Sunday, April 13, 2014

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Hello,

I apologize for keeping all of you waiting for my next blog post! This month, one of my goal's is to blog a lot more. Today there has been a lot of rain, but the perk is I was able to get a lot of studying done in the library all afternoon. I will be blogging this week about some of my recent Habitat for Humanity adventures, Cedar Rapids Dance Marathon, my research experience and more!

This week will be a little busier than most because on Tuesday there is Symposium Day. I will be presenting research with some of my peers about behavioral neuroscience during the poster session in the morning. The next day, I have my Junior Review for my Art major. I will be presenting my paintings for the Art department faculty and I will be explaining to them about what my art means conceptually and what my future endeavors as an art major will be.

So far this semester has been fantastic. But time is going by extremely fast. I am trying my best to stay organized with finals only 3 weeks away!


Best,
Nina

Friday, February 7, 2014

Hello :)

Last Friday, I traveled to Dubuque, Iowa to Sundown Mountain Ski Resort for the Student Activities Ski Trip. It was a lot of fun, and I did not fall once while I was skiing. I enjoyed catching up with friends, experiencing new slopes, and eating good pizza.
Felicia and I in the lodge
On Saturday I needed to get a paper done as well as my friend Anna. We traveled down to the Cedar Rapids Public Library to write away. We love going to this library to get a change of scenery and check out new books. We finally got library cards and we were extremely excited; took a picture of it.
Anna and I with our new cards

This past week has been keeping me busy with readings. I am doing research with a Neuroscience Professor and taking a seminar class, so I am constantly reading articles. So far most of them have been very interesting, so I can't complain. But, good luck this weekend to all scholars coming for Scholarship Weekend!

Best,
Nina :)

Friday, January 24, 2014

Back into the Swing of Things

Hello All,

What can I say? I am extremely glad to be back at Coe. After a nice winter break with my family and friends, it was exciting to come back, see familiar faces and experience the crunch berry smell of Cedar Rapids. My first week back was very calm. I caught up with friends and collected all of my syllabi for the semester. I am taking Painting III, Inferential Statistics, Positive Psychology at Work Seminar, Fencing, and I am doing Neuroscience research with Professor Baker. So far I am enjoying my well rounded schedule. I am especially excited to be taking Fencing because in high school I fenced on my team, so I have definitely missed the sport. If you decide to come to Coe, I highly recommend taking fun classes and learning something new when you can.
 
Tonight I am going to see the Hypnotist that is visiting campus and that will be a lot fun (pictures to come later).  I am looking forward to the weekend but now I am going to go study!

Best,
Nina :)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Opportunities in October

Hello All,

This past month went by extremely fast but it was full of fun and diverse opportunities that Coe always has to offer. It is hard for me to believe that I will be traveling home for Thanksgiving in less than 2 weeks, but I will be happy to be home with my family and friends.  Right now I am just staying busy with studying and writing papers. My semester has been keeping me extremely busy but I am thoroughly enjoying my classes and my activities.  I was really happy to meet some prospective students this past week during a Psychology visit day.  I wanted to share some of my fun moments from October!

Le'Trice, Nina, and Alan at BSEO Alumni Event 

Ben, Dr. Barrow, Nina, Bethany, and Mackenzie
at a Habitat for Humanity Build 


Megan and I at the NAACP Banquet

Taylor and I cheering on our Kohawks
at the Homecoming football game!

Becca and I before Homecoming!

Loxley, Le'Trice, and I at the dance! 
 Best,
Nina :)


Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Slam Poets at Coe Again?!

Hello All!

On September 25th two great slam poets came to Coe. They are truly the Dynamic Duo. Ken Arekind and Panama Soweto both teach poetry in Colorado and they are outstanding slam poets. Have you ever seen the show Brave New Voices? They have performed there and they have also graced many other great stages.

The duo performed at Coe for the 3rd time on September 25 at 9:00 p.m. in the Pub. The performance was a lot of fun and the engaging atmosphere made the performance one of a kind. I am glad that this is the second year that I was able to work with these artists. I am the Multicultural Chair in Student Activities Committee and it is such a fun position to have on campus because I get to work with artists like this and help plan other events on campus!

SAC brings diverse events to campus to let Kohawks relax during the week. This Friday night we have pumpkin carving/decorating and on Saturday there is a comedian coming! Below there is a photo of Panama Soweto, Felicia Owen's '15 (Pub Live Co-Chair), Nina Johnson 15', and Ken Arekind:


Check out Dynamic Duo's slam poetry on YouTube, you will be impressed

My favorite poem of theirs is Family Values
Best,
Nina :) 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Hello Summer :) 9.8.13

Hello All! 

If you are reading my blog, I hope you had a wonderful summer. I started classes 2 weeks ago at Coe. I am very excited to be a junior and I am thrilled to be able to share my experiences this year with you again. This semester I am taking Statistics and Analysis in Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, History of Modern and Contemporary Art, and Gender and Art in America. I have already been keeping myself busy with late nights in the library, but that's o.k. because I am here to learn as much as I can! It is great being on campus and seeing new and familiar faces every day. The Kohawk Nation spirit never fades, and that is just one of the things that makes Coe so unique. 

Since I have been at Coe, I have had fun exploring Cedar Rapids with my friends by going to the NewBo fresh market, Art Festivals,  volunteering, and I attended a Cedar Rapids Kernels Game. Cedar Rapids has a lot of diverse and interesting opportunities to explore. I have also gone to a few sport's scrimmages and a few Women and Men's soccer games on campus. There have also been some talented acts who have come to Coe brought to you by the Student Activities Committee. 

This summer, my family and I were tourists of our own city, Chicago. I loved eating at different cafes + the Taste of Chicago, and spending endless hours in museums and at Navy Pier with friends.  During May Term, I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and helped put the roof together and worked on the basement of the Youth United Build. At the beginning of the summer I traveled to Ithaca, NY to see my older brother graduate from his University. I was extremely proud of him, and he serves as a great inspiration to me. I also had the privilege of working at the University of Chicago in a Comparative Human Development and Evolutionary Biology Lab as a Research Assistant. I learned a lot and am very glad I had that experience.  I am slightly upset that the summer went by as quickly as it did but I am grateful for all of my experiences. I am happy that I am back at my second home again, Coe. 


 Chicago from the Ferris Wheel 

Celebrating the Black Hawks Victory with my friend Ellen at the Parade :)

You can never forget about Giordano's deep dish pizza...

Ithaca, NY = Beautiful 

Betsy and I at the Bean!
Best,
Nina :)


Monday, April 15, 2013

Presidential Ball 2013

A picture before heading out for last year's Pres Ball  :)
On Saturday, April 13th, President James and wife Linnie Phifer hosted the 16th annual Presidential Ball! The ball was a blast. Everyone looked lovely in their dresses and suits, and the whole night was very elegant. Unfortunately this will be the last Presidential Ball that President Phifer hosts because he will be leaving, but everyone was happy to celebrate with him on Saturday night. Joe Photo also had a photo booth at the dance with props! William Carson's Band played jazz music throughout the night and Terrance was the D.J. of the night. I had a lot of fun with all of my friends at the dance and getting ready for the dance! 

I cannot believe that April is going by so quickly. But it's Flunking Season, therefore we all have Flunk Day to look forward to! Now I am just studying away for the last exams in my classes and I will soon be preparing for finals. 

Have a Marvelous Monday,
Nina :) 
From top left: Nina, Tamara, Diannah, Tiffany, Taylor, Becca, and Meg

Strike a pose! 

Getting ready to leave for the dance :)