IT Helpdesk!

In today's world, Information Technology is extremely important. Luckily for me I get to work at the IT Helpdesk at Saint Michael's during the school year. Like last year, I have the privilege for working up here for the summer! 

This summer is a bit different since I am living in the suites along with other work-studies, Fire and Rescue, student researchers, and students taking classes. It's a different dynamic not knowing everyone you live with, but it should be an interesting time!

Right now, I am working in both the Helpdesk and the LLRC. Each has its perks; being able to work with great bosses who get you food and provide a fun workplace is one of the reasons I enjoy working in IT so much. 

A coffee provided by my wonderful boss!

We got a delivery of 26 iPads for our new iPad cart!

My co-worker DJ sitting in the box the cart came in!
Looks like it's fort time!

Working in IT has given me the ability to become more computer savvy which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. I would say I'm pretty good at Windows 7, but when it comes to Macs (except for setting up printing!) I'm basically clueless. The good thing about working at the Helpdesk is that my boss Erik (yep there are two eric/eriks in the office!) uses each time we don't know something as a teaching experience. Without him, I wouldn't know half the things I do! 

Saint Michael's is largely a PC campus and has our campus HP program  which I chose to utilize. Now, I might be a little biased, but this program is awesome! Should I ever accidentally trip and drop my computer, spill coffee on it, or the screen gets cracked, campus HP guy Eric can fix it at no extra cost! It's all included in the price you pay and that warranty is good for four years at Saint Mike's! While I haven't had any problems like that...yet...it's just one part of the wonderful service the Helpdesk provides. 

Customer service is really crucial in this area considering many of us, including myself, get frustrated when this don't work the way that they do. Maybe you've spoken to me on the phone, seen me in our office, or gotten an e-mail from me  - I hope it has always turned out well in your favor! We try to cater to you at the best of our abilities and with a smile. I know that sounds cheesy but it's true! Sometimes I think that makes all the difference. 

P.S. A new and exciting thing happened yesterday! Instead of having to call the Helpdesk to rest your Mikenet password, you can do it yourself! Just click here and enter in your username, SSN, and ID number and voila! You have the ability to reset your password to something you can remember.

On that note, I will be writing another blog post about the LLRC probably next week - I'm still finding out awesome things that I didn't even know existed! 

I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day and enjoy your weekend! 
Feel free to ask me a question, tweet me, or comment below :)
Sending all my love, 
Katelyn :)

"It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Later."

There are so many things that are happening in the next few weeks that are truly wonderful, but totally incredibly scary. Friends, family, and members of the SMC community (as well as many other college and high school communities) will be saying adieu to the class of 2012. Here is a tribute to those in the SMC class of 2012 whom I have grown close to and will miss not seeing. 


Denise - Meeting you on LEAP was fantastic. You brought such spunk and energy and just gave it your all dancing to "Your Blue Sky". You are the best hand-hugger around. You always manage to bring a smile to my face even though we mostly saw each other in passing. I wish you the best; you deserve it. 

Heather - What a tremendous lady you are! You are one of the strongest people I know. I aspire to be like you one day. Commanding the herd of Drama Clubbers, directing an awe-inspiring show, and running the Playhouse? Girl you are so impressive; I can't wait to see what you'll do next!

Sami - You made Celtic Christianity more interesting and certainly impacted my short Celtic Knights career my freshman year. Do you see a trend of Celticness? I think it is destined we must travel to the homeland (Ireland) together. Be on the look out! 

Keelia - Getting to know you this year through KK has been amazing. Just like Heather, you two are my career role models. Everything I've seen you design is unbelievably fantastic! That dream sequence in APPetite still gives me the chills. I love your style and I know you will do great things! And come on, who doesn't like Game of Thrones?!

Brian - Working with you at the Helpdesk for the past two years has certainly been an adventure.  And I have you to thank for that fabulous nick name of mine...and I don't hate it. YT for the win. Plus running into you on Senior Week with Fr. Brian - oh the hilarity. 

Fitz - Oh Fitzy.  Where do I begin? I still remember that first day we met on that Drama Club scavenger hunt, you being my proxy mentor. It's been all downhill from there. How I shall miss our conversations and the fun and not-so-fun times. And you must come back because I need to stay awake through Ratatouille in its entirety. 

KK -What a long, strange trip it's been. I would have never thought that I would find such a person like you at SMC. We all know you're a little crazy but in the best way possible. You are so much to me that I can't even begin to list everything. You've contributed so much to my happiness this past year and I am eternally grateful. You know I will always be your rock and Cookie Monster, wherever the road takes you. 

LEAP Seniors: (Brittany/Jordan) It's always wonderful seeing the two of you out and about now after LEAP. I wish we had more time to get to know each other but I already know how marvelous and spectacular the both of you are. Your determination and kindheartedness is seen in all you do. You will go on to do terrific things. Don't forget if you lose your way, you get back up again!




