Campus Construction Wrapping Up for the Fall Semester

Summer is coming to a close as the big boy’s Tonka trucks pack up and ship out. The front entrance is looking great, and I’m hoping the big double doors (which will open up right by the bookstore and Campus Hub, technically located on the Sub Level, will be open for business very soon.

The English department is back in Miller Hall! Diane is set up and eager to assist incoming freshman of the English track in finding your adviser and creating a schedule that fits your life. This woman is seriously a wizard when it comes to these matters, I don’t know how she does it, but I’m so grateful to have her. Expect a big CBE very soon English majors!

The hope is that all construction in the Hammond building will be finished before classes start, but its cutting it pretty close. For now, please be advised that the only entrance currently to the building is the front entrance that has been open all summer. From there you can take the elevator to the first floor and beyond, or the stairs to the sublevel. You can also take the elevator down, but it tends to be crowded, so do the stairs if you can.

The quad is going to be a mess with the construction of an Edgerly porch still well under way, and no end in sight as far I’ve heard. If you need to cut across the quad, you can cut through the Conlon buildings to Highland, or go through Condike science, which will exit right by the Anthony building. Highland street is open again, so moving into the townhouses should be slightly less of a headache now.

I hope everyone’s enjoying there last days of summer, and are all set to move in on the 3rd, and begin classes next Wednesday on the 5th!

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A few things I’ve learned about makeup

It has officially become my least favorite thing to shop for on the planet. It is now right up there with shoes, eye wear, and bras that actually fit. For I wear a size 10 women’s (which most companies don’t even make, thank you Journey’s), am blind as a bat, and despite my petite frame have giant manly shoulders and a broad back. But no, makeup has officially made the top of the damn list.

After LadyUnlaced imparted on me the knowledge that my beloved Aquasmooth foundation by Covergirl was no longer an option because they test on animals, I have been determined for the past two months to find something that works with my pain-in-the-ass oily/super sensitive skin. A product from a brand that doesn’t test on animals. Something the two of us do not understand, as even the cheapest of brands, such as NYC and Wet n Wild, are above this, so you can’t sit here and tell me its just cheaper, because if they can find a way to make it work, surely anyone can. Maybelline is also on the do-not-buy list, as is Loreal.

After much trial and tribulation, I learned a few things. First, I was reminded once again why I am really glad to not have cable/satellite tv. I fucking hate advertising, so much, and with makeup its some of the worst. Its all the same keywords and bright colors and pretty packaging. I also learned a few things about type: dewy complexion is a sort of moist look? (I don’t need this, my skin does this all on its own thanks) and matte, which is the nice, flat, not shiny or “glowing” complexion. This is what I want. Glowing complexion only really works on people who have some sort of color to their skin. Mine is so pale I have to give makeup away to Unlaced simply because it is too freaking dark for my skin tone, and the last tone I gave to her was Light Ivory/Natural Porcelain.

I also learned that finding something that was the exact same coverage/density as my beloved Aquasmooth was not going to happen. Everything else is either too wet or too dry. The stuff that does cover really freaking well, such as 25th Hour by Rimmel, of course clogs your pours and will make you break-out like mad. So instead of finding the perfect thing to cover my flaws, I decided to try something that would instead help heal them. I am now using Almay BlemisHeal in pale as hell “light”, which despite the fact that it comes in only three shades was still paler than Neutragena’s Microclear makeup, and cheaper. It goes on really light, and no the coverage is not perfect as it is a pressed powder, but actually is really better for my skin. I tried a patch on my skin last night to test it out with a concealer stick, and at first I was a bit disappointed because it didn’t blend it at all, but after I took it off with a bit of witchhazel I found something astonishing: the area was softer and smoother than the rest of  my face. Okay Almay, we have an accord. They have an entire line in the BlemisHeal that I am hearing rave reviews about, so I might dive into it once I’m a little more comfortable financially. Till then, good luck and happy makeup hunting. And remember to never settle, your skin is the largest organ in the human body, it deserves a little TLC. Perhaps more than a little.

 

 

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Things to Remember When You’re Going Back To College

The time is nye for back to school. Some of us are going back to highschool, others are starting (or returning) to our college curriculum one more life-consuming time. If you’re like me, you might not have remembered all the crapola you are going to need until the last minute. So! Here’s a few things to always remembers when you’re shopping for college, and how to stay on budget.

1.) Check your text books. Odds are by now your professors have already listed them, and I’m sure the prices in the bookstore are enough to make you weep. Ask around on Facebook or text a few friends to see if they have a copy they’d be willing to part with, first and foremost. I always make sure to run my booklist by my good friend and college grad Adam Britt before I even begin text book shopping. After that, get to know the Amazon Used and New section. You’ll save hundreds.

2.) Remember to stay organized! I take a total of six classes every term to keep up with my degrees, so I always buy a cheap acordion folder with enough pockets to hold all my things for classes. You can always buy a few single folders of course, but I find having one thing for all your classes means you’re never grabbing the wrong folder, and thus never have to face the moment of an essay or assignment left at your house five towns over.

3.) Keep notarized. I always make sure to have healthy supply of highlighters and sticky-tabs on hand for making notes for class, and editing assignments. Signed up for a math class? Make sure you have the calculator they require. Buy more pens and pencils than you’ll ever think you need, and that should be enough.

4.) Make sure your laptop is up-to-date with all software and anti-virus tech you’ll need. If you go to Fitchburg State, you will need the E-Nac security check installed on your computer with a green light saying you don’t do illegal activities before you are able to access the net. I reccomend doing this at home before you get to campus, as the system will otherwise be flooded with loads of other incoming students doing exactly the same thing. If you can’t afford Word, get Open Office(its free!). Make sure your laptop meets the requirements for your classes before you get there and are faced with the Professor-glare-of-your-impending-GPA-doom.

5.) If you’re dorming it up, call to see if you can get the measurements for your space. It’ll save a lot of time and headaches for when you’re trying to squeeze your furniture in later. Also ask about rules and regs. You don’t want to be the bane of the room-check on your first month in. Make your list and check it three times, then check it again. I dont know about you, but I’d probably end up forgetting something, and it would be important.

6.) An additional note to Fitchburg State students: the library printing system is going green and will be down to the one Rico printer on the first floor, and it will be printing double-sided only to save paper. This is good for the environment, but we’re also anticipating lots of jams, and the new Pay Printing system (yes, it will NOT be free next semester) is still super-glitchy. So make plans to NOT print at the library. Additional printers (that you will still have to pay for) can be found in Edgerly, just check the rosters on the doors so you dont end up interrupting a class. I reccomend just ponying up the money and getting a cheap printer of your own, especially if you’re an incoming freshmen, its probably going to be cheaper in the long run.

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