Caitlin Riddle's Student Blog

IT'S APRIL! Holy cow this year is already flying I hope you all enjoyed your last weekend of March. I sure did, I am sunburnt...

Yep. But this too shall pass, and it shall be GOLDEN.

If my memory serves me correctly, our school year ends May 20th! 36 DAYS LEFT. NOT INCLUDING WEEKENDS, although I kind of forgot about everyone with weekend classes....AWKWARD, my apologies. Well everyone, good luck. It's our last full month of school, so make it a good one! 

 As we all know, yesterday was St.Patrick's Day.. AKA Get-Wastey-Pants-All-Weekend-Because-The-Irish-Do-DUICHECKPOINTCENTRALALLWEEKEND... you get it.. 

I spent the weekend with friends and family. A majority of my friends are still in high school, and one of them had a bonfire down at the harbor, so I enjoyed my time with them. I got home at 2 am, slept...and woke up at 8AM for some reason, so I just ate some Greek yogurt, made a cup of coffee, watched Easy A, favorite movie ever, and Sixteen Candles until I decided to get up and get ready for the day. My family was having a big "Irish dinner" over at my aunt and uncle's house. My cousins are 22 months and 6 years old, so I went to go entertain them as we waited for dinner.  My mom and I took my 6 year old cousin to Red Cup down by the pier, and we got a little pre-dinner dessert. I didn't get too much, but it was still so good!

OUR DINNER SMELLED ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. You know you're Irish when you're extremely excited for all of the potatoes. We had bangers, mashed potatoes with cabbage and onion mixed in (SO GOOD WITH GRAVY), little potatoes with carrots, corned-beef hash(can't forget that). Oh and a little green cupcake to top it all off. 

My aunt made this amazing infused water with cucumbers, and lemon... SO GOOD! I don't know where it's been all of my life but I could drink that for YEARS. And of course with my family being so festive, we had good ole Irish music playing all night. Then we got tired of it, so we put on Imagine Dragons and Mumford & Sons. My littlest cousin likes to sing and dance to Mumford & Sons. I don't blame her, they're awesome! Over-all, I had a wonderful time! I couldn't fall asleep, so I woke up really late today. The time change is still killing me softly.

 How was your St.Paddy's Day? Hope everyone was safe, and enjoyed their weekend!  It was a great way to end such a QUICK spring break.

Hey y'all! So if you've heard of RateMyProfessors.com, you can now rate the college campus as a whole. I was supposed to take screenshots, but I didn't know how to do it on this computer so I took them with my phone.. totally ghetto, and blurry but whatever! Here they are:

On Friday March 8th, I had the wonderful opportunity to go see the production "Guys and Dolls", here at MiraCosta's theatre. Originally, I was going to go by myself and meet up with France, but my mom bought a ticket and sat a row and a few seats behind me. I was (well I felt like I was) dead center in front of the stage. I was split down the middle, and I had the greatest view. It was my first time being in that theatre. I heard music coming from somewhere, and I had no idea that the music was live and being played from the basement of the theatre. I love that! Very cool!

The lights turn off, and the show begins! The music was very 40's jazz, and I felt like I was in New York City. That's the exact music I hear in my head when I'm in NYC for some reason.  The backdrop was the city's buildings, and there were people of all kinds running around. Much like New York City. There were drunk bums, tourists, gamblers, screaming girls running after celebrities, and throughout the play it was constant laughter, and the actors were AMAZING! Their singing blows my mind and I envy their talent! I have a friend in CYT (Christian Youth Theatre), so I've attended a few plays. But this one has been my favorite outside of going to CYT plays. The actors and actresses make it look so easy to just perform in front of a crowd, and they're all so comfortable with it! I wish I could be like that! Maybe I can take an acting class or two. Hehe. It was very interesting to me how they just keep the spot-on New York/Rhode Island accent throughout the songs. I would probably fail miserably at that! I can't even begin to explain how amazing that play was. The DANCING WAS AWESOME! 

