Today at 6:36pm my last class at Manhattanville College ended. It has not sunk in yet but in two weeks I will be a college graduate. The thought is unreal because it seems like yesterday I was waving goodbye to my mom as she drove off leaving me to start my college career.

Right now I don’t know what to feel. I know I am happy because I am so close to being done; I just have to pass everything. I feel as though I am obligated to feel sad about leaving this place, but I can’t. I really don’t care about leaving. I don’t really have an attachment to this place. I have had great experiences, met some amazing people, and learned a lot about myself, but I still don’t feel cheerless (I really like that word and really wanted to use it once).

Perhaps the sadness is just being pushed to the side for the moment. I am so happy to be with my family again, and to actually spend more than a year with my boyfriend; being that he does not attend this school we have spent more time apart then together. I am excited to start an internship with Blue Cross and move forward with my career. Fear is in me right now, the whole paying bills is what puts it there.

Sadness is nowhere to be found. Maybe it will come pay me a visit on the day I pull out of here and know that I am not coming back in the fall, maybe in a year, or maybe never.

I have no doubt that other countries need assistance from our country, but what about the people that need help that are actually in our country. There was a time in the history of our country that we firmly believed in isolation; we sympathized but wanted to remain isolated. Now, it seems we can’t help but get involved in foreign affairs.

There are people who want to put a stop to violence in other countries, what about violence here? I don’t know how many stories I have read in the past few months about a man killing his wife, young children, and then himself, but I know it is too many.

Does it drive anyone else that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt adopt babies from every other county, but completely ignore the thousands of teenagers in the U.S. who feel unloved and have no place to call a home? It kills me that people always want to adopt a baby instead of a seven year old child or fifteen year old teenager. What makes them so undesirable? I am not saying there are not people out there who do not because I know there very well is, and I think that is absolutely wonderful. It just seems more uncommon.

I am aware of what I am saying. I know it sounds like I don’t care about suffering countries that need help. I do care and it saddens me that they are in those situations, but I feel as though our country’s suffering gets ignored. We are just broken as the rest of the world.

Oink Oink

I was talking with my mother on the phone the other night. I sounded terrible because of my allergies; I have suffered from allergies since I was sixteen years old. Every spring around this time I suffer from stuffy nose, itchy throat, and itchy eyes. My mother is completely aware of this as is the rest of my family. However because of a certain panic, I just cant’ remember the name; my mother is freaking out and begging me to go to the health center. I have no intention.



It’s the latest thing. It’s the new West Nile, Bird Flu, and Anthrax. It has completely sent everyone into a panic. As soon as word got out about this pig flu everyone has come magically come down with one of the symptoms. Calm down fools. My goodness, we go through this every year and every year it turns out fine. It is terrible that people have died, but that is how it all starts. It is unfortunate yet that is what happened with the e-coli in the spinach, and the salmonella in the peanut butter.

Once again I am sorry that people are dying, but I have seen this before just with a different name. We are sending ourselves into a panic and it is unnecessary. It almost seems like people thrive on this type of stuff. It is a way for our society to relate and connect with one another.

By the way here are the symptoms incase you feel you have contacted Wilber
• Fever (above 100.4 for babies 3 months and younger, and 101.1 for everyone else), plus
• cough
• Sore throat
• Intense body aches
• Headache
• chills
• Fatigue

Simple kind of life

I believe that I am a simple person. I don’t enjoy the glamorous things in life; I never spend more than thirty dollars on jeans because I will wear them for about a year and then get a new pair. You won’t see me carrying a three hundred dollar purse because I know my lotion bottle will explode in it. I have a prepaid cell phone and don’t plan on upgrading because Lord only knows that within six months there will be a new hot cell phone that we all have to have. Those things are nice but I don't believe they make life worth living.

I get excited about being able to see stars from this campus because it is so rare that you can see them. I get excited about buying new shampoo or a new chap stick. I hate email and texting, but get excited when there is mail in my mailbox. I still like to play hide and seek with my friends. Yes it sounds corny, but I love looking at the sky everyday. I never look at how many calories are in what I eat because I am not living for my weight. I would rather stay in at night and watch a FRIENDS marathon with my boyfriend instead of getting drunk in a bar with random people.



I think it is because I prefer the simple kind of life that I didn’t always enjoy my time here and why I can’t stay here. I enjoyed the experience but I don’t fit in around here. I am simple girl who will be happier in a simple place.

