Quick Intro and Updates

Alright, so I've been slacking, but here I am! So, it's a bit late, but school ALWAYS comes 1st! I'm Dyamond Phillips, a junior from Brooklyn... I realize if I say too much it becomes so EASY to pinpoint me if it already hasn't :). Sorry if you were expecting more from my intro... But this is better than nothing!

Updates:... Angela Davis speaks today... Middle School Mug Nite and Dormal Formal are tonight... And I'm dreading homework that I have due Monday and Tuesday, along with the obscene amount of midterms I have slowly but surely approaching.

Something that calms me down I will share with you guys. Enjoy the weekend!

No matter how old it is (or you are)

Anyone that can cut on ANYONE like this deserves a standing ovation. This was the pleasure of my week last week, and now I share it with you.





I'll be back later.

And It Doesn't Stop...

Hey there, I'm Dyamond Phillips! I'm one of the originals, and you'll be able to easily pick me out in the crowd because I'll be the one posting once a week. And I'm kind of a nitpick about things here at Vassar. Remember, we're all here to have fun! This is just my short intro, but there will definitely be more from me in the future.

It's Been Lovely

I've just completed one final and I have one more tomorrow, not including a couple more papers that I'm not really fretting over. But then after that, no more Vassar =D. To be back home where I am appreciated in more ways than one. To roam the streets and always have something to do. To order chinese food @ 1am, and have it only be right around the corner... AND to order a meal for myself and pay less than $10. To go to the mall and not see mall security (I honestly thought that mall security was something made up for movies; Poughkeepsie has taught me better...). To have my room to myself. My high ceiling and width and television and computer and... To be in solemn silence. That's my home.

What's yours?

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

Unregrettably Yours

You ever have one of those days in which you feel so down and deep in the gutter that when you look up the sky is a murky brown? Yeah, that's my day. Nothing bad happened to me, I just feel so down because of things that will happen.

For instance, a book I need for one of my final papers is MIA in the library. Woe is me.

But honestly, there's no need to panic. I just need to climb to see blue skies, simply because they're there and I know I can reach them easily. You can too.

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

Missed Season

Back home, I had my own room with my own television. I would sit there in the months of January-May and OD on American Idol.

Then came Vassar...

What happened was I became a busy mess and found very little to no time for AI. I was once the addict calling in the second the lines opened (and successfully getting through) but now...

I have only seen the auditions. As much as I'd love to cheer and vote, I've just no time.

Same for all my other major shows:
House, Degrassi, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, New Amsterdam, South of Nowhere...

I know I can watch them online, but I don't even have time for that. Even my posting here has been slacking.

At least I know everything will pay off in the end... even if I do miss 4 seasons of AI *heartache*

Is/has anyone else faced what I'm facing?

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

Today Just May Be the Day

That I go off the deep end. I'm just tired and really just want school to be over. But then I think about all the friends I made here and I don't want to have to say goodbye to them. I know I'll see them again come September, but I really won't be able to talk to them much because I'll be overseas for the majority of the summer. What's there to do? How do you feel about living/cohabitating with people for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 8 months and then having to say, "see you later?"

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

PL and Nuyoricans= Hott

In case you didn't go, it was great! A couple of the poets did have lisps, but aside from that, the projection and emotion emanating from each poet was amazing! Mahogany Love's haiku had me laughing to the point of tears because I, too, can agree that I love bone in my fish ;)

Tomorrow I hear is Fem Alliance mug night, that should be cool, but don't forget about (these shameless plugs) Souls With Voices 2morrow and African Violets+CBS Mug Nite on Saturday! Free glow sticks and condoms sound like a major treat. After all of the sweaty grinding and looks of seduction that go on in the mug when the music isn't even dance music, I'm sure we'll have a great delivery for the next two days. If you're hyped for either, let me know which!