I love you all and wish you the best in your future endeavors. You've made my experience at SMC more than exciting. I know you will keep SMC in your hearts and spread the lessons you've learned here. Wherever you wander, be sure to visit! I shall miss you all - and I will see you later.


Sending all my love on this graduation day, 
Katelyn :)

Finals Week

These past few days have been wonderful. Here's a little play by play of what my finals week looked/looks like:

Wednesday 5/2: MikeCheck concert! A few of my favorite selections were sung by our all-male Acapella group including Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show! They're always a laugh and put on a great show. It was a good way to start off my finals week.

Thursday 5/3: Study Day! I spent the day working on my dress for Costume Crafts. 

Friday 5/4: Fourteen hours later (over the course of two weeks), I 'finished' my dress! It was time for our fashion show where we could see each others' projects come to life. All my hard work paid off: I got an A- on it! Not too shabby at all. 

Kayley and I also took a walk around campus to enjoy the gorgeous sunset and get out some anxious energy we had after dinner and the Sleepless Knights concert!

 Saturday 5/5: Cinco de Mayo and Suite Celebrations at Olive Garden! Our suite was a part of Residence Hall Tours this semester and as a reward for letting prospective students and their families come visit, we got treated to Olive Garden. After Kayley, Mary, Nate, and I went across the road to enjoy the blustery day!

Suities outside of Olive Garden!

Me, Taylor, Kayley, and Mary taking a picture! (Photo cred: Nate!)

 Sunday 5/6: Another relaxing day! Started to get my work together since my finals start and end on Thursday (WOOHOO). Went to McCarthy Underground, an end of the year event with the Drama Club, with my friend KK and had a blast! 

Also started looking at flights for Bath 2012! Crazy!

Started packing and since my bed was covered in things, I decided to sleep in the bathtub in our common room! SO COMFY.

THE BATHTUB!

Monday 5/7: Got up bright and early to go to work at the Helpdesk. Because it's finals week, it's generally quieter. I caught up on some of my shows and started outlining what I need to do for my finals. 

It was a GORGEOUS day so Kayley, Angelica, Abbey, and I went to this coffee shop in the Winooski Circle. I got an Iced Chai Latte with Vanilla and a vegan cinnamon bun. Delicious! 

Kayley, Jake and I also sat outside to catch some rays. 
AND I GOT THE NEWS THAT I GOT AN INTERNSHIP AT THE THEATRE ROYAL IN BATH WHEN I GO IN THE FALL! SO EXCITING!

Today 5/8: Went to work and got a welcome present from my boss:

 And now I will work on outlining Brockett for my Theatre History, setting up my Celtic Christianity papers, and the general like. 

Wednesday 5/9: More studying and paper writing. 

But at 4:30, my Celtic Christianity class is going to RiRa's for a treat from our professor for handing in our papers! WIN!

Thursday 5/10: My Theatre History final! YIKES. Then a Senior Week meeting as it starts after finals! Go Seniors!

Then by Monday, my summer will officially begin! I start my summer job at the Helpdesk on Tuesday and enjoying the short homework free time before I sign up for an online class. 

Also be on the lookout for a tribute to the Class of 2012 next week!

Hope your week is going well and I'll catch ya on the flipside!

Katelyn :)

Two Down, Two to Go

Eep! Finals Week is upon us. I can't believe sophomore year is basically over. That means I've got two years left of my SMC career...YIKES! I think I'll share with you an idea I saw from fellow bloggers Ben and Alex, my SMC Bucket List!

Snowshoeing to Abbey Pond! #1

1. Go on a Wilderness Trip. 
2. Stay in Alliot for an entire day (24 hours) 
3. Go in the Special Collections room in the library. My O-Leader said it reminds him of the library in Beauty and the Beast, but on a small scale.
4. Do a MOVE Activity. 
5. Live in a Townhouse.
6. Go to Sloane, our alternative dining option. 
7. Go to Canada!
8. Learn a new language. Parlez-vous Francias? 
9. Sleepover in the Chapel.  Thanks to VITA Girls' Night!
10. Become a Tour Guide.
11. Stargaze on the library lawn or the 300's field.
12. Stay at SMC for a summer. 
13. Go to a concert at Higher Ground.  
14. Design a semester show in McCarthy.
15. Take a bus into Burlington. 
16. Go on the MOVE service trip to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah!

17. Attempt to go vegan for Spring 2013. 

18. Go to the gym at least 3x a week. 
19. Eat at every restaurant on Church Street. 

20. Take a class that doesn't have anything to do with my majors or minors, just for pure enjoyment!

Keep watching for updates!
Hope you stay well-rested and energized as finals come this week. 
And congratulations to all high-school seniors! You're almost done! (Special congrats to those coming to SMC and to my brother for deciding to go to Lasell!) 


