Category: Campus Life

about campus

Everything has to come to an end.

Whoa, it is hard to imagine that I have less than 3 weeks left until I have successfully completed my first year at the University of Iowa. Looking back, I have grown sooo much, experienced a lot, and enjoyed the company of so many different people.

This Friday is my last training day with the Iowa Edge Peer Leader program and that makes me excited for next year’s incoming freshmen to be a part of Iowa Edge. This program really helped me get my foot in the door on campus.

Tomorrow is my birthday! Unfortunately, it will be celebrated at work until 9 pm, however I will be headed to:

  • Women’s Resource & Action Center (WRAC) event Take Back The Night Rally! It is a march and rally created to speak out against violence!
  • Friday I am going to get my SALSA ON! 😀  The University of Iowa International Crossroads Community (ICC) will hold its annual Latin dance festival, Gusto Latino, from 6 p.m. to 1:00 am. THERE WILL ALSO BE FREE FOOD AND A TACO BAR!!! HEY!!!!!!!
  • In between time I will be studying hard and planning for the summer, I’ll fill you guys in on that sooner rather than later 🙂

Mesa Mesa Mesa

Just brought my new roomie to Mesa for the first time for lunch. She was really skeptical and didn’t want to try any of the strange  topped pizzas. I tried and tried to persuade her towards the Mac and Cheese topped pizza, but she was not having any of that! Finally we settled on Philly-cheese Steak and the Spicy Southwest! The slices we’re HUGE and sooooooooooooo good! I think that is going to become one of our favorite places to eat together. She loved it! There is soo much variety of pizza you could never get sick of it!

Dear Joslyn: Black Student Union

Here is Black Student Union’s webpage, unfortunately, it is a little outdated. I will be sure to talk to the executive board about the certain need for an update. On the other hand, it does include general information and it surely can assist you and your mother’s understanding on what BSU is all about.

http://www.uiowa.edu/~bsu

Here is Black Student Union’s (BSU) Facebook Group.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2317963007

The next listed website, is one that I highly encourage you to check out. It is up-to-date and includes resources on BSU, diversity scholarships and programs that can potentially be of benefit to you.

http://imu.uiowa.edu/aacc-resources/
Here is a post I did with a few video clips,

http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/kyra/2010/10/bible-study/
Lastly, I would really take a look at the Iowa Edge Program. Participating in this program ensures a successful transition into college life. I participated in it last year, and I will be a Leader in the program this summer (because I loved it so much!) It’s not time for applications yet but I am sure in the next month or two it will be time.

http://provost.uiowa.edu/edge/index.html
Please don’t hesitate to ask more questions!

Slavery is theft –theft of a life, theft of work, theft of any property or produce, theft even of the children a slave might have borne.
-Kevin Bales, Understanding Global Slavery

Tomorrow is Valentines Day

Although common knowledge tells us that tomorrow is the big lovey dovey red and pink holiday itself.

I don’t have a valentine this year so I’m off to find something else to do on campus.

To Ma Te Time 🙂

SALSA!!!! Yesterday, John W Hofmeyer’s Ballroom Dancing put on a Valentine’s Day dance. Where beginners and higher level dancers alike can come together and have some fun this holiday season. 🙂

Tomorrow, Kappa Psi Chapter – Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity is having a Women’s Appreciation/Roses at the Pentacrest event. Here is a quote from their facebook event invite “♥♥♥ LADIES ♥♥♥ LADIES ♥♥♥ LADIES ♥♥♥

The Men of the “Know It All” Kappa Psi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity want to do something for YOU! Valentine’s Day is not just a time for lovers, but a time for all.

♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥

We are going to be handing out 60 ROSES and Valentine candies to ladies who are walking past the corner of Clinton and Iowa (across from Phillips Hall and Iowa Book) from 12:20-1:00 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH!

From your friendly, neighborhood Sigma!”

Here is a link to this public event: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=145482228846855

I know I will be there getting my rose! 🙂

Also the University of Iowa Dining offers Special Treats or Goodie-Packages if you will, and it is really cheap too!

I think I may just send someone I know a personal note with my Hawkeye treat; maybe flowers, cake, or cookies. The University’s Housing takes care of all the wrapping and delivering and baking! It’s perfect!

