Happy Thanksgiving all.

Posted by Daniel at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am excited about the coming break, though it won't be much of a break with the two research papers I have to write, finals to study for and with the newspaper on deadline. However, it will be nice to see the family, many of whom I haven't seen since last Christmas.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to give back to the community by volunteering at homeless shelters and or opening up your home to friends who can't visit their families this holiday. Impact someone else's life and who knows, you may end up impacting your own.

Posted by Daniel at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've figured out how to upload pictures. The world is saved.

Posted by Daniel at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The residents of the Men's Residence College, one of the three campus dorms, woke last week to discover the smoking remains of the Chalk Monster's latest strike.

The monster, a six-foot-tall creature some have referred to as a "student," drew several violent depictions with chalk, its trademark, in the center courtyard of the MRC.

Sophomore Justin Schneewind, long-time resident of the MRC, said he had trouble sleeping the following night due to fear. "The Chalk Monster is the most evil creature known to HBU students."

Schneewind was not the only resident frightened by the monster. Several, including senior Michael Simpson, a Husky Patrol officer, gathered the following morning in the courtyard to view the creature's handiwork.

Simpson said Husky Patrol is working around the clock to capture the Chalk Monster, which has been labeled the Patrol's most wanted.

The director of the MRC, Marquis Gatewood, was unavailable for comment. None of the Resident Assistants were available either due to preparations for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Many students are fleeing the campus due to the Chalk Monster's attack, which coincides with the Thanksgiving holiday.

"I am terrified of the Chalk Monster but grateful for its timing," said freshman Neil Adadis, resident of the MRC. "Now I have a reason to go home this Thanksgiving,"

Adadis was unsure if he will return to the MRC after the holiday, citing the rise in monster strikes as a decisive factor.

"I don't know if I want to come back with the Chalk Monster on the loose," Adadis said.

Simpson assured students that the monster will be caught before the holiday is over. "Chalk monstering will stop."

Photographer Daniel Cadis took pictures the following morning.

A violent depiction of a helicopter.

A violent depiction of a dragon.

The Chalk Monster lined the courtyard with pictures.

The Chalk Monster's leering face, according to officials.

The names of several student residents. Unknown if they are related to the Chalk Monster.

Posted by Daniel at 6:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I need to figure out how to upload pictures properly. This (below) is unfortunate.

Posted by Daniel at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have the opportunity of being one of the University's ambassadors -- dedicated students who give weekly tours of the University to prospective students.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, the University of Houston invited our ambassadors to attend their football game against No. 24 Tulsa for an ambassador mixer. I joined the other ambassadors in attending the mixer.

I had never been to a college football game before, though I love the sport and even played it in high school. I was not alone. Many of the other University ambassadors, including several upperclassmen, had never attended a collegiate football game. We were more than thrilled about the prospective game.

Piling into one of the University's vans, we trucked over to the UH campus hours before the game. The traffic was light, but parking was an adventure.

Several of the UH ambassadors met us for some pregame activities. They gave us free t-shirts, and we trooped inside of the booming stadium -- a massive construct filled with screaming fans. One group of fans had their shirts off and letters spelling "Cougar Crew" painted on their chests. It was 50 degrees outside. I was bundled in layers of shirts and a jacket and was still cold. Them? Well, here's to fans.

The game was incredible and quite an experience.

We left shortly after the second half because it was getting late and several of the ambassadors had school work to do. The Cougars went on to win a 70-30 upset against Tulsa.

Here are some pictures from the event:

At the pregame event.

My crowd.

Posing with Shasta, the UH mascot.

Great play. The UH team played impressively, scoring 42 points before half-time. Tulsa was supposed to win, but UH was clearly the better team.

The UH ambassadors were incredibly friendly.

Starbucks afterward. I'm chronically addicted to eggnog, and am so glad that Starbucks now has eggnog lattes. Here's to gaining ten pounds these holidays.

Posted by Daniel at 12:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you're a high school junior or senior, I have a very important tip for you: take as many Advanced Placement or Duel Credit classes as you can. I cannot stress the importance of these two programs enough. No other classes will better prepare you for college.

Posted by Daniel at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tomorrow for freshmen is registration for the spring term. Along with registration comes the critical decisions of which classes to take, when to take them and from which professors. This isn't my first rodeo, I've been through the process once before in Student Orientation and Registration. However, it's still an exciting if not stressful time.

Posted by Daniel at 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The past week was Homecoming for the University. There were many exciting events that went on, including Homecoming Convocation, a concert performed by Christian band Downhere, the annual Chili Cook-Off etc. I attended several events and took pictures.

Fans during the Homecoming men's basketball game.

Phi Kappa Psi, one of the largest fraternities on campus, sings the Alma Mater for judges during the Golf Cart Parade.

Costumed students prepare for Golf Kart Parade.

More to come.

Posted by Daniel at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a brief note:

This is the biggest election in the history of America. Do your part and participate by voting, volunteering or by spreading the word.

As if electing the new president weren't incentive enough, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme and Ben & Jerry's have all offered free drinks, donuts or scoops of ice cream for voters. I voted last week in Early Voting, but I still may get some free coffee and donuts.

Respectfully,
dpc

Posted by Daniel at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

By now you're probably wondering who this "Daniel" fellow is, anyway. If you're a current student at HBU, then you might wonder how this freshman English and Mass Communications major got a blog on the University's Web site. If you've studied Roman history, then you may recognize the quote from the empire's most famous playwright. If you were born out of the states or spent time outside of the states as a child, then you may know what it is like to feel like a foreigner in America. And if you're from a large family, one that spent time around the world homeschooling, then you may know what a great, life-changing experience that can be. Most of all, if you’re a prospective student pondering your future and desperately searching for the "perfect" school for you, then you are feeling exactly how I felt less than a year ago.

I remember well the intimidation of the ACT, the standardized test I chose to take, sitting at the desks with pencils sharpened, think through everything I had learned. I remember the nervousness as the proctor unveiled the test and started the time. I remember the experience vividly.

What was worse was sending my applications to colleges. I won't name names, but after examining them, the larger universities in Texas (like the ones that played on Saturday night, talk about a good football game!) didn't appeal to me. There's nothing wrong with them and I encourage all prospective students to look at as many universities as possible. However, they did not feel right for me. I applied to the University, hoping to get into my school of choice.

I have two brothers who attend the University, Caleb and Nathan, both of whom were sophomores at the time of my college search. I saw through them what life at the University was like and perhaps this gave me an advantage over other students. I knew, through multiple tours of the University, banquets for prospective students etc. what I was getting into. Because of this relationship between the University and my family, I was very informed about the school and made a very educated decision to attend here. Like I said, they gave me a good deal, one that I appreciate more every day.

So that’s a brief introduction as to who I am, how I got here, and where I am going*. I hope you'll stop by often and check out what's happening on this blog as well as the others. If you have any questions, ask away and I will do my best to answer them or get you in contact with whoever can. I am looking forward to posting on here as often as possible, giving you the inside scoop as to what student life is like here at the University.

Respectfully,
dpc

*The "where I am going," portion is not completed because where I am going in my life is still a mystery. As for now, I am going to bed.

Posted by Daniel at 12:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)