On December 7, 2009, five guys named Miguel, Clayton, Brandon, Kelvin and Josh, better known as the VIRTUAL FREAKOES, released their debut single, “I Can’t Wait”, a song originally performed by Hilary Duff who actually covered it from Brooke McClymont. The song was recorded in a rush and the video came out on the 10th; it was a moderate hit!

Now is the time for something new, a Christmas song maybe? A Christmas song for sure!

“Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas” – Official Cover
“Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas”, written by Clayton, the band’s DJ, was only recorded TODAY and its music video took only one take! Another “I Can’t Wait”? Nah! The boys prove they have talent as the song has a dance feel to it and its simple lyrics are all about positivity and the joy of Christmas…

To see the video:

Enjoy and happy holidays everyone!

This is my first blog written entirely on my iPod touch. There may be some errors due to this. Editing (such as adding pictures, videos, links) will be done later when I’m on my laptop.

This semester went by so quicky, that I can’t believe that it is the end of the fall 09 term. In terms of classes it was similar in workload and social quality as my first semester freshmen year. I did see some friends around but I would only see them ranging from every week to once a month.

The major diference that I could write about is the effects of the budget cuts on the college level. From the start it was a struggle to find classes I needed to take because of the lack of money to have professors teach, let alone just to be a full time student. My financial aid is dependent on me being a full time student, that’s at least 12 units or 4 to 5 classes. I was able to take 3 classes that are a part of the GE (General Education) requirement that all students need to take care of before focusing on their major. To get into the classes that I wasn’t in, I had to walk into those classes I wanted during the beginning of the semester. Every class I tried had other students trying to add as well, but the teacher was only accepting a few priority students (juniors and seniors, students whose major is related to the class). Many students could not get classes and ended up becoming part time students or not a student at all. There was a lot of stress involved especially if your financial aid depended on it. I had to take 2 other classes that I didn’t need that were just for keeping my FA valid. The stress of the economy weighed heavily on staff and students, many not getting classes they needed/wanted and the teachers having to take mandatory furlough days to ease some of the financial burden. Eventually all this frustration turned into action as many mini protests broke out across campuses in California, most here in the bay area. Some were a bit more noticible, such as the one in Berkeley where students took over a building to get the message out about being against the rising fees of ecollege education. A similar protest was held on SFSU campus a week before finals started. I was there to document this time in my generation’s history, taking as many pictures and video as my digital camera could hold. (Look up coolmikeol on youtube for sfsu budget cuts video) Even though these are hard times, it’s kind of amazing to relize that the present will become the history that will be looked into in the future.

The classes themselves were not that bad, though I had to take a couple that didn’t count for anything except for the units. Two of the classes, choir and Globalization, were very easy and light. For choir all I needed to do was show up every class for an A and one unit.
Globalization was an online class for two units, and it was for credit/no credit. To pass the class you had to get at least a 60% on all three quizes and participate in five forums of weekly question.

The other three classes, english 214, basic piano 120, and psychology 200, was the bulk of my workload. English had a bit reading and some papers but was a easier than my freshmen college English class. Piano class was something I really wanted to do, but I almost didn’t get into the class due to the lack of money for classes. I had to walk into the class and beg the teacher to get in. Fortunely she added me in and for that I was greatful. It’s was not all that easy, but I wanted to learn to
play. Through practice and determination I aced all the practical exams and did well in the book exams. I’m proud to know that if I’m passionate about something I can really accomplish what I want. General Psychology was my typical lecture class, but was the biggest class I took (in terms of the amount of people). There was strict rules againt cell phones and misuse of labtops because the professor said that if you’re here then you are here to learn. In the beginning of the semester there was so many extra people trying to add that
those rules went into effect to send a message to the students who were actually enrolled in he class. The message being like “If you are in the class then take the chance you have and do well in the class, because if you don’t then there are plenty of others than can take your place and take advantage of the oppertunity.” I did OK in the class but could of done way better.

Overall the semester was short, a bit easy and hard, light in workload and social life, and greatly affected by the budget cuts to the university. I hope that it gets easier for us students economically but that’s nearly impossible. We need a miracal in these times to make college education less stressful.

What I forgot to mention was the fact that my cousin started college this year so I would see her every so often. She stayed with relitives near by campus so that she didn’t have to pay for dorms.

This interview begins with a prayer, a prayer of gratitude to the most high for preserving us till this moment. After all, he’s the author of our life as I am the author of this article. She grew up in the academic environment of the premier University and not in a church like some of you may be thinking. She is not the daughter of a reverend or a pastor.

