The Navigator
Student Spotlight
Sitting down with this month’s student reminded me how enjoyable it is to get to know some of our SSS participants on a more personal level. I hope that these introductions are enjoyable for all of you as well and that you take the initiative to follow up with some of your fellow students personally.
Joe Adlon came to UMSL in the fall of 2006 and after just one year at the university, has become a recognized and valued member of the SSS family. His major is MIS, which stems from an early interest and affinity for electronics and technical things. He smiled when he recalled “swapping out stereo systems” for friends and “fixing” home stereo equipment whether or not it needed any help in the first place. And this tinkering of things will likely continue as Joe hopes to gain a tech support position with a small to mid-sized company upon his graduation. He stated that while he doesn’t have a history of working on computers, they have peaked his interest in a new area.
A man of many talents, Joe holds the title of Journeyman Carpenter, after completing a four year program of apprenticeship. However, following an illness that caused significant deterioration to his knee joint, Joe finds that it is difficult to do this type of heavy physical work. He also has a wonderful knack for chatting with folks about their interests and lives. (I think some of this comes from his natural instinct to care about each and every person he speaks with.)
Joe has been married for thirteen years and enjoys traveling with his wife. His eyes light up when describing a visit to The Lake of the Ozarks where they “just hang out, relax and listen to a little Jimmy Buffet.” (I think I’ll tag along with them next time they go.) When asked to describe himself, Joe used these words: outgoing, easy going, caring, people person, loving husband, a learner. Then I turned the tables on him and asked what words his wife would use to describe him: wacky, loving husband, funny, caring, makes me smile, does a lot around the house. Interestingly, I would also use some of these words (caring, funny, easy going) to describe Joe.
Since the first time Joe attended college did not go as well for him as this time, I asked him about the biggest challenge or fear that he had to face. He said that simply attending a university rather than a college was something he had only dreamed of doing, and that, in and of itself, terrified him. But he also stated that with the help of DAS and SSS in the form of tutors and knowing there were others to support him, he has been able to overcome that fear and do very well. He added that he really likes the convenience of UMSL, the fantastic facilities and the willingness of faculty and staff to help.
We ended our conversation with these thoughts from Joe for other SSS students (paraphrased): While we all have disabilities, we need to try to put out of our mind the limitations and focus and enjoy school. There will be bad days when we need to take a step back and reframe ourselves for school; think happy thoughts to ease our fears. No matter how tough things get – keep going.
If you would like to meet a fellow student who says of himself, “I’m not super-exciting, but fun,” Joe is the person for you. I think you will enjoy meeting him and will find that he really is fun!
Where in the U is Baton Rouge?
Last month some one caught me hanging out in the soft surroundings of green sweatshirts at the bookstore. Now that the weather has gotten warmer I’ve taken to an outside spot where I can watch people come and go.
Stop in the SSS office and tell Rachel where I am. You can win a small prize and maybe even get to meet me in person. I’ll be waiting! - B. Rouge
Happy Birthday!!
We would like to wish a Happy Birthday to all students who had birthdays in May and June.
Casey Morgan
Anthony Eric F.
Elizabeth Timothy
Eric B. Fanita
LaMartina Charles B.
Charles S. Beverly
Sherry Daniel
Gina Yonatan
Jean Juan
Peter Andrea
Lance Audrey
Cherrice Cory
Website of the Day
I know it is summer and many of you are taking time off from school to enjoy yourselves and maybe to work. Relaxation is the key here. My website this month offers you plenty of incentive to do just that. If you like TV, Movies, or DVD entertainment then this site is for you: www.tv-links.co.uk OK so some of you are saying yeah, those are all shows available across the pond. WRONG! There are literally hundreds of links to TV shows and movies from all over!
I have seen episodes of “The Office” both UK version and the US version. Pretty funny stuff!! It is really unbelievable how many television series are posted. You might have to download a codec (or tiny file which allows the file to play correctly) but in my experience, just follow the prompts and you should be fine!
One additional tasty morsel of television time wasting is available at www.jonhs.net/freemovies.There too you can find many free movies, shorts, and videos. This one also has a wide variety of the classics, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and The Night of the Living Dead. You can’t beat these!
