Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Truth About: Meeting New Friends
As we know by now, I'm from the North (Va.). I was one of four students in my graduating class to come to UT. I was alone, in some southern town with no friends or family. I was a lost puppy. It was my worst nightmare...
Well guess what, it will happen to you too. Even if you live in Knoxville, when you come to UT, you won't be with your "clique" anymore. You will be exposed, vurnerable and scared. But theres hope! EVERYONE ELSE IS TOO!
When you first come to orientation, chances are you won't be in the same group as your best friend Dean. You will be stuck in a group of 12 with 11 strangers and yourself. Unfortunately, you just gotta swallow the fear (or pride?) and go out on a limb. Introduce yourself to as many people as you can. Where sports jerseys (thats how I met one of my good friends; of course he made fun of me for the jersey, but hey it worked) band t-shirts, ANYTHING that can spark interest and start a conversation. You will meet and make as many friends as you choose. 9 times out of 10, the friends don't come to you. You have to bite the bullet and dive in head first.
Now I'm not saying go confess your love for someone, but you get the idea...
- Mr. T
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Saturday, November 14, 2009
"Its 1 o'clock on a saturday...
..the regular crowd shuffles in."
Anyways, in times of stress, be it from school, exams, work or relationships, things can get crazy. Well today, Dr. Tatariw will help you handle that stress. You see, during your tenure at a University, you will experience EXAM week. As touched by fellow blogger Whitney (http://blogs.utk.edu/whitney/) in "One of Those Weeks", exam week is a week in which you have a test in every class. Do teachers plan this? I don't know. Bit suspicious though..
ANYWAYS, stress can come in many shapes and sizes it can also ruin your day. When you get stressed, having a system works. I listen to music. Its my escape. Classical mainly (don't tell my friends), but really any music. It allows me to mellow out and approach the problem at a different angle. By doing so, the math problem you don't understand will probably make sense, or that English paper seems a lot easier to write. Either way, handling stress is key to success at University.
As for the speed skating? Its sick. Watch it. Seriously. Sure its not the Olympics (i think the Eastern Qualifying?) but its still sick. Seriously. Sit down and watch it.
Well I'm off to bed and hopefully sleeping for a long time.
PS - I have not commented on the "UT Football Robbery" as I need to get more information on it. I know a 2010 Prius was the escape car, a pellet pistol was used and they didn't get any money, I also know the guys being robbed offered to buy them a cheeseburger (they felt bad for not having any money?) Look out for a more in depth report.
And yes I feel safe in Knoxville. Even at night alone.
- Mr. T
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Friday, November 13, 2009
The Truth About: The Truth About
Ok y'all, I'm gonna start a new series. It's going to be called "The Truth About: _____" In these blogs, I will pick a topic (Housing Staff, Classes, etc.) and relay what I have learned about this. Remember, I have the freedom of speech and I am no way forced to endorse the University. This is me, my point of view.
You may hate it, you may love it. I will do my best to provide good advice and anticipate any questions you have, but I really could use your feedback. If you have a topic you'd like to hear about, let me know.
Quick little side blurb:
On a campus like UT's, you will have a variety of students, from Athletes to Band Members or Club members in your class. Today I had badminton, which is, yes, a class (also called a GPA booster). One of the Lady Vols starting basketball players is in that class. Well we played one v. one, mono e mono today. I got my a** whooped. It wasn't even fair. 11 - 0. Don't worry, I already turned in my man card. The point to this story is at a university of this magnitude, awesomeness and craziness, you can meet anyone. If you just reach out you'll be amazed at what you find.
- Mr. T
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
North Vs. South: The Showdown!