Born Bukola Afolayan to a Professor Father and teacher Mother, she along sides her other five siblings grew up in an academic atmosphere of the University of Ife (OAU Ile-Ife) and this has served as a big influence for her deep lyrical style and cosmopolitan outlook. The educational inclination of her parents sort of rubbed off on her as she’s quite an intelligent lady. Her strong Christian faith and belief in the words of God as laid out in the Holy Bible is the factor to the formation of the BOUQUI (Born Once more Unto a Quickened and Unparalleled Image) brand name.

She started her professional career with an all girls group called G-Vibes about 10 years ago while still an undergraduate at the University of Ife. She used to rap and sing but decided to take it solo since things didn’t go according to plan with the group. After going solo, the name G-Vibe kind of stuck as she was the constant face of the group since her hip-hop style had endeared her to a lot of people on campus.

Her first single was released in the year 99/2000 giving her a considerable level of popularity but it wasn’t until the year 2005 that the spotlight shone on her as her debut album titled B.O.U.Q.U.I was a ground breaking one with hit tracks like molejo, vanity and get it started.

The self titled eighteen track album didn’t only give her the fame, it broke some records too as she can rightly stake a claim to be the first female rap album in Nigeria. As if that wasn’t enough, the track get it started off the debut album in less than a month was debuted at number one of the backyard beast segment of the PJ Butter hosted World Chart Show, also another first by any home based Nigerian artiste in the history of the Nigerian music industry.

For a lady who attributes all her achievements and talent to Christ, she has remained modest even in the face of all she has achieved since her first album debuted. She says “am just an arrow in the hands of an archer”. She prides herself as a contemporary Christian artist who can address any issue and still spread the gospel message. Her sophomore album titled Redefinition is set to drop very soon. The album already has a couple of singles on the airwaves.

She is just got back from a UK tour to promote the upcoming album. She performed in over 20 locations – Sunderland, Dublin, London and Manchester to name just a few. While touring the UK, she seized the opportunity to shoot the video of the single morile. The single is already enjoying massive airplay on radio and TV stations. The video is simply awesome! She lined up a list of events to usher in the new album, precisely a listening party and some shows. She’s among the young generation of female artistes bent on doing one thing: take Naija music to a global level, and she doesn’t see herself competing with other female rappers since she’s not rapping for self-glorification.

In her words, the Nigerian music industry is on the right path and still evolving and she hopes to help promote it to the furthermost part of the world. Her parting shot were precise and had me reminiscing about the biblical words: use your talent well and impart your world with it. Mine’s writing; what’s yours?

And what better way to celebrate Christmas than with stress-eating, all night studying, and worrying myself to death! Seriously! Why are finals so hard to do? And this year especially, I’m feeling the pressure. I’ve got all my hard classes this year. Freshman year was a piece of cake, look over my notes, cram at the beginning of the day and I was good to go. But Sophomore year is the HARDEST! Maybe it’s because of Algebra II (it’s easier to have a baby drive a car than have me do Algebra) or Spanish II (like pounding nails through your ears with every word our teacher says) or maybe it’s even because of Chemistry (the only thing we’ve learned this year is that we should never EVER be OCD). I am sorry for the content-less-ness of this post but I’m supposed to be studying and I really needed a break. BTW, I have had the extreme pleasure of publishing the new site for my church. 9 months in the making and all it took was 30 seconds to upload and publish. You can see it at www.ourshepherd.net and the old version is www.ourshepherd.net/old. Compare ‘em and let me know what you think! Time to cram!

Have a great day!

-Tristan

Graduating from high school is an extremely demanding time for a person; what to do next, where to go, college applications, course scheduling, etc.  Here is a brief guide on what high school students should do to stay on track for their college life.

Read more…

A novel idea from a college sophomore garnered laughter from a packed, raucous crowd in a meeting on a subject that is far from a laughing matter.

While speaking at a town hall meeting on job creation in Allentown, Pennsylvania,  President Obama was asked to consider legalizing several nonviolent crimes such as gambling, prostitution, and minor drug violations, in order to stimulate the economy and to create jobs.

Here Was His Response. . .

Because I am writing this thing today – this clearly explains that I didn’t show up for school today.

Happy Birthday to my brother anyway. He now turned one year younger.

Yes, it is my elder brother’s birthday, at the same time my birthday for a first time absent in accounting subject.

DARN. I always hated the subject. I mean I liked it a long time ago when our professor was a funny male teacher that would make the girls kiss his cheek if we arrive late and the boys do the “Besa Mano” to him like a little grandpa. I always like accounting when he has our teacher. That was basic accounting. I never forgot that he said “YOU ARE ALL GONNA MISS ME GUYS,” and I was raising my eyebrow and saying “That’s what you think!” but heck. I really did miss him as my teacher!!