Enjoy the week(end)

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

M.I.A. Came and Went

And I didn't go and wasn't actually hoping to go. For me, however, it was just another night, enjoying a movie with friends, though my long nights lead to weary mornings. I do remember hearing the bass in my room here in Strong (hearing, not feeling, thank goodness). I heard it was a popular concert and most people I've talked to enjoyed themselves. One person helped me to realize the brand new smudges on the ACDC walls was courtesy of the sweaty people holing onto the walls (ick). But as long as those who went had fun, I guess that's the most important part. If you went or if you didn't, what were your takes on the night? I'd really like to hear more from everyone!

Luvs and hugs.
Dyamond Phillips

Madonna! JT! Timbaland?!!?

Why didn't people think about this before?!?! I'm highly addicted!

I'm almost finished pre-registering and I'm having good feelings. As I flipped through the Schedule of Classes, I notice that some classes are capped at 2 or 3 people. If that's the case, why? I know you can easily obtain that professor's signature, but could you imagine having a two person class and one person doesn't come? There should be an email list or facebook group: "I am not coming today. Please don't go." And the teacher should be invited also so they don't have to worry about teaching a class full of air. Interesting thought, huh?

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

It Will Be What It Will Be

Pre-reg is coming up. Plan well. All of your catalogues are in your mailboxes. Go check them. I betcha you'll love it. Talk to your advisers and ask them nicely for your pin numbers.

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

KANYE WEST to Star at Convocation!

After much wait and speculation over mainstream artists coming to Vassar, sources report that Kanye West is in the works to perform for Baccalaureate this year (May 25th)... with a price!

"This has been a work in progress since September 2007, and after months of emailing and receiving no responses, his representatives have confirmed that he will be able to. I'm afraid though, that as he is a world famous hip-hop artist and producer, we will have to limit the crowd to 400 Vassar students and 200 outside guests... Initial ticket prices for Vassar students have been capped at $54 and $80 for outside guests, so we are hoping that we can somehow work out a deal to lower the prices," according to our behind the scenes crews in various VSA groups helping to support the event.

$54?!?! And a two-hour trip back up to Poughkeepsie!??! I'm up for it! I'm saving my money definitely!

After spreading the word to a few friends, I've been hearing:

"Finally! Someone I know and their music I can actually understand!"
and
"I can't believe Vassar is going all out!"

It is also important to note that NO OFFICIAL WORD has been sent out... YET. But by the looks of it, dreams may become reality! Let's just hope things don't change and they decide to restrict the event to Seniors :(

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

Back In the "Swing" Of It

Great pun for Saturday, huh? Roaring '20s! Fun! Dancing! Gambling! Woohoo!!

Anyways, we are all back in the swing of it. Classes, homework, lectures w/ Jeff Chang, it's all in full swing! My problem with all of it is once we go back into the kick of it (plus or minus those of you who have [finished] six week courses) it gets repetitive and boring again. You do the same thing day in and day out around the same people in the same area. It's like pre-working days, except you have a little more fun in the mix, see?

At least it's only 7 more weeks, right?

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

Excitement Ensues

So, just like when GirlTalk came, I don't know who the hell M.I.A. is. I figure since it would be useless knowledge to me, I'd wiki this person

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.I.A._%28artist%29

Sometimes I wish we would get people recognized by EVERYONE, whether they be a music artist or a speaker. I understand that that means more money out of Vassar's pockets, but if you can fund those of us with extra scholarship money if your family income is less than $60,000, I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to negotiate something, right?
Sure, there's room for argument, but it'd be nice if I could be hyped up about this person as much as the other half of the campus.

Break was fun. I spent too much money, but there are definitely no regrets. Maybe one day I'll get a job and repay myself and my parents :D
See you all at Vassar, though you won't see me!

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

Different From Home

So I have ventured past home this break, and even though the weather's nice, the Brooklyn feel just isn't here. I feel kinda lonely and I wanna go party, but there's no where for me to go, especially with people I don't know. I guess I have nothing to do but just sit around lazily waiting to return home for a bit and make that dreaded trip back to the dreaded land of Vassar where no one is interested in you or if they are, they're much to afraid to approach you because they think they're "too nerdy" or they'll be snubbed. How boring. I'd love to just stay at home, but I'd hate going to school @ home because that means living at home. After all, my parents would NEVER pay any extra if they didn't have to. How's the situation with you guys? Would you love being at home without having to go to school @ home?

