October RA Post Week: Catching up with the Kite Runner at SU

Words by Sundus, Booth Third Floor RA

I hate to label an author by his book, but when I say Khaled Hosseini, people look at me like I have three heads. There’s an inspiring man behind the pages, I assure you!

For anyone who hasn’t read The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns… definite must-reads! With Afghanistan, the Middle East, and the war on terrorism all over the news, the books reveal the reality of those commonly deemed enemies—the innocent everyday Afghanis.

I went to his interview with Firoozeh Dumas on Oct. 6 and LET ME TELL YOU… that powerful presentation alongside the fact that I MET HIM, left me smiling feverishly to this day! Khaled has an incredible way with words! Through his wit and candor, the take-home messages are: A) Afghanistan has hope, and the US shouldn’t lose faith and B) Everyone is born with a passion… Writing is his.

I loved his realness. We’re used to everything having to be larger-than-life, but he didn’t try to impress.  He used his passion to be the voice of those who rejoice to survive another day, to open the world’s eyes to this sickening but hopeful reality.

I sit here now counting my blessings, sharing the spirit of volunteerism, and anxiously awaiting Khaled Hosseini’s next masterpiece.

…and yes, I’m still smiling.

October RA Post Week: Even RAs get out of the building now and then…

Words by Satoia, Booth Fourth Floor RA

Contrary to popular belief Resident Advisors do have a life 🙂

It’s so funny when I’m asked if I am allowed to leave the building or even my room! LOL, Syracuse University is a great University that enrolls students from all over the nation and world. At a prestigious University, you can learn so much from your experience here.

However, nothing matches the experience of visiting another country.

This past summer I went on a mission’s trip to Peru. It was amazing! For almost three months, I lived like Peruvians! I ate the food they ate, and participated in the activities and customs that make them who they are. Of course the spiders and insects and roaches (you think you have it bad here!) were times 10, and I fell in the river several times during a 3-hour walk, but it was all worth it.

You don’t have to go on a mission’s trip or even go out of the country to experience another culture, but it’s worth it! Take advantage of the events on campus and look into Syracuse study abroad programs. They have trips to Chile, Spain and London just to name a few. Since you’re going to be here for awhile (I can tell you these four or five years -*Architecture majors*- fly by) and we pay 50 somethin’ thousand dollars a year… milk it for all it’s worth!

October RA Post Week: Caring for a Cause in Clinton Square

Words by Jordan, Marion Third Floor RA

It’s always nice to do something good for others, to help out in any way you can. Marion Floor Three gathered up some of our floor mates and made it our mission to do some good for someone else.

Thanks to Shelby Fenster, our floor got the chance to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk that took place down in Clinton Square on Oct. 4. We raised some money, made cool T-shirts and had a blast!  Thanks guys – it was really fun!

…even if we did have to walk a few extra miles just to get there.

October RA Post Week Top Five: Why BKM is the Best Place to Live on Campus

Words by Dan, Booth Second Floor RA

Ah, yes, BKM.  The acronym itself may sound like an off-shoot to the popular Burger King franchise, but Booth-Kimmel-Marion is in fact the most welcoming and overall satisfying place to live on campus.

Let me count the reasons…

5)  No ghosts. That’s correct.  You don’t have to worry about anything analogous to Lady Watson or the DellPlain ghost here.  Sleep tight…just be sure to lock your doors.

4)  Safe area of campus. Thornden Park is nearby, but as long as you do not find yourself actually in the park alone at night, you’re fine.  BKM is a relatively safe location at any hour.

3)  Proximity to Kimmel Dining. For those of you looking for live entertainment on a Friday night, this is the place to be.  And did I mention it has KFC and Taco Bell?

2)  The view. Clearly, this point is skewed toward residents who live in Booth and whose windows face campus.  For those of us lucky few, we are grateful.

1)  The people. We have a hard-working RD, ARD and staff of RAs.  Our residents are creative and diverse.  Our community councils are peerless.  We’re just so cool.

RA Post Week for October begins today!

You won't even find Halloween-related work from the RAs this month

This week on the BKM Blog, it’s  the second monthly RA Post Week. Check back later today and all week to see what’s on the minds of your Resident Advisors in October.

Volunteer at the local Boys & Girls Club through “Serving Syracuse”

(via the H2W blog)

All of the residence halls in Area C (Haven, Ernie Davis, Dellplain, BKM) will be doing simple service projects with the Boys and Girls Club near  BBB on the following Fridays:

October 16th, October 23rd, October 30th, November 6th, November 13th AND November 20th

Volunteering lasts from 3 – 5 PM

Meet the RAs at 2:45 PM in the main floor lobbies of Booth and Kimmel  to walk over.

This opportunity can count towards service requirements or just for positive karma while lending a hand to a child in need.