Leslie Pitmans Blog

The Month of Birthdays

At times, it seems like everyone was born in February.

And then I remember that this cannot be the case, as I was born May.

Nonetheless, there have been lots of birthdays this month and I have had fun celebrating with all of my friends! For Stephanie's birthday (see left), we went to an Indian restaurant and had genuine Indian cuisine. I ordered chicken curry with mild flavoring, and it was delicious. James tried their hottest flavor, and actually survived! The bread they served us with our meal was especially good, and unlike anything I've ever had before. It was a light and airy pita, I suppose, buttered with garlic and yummy spices. I would probably return to this restaurant just for the bread. It was that good, people. 

For Ashlie's birthday (see left), we took a late trip to Luisa's Pizza and crowded twenty of us into one small table. I ordered buffalo wings (because who gets pizza at a pizza restaurant?) and tried the hazelnut choclate gelato for dessert. In the middle of dinner, though, we had to all get up and watch the lunar eclipse! We all stood together, under the shadowed moon, and watched the phenomenon. Pretty spiffy, I think. I tried to take some pictures, but didn't have my telephoto lens; I couldn't get a very good zoom on it. My dad, at home in Jacksonville, FL, got some awesome photos though. I'm sharing one with you.

I went to see the play this weekend, starring another February birthday, Lauren. Lauren, Pat, Rachel, and John were the only characters in Proof, and they each did an excellent job. I am always impressed by our theatre department and am definitely looking forward to the April production of University, a series of one-acts.

My brother's birthday was the same day as Stephanie's (they both turned 20), and I sent him a package a few days before. Hopefully it has arrived, although I haven't been able to get in touch with him since he lost his cell phone. I bought his gift when I was in Charleston, SC at The Market, where the old slave market used to be held. He's a fireman and a cook, so he always makes meals for the guys in the firehouse. So I bought him some spices and hot sauce to cook with. Buying presents for people makes me happy!

The most important birthday this month is that of my best friend, Victoria. We are both going home tomorrow night (tomorrow is her actual birthday) so that we can celebrate together! We are both terribly excited about the movie release of The Other Boleyn Girl--a book we've both read multiple times. While it is highly unlikely that it will be as phenomenal as the novel, we do have high expectations and plan on being impressed! 

That's all for now. If you're one of the blessed people who was born this month: Happy Birthday to You!

Fondly,
Leslie Virginia

Homecoming and All That Snazzy Stuff

Hello readers!

This weekend was Scholars' Discover Queens and Homecoming! Talk about lots of fun and very little sleep. I had a prospective and Presidential Scholar finalist, Linsey, stay with me on Friday and Saturday night. After meeting some people, experiencing the dining hall, and briefly attending the Pi Kappa Phi mixer, the two of us called it a night; I had to be up at 6 for DQ check in and her first scholarship interview was at 8. Needless to say, we were very early risers.

Saturday was busy for all of us, Presidential Scholars and Ambassadors alike, as we smiled, directed, