Brain strain.........

Today was an intense day of classes.......there is clearly a reason why you go to school when you are young. There is so much to take in and so few brain cells left. Today's classes were all about addictions, something I know very little about.
On the fun side, I had dinner with an old friend. David and I worked together years ago and he lives up here....well in NY but close enough he came to see me. We went to an Ethiopian restaurant. It was really good. Definitely not something you would find in Lakeland.
Well I am off to bed so I can be up and ready early in the morning.
Cathy

Arrived at Rutgers

Hi everyone. I arrived in New Brunswick earlier today. The hotel is right on campus thank goodness.......we all know I have no mass transit abilities! The campus seems really nice. My classes start first thing in the morning. I got out and walked around some this afternoon. I had a really nice dinner and now I am heading Wayne's warning not to be out at night alone. I have settled into the room and am going to catch a little bit of football before I call it a night.

I will try to keep you guys posted on the events of the week....it should be fun.

Cathy

FSC Freshman Women Rock

What a day September 18 was this year!! First I'm another year older...yippee....not to many women my age celebrate those numbers going up but for me.......well I don't think I have to say much about that.
Yesterday was slammed! We had HIV testing in the afternoon and a Friends-Together meeting too. But at 7 last night all the first year women, their RA's, several female student life staff and myself gathered in one room.......that's over 300 females and NO males. The energy was amazing. I started by talking about sexual responsibility, then we opened it and talked about the things women need to be able to talk about.
I will say I was a little concerned....OK a lot concerned at the number of young ladies who hadn't ever seen a gynecologist in their life and the numbers who have no idea how to do a self breast exam........it was a little scary but now that I know I will be on that like white on rice.
If you are at FSC we will be having a ladies self check night in October and I hope the room is packed!
I will be leaving for NJ on Sunday. I will be in Newark for a week working on some of my certifications. I must say I am looking forward to some cool weather.
All the best!
Cathy

Life's a Jungle..........

This week has felt like a jungle for sure! I have been at FSC all week. My Healthy Campus Students had a record setting blood drive with 83 pints on Tuesday and 64 pints on Wednesday. That was amazing since our biggest day ever in the past has been 48!! On Monday I had a really different lecture with Professor Mel Gregory's Social Study Ed class about the things you need to know in the classroom. On Tuesday I was in Dr Bill Gregory's EXL class discussing the pitfalls of your freshman year. Last night Dr pat Smith and myself with HCC hosted our first round table discussin of the year. Our theme was College is a Jungle......how to prepare for the four year adventure. Dr. Smith was right on track and the discussion was great. We were thrilled to have 30 folks at our first discussion of the year. Next week is going to be really intense. Lots of programming, HIV testing, and bunches of classes!! We also have a Friends-Together meeting and a World AIDS Day planning session so if you want to be involved we need your help.

Freshmen boys.......

This week has been a busy one for sure. But I had an exciting program Tuesday night! All of the freshmen men at FSC with their RA's and our HCC folks had a great class on sexual responsibility. I lectured and answered questions for about and hour, then we split out into their small groups with the RA's and we had group discussions. It was a lot of fun. I really want to say thank you to each of the RA's, Wellness staff and professional staff that were there. You guys really hleped make the event special.
Cathy