Come on its quad jam

As an RA I was on duty for quad jam. I sat in the Founders Staff Office and simply looked out in the hall to make sure no alcohol was visible and that there were no open containers. For the most part it went smoothly as I watched what looked like hundreds of Bambis learning how to walk, but I did receive some comments from my fellow peers.

My top two favorites:
1)“Come on its quad jam” I am aware of what day it is, the emails and flyers helped me with that, but it is not an excuse for you to disregard policies. No one ever declared quad jam “drinking and all policies are out the window day” except the students.

2)“Wow it must be so fun to be an RA” Believe it or not we like our jobs. It is not easy and it is not always fun but I blame residents for that part. None of you make it easy or fun when you act rude towards us. Do you know how hard it is to walk up to someone you sit next to in class and ask them to pour their alcohol out because they couldn’t follow the simple rule of having it in a closed container? My guess is a majority of you couldn’t do it.

You all make it extremely hard, but we put up with it because it’s our job. No matter how rude you are to us or call us a”bitch or asshole” when you think we can’t hear you, we are going to help you when you need it. Believe it or not none of us took this job because of power; we took it to have a positive influence on our community and to help our fellow peers.

On a serious note

On Quad Jam my fellow RA, Caitlin Corvini, and I were to host a program titled “GET IN LINE”. It was a program with Planned Parenthood designed to promote safe sex. I was really excited because I think it is important, even at our age, to be educated about sex. There are still many things that we don’t know or we think we know.

Caitlin and I made the best flyer and hung them around Founders since that is a building that most of the campus passes through. On Monday April 20, 2009 I was called into the Founders Staff office and was told that OSA and Quad Jam never approved the program and would not allow the program to take place; they did not think that Quad Jam was a proper venue to promote safe sex. What is the proper venue? If I had a keg by my side would it become a proper venue?

I just can not understand how it is inappropriate to promote safe sex on Quad Jam. It is no secret that it is a big drinking event, and when people have a few drinks they become “erotically charged”, and I am sure they would appreciate not to become a parent.

I asked a member of the Quad Jam committee why they didn’t see it as proper. I have yet to hear a response which only makes me angrier. By not allowing the promotion of safe sex we are being socially irresponsible. We are supposed to look after our community, and ensure safety. Perhaps I am being a bit dramatic. I do not think I am. I just believe that it only makes are little slogan, “What happens here matters”, full of shit.

Writings on the Wall

Do you write on your bathroom walls? I am referring to the ones that are in your home. I am going to guess that you don’t. So why do people write on the walls in public bathrooms?

Let us start with why do you have a pen on you while you are there? Do you take it for protection? Some people have a fear of public restrooms, and it may comfort them to have a pencil, pen, or a permanent marker that smells like green apple. I would be terrified to be confronted by that marker. If it is not one you for protection than why is it on you?

What people write confuses me too, “for a good time call XXX-XXXX”. Um, if your idea of a good time starts in a bathroom, I think I will take a rain check although I am sure you are a lovely person. Then there is the whole “Ashley Bartley is a major backstabber. DO NOT TRUST HER!” Thank you for the advice. I will stay clear of Ashley; I didn’t think you could trust her to begin with. I think my all time favorite is, “Leslie + Adam = Tru Luv”. Wow. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am pretty sure that if my boyfriend found out I declared my love for him in the bathroom he would be grossed out.

I will admit that it is a great form of entertainment for the person who is using the facility; however it also makes me think of what idiots these people are. I have yet to travel into the mens room and read their writings on the wall.

Woman Attacks Polar Bear

Actually, the news article is titled “Bear attacks Woman in Berlin Zoo”. I first saw this on CNN.com and could not resist seeing what it was all about. Before looking at the article I imagined that the bear had escaped and went after this zoo spectator, but that was not the case at all.

The woman jumped into the bears’ habitat! She climbed the fence and then proceeded to jump in the water, during feeding time. The article ended with how the woman was severely injured. Well duh! What moron jumps into a fence with wild animals during feeding time? Let me tell you this, no sane person watches a polar bear and thinks “you know that water looks so refreshing and that polar bear looks like he could use a play mate. Oh, is that fresh fish?” Not one sane person!

I thought it couldn’t get any worse, but oh it does. The article states that it is unclear why the woman entered the habitat. Oh My God!!! Whatever reason she gives would be unclear. I will give you a reason; it is called 15 minutes of fame. I can guarantee that this woman will be interviewed by Good Morning America or the Today Show.

