You won't go away empty handed...we're giving you a pair of hush puppies!

You know what the best part about college is?  LURNING!  Ah yes...the simple joy of taking part in a community that promotes brain activity.  Last blog I talked about how easy it is to learn with all the great professors here at UNC and the small classrooms.  Part of going to college is picking things up outside of the classroom as well. 
Since coming to college, my brother has figured out how to ride a ripstick. Go ahead and try to explain to me how this tool won't come in handy for the rest of his life.

Note: this is not my brother.
I've also picked up some nifty tricks of the trade since being at college. My friend brandon taught me how to juggle!

Note: This is not us juggling. Just making pancakes.
I've also been practicing cutting my roommates hair. (I don't have a picture for that).
This is just what college is about. Experiencing life with others and lurning. Just kidding. I know how to spell lerning.

Later days,
Brink

The Old Lady that Lived in a Shoe

What's up Team Pup N' Suds!

Well, it's that time a year again. That's right guys, it's time for me to decide where I'm going to live next year. There are a few different things for me to consider. Last year, I lived with my brother in the Coed Hause (http://www.greeleycollegeapartments.com/) and that was so much fun. We also had a couple friends renting there a couple of doors down so we always had friends to hang out with.
This year, my brother and I have been living in a house with 7 other guys. Now I know what you're thinking...Yikes. Allow me to explain. Imagine this, nine guys, three bedrooms, three sets of bunkbeds. Now that sounds like a blast, doesn't it? Well maybe you're not convinced. The house has truly been a great experience. We play music together, we meet all together weekly, and we always have someone to play sports with or just talk to. It's nice to live in a house with some like-minded people and if nothing else, it will help you to grow. Plus the rent is under 200 dollars a piece. Can't really complain about that.
So as housing contracts are being drawn up, I find myself with a decision to make. My brother will be graduating this semester, so we won't be living together next year. I also don't really see myself back in the house next year either. This decision could be a bit daunting, but fortunately for me, UNC and Greeley do a great job of making so many different types of living situations available. I can check out http://www.rentunc.com/ to check out different houses or apartments, or I can go to http://www.woodyinvestments.com/ to check out over 200 different properties available for rent in the Greeley area.
I love real estate in Greeley. A lot of properties have so much history tied to them and are loaded with character. I knew a girl who last year lived in "the pumpkin house" (named after its pumpkin orange paint). With all the different resources around, I have no doubt that I'll be able to find a great place to live and continue soul skating.

Later Days,
Brink

The sweet smell of a good learning environment

If you go on the UNC campus at midnight, and you listen very closely, you may just be able the quiet sound of students laughing. No, no, this isn't because students are staying up late. As we all know, college students are usually in bed by 9:30.  No this laughter is simply from the students earlier in the day, enjoying classes with the best professors in the world. While you may think this is a pretty subjective view (and it is), I do have my reasoning.
You see, what makes teachers great isn't the kind of information they present. If it was then we might as well be taught by an army of robots (which might be awesome).  However, I often find that teachers are good at teaching because they show that they actually CARE about students. They relate to students; they know student's names; they encourage participation and aren't hard to talk to after class.
Many teachers at universities often give up on trying to get to know their students because there are just too many of them; but, here at UNC, the average undergraduate class size is 29 students. That's smaller than many of my classes in high school.  That's great for me because I get to joke around with my professors and get more out of class than if I were in a larger classroom.

Later days,
Brink

Lights! Camera! ROAR!!!!

With sweat pouring from my brow, I gazed from backstage at the crowd. It was a large crowd. Large enough to fill the UNC ballrooms. GULP. Boy was I nervous. I had performed before, however, my stomach will never get used to that wrenching feeling you get right before going on stage. Now that I think about it, that could have come from the Taco Bell I had eaten earlier that night. Well anyway, it was the night of UNC's got talent, and my band, Nottingham, was up next!
As I heard our name called, my heart began beating so hard I could feel it in my ears. They began to overflow with blood and anticipation. You know, figuratively speaking of course. My fingers slid over the fretboard of my guitar. I looked at the crowd, then to my band mates. A silent strength glistened in their eyes. It was go time.
We played our little hearts out; and we were well recieved! Oh how my heart sang a song of it's own. The night was so fun, and even though my band didn't win, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
UPC really knows how to have a ball! (Note: I haven't attended a literal ball nor do I know if one has even been thrown, that was just a figure of speech.) What a way to start an awesome spring semester.

Later days,
Brink


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