One final tip though! Right click on your selection, and choose “Save As” and save the file to your desktop. I sometimes do this at night before I am ready to go to sleep. Even on broadband, it may take a while to download your movie.
Happy viewing!!
Survey questions:
Recently LaVerne phoned most of you Student Support Services participants regarding your ability to attend our FIRST annual farewell dinner and general Student Support Services get together otherwise known as Le Congé. As part of her calling to gather a head count, she also asked some quick and informal questions about Student Support Services.
There was only one question: “Tell us something that you would like to see Student Support Services do differently in the years to come”
WOW!! The replies to this question were all over the place. Everything from “More get togethers” to “getting tickets to events” to “get better tutors” and “get more testing rooms.” We were really excited to get input from our students. This really doesn’t happen enough in my opinion.
One of the changes that definitely will be implemented this upcoming school year is that there will be a suggestion box located in the lab. Students will be able to drop their suggestions anonymously in the box. We hope to have the box installed soon. However in the mean time you can always email suggestions, or write them down on paper and conveniently ‘leave’ them in the lab. They’ll be found and logged.
I can’t promise that all suggestions will be acted upon, but if it is reasonable we can sure look into getting it implemented.
Ala Carte’
Cheesecake Cupcakes
Ingredients – Makes about 12 cupcakes.
(Prepare muffin pan with foil baking cups and preheat oven to 350 degrees.)
1 lb. cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup granulated sugar
12 vanilla wafer cookies (or other cookie that will fit in bottom of muffin tin, i.e. gingersnap) fruit for topping
Directions
Place softened cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat on low speed until creamy.
Add both eggs and vanilla and mix well.
Place a vanilla wafer or cookie into the bottom of each muffin liner.
Pour (scoop) the cheesecake batter into each muffin liner. (Fill to about ¾ full.)
Top with fruit. (Mandarin oranges, blue berries, strawberries, chocolate – the next best fruit.)
Bake the cheesecakes for about 15 minutes in the preheated 350 degree oven. As soon as they are set, remove the muffin pan and let it cool for a couple minutes on a wire wrack. After the pan has cooled a bit, pull out each of the cheesecakes and let them completely cool before refrigerating.
After chilling, the cheesecakes will keep for a couple days. If placed into a zip lock baggie they can be frozen for a wonderful cold snack – one at a time.
Skinless Grilled Chicken Breasts
(These aren’t your typical pale, dry, flavorless ones.)
Ingredients
4 cups water
1 Tablespoon table salt
3 boneless chicken breasts
Directions
Heat Grill (or broiler in oven)
Combine water and salt, mix until liquid is clear.
Put chicken into a large re-sealable plastic bag and pour
the bring solution into the bag. Seal and refrigerate for at least three hours but no more than six hours.
Rinse chicken after you remove it from brine and dry with a paper towel.
Rub spices onto both sides of chicken (feel free to try your own combination of spices.)
Place the chicken onto heated grill for 3 minutes on each side. Adjust the grill to low and cook until the internal temp reaches 160 degrees (about 10 minutes.) To confirm chicken is done, poke a hole in the chicken with a knife and see if the “juice runs clear.” (The liquid from an undercooked chicken will be pinkish or yellow-ish.)
Both of these recipes come from www.cookingforengineers.com complete with pictures for each step of the preparation/cooking process. Great Site!
Fun and Games
OK its Summer, and some of you are taking classes and working hard. Others are working hard earning money. But at some point everyone needs to unwind. I have THE solution!!
http://www.puzzlepool.com/solitaire/jigglegiggle.asp
In this peg puzzle you have to jump all the little Jiggle creatures to leave only one. Just like most typical ‘peg’ games. Seems pretty simple doesn’t it? Right now you’re thinking “I’m the king of Cracker Barrel’s peg game” right? Like life, this game has a twist. The Jigglers MOVE!
If you jump over a Jiggler that has an arrow on his square, the tiles will move that direction after you jump. You’ll have to consider this before jumping!
I have to admit that I am completely addicted to this game. The first time I played I made it to level 8 in pretty short order. But it does get tough. You’ll just have to see for yourself!
One word of advice, remember your steps! If for some incomprehensible reason you stop playing, you’ll have to start all over when you return. Believe me, you will return!
Have fun!
