UT Tyler Student Money Management hosts Life After Graduation workshop

     May 2014 marks a milestone for seniors here at The University of Texas at Tyler. It is time for GRADUATION! The final step to end their college career is approaching. Some have a plan of what they're doing after graduations while others are still trying to figure it out. There are even those that are lucky enough to have jobs lined up. If you still haven't decided what you're going to do, don't worry! The UT Tyler Student Money Management program is hosting an event called "Life After Graduation."

UT Tyler Celebrates Holi!

While most everyone was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and pinching each other for not wearing green, there was an entirely different celebration taking place Monday! This colorful Indian holiday is known as the Holi, a celebration of the end of winter, love and unity, and the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated by tossing vibrant paint powder all over each other, dancing to special Holi music, and eating traditional food. On March 17, 2014, The University of Texas at Tyler celebrated had their first annual campus Holi festival on the patio by the Met!

From India, with Love  

Spring Break Blues

   Back to reality..   UT Tyler's Spring Break is over, and eveyone is either still in Spring break mode, still dreaming about Spring Break, or college student like me, who wished their Spring Break was a lot more eventful.


      I spent a majority of my Spring Break, unfortunately cooped up in a library since I had a test the Monday morning after Spring Break... That's nursing school for ya! I did however went to Marble Falls, Tx to go zip lining! Marble Falls is about 30 minutes outside of Austin. Speaking of Austin, I just want to express my condolances to the vicitms of the SXSW car aaccident.

Spring Cleaning 101

The birds are chirping outside and one doesn’t have to scrape ice off of their car anymore. What kind of sorcery is this? It feels like spring is in the air! Finally, after a much awaited break from the hot and cold temperature pattern worthy of a Katy Perry song, it feels like spring is here. While for some this may mean “Brace yourself, exams are coming!” and to the others it is more like, “spring BREAK is finally here!” For me, it is a blend of the two. However, the best way to prepare oneself for the fun and excitement that is spring break (or exams…) is to get organized from spring cleaning. While that doesn't sound like a lot of fun, there’s just a certain excitement in being able to decorate your own space however you want it and know where everything is. Time to put those apple cinnamon air fresheners away and pull open your blinds because here comes the sunshine!

Use your mop as a microphone :)

My Most Anticipated Album List for 2014- Music that all UT Tyler Students Can Enjoy

In my day-to-day lifestyle, I’m rarely not listening to music. Most of the time it’s either via Pandora or Spotify, and lately, it has consisted of nothing but fantastic music released in 2013. Most notably, albums such as ...Like Clockwork from Queens of the Stone Age, Yeezus from Kanye West, and Random Access Memories from Daft Punk. As great as these albums are, I am really excited for the music expected to release in 2014, as it will add some really great variance to my current playlists.  Here’s a few of my most anticipated albums for 2014:

Note: keep in mind that some of these are speculative, but most likely will be released

Beck- Morning Phase due February 25^th

My favorite episode of Futurama is where Bender meets Beck’s head (it’s not grotesque, I swear), and he tells him “I always dreamed of being a musician-poet who transcends genres even as he re-invents them, just like you.”  This is an apt description of Beck, one of my all-time favorite musicians. If you don’t know Beck by name, you probably know his most famous song Loser. If you do know Beck and have listened to a large portion of his music, you would understand why I am eager to hear Morning Phase. Beck is returning to the musical style he used in his critically acclaimed album Sea Change (2002), though it is also inspired by 1960s California folk-rock. He has already released a single from the album, Blue Moon, and trust me, it is wonderful. As Bender says at the end of the Futurama episode “Well, everyone, prepare to have your guts kicked out by folk singers.” That’s what this album will most likely do to me.

Note- while in the process of writing this blog, Beck released his album a week early to stream on NPR. Stop everything you are doing and listen.

Foo Fighters- TBD

The Foo Fighters are in the process of recording their
eighth studio album, as teased on their Instagram account.

The Foo Fighters are a rock band prolific in both talent and worldwide appeal. They hardly release any material that is not renown by both critic and popular opinion, which is why the talk for their new 2014 album has me ecstatic. Front-man Dave Grohl has hinted at this release since late 2013, saying its production will be similar to that of their latest album Wasting Light: recorded in singer Dave Grohl's garage and was recorded on tape to give the clean and raw sound of the band.  Expect this album to be released between the summer and fall of 2014.

