Summer Semester

I wanted to thank everyone for a great first semester experiance at UL. I looked foreward every day to go to class. Everyone was great and the atmosphere was most enjoyable. Everyone have a great 3 weeks!!

BAND

Band is a huge part of my life. Ever sense fifth grade i have been perfecting the art of playing my trumpet. Learning as the years went by I quickly became good and moved up to being one of the best in my middle school. After middle school came the big jump, high school marching band. I had to go from just playing my instrument to playing and marching at the same time. It was hard at first but you get used to it and then it becomes second nature to you. After four years in high school I am now about to enter a new charpet, College Marching Band. I do not know how this will affect my outlook on being in band but I am looking foreward to it.
So for all you people that hate or dislike the band, all I can say is that you have never experianced the thrill that comes when about 4000 people give you a standing ovation. You do not know what it is like to be amongst so many people that share the same love as you. Many people steriotype what it meant to be in the band. All the people are either nerdy or unpopular. Well let me tell you something it was calculated that if you were in band that you were more likely to score high on standardized tests, you would have discipline problems, and you would graduate high in your class. All of these things are just speculation of a band student. Imagine comming into high school with over 100 people as your friend. band makes your high school experiance enjoyable.
Band is an art and an art that can be taught to all. Music is a way of life and just about everyone has a favorite type they like to listen to.
So to all those people that hate on the band you will one day realize that what you did was wrong. All of the jokes that come out of someone being in band only makes me like being in the band more!

A Trip to the Salebarn!

On Tuesday my Grandfather took his grandsons and great-granddaughters to the Salebarn just as he had did with his kids and his older grandkids. Dominick's stockyark, aka the Salebarn, is located in Opelousas down Hwy. 190 West and is the place to buy and sale livestock. They sale cows, hogs, goats, sheep and horses which are housed in the outside building. This building has hundreds of stalls that contain and separate the animals. Suspended above the stalls is a long catwalk that allows customers to look at the inventory. Horses are kept saddled to round up livestock or to pull dead livestock from out of the stalls. The stock are tagged upon entry to the Salebarn, which indicate grade and quality, and a smiley face indicates a heiffer. Sometimes stock even gives birth at the Salebarn and here is a picture of that but I didn't stay around to see that! The inside building is allocated for the bidding of stock. It's not fancy but it has always looked and stayed this way for years. The chairs that my children are sitting in are the same chairs that I sat in when I was their age.

Fun Times in the Library

During my time in the library, I was able to get several things accomplished. After missing yesterday's class, Noel caught me up on the things I missed. I also got some work done on my paper, mainly planning out points I would discuss, what position I would take, and so on. All in all, a pretty productive day at the library.

Library Day!

I used my time at the library today searching for more information that could be used in my movie review. I found a book called New Orleans in the twenties. After finding all of the necessary sources, I began to write my review for The Princess and the Frog.

Library Day (July 15, 2010)

Today at the Library, I began by reading more reviews on The Princess and the Frog. I also looked up historical events that could be linked to the movie. I was able to make a brief outline and from there, I started my paper.

Unsupervisd Library Day

On my unsupervised day at the library, I began brainstorming for my review paper. I decided to recall key moments in the movie for the character I was going to write a review on, Tiana. Thus, I started to formulate my paragraphs and finally began typing.

Thursday Library Day

To start off i worked on my review essay. getting stuck allong the way I sought Danelle's help. With her aid I was able to complete about half of my rough draft.

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

Class,
One of the most moving essays I have ever read was about the 4th of July. You can read it here.
Take a moment and read this important document. We'll discuss it in class.

America and What It Means to Me

Since the birth of this great nation, America has been filled with thinkers, workers, and innovators. Because of this mixture, America has become what it is today. Unfortunately, people are not the same as they were back then. Sure there are still workes, thinkers, and innovators, but the number of lazy people outnumber these greatly. In my opinion, if things keep going the way they are, we will begin to back peddle, losing what our ancestors have worked so hard to achieve.


I can't tell you how many times I have looked on Facebook and saw "Work today. FML." or something to that effect. The funny thing is, that person's shift may only last 4 or 5 hours. Do these people not realize that not too long ago in the begginning of the twentieth century, people worked ten hour shifts in factories? Not only that, but their pay was not exactly the greatest.


Before I start ranting and raving about the laziness of people these days, I'm just gonna get to the point. Remember where you came from and what people had to go through to get you where you are now. Finally, look at the past and learn from their work effort and persistence to achieve the impossible and model your life after these tireless efforts.

Happy 4th

Food, Glorious Food...

I love finding new places to eat, particularly places that have a unique menu, or atmosphere or both. I've recently stumbled upon three worthy new (to me) restaurants.

1. Cafe Ahnvee, located on Kaliste Saloom Road.



This charming cafe is the perfect spot for a light lunch. I was introduced to it by some friends who are "in the know." Apparently, even though it's not on the menu, the cafe will happily serve a soup and salad meal for about ten dollars. This is perhaps the perfect marriage of their delectable dishes. I had the spinach salad and the shrimp and artichoke soup. Both were excellent, but I have to say that the salad, with the candied nuts, the strawberries and the cane dressing was particularly tasty. The atmosphere was cozy and the staff friendly. I would certainly go again and highly recommend it to those who love a light lunch. Check out their facebook page for more info.




2. The French Press located on Vermillion Street

This little gem is tucked away on a side road downtown. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you step inside, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the shabby-chic-artist's-haven interior. Not only is the atmosphere pleasant, but their food is great. They have, in my husband's opinion, the best fries in the world. Also to die for is their white gravy and cheesy grits. This Yank has never tasted anything so divine! Nor does this small list give even the barest hint of all they have to offer. You can check out their menu online. This restaurant is definitely worth another visit. Check it out soon!

3. A Spot for Tea: Acadiana Tea Room LLC




Last, but certainly not least, is this quaint, old-fashioned tea house. The atmosphere is welcoming to all ages--everyone from Grandma to junior will love the pastries and the selection of both hot and cold teas available by the cup or by the pot. The prices are very reasonable: A pot of tea--which is more tea than two people can drink in one sitting--and two pastries comes to just over ten dollars. Best summer bet: The Granny Green Tea. Ask for it iced. This tea, with it's refreshing hints of apple and subtle caramel notes, will appeal to both experienced tea lovers and those developing an appreciation for fine teas. It's refreshing and caffeine free so it won't dehydrate you on these hot Louisiana summer days. As a student and an instructor, I love this spot because it's quiet, there's no Internet (no online distractions), and management says they don't mind if a paying customer brings his or her lap top and does some writing. Yes, I would most assuredly recommend this venue to both my friends and my students and I certainly will be returning--and soon! Check out their facebook page for more info!