But I'll take it slow. I finished my first and only full year at New York University.

I'm up for some internship work.

I'm living in New York this summer.

I have to find an apartment.

I'm shooting a documentary.

Yeah, that about covers it for now. I'll certainly elaborate in the next couple of weeks.

Here are some pictures.

VS Commentary: Sidney Crosby has really been facing a lot of adversity as of late. Mainly because they say he's a diver and a winer. There may be some truth to that based off of the reports we received from the Flyers bench. The Penguins scored.

Reality: Malkin is coming off the bench for the penalty kill, when Marion Hossa sends him a two-line pass into the Flyer's zone. Malkin, all alone on the breakaway skates up to Biron and fires a blistering slapshot eight feet from the goal!

VS Commentary: You know what's funny about Mike Richards? He's good friends with Mike Modano from the Dallas Stars. Both of those guys are named Mike, but with very different last names. It's amazing that people from such different families can still be friends. And the Dallas Stars used to be called the Northstars when they were in Minnesota. I guess when they moved south, they had to drop the "north!" The Penguins scored again.

Reality: After copious amounts of trash talk exchanged prior to faceoff, Tyler Kennedy and Scottie Upshall decide to drop the gloves and fight. Kennedy is like a wild ferret, throwing punches left and right. The fight is so ferocious that the second the two players fall to the ice, they spring back up and keep at it. Eventually, they tire and are escorted to the penalty box for 5 minutes each.

VS Commentary: You're watching the NHL on Versus in high definition! Make sure you tune in tomorrow night for the next match in the Detroit and Dallas series. Boy, is that a great series or what? I mean, both teams are evenly matched, and neither are as cocky as those Penguins. Don't you just hate that the Penguins are so good? Man... talk about excessive excellence. Oh well, at least the two teams in this Eastern Conference Final come from towns with great signature sandwiches. I'm talking about, of course, the Philly Cheesesteak and the Pittsburgh ham sandwich. That's it, right? The ham sandwich? We go now to a bar in Philadelphia, where fans are cheering for some reason! Did something just happen on the ice?

Reality: The shot clock is winding down, and the Rangers have pulled their goalie. The blueshirts are trying to set something up in the Penguins' zone, but the puck is stolen by Jordan Staal! He skates it into the neutral zone and shoots is calmly into the Ranger's net for his second empty-net goal of the playoffs.

VS Commentary: This VS broadcast has been brought to you by Amp'd Energy drink. From all of us here at the VS Network, we're really glad you found us and were able to tune in. Thanks a whole lot. Seriously, that's really great of you for sticking around. Get it? I sticking around? Eh? Eh? The game is over now, and I think the score changed at the end.

My reaction after seeing the film was to wonder how many of my students who seem to have difficulty reading might have some of these processing/perceptual problems and, more importantly, what I could do as a writing teacher to help them, to bring them towards competency in their reading, which is obviously what we want, I asserted confidently. No, said the ODS specialist firmly, not necessarily.

She talked about the technological possibilities now: student textbooks can be scanned in and converted from print-to-speech, web pages can be read aloud, and students can compose by talking into a microphone (a comprehensive, at least to my eyes, list of such technologies is given here). Within five years, she said, textbooks will be available as old-fashioned bound books, CD-ROMs, or downloadable mp3 files, format to be chosen by student.

So will my reluctant readers and writers now be eager listeners and talkers?

I share Holly's assumption that getting reluctant readers to become more competent at it is the goal.  But maybe reading-print-on-the-page is not the only way to go.  I'm excited about the notion that textbooks could be readily available in multiple formats.

But, wow, listening to audiobooks takes a lot longer than reading them.  I'm guessing that, for taking in extensive chunks of text (i.e. Moby Dick), reading on the page is still the best way to go.  Or am I wrong about that?

This project we tried to implement to welcome you all didn't get as much of a response as we'd hoped, but I know that at least Valerie found us. :)

So, friends and now fellow alums, congratulations! I hope you'll keep in touch.

OpEd News, one of the higher traffic media sites on the Internet, is looking for qualified interns who have backgrounds in journalism or are currently majoring in journalism or related areas in colleges (including political science, history, sociology, and anthropology). Interns will be able to work in areas of their personal interest (e.g., politics, music, art, the environment, etc.) since the site deals with a diversity of topics.