Like I said, I'm from the north, some would call me a Yankee (see Nate's blog), and some say I talk weird. The irony of the situation is that where I'm from (Northern VA), WE'RE the "south." Coming from VA to TN, I knew it wouldn't be the same. Living 15 minutes from the Nation's Capital means a ton of traffic, busy airports and cops. Lots of cops. Down here? Traffic = the Jim Bob is driving down the highway on his tractor again; Airport = Tyson McGee INTERNATIONAL Airport, all TWELVE glorious gates (I really do love it, easy, quick, simplistic). Comparable amount of cops, just not as "intense" for lack of better word. JUST TO CALRIFY = Parking services is NOT UTPD. If you don't get it, you either don't have a car or down know yet. Coming from the North though, I was in for a culture shock and I knew it. It truly is a good change though, after all, all change is good, no? (at least thats what my ex's have said... ha!) Coming to Tennessee I was looking to expand, branch out and meet new people and get a scenery change. Well guess what, that exactly what I got..!
Now Tennessee is a rare blend of awesomeness, bad weather and hills. While you may hate the hills walking to class, or be afraid of them, we didn't get ranked #25 in the Nation for "Hottest Student Bodies" by popcrunch.com by magic. I mean, really guys, the cute girl in the front of class, she didn't pop out with legs that that! Walking to Ayers does have a purpose! Now the weather, well that's a mystery in its own. In Chicago you hear about how it's "too cold to snow" and how in the "Shunshine State" (Fla.) it rains the most. Knoxville? It's too snowy to be cold. You read me right. It'll be 40 out (not cold enough for snow, but not hot by any means..) and by golly you'd think the world was coming to an end. Visibility is down to 3 feet, and it is white, everywhere! Well, everywhere except the ground. At the rate the snow is falling you'd think that there would be 4 feet of snow and school closed for a week. Well you're wrong. In over the year I have been here at UT, I haven't been able to make a snowball! Looking for snow? Go North. Like Chicago North. What about the awesomeness you ask? Two words - Neyland Stadium; 107,000 fans. Beat that. Anyone.
-Mr. T
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Start of a New Journey
Hey yall. Guaranteed the first thing you will hear on campus. First thing I heard and to be honest, I did a double take. I am Jonathan, a second year here at UT, from No. Va (northern Virginia). And yes, Northern Virginia will be our own state soon. Well I digress. . . I am currently a Business Logistics major, but looking into Turf Management. I know, have a laugh, but I am serious, I have worked at a golf course the past four summers and am looking to stay in that business. If you cant grow grass, not much of a golf course. So my initials are JJ. Yes, I know, they named a jet plane after me, its cool, I approved it. Nickname you ask? Either: Tatariw or Mr. T. Dont ask, you kind of have to know me. I am that kind of guy. . . Anyways, I am very active with the Housing Department and love college. I think anyone could go to UT. My advice to freshman? Dont try to do everything in one semester. You are there for four years, most times more!
Ok, enough about me. I am writing this blog for UT Undergraduate Admissions and the Office of Communications and Marketing. Here is the catch though: there is NO catch. You see, there is this old piece of paper that says,
Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Expressionso on and so forth. Well basically, I can write the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I can say, UT Stinks but I would not because I would be lying. Expect the truth. I am not here to sugar coat UT, that is what orientation is for POINT! (Tatariw 1, Orientation 0). But seriously, I will try to write about everything (impossible) but you get the idea. Now as you are reading this, look to your right! Haha, got you. For serious this time, look to the bottom of this post. See that Comments thingy linky dealio? Yea, you can hit that link (this is why it is a link) and say something. An example is Mr. T, your blog blows. A better looking example is, Mr. T, I really like your blog, but could you talk about living on campus and co-ed living conditions? You want to know the best part about the mystery comments link? YOU CAN WRITE BACK! Score! (Reader 1; Mr. T 1)Enough of me. Let us see what you guys want. I can talk about the suggested blog posts, but if yall (there it is!) want to read something you are interested in, let me know!
PS: I like to kid. I kid, I kid! I do not mean to offend anyone in these blogs. Just trying to enjoy life, get a few laughs out of the crowd. Ya know. . .
-Mr. T
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