Hello Everyone!
So the semester is finally coming to end! It feels like it just started! I'm starting to finish up my final projects for interior design. We had to design a guest house from a certain architectural style: my style was the Federal Period. We designed the floor plan, the furniture layout, all the finishes, even the exterior coverings. It was great to finally do actual interior design work and learn how it all comes together. It's kind of interesting how you don't even notice or think about things until you have to put them together yourself. So while that was going on I also had my sculpture project to finish up. I made a floor lamp for my final out of mild steel rod. It came out really nice. Its about 6 feet tall and very minimalistic. I used a large edison bulb for the light fixture and now I'm in the process of doing the electrical work to get it working. I am using the electrical cord as part of an accent for the actual lamp so it all fits together. I also installed a dimmer on the end of the cord near the outlet so that you can control the amount of light. I really hope it all works out by Friday! It was interesting to mix the two classes together because even though sculpture is a seperate elective I could pick out my own project and so I related it to interior design! Well I hope your college search is going well for everyone! Have a wonderful holiday!

Hello again everybody!
We've started doing floor plans in my interior design projects!! Finally! I am so excited, I mean I've enjoyed all the abstract design projects we've done so far, but its exciting to finally be getting to the interior design work I've been working towards for so long. One of the projects is really cool, we're taking an actual classroom in Smith Hall and turning it into a student lounge. Well, we're not actually going to be building the space obviously but we still have to use the exact measurements and design the space as if it was going to be a reality. Its also a group project which is nice since so much work goes into designing the floor plan, furniture and materials selection and model building. My group's theme for the project is connecting design students with design alumni! I just feel that it is so important that students know of and are familiar with Syracuse alumni since it helps so much internships, and job placement. It's also cool and inspiring to see all the famous designs that come out of this college! For example, the guy who invented the swiffer, graduated from here! So I am really excited to be working on that and I will let you know how it goes!

Hey Everyone!
Well needless to say today is a very exciting day: Election Day!! Its so interesting to be a student when it comes to politics on a college campus. We have had representatives from both parties come to the Shine student center in past weeks to try and promote their cause. There's also posters everywhere and everyone just has a sense of purpose when it comes to the election. I, along with many other college students, sent in my absentee ballot a couple weeks ago. I'm from New Hampshire and I read that absentee ballot requests are up 200% from the last election in my state! That is amazing! I'ts so encouraging to see young people involved in politics and living on a college campus really illustrates that. Tonight in fact, my friends and I are getting together to watch the results coming in! Its going to be interesting!

Happy Halloween everyone!!
Things here at Syracuse are finally calming down after midterms are over. It was stressful but I think I did alright! It snowed yesterday! I couldn't believe it! And what's even weirder is that it's sunny and warm today and tomorrow! This weather is just ridiculous! So the halloween festivities are going to be fun! I hope I get some trick or treaters! Since I live on South Campus there is a good chance I might get some kids coming around to all the apartments! It's also Parents' weekend! My parents aren't coming up but my roommate's are! Parents' weekend is always fun! There are a lot of activities on the quad for students and parents to partake in! Well I hope you all have a spectacular halloween! bye!

Hello Again everyone!
Its midterm week here at Syracuse! Its been so busy lately with all our projects being due. We are on the last step of our interior design projects and we're finally starting to make our abstract models into inhabitable spaces. My sculpture project is also due soon. Its amazing how quickly you learn and get comfortable with different media. I had never worked in metals before so I was intimidated to use the large power tools and fire equipment that are in the metals shop. However, now after working on my project I feel like I am finally comfortable with them and can move into really exploring their different effects and interesting ways of manipulating their capabilities.

My roommate and I took a day trip last saturday to get away from all the stress of midterms. It was beautiful fall weather so we checked out some of the other attractions of the Syracuse area instead of just the campus. We went to Greenlakes state park and it was absolutely beautiful. The lakes are a strong turquois color that contrasts well with the yellows and oranges of fall right now. It was so nice to take a walk around the lakes and just relax for a few hours! Syracuse has such a beautiful area around the city! I'm glad we took the time to explore it.

