Hi again, sorry for neglecting to write on this last night. I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder and it's very painful. :( Other than that my days have been fun. Yesterday during our afternoon lecture we got to see one of five copies of the Gettysburg address written by Abraham Lincoln himself. This is the most valuable artifact that Cornell has in their possession and it was an amazing thing to see.

Today's class was interesting and explored labor unions. After class I spent the rest of my day reading. We had over fifty pages to read. Tonight after night check we played Mafia with a large group of kids and RAs alike. 

More to follow.

Not quite the end

Hey everyone, its jared checking in. Sorry for the delay on this post my computer has been acting up. On saturday I began my journey back to cornell bright and early at 3 o'clock with charles and the the Brown students. When i arrived in philadelphia i ran into the other group of students who had just completed their three weeks at Cornell university. This wasn't planned in any way and was a very nice surprise. After discussing their experience over lunch at TGI Fridays, I continued on my way to Cornell. I arrived at ithaca airport at approximately 7 o'clock and caught a taxi back to cornell where i met Andre Miuken who assisted me in moving back into my room. I was then reunited with some of my friends who were here from the earlier session who were doing another class, along with those who were doing a six week course.  Later that day we went to college town bagels and i got a milkshake. On sunday afternoon i had to go to class orientation and it was pouring. I actually got soaked from head to toe. It was soooooo bad. Later i went to the mall to get some towels because for the second time in a row i forgot to pack towels. On monday morning I went to class at 8:30 which in my opinion is way too early in the morning. After that i went back to the dorms and finished my reading. which puts us approximately this time in the evening. More to follow.

It's really over?

Wow, two days after our plane landed at SFO, and I'm still trying to take it all in.
This experience has been one of the best of my life, and I can honestly say that I'll be starting Pinole this year as a new person. I've grown in so many ways and learned so much not only about myself, but also about life itself.
I've learned what it's like to be in a real college class, to live on my own and do my own laundry. I've learned what it's like to meet and interact with different people, and how to take pride in where I come from and in what I can teach others who aren't as fortunate as I am to come from a place as interesting as the Bay Area. I've learned about the origins of western political thought, and how to apply them to the sometimes not as free, nor as just, nor as equal as we may like to think world today. And most importantly, I've learned that the world is so much bigger, and although frightening and stressful at times, is a place full of amazing opportunities and expereiences, much like this one, that I cannot wait to explore and become a part of.
I'll never forget Cornell, the people in it, my class, nor how fortunate I am to have been able to learn and experience so much.
Thank you so much for the opportunity.

-Theresa

No more Risley 336

Today was our last full day here at Cornell. I spent the beginning of my day in my lecture hall taking my Mind, Body, and Health final. Although I felt rushed towards the end of the hour and fifteen minutes, I believe I did a good job on my final. There was nothing I didn't know, which was a huge relief. After my final I was told that I received a B+ on my last essay and an A in class participation. All of the good news, let my day start off with excitement, not only did I do good on my assignments, but I finish the three weeks; and was finally going to see the family and friends I only had contact with through phone and email. We, (Joseph, Malcolm, Yoline and I) ending up in college town buying souvenirs for family and friends, and at the mall were we ate at Friendly's and saw the new Will Smith movie Hancock. After returning to Cornell, we all watched the talent show, were teens from summer college showed their talents in dance, piano, and song. The last part of my full day was spent at parties, which weren't to good, but we made the best of it. Joseph and I should them how teens from the Bay Area really dance!!! Right now I am finishing packing, getting ready for a long day of flying.
The reason why I decided to take Mind, Body and Health was because after taking chemistry and physics I was becoming turned off by science, and since science is a huge part in the medical field I was wondering if I still wanted to be a doctor. Although my parents friends who are physicians told me they didn't like physics while in school, this class would help me decide if I could be a pediatrician as a life long career even though I didn't like science. Along with my I-search project I did in honors English, this class is helping me decide what I am going to do with my life. I can say I LOVED my class. Learning about the medical history of diseases, the medical field, how it shaped American culture really interest me. There was no part that I was bored with, or not interested in. This class is pushing me to continue to be that pediatrician I always wanted to be.
Cornell was a wonderful experience, as usual. I know I will come back home with many of memories and stories to tell my family and friends for years to come. As college is quickly approaching my future in about a year, this experience will give me knowledge of what is to come when I do enter college as a freshman.
For now I will finish packing, and try not to be on facebook to long!
Jamaya Monroe

So long, Cornell...

Today (actually, looking at the time, yesterday) was my last day here in Cornell. It was all right weather wise, a little rain here and there, like when we first landed here. Did my final, and had the last lecture. That class was pretty intense, and I found out that we had the hardest class in the program. Lucky us. Although my grades may not seem to reflect it, I learned a lot in my course. All very interesting, to see why people do the things that they do. It helped revealed things about myself that I did not know. I definitely recommend this class to future students, but be warned that it requires some intense thinking.

Cornell overall was a very big experience. I learned a lot, about myself, and about others. Cornell is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have been too (and that's something, because we all know, California is just GORGEOUS all around). Although the usual city things that I am used to aren't around here, it made me appreciate nature (except for the bugs). One of my most favorite parts of Cornell is when I would walk to class in the morning. When passing a bridge that goes over this man-made waterfall type thing, and beyond it is this sparkling lake with the green-est of green trees. No wonder they sell so many postcards of different parts of Cornell here. The scenery is definitely something to show off.

The Ivy League Connection, of course, is the thing that has brought me here. And thanks to the Ivy League Connection, I have memories that are forever unforgettable. Two years at Brown, and this year at Cornell has brought me something that I never even dreamed of before. What are the chances of this type of experience happening to me? It is just....amazing. I am thankful for what I have learned, the most, about myself. As I have said in my previous blog, I have my own voice. And I could not have found it if it wasn't for this whole thing.

Thank You times a million

~Yoline Banerjee

My Reflections

We had our final today. It wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. My friend and I were on the phone past 2:30 organizing all the philosphers' views on justice and the role of government.

After the final, my friends and I just wandered around the campus.

After dinner, Chelsey, our new friend Laurence, and I walked around the art quad. We reflected on what happened these past 3 weeks and they began crying because they were going to miss Cornell and this summer college experience so much. (unfortunately, I was unable to shed any tears).

Overall, this summer college experience was great. It was more than just earning that A in class. We learned responsiblity, leadership, and we made lifelong friends. I'm definitely sure that we'll keep in touch for a long time via facebook/phone.

These past 3 weeks have passed by too quickly. If it weren't for the photos I took or the notes I wrote from lecture these past 3 weeks, I would never have believed that time passed so quickly. I don't regret making the decision about going to Cornell summer college at all. It's an unforgettable and incomparable experience.

Well, it's time to pack my luggage and return to my home, the bay area.

-Jeannie

Reflections

Life is all about relationships. For the past three weeks, I have created relationships with friends and professors that can be carried on with me throughout my life. The relationships I created reflects my success without having my grade do all the talking. I have learned that one can’t succeed in life if one works alone. You must have relationship with people to guide you through problems that can only be solved as a group.

Today was the easiest day of the 3 weeks. Our final group report was due today but we finish yesterday. Our group effectively managed time and as a result we finish a day before the project was due. After we turn in our group report we did an evaluation of the class and then got dismissed to say our final good-bye to the “hotelies” who weren’t staying for graduation.