Auld Lang Syne

'Tis almost the new year. As is common with the new year, new years resolutions are made. I was never really one for new years resolutions. I always seemed to forget them a few weeks later. One promise that I will make (for the Blog that is) is to listen to you. Usually, postings on the internet is a one way street communication. As anyone who has studied communications, it is really a two way street. I will say, please comment on the posts. I love to hear (good and bad) on what people think about what I am saying. I also created a survey online (through Surevey Monkey, link below) to help give me an idea of the people reading the blog and what you think. As the line in the movie "Jerry Maguire" goes "Help me help you." If I know what needs some improvements, it will be a better blog. I'm basically ready paperwork wise to head off. I just need to check everything again, just to make sure. I have hit the "Oh crap" phase again by the fact that I am leaving soon. Where is the time going?

Click Here to take survey

With peace and love,
Scott

"The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it." -Edward R. Murrow

Noel

Ah, that wonderful time of year with lights on the trees and snow on the ground. Let me just wish everyone a happy holiday to which ever holiday you may celebrate. Since we last talk (well, I posted and you presumably read), I am home (I'm sitting on the comfy couch right now). The snow/winter is making itself known. The past 5 days were a very busy 5 days. I have met up with some friend, had a family party (my cousin in 8th grade is now taller than me, weird), got my license renewed (in and out in less than an hour), and some doctors appointments (3 in the past 2 days). I found the time to shoot some video before I left Winooski and when I got here with all of the snow, but haven't gotten around to editing yet. None the less, I still have a video for people from the depths of both youtube and my childhood. It wouldn't be a Christmas without the disappointment that is Charlie Brown and his tree. This weekend will be "get stuff done" time for the Dublin paperwork. If there is one thing I love is paperwork, which is right along side my love of packing. Anyway, have a wonderful holiday and see everyone soon

-Scott

P.S.- My parents gave me a new Ipod Nano (16 GB) and it's way cool.

The Wrap Party

Well, this is my last post from Vermont. My next few will be from the Boston area, then Dublin itself. The last time I had a major move, as in to or from school, was the start of last school year (August 2007). It is now almost 2009. I realize that this is the longest I have lived in the same place since the house I grew up in (we moved out August 2006). I will really miss being here in Vermont, but on the flip side, I am ready to move on considering Dublin is just on the other side of the new year. Last night, I started to pack up, but only got so far. I cleaned off the clutter on my desk (now it only looks like a mild mess). Pots, pans, and dishes are next. In about 48 hours, the trip home will begin. The past year and change was great being here in Burlington. I got to meet great people and do amazing things. The entire college experience is not just limited to the classroom. There is plenty learned living with the roommates and the adventures that go on. I just want to thank the people who made the experience fun and memorable. It would be a long list, so I'm not going to start listing people off. I do want to have a quick thank you to Rob Williams. He is a professor here at Champlain and also a yak farmer in the area (he even finds time to read the blog!) for giving me a chance to make a documentary about the yak farm for a final project for one of my classes. It is embedded below. It's 5 minutes on the dot.


With peace and love,
Scott

Man on the Moon

Because I am just being a total space case. I changed my passwords to my Gmail and Facebook account on Monday. Then I forgot my Gmail password. Then I tried to think like how I would think in setting a password ("If I were to make a password for my e-mail, what would it be?"). Then, by the fact that I am posting this right now, I figured it out. Go me! With the semester being near finished (this is the last week of class, then finals). Most of the school is freaking out with all of the work that needs to get done. I just have to finish up editing a video (95% done) and finish wiritng up a project (99% done), then I am done for the semester. Should be a fun time. I am setting details for getting back home (I just realizd that I still need to pack). At least most of the school work is done.