For my term project, I undertook updating The Setonian production manual which was last done in 2005 by then editor-in-chief Anne Stadler and Amanda Cochran, news editor (who went on to the top role after Anne). Basically the manual needed sorted through and organized. Most of the content was fresh and concise even from three years ago, but I added a few things like articles on editorial position duties written by other Setonian staffers, a handout on QuarkXPress, and other "examples" like article assignment formats.

• Informal Reflection- reflection on my term project
• Relevant Communication:

Portfolio 1- This first portfolio includes my project proposal

Portfolio 2- Second report of progress on my project within portfolio 2

Boord Talks Business- My article on Jennifer Boord, who was business manager for The Setonian until this semester, as per the class assignment to contribute to my project

• One Page Handout- This is a handout I included in my revised version of the production manual on layout tips and reminders

"We left family to live with strangers, now we leave family to go back home." 

Franklin - Paramore

And when we get home, I know we won't be home at all
This place we live, it is not where we belong
And I miss who we were in the town that we could call our own
Going back to get away after everything has changed

'Could you remind me of a time when we were so alive
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?
(Everything has changed)
'Could you help me push aside all that I have left behind
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?

So we stand here now and no one knows us at all
I won't get used to this
I won't get used to being gone
And going back won't feel the same if we aren't staying
Going back to get away after everything has changed

'Could you remind me of a time when we were so alive
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?
(Everything has changed)
'Could you help me push aside all that I have left behind
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?

Taking up our time
Taking up our time
Taking up our time
It's taking up our time
go back, we can't go back at all
It's taking up our time
go back, we can't go back at all
It's taking up our time
go back, we can't go back at all
It's taking up our time, taking up our time

'Cause you remind me of a time when we were so alive
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?

Must be able to write very short interactive fiction consisting of a cast of 8 characters 4 female / 4 male. Short Script 6-12 pages. Speak to me directly regarding the many details I have left out. You will be working with a 3 person team backed by a solid, dependable scripter: Alondria LeFay.

  Alright, last one here, and lets say this was the one I was most excited for (although I hope that doesn't convey that I hated each reading and so forth), but yes, I was a little "geeked" about the kindle. I really hadn't read any reviews or encountered anyone who has used it, or even owned one, but I suppose Amazon's target market is for those who need something more aside from their laptop, palm pilot, Ipod etc. Meaning, that poor young America really doesn't have the resources to get one. But enough of that, lets starting reviewing the product.

Aesthetics:  The kindle comes in a protective cover, with a strap that secure the cover from opening, The cover is visually reminiscent of   those out-dated and "old-school" books. The cover is black and sleek, which provides a sense of professionalism and sleekness.  Which really translates to you wont look like that big of a dork carrying one around, well no more so than carry your average paperback. Alright, lets open it up.

   Ok, the kindle itself is white, which works, because the original Ipods and Macs were white, so personally, I already have accepted the Kindle to this point, although Im sure the next generation will have Black! or even Creative Skins! (OMG!) .Anyways, the kindle itself is thin, under an inch here (take that Mac Air), and yes, its light. Light enough were you might be nervous to drop it if it did have a sleek protective cover! Right, the page options of the right and left work, although I often find myself bumping the page accidently while looking the thing over, or trying to turn it on/off. Im technologically clumsy, leave me alone...

     The use of the scroll wheel works, and simply having to push the wheel as the new "enter" bar creates an easier flow among the item. The actually screen is plain, so if your looking for color Ipod screen you might want to rethink how important your screen is. Its boring..yes, but also extremely practical. The screen is suppose to imitate paper, not a computer. This is to help reduce the strain on your eyes, so if you enjoy vision, get away from the optically damaging computer and pick up the new relaxing, vision aiding Kindle.    Oh, I just realized that you can't read in the kindle in complete darkness, so it is more akin to a real b ook than your computer, what a drag (Kidding).  Alright, home screen--> Its easy to use, its the scroll wheel!, and you can flip through your items by hitting next page or previous page. Selecting works is easy, and finding the table of contents or chapters within those books is simple.  I enjoy using the smaller screen to read, simply because it makes me feel like a speed reader, and in this age of quickness and ADD, who doesn't want to hit the "next page" button every 10-30 seconds. Marking your page (aka Dog Ear...classic idea) is a practical way to save your page, although the kindle remembers where you left off regardless. You can also highlight lines, add notes, or look up those "oh too confusing" words you've always skipped over.  Im surprised the Kindle has pictures, although I wish they were in color (no big deal), but I suppose that option was needed so you can read over the comics in Pittsburgh Post Gazette, which you receive daily from your subscription via the Kindle! You can also subscribe to blogs and so forth.

