College Experience So Far

So far my first semester as a college student at UNC has been amazing. I have had an awesome time and cannot wait for what next semester and the next 3 years at UNC will be like. I had some great times lets recap.....going to football games, being on the second row in the risers for a basketball game, meeting new and great friends, joining a fraternity, my first Halloween on Franklin Street, my first all-nighter writing a paper, staying out extremely late, parties, and so much other than things...which some Mom would not approve of. But overall I know that college life is going to be the best years of my life. I hope to continue to have a great time at UNC, but also remember to keep my grades up.

Native American Studies at UNC

Native American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an area of research and scholarship that offers interdisciplinary courses which bridge academic and Native perspectives on the cultures and histories of Native individuals and communities in North America. The mission of Native American Studies is to increase understanding of the historical experiences, cultural traditions and innovations, and political status of the Indian peoples in the United States. Our courses explore Natïve American ways of living, understanding the world, and organizing their societies; they also examine the impact of invasion and colonization on Native America, and the intersection of Indian and European histories and systems of knowledge.The courses in Native American Studies are open to all students at UNC. Students who wish formal recognition of their course work may choose from two options. One is to major in American Studies with a concentration in Native American Studies. The other is to attach a minor in Native American Studies to their major field.

Above is the mission of the Native American Studies Department at UNC. I did not know at UNC you could major in Native American Studies. This semester I took one of the required classes (Hist 110) for the major and I have become increasingly interested in at least a minor since my plans are still to do Pre-Medicine with a major in Chemistry. I have learned a lot in the course about Native American history and would love to continue throughout the rest of my time at UNC.

Kekwa Dance Practice

So this semester, with the help of a few people, there is a dance team that has been started named Kekwa. It focuses on incorporating Native American traditional dancing with hip-hop style of dancing. It is open to everyone who wants to join and I personally have a great time the times I have been to practice. I have only missed one practice, but there was nothing really covered that night so I did not miss anything. I am very excited about this dance team. Even though we are small right now, I hope that we will continue to grow. I have never danced any Native American style dances, and it has become also a learning process about the different styles of dancing and the meanings behind them. I cannot wait for us to get good and get a routine so that we can perform.

Cherokee as My Foreign Language

Above is a portrait of Sequoyah, the son of a Cherokee chief's daughter and a fur trader from Virginia, was a warrior and hunter and, some say, a silversmith. For twelve years he worked to devise a method of writing for the Cherokee language. His syllabary of eight-five symbols, representing vowel and consonant sounds, was approved by the Cherokee chiefs in 1821, and the simple utilitarian system made possible a rapid spread of literacy throughout the Cherokee nation.
UNC offers Cherokee as a foreign language and I have taken Cherokee 101 this semester and plan to take 102 in the spring semester. Even though I am not Cherokee, I was really interested in learning a Native American language since my language was lost throughout the years. At first it was a difficult and confusing, but I have studied hard and I am finally understanding the language. I hope to continue to take Cherokee throughout my UNC years, and in hopes study abroad to the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina and to Oklahoma.

Life Fitness Classes

This semester I decided to go ahead and take my Life Fitness course requirement, and I am so glad that I did. I took Exercise and Conditioning, at times it was tough but overall I had a great time. I was taught various activities to help me keep in shape and avoid the infamous "Freshmen 15" as a first year student in college. When I first came to UNC, I really did not workout or eat right. So I knew I was headed down the path of gaining weight. Life Fitness definitely helped me to stay active this semester and realize that I needed to change my eating habits. Buffet at Lenior and Rams Head can be tempting, but I have defeated the temptation and started focusing on eating healthy. I have become more active in my everyday activities and will continue to take steps to a healthier lifestyle. Thanks LFit class!!!

Final Exams = Major Stressing

Wow cannot believe my first semester as a UNC Freshman is finally coming to an end. Even though I am excited to for next semester, the fear of the final exams is coming in. I was fine about a week ago, but as the date for my first final exam comes, I have begun to stress more and more. I know I got to do well on my finals, because the way some of my grades are, I am depending on performing at my best on these finals. It is crunch time and I need to get focused, because in the end these finals is whats going to make or break me right now. I am not expecting a 4.o, the average will be fine with me. Are you stressing about finals?

