Premiere DePaul - Summer Orientation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v78UFXPHpY

Get excited for Premiere DePaul! Our freshmen orientation program is the first experience many of you will have with us but it is designed to prepare you for the four wonderful years ahead.

Academy Chicago Publisher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pdpKIjpaBU8

This Spring I've been interning a small publishing house called Academy Chicago Publisher. My official title is the 'PR and Marketing Intern', but I work on a lot of different projects and I'm absolutely loving it!

Art of Teaching

In one of the classes that I'm taking, I'm actually teaching art to children, but not just any kind of art.

Making a Difference

This past Saturday I was able to participate in one of the greater initiatives at DePaul University at the Vincentian Service Day. Having been at DePaul University less than two years this was only the second and last service day that I will be able to participate in here at DePaul.

Avoid Illegal Downloading

DePaul, among many other colleges across the U.S. have taken a pretty strict stance on pirating music over the university database. So, instead of risking downloading anything illegally I’ve put together a list of alternative ways to listen to music and watch television.

Working On The Set Of "Goodbye Harvard" (Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu25QYJYKLo

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to work with some of the most talented filmmakers in the cinema program here at DePaul. Check out some of the photos and videos from our production.

Living at DePaul: Apartment Style

Since DePaul does not guarantee housing for anyone, living off-campus is sometimes the only option for students. Living both on and off-campus have its ups and downs. I'm going through the process right now of finding an apartment around the Lincoln Park area. Here's some of my tips and websites that have helped!

Wallowing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REeeucZtDY0

Though this week may have started with an upset stomach it got significantly better and busier.

My Success is Your Success

And Senior Status just settled in a bit more. My days as a DePaul undergrad are winding down...When things start getting real: #AlumStatus

A Masterclass with Roberto Diaz

It’s not every day you attend a masterclass with an internationally acclaimed and Grammy-nominated violist who also happens to be President and CEO the Curtis Institute of Music. But last Saturday happened to be one of those days, as Roberto Diaz gave an insightful masterclass at DePaul's Concert Hall.

Libraries are Cool!?

As much as I wanted midterms week to be the peak of workload until finals week starts coming around, this turned out to not be the case this quarter. After a nearly two week non-stop continuous studying streak (to much fault of my own), I have yet to see the end of it. During times like these, it is nice to know that I have a place to go where I can join students in a similar place and where the staff is there for you. Where do I go? To the DePaul University Library of course!

Coffee and co.

We all know how are mid-terms, pretty stressful, but let's prepare for finals. Yes finals...

Getting Involved: DePaul A Capella

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTAgEdvq6Us&list=UUtPzSr3zHFudvaDtbOlta3g&index=1&feature=plcp

As you may have seen in my past posts, I’m a big proponent of music. I am always singing, playing the piano, or going to one of many musical events in the city or that DePaul puts on. On campus, we have many opportunites to get involved musically. But for those of you who enjoy a great voice, the groups to check out are: DePaul Men’s A Capella Choir (DMAC), DePaul Women’s A Capella Choir (DWAC), and the brand new co-ed A Capella choir InterChorus. That’s right, you read it correctly. InterChorus.

Going Grad, a Full-Time Gig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0wLdrywIBg

June 10th will mark my last "official" day as an undergraduate student; however, May 4th will also be another stepping stone for my DD status: Double Demon. I will officially be enrolling as a full time graduate student on May 4th but in the meanwhile maybe this video will help me with the task at hand...Enjoy Class 2012! hahahaha

Great Theatre

This one is for the theatre people.

Honor Societies at DePaul University

In the midst of what often turns out to be the most intense part of the quarter in college, when midterms creeps up on you, it can be nice to be reminded of how all your hard work as a student is rewarded. Not just by the actual knowledge you gain and the intellect you build, but by actual outside recognition, a nice little pat on the back by something else than your GPA.

And the Search Begins: Job Search 101

At the start of week five AND #SeniorStatus means only one thing: Job Search Galore...

Working The Red Carpet at 2012 The Hugo Awards Ceremony (Video)

https://vimeo.com/40958599

Last week, my classmates: Amanda Pflieger, Derek Bishé and I had the opportunity to interview some of this years Hugo Awards guests including legendary film/theater actor John Mahoney!! We also had a chance to catch up with local TV Personalities Val Warner, and Ryan Chiaverini. Val and Ryan are the hosts of Windy City Live.

Treat Yourself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsABTmT1_M0

The absolute best part of Chicago, in my very very very baised opinion, is the FOOD. I’ll admit that freshman year I mostly ate on campus and barely went out to eat. But, once I lived off campus and no longer had a meal plan I was finally able to explore the food Lincoln Park had to offer. I’ve put together a list of places I liked to go when I feel like treating myself!

Glimpse of Happiness

In the world we live in, we tend to forget to un-stress a little bit. So here's what I've found out...

Looking Back to the Future

Nostalgia becomes much more poignant when you leave for college. Before you may have experienced it slightly, but the first time living in a new city, new state, maybe even new county, can really change your world. With this major change comes missing. You begin to miss family, friends, but beyond that, smells, places, and little things you never realized before. At no time is this more apparent than your first year.

The Wonderful Lessons of Books

One of the things I love to do when I have the chance is to read. I don’t mean read Socrates or Kant. I mean to dig my nose into a great fiction book and just get lost for hours. Reading is one of the great aspects of college (and you'll do a lot of it!)

DePaul Chose Me

It’s crazy to think that three years ago I was living 2,054 miles away from Chicago and I had never even been to the state of Illinois...but today there's no place I'd rather be.

