What SCCC has taught me outside enrollment.

So, today's post is my final post guest-blogging here at My SCCC Daily.  And I have to say I have learned some important lessons, with apologies to K. Moore.
When I first realized I was going to be blogging here I panicked for two reasons: firstly, I have enough trouble pulling myself together to keep up on my own blog, and secondly, as I mentioned in my first post, Schenectady was completely alien to me.  After initially dropping the ball, I was informed that dropping the ball was simply not an option.  I had to figure out how to accomplish what I needed to accomplish, even if I didn't believe I could (special thanks for the shove goes to, oh, you know who). No doubt, I will have to be reminded of this lesson again, but I think it is one of the big ones we all must learn, especially as students.  Just acting and accomplishing even when we doubt ourselves, is a skill that successful people utilize, and I'm guessing that acting in this way is what makes nontraditional students and returning students so well-adjusted.  Teachers will always give us assignments we're unsure about, bosses will always give us jobs that make us question our capabilities, but we must remember that not only are others always depending on us, but we are depending on ourselves.

So, I think I figured it out.  I blogged on a topic I knew little about.  Surely, had I been here for a month, rather than a week, I would have gotten even better, but once I actually decided to step up to the plate, I think I did what I thought was impossible.  It's pretty funny to think that a school I never enrolled in taught me this much.  On that note, I will allow you all to welcome back K. Moore, the true proprietor of this blog.  But do me a favor; if you like K. Moore's blog, put yourself out there too: leave a comment or better yet, join a club and then leave a comment.

Sayonara SCCC,

Dana

The semester is coming to a close, and so is my time here.

Well, I am sure SCCC students, much like myself, are hitting the proverbial wall when it comes to the semester's work.  Still, you all must hang in there until that Glorious Thursday of Freedom also known to some as Christmas Eve.  In between jobs, families, winter sleepiness, and generally feeling burnt out, we must pull ourselves through to the end of the semester.  Here's a little inspiration to remind us why all this hard work and stress is worth it:

• It's important to keep focused on the things that make us happy, and to share that joy with others, SCCC alumni Janice Dejordy did, and now she's reaping the benefits.
  

• The great Thomas Edison, whose machine works is known to us all as Schenectady's GE headquarters had some witty things to say about hard work.
  

• Watching good television (especially in the city where it was first demonstrated) is a classic way to recharge and have a laugh, check out Ugly Betty (character Marc St. James is from Schenectady).
  

• Good theater also helps too!  The Mop & Bucket Co. Improv Theatre sounds like a great stress- buster. Check them out!

Keep working hard!
Dana

Astral projection of myself to Schenectady.

In my continued exploration of all things Schenectady, I've been thinking about the types of places I might like to go or things I'd like to do, were I a visiting student.  So here is my virtual itinerary for my virtual visit.

While you may not even know what a vegan is, college is certainly an ideal time to learn about diverse cultures and lifestyles, especially if they are healthy ones.  Schenectady is to home to Big Guys Pizzeria and Moon and River Cafe.  From my online perusal, Big Guys is your typical pizzeria that also offers a vegan menu with non-dairy cheese pizza, subs, calzones, and even fake meet toppings.  Wierd? Maybe.  Different? Yes. Delicious? You bet your bippy!  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a virtual menu or even very many reviews.  Actually, the one review I did find specifically mentions that they have never tried any of the vegan items.  Clearly, the reviewer was not a curious, intellectual SCCC student, attempting to expand his or her horizons.  I fancy myself as a vegan restaurant reviewer, and I urge you to do the same.  There's a special thrill in making oneself a foodie for the day; real restaurant reviewers taste several dishes in a sitting (to get a "feel" for the cuisine), which basically embodies the values of any healthy college-aged male, and many females like myself!  After you steal a copy of the menu (just kidding) sit yourself down and write a witty little review, so that Steven S. isn't the only, lonely guy here talking about this stuff. 

Fortunately, Moon and River Cafe does have their own website. They even boast a scan of their menu; still, the best shot at reading it is to print it out, since half of it is upside down (hopefully SCCC students don't have a print quota like us Rose Buds)!  None the less, after salivating for several minutes a casual glance over the thing, I would totally be down for the tofu tapenade sandwich washed down with a vegan chocolate banana shake.  I suddenly have a strong urge to visit Schenectady-- nobody makes this stuff in my area of Albany! What's also great is that they seem to have events happening every night, (read: live music).

What else would you do, oh, guru of all things Schenectady, you ask?   Well, I'd be taking it back to the good old days, and I would go to the roller rink.  Maybe, I'd even go there as a field trip with my SCCC club friends.  This place really rocks my skate socks.  They have a Cheap Skate night where four dollars gets you in the rink, grooving to the sounds of the 70's, not to mention a Family Night, so all of you non-traditional students can get in on the fun without breaking the bank.

Last, but not least I would explore SCCC's campus and take a stroll down to visit K. Moore so I could find out some other fun things that some of the clubs and organizations are doing.

Dana

Finding my way to SCCC.

Greetings SCCC Daily Readers,

I'm K. Moore's guest-blogger for the week, Dana.  I am also a student in the same blogging class as K. Moore at The College of Saint Rose.  Blogging here will be interesting; I believe will be able to offer a unique perspective on SCCC life.

Firstly, I must let you in on a little secret: I have never set foot in Schenectady in my life (I'm student without a car or a driver's license).  The implication of that is, of course, that other than my exposure to this blog, I have very little prior knowledge about Schenectady County Community College.  In fact, my first exposure to Schenectady's existence was thanks to the late, great Kurt Vonnegut, who set many of his stories in the region.  Anyone who's read any of his books (and if you haven't-- get to it!) will understand what I mean when I say that Schenectady exists in my mind as a place filled with time-travelers, alien contact, and quirky heroes.

So, what is it that someone with such Schenectady experiences can offer here?  I hope to share my perspectives shaped by being a resident student at a four-year college.  My research tells me that there are nearly as many traditional students at SCCC as non-traditional ones, and that the majority of students are from the capitol region.  So, my college path serves as a nice contrast.  Maybe I'll even dig up some tasty tidbits in my research of Schenectady itself to share with you.

Keep tuning in to find out what happens next.

Dana

Welcome Dana, and good-bye for now

SCCC readers:

During the next week I will be guest blogging for Abby's Web. A NCIS fan blog.

Ms. Dana will be filling in for me here throughout the week. She's a bright, corky, and fun, college student, and I am sure you will enjoy reading her posts and the temporary change in pace.