The Suffolk Life

WHEN ALL THE MACS ARE TAKEN AT RIDGEWAY DURING FINALS WEEK

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:14:51 -0400

WALKING UP BEACON STREET TO SAWYER EVERY MORNING

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:13:00 -0400

newsreporter612:

Heidi

This is posted on what was the advising board on 3rd floor...

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:55:27 -0400

This is posted on what was the advising board on 3rd floor Ridgeway.

Biology 102 Field Trip - Harvard Museum of Comparative...

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:50:00 -0400

Humans and Apes

Some cool looking dinosaur....

New England Environment Room

Biology 102 Field Trip - Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology

Just because it’s spring break does not mean the homework is over. Hate to say it. However, this little trip on the Red Line was a great learning experience not just for myself as a visual learner, but for the entire class who needed a break from our ordinary lab rooms.

This museum, located on 26 Oxford Street Cambridge, really gives the big picture when it comes to the science of evolution with not just humans, but with arthropods, butterflies, birds, apes, giraffes - you name it, they have it. All of these skeleton remains have been collected by Harvard science nuts who crave the further discovery of evolutionary remains. Imagine seeing the human skeleton as it is now and the remains of our ancestors as we compare ourselves to apes and fossil remains. Pretty interesting stuff.

The museum is $7 for college students and is open every day except major holidays. On Sundays from 9am to 12pm and Wednesdays from 3pm-5pm the museum is completely free so I think that’s the best time to visit if you’re looking to save money and learn a little.

I’m not a science girl, not in the slightest. I’m thanking the credit gods above that I never have to take another math/economics related class again, but interactive stuff and virtual learning settings are a great opportunity to open yourself to news experiences. So if you and your roommate have nothing to do and thought about visiting Harvard Square, take a trip down past the yard. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find.

- Heidi

http://www.mcz.harvard.edu/

Good morning Boston!

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:10:36 -0500

Good morning Boston!

Interviewing people on the streets of East Boston, Near Boston...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:35:20 -0500

Interviewing people on the streets of East Boston, Near Boston Public Library and even some Medford about what they would like for Christmas and the holidays this year. I know I might consider some of these gifts ;)

- Heidi

Still to come

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:30:29 -0500

It’s so strange to realize that this Thursday is Thanksgiving. I remember last year I used Thanksgiving break as a sort of check point to how close winter break is. But this year it’s kind of scary to realize that winter break is right around the corner. I officially received my acceptance letter from Regents College in London the other day so if all goes according to plan I will be in England come January 19th.

This is something I have always dreamed of since I was in 3rd grade and it is finally happening. Words cannot describe how excited I am and how anxious I am to just get on that plane and let my European adventure happen but along with all of those feelings there is still part of me that doesn’t want it to happen just yet. This isn’t because I’m having doubts or anything but the idea of saying goodbye to my family, friends, and friends from Boston for 6 months is terrifying. It’s so strange to think that I won’t be able to leave my apartment and visit my friends down the hall anymore, when this is something I did multiple times a day. Thankfully they have all been so supportive of me and understand that this is my dream. But that’s not going to make goodbye any easier. I have spoken to some upperclassmen who studied abroad in the past two years and hearing their stories have really helped. Getting homesick or even a little terrified is totally normal for anyone about to live in a different country for 6 months but they were able to give me tips on how to handle it. The main thing is to remember why I’m there. Yes, I’m going to get homesick but that should in no way stop me from exploring London or Europe in any way…that’s the whole reason I’m going. There’s also always skype and phonecalls to loved ones back home but chances are pretty good I’ll be making some really good friends while I’m over there who can help me and I can do the same for them.

Besides missing people, I really could not be more excited. My roommate and incredibly close friend is going to be studying in Italy at the same time and we have already discussed when and where we want to meet up. I have a list of countries and tourist attractions that I can’t wait to check off my bucket list like climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s going to be a life changing experience and I can’t wait to just let it happen.

-Becca

Internship in Madrid

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:17:00 -0500

As I have mentioned before I am planning on studying abroad in London spring semester. When I was talking to some upperclassmen who had studied in London last year I learned about a flamenco course offered in Madrid during three weeks of the summer. Now I am in love with travel and want to do as much as humanly possible when I am abroad so instantly I was intrigued. It is a theater course so it also occured to me that I might be able to knock out some requirements from my minor and it was absolutley amazing that it would be flamenco because ever since I saw Ava Gardner dance it in “The Barefoot Contessa” I have put it on my bucket list to learn. Upon further investigation I learned that unfortunatly the course will not be offered this summer. At first I was really bummed but then I opened my Suffolk email to find an email entitled “Intern in Madrid this Summer.” I am a huge believer in fate and started to think hey if I can’t do flamenco at least look at some other options, other courses and maybe even an internship.