HellO!
Well it seems like every one is going home for the holidays this weekend. We don't have class on Thursday and many people don't have class on Friday either! Its a perfect time to go home and get some rest. Besides that not much else is new here at Syracuse! Im still working on the same projects as the beginning of the year, we just keep on expanding and improving on them. It seems like once you think you are finished they have another step to add! I kind of like it that way though because you become very attached to your ideas and your project and it forces you to think outside the box and keep coming up with completely new ways of looking at something.

It is officially fall here, the leaves are all changed and its usually in the 50s or 60s during the day. I always love this time of year though. Everything is always so colorful, and bright. Especially on the quad with all the leaves on the grass. I think I'm going apple picking this weekend actually! Since I'm not going home this weekend it will be a great way to relax and explore the Syracuse area more than just whats on campus. Well I will talk to you later! bye!

Hello again everyone!
I hope everyone is doing well and progressing in their college search! Things here at Syracuse are pretty much the same as usual. There was a blockparty for south campus last weekend which was pretty fun. They had activities and free food held at Goldstein for all South Campus residents. I've decided living on South Campus is actually a really good idea and I'm really happy I decided to spend my sophomore year there! I love having my own apartment with my own kitchen and livingroom.. and bathroom! Having neighbors and other residents close by but not constantly around like in a dorm is also really fun but relaxing at the same time. I feel so grown up living in my own space! Goldstein is actually really nice too. Its not very far from my apartment building and it pretty much has everything you need. It has a store, gym, laundry, dining hall, offices, and just a general place to hang out. And the best part about it is that students really do hang out there! There are pool tables eating areas some of those really plush couches, and a huge flat screen. I like it, its definitely a perk for south campus. Its great to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of main campus for a while and just chill out. Well I must go but I will write again soon!

Hello again!
Its another beautiful day here at Syracuse! Classes are basically the same. We're still working on the origninal project from the beginning of the year but we have moved into finalizing the concept and working on the craft and presentation of the models. We have also been experimenting with Materials and exploring how different materials can either add or detract from the idea your trying to express.

Homecoming was fun! I went to the football game and we actually won! Can you believe it! I love game days here even though the football isn't always so impressive. There are always so many people and everyone is so energetic and excited for the game. Its such a family event and its cool to see more than just students wandering the campus. People come from all over and pitch tents and have barbeques. Its a good time and such a school spirited event. Even if your not a football fan its hard not to get excited with this kind of atmosphere!

Hello Again.,
The weather is finally starting to cool down some here at SU. We're starting to move into the cool crisp weather that we all love so much. Classes are pretty much the same, we're moving on to making the projects we started on in the beginning of the year into 3-D models that will eventually move into models of inhabitable spaces. So that will be an interesting experience. Homecoming is also this weekend! I've never actually been to homecoming here but I hear its a blast. There's a parade in which all the Greek life make floats with themes and whatnot. There is also the football game! It'll probably be the first football game of the season for me, but still I'm excited!

Hello Again!
I hope everyone is doing well with their college search! Things are starting to cool down here in Syracuse, we're starting to move into that crisp fall weather. Time for the cute sweats to start coming out! haha

Classes are pretty much the same. We're starting to embellish our interior design projects. We started with the very basic structure of the object and have moved on to really abstracting and analyzing the object. It is actually more difficult than it seems to start at the very, very basic form of something and then abstract it. We are so conditioned to draw an object as we see it and to include the details and proportions that to abstract something and draw it emphasizing only its designed qualities is quite the challenge. However, I am enjoying it immensely. When you take something down to its very core you see so many new things that you just never noticed before. Its like new aspects of the object randomly start appearing before your eyes. Not only that but to draw something abstracted instead of literal it is as if you make this object your own and instead of having a replica of someone else's idea, the object has now become your own creation. Its an interesting experience to say the least.

Having my own studio space is also a joy this year. Its great to be able to leave all your supplies out and ready to go for the next time your there, or not have to carry your projects back and forth, or to be able to get into the building whenever you need to. Its really made working so much easier. Plus since we are in the studio literally all the time now, I've really started to make friends with the girls in my major. They're all very nice and we can all relate to the challenges of the studio work.

Not much else is new here though. I have a fundraiser at Funken Waffles tonight for College Democrats, its a club here at Syracuse that helps to promote the democratic party and the Obama Campaign. The fundraiser should be a good time, there are local bands coming and all kinds of food, I mean its held at funken waffles, which just spells out a good time to me.