Luvs and hugs!
Dyamond Phillips

Finally At Peace

It's spring break and time for peace. For those who stayed at Vassar to work, the more power to you! I congratulate all of you. For those who left, how goes it? My break is so far very relaxing and peaceful. I've enjoying being with my friends from high school and even hanging out with friends from Vassar. Shopping and eating and wandering and laughing and reminiscing over old times... It's been what I've been waiting for (despite just having a break in January).

I'm in the mood to do things I've never done before. I'm just planning on wandering around, not doing anything in particular, letting the brisk breeze blow by. And, when summer comes around, things will just be 10 million times better.
So, with that said, I do have a few suggestions to have fun during the break. Take 'em however you want, some people just don't know how to read language sometimes, but here goes:

HAVE FUN!
BE SAFE!
AND COME BACK TO SCHOOL!

This has been your public announcement from your friendly after school adviser!

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

Midterms? What Midterms?

Seriously. My midterms have never in my life been stressful... or should I be knocking on wood at this very second? I mean, they're just tests, just like the tests you'll get after break. Maybe it's because I had one test and one paper. But I don't see stress written over everyone's faces... Is that just me?

Whatever it is, break is coming with full force soon and we should all celebrate! I myself am headed back home 2 the city-- BROOKLYN! (for those reading, the city consists of 5 boroughs [Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island (...is a myth...), and Manhattan], not just Manhattan) and I will bask in the dirt and grime and rat-infested tunnels of it all. OH! to be back @ 42nd street wandering and pointing and laughing at the tourists with my best friends, and to eat the Chinese food from the back alley restaurants of Chinatown...Downtown BK calling my name and to pay the Promenade a tip of my hat. Watching the black squirrels beat up the grey squirrels at Central Park and get motion sickness on the swings in the hidden park... All this for a $7 unlimited MetroCard... Ahhh... The wonders of home and popping the Vassar bubble!

So what are your plans?

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

Now That I Think About It...

I really love my iPod. It really tunes into my feelings and emotions and plays what I want to hear, without me having to touch my dial. I know this sounds silly, but it is honestly true!

For example, let's say I'm feeling sad and depressed, my iPod may play some Amy Winehouse or some pre-Beyonce Jay-Z. When I'm happy, I might hear my Utada Hikaru and Rie Fu.

Well, besides that, I'm really happy with the way the blog is progressing. It seems as if people are generally interested. Of course, everything has a hater, but I say to be a hater, you had to read this blog, which means everyone right and left are reading and spreading the word. Don't let anyone judge your opinion, though. Read with an open mind and decide on your own whether our thoughts are what you want to read. If not, there are several different writers on this blog and you may be faithful to one or more of our writers. That's cool too.

Keep on truckin.

Luvs and hugs,
Dyamond Phillips

All the Wonders We Wanted to Know, or Already Did

I bet you didn't know (for Freshmen and Transfers/Visiting/Exchange, or maybe this is a shock!):

-You can rent headphones from the library. Go ahead, ask about it.
-There are study rooms that you can use for the whole day. Just ask the front desk. They'll give you the key, you supply everything else ;).
-The quiet area in the library is the only part where books aren't allowed. Really.
-Not all foreign languages are held in Chicago Hall O.O
-The Retreat does not live up to its name. It's only a retreat until you run out of points, then you're stuck with ACDC and, Heavens forbid, VENTURING OUT into Poughkeepsie!
-You're never supposed to party in your own dorm. YOU will end up cleaning up the mess. Go elsewhere.
-Cage free chickens still live in a cage. It's just bigger.
-Vassar is a bubble. Objections? Go out into Poughkeepsie then! Hell! The world is your oyster!

Anything else to add? Suggestions are welcome!

Luvs and hugs!
--Dyamond Phillips

A True Gem

This is Dyamond Phillips reporting for Strong House, pleased to say I'm making the deadline.

Busy schedules
Tether not so hastily
I accept my throne

Much luv and hugs!