Dining Hall Food

I have not even made it a semester at UNC and I am already sick of the dining hall food. I find myself now everyday enjoying the "fine cuisine" of a salad and a sandwich. Really rams head and top of lenior.....imma need yall to do better. I guess I got spoiled over the Thanksgiving break by all the turkey, stuffing, collards, cornbread, ham, etc., I am already wanting for Christmas break to get here so I can have some more good food...ugh I cannot wait.

Native American Heritage Month Comes to an End

November being Native American Heritage Month, today it comes to a close. But it has been a great month. I was so surprised how involved UNC worked with the American Indian Center (AIC) and Carolina Indian Circle (CIC) to hold American Indian events, such as lectures, movie screenings, pit singings, etc., throughout the month. I was also glad to be apart of the celebration when my fraternity, Phi Sigma Nu, held an open discussion concerning the topics of federal recognization, race relations, and healthcare amoung Native Americans. I attended some other lectures and I was greatly surprised by the turn out of people. I think as my first year at UNC celebrating Native American Heritage Month was a big success. I cannot wait until next year.

Bus Experience

I do not ride the buses much on campus. But when I do, I appreciate them especially if it is rainy, I am about late for class, or I am just too lazy to walk. Anyway, my friends and I had went out to eat on Franklin street for our first thanksgiving at UNC. After we were finished eating, we decided to catch a bus back to south campus. We saw a bus that said UNC Hospital and figured that it was going straight to the hospital, so we got on it. What a big mistake! We ended up being the last people on the bus and rode around lost for an hour. We were all tired and just ready to get back to the dorms. Finally the bus made it back on campus and got off in front of the hospital and still had to end up walking to dorm. But we had fun and it was def a learning experiance: never get on a bus unless you know where it is going to take you. What, if any, crazy bus experiences have you had since being on campus?

My First Thanksgiving Break at UNC

So this was my first Thanksgiving break as a first year at UNC. I had not been home since fall break, so I was ready to go back to Pembroke and spend time with my family and friends; and of course get some real food. Thanksgiving was a success; the food was great, loved spending the day with my family, holding the newest editions (Babies) to the family, and was so glad that there was no annual thanksgiving arguments. At the end of the day, I was stuffed and planning when I was starting my diet again. Even though I had school work to catch up on, I still made time to get plenty of sleep and rest my brain. I guess tomorrow I will be heading back to Chapel Hill and start preparing for final exams. See ya again home and family...until Christmas break.

Congrats to the NUest Edition to the Family

Congrats to the Infallible Waves of Innovation, Fall 2009. These girls are the newly crossed BEEutiful women of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc.; is the country’s oldest Native American greek letter organization. Founded at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill on Sept. 1, 1994, the sorority has more than 300 sisters representing more than 70 tribes nationwide and 13 chartered chapters (http://www.alphapiomega.org/index.html). As a brother of Phi Sigma Nu American Indian Fraternity, Inc.; I am elated to have these girls becoming apart of the Phi Nu/APiO family. Love yall!!!! I see you Ace!!!

Cold Stone Sunday Tradition

So almost every Sunday night that my friends and I are on campus we have made it tradition to make a trip to Cold Stone on Franklin Street. Cold Stone has a special, where if you present you OneCard you can get any Love It signature creation for only $3.00. But if the right person is working you can get anything Love It you want for the same price. I usually get the Oreo Overload and one of my friends gets cotton candy with sprinkles, for only $3.00 for each. Its has become a time for us to get out of our dorms and just talk and relax some before our busy week starts. I looked for to doing this on Sunday nights. What have some "traditions" you and your friends have started since starting school?

