Live Laugh Love-Live Learn Lead

As you starting thinking about where you want to live next year while filling out your housing contract, you will find a lot of options available to you.  Do you want a single or a double?  Cambridge or Sandburg?  Kitchen or not?  You should also be thinking about LLCs!  What is an LLC you ask, well I am so glad you did.  LLC stands for living learning communities.  They are an opportunity for first year students to live with people who they share a common interest or major with.  All LLC students will take a class together that will put them one step closer to graduating, and their resident assistant (who also has life experience with the shared interest or major) will plan fun events around the selected interest or major.  What options are there??  LOTS!

Last year I was a resident assistant in our beloved RiverView residence hall, and the resident assistant for the Dance Foundations LLC.  Some of our events including watching Milwaukee Ballet and local Wildspace company perform.  The neat thing about Wildspace's performance is the company is sight spcific; meaning their dances are created for a specific area and can only be performed there.  The show we saw was performed in a parking structure.  The students recieve this and much more all at no extra cost to them.
In addition to the Dance Foundation LLC next year we will also offer, Social Welfare, Health Professions, Education and Leadership, and many more.  The best way to learn more about these LLCs is to visit our LLC website.  It will describe the Living Learning Community to you, tell you what class goes with the LLC, and where the LLC is located.  If you are curious about how past LLCs have worked and what events they have done, you can visit UWM's LLC Blog.
Overall LLCs are a great opportunity to make new friends and connect with other students they will most likely later on have classes with.  Even if you don't select an LLC on your contract, you can still add an LLC at any point, as long as it doesn't fill up!  Last of all if you are unsure about what major you want, joining an LLC is a great way to get a taste of something to see if you like it.  And of course Living Learning Communities help you to Live, Learn, Lead!

Winter on the Stage

So one of the great things about living in Milwaukee is the arts.  We have many theaters in the area putting on shows celebrating the Christmas season.  I know many of you are getting ready to head home for the holidays, but think about stopping in with your family at a show on your way out of town.

The Marcus Center currently has Milwaukee Ballet performing the Nutcracker until December 27.  Milwaukee Ballet's website describes the show as "...a dream...dancing flowers and snowflakes...Toys coming to life! 'The Nutcracker' is also a journey of familiar feelings and a sense of child wonder."  It's a show that brings life to a children's playground and wonder to a child's eyes while at the same time allowing the adults to take a step back in time and become a child all over again.  This magical show is perfect for all ages.  You can visit the Milwaukee Ballet website for more information, show times, ticket prices, and even a sneak peak from a behind the scenes rehearsal.












On the other hand if you are looking for a show with a few more words that will remind everyone to appreciate each other during this holiday season, "A Christmas Carol" is playing a Milwaukee Pabst Theater.  This show will keep you and your family laughing and remind you of the true meaning of the holidays.  The show is playing until the 24 of December and ticket prices and the detail whatnot's can be found on the Pabst  Theater website.

I can speak from self experience saying these are wonderful shows.  As a dance major at UWM I ca appreciate the performance on the stage.  But what is even better about this show, is even those unfamiliar with the performance world will have a smile placed on their face after the show.  Either way enjoy your Holidays!!

Stop Stressing Out

Let's talk about Finals...

Wanting to rip your hair out?  Can’t drag yourself out of bed?  Feeling the urge to cry for no reason?  Don’t fret, you’re not alone.  All of these and many more feelings occur at this time of year due to stress.  You have already made it this far, now it is time for one last push and you’ll have completed the semester.

Need some help?

First identify what kind of person you are, and be honest with yourself…you don’t want to grow a Pinocchio nose.

1.                     Procrastinator- At one point or another, we all have been here with a deadline at midnight and the project started at 11:30 PM.  If you are procrastinating, lock yourself away from social gatherings, Internet, and any other distractions.  Take time to focus on just your schoolwork.  As you complete each assignment on your list you’ll start to feel better and better.  Ask a friend to stop by and check on you in an hour to make sure you hold yourself responsible and stay on task.  And DON’T let them become another distraction. This is crunch time.

