Recently in Jennifer Category

Hello everyone out there! I just wanted to get you up to speed on my semester so far!

As of Spring 2009, I am now a part-time evening student. I work full time in the day, and go to class from 6pm to ..... well, if you've taken night classes, you know what I mean.

I do think IUPUI has done a great job giving students many options for taking evening or night classes while they work full time!

But enough about that! I'm taking M303 (Marketing research) which is alot more interesting than I thought it would be. We are working on a group project (yes, there are plenty of group projects once you get out of ICORE). The project actually is helping our Athletics' department here at IUPUI.

My other class is P320 (Sourcing). This class is really good too. It teaches very valuable life-skills such as negotiating. Even if you think you don't plan on being a purchase agent (or other of the many catagories of jobs that sourcing encompasses), this class will teach you how to effectively (and fairly) negotiate. Now friends, that can come in handy someday!

Until we meet again!

I've waited all semester to blog about the notorious I-core.... I did this for 2 reasons. The first reason being, I didn't want to emotionally write. This meaning, I didn't want to be sad, mad, ecstatic, blah-blah, and write something before I had the time to reflect on the semester. And, the second reason, for not writing earlier is because I wanted to have the whole experience so that I could give the "gist" or overall feelings of the classes.

Background information....

I-core is a three class "set" that must be taken concurrently and is available for Kelley students only. It consists of a Finance, Marketing and Supply Chain Management (Operations Management) class.

My experience....

The classes weren't as bad as rumored. If you go to class, do the homework and take sufficient notes, you should be just fine. I do think the teachers try and use scare tactics at the beginning. This is for your own good, trust me. These classes are no joke. Chances are, you cannot take any upper-level classes until you take (and pass!) I-core.

I will say this though. I-core has made me think again about my major, and my plans for the rest of my college career. I don't want to scare anyone, but realize that you may change your mind about your major when you take I-core. I would rather know now then later. The class I expected to do wonderful in, I did the poorest. And, the class I thought I'd do worse in was my best grade. Hence, the major change. If you don't know what you want to major in, think of I-core as a mini-sampler.

Group project....

If you truly hate working in groups, I-core will take much emotional labor to endure. At the beginning of the semester, you don't meet much with your group. Then, something happens at Mid-term. The next few weeks are hectic. More tests, harder homework, and more group planning (as well as executing). If you have a bad group, it's all the harder. Make sure the leader is well organized and that each individual can contact each other (cell, email, etc.).

My recommendations....

1. Meetings. To get a good grade on your group project (which is 20-30% of your grade), have weekly (at least) meetings and try to work together in the same room. There are many questions that each section must work together to solve. I suggest using the libaray meeting rooms. And, yes, make a reservation or you will be sitting on the floor with your group. They fill up fast especially towards the end of the semester, which is the same time your paper is due.

2. Communication. Let your members know if you are going to have to miss a meeting. There is a peer evaluation at the end, and it could save your grade.

3. Organization. Stay on top of class work so that you can be successful throughout the semester. Use an old-fashioned organizer or a Blackberry or whatever works for you.

4. Be resourceful. Yes, this is a SCHOOL project, but treat it as a job. Ask questions if you are unsure and do your research. If you have to ask why, what, when, how.... Your professors will to. I will say this again: the University Library will be your stomping grounds all semester long.

I could go on and on... but I gave the abbreviated version.

Good luck and Ciao!

Dear Red Line,

11/17/2008

Atlast! I was at work today. I looked out the window to see pecular pieces of frozen water swirling around aimlessy. Now, no need for worries, good friends. This is normal... well, unless you live in Florida.

We live in Indianapolis. Every year it gets cooler, and cooler until cooler turns to cold. Now, I know in Science class they taught us how seasons work and how the Earth tilts on its axis.... or something to that effect. You would love to believe that we could get used to these funny season things, but it seems harder and harder as you get older. Now, by no means am I old, but I do remember liking winter alot more as a child than as an adult. You could have snow days at school (well, you still can........) and meet your friends (again, you still can) and go play outside and make snow angels and snowmen and snow forts and..... and..... and..... well you get the idea. Surely, my friends, I show no enthusiasm any longer to frolic in the snow.

So, back to the Red Line. I get on the bus, half frozen. Luckily, the heater on the bus was cranked up, pre-heated and ready to defrost me! As I got on the bus, I must have been the only one on the bus. I gladly took a seat. A few stops later, a young lad got on the bus as well. He sat across from me awaiting his next destination. I looked down at my shoes and across the isle. What did I see, you ask?

I couldn't believe my eyes. Perhaps I was at work too long and was halucinatng from the long day at work. I blinked once. I blinked twice. I blinked three times to be sure. Were my eyes failing me?

[Dunt dunt dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

The nice gentleman across from me was wearing flip-flops.

Then, as to mock my disbelief, he took his feet OUT of his shoes and began to swirl them around in the air. Now, I have two theories on this.............

One: It was fun to watch the snow and his feet had to take part in the snow swirling. They were doing a happy dance!

Two: The kid doesn't watch any weather before he leaves the house for the day.

I felt silly bundled up in my gloves, scarf and wool coat. I sat in disbelief (and almost disgust from bare feet dancing around in the air). I shook my head, and got off at my stop to go home for the day.

Lesson of the day: Check the weather report. Then, you won't have to defrost your toes on the public bus.

Until we meet again, Ciao

Dear Journal,

It was very cold today. It rained ALL day. It's a sad show outside my window when I have to look at Gloom and Gray all day long. Ya know, the sun just makes ya happy. I don't know why, but when it's not around, even if it's not raining, you just feel ... well, gloomy.

