City Lights

^ the title of my favorite Smashing Pumpkins song. Also, a very applicable title to a last post of the year!

I am trying to come to terms with the fact that 25% of my college career is over, and I feel like I’ve just begun. And yet, with essays and theories up to my neck, a dwindling ability to keep track of hours and days due to lack of sleep, and a faint sense of excitement, I watch the beginning of college come to an end.

Reflecting on the past year, I feel as though nothing has changed at all. I leave college much as I entered it: hopeful, with a desire to learn and socialize, and awe at the fact that I am now a “professional” student out of my own choosing. However, I have changed. I leave with more knowledge packed in me in a year than I could have imagined; I retained this information way more than I retained anything in high school, and I’ve loved all of my classes (even the really, really hard biology ones). I may not have made many friends, but I have met an array of people and have become involved and interested in causes that have become dear to my heart. Now, I am the elected treasurer of G-SNAP, the Gay Straight National Alliance Program.

So all in all, I’m walking away from this year with a wider expanse of knowledge and interests (I’ve found some of my favorite authors through my English classes; William S. Burroughs stole my heart), a more diverse bookshelf, some new acquaintances, and a new array of witty t-shirts. I’m looking forward to the beginning of my next year at Marymount, and really, I’m still at the beginning of my college career.

This summer, I’ve got to hustle and find myself a job. Also, through the magic of Groupon, I’ve managed to schedule myself sewing lessons, knitting lessons, dancing lessons, and my first ever attempt at yoga. My goal is to get fit. I’ve been struggling with my weight recently, and I’m going to dedicate a good chunk of my summer to exercise and proper diet. Wish me luck!

See you on the flipside (aka September)

- Nadia

mmcnadia.tumblr.com

Hi guys! As you can see from the title, I am desperately battling the senioritis and  procrastination that comes from anticipation of GRADUATION! I am SO close to drawing my last year of college to a close. I was thinking about it on the subway home yesterday—after 17 years of educating myself, I finally feel ready to contribute to the real world.

There are a few reasons I am proud to graduate: 1) I am the first one in my family to graduate college. 2) I often challenge myself…this has been the biggest challenge of all. 3) I have learned SO much that I would not otherwise have learned, not only about academics and art history, but about myself (cheesy, I know), too. I have a much more open perspective and an informed opinion from living in the City, and am so incredibly excited for what I can do.

This is my to-do list before graduation…not too much!!!

In my non-school life, I have a few cool things happening. I have a work-study at The Yoga Room in Astoria, so in exchange for 5 hours a week of mopping and grunt work, I get free Bikram, Vinyasa yoga, and Pilates! I havent had a chance to take advantage of it yet, because I’m still working on the weekends and doing Insanity 6 days a week.

I just started Phase 2 of my workout program yesterday and Im sooooo sore! In a good way, of course. Gotta get fit for next weekend! This is my tracking sheet for the Fit Test—I’ve improved so much!

I went to see the Dance department’s Dancers at Work showcase recently—it was spectacular! There is so much talent among the dancers here, and it’s great to see what they come up with when they get a chance to design their own pieces. My boyfriend particularly enjoyed it; he has a show coming up where he will be guest performing for a contemporary ballet company. I can’t wait to see him dance!

In my own studio work, I’ve been designing a body of work inspired by the artist David Gilbaugh. He does mostly functional objects with a natural twist. I’m making a bathroom set (mirror, soap dish, toothbrush holder, cup, and jewelry stand) with tree influences. Here is the toothbrush holder so far!

I hope all of your preparations for graduating high school and/or finishing up your semesters are going well! You can do anything you set your mind to! Be calm and carry on…that’s how I’m getting through. 9 DAYS!!!!! (:

Kayley

mmckayley.tumblr.com

saarahsaaywhaat asked: Hey there! I'm visiting Marymount tomorrow (and I'm soooo excited omgomgomg) and I'm trying to figure out where to eat after my tour. Where are some cheap and quick (quick serve, ya know) places to eat? And my family and I eat pretty much anything, so whatever places you can think of would be lovely! Thanks!

Great question! There are SO many places to eat around campus that it is hard to narrow them down. Below is a list of some of the more popular quick-and-easy options. Please don’t hesitate to ask us for directions (or more suggestions) during your visit!

Le Gourmet: sandwiches, made-to-order salads, pizza, hot and cold buffet (a favorite among MMC staff!)

Spice: sit-down Thai, but fairly quick and inexpensive. Great lunch special!

Chipotle

Lenny’s: similar to Le Gourmet, but a common NYC chain.

Daisy’s: a cute cafe on the same block as MMC. Pre-made salads, sandwiches, and pastries.