Grooveshark

Since I have been at UNC, I have fallen in love with Grooveshark. It is a music website where you can search music and create your personal playlist(s). Almost everytime I log onto my computer and connect with the Internet, I go to grooveshark and just listen straight through my playlist. Whether I am just sitting in my dorm or in Lenior with my friends, I have grooveshark up and listening to my favorite music. I have only recruited some of my friends to grooveshark and I have some wanting to know my log in name so they can listen to my playlist. I love grooveshark, it has become my music vibe and will continue to use it. Do you use grooveshark?

Rainy in Chapel Hill

Lately it has been very rainy on campus and it has become one of the dislikes I have so far about the campus. Little flooding around campus and trying my best to avoid the puddles as I go to class. Before the day is over my feet get soaked and I have to end up going back to my dorm and changing my socks to prevent getting sick. I wish there was something that guys could wear to not get our feet wet, I am tempted to go get me a pair of rain boots like the girls on campus be wearing lol jk. All I know if i plan to attend UNC for the next 4 years I am going to need something to wear on my feet when I wake up and find it raining.

My First UNC Basketball Game

I was so excited when I attended my first UNC basketball game. I had phase 1 tickets and was ready to get to the risers and get as close as I could to the action. The game was against NC Central and I was so glad that my best friend had also got a phase 1 ticket, so that we could stand in the risers together. We got there early, but still there was a crowd of people ahead of us in the rain. We were glad to be finally able to go in and we quickly rushed to get to the risers and got to the second row. Even though we were extremely early, we had fun watching the JV team win and talking. Soon the game was about to start and I was so excited. Loving the hype of the crowd and of course the songs. The game was awesome and I didnt even realize that I was standing the whole time. It was complete excitement when we won and we got to do the final song and leave. I had a great time and cant wait for the next game.

The "Gift of the Old Well" Painting

I was looking on the American Indian Center (AIC) at UNC website and found this painting to be very interesting. It was painted by Christopher H. Kennedy and was created for the AIC and was unveiled on March 20, 2009 at the American Indian Reunion Banquet. This was with the painting...The creator gave land to the people. The people created a university. The university builds an “Old Well” in 1795. The “Old Well” gave life and sustenance to the people and animals. The creator is pleased, the bear is the symbol of strength for the people, the cougar is the symbol of balance and grace, and the eagle is the symbol of leadership. The pale of knowledge spills into the pool of the dream catcher and through time, hard work, and perseverance the “Old Well” is transformed into the current structure and the circle of life continues. I found this painting to be interesting and symbolic to Native American culture. What do you think about the painting?

Ahhh I Need to Blog

Wow I cannot beleive I am so behind in my blog posts. Have I just got that lazy or have I just not made the time to sit for a few minutes out of my busy college life and make a couple of posts. All I know is I got to get on the ball and get to blogging. I definitely do not want fail and end up in English 101 next semester. I got to get it done.

Heeloween

So my first experience during Halloween at Carolina was okay. I had heard from upperclassmen that Halloween up here was wild and crazy, and that I was going to have a great time. I had an okay time. I enjoyed looking at everyone's costumes and ate at Cluck-U, but that was about it. My friends and I stayed on Franklin for awhile and then we just left and went to a party. I was alittle disappointed about the Halloween here. I was even more shocked to see parents with their young children out in that night. In the midst of thousands of people, most of them drunk, you as a "responsible" parent is going to have your children out. I mean I don't know about past Halloweens, but in all it was not what I hoped to be.

All-Nighter

So last Sunday night, I pulled my first all-nighter in college. I had went home that weekend for fall break and had got none of my homework done. Some of my assignments were due that Monday, so I had to get on the ball, but it seemed like I had so many distractions. I sat up in my bed, about to fall to sleep, doing homework until 7:00 am. And since I have an 8:00 am class, I just went ahead and got ready for class. I was not tired throughout the day, but when i got to my last class in the evening it was all over, I fell to sleep. I didn't miss anything, but I guess its kind of rude to fall asleep on the front row. Never again will I pull an all-nighter. Has anyone experienced an all-nighter yet? If so, tell me about it.

Phi Sigma Nu American Indian Fraternity, Inc.