So, I worked a very long day. It wasn't busy, but busy enough. I felt bad for the FFA (Future Farmers of America)visitors walking around downtown. When I left for lunch (with my big umbrella in hand), I witnessed many FFA's with their blue jackets wandering around downtown without umbrellas. Sure, some had baseball hats on, but many had nothing.

I left work. My feet hurt and it was Friday Night! Well, I couldn't WAIT to get home. I noticed it was getting colder. I didn't need my umbrella any longer. I sat down at the bus stop waiting for my One-Way Ticket outta here: The Red Line! Eventually it showed up. I got on the bus (which is usually not crowded) to find about a trillion people on it. I desperately found a seat and sat down.

Each bus stop, more and more people got on. The bus could have exploded with people (okay, I'm being dramatic..... but hey, it's my recap). Eventually, it was standing room only! By the way, I'd love to thank the guy who sat next to me who constantly leaned into me on every turn (sorry, I'm married, sir). AND he wore tooooooooo much cologne (another lesson of the day).

I eventually got off the bus and walked to my car.

Until we meet again, Red Line, Ciao!

Dear Journal,

Since starting my new job downtown, I now take the Red Line Shuttle Service thru IndyGo. You know? The FREE downtown circular that goes thru IUPUI and Downtown Indy! Well.... where do I start?

A couple of days into my sojourn, I stumbled upon a peculiar package. I was leaving work one day, boarded the Red Line, and immediately took a seat before I was thrown about. I sat down almost sitting on a brown bag. I sat next to it. As we traveled around Downtown, I wondered what could have been in that mysterious little brown bad. Perhaps someone had hit the liquor store a little early? Could it be a valuable treasure that was missing? Could it be....? Oh, what could be in the bag? I mustn't look. Or should I? Is it my duty to look in the bag? Perhaps it was someone's medicine, just sitting there forgotten? Oh, what should I do? What could I do?

"Oh, I wouldn't sit there. I don't know what's in the bag. It was there when I got on," I told a girl feverishly looking for a seat on the bus.

"Oh... O... Kay?" She said very confused. She sat as far from me as she could get on that little bus.

Finally, I couldn't take it any longer. I leaned over the bag cautiously. Perhaps there was a rabid squirrel? Perhaps not.

As I looked in the little brown bag, I felt relieved and disappointed at the same time.

I pulled the cord to signal to the driver that the next stop was mine. I stood up, grabbed my purse and continued towards the doors.

"Ma'am?! Ma'am?!!! You forgot your bag!" a stranger yelled. I turned to look at her.

"Oh, that? That's not mine. It was there when I got here," I said back to her. The whole time everyone thought that little brown bag was mine. Oh, but I know it did not belong to me. It was someone elses.

What was in the bag you ask? Leftover Chinese food.

Until we meet again, Ciao!

'Twas the night before class when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The packs filled with books and ready to go,

in hopes that we'd get 12 feet of snow.


The students were all snoozing in bed,

while visions of more Summer danced in their heads.

From the silence arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

 

Away to the alarm clock I flew in a flash

With a quickness, I hit Snooze with a clash.

 

Well, again, it's time for our favorite time of year! A brand new fall semester! I hope everyone had a wonderful Summer break and is rested and ready to learn! (Well, at least work on that one!)

Okay, okay.... We've all heard the Old Wive's Tale about how easy summer courses are... how laid-back the teachers are... how teachers don't even have to give finals if they don't want to.... how EASY it is to get an A in ANY class you take....(COUGHS)

Well, if you believe that, then I have ocean-front property in Kansas I'd like you to invest in .... Just mail me the check. (Wink-wink)

(Pauses a moment for you to get your check book)

Okay, here's my story. I thought I'd get ahead on my classes and take A201 (Financial Accounting) in Summer session one. Hey, I heard summer classes are ALWAYS easy and the teachers are easy, too.  C'mon, fiip-flops, sun, shades and easy classes....

Boy, was I WRONG there! I have found out that we cover a chapter a day, take a quiz (either online or in-class) everyday. I've been in class a total of 4 days. The first day was "meet the teacher" day (yeah right). We jumped right in and covered EVERYTHING we learned in A100 (Intro to Accounting) in ONE day.... The next class meeting, we covered chapter 3, the third day chapter 4, and the fourth day we had our first test.... Yes, a TEST only after 3 days of class....

So... if someone tells you summer classes are easy.... Beware... perhaps they are pulling your leg.

Disclaimer: The opinions above are the opinions of the author! Perhaps others have had better luck than I have had this summer (hopefully)

I would just like to say CONGRATS to the NEWEST members of the Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies!

These pictures and more are located online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/67134631@N00/ 

As I sit and think about my freshman year, I think of all the exciting things that have happened to me....

• I came in second with the Biz Blog name which won me an Ipod and the right to write this blog....
• I was accepted into the Honors Society....
• I survived my Problem solving report in X204- Business Communications! (I will never be able to look at Ethanol the same again!)
• I survived my Accounting A-100 course and I will now be well prepared for more to come!
• I survived FINITE MATH... I think I deserve an applause for this one!
• I made it through my freshman year working on my pre-rec's to get into Kelley....
• I applied and have been accepted into KSB this FALL! This will be my top accomplishment this year, I would say.

So, LOOK OUT KELLEY.... Here I come....

Hello everyone....

I'd like you to see this photo of another rare Jaguar sighting on campus. Don't be alarmed, he looks friendly enough.... But, I still must keep my distance.

Unfortunately, he still doesn't have a name. So c'mon now and give me some suggestions!

Until then, keep on a lookout for this ferocious Jaguar!

Coming to a Jungle near you!