Week 1: Classes and Bates Carnival

Happy Sunday!

It has been a busy week and it seems that this semester I will have to actually schedule time to blog! That being said I am going to tell you a little about my week!  First, my class schedule!

Monday

No class!

Tuesday

1:10 - 2:40 pm - MJD-205: Global Communications w/ Professor Jon Hyde

In this course we will be mapping-out world communication and the cross-cultural outlines of our so-called "global village." We will take a macro-look at the rise of international communication systems and the development of this thing we call "global culture." We will examine a series of case studies which reflect the ways in which media techniques and technologies-computers, satellites, the news, language, digital imaging, fiber optics-impact national and cultural development among different populations around the world. Finally, we will take a critical look at the future-the future of global mass audiences; issues of inter-and-cross cultural media ethics, privacy, global policy, and intersections between science and science fiction.

2:50 - 4:10 pm - GS-230: Gender Issues in Society

Explores the significance and intelligibility of gender by examining, from an interdisciplinary and global perspective, how gender differentiation is experienced, understood, expressed, valued, and lived out in cultures.


6:30 - 9:20 pm - MJD-210: Photojournalism w/ Adjunct Professor from Champlain College


This digital-based photography course introduces students to the skills, theory and ethics of newspaper, magazine and Web-based photojournalism. Through in-class discussions and hands-on demonstrations, students learn manual camera techniques, and image editing using Photoshop software. Analyses of historical and contemporary photographic work help students apply techniques and theory to create storytelling photographs suitable for publication.

Wednesday

6 - 9 pm - AR-205: Drawing 1: Portraits w/ Professor M. Brandt

Students will develop skills in mark making, formal visual principles, and abstract thought through assignments that survey different approaches to Drawing.

Thursday
Repeat Tuesday without Photojournalism

Friday
Racing at Sunday River, ME for the Bates Carnival.

Saturday
Racing at Sunday River, ME for the Bates Carnival.

The carnivals have started out with a bang. One of our freshman men had two top 10 finishes which was very exciting. For myself it was a mixed two days. I had a solid GS day ending in 23rd. Yesterday, I was on track to have a great SL finish, but I went out in the 2nd run. :( Life goes on though. We have 5 more carnivals and I'll need to hammer down to qualify for nationals. 


So now we move into week two, leading up the University of New Hampshire Carnival at Attitash. Send good vibes my way, please!
xo
Gabbi

Saving Money on Shopping for the College Student

Today is laundry day. I woke up this morning and realized that I had run out of laundry soap at the end of fall semester. #collegeproblems


This called for a trip to Rite-Aid with a pit stop at Dunkin' Donuts. I got 4 Cup of Noodles, laundry detergent, and contact solution. Easy enough trip. What I didn't realize was that I have a deal-seeking missile now that I am broke college student. I'm certainly not on the Extreme Couponing level, but I do try to save here and there. It definitely adds up!


That is why I've opted to write a post on saving while shopping for the college student.


1) Buy the store brand.


Whether it is Rite-Aid, Shaw's, or Hannafords, the store brand is almost ALWAYS cheaper and tastes nearly the same. According to a Consumer Report article, "In our latest price study, filling a shopping cart with store brands saved us an average of 30 percent. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, those savings add up to more than $1,500 a year." While you may not spend $100 a week on a full meal plan, 30% is a pretty good discount.


2) Get the membership cards.


I have a Shaw's card and a Wellness+ card. Both of these cards give members discounts denoted by special tags on the shelves. For example, I was going to buy laundry detergent. There was deal for Wellness+ members: 2 laundry detergents for $10. One container was $9.29. Therefore, I bought two and I will certainly use them this semester with all the ski clothes I have to wash. You'll also see small discounts such as 50 cents off if you use your Wellness card.


Don't want to carry all those cards around? Download Key Ring for iPhone. You can save all the barcodes from your cards to the phone and have them all stored in one place. Nifty, huh?


3) Make a list.


And stick to it! If I don't have list, I spend WAY more than necessary. I go for toothpaste and I leave with toothpaste, a new hair clip, nail polish, eye liner, and gum, most  of which I didn't really need. A list generally assists with minimizing extra purchases. It also helps to remember everything. It is simple and I highly recommend it.


