities and on Wednesday (the day we went) everything was half off!  I love spending time with Kadiatou and Andrew and it was a much needed afternoon of relaxation and fun.

On April 18th, 2013, I swung by the supermarket and drooled over the delicious looking avocados. (Yum!)

On April 19th, 2013, I performed in the African Student Association’s 2nd Annual show! Winnie, Kendall, Kadiatou and I performed the poem, “I Am An African” by Wayne Visser. We did a great job! There were lots of other really amazing performances (African drumming, belly dancing, skits!) and it was a really enjoyable time! (*These photos were taken with my iPhone rather than my camera).

Until next time!

x

Details:
Photos taken with: Canon EOS Rebel T3i (Yup – I upgraded!)
Lens used: 50 mm f/1.4

Photo A Day II

Hi everyone!

To remind you – For the month of April I’ve taken on a new challenge: I will take at least one photo each day! In order to avoid spamming you all, I’ve decided to upload them in sets of six.

April 8th, 2013 – April 13th, 2013

On April 8th, it was beautiful outside – the first warm spring day of the trimester! So of course my good friend, Andrew, and I headed out to The Gardens to soak up the sun. As you can see, we were all smiles! It always surprises me how much a little bit of sunshine can cheer  you up!

On, April 9th, I didn’t take too many pictures while I was out and about on campus, so instead, I photographed the lamp that I have in my dorm room. As my friend Sarah so accurately put it, “I’m pretty sure almost every college student has that exact same lamp in his/her dorm,” haha.

On April 10th, I gave my hair some TLC! There’s a common misconception that when your hair is braided you do not need to put as much effort into taking care of it – very wrong! I probably pay more attention to my hair when it’s in braids – I want to make sure that it stays moisturized, healthy, and smelling good! I tend to use all organic and natural oils in my hair. My hair reacts to them much better than it does to store-bought products. :-)

On April 11th, I drove the 3 hours home and surprised my Mom for her birthday (which was on the 12th). I bought her a very beautiful bouquet of flowers.

On April 12th, I went out to my favorite breakfast restaurant (Nick’s On Broadway) with my Mama. (It was her birthday!) I, of course, ordered pancakes. (I’m much more of a sweet breakfast person than a savory breakfast person). Either way, the tables at Nick’s On Broadway always have a fresh flower in the middle of them. I’m not sure what type of flower this was, but I thought it was very interesting looking and beautiful!

On April 13th, before heading out to my Mama’s birthday dinner, I spent ample times snuggling with my overweight, fluffy, old (he’s sixteen!) cat, Taffy. I love, love, love this kitty!

That’s all for now. Hope you enjoy(ed). x

Details:
Photos taken with: Canon Rebel XSi
Lens used: 50 mm f/1.4

A Wonderful Weekend!

This Thursday I packed a duffel bag, hopped into my car, and headed home for the weekend.

But this wasn’t just any ol’ trip home – this weekend was my Mama’s birthday! (Happy Birthday, again, Mom!) – and I came home specifically to surprise her!

And boy was she surprised when I emerged from the living room with a bouquet of fresh flowers!*

On her birthday morning (Friday, April 12th) we went out to our favorite breakfast place: Nick’s On Broadway. I had the best pancakes I’ve EVER tasted and my Mom ordered her usual of scrambled eggs and mixed veggies. Yum!

On Saturday evening we decided to indulge again and we headed to Boston to eat at Penang – the best Malaysian restaurant in America! (A slight exaggeration? Not really…) Penang is incredible. It’s drive-an-hour-out-to-Boston good. It’s eat-waaaaaaay-past-full good. The idea of eating there literally sends me into bouts of excitement! And, I mean, I broke my Pescetarianism just to eat there (whoops!) – so you know its delicious!

Anyway, our meal is pictured below:

We relaxed for the rest of the weekend (minus when I had to go to the doctor’s office and get a shot – ouch!)

It was a great weekend home and just what I needed. While I may have procrastinated on my homework just a teeny, tiny, bit – I think that getting to spend time with my Mom and Stepdad was well-worth the stress-induced maniac homework completing spree that I just went on. ;-)

How was your weekend? x

* Pro Tip: Whole Foods Market is the best place to have a fresh bouquet arranged! They have a really great flower selection and if you ask the florist to make you a bouquet (make sure you tell him/her what the occasion is, how much you’re willing to spend, and a specific color and/or flower that you want in it) he/she will work his/her magic and make you a beautiful bouquet – guaranteed.

Photo A Day Challenge!

Hi Everyone!

For the month of April I’ve taken on a new challenge – I will take at least one photo each day! I’m hoping that this will help me to utilize my camera more and really figure out the ins and outs of photography! In order to avoid spamming you all, I’ll post the photos that I’ve taken in sets of 6. (So every 6 days, look out for a post!) **

At lunch on Wednesday, April 3rd, Upperclass Dining served “Japanese Burgers” as a special. I didn’t eat one because I’m a pescatarian, but my good friend did and said that they were really delicious!

On Thursday, April 4th, I went to The Gardens and climbed the Gingko tree! The Gingko tree is my favorite tree in The Gardens, and on warm days I love to climb and play around in it’s branches! (I’m still a child at heart).

One of my best friends, Kadiatou, always has a million vitamins on her at all times. On Friday, April 5th, she couldn’t find the vitamin that she was looking for and had to dump her entire bottle of mixed vitamins into her hand. I thought it was a cool photo opportunity!

Also on Friday, April 5th, my friend Winnie began braiding my hair. She was putting my hair into “yarn braids.” Yarn braids essentially look like regular braids, except that instead of hair, you use yarn! Pretty hard to explain, but if you’re interested in seeing how it’s done, watch this video!

On Saturday, April 6th, I, like the crazy teenager that I am, stayed in for the night, and ate York peppermint patties, dried mango, lollipops, and oranges (….healthy?) while watching lots of movies. It was good to have some “me” time!

On Sunday, April 7th, it was my old roommate Meg’s birthday! Her friends made her the cutest cupcakes and I had to take a picture of them. Look at their little googly-eyes!

That’s all for now! Hope you enjoy(ed)! x

Details:
Photos taken with: Canon Rebel XSi
Lens used: 50 mm f/1.4

* Also, for the record I started the challenge two days late (on April 3rd) – so by the end of the challenge I will have taken 28 photos instead of 30.