Little Vincent’s: classic NYC pizza!

MMC Cafeteria: the food is actually good! You can pick up a bite and eat it in the Student Commons or the outdoor Terrace.

Hope that helps!

Kelly Sutton-Skinner

Admission Counselor

Hey guys! How was spring break? I was sooooo excited to have some nice time off, although I’m used to being busy. I think I relearned the word ‘boredom.’ I haven’t felt that in ages! However, I tried to fill the time by *ALERT* applying to grad school AND starting Insanity workout program!

Dr. Bell emailed me the other day saying that she had found a program that sounded perfect for me—I checked it out and sure enough, it is! It is the one year Master’s degree program in Museum Studies with Marist College. The kicker—it’s a year in Florence, Italy!!! I’m obviously applying (deadline is May 1), but I may defer admission a year if I get in. How awesome does that sound, though?

I’ve decided to embark on the 60-day workout program called Insanity. It’s a bit like P90X but you only use your body, so no heavy weights or gym trips, you can do it all in your living room! Luckily, my boyfriend decided he wanted to do it too, so now I have an accountability partner. I’m definitely gonna need it. I’m on Day 15—I’ll be looking goooood for graduation! (: Have you guys ever done a workout program?

Headed down to Virginia with my boyfriend last weekend and we had a great Easter, even if it was just a short trip! Pictures to follow…my mom took a million! Got to see my dog though…yayyy!

Also starting my final project in Ceramics. I’m doing a series of 5 faux wood looking pieces a la David Gilbaugh. Check him out! I’ll post an update soon. (: Have a good week…enjoy the spectacular weather!

-Kayley

mmckayley.tumblr.com

Hey! As you can tell by the title, I’m pretty excited for the start of spring. The birds are chirping, the taxis are honking, and the days are getting longer and sunnier!

Lets see…my life has been AWESOME this semester; remember how last semester I was so busy I couldn’t think straight? This is a different kind of busy—I get to spend my time doing what I really like to do. I only have 4 classes, Monday through Wednesday (perks of being a SENIOR!), I am interning at the Rubin Museum again as a Teaching Artist Assistant on Thursdays, and I still work for the toy store Friday through Sunday. Although it sounds busy, I have more free time than I think I’ve ever had before in my life!

Highlights:

-I led an Alumni Tour at the Rubin Museum recently—this is where MMC alumni from alllllll different classes come annually to hear a tour led by a current student. My professor asked me this year and I was really nervous. It ended up going so well! It was about an hour long and then we all had dinner and drinks afterward. It was really cool to be teaching people older than me…especially because they thought I was the expert on Himalayan art! Someone took pictures…I’ll try to find one!

-My professor also nominated me for a senior award of distinction and I got an email saying I would be honored at Honor’s Day! I can’t believe it! She is such an inspiration—if you can, take Dr. Bell!

-I’m working on my Ceramics midterm project; we have to create 4 pieces inspired by something from the Greek or Chinese wings at the Met Museum. Isn’t it awesome that just 10 blocks away, we’ve got some of the greatest art in HISTORY? I’ll post pictures as I finish!

Anyway, I’m on my lunch break for Ceramics…I’ll post some more later! Enjoy the weather! (:

kittenbait asked: Hello :) I recently got accepted to MMC and I'm INCREDIBLY excited. I had a few questions though: 1) What made you choose mmc? 2) What is the single best thing that mmc has to offer? 3) What was your freshman experience like? 4) Is it difficult adjusting to New York City? Thank you! xx

I decided to come to MMC because I grew up going to a private school (K5-12 grade) and was used to the personal attention! I actually graduated with 68 kids in my high school class. I picked MMC because it is a small school and very homey but you have the advantage of NYC as your home too! All your professors know you, learn your names, and will even talk to you when you see them in the halls.

I would say this is one of the best things MMC has to offer. With the professor to student ratio being so small (1:12), you do get personal attention in a college setting. This is wonderful because once you start looking for internships, professors can write personal recommendations and not just general ones (because they actually know you).

Freshman year was wonderful! I am from South Carolina, so I was worried about adjusting to life in New York City and that is why I did the Jump Start Program (highly recommend it!). Through this program I was able to “get used” to life in the Big Apple way before other students moved in and I was able to take two classes early (which allowed me to learn the style of teaching in college).

I had good roommates and made wonderful friends living at the 55th Street Res Hall and the RA’s really help you with adjusting! For me I just came to the city with an open mind and was ready for anything to happen. I quickly learned how the MTA works and how the city really NEVER SLEEPS. It is a fast paced environment (which I love). MMC is the place to be!

-Austin