Until next time!
Leeanna

Hey!
Well its another beautiful day here in Syracuse! I love this weather! Its been in the 70s or 80s ever since I got here and very sunny! Its a complete contrast to whats in store for the winter so every ones enjoying it while its here! There are always people hanging out on the Quad these days, playing Frisbee, tanning, or just chilling out. Its a beautiful spot to sit and you're bound to see people you know walking by. Not much else is new here at Syracuse. We critiqued the project I've been working on in class lately. The professor mainly stressed composition in the critique as well as presentation design. The critique went really well actually, the interior design professor seems to be really skilled at walking that fine line of critiquing your work to improve your skill, but not making you feel inadequate at the same time. The constant use of critiques as a learning and improvement tool is one aspect of college that was very different from my high school experience. However, the more I practice them the more I learn and expand as an artist, even though sometimes they may be a slightly intimidating experience.

Well I hope you all are doing well and your college search or decision is going smoothly! Until next time!
Leeanna

Hello again,
So things are getting back to normal this week at Syacuse. The long weekend was fun and a nice way to ease into getting back to school. I've been working on my project for my interior design class and so far its been turning out nicely. Right now we're doing evelations on our well designed object. I've never done evelations before, which is drawing a 3-D object in a 2-D design, so its kind of challenging changing your mind set from translating the object as you see it into translating it into shapes. But, so far I feel that its coming out nicely. I'll have to go back later tonight to finish it.

My other classes are pretty interesting as well. I've always been interested in social psychology so that's fun. Plus its a lecture so its a less strenuous class than My interiors class. Sculpture has started too! We already got our first assignment which is a fastening project in which we have to make a sculpture without using welding and we must use a certain number of fasteners. It sounds like an interesting project and definitely open for exploration. However, its a little intimidating using the large metal machinery, haha but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Plus the instructor is always around to help.

Well, not much else is new with me! I'm looking forward to JuiceJam this weekend and I already bought my ticket! Blockparty is coming! yay!
I hope you all are doing well! Until next time!
Leeanna

Hey I'm Back!

Hello Everyone!
Well I hope everyone enjoyed their summer, I know I did, but its back to school here at Syracuse University! I am very excited to start classes this year because I will actually be starting my major! yay! Last year was fun and all with the foundation classes, but finally I will start preparing for my actual career choice. In fact we got our first project already on the second day of classes! It sounds really interesting too. I has something to do with taking a well designed object, anything actually, and making it into a scaled inhabitable space. I mean, there are so many other components and drafts that go into it but that is the bottom line. I'm also thrilled at the fact that there are under 30 people in my entire graduating class of interior design students! That means that there is a lot of room for individualized attention and the professors were telling all of us how we become like a second family because we spend so much time together in studio.

I'm also getting used to apartment living this year! My roommate and I have started figuring out how to grocery shop, cook actual food, and the importance of doing the dishes afterwords. I like living on south and the buses really arn't as bad as I thought they would be! They run every ten minutes so you never have to wait that long and the bus stop is pretty much right outside my building! Its also really nice to have my own bathroom and bedroom, it doesn't get much better than that on on-campus housing!

Well I'm glad to finally be back at SU. Summer was fun but you start to miss this place after about the first month. Its great to see all my friends from freshman year and to get back in the swing of campus life. Even though I hear the classes are going to be challenging, I think the experience is going to be well worth it!
till next time, Leeanna

last blog!

So my friends its finals week! yay! lucky for me I only have one final, a multiple choice test in Art History, so Im not stressing that much. I finished my last paper yesterday. It was a five page thesis paper on Hermann Ebbinghaus and his contributions of memory research. It wasn't that bad though because it was only five pages and I like psychology! its actually my minor! But all the same I was excited to get it done with. I started packing my stuff from my dorm room too! That was kind of sad. I can't believe my freshman year is already ending! It feels like I just moved in yesterday! But so much happens in your freshman year that it is mind boggling to think of all the new experiences and things that have happened just in these few short months! AMAZING!!! Whats even more crazy to think about is that I only have three more crazy years left! You learn so much your freshman year about life, class, art, and yourself its like nothing else! So I guess in my last blog I would encourage you to enjoy your college search and get excited about finding where you want to experience this growing process! and if you've already decided on Syracuse we can't wait to see you! and get ready because its going to be insane!!