2.                    Physical Exhaustion- do you find yourself falling asleep in class, feeling kind of sick, or just not at 100%?  Then your body is trying to tell you something.  Take it easy!  Treat yourself to a night of caring for your body.  Eat a good, healthy dinner and enjoy your night.  Maybe take a nice, long, hot shower, read your favorite book, or watch your favorite movie.  Whatever you do don’t stay up late!!  Most importantly give your body some well-needed rest.  You’ll wake up the next morning feeling good and ready to conquer the rest of the semester.

3.                   Mental Exhaustion- Have you been working hard on studying and papers and homework?  Maybe too hard?  If you feel like your brain is so fried you have to think about what your own name is, take a break.  Spend a couple hours catching up with a friend, chilling on the couch and watching some television, or releasing energy through shooting some hoops.  After a few hours of freedom your brain will be happy, and you will be able to get back to work.

Remember all the work you have already done and how far you’ve already gone.  Don’t give up now!  Finish the semester strong!

E is for Emily and Elephant

Lions and Tigers and Bears…

OH MY!!   

Who doesn’t love a trip to the Milwaukee County Zoo?  I went a couple of weeks ago to see the stingray exhibit.  They actually let you pet and fed the stingrays.  They feel like squishy velvet and the sharks have rough grainy skin.  Here are some photos from my trip with my cousins.  You are never too old to act like a kid again, and the Milwaukee Zoo is a great opportunity.  The stingray exhibit will be here until September 2. 

Even if you don’t get a chance to pet a stingray, you can’t still visit the peacocks and take a camel ride.  The Milwaukee County Zoo is free on November 2 and December 7 this year.  Otherwise you can look on the zoo website for pricing.

This is Emily and the Elephants saying, "Go visit the zoo!!"

Roaring with the Cows at State Fair

Where can you enjoy a delicious cream puff, try 5 different flavors of milk, pet a cow, AND display your Panther Pride!?  At Wisconsin State Fair of course.  On August 4 UW-Milwaukee will be displaying their Panther Pride through out the day.  There will be prizes to win, a contest you can show off your roar in, and a performance from PECK school of the arts.  Oh, and even Pounce will be there taking photos and signing autographs.  All of these great activities are located at the Fair’s Central Mall, across from the original cream puff pavilion.  There are so many great activities all offered on August 4, so grab your Panther paw prints and head on out to eat a cream puff with Pounce at the State Fair!

Make sure you check out this article on the UWM page for more information on State Fair events and the State Fair page so you know all about UWM events and the rest of excitement at State Fair.

Dancemakers in July

Dancin' the Night Away!!

July 25-27 in Mitchell room 254 is an opportunity to view some amazing work.  The work of national recognized master of fine arts students will be displayed these July evenings.  This intimate performance provides a unique glimpse into various movement research perspectives from across the United States.  Shows are at 7:30PM every night and also 4:30PM Saturday.  Ticket prices vary as follows:

Tickets: $12 adult/$10 seniors, UWM faculty, staff, alumni & other university students/
$9 UWM students/$5 ages 13-18 and PSOA students/Free for under 12 & Dance majors.

Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at arts.uwm.edu/tickets or 414-229-4308.

Ride the Magic School Bus

Yes!  You will most likely ride a large, yellow, school bus to get to classes.  In addition to school buses, there are also shuttle, which look like over-sized vans.  Many students are worried if they live in Cambridge Commons or RiverView, they won't be able to get to class on time with the shuttle.  I can speak from two years of experience.  I lived in RiverView, and the shuttles were very reliable.  They arrive about  every 5-7 minutes and the ride to campus is about 8-10 minutes.  Also despite what you hear, Cambridge Commons and RiverView are closer than you think; the two resident halls are only about a mile a way from campus.  In addition only residents are able to ride the shuttles, so no worry about not finding a spot to sit.  The last thing I would like to mention is that there are different shuttle route.  You can visit the shuttle website to learn more about shuttle route and times.  After 6 PM the shuttles switch from two direct routes from campus to resident halls to routes that offer stops in between campus and the resident halls.  This offers students the option to visit a friend off campus or grab a bite to eat at noodle.  Students can also keep track of shuttle arrival times through the UWM mobile app!