Kendrick Lamar- TBD

Whether you think the Grammy awards are important or not, the ceremony held at the end of January proved that Kendrick Lamar has a strong future with rap music. His last album, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, sold well over a million records, was nominated for seven Grammy Awards, and is considered to be a universally acclaimed rap classic. The snippet of his new work featured in a recent Beats By Dre ad sounded incredible. Let's hope the rest of the album can match what he has previewed to this point.

Johnny Cash- Out Among the Stars due March 25th

Whether you are a fan of country and rock and roll or not, a new Johnny Cash album should always be worth your attention. Despite passing away in 2003, Cash's music is still making an impact on the world in a tremendous way. The singer's son, John Carter Cash, discovered the master tapes for this album in 2012, and since then they have developed into what will be known as Out Among the Stars. Never-before-heard, the album was recorded during the early 1980s, but it was shelved when Cash was dropped by his then-label Columbia. The album contains 12 songs, with duets with June Carter  and Waylon Jennings. 

Frank Ocean- TBD, due Summer

Following his debut album channel ORANGE from 2012, which some claim to be one of the strongest debut albums in recent memory, R&B singer Frank Ocean will most likely be releasing his follow-up in the Summer of 2014. It is rumored that contributing to the album will be Tyler the Creator, Danger Mouse, Pharrell, and Tame Impala (all awesome, by the way), hinting at how strong the follow-up can be.  In my opinion, if it is even remotely as good as channel ORANGE, it will be nothing short of amazing.

Kanye West- TBD, due summer 

The album cover for Yeezus, arguably the best album from Kanye West.

This one will be a quick follow-up from the artist's last album, Yeezus, which topped more critic top 10 lists than any other album in 2013.  And it was well deserving of that recognition.  Kanye West proves time and time again to be one of the most consistent and powerful rap artists in the industry, and his new album this summer will most likely live up to that reputation.  As outspoken and downright belligerent he can be in the public eye, his music makes up for the bad press.  Assume this album will only bolster his reputation for being an outstanding artist and performer.
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These are only a portion of the great music that will be released over the next 10 months, but this alone has me quite excited.  Whatever your music genre preference is, 2014 will have something for you to truly enjoy.

Putting a Spring into Your Step at UT Tyler!

Now that we have been in school for a few weeks and we students are getting back into our normal, “oh good God, this paper is due! We have a quiz!” routine, it’s time to find a way to cope with this transient, fleeting time of the year. In the past few posts of mine, we’ve discussed how to handle not always excelling at things the first time around and the complications of Texas weather on fashion. However, this semester is going to fly by! I know it seems like it just started, but it is already February: the shortest month of the year with only 28 days. At the risk of sounding like that obstreperous Rebecca Black song, March comes after that! That means if you start now, that only leaves about a little over a month to plan the perfect spring break! It sounds like a really long time, but we all know how time flies when you’re taking quizzes, having perfect attendance in that 8 am class (am I right?), and studying late into the night for all those exams.

This bunny is in your home, studying your notes!

Here is a spring board of fun ideas to do over Spring Break and why they’re awesome! Check it out:

-We Will Rock You the Musical: this musical based on the works of Queen will be happening in scenic Dallas, Texas! They will be doing theatrical renditions of Queen’s biggest hits. This ‘killer queen’ is super excited and looking at ticket prices right now. Ticket prices start at $32! Come see We Will Rock You the Musical in Fair Park!

Hockey: Only thing manly when put on ice

-Ottawa Senators vs. Dallas Stars- come get your cheer on and watch a really great hockey game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas! :D Okay, so truth be told: I love hockey and really get into it, so bring earplugs because there are others like this. But seriously! Ticket prices start at $28. Face off, March 22 at 2 p.m.!

-Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center- Okay, anything that promises both liquid nitrogen ice cream and an IMAX theatre sounds really awesome in my book! For non-members, the combo fee to enjoy both the exhibits and the IMAX theatre is only $18! It’s fun, educational, there’s ice cream, there’s science… what more could you want?

I want all the brightly colored things!

-Jasper Azalea Festival- this sounds like a blast. On March 15, 2014, there’s going to be arts and crafts and a butterfly release, garden tours, live music, and vendors! When I checked the website, they said there was going to be a petting zoo. I know where I am going to be! Seriously, I am hoping there’s an alpaca. They are such mysterious creatures! The fun starts at the Jasper County Courthouse Square at 9 a.m. sharp! Be there or be square J

So, I know there’s quite a bit of time between now and spring break, but you don’t want to be stuck buying tickets at the last minute! (These can get expensive!) Happy planning and may the odds forever be in your favor.