I can’t forget about the candlelight dinner Febraury 25th at Burge Market Place! 🙂

Lastly, checkout what Dictionary.com has to say about being a Valentine. 🙂

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !

-Kyra

Blizzard 2011, Say Hello To My Little Friend!

SNOW DAY!!!! 🙂

February 1st and 2nd were  very remarkable days in the Midwest.

February 1st marked the Midwest Blizzard of 2011! There was snow everywhere. Classes got canceled if they began after 4:30.

February 2nd -Classes Canceled At University Of Iowa

So what exactly is there to do on a Snow Day in the world of Iowa City?

Well…in my case: eat, dance, do homework, and drink a lot of hot cocoa!

Everywhere I looked students we’re having massive snowball fights and sledding down every little hill imaginable. I received plenty text messages ask for my hand in snowboarding! I didn’t actually go snowboarding, but it sounded really cool. Lets just say that Snow and myself don’t actually get along. I dislike the cold with a passion. I grew up in Iowa, and I don’t like winter.

Some people find that to be a shocker.  Especially in situations such as this:

Girl: Burr it looks cold outside.

Kyra: Ugh, yuckie!

Girl: You hate the cold too?

Kyra: Yea, I’m more of a sunshine-type of girl.

Girl: Me too, I’m from Miami, where are you from?

Kyra: Iowa.

Girl: Lol

I know it’s hard to believe…but I (an Iowan girl) am not a big fan of being in wintry winds. Luckily for me, and anyone else who feels the same(there’s more than just me-promise!), there is this thing called BONGO. It is truly a gift from my guardian angel.

Basically it uses gps to inform me how far away my desired bus is (in minutes) and it can notify me when my particular bus is an X amount of minutes away. You can get this information numerous ways, via text, internet, & smart phones. Ebongo.org is a good friend of mine, especially in weather like this!

On the other hand, Iowa City was really quick to get the roads clear and get school back in session the following day. Now the city looks so pretty, covered in a sparkling blanket of white crystals 🙂

Sweet Home Iowa City

After a 3 hour long dance practice, two days of classes, one Spanish quiz, and an impromptu speech, I can honestly say Iowa City has an interesting way of welcoming me home. LOL

But seriously, these last couple days of being back in my dorm in Mayflower and reconnecting with some really close friends, I can’t believe that I created this wonderful environment that I call home. That is what I really like about this campus, it offers so many opportunities, and if you are one like me and LOVE to take advantage of a great situation, it’s inevitable for you to create a great community amongst yourself.

GO HAWKS!

“He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he had failed.”

~ William James

Holiday FEAST! :D

Windy and Chilly I’m  Off to

326 East

Market Street.

Twas the night of  November 11th,

I’m off to a place, from the heavens.

The oldest church in Iowa City

The 2nd oldest building,not the third, not the seventh.

It was here, that I was going to eat

They had everything! Peach cobbler, mashed potatoes, and turkey meat.

And it was all for FREE, what a treat!

After I ate, I ran smack into the most amazing date!

The President of the University of Iowa, is who I got to meet!

As if the evening couldn’t get much nicer,

Up sparked a conversation with me

and the Chief Diversity Officer.

"The Chief Diversity Officer and The President of The University Of Iowa"
Photo taken by Tim Schoon

Georgina Dodge  ME  Sally Mason!

Hancher Auditorium Employee As Well

Other than my job at the library I also work for Hancher Auditorium.

Today is a Sunday!

I woke up at 9:30, cooked myself some homemade french toast and got ready for the day. At 11:45 I met up with Erin (another Hancher Auditorium Employee) and we went to Cedar Rapids to go and pick up the comedian/performer/actor Tomás Kubínek from the airport.

He is quite the character and a very nice gentleman. From our brief conversations, I could tell that he was also very intelligent and had a different outlook on life than most people that I have encountered before. His story and passed adventures are very interesting.

He will be in Iowa City for approximately three weeks! For more information on his local performance with University of Iowa’s Orchestra go to http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/events/tomas.html.

I am sure it is going to be worth watching!

P.s.

If you see him around (in his brown coat!) stop and have a conversation-I am sure he’d enjoy it just as much as you will!