Suffolk Career Services has advertised the importance of internships since orientation so it has always been something on my mind. Internships offer an absolutely amazing opportunity to get hands on experience in your future career choice. It is a huge signal to future employees that “hey I have worked in the field before, I enjoyed it, and I know what I’m doing.” It also is really helpful to students because it can give you a heads up if for some reason the career that you chose isn’t the one for you. I went to the information session offered by the Study Abroad Office Madrid advisor Melanie. Melanie explained how many internships opportunites are available in Madrid from everything from communications and journalism to philosophy and womens studies. You work 32 hours a week with Friday’s off. Similar to many other internships it is unpaid. The cost of all of it had not been finalized yet. Overall it sounded like a really great opportunity to get into an amazing city and get real life experience in your major. Unfortunatly for me because of my specific major and the fact that I will already be spending quite a bit on study abroad I do not see myself interning in Madrid this summer but who knows what could happen in the future! I definitly see myself interning somewhere, I love travel, so why not combine the two?

-Becca

Movement Workshop

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:59:54 -0500

Last week I attended the free and open to all movement workshop offered by Suffolk University’s Theater Department. Now I am in now way a dancer of any kind and sometimes cannot even master the simple act of walking (I tend to trip a lot) so when I saw that a movement workshop I am not going to lie, I just kept on walking. I didn’t really think it could offer or teach me anything. I thought I was a lost cause and would be seriously out of place amongst trained and seasoned professional dancers. I was incredibly wrong.

After thinking about it and talking it about it at rehearsal for Doctor Faustus and in my acting class, I realized that movement is a huge part of theater. Whether it is just walking, everything about a character you are playing is unique. The walk of an Emperor is incredibly different when compared to the walk of a bashful five year old and it is important to not only be able to understand this but to also be able to perform it. So I went with my friend who is similar to me in….movement “talents.” I was so surprised to see how many people showed up to workshop which was taught by the mentor of a theater professor. Not everyone there was even involved in theater, some were just communication or public relations major who realized how important their movement is, how it can convey strength and authority. It was a basic workshop with stretches that any beginner could do. We worked in pairs and groups so no one was singled out. It was a great way to meet new people and work on something pretty cool. We were taught a very basic dance routine which we performed with a partner to some fast paced and upbeat music. The instructor was incredibly patient and helpful and just had fun with it which made everyone in attendance just relax and automatically loosen up. Refreshments and donuts were also offered so we had something to enjoy after working up an appetite.

After I attended this workshop I actually began to see how my movement changed at rehearsal and how it even changed in everyday life because I learned what certain movements conveyed. Overall it was actually a great time that even a two left feet beginner like me could enjoy.

-Becca

Fall by the Public Garden

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:06:58 -0500

Fall by the Public Garden

Suffolk Cinema Series

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:17:45 -0500

On Tuesday night Suffolk University welcomed Laura Colella to their Cinema Series in which filmmakers come to the school and then following a screening of one of their films they take part in a discussion with students. I was in the audience this past Tuesday and had a great time watching the film and being able to hear an actual filmmaker talk about her work.

The film was “Tax Day” and depicted two older women on their way to the post office to mail out their taxes. On the way there they encounter quite a few strangers and learn their stories along with revealing some of their own past. What I found fascinating was how Colella made the set just as important as the characters. It was filmed on location in Providence, Rhode Island (which is another reason I wanted to attend this…who doesn’t want to see a film that was made in their home state?) But when a scene was depecting the woman walking down the street, it didn’t just ignore what was around them such as buildings or parks, it embraced it. Eventually I came to realize that those buildings and parks were actually helping move the plot along. For example, when the women are walking past the Biltmore Hotel so much detail is given to it that the audience naturally notices it which makes the transition to one of the woman telling a story about her time at the hotel much more natural.