Well last Tuesday night, I became an official brother of Phi Sigma Nu American Indian Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Chapter at UNC-Chapel Hill. It was a long journey, but it was all worth it in the end. From an early age, I had always want to join a fraternity, but had some hesitation due to the many known stereotypes around Greek Life especially recently at UNC. But this experience was nothing like I had expected in a good way...can't go into details about everything but has become one unforgettable jouney in my life. So excited about joining this brotherhood, have great brothers, I have already been networking, and can't wait to become a productive member of this fraternity.

Pow Wow

This past weekend I went to a Pow Wow at Lake Waccamaw, which resides the people of the Waccamaw-Siouan Tribe. For those of you who do not know what a Pow Wow is, it is an event for Native American and non-Native American people to gather for the dance competition, singing, socializing, eating, drumming, and honoring American Indian culture. I really had a great time this weeked because I usually just stay for the beginning of the Pow Wow, which is called the Grand Entry, but I stayed longer this time and watched almost all of the dance competition. When I got back to the Chapel Hill, I decided to go on YouTube and watch some clips of different Pow Wows. I came upon the video below called, Pow-Wow Hip-Hop-Style. I really liked the video and how we as Native people can incorporate modern Hip-Hop dancing with our traditional dances. I knew it was all in fun, but I began to wonder if this could be disrecpectful to our culture. Not in the sense of dancing is not wrong, but that the dancers were wearing their regalias(which are sacred outfits for our people) while they were dancing. Is it apart of culture to incorporate traditional ways with modern ways, or is this completely disresceptful. After watching the video, what do you think?

SSS

So I was talking to my friend the other day and he was reading an article that said something like, Freshmen now that your in college there are three things that you will do, which was Study, Sleep and Socialize...and now choose two. I was shocked because this has become so true for me. It seems like I have chosen Study and Socialize. Because I get no Sleep at night...probably at the most 6 hours. I spend alot of time with friends and I get in my studying, but my sleeping is lacking. I cant wait for fall break. What two have you chosen?

Brrrrr Its Cold Up Here

Well it has not snowed yet up here at the Hill, but it really has got cold fast. Just the other week I was walking around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops...but now NO. You will see me walking with a coat and jeans. I made a mistake the other day when the ice age came and I decided to wear shorts...and I about froze. Hasn't it just turned fall...seems like winter to me. But when I go home for fall break, I will definetly be getting out my winter clothes and bringing them back with me.

Scarowinds

This weekend I finally got a weekend away from Chapel Hill, and went to Charlotte with some friends to Scarowinds. I have been to Carowinds before, but I had never been to Scarowinds. At first I did not want to go, because I do not like getting scared, but I was talked into going anyway. We got to Charlotte Friday night, but we did not go to Scarowinds until that Saturday night. We ate at Bojangles before we got there. When we got there I started feeling sick because I was nervous for some reason. When we entered I saw that it was not that scary. We rode a couple of rides (Drop Tower, Afterburn, Nighthawk, and Thunder Road) the wait was long but it was all worth it in the end, walked through some areas that were like mini-haunted houses (I only got scared a few times), and we finished our night at Scarowinds by going into the Rock Shop. I really had a great time and to finish by going to McDonalds and getting an ice-cream. I will definitely have to do this next year.

My First UNC Football Game

Ok, so today was the first Saturday that I made it out of bed early enough to attend the Carolina vs. Virginia football game. My friends and I rushed to Gate 5, entered Kenan Stadium, and got the closest seats we could find. I was very excited and could not wait to be flooded by all the Carolina Blue in the Tar Pit. Even though it was hot, I was still getting pumped up for the game. I was dressed in Carolina Blue and had a pom pom in my hand. When everything started with the band, cheerleaders, dancers, and the entrance of the football players; I knew that I was going to have a great time. The first two quarters was ok, couldnt beleive we were getting beat by Virginia. With this anger and feeling to the point of dehydration; I left with some of my friends and went to one of their apartment. Sitting under the AC with a gatorade in my hand watching the game on tv. We were still losing, so I feel asleep. When I woke up, found out that we had lost 16 to 3. It was depressing, since it had been the first game I had attended. But in the midst of our lost, this will not discourage me from continuing to go to future games. I would have liked for us to have won, but its ok we shall get our revenge.