I wish I could put it all into words, YOU GUYS will have to go see it for yourself because I loved it, there are only a few more shows left! SO GO GO GO! I give this show 5 stars! My mom said she likes plays now because of this production. I can tell a lot of work and dedication has been put into this play! Great job!

While I was there I got a few pictures I wanted to share with you guys! 

Today I had the most authentic experience of a lifetime! I volunteered for MiraCosta College's Nursing Department. Next week the freshman RN students will be interning at the hospital, and this week is their practice run! I didn't know what to expect, but they told me to put on my best poker face... I tried, I have 0 acting experience!

 I walked in at about 9AM, unsure about where I was really supposed to be going. I checked in with Marti Essman, a Nursing Instructor here at MiraCosta, and with excitement she shows me my bed, hands me my gown and explains what I will be doing. I walk into the bathroom, put on my gown, and take a mirror selfie (I was going to prank my friends anyways, it worked;but they're all mad at me! LOL), then I walk out and take a seat on the hospital bed. I got a fake IV, a fake hospital bracelet, an a fake wound on my right heel.

I had to portray a 77 year old woman named Alexis (Alex, or Alexia) Bell. The story behind "her" hospitalization, Alexis was a stroke victim with a smoking history, and obesity problems. Her right side was completely limp, and her speech was slurred. I had to pretend like I didn't know what I was doing, where I was, what my birthday was, etc. I was extremely nervous and I was excited at the same time because I haven't ever acted like a 77 year old stroke victim before. Soon enough, my nurse comes in! I had Thomas, and from what I heard, he was one of the best!

He checked my vitals, fed me pudding, and helped me in and out of my bed! Time was running out and all I could think about were those cookies sitting across from me. TAUNTING ME! I couldn't wait to have some! It was time to snap out of my "acting facade" and become 18 years old, and Caitlin again. Marti gave Thomas feedback and I did too! He was excellent at what he did! I wish him the absolute best being at the hospital next week! I have confidence that you'll improve on what you missed, and that your patients will also enjoy the care you give them! THANK YOU FOR BEING AWESOME, NURSING DEPARTMENT!

AS FOR THE PRANKING.. MY friends really hate me!!! LMFAO. I posted this picture of my arm and the fake IV on Instagram, and they WENT CRAZY! I should've done this a month later... As an April Fool's Day joke hehehehehe. I am so evil!

Remember the post where I told you guys that my best friend was having her babies this month? Well the two beautiful baby girls are finally here! Alexis had them on Thursday night and I was crying with joy when I saw the first picture of them. They're tiny little things! They were born 5, and 6lbs and 17 inches! I finally got to meet them on Saturday, my mom and I drove on base to the Naval Hospital and spent more than 3 hours with the twins, Alexis and her mom. My shoulder fell asleep holding them, but it was totally worth it. They're so beautiful and I am so excited to be there for them, and watch them grow up! I love them so much already! Welcome to the world, Kailee and Kahlia. You're loved very much by many people! <3

PS My hair is blonde now. This is actually my natural color. I dyed my hair black in September for some strange reason. It's good to be back to normal!

Amongst the many great events, majors, classes, and clubs MiraCosta offers, there is Theatre. I honestly know absolutely nothing about acting or theatre, I've always wanted to try it, I just haven't (too scared). But I do know the program here at MiraCosta is one to rave about. I have an opportunity next week to be a "patient" for the nursing students. I'll write more about that next week! I am really excited but I also know that MiraCosta's Theatre program is having two shows this semester!

1. "Guys and Dolls" directed by Tracy Williams. March 1, 2,7,8,9 shows start @ 7:30PM;  March 2,3,9,10 shows start @ 2PM; Preview performance is February 28th @ 7:30PM. Located at the Theatre Bldg 2000, Oceanside Campus, tickets are on sale at the box office: General Admission- $12; Senior/Staff, $10; Preview (all seats), $8.
2. "The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later" directed by Eric Bishop. April 19,20,25,26,27 @7:30PM, April 21, 28 @ 2PM. Preview performance: April 18th @ 7:30PM. General Admission- $12; Senior/Staff, $10; Preview Night (All seats), $8.