When the film was over Colella opened up the floor to any questions. It was really great to see students who were just their for extra credit ask really interesting questions. It just goes to show how the film really spoke to everyone. Colella was so genuine and you could honestly tell that she just loved film. It was so inspiring to see someone who has worked in the film industry for many years still have so much passion and respect for it.

-Becca

Breast Cancer Awareness

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:04:41 -0400

Last Thursday I headed down to the Ridgeway Gym to attend Suffolk University’s Breast Cancer Awareness event. I attended this event last year so I thought it would pretty much be the same thing. Woah was I wrong. This event got even bigger and better. It was truly astounding to see how many athletes, students, advisors, and professors took time out of a busy work day to show their support for breast cancer awareness.

The event opened up with moving speeches given by those in charge of planning this large event. Everyone who was in attendance got an adorable free pink t-shirt and free ‘pink’ food like pink lemonade and cupcakes with pink frosting along with regular popcorn and water. The energy from the event was clear the second you stepped into the room and the kindness of everyone in attendance was made even more evident when the whole gym joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to Suffolk University’s acting president (Thursday was my birthday too so I kind of like to think they were singing to me as well). Those in charge of planning the event then handed out the “Pink Tie” award to a professional who best exemplified the traits of kindness, awareness, and just overall great behavior. All of this was concluded when everyone in attendance was gathered up and arranged into a pink ribbon (we all wore our pink tshirts).

It was such a great feeling to look around and see so many faces gathering for such a great cause. We may not all know someone who was affected by breast cancer but the fact that we all still take this issue so seriously and want to do something about it was truly heartwarming.

-Becca

The Legend of Faust

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:41:00 -0400

Last week I attended a lecture offered by the Theater Department about the legend of Faust. I am currently in rehearsal for Suffolk University’s presentation of Dr. Faustus I was incredibly intrigued to learn the history of a story told so often but honestly I wasn’t expecting what I learned. I was not aware of how this legend seems to be even more popular now then it was when it was first written.

The story of Faust is the tale of a very intelligent man who desires more out of life because he has learned everything ‘man’ has to offer like medicine, philosophy, religion, etc. So he sells his soul to the devil in exchange for 24 years of anything he can imagine. After those years are done, he is then brought to hell. In the version of the play I am in, we deal with the concept of time whether it is really 24 years or if that is a trick of the devil and its really only 24 hours. We talk about that when we discuss what Faust decides to do with those years. This was the most interesting thing I learned from the presentation because in other versions (there is a version written by Goethe and Marlowe) Faust actually falls in love with a very innocent and sweet girl. Learning about all of the differences between the versions and even other differences such as how “black magic” used to be considered evil while “white magic” was able to be performed by the church, made you look at the legend in a whole new light. Despite all of these differences, in some versions Faust ends up being saved, the main plot still stays the same. He wasn’t satisfied so he went to the upmost extreme. This is something all of us can relate to, we have all wanted more, wanted to have more or be more, or just have felt pure greed and I think that answers the question about why this legend is still around today.

It was amazing to learn just how much of it surrounds us. It has been adapted into countless plays and even operas. I have watched the Czech film version of it which plays upon countless other renditions of it such as puppetry. It has also even been adapted into films such as “Damn Yankees.” And even inspired an episode of “The Simpsons.” Overall it was a great night and was truly so cool to see how a legend so old that was created out of something that really never happened can stay around for so long.

-Becca

Let Suffolk Entertain You

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:00:00 -0400

Last night I had the absolute pleasure to not only go to the Theater Departments Fall Showcase but I also got to attend a rehersal and performance from the improv group Seriously Bent. Now this week was incredibly difficult and busy with projects and midterm madness and let me tell you, I was a little nervous I wasn’t going to be able to fully enjoy any of it because I’d be so nervous about finishing everything on time but that was farrr from the truth, from the second the lights dimmed….I was just cracking up.

I attended Seriously Bent’s rehearsal in Sawyer on Thursday afternoon. The main thing I was interested in seeing was how an improv group could reherse….reherse improv…it kind of seemed to contradict itself. As someone who has been in play productions I admit I was biased, I was expecting to see something similar to what I do and in a way it was. Just like how at a play rehersal you put on a mini performance in the form of a few scenes and then you anaylze it…and thats what they did. I felt like they put on a mini show, every rehersal, they would do some of the routines they do at their shows like asking for a random word and just going off of that but afterwards they would talk about how it worked, what could have made it better, if they stayed on track, etc. It was the most interesting thing to see how sooo much thought process and analyzing and even a coach are required for an improv group.