The DTH

The Daily Tar Heel, DTH, the most regularly read newspaper on almost a daily basis by hundreds of thousands of Carolina students and faculty. Throughout the week, it is not an odd occurance to see people sitting in the UL, Davis, the Pit, Polk Place, in class, and many other places catching up on the current issues discussed in the pages of the DTH.
Since my few weeks, as a Carolina student, I had not picked up the DTH, sat down, and read through one until this past Friday. I had just had lunch and had some time before I had to go to work. I grabbed one from one of the many various locations on campus you can pick one up and found a nice place in front of Wilson to read it. It was surprisingly interesting and I definitely enjoyed reading it. I especially loved the sudoku puzzle (which I have not finished), the cartoon, and of course the kvetching board (they were great, I hope throughout my years at Carolina that I get one posted). It was very informative and entertaining newspaper. Overall my experience of reading the DTH was great and I loved it. I hope to continue to read them on a regular basis throughout the week.

Oversleeping

On Thursdays I have workstudy and today I was late. I went to bed at a resonible time and set three alarms so I would have plenty of time to get ready in the morning. Two alarms went off and I went back to sleep. And then came the third came and I turned it off. The warmth of my bed was really nice and became hard for me to get up. I finally woke up at 7:53 and I suppose to have been at work at 8:00. I gat dressed as fast as I could and walked from south campus to the labs. I got there at 8:30, and being honest I told him I overslept and that was why I was late. He seemed cool about it, but said "You better be glad you had to work because they would have kicked you out if you had lab." I do not know what that was about, but I guess he was telling the truth. This was my first time ever over sleeping. Because usually my Mom would wake me up for school.....the high school days. Now I have to be independent and make the adult decision to wake up or stay in bed....I made the wrong one this morning. I really have to be careful about this sleeping thing, because if I would have had class I might would have been in trouble. Since I aint got English in the morning, I will be able to sleep in alittle before I have my recitation. So, next week and for the rest of my years at Carolina I will NOT oversleep...well I hope not.

First College Test

Ok so today I took my first college test and it was so stressful. It was nothing like I had expected. A total difference from my high school tests. After the test, I knew that I had not prepared myself for this and will probably receive a failing grade....hoping for a curve. Looking back I can so I wish I had studied more, did more practice problems, and even atempted to go to office hours, but I chose not too. Excuses is all I seem to make. Well now its over, I have already turned in the test and it is potentially in the process of being graded. I may be down, but I am not defeated. Come October 15, I shall get my revenage on these infamous chem 102 tests. I may have lost the battle, but the war has just begun. Sounds so cliche, but it will come true. This time there will be a change.......study daily, do more practice problems, seek help in Dey and Learning Center, and finally review just before the test. Yes I have it all planned out. Its time to get out of this "first college test" blame, because next time it won't be my first and I will come prepared.

Missed Church

Ok, so I woke up today and decided not to go to church. And I am sitting here wondering, if my Mom would approve? I am of Christian faith and ever since I was young, I have always went to church. The only rare occasions that I would not go if I was really sick or it snowed. Well this morning I was not sick and the news had no forecast for snow in Chapel Hill. So what gave me this new idea that I should stay in bed. Has the newfound freedoms of college caused me to give up my upbringing of attending church regularly? I am grow right, I can decide if I want to go to church or not. School is more important, I have alot of homework and studying to do, right? But still I have this empty feeling that I should have woke up this morning, took a shower, got dressed, and caught the bus to WOCC. I guess none of these excusses give a good reason why I chose to stay in bed. Laziness....is that it? Comforted by the warmth of my sheets. I guess thats it, I chose my bed over church.

My First Blog Post

Just finished setting up my first blog for my English 101 class. This assignment is going to be so awesome throughout the semester. Never had a blog before, so this experience is going to be educational and maybe difficult; still trying to work with it. But anyway, welcome to my blog. Feel free to comment on any of my posts.