Traditions.....Petitions

So.....I definitely didn't realize that when Dr. Vaneman said, "this could be your tradition," that she was talking about the blog since I was unaware we had a blog....oops!!!

Well when we were on the tour Dr. Willis shared with us the step of the old presidents house.  Converse being the school it is I find it very weird that the president lives off campus.  I personally think that another house should be built in the same place of the old presidents house. 

Converse is all about community and I know on move in day I was very well aware of this.  President Fleming stuck her head inside of my room to introduce herself and to let me know that she was there if I needed anything.  Now that is not very common of college presidents.  However it is quite common that college presidents stay on campus. 

My junior year when I was given three college visit days I took advantage of them.  I went to visit USC because I wanted to visit my friends as well.  All I had to do was go on a tour and I was given credit for a full day of school and I was able to have fun visited friends.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Well back to the point, one of the things that stuck out on that tour was the fact that the college president's house was in the middle of campus and open to all students.  On christmas the president opened up their house for the students to come and enjoy oeurderves. That being said USC is huge compared to Converse and Converse is much more personable so I belive the president should stay on campus.

Fun fact however, when I was on this tour at USC and standing in front of the president's house I was pooped on by bird.  If I had been thinking about USC that would have made my decision right there :)

Also I just everyone to know that Across the Universe is an amazing movie and an amazing soundtrack.  I'm listening to it right now, that is why I decided to share!!!

The picture is an old library in the Bahamas but I thought it looked appropriate for a Converse College President's house on campus!!!

Peace around the world, for generations.....Fred on youtube!!!
Adrienne Pitre

Living and Learning

=]......No computer smiley face can even come close to letting me express how much I love this topic!!!

I love traveling! Basically my whole year is based around the fact that I get to travel in the summer.  I hope to live a life in another country helping women and children in other countries.  The thing is without even planning for this I will learn so much from them.  See it took me a while to realize that when i think I am going to help someone I end up benefitting an equal amount if not more from the person I came to help.

This past summer I was extremely blessed and I was able to live in Tarpum Bay, Bahamas for a month.  I traveled and lived there for a total of only $200 for food!!!  I went to intern with four other random girls for a man who has a small non-profit organization based out of Tarpum Bay.  With this internship we worked hard saving a beautiful island from being turned into a resort, creating a heritage trail with a brochure for tourists coming to Tarpum Bay, working with the development of a local church, and the coolest part one of our jobs was to get to know the people there
and how they lived their lives.

I absolutely fell in love with the people there and I miss them so much.  I'm not sure how to say one thing I learned from one person so I will have to sum it up............

"Will the Prophet"- He called himself the fourth in the trinity. (pretty ironic huh?)   Well he was simply amazing! After giving him a peanut butter sandwich and becoming his friend he told us the story of how he fell from a plum tree and was sent to the hospital and hasn't been the same since then.  We ended up learning from others that he was now mentally handicapped because of his fall.  The crazy thing was, he saw nothing wrong with his condition.  He was one of the happiest people I have ever met even though he lived in a shack he built himself on the beach, he lived day by day hoping for food, and was alone.  He however would tell you otherwise.  In his own words I remember after an hour of conversation with him he said "people think that I'm crazy, but how can I be crazy for loving God?"  He made me realize the beauty of this world that we live in.  No matter how bad his circumstance seemed or how bad he felt, he always found the bright side in every situation. 

We can all learn from him. When it seems like things couldn't be worse we have to realize all that we do have! He helped me to see the beauty in a sunset, the awe in a chicken, and most importantly the love and wonder of my God!

Peace Out,
Adrienne Pitre

Will- just sitting on the curb outside of the local grocery store, where he would normally ask if we had any money so he could get a soda :)








JUST SOME RANDOM PICTURES OF PEOPLE I WILL NEVER FORGET

Healthy=Wealthy!!!!

Ok, ok so I have school, school, practice, practice, more school, eating, school, study, work, a paper, a test, work, oh yeah sleep, oh and fun?

Fun? That's how it feels right now.  Fun, what is fun.  Where does it come into play.  You see I love to eat.  I love cultural foods.  I love eating healthy too, it's fun to me.  I'm not going to lie though it has definitely been very hard to eat the way I should here.  I find myself practicing or studying up until 6 PM when I have to go to work and then I can't go to dinner.  When I get out of work at 9 PM Gee is closed and then I get to choose between a lovely granola bar or nothing.

