Sunday, July 5, 2009

One Busy Independence Day Weekend

Strange how this is the first opportunity I've had to actually post this whole weekend; I never thought I'd be this worn out and exhausted not doing school work till the wee hours of the morning.

It was so great to be able to go back to New York City Friday. Riding the subway, weaving through pedestrian traffic - I couldn't help but be nostalgic. Stepping back on to Columbia's Campus, I realized how much I actually missed it and loved it. It was a different experience this time being on campus. Last summer, I was actively taking classes and galavanting across the city, so I never really took the opportunity to take a good look at the campus. Secondly, I didn't know as much about looking at colleges as I do now. But now knowing the information about colleges and the experience of being on Columbia's campus, going back there was a treat and allowed me to take in what I hadn't taken in already last summer.

The next day, a bunch of us went to Newport to soak up the sun! We lucked out with the weather this time around, it was sunny the whole day! No rain, no thunderstorm, just a peaceful day. I went with my friend Alli on the cliff walk which was a trail that followed the cliff on one side of Newport. It was beautiful and made the 2 week wait for sunny weather worth it. At night, we went to Waterfire and enjoyed the fireworks! All in all, I'm glad that for one day, we were able to go around and enjoy the weather, enjoy the atmosphere, and enjoy our time-off. Sometimes, we just need to relax.

4 comments:

Charles Tillman Ramsey said...

Dennis,

A nice day to just relax is sometimes just what the doctor ordered. Having a chance to go to New York City and see Columbia on a beautiful day makes all the difference in the world. This may be telling you something. Keep all of your options on the table, but it looks like you are honing in on a few select colleges for possible enrollment.

Glad that you got to see New England in all its splendor. Too often we get a perception based on the weather but fortunately you have seen the best and worst that the East Coast has to offer.

I will pose this one question to you and I hope that you will reply. How have you changed due to your participation in the Ivy League Connection? What about this experience has shaped your thoughts and ideas?

When you speak to all of your friends back home here in El Cerrito, do they have the same insight that you have gained as a result of being back East for these Summer Studies Programs at Ivy League campuses?

If you can take us through your thoughts and impressions. It allows us to learn so much more, especially when we hear it from our ILC students.

Have a restful Sunday.

Charles T. Ramsey, Esq.
School Board Member
West Contra Costa
Unified School District

Don Gosney said...

Dennis,

Isn’t it amazing what a little seasoning can do for you? You’re a year older and probably more than a year more mature and you’ve seen more of the world to help you sift through the college options.

Making a choice will still be difficult but at least your better armed than you used to be. I don’t envy the task in front of you.

I’m waiting for at least one of you to thank the ILC for arranging for decent weather for you all on the 4th. Did you think it just happened all on its own? We went to a lot of effort to make this happen for you all and we called in a lot of markers. And not a word of thanks from any of you!

Charles Tillman Ramsey said...

My thanks to the weather for cooperating! I am glad that everyone had a great time.

We get thanks everyday in reading your posts. I want to assure you that we all appreciate the growth and development that has taken place with many of you through the years. I recall last year that you were very suspicious of the Ivy League Connection and that it had to take a "little urging" to convince you to sign on to our program.

I am glad that you have bought into our concept and that you will take our message back to the High School and the community. That you will "enlighten" other El Cerrito High School students that this course of action makes it easier to make a decision about where to attend college.

Having interaction with this many adults cannot be that bad and that you have grown immensely through the ILC program. I do hope that you will share with us how you have the ILC has improved this year? Last year we did no campus tours. Did having them make a difference? Let us know.

Thanks again.

Charles T. Ramsey, Esq.
School Board Member
West Contra Costa
Unified School District

Madeline Kronenberg said...

Dennis,

I agree with all the previous comments -- and I know you appreciated the break in the "40 days of rain."

I am curious about any suggestions you may have for your teachers/administrators regarding how we can improve how we prepare our students for college.

You have a unique perspective to share and I look forward to hearing from you about what you think works well and what could be improved and how we could do it.

Hope you enjoyed your relaxation, Dennis.