My Lucky Day!

Today started off as usual... cereal and the sun. I like that, although I need to eat fast because hot almond milk is gross. My schedule was full of meetings today- learning about the Student Services and Development (SSD) department and also some residence halls. The following information may not interest most of you but 1- it will help me to remember what I did and learned today 2- my HESA geeks may enjoy it (and I love you, you geeks).

First meeting was with Dr. Thelora Reynolds- Director of SSD- (background- over the weekend there was a car accident that took two UWI student lives). Dr. Reynolds gave me the entire breakdown of the program and what it provides to students, etc. She had numerous phone calls during our conversation dealing with the accident, and I felt for her. I know what it is like to be in that situation where you are trying to contact parents, students, and other resources for students. It was a hectic day for her. However, I took notes on our discussion while she was on her phone with my new Usain Bolt notebook-- *laugh*... Yes, I figured why get a boring old notebook when you can get a book with Bolt on it! So a brief rundown: At the start of UWI the government declared that the land could be used but it had to be a residential campus- therefore there are many residence halls which have stronger pride than most of the sororities and fraternities that I work with at FSU. How about this--- So I asked about retention and Dr. Reynolds said that they do not have a retention problem. The school system works like this- in the 6th grade each student has to take an exam to get them into high school (and the high school of their choice based on best scores- so very important to do well on this exam). High school grades go from grade 1 through grade 11 which is equivalent to our middle school or junior high and high school. In your 11th year you take the Caribbean exam- this determines if you get into "6 Form." 6 Form is grades 12 and 13- the equivalent of a pre-college or freshman year. During these two years you must score high enough to be allowed into university where you would be a first year student. From there you have three years of university unlike our four year institutions. So as you can see- to be in college is quite a challenge to get to. Therefore, if you've worked this hard to get to college - you aren't dropping out. She mentioned that those who drop out are usually because they have financial issues. The students are very smart here (I would be too if I had to pass an exam in 6th grade to go to high school!)

So this is where my day got LUCKY! Dr. Reynolds informed me that we will be going to a conference CTLPA!!!!!!!!!!!! The best part about it --- it's at the Jamaica Grand Hotel in Ochos Rios Beach! OK- so it also gets better- the president of ACPA will be the main speaker. I'm so tickled right now :) Google the hotel- its an all inclusive resort so I get to be a real tourist... ha!

The rest of the day I was somewhat in space. I did get some Blue Mountain coffee, which was absolutely all that it was cracked up to be! I got to speak with the International Students office staff and found out there is a US student studying here for the summer. I hope to get introduced! During lunch I played with the dogs out in the sun. I returned to campus to meet with the Commuter students department and two residence halls' staff. The photo shows the bright buildings of Mary Seacole Hall. The residence hall life is very similar to the US only the pride one has for their hall is just incredible. Again, its like a sorority. You have colors and mascots and during hall week- the sports are very competitive. Sounds like the crazy Alpha Sigma's I know..

Ren ran with me tonight (again, snail). I think he was being nice jogging next to me because at one time I looked over and he is looking around counting clouds or something. Ha! He is a good friend to me. We sat around and google mapped our houses so he could see where I live and I could see his house in St. Thomas, Jamaica. We discussed the differences in our two countries and the problems that we face. To me, it sounds like the US is a lot more screwed up than Jamaica. We talked about our families and friends. I should him photos of Ashley's wedding. He thinks that PA looks so beautiful. I told him how I call Ryan my "man-friend" and he just laughs and says he doesn't understand. Oh well.. nonetheless I miss you "man-friend"!