Enjoy the weekend, sending happy thoughts your way!
Katelyn :)

Things You Might Not Know About Durick

You will become acquainted with Durick Library when you enter Saint Mike's. Whether you go there for individual study time, meeting up with a group, or researching for a term paper (like I'm doing now...) Durick will become your dearest friend, especially if you know some of it's quirks and perks! 

1. Durick is named after Jeremiah Kinsella Durick, an English professor who taught at Saint Mike's from 1930-1960. Check out his big picture in the front of the library!


2. There's a section of maps behind the circulation desk. You can pretty much see any map you've ever wanted to!

 You can't really tell, but this is a map of CT

(where I'm from) that's on the wall of maps!

 

3. There's a library classroom on the first floor, to the left of the circulation desk. That is where you will usually have your first-year introduction to all the researching tools Durick has to offer. 

4. I used to study in the children's room. There's something comforting being around books you read when you were a kid.  


5. The library hours are pretty flexible for your study schedule - either opening at 7:15 on weekdays and 10:00 or 11:00 on the weekends, and closing at 1:00 AM or 7:00 PM. You can find a time that's right for you - if not, you can use your Knightcard to access Alliot 24/7! 

6. There are bathrooms on each side of the central brick wall on all floors for easy access.


7. When you're studying in the 'basement' of Durick near the front, you may or may not hear conversations from the above floor - bring headphones just in case!

8. You can rent books and movies for leisure - the DVDs are obvious on the first floor, but go up to the second and to the right and stumble upon some classics. You might even find a book your professor wrote!


9. Reference librarians are AWESOME! They know all about places to look for information - it's their job! Don't be afraid to ask them or make an appointment when starting a term paper. 

Just take a look at all of the books I got help finding!

10. There's a section of books about Superheroes and Philosophy - it looks pretty cool and one of these days I'll read about them! 


Hopefully this gives you a little glimpse into the wonderful building that I and many others frequent at the end of the semester. 
There's so much more Durick has to offer so I hope you get the chance to explore it one day!


Sending happy thoughts your way, 
Katelyn :)

IT'S THE CUTE-OCALYSPE!

Because it's the beginning of the week, I wanted to share with you all some videos that make me smile as you begin another week!

1. Jessica's Daily Affirmation

2.  Lily's Disneyland Surprise! 

3. CUTE-OCALYPSE!  Just one of the many VlogBrothers videos I enjoy - check out more of them here!

 

4. High Five for a Kiss

 

5. Playing with an Otter

 

Enjoy your week! 

Katelyn :)

Wandering Across the Pond

One of the great programs Saint Michael's has to offer is the Study Abroad Program. During the fall of my sophomore year, I met with Peggy Imai to discuss my options. Here are some Saint Mike's stats about study abroad:

• Usually students study abroad in their junior year, about 50-150 students participate depending on the semester
• You need at least a 2.8 to be considered (for SMC)
• You fill out an application for SMC and any additional application your program has
• You pay SMC what you would normally pay for tuition, and they in turn pay your program for the semester's housing, tuition, and meals - how great is that!
• Different programs offer different experiences: Internship programs, English-speaking universities, and field-based programs
• Upon your return, you can submit any pictures you've taken for the Global Eyes Photography Competition and have the chance for your photo to be displayed in the Dailey Room in Durick Library!

Check out more from the Office of Study Abroad here!

I am privileged enough to say that I am studying abroad in Bath, England for the fall semester! I have been accepted to the Advanced Studies in England program. I am lucky enough to be going and rooming with one of my best friends Eleanor and we will be taking England by storm! Also, I will have the opportunity to travel all across Europe while I am in England. This will be my first time out of the country and I just got my passport over Winter break!


And now for some fast facts about ASE:
1. ASE offers semester courses, tutorials in specific topics or languages, an internship component, as well as a special Education component with SMC where students can student teach in local schools.
2.With each of your classes, you will be taking day trips visiting such places as Stourhead and Wardour Castle and the Victoria and Albert Docks, and the Dyrham Park Country House. (These are all the places I'll be going!)
3. The program itself sponsors two trips to Oxford and Stratford-Upon-Avon plus the travel break. 
4. A part of your tuition will be returned to you each week for food allowances. Pretty nice if you ask me!
5. FIVE people from SMC are going to this program. This is not usually the case for programs so it will be interesting getting to know fellow SMCers outside of campus. 


I can't wait to begin this chapter in my life and lucky for you, I will be blogging about it! Look for those starting August 2012. 

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below, tweet me, or formspring me! 
Wishing you a fantastic day, 
Katelyn :)