That night I went to their dorm show at 150 Tremont. I showed up early and was able to watch them rehearse as they loosened up and did some vocal exercises. So much energy is required from improv and every member depends on the others to keep it upbeat and full of energy and life. Honestly, I don’t know how they do it. A lot of it comes from trust, during rehearsal and the show, you can just tell that everyone in the group is so dedicated to improv and each other and that knowledge allows them to take those risks on stage, because they know their team is right behind them. The show was hilarious and I am not kidding when I say that my side hurt from laughing. The entire room was full to the point that some kids were sitting on the tables just to be able to see. Everyone just loved it.

As if that was not enough entertainment for one night, I also got to go see 4 student written and directed plays in the Fall Showcase. Having acted in the spring showcase, I thought I knew what to expect, but yet again I was pleasantly surprised. The spring showcase consisted of a lot of dramatic pieces…well this was the total opposite. The show opened with Under Covers, a thought provoking piece in which two best friends (one straight and one homosexual) wake up in bed with each other and the reprucssions that follow. Now this subject matter is very serious and there were a lot of sad moments where one friend felt betrayed or ashamed but the comedy was woven into the script so perfectly that the audience never felt to much drama, there was always a joke to lighten the mood. The next three shows Sitcom, Boy Meets Girl and The Secret of Mr. Montgomery all had the same effect. Some were more fun then serious but it was never too much. It was truly amazing to see all the talent Suffolk has to offer.

-Becca

Temple Street Fair 2011

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:51:51 -0400

Temple Street Fair 2011

Midterms...um what!?

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:42:24 -0400

Today in class my professor was going over our next project. Now this is my media production class, which is required for my major, and is also one of the toughest courses I have ever taken. It is a basic but intense introduction to Final Cut (a professional video editing system), lighting, framing, shooting, microphones, filming, and basically everything you ever didn’t know you needed to know about film. Now I LOVE the class. This is pretty much the reason I came to Suffolk and although its a lot of work I’m completley doing what I love…but it is all very time consuming. So as she is going over the instructions for our next project she tells us it is due the day of our midterm. In my mind I actually relax and think “Wow! I have plenty of time!” But then she says…in two weeks. TWO WEEKS!? Two weeks until we are halfway through with this semester? Now I am sorry but where on earth did the time go?!

It feels like just yesterday I was moving all of my stuff in and blogging about how excited I was about this semester…and now that semester is almost halfway done. I already handed in my study abroad application, I was already cast in Suffolk’s production of “Doctor Faustus” and its almost midterms. So much has happened! Its pretty scary to think about because although so much has happened I feel like it is all happening sooo quickly I barely had time to notice. I am INCREDIBLY excited to study abroad but at the same time I don’t want to miss out on this semester. Time just needs to calmmmm down ahaha.

Sophmore year is already so much better then freshmen year in so many ways and I honestly just want to enjoy every moment of it. This week I got a really bad cold and could barely leave my room and even then I kept thinking about how all I wanted to do was go out and do something in Boston, go see a show, go get frozen yogurt, just take advantage of the day.

So although I can’t stop time…at least not yet…I can take advantage of every single opportunity and day for the rest of this semester. As Ferris Bueller once said “Life moves pretty fast if you don’t stop and look around you just might miss it.” Well Mr. Bueller…I refuse to miss anything.

-Becca

Study Abroad

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:18:01 -0400

It is crazy to think that in less than four months I might be studying in another country. I am currently working on my application for the spring semester to study abroad in London at Regents American College. As a film major and theater minor, it is truly a dream come true to be able to study any form of entertainment in London which is one of the media capitals of the world. I am just sooo excited at the idea of living and learning in London and being able to travel Europe. My roomate and really good friend Alexa is planning on studying in Italy at the same time and to say it is something that we always talk about is an understatement. Living in a studio apartment you are honestly always together so chatting is a non stop occurance. With Alexa and I the topic is ALWAYS about traveling. We already created a list of all the countries we want to travel to like France, Spain, Austria, Greece, and Ireland.

The application process is very time consuming but nothing is as difficult as I thought it was going to be. The hardest part was picking out classes. I found it difficult because I wanted classes that pertained to my major because one of the reasons I am going to London is to study film but none of the courses offered would fulfill my major requiements. So I had to meet with my advisor to go over courses that would fulfill a requirement such as Biology and also electives that I wanted like The Legacy of Alfred Hitchcock. I am still finishing up the application but I should have it in well before the October 15th deadline.