    Sadly I did not look into the Kindle Store, although I imagine it would be easy enough. I mean the purpose is to buy, so the store should allow one to navigate with ease. You can also throw Word Doc's onto there, which would help for those who want to review or read papers while actually riding the bus to class. Ya, pretty limited here since I didn't connect it to the internet, sorry reader (s), you'll have to fund raise and send me one before I start buying. 

   Would I buy this product? For 400 bucks... not yet. Perhaps if amazon teamed up with half-priced books (haven't they already?) or something like that and had all my school books located on their site; then I would buy one. The device is practical, especially for those who take public transportation or ride in planes every other day.   Although those would be the two most practical users, I found myself oddly comfortable reading from the Kindle, and without much time found it just as relaxing to hit "next" as oppose to flipping those technologically odd dated "paper text". If I received one from a family member or extremely generous friend, then I would of course use it almost daily. It really is practical, but Im still cheap, so unless you notch down the price I aint budgin. A friend of mine, who has expressed  contempt for reading, was sincerely interested in the Kindle, and was impressed by the overall format and style of the product. He even went as far as to say he might actually read if he had one, but lets not get carried away. The point is the Kindle sparks interest among readers and non-readers alike. Just think, a world where technological not only brings books together, but people... (I know I know,  corny, but only slightly sarcastic).  Heres my review, now go buy me a Kindle!

Photo I took of Paul and I a few days ago. I changed it to black and white while it was still on my camera, and my fan happened to be right between our faces, under our noses, so I took care of that with Paint. Yes, Paint.

I'm working at Jumonville this summer. I should be really, really excited. I'm nervous.

I love Jumonville and have been going to summer camp there since I was about eight years old. The camp has changed my life and re-invented me with every trip there. I used to count down the days in the summer until I could go to camp, and then cry basically the whole day when I had to come home. I love Jumonville.

I spent my 14th and 17th birthday at Jumonville, I made some of the best friends I have to this day there, I found God for the first time there, I found a reason to keep trucking time after time there, and now I get to work there. I get paid for doing something I love. But I'm more nervous about it then I ever thought possible.

Jumonville means so much to me, one of the reasons I picked Seton Hill was because it slightly reminded me of Jumonville's campus. That's actually the first thing my dad said when we were pulling up the Hill on move in day back in August, which was the first time that he saw Seton Hill.

But I'm scared that I won't be able to bring those same kind of memories to the campers I come in contact with. I can only go so far, I can only teach them the songs and lead them on the hikes and help them at the ropes course. I can only lead the Bible studies, and tell them about God and how important He really is. I cannot make them believe it all. That's where the kids turn into adults and make that big decision for themselves. I can only guide them, and I hope that I am able to do so. I'm nervous that the kids won't love Jumonville as much as I do after their week there. But that's where God takes over, and my work is left up to him.

I cannot believe that I have this chance to mold lives and help kids with such a big decision that is truely life changing. Granted I know not every single kid that comes to camp is going to be on fire for Jesus after they leave, but if I make an impact on one kid, I'll feel like I've done my job. I have always wanted this chance and now it's right infront of me. And I'm getting paid for this? I know I'm a privledged kid. I move in May 19th. Hazard Yet Forward, Chelsea.

"But be sure to fear the Lord and

serve Him faithfully with all your heart;

consider what great things He has done for you."

A violinist who left his 285-year-old instrument in a taxi in the United States is playing a concert to thank the driver who returned it to him.

Philippe Quint is giving a private 30-minute performance on Tuesday in the cab waiting area at Newark Liberty International Airport.

He left his violin, a 1723 Kiesewetter Stradivarius, in a taxi on the way back from the airport last month.

The driver, Mohamed Khalil, got in touch the next day to return it.

The violin is older than our country and worth more than four million dollars. And the violinist held the "thank you" concert not in a concert hall, but at the cab waiting area at an airport. Plus the family of the taxi driver is going to his next concert at Carnegie Hall in September. :)

I like when I can find good news like this in heaps of not-so-good and just-plain-awful news.