With peace and love,
Scott

"Patience, the essential quality of a man"
- Kwai-Koo-Tsu

A Certain Shade of Green

Celtic Green that is. So, on Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) I went to the Celtics game. My friend was given court side seats. It was epic to say the least. We got to hear almost everything they said on our half of the court (both G and non-G rated material). What is more epic is that my friend who was given the tickets (which were too expensive for one seat for one game) sent me a link with an epic picture from the Boston Herald. Basically, I could go into more detail, but trust me when I say that the entire experience/adventure was epic.
You know what doesn't excite me about going to Dublin. In a few weeks, after finals, I have to move all my stuff back home to MA. Then a few weeks later, move all my stuff across the Atlantic. 2 major moves in the next month. I will be able to deal with it. I usually do. It would be different if I had a summer vacation between moves, it would be more bearable. When put just under 3 weeks apart, it kind of sucks. That is all.

With peace and love,
Scott

The Long and Winding Road...

...of Interstate 89. I am heading back to the Boston are (Arlington to be specific) later today. The bus usually takes forever and I won't be sitting on the couch checking e-mail/the internet in general until about midnight. Since it is almost Thanksgiving after all, I hope that everyone has a wonderful time. Regardless of where you will be having dinner (home or friends house) or who will be at the table (family and/or friends), I hope everyone has a relaxing enjoyable time. From people I have talked to recently here at Champlain, we need a vacation. I am going to try and track down some paper work (one of my favorite things) for Dublin while I am home. That is about all I wanted to say for now.

With peace and love,
Scott

P.S.- The video posted below is from the show "The West Wing." Just to give some context, Charlie (Dule Hill) has been searching for a new set of knives for the President (Martin Sheen). In the show, the president has become a father figure to Charlie since both of his parents are no longer around. I hope you enjoy it.

Let it snow

Hello everyone again,

So, here in the Winooski Metropolitan area (insert laugh track here), there was a bit of snow. I noticed when I woke up that the ground outside of my room looked a bit different than last night. I was glad to see a bit of snow. As for Dublin updates, there was a meeting last night where I got a big long check list of stuff I will need to get done. Fun. I know which forms/paperwork that I need to get for going over there. It will take a few phone calls to get stuff together, but I already have my passport. I haven't made any videos yet related to Dublin but I wanted to toss in an embeded video into the blog. Basically, an embeded video is one where you can see this video right in this window as opposed to giving you a link and going to the site where the video is located. I got a clip from a recent Simpsons episode where Homer tries to go vote.


With peace and love,
Scott

Dead leave and the dirty ground

The part of fall that I love has now past. Now it's just leaves on the ground. It doesn't help that it is overcast and a few snow flakes in the air today, but not a good day to wake up early. As for updates, it looks like this blog will have video updates along with it. Yesterday, I had a meeting with Lynda Reid (she works in the study abroad office here at Champlain and is just an all around wonderful person) about the video updates and have this blog connected through that Champlain site. The full details of how often, the look, and style still needs to be set, but that will happen soon.
On a tech note, I have opened up the comments section. Before you would need an account on blogspot to add a comment, but now you don't. Feel free to comment with reactions, questions, or concerns, or whatever else you want. I just ask, keep is G rated.
Something to think about:
One day it was announced by Master Joshu that the young monk Kyogen had reached an enlightened state. Most impressed by this news, several of his peers went to speak with him.
"We have heard that you are enlightened. Is this true?" his fellow students inquired.
"It is" Kyogen answered.
"Tell us," said a friend, "how do you feel?"
"As miserable as ever," replied the enlightened Kyogen.
-Anonymous


With peace and love,
Scott

What kind of day has it been?

This is my first blog ever. What a day to post. Less than an hour ago, Barack Obama was elected President and I couldn't be prouder. We are breaking down what happen in the election while putting in CNN in the background. I don't want to turn this into a political blog, but I'm pumped. This blog is to document my experience in Dublin. This blog starts from the couch in my dorm room in Winooski, Vermont and who knows the places where this will go. The paper work is filled out, airline tickets are purchased, and I got my passport. This is dedicated for you, my readers, for the first hand account, unedited, unmessed around with experience of the world outside the bounds of the good old United States of America. Enjoy.

"I'd like to dedicate this song to anyone with hearts, any kind of hearts, and ears. Goes something like this." -Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festivle, June 1967

Note: There is the possibility of video updates, details have not been set. There will be at least text updates.

With peace and love,
Scott Miley