CIMM FEST: Where Movies Meet Music (Video)

https://vimeo.com/40571031

Last weekend, I volunteered to help run the CIMMfest. Here are a few interviews with some of the directors I met.

Cats. And Other Things that I Think About Frequently When Avoiding Thinking About After Graduation.

Let's do a list! We haven't done that in awhile. C'mon, it'll be fun!

The Healthy Way

It's that time of the year where people go on extreme diets to look their best in the summer time. Here's what you should do.

Visiting Saint Louis

Before transferring to DePaul University in September of 2010, I was a student at a small university in Saint Louis, Missouri. Therefore, this past weekend my girlfriend and I went on a little road trip to go see friends in our previous home of Saint Louis.

Recital Season

For many of us music students, Spring Quarter is synonymous with 'Recital.' Tis the season for lots of late night practicing and reception food!

Decision Day 2012

Decision Day is just around the corner for you prospective students! I'm seeing more and more people, especially on tours, who are going on multiple college visits these last few weeks to help their decision. No matter what school you end up deciding, here are some tips to better help you select your school.

Japan - Osaka and Kyoto

Last week all of the bloggers here at DePaul were writing about how and why we all picked DePaul University. The week before I wrote about my study abroad experience in Japan, and specifically Tokyo. However, in addition to Tokyo I visited multiple cities such as Osaka and Kyoto, so this week I wanted to share the rest of my experiences in Japan with you.

Busy, Busy Chicago Weekends

This was a big weekend. It was tech weekend for The Rivals, it was Easter weekend and my 23rd birthday is coming up on Monday. So, all in all, a very busy, exciting time.

Religion At DePaul

Being the largest Catholic university in the country, DePaul really roots itself in its faith. However, there are those who do not identify with Catholicism, including myself. DePaul makes my experience great and I do not feel pressured by its religious status. DePaul is as religious as you make it.

DePaul's School of Music, in a word.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDDPqGRNkGM

Opportunity to learn from some of the world's top musicians, opportunity to play in a high level orchestra, become a part of Chicago's music scene, and belong to a supportive music community. What can I say? All in a day's work.

Easter: 40 Day Dream

Giving up something either a habit or a favorite food is difficult to do--let alone doing it for 40 days. Easter has passed meaning one thing: the abstinence is over! Granted...I didn't quite "give up" something as many Catholics are encouraged to do...But I cheered and supported those who did. As I like to think, it's not simply about giving up, but taking on!

Easter Surprises

Easter is always a good time to celebrate with the family, mostly when a new little guy joins our family.

Between Freshman and Senior Year

It is funny how one's college experience starts before they have even set foot in a university classroom. As a "top dawg" in highschool, one chooses where the next years of their life will unfold...The end of one chapter is only the beginning of another!

It's A Place I Can Call Home

This week, I’d like to share a brief summery of why I picked DePaul. But, before I go on listing the above, I’d like to summarize it with a couple of words. The DePaul community is all welcoming, supportive, and most importantly, a place any/all students can call home.

Transfer to DePaul!

Before starting DePaul University I went to a small university in the suburbs of Saint Louis. It was a rather small university with roughly 8000 students. After a while I knew I had to find a university that better suited my needs...

Thank You DePaul

Thank you for the new friends I am making, the new classes to challenge my mind and the new passions leaning on my heart everyday.

Why DePaul: A Freshman's Perspective

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fBlAoghamo

I’ve always seen the city from a distance. Being only an hour away from Chicago really made me realize that I was a city boy at heart. As I would sit on the beach of Lake Michigan back at home watching the sunset, I could see the great city that I knew I wanted to live in. It was just a matter of what school I wanted to attend. Looking back on my decision now, DePaul University was absolutely the correct choice for me.

My Spring Break Escape

This year, for the first time ever, I spent my free week making mango smoothies rather than hot chocolate. I flew to a warm place for spring break! My mom and I spent several days in Naples, Florida, just a mile away from the Gulf of Mexico.

Winter Quarter 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD3J1kFkva8&feature=related

Winter Quarter went by so fast, even faster than Fall Quarter. With switching my major from biology to philosophy, it was guaranteed that there was going to be some big differences. I'll have you know that I thoroughly enjoyed Winter Quarter!

Spring Quarter: The Final 3

The final 3 courses in my young Blue Demon undegraduate career will unfold during these next 10 weeks...so far I've been to one of the three and am digging the courseload. Spring quarter let's see what you got!--Time to spring forward...

Festival Season Is Here!

https://vimeo.com/20082510

It's that time of year again in the city! Festival Season! This week I've compiled a list of my favorite events taking place across the city in the next few months.

Life Changes

Oh here we go again for another quarter. This will be my last quarter at DePaul, since I will be graduating in June.

Study Abroad in Japan

About two weeks ago I set out for an experience of a lifetime, when I boarded a plane, along with twenty other DePaul Students headed for Tokyo, Japan.

Senior Spring Break - New York

Blue Demon goes East.

Spring Break

Yes, I'm a college student. Yes, I had hot lovely weather during break. No, I was not in Cancun.

Five Things I Learned at Lake Michigan

Until Spring Break, I somehow found a scrap of self-discipline remaining in me. Miraculously I fostered it enough to keep myself either studying or practicing through Winter Quarter finals, despite the tantalizingly warm weather. To start off Spring Break, and to celebrate some magnificent March weather, my friend Molly and I planned a picnic on the shores of Lake Michigan.

When No One is Watching

When people hear I live alone, they often comment on how lonely it must be. This can be true, but the nice thing is I have some friends, so I can always force them to hang out with me. But, honestly, I love living alone. I can do so many things all the time that I couldn’t or wouldn’t before.