It has always been my dream to study abroad in London and I can’t believe I am working on making that come true!

-Becca

Mortal Terror

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:30:00 -0400

Last Thursday I went to Suffolk University’s own Modern Theater to watch a production of Robert Brusteins “Mortal Terror.” At first I had no idea what to expect, especially since the tagline simply read “A Playwright, A queen, a reviled king…, and a s***load of explosives.” Although I do love plays I had no intention of going until it became somewhat of a requirement for my acting class. Honestly, I’m glad I had to go, it really was a great production.

“Mortal Terror” tells the story of how the famous play “Macbeth” was written by William Shakespeare at the request of King James. It was incredibly interesting to see how the story of ”Macbeth” could easily be compared to that of King James and Queen Anne. I am always interested to see how playwrights or writers can use past events to explain a viewpoint on occurances of their day. I also loved how although this play wasn’t neccesarily a comedy, there were many points where I just cracked up. It was a nice break from the serious point of the play when one character would make a joke about how they could not say the name Macbeth when they were near a theater…yet they did not know why. The set was magnificent and very elaborate with signs and structures dropping from the ceiling. I was able to tell that all of the actors took their roles very seriously and a few stood out such as Georgia Lyman who portrayed Queen Anne. She really gave a stunning performance. Even when her character was not the focal point of the scene, I would glance at her and see her reacting to everything around her as if she was truly caught up in the moment and experiencing it for the first time.

I love the Modern Theater and “Mortal Terror” was a great play to be seen at a beautiful theater.

-Becca

Round 2

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:13:42 -0400

Wow! It’s crazy to think I am already back at Suffolk University for my sophomore year. It honestly feels like just yesterday I was packing up my stuff…not quite ready to leave freshmen year behind and go home for the summer. Even though I am back at the same school surrounded by familiar and friendly faces…I can’t help but feeling differently about this year.

I view this year as a year of adventure. I am now comfortable enough within both Boston and Suffolk that I want to explore, take chances, do things I was too intimidated to do last year. I also want to set goals for myself both personal and academic. I reallllyyyy need to stop procrastinating and this is the year to work on it. This is the year to make everything I want it to be…and the fact that I am currently working on my study abroad application for the spring semester pretty much guarantees that this year is going to be spectacular.

It is a little intimidating to jump right back into the school, work, homework, auditions, rehearsals, club meetings schedule while still trying to squeeze some type of eating and sleeping in there and I know I am going to struggle with that. But I know that everything I am doing this year…I am continuing with it because I love it and part of me just knows that everything will balance out.

So here is to a new year, new adventures, new experiences, and new blog and video entries. I missed Boston a great deal those four months I was away so expect to be reading about me living it up in this beautiful city!!!

-Becca

Campus Movie Fest

Tue, 03 May 2011 21:48:30 -0400

Last week, I attended one of my favorite events…ever. For someone who has attended quite a few events here at Suffolk I should probably explain myself a bit. As a film student my love for movies is pretty well known, and this night was dedicated to celebrating that love. At Campus Movie Fest 16 student made films were shown in the Donahue Cafeteria which had been attempted to be turned into a theater, complete with a red carpet and photo opportunity against a CMF backdrop. Although I must admit I was severley dissapointed when suddenly the event was no longer going to be held at the C.Walsh Theater and the cafeteria at Donahue suddenly became the new venue. I was so impressed with a lot of the films that were shown. Some of the films were clearly made just for fun but even that I enjoyed because truth be told you could tell the people involved had fun, and honestly that was all that really counted. I was involved in one of the films entitled “Coming Soon” which was a spoof of classic grindhouse trailers. As a participant I can not explain how thrilling this experience was. To be given a seemingly difficult task of making a film in a week to end up watching it with a portion of the student body was truly…unexplainable. Some of my favorite films included “Treasure Hunt to the Future” which was a back to the future spoof involving a pirate, two modern laundromat workers, and of course…a treasure hunt. It truly did deserve “Best Picture” and I’m glad it got the recognition it deserved. My other favorite was the “Best Drama” winner, “Stradaniya.” It was truly a great night and I can not wait to participate more and attend this event again. Next time I hope to see many more faces there!

-Becca