UT Tyler Spring Recruitment is here!

                It’s that time of the year again! Spring rush week is occurring this week and next week. The spring semester differs from fall recruitment as this is informal rush week. It is informal because there is no set schedule of when each fraternity will host events.  Each of the three chapters has activities on different days of the week, instead of the extensive process in the fall formal recruitment. This will be my first recruitment week since I got initiated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon this past fall semester. So I will just tell you a little about my personal experience going through this process. I speak only for myself when I say that this has been a great opportunity.

Random Holiday Calendar: Start Your Year With Cheer!

Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on making it through a week of hardcore celebration between Christmas and New Year’s! Good job! Don’t relax yet, though, because a brand new year of celebrations has just begun. That’s right, it’s time to ring in the new year with a list of crazy holidays to celebrate. As always, for your celebration convenience, I have listed celebration options for each day. So, if you’re not partied out yet or you’ve resolved to make this year a year of fun and celebration, let’s ring in the New Year with some extra fun!

If you’re more into the month-long events, check these out:

• Soup Month
• Tea Month (A personal favorite)
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month (though you should do this ALL the time)

January 1st: Happy New Year! First Foot Day and Emancipation Proclamation Day are also today

January 2^nd: Cream Puff Day or Science Fiction Day

January 3^rd: For the sleep-deprived there is Festival of Sleep day; for you more active types, celebrate today with Fruitcake Toss Day

January 4^th:  National Trivia Day or World Braille Day

January 5^th: National Bird Day

January 6^th:  Cuddle Up Day

January 7^th: 225^th Anniversary of the First Presidential Election

January 8^th: Bubble Bath Day

January 9^th: Static Electricity Day

January  10: Houseplant Appreciation Day

January  11^th:  Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend's Day

January 12^th: Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day (…Not even sure guys.)

January 13^th: Rubber Ducky Day (or Skeptics Day for those of you who are not sure about this)

January 14^th: Dress Up Your Pet Day or Organize Your Home Day

January 15^th: National Hat Day

January 16^th: National Nothing Day

January 17^th: Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day

January 18^th: Winnie the Pooh Day (I firmly support this)

January 19^th: National Popcorn Day

January 20^th: Martin Luther King Day and International Acceptance Day

January 21^st:  Hugging Day! also, Squirrel Appreciation Day

January 22^nd: Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day (or maybe you’d like Celebrate Life Day if you’re not a cat person)

January 23^rd: Pi Day! And Handwriting Day

January 24^th: Talk Like A Grizzled Prospector Day

January 25^th: (Not) Opposite Day

January 26^th: Spouses Day (or Peanut Brittle Day for us single folk)

January 27^th: Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (appreciate your chocolate cake today too while you’re at it)

January 28^th: Fun at Work Day

January 29^th: Freethinkers Day. Or Corn Chip Day, whichever you prefer. Maybe you can freely ponder your corn chips.

January 30^th: National Inane Answering Message Day

January 31^st: Backward Day

Because... I have no idea.

Celebrate, y’all! And remember, if you actually do celebrate any of these, you should comment here and tell us about your experience.

UT Tyler Spring 2014 Classes

Registration for classes for next semester began on November 1st. Registration is open to everyone and if you haven't already made your schedule, please do!

As of today, registration is open for EVERYONE for spring 2014! Talk to your advisors! Get your top classes! #myuttyler #patricia #spring14
— UT Tyler Admissions (@ApplyUTT) November 6, 2013

 If you need help navigating myUTTyler, Emmy made a blog post about it to guide you. If you haven't spoken to your advisor about your schedule and your degree plan, make an appointment.

Some students self-advise after their freshman year when they're required to go to a freshman advisor, but it's in your best interest to go see your advisor to make sure that you're on track. Your advisor can also give you the schedule of classes that your department is going to be teaching the following semester.

For our students that have applied for next spring, get an appointment with an advisor as soon as possible. The quicker you can get registered, the better chance you have at getting a schedule with the times you want and having to change your schedule around because some classes are closed.

The less classes you have left to finish your degree plan, the more registering is like The Hunger Games.

REGISTER FOR YOUR  SENIOR REQUIREMENTS

I had to take a research methods class last year as a senior requirement and as soon as I was able to register, I enrolled into it. Those are the kinds of classes that fill up quickly; I asked a classmate that was a year below me and he couldn't register the day after because the class was already closed. 

Get the hang of enrolling in classes and learn how to navigate myUTTyler like the back of your hand. You are going to need that skill when you're almost done with your undergrad career.