4) Join email and text lists.


I get weekly texts with my debit card balance. That means that every Friday at 9 pm I know my balance. This helps me to know when to save and when I can splurge a little. I also get texts from Charlotte Russe (sign up here) about their "Happy Hours." For example, I got a text on Thursday telling me about the Happy Hours on Friday and Saturday where all pumps would be $20. (Let's be honest, there is a good chance I'll buy a pair of shoes today. The reason I like Charlotte Russe pumps is that they make size 10 and 11, so I can actually fit in them.) I'm also on the email lists for Old Navy, Gap, BCBG Maxazria, amongst others. They go to a special folder in my email, which I can look through for sales and coupons. This is especially useful when I need something like new work clothes, a dress, or accessories.


So good luck and save! Have questions? www.formspring.me/gabbismc
xoxo Gabbi

Tips for a Skype Interview

Hey!
As I prepare for summer internship application season, I have start thinking about interviews. Tomorrow I am interviewing with Ink Public Relations, a PR firm in West Hollywood. Due to the distance, we will be doing a Skype interview. I have never done one before, so I reached out to my tweeps for some advice!

I posed a question on Twitter yesterday:

"I have a Skype interview for a summer internship tomorrow. Any advice on what to wear/where to sit/ect? #interntips"

@fitisnewblack -  A blouse and skirt. No matter what, what sure your makeup and hair looks good! That's what stands out on Skype.

@msteverb -  Ask a good friend to Skype 2night for practice-ask you Qs, etc. Have them watch for facial expressions, listen to tone #goodluck

@JasMollica - Dress as you would for typical in office interview. Try a neutral background, have your resume in front of you for reference.

@MatthewKnell - Don't over think it. Be yourself.

Obviously, a big "thank you" to all of them. I really appreciate the advice as a tackle this interview! I hope that the advice can also help you in your summer internship (or any interview) search. Have questions for me? Ask on Formspring. I promise to follow up with how the interview goes and I'm sure you (those who are regular readers) will get all the details on my internship search in future posts!

xoxo
Gabbi

My New Year's Resolutions

1) Get healthy and (more) fabulous.

This is the most cliched and difficult resolution. Sure, I'm an athlete so I'm "in shape," but it doesn't mean I can't stand to loose a few pounds. This year I am going to make it happen. In fact, I am already a week into my plan. Okay, it isn't much of a plan. It is more a watch-what-I-eat scheme. Less bagels and cream cheese and more cereal for breakfast. Less pizza for lunch and more salad.

I am using the MyFitnessPal app for iPhone. It logs meals, workouts, and water consumption. You can look up the food you are eating or scan the barcode on the packaging. It helps you set goals. For example, it will give you a daily calorie count that will allow you to lose 1 pound a week based on your level of daily activity. You can track your weight to see how much you improve. The best part? It's free.

I have also started using the Nike Training Club app. (See the video) It gives you workouts. I really like the "Get focused" option. It gives you a 15-minute workout based on the area you want to workout. Ex: Abs, Legs, or Back

I'll be skiing all winter, but I want to try and give my non-ski, swimsuit muscles going during the winter. NTC can help me with that. Plus, who doesn't want to be more fabulous?

2) Stop Biting My Nails.

It's true. I'm 20 years old and I still bite my nails. I don't remember starting to do it, but I do. I stopped over the summer when I had acrylic nails, however I picked it back up with the stress of school once I was acrylic-free. I can't have acrylics during the ski season. It is KILLER if you hit one on a gate. My friend has her entire thumb nail come off. Gross...

Therefore, my solution is to stop biting them. I don't have any fancy iPhone apps for this one. It will be straight will power. I think my best option is to keep my nails painted. Hopefully the my-nails-are-pretty factor will outweigh the I-really-want-to-bite-them factor.

What are your resolutions? Tell me in the comments section!

Have questions? www.formspring.me/gabbismc
Happy New Year! xoxo
Gabbi

Christmas with the Halls

Merry Christmas Everyone!