If we should feel sorry for anyone it should be the polar bears. You watch the video, they look completely confused. They are simply trying to eat a pleasant meal and then a woman of perfectly good meat is tossed their way and then taken away. This lady disrupted their day. Hopefully she is banned from all zoos.

To Whom It May Concern,

(I have no intention of ever sending this letter to Mega bus)


I will start off with a compliment because my mother taught me it is always best to start out with a compliment. Your prices are the best I have seen, so thank you for that.

Now, I have to say I was quite disappointed with my trip. When I paid for a Mega-bus ticket I thought I would be travelling on a Mega-bus. What did I see when I arrived at my bus stop at Penn Station? A bus that was anything but mega. It was just a regular old Greyhound bus. If I wanted Greyhound I would’ve climbed aboard with them.

I wish I could say that was my only complaint, but alas it is not. I don’t expect this mode of transportation to be first class, but the bathroom was also not mega. It was basically a porta-potty. Do you know how terrifying a porta-potty is for a female, especially one that is in motion? You try and go to the bathroom with the fear of a bump and then a splash!

I know this may sound like a bit much also, but you have an entertainment system built into the bus, why not use it? It can be quite boring to just sit there and look at the passing traffic. Why install the system if you are not going to use it. Do you know how many bored children there are in America who would kill to have that system? (Something for you to think about when you lay your head on your mega pillow.)

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Chelsea Callahan (A Mega Unhappy Customer)

IT'S JUST A SEAT!

Do you remember in high school when you were assigned a seat? Remember when you sat in the back of the bus because it was “un-cool” to sit near the front? What about the cafeteria, when certain groups had a table? Those days should be behind us, right?

In fact those habits are still with us. You sit on a certain side of the café and never go to other. I walked in there one evening with a friend and put my belongings down on an empty table. She asked if we could go to the other side because it was cooler (and I am not referring to temperature). I am sure you are aware of the “Baseball Table”. This is the table on the farthest side that only the baseball team sits at. I have the urge to sit there and throw them off.


Then there is the beloved Valiant. Watch other students; some will always go right for the back no matter what, even if it is completely empty.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t guilty about seat territory. I take a film seminar and since the beginning of the semester I have sat in the same seat. About two weeks ago I walked into class and another student took it. I won’t lie I’m pissed. I should have seen it coming he kept moving closer to it, but I didn’t think he would actually take it. I thought it would be like a one night stand, but he continues to sit in it. I have a plan though, I am showing up ten minutes early to reclaim the seat. I don’t know why I care, it’s just a seat

Duplicity: Return of America’s Sweetheart.

Where the h*ll has Ms. Julia Roberts been? She left movie-goers with the likes of Vanessa Hudgens and Megan Fox (who is quite attractive but in no way comparable) to make babies and be a house wife. Shame on you Julia, shame on you.


Roberts stars with Clive Owen in this comedy/crime/thriller about two corporate spies who join together to pull off the ultimate con job on their bosses. All the while maintaining a steamy relationship; this could ultimately destroy the job.

The beginning is a bit slow, and almost makes the viewer want to get up, yell “Seriously, what is going on here”, and leave. However the $13 that you just spent is quite the incentive to stay put. Staying put is good too because once you get past the half hour mark the film is entertaining and funny. The ending, which if you were like me I would reveal it because I hate surprises but you probably wouldn’t appreciate it, is completely unexpected. It is not like one of those romantic comedies where the two will have a fight and realize that despite their differences life isn’t complete without one another.

Positives: entertaining plot, Clive Owen in a towel, comical, unpredictable ending, return of Julia Roberts, and Clive Owen in general.

Negatives: Julia Roberts looking old and disastrous during the first scene (they clean her up, don’t worry), and slow beginning.

It is clear that the positives outweigh the negatives in this film. I won’t go see a movie around here because of how much they charge, but this one was worth it.

Hallmark: The Spring Break Holiday...

Well for me it was anyway. While most of the students at Manhattanville went home or some place sunny, I was spending my days at Hallmark in the Westchester. It was completely my choice to do so.

I enjoy my job. I don’t enjoy the customers. The word that comes to mind when I think of them is “Rude”. They yell at me for stupid things. If they can’t find a card they like, they seek me out to tell me “you have a terrible card selection”. Excuse me? If you look on any card it does not say “By Chelsea Callahan”, and if you don’t like it then please leave. Customers also get offended that we don’t wrap gifts or validate parking. If you have enough money to be shopping in this mall you should have no problem with the parking fee. Also, it is not my fault you waited to the last minute to wrap your gift.