After him, I wasn’t getting good grades for accounting anymore. I was slacking off. I don’t know if it’s just me or is it the teachers that were terrible that’s why I’m totally slacking off. Accounting all of a sudden seemed harder than Calculus.

NADDAH. ANYTHING MATH SUCKS for me, who is an artist and not a mathematician. (Well, not really an artist but according to Facebook quiz results I am. hahaha)

So this is what our present professor looks like during accounting sessions…

Accounting Life

I don’t know what happened today. I woke up at 8AM.

And 8AM is our accounting class. My sophomore classmates are laughing at me. Because if I am not late, I AM ABSENT.

I don’t know. I am toooooooooooo bored toooooooooooo lazy to attend to that subject.

I hope I can do better next time. and wake up earlier!!!

Well, who would have guessed that I wouldn’t update my blog until the first semester of my sophomore year was almost over? I see several virtual hands raised. Real funny, guys.

Well, a lot has changed, including me. As a freshman, I was sweet girl, a bit rough around the edges. But lets just say that when you have friends like Jamie, Jenny, Krystle, and Crys, innocence is impossible. But doesn’t mean I’m not the good girl. I was bad once, and it doesn’t suit me. I’m still posture-perfect, not-that-mean old Tabby.

Anyway, the catchup game aside, my weekend is packed! I’m hanging with Krystle tonight, then tommorow, I’ve got a date (yes, a date. You heard me right!). On Sunday Soph (one of the few of the freshie bundle I still see daily) and I are going to see New Moon. And I may drop into the show choir’s dinner theatre crap if I can.

The big problem?Throat has been bugging me, and I sound like I’ve been sucking all the helium out of a balloon.

Oh well. Bouken desho, desho?

“In the midst of my creative journey composing The Fame Monster, there came an exciting revelation that this was in fact my sophomore album. I would not add, nor take away any songs from this EP. It is a complete conceptual and musical body of work that can stand on its own two feet.” ~Lady GaGa

Lady GaGa – The Fame Monster (Full Album)

I really don’t know how I am suppose to know what I would like to pursue as a career when I’m only 17. I know that I can go to college as undecided but my either sophomore or junior year I will have to make a decision. I would love to be involved in music somehow but then again I really would like to do something in engineering because it is a promising career. It is hard to know what I would like out of life right now. In the moment it is easy to say I want one thing, but then after some thought it changes to something else. I guess there is no real way to know what I would want to do. I guess I’m just going to just see what comes. The time to enter “the real world” is quickly approaching and I’m still not really looking forward to dealing with the problems that come with it. Oh well. It’ll come soon enough

Brrrr!  Just because the temperature is cooling down doesn’t mean your style has to suffer.  Check out some of Ladybird’s most fashionable cold-weather pieces.

Rag & Bone "Skinny Razor Dress" $298, Vintage Wilson Muffler $52, Margo Belt $36

Built by Wendy "Mohair Cowl Dress" $262, Yarnz "Neo Python Gauze" $158

Lily + Jae "Grampas Cardigan" $132, Sophomore " Audrey Top" $62, Carolina Amato " Infinity Scarf" $38

Rag & Bone "Orion Knit Dress" $325, Graham & Spencer "Faux Fur Vest" $341, Vintage Pierre Belt $48

Graduating from high school is an extremely demanding time for a person; what to do next, where to go, college applications, course scheduling, etc.  Here is a brief guide on what high school students should do to stay on track for their college life.

Read more…

The Sun will come out…just not until tomorrow: Life as a Sophomore Prehealth Student

How is life as a sophomore premed/dental/vet treating you? Are you a little overwhelmed? Is Bio getting you down? Or maybe you can’t complain, but you DO have some questions? Heard any rumors that are troubling you?

This forum is designed with you in mind! Come out and get some answers, have some myths dispelled and, most importantly, hear from some Columbians (current students and alums) who have been where you are and know your pain.

Thursday, November 12^th
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
413 Kent

Register for this Event

Jasper Football players, boosters and fans are reminded to celebrate the end of the 2010 Jasper Jag’s Football Season by joining the fun at the November 7th Football Banquet & Silent Auction this Saturday, November 7 in the Jasper Cafeteria. Dinner is scheduled to begin around 7:00 p.m. The doors open and Silent Aution will begin at 6:30 p.m. 

The theme is Country Western.  Plan to wear your denim, boots and hats!