This past week however I have tried my hardest to get my life together, because it seemed like it was kinda ripped away.  I have made a pact with myself to try and run at least three miles a week.  Hip Hip Hooray I followed that this week!!! I cannot tell you just how much the excercise alone helped in giving my life back to me.  I know, I know excercise takes time and we don't have time.  Wrong, excercising gave me sooo much energy that I didn't have before, I know I have to eat because I'm hungry after I excercise and my brain is functioning a whole lot faster and better because of the endorphins so why not run?  Honestly though call me up at 3:30 on hopefully everyday of next week and we will run together!!! :)

So here's the deal with the whole alcohol thing. Don't do it! First of all it's illegal and I know I sound like a goody two shoes but believe me I'm not.  I know that if we are all worrying about time alcohol is the farthest thing from help in that situation.  Growing up in a home with a father who is now a recovered alcoholic I can say first hand that it does not help anything.  The quote, "You do not have to be an alcoholic to experience problems with alcohol," says it all! I mean I think it is more than ok in moderation at the age of 21.  I have had my share of "fun." It wasn't fun and I even knew it at the time we just wear blind folds, because everyone says it's the cool thing to do. 

I want everyone to know that I'm not a judgemental person however.  If you honestly have fun and you aren't hindering your studies, yourself, or the people around you than your life is your life and you have control!!! :) I honestly believe that too. So have fun whatever in whatever way you want just be considerate of yourself and others.

So that was way too serious and I feel like a judgmental person just writing it and I am the last person to have the rite to judge anyone.  I think that the group of music students happens to be a very wise group of girls.  It's a lot of fun being in classes with each and every one of you!!!

ahhhhhhhhhhh

Liberal Arts
Overall, a liberal arts degree is commonly described as a well rounded degree. At a liberal arts school the student has to take humanities, science, math, english, and a variety of other classes to earn a degree. Schools that don't follow the Liberal Arts specifications only require their students to take the classes pertaining to their major.  As one website I found stated, " Most mission statements of liberal arts colleges endeavor to educate the whole student and emphasize education for its own sake rather than for job preparation."

Personally, I find that a liberal arts degree would be much more beneficial to a student after college than a regular degree would be. Not only does a liberal arts degree include the specifics to the students major but it also contains pertinent information for life outside of college. I am proud to say I attend a liberal arts school because I have the option to learn about other cultures and take classes pertaining to that realm of my life. I love the idea behind a liberal arts school and I honestly believe that the students best interest is in the forefront of the schools' mind.

Although this is late I did do the research before hand.  The reason I remembered I needed to post this blog was because I was actually asked what a liberal arts school was and then I was bummed because I remembered why I could actually answer this question.

Till Next Time,
Have Fun!!!

Future Stuff....Ugh :)

Why did I come to college?

-Well some may say they didn't have a choice and others come to college with hope of a potential chance at making ample amounts of money.My case is different. With a hope for a future in traveling and maybe even living in other countries, a college education is very important. With time progressing as it does, eventually Visa's won't be handed out for just anything. Missionaries wanting to spread the word of God will be denied access to other countries. With my love of music, people, and traveling music therapy is the perfect opportunity to help others who are less fortunate with the talents God has given me!

Why did I choose Converse?

-I would venture to say Converse chose me. I believe it has that effect on many girls.  Last year after finding out about the existence of Music Therapy, I was determined to go to a college that offered music therapy.  I then applied to Florida State and The University of Georgia.  I got into Florida State but not into their music school due to a very unfortunate mistake of having only two songs fully prepared when the requirement was four songs.  That was very very frustrating even though it was my second choice.  Georgia being my first choice, I was overly excited when I received my letter of acceptance into their music school.  Two weeks later I received my letter from the school itself to inform me that I wouldn't be able to attend after all! Then I remembered back to Solo and Ensemble.  Dr. Lyle being the judge made sure to represent Converse well by pulling me aside to tell me that they would set up an audition for me at any time. Here I am the end of April auditioning for Converse at the same time everyone else was busy with their preparations for their fall semester at the college of their choice. After receiving the acceptance letter along with the given scholarships I accepted and now I'm here!

Why I was possessed to try and study music?

-I've been wondering the same thing since I got here. Just kidding but honestly I couldn't imagine my life without music encasing everything I do.  I truly believe that music is the universal language. Music brings life to the worst situations. Music can bring excitement to the most drab of times.  Music can make people feel emotions they have never experienced before.  I love this amazing power music has to aide people in the best and worst of times. A song can bring instant feelings of happiness, love, hate, sadness, and determination. I don't know of a life worth my time and effort without music being a strong basis!

-A perfect example of musics' effect on people was displayed through my friend while typing this blog.  She decided to make a very poor decision and parked in a no no zone.  The next thing she knows she has received a ticket for a fine of $94.  Feeling the urge to throw something into her window she quickly turned on the radio to hear none other than her favorite artist, Bob Dylan.  In just a split second all her frustrations were turned around and she didn't throw anything into her window!!!! AMAZING!!!

If I were wake up without the capability of playing music, or better yet there being no music, I would live a very boring existence. My emotions would be held hostage and my happiness would be at a minimum.  My life without music wouldn't be much of a life if you ask me!