Customers look for the weirdest things when shopping. They often ask for party materials like balloons, plates, and napkins. I suggest politely trying Target. The expression on their face is priceless. One would think that I threatened to kill their purse dog. They act like their reputation will be destroyed if they even look at Target let alone step in there.

I am not saying that all my customers are like this but a good majority. This blog could be advice to those who read it, don’t be rude to sales associates. We talk and make fun of you if you are. My friends often joke, “How hard could your job be?” It isn’t hard; it’s unpleasant especially with the children of the devil, i.e. customers.

Bad News is the Best News

When it comes down to it, bad news wins over good news. It’s what the people want, or least what I want. Please do not misunderstand me. I am all about a light fluffy story about a grandmother who was saved by a five year old boy, but give me a nanny who murdered the wife to run off with the husband and left the baby in the highchair any day.

Bad news is exciting and unexpected. It is out of the ordinary. It provides conversation. If I mentioned a boy who saved a family of squirrels to my friends in order to start up a conversation, I feel they would look at me like “What the hell are you talking about?” If I bring up a twelve year old cheerleader who got pregnant by her thirty-five year old coach, well we’ve got a good time.



It is a little sad that the negative overrides the positive, but I feel that our society has become that way. You meet someone new and if there is something you don’t like about that person it overrides what you could like about that person.

Negativity is extremely powerful. It is interesting that people try to push a positive attitude on others hoping that they will catch it (side note: what does that even mean catch? It reminds me of the song catch a falling star; which is impossible)


A negative attitude is more contagious and can spread a lot faster, so why should the news be any different?

No Modify

One afternoon I was watching TV with my best friend. A girl on a show was participating in a game where you put your forehead on a bat, spin around, and then run to a certain area. As I watched this girl fall to the ground because she was dizzy, I exclaimed that she was being dramatic and it was not that hard.

It wasn’t long before we were doing bat spins to see how hard it was. A good idea would have been to do this activity outside instead of in her living room. On our last attempt at the spins we decided to race from one point of her house to another. She completed her last spin of the required ten and started to run towards the “finish line”. As she ran she moved sideways and smashed her forehead into a doorway. Just so you know it is hard.

Grammar has never been my strong point, and it most likely never will be. I learned this from a very early age. I believe it was around the sixth grade that I realized that the subject grammar and I were never going to be “friends”. I just can not seem to grasp the concept of it which causes a shock in a certain kind of people.

I struggled with the subject of grammar in grade school, and high school. My teachers never made me feel stupid for not having the best grammar. They were patient and understanding. My teachers knew it was not one of my strengths, and I appreciated that.

Then I meant another kind of “grammarians”. These are students who think that their grammar is perfect and feel the need to share their gift. I would prefer if they kept it to themselves. I do not appreciate when I am telling a story and I say “me and Jill”, and I get corrected by someone to say “Jill and I”. Seriously, was it really necessary? No, it was not because my story did not change and that is what the person is supposed to focus on, not my grammar!

These “grammarians” are the reason I hate grammar and having other students reading my work. They think they are being helpful when really they come off as condescending and rude. Until they are able to produce a grammar degree, they need to understand that silence can be bliss.

I am positive that there are grammar mistakes in this piece of writing right now. It does not bother me. My grammar mistakes should not be the focus of this piece or any other piece for that matter.

I came to Manhattanville College to study Theatre. I had studied the art all throughout my high school years, and I thought that it was what I was meant to do. After one semester of studying Theatre I realized that I did not want to spend the rest of my life in that area. I was completely clueless on where to go next, so I signed up for courses that would allow me to explore in different areas. Taking Introduction to Communications changed my academic plan entirely. After that one course I changed my major and signed for any course related to the field.

I have taken an array of courses in the Communications majors from History of Cinema to Communicating in the Business World. After three I still do not know what area to concentrate on because I have a bit of passion for each concentration; even the ones that I am not that good in such as writing.

This course fulfills one of my requirements to graduate as a Communications major, but I am looking for more than just that. I am not the best writer, and I have taken courses in my previous semesters to try and improve that area. All those courses have been a disappointment. This being my last semester I am hoping that this course will be what I have been looking for.

Where this course fits into my future plans I have no idea. I openly admit to everyone that I have no idea what my future plans are. Perhaps this course will inspire me in someway to go further in one area of Communications. I am unsure of where my life is heading. I just know that whichever direction my life heads in that it will be my decision.