Plan to come at 6:30 p.m. to bid on items in the Silent Auction, take your picture at the “picture spot” and find a table.  The Silent Auction includes items in all price ranges so everyone will have a chance to bid.  To bid, simply write down your bid; if someone wants to bid more, they write their bid underneath your bid. The goal is to be the highest bidder at the time the item closes. The item’s bidding sheets will close at various unknown times during the banquet. If you win an item you will need to pay your bid amount (cash and checks will be accepted). All proceeds will benefit Jasper Jaguar Athletics. We have spirit wear, jewelry, golf games, Dallas Stars tickets, Dallas Symphony tickets, Rough Rider Founder tickets, gift certificates galore, baskets, a homemade Jasper quilt, two homemade Jasper Pillows, Coach Nutall’s homemade candy and many other great items. Please bid and support Jasper Athletics.

There will also be a “picture spot” to take a family picture so bring your camera! We currently do not have a photographer so we will have to help each other out and trade cameras.  If you are a photographer who would be willing to take all the pictures at the Banquet, Kathy Warman encourages you to contact her.  The Booster Club would be happy to work with you to arrange for Wal-Greens to develop them during the banquet and have them available after the banquet.

For additional information, contact Kathy Warman at kgwarman@att.net.

Stay connected with all the Jasper Booster Club News at http://jasperboosters.wordpress.com and by participating in the Jasper Booster Club LinkedIn Group here.  To opt out, send an e-mail with the word “unsubscribe” to support@solutionslawyer.net.

Oct 28 2009 The gang rape and beating of a 15-year-old girl on school grounds after her homecoming dance was horrific enough.

But even more shocking, police say, was that up to 20 people watched and did nothing to stop it.

The attack over the weekend rattled this crime-ridden city of 120,000 in the San Francisco Bay area, where one police official called it one of the most heinous crimes he has ever seen.

Some students have already left the school district in response to the attack.

“It’s not safe there at all,” said 16-year-old Jennie Steinberg, whose mother let her transfer out of the district Tuesday. “I’m not going back.”

The victim, a sophomore, had left the dance and was drinking in a school courtyard with a group of students when she was attacked, police said.

Two suspects were in custody Monday, but police said as many as five others ranging in age from 15 to mid-20s attacked the girl for more than two hours at a dimly lit area near benches Saturday night.

More than a dozen people saw the rape without notifying police.

The girl was found naked from the waist down near a picnic table. She remains hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

“This was a barbaric act. I still cannot get my head around the fact that numerous people either watched, walked away or participated in her assault,” Lt. Mark Gagan said Tuesday.

“It’s one of the most disturbing crimes in my 15 years as a police officer.”

Gagan would not comment on rumors that observers took video of the attack on cell phones and may have posted it online.

Manuel Ortega, a 19-year-old former student, was arrested after trying to flee the scene.

He is being held on $800,000 bail for investigation of rape and robbery. A 15-year-old student also was booked late Monday on one count of sexual assault, Gagan said.

Even though he said as many as 20 people were witnesses, Gagan said officials are still trying to determine the exact number of people involved.

“I’m confident that the list will expand and at the end of our investigation we will get a clear indication of who was there and who did what,” Gagan said.

Gagan said the girl left the dance and was walking to meet her father for a ride home when a classmate invited her to join a group drinking in the courtyard.

The girl had consumed a large amount of alcohol by the time the assault began, police said. Gagan said the girl’s father tried to call her cell phone, but no one answered.

Gagan said police received a tip about a possible assault on campus from a young woman who heard two males bragging about it.

Officers found the girl semi-conscious near a picnic table.

The attack occurred in a city that has dealt with its share of vicious crimes in recent years, and the school recently approved surveillance cameras after a series of violent crimes.

In one case a few years back, a student was shot outside the school, ran inside and died in the then-principal’s hands, said Marin Trujillo, a spokesman for the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

Richmond is an industrialized conclave near the San Francisco Bay that is known as one nation’s most dangerous cities.

In 2007, Richmond had 47 homicides, and the murder rate led the state for cities with populations of 100,000 or more, surpassing Los Angeles and Oakland.

That number dropped to 27 in 2008, but has spiked to 44 killings so far this year, amid drug dealing and gang activity that has engulfed the town, Gagan said.
-AP

For this project, we had to create a button system for an art museum that was exhibiting a certain art movement. the movement I chose to research and create buttons for was the Dada movement. One of the most famous pieces that came out during the movement was Marcel Duchamp’s mona lisa. Duchamp had put a mustache and an absurd comment on the mona lisa. The poster I created was just to show the buttons in an environment. The buttons are designed to resemble the Dada movement.

Instruction Book in Acrobat

This book was an instruction design. We were given everyday, simple tasks and then we made and designed instructions for the tasks. As you know from the images, the task I chose was “how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” I established two audiences which were adults and kids. I also felt you would find something similar to this book in a grocery store in the aisle of the products, peanut butter and jelly. Next, I had to think of how the designs would draw attention towards kids and adults. In the end, I decide to use more color and illustrations for kids and actual photos for adults.