Hello everyone!! So Mayfest was fantastic! The weather was beautiful and I got to sleep in so late! My friends and I lounged in the sun for a while before I had to finish up a 2D foundations project. We had to make a board game, we made "Go Otto!" it was a trivia game about Syracuse life and history! It came out pretty well actually! We made little Otto pieces and orange slice cards! The board was a big orange too, it was very Syracuse looking. So after I finished that up with my group it was time for Fergie!! Yay!! The concert was amazing! Fergie and Sean Kingston sounded so good and there was also a local band called "Sophistafunk" they were pretty good openers too. Fergie even talked about going to PitaPit! I love PitaPit! It's a local resturant on Marshall street that has the best pitas!

So as far as academics go classes are winding down! Only 3 more days of actual classes! So basically I have one more test, an art history quiz, and a time arts project. For time arts we are making a film of a personal narrative! It's interesting, but I'm a little camera shy so talking about my life on camera is a little awkward at times. Haha. Well I hope everything is going well in your college searches! Enjoy the good weather!

Hello all! good weather is here in Syracuse! yay!!! its been in the 60's for the last week or so and is supposed to be 70 today!! I am so excited! good weather like this makes going through the winter so worth it! Nothing else is really new here though, the semester is winding down so all the projects are starting to be due. In fact I just turned in one project and two papers yesterday which was a big relief. I only have a couple more projects to do, and one more paper then its summer!! I'm excited to go home for a while and hopefully I'll be able to visit some of my Syracuse friends over the summer as well!
Mayfest is next week too! That should be so much fun! Fergie is coming and I can't wait! Other events are happening too, and what's more there are no classes for that day! Yay! So thats whats happening here in Syracuse! I'll talk to you later!

Spring!!

So it seems like spring has finally arrived in Syracuse!! Its in the fifties today and is supposed to stay around there for the next week. Hopefully this weather is here to stay! Not much else is going on though. Classes are starting to heat up with the end of the semester, all our projects are nearing their deadlines. I also figured out my housing for next year! Thats a relief to get that done with! And I can't wait to start my major next semester! The classes look really interesting and I'm excited to finally meet my professors. I liked the foundation courses but actually taking interior design courses is going to be so much fun!

Hey Everyone! Guess what today is! Not only is it the first day of spring but... it's my birthday!! Yay!! So I'm really excited. My friends and I are going out to dinner tonight probably somewhere on Erie Blvd., theres some good chain resturants like Olive Garden and Longhorns among other stuff. I would go to Faegan's which is right on Marshall Street but I just went there when my friend came up to see me last weekend. Nothing else is going on. All of my friends in Greek life are really excited since this week is busy for them and one of them just became an official sister! So there is a lot of energy around campus. Other than that things are the same as usual! Only 6 more weeks of school before summer!!! Yay!

So its back to school here at SU. Spring break was relaxing and fun, nothing that exciting but thats good, the time off was definitly needed. Here things are getting exciting though! We are about to officially pick our majors next Wednesday which will be fun. It sounds like it is going to be a big open forum where everyone picks their major at once!! So I'm sure the energy will be high then. I'm also thinking about my rooming situation for next year. It seems really early to do so, but I'm thinking of living in an apartment on south campus! Other than that life is its usual. Classes are going good, I just finished making a quilt in my 2D class and I'm really happy with the way it turned out. It had kind of a "save the earth" atmosphere to it. And my other foundations are moving along, we just started religious art in art history which is definitely interesting. So I hope everyone is good and I'll be back later. Leeanna.

Hi! my name is Leeanna Cota and I am a freshman here at SU. I'm originally from Keene, New Hampshire but I came here to study Interior Design, which I am so excited about. I also take academic classes like Psychology and I'm pretty sure I'm going to minor in that as well. Since I am a freshman right now I'm taking all the foundation classes like 3D design, Time Arts, Foundation Drawing, and 2D design, but next year I'll be starting my major. Besides academics I'm part of the Citizen Education Learning Community which does tutoring for high school students in downtown Syracuse. So yea... thats me! I hope you found it interesting and I'll post more later. bye!