Your New Best Friend

RA.  What does it stand for?  Resident Assistant, also known as your new best friend.  They are students just like you.  They go to class, do their homework, and hangout with friends.  They live next door or just down the hall from you.  A RA is available to you 24 hours a day (but don’t wake them up if you don’t have to.)  They plan events as a chance for you to have fun and meet new people.  They are also there during the not so happy times.  If you want a room switch, need a shoulder to cry on, need advice about a class, or are struggling at adjusting to living with your new roommate your RA is your go to kind of pal.  They are available to help you.  In addition, to helping you there are there to keep you safe.

Last year I was a RA in RiverView.  I had the opportunity to meet and get to know about 48 residents.  I was there through the tears and the fights, the smiles and laughter, but most importantly the memories.  I loved having the opportunity to help my residents and watch them grow.

A resident assistant wants you to succeed, learn, and grow.  Don’t be afraid to ask them the “silliest” question or to share one of your biggest fears.  They aren’t there to get you in trouble, just to help create a wonderful experience in college that you’ll never forget.

No One Mourns The WICKED

We’re off to see the Wizard…The wonderful wizard of OZ… But what happened Before the wizard got there.  

Wicked, an amazing musical claiming more than 35 awards, is in Milwaukee tells the story… “Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good makes for.”  Wicked is an amazing and fun musical for all ages.  I watched a performance on Sunday and was stunned by the magnificence.  This great show is selling tickets fast so don’t wait to get your tickets!  You can also look into the lottery system for a cheaper way to see the show.

Dancing at Milwaukee

Summerdances is a performance by over 30 UW-Milwaukee dancers.  The performances are site-specific meaning they are tailored and meant only for the spaces they are performed in.  Site-specific pieces are performance works inspired by the architecture and ecology of water found in the Cudahy Gardens of the Milwaukee Art Museum and the historic North Point Water Tower.  This year Summerdances can be viewed at two locations Milwaukee Art Museum Cudahy Gardens and North point Water Tower.  It is free and open to the public and an amazing opportunity to begin learning the potential of UWM students.  Summerdances can be viewed through out June 13-15.

Learning about Emily

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Hello!   

My name is Emily Bowlin and I will be starting my third year at UW-Milwaukee this fall.  I am working towards a duel degree in Accounting and Dance.  I am also a part of Honors College.  Before college, I lived in Pewaukee and attended Pewaukee schools for 13 years.  I was very active in drama, choir, and National Honor Society at Pewaukee High School.  

Outside of school I competed in Ballroom through Fred Astaire Studios.  Dance is my favorite thing to do and you shouldn’t be surprised if you see me dancing to class instead of walking.

My experiences in university housing have made me a RiverView expert.  I spent my freshman year living in room 420 without a roommate.  This pushed me to get to know my suitemates and become good friends with them.  This past year I worked as a Resident Assistant on the 7^th floor of RiverView.  As much as I miss all my residents and co-workers and the many adventures that happen in the resident halls, I am happy to continue working in university housing as an Outreach Assistant.

I am excited to get to know my new co-workers and be living in my very first apartment.  I am also very excited to be spending my first summer in UW-Milwaukee.  I enjoy attending Summerfest and can’t wait to go to WICKED the musical playing in Milwaukee.  Coming from a small city living in Milwaukee has been and continues to be an interesting change for me.  I hope you learn to love Milwaukee as much as I do.