I've read the background stories of these two shows and I am really eager to watch them. I'm especially excited for "Guys and Dolls". I will definitely be there! Hope to see some of you there! Maybe I might just want to become an actor instead of a journalist. Hmmmm... :)

Hey... you! YES, YOU!  Don't look at me like that! Come here...

I have a few secrets on how to succeed in college. I know that I'm only in my first year, but I've found a few things from my personal life, and from coming to school here at MiraCosta that can, and hopefully should help you out if you're struggling!

The things that have helped me the most are: food, tea/coffee, and music. Go figure, right? No, this isn't always guaranteed to make you successful but it can be a little baby step. It helps me get help, if you catch my drift? It's a relaxing method. The real key is finding out if you are a procrastinator or an over achiever. We all deal with procrastination. It's a disease we are all exposed to, or have been exposed to at least a dozen times in our academic, or even our personal lives. WE ALL KNOW THAT PROCRASTINATION IS A NO-NO!  So DON'T fall into it's trap!

• take lots of notes, annotate, write down examples
• stay after class for any questions you have
• exchange your number with a group of cool individuals in your class, and set up a study group.
  
• Make flash cards! Those help a whole lot for me!
• AVOID ALL TYPES OF DISTRACTIONS LIKE PARTIES THE WEEKEND BEFORE YOUR FINALS OR MIDTERMS. Unless of course you already got your homework and studying squared away! ;) Just don't get too crazy or else you'll PROCRASTINATE and forget to study because your hangover was quite the killer..
• Don't be afraid to tell your friends that you have homework to do. I'm sure they will understand!

**If you're ever stuck on a question, or need help figuring out the problem, E-MAIL YOUR PROFESSOR/INSTRUCTOR. That's why they're there! Or take advantage of their office hours after class! The professors/instructors here at MiraCosta are glad to help you. I know this because all of mine have told me! 

If your professor's office hours are inconvenient for you, try going Library Hub. OR set an appointment for the tutoring center.  And what's super cool about the library, is you can now TEXT them and ask them questions. Here's the information:

•  Text (760)884-4682
• E-mail: library@miracosta.edu (questions are only answered during library hours)

• Or call them!(760)795-6716, or (760)634-7864 (questions will also only be answered during library hours)

Library Hours for San Elijo and Oceanside Campus:

Monday- Thursday: 8:00AM-9:30PM, Friday: 8:00AM-3:00PM, Saturday: 10:00AM-5:00PM, Sunday: CLOSED.

Hopefully this helped a little! Everyone's study habits and ways of getting by in college are definitely different! Good luck this semester, we have almost 2 months left!

Head Strong, the latest show in the Kruglak Gallery (on the first floor of the Student Center, across from the bookstore), shows a diverse amount of portraits and sculptures of heads. Literally. I walked into the gallery with iPhone, camera, and pen and paper in hand--I also had Skittles, but those aren't important. I was ready to find out what this show was about. I, along with what was a few other students at the time, walked around the room looking at each display wondering what each piece's significance was. Then I was instantly drawn to the back of the room where I saw two HUGE, glittery portraits of a man and a woman in each portrait. The display in the room isn't too much, but it was just right.

The gallery started to fill up with what seemed to obviously be art students, LOTS of art students. Then there's me. The girl who has an art class but isn't a major. Everyone in there seemed to be a major. I found a place next to a wall, and I begin to describe the area around me. Not going to lie, I tweeted and Instagrammed everything. There was a guy behind me slurping his water like it was soup, NOT CUTE. The gallery directors started gathering everyone's attention, and the room suddenly hushed. Silence. Except for the guy slurping his water.

Three out of six featured artists were present to share their artistic creations with the faculty and students of MiraCosta.  The first one up, Gary Singer. His pieces are displayed on two walls, they were mostly abstract self-portraits. Many of the students noticed that his portraits had no eyes. He explained that he was inspired by German paintings and that these portraits had no meaning, or they weren't about anyone in particular. They were just himself. 

The second artist was responsible for the bright, glittery, eye-catching pieces on the eastern wall of the gallery. Her name was Carolyn Castano, an artist from Los Angeles. Her paintings featured in the show were portraits based on famous drug lords, and their girlfriends/mistresses. Carolyn continued about her paintings, and how she created them. I was very interested in how she got the glitter to stay so flawless. She continued about her life: She grew up in Los Angeles in a Colombian-American family. Carolyn attended UCLA in 2001 for her master's degree. She also attended San Francisco Art Institute in 1985. Carolyn has been a professional artist since 2005.

Chris Warr was our last artist of the day, and he was responsible for all of the interesting sculpture of heads in the middle of the room. Chris didn't attend MiraCosta much like the other artists, but he did attend Palomar which isn't too far from our Oceanside Campus. He claims that he is still learning about his art work. Warr also explained that he has been obessed with drawing heads since he was little. He said he is also very interested in facial expressions, which is why there were a dozen sculpted heads in the middle of the gallery floor. There was a computer monitor in next to two sculptures. It was a video of a face, with lips (they were Chris's) making almost a Chewbacca sound. Warr said he has became more interested in making static singular objects. He also added that he has always been jealous of the way that videos grasp people's attention. The video art was made from a software that he had and he says it took a while to figure it out, but he got the gist of it and that's how he made the video. The video was intended for people to watch and walk away.

I enjoyed hearing about these bizarre pieces. But at the same time I was starving! The Skittles I had bought at the student store were making me hungry. Chris wrapped up his conversation with a few questions. Then the talk ended. At first I thought the show was going to be extremely weird and hard to sit through, but in the end I think it is a great place to spend a little bit of your time. Whether in between classes, before classes, or after classes. 

The exhibit closes on February 21.

Gallery hours are:

Monday and Tuesday, 1:30PM-7:30PM, Wednesday and Thursday 10AM-3PM, Closed on Fridays

Please call 760-795-6657 for further information! Admission is free and open to the public so spread the word! 

Wow! Time is already flying. This month is going to be really exciting for me. I'm going to be 'Aunty Caity' in 2 weeks! My best friend is having twin girls and I have been anticipating--anxious to meet them ever since I found out that there were two in her belly! I cannot wait to spoil them some more! They're already so blessed with how much they've received at the baby shower. I'll keep you guys posted because I'll be on my toes February 20th, and I know I'll be at work probably crying my eyes out because I wanna be at the hospital with her!

Friday was our bloggers meeting, and I got the chance to meet everyone I share this awesome opportunity with. I missed the actual meeting because I had a test to do for oceanography which was online, and I totally should've warned France, but it slipped my mind like every other thing does. But expect a new banner on the student blog page soon! I had fun even if I was only there for like 20 minutes, lol. 

Anyways, this month also comes with sadness.... WHY? BECAUSE I HAVE NO VALENTINE. The only Valentine I ever have is my mother...which is great, don't get me wrong because she's always gonna love me, but I know I'm not the only one out there struggling #THESTRUGGLEISREALLYREAL hahaha. It's also one of my good friends from high school's 17th birthday (I have a lot of younger friends, don't judge me). So that night I'll be spending time with my mom curled up in my bed eating a crap load of chocolate and doing some home work because that's how we do in college right? Just kidding, it's all I did in high school anyways.

OH ANOTHER EXCITING THING, I GET MY FINANCIAL AID CHECK.... and that means I get to fix my car's timing belt, get new brakes, and windshield wipers. And gas. And my phone bill...and insurance...damn there goes that check. OH AND a parking ticket I got at my friend's house at SDSU almost two weeks ago.... THAT KILLED MY NIGHT. That's probably the crappiest part of this month but I mean hey, it's money. Can't complain too much. I hope everyone's month goes by smoothly, and happy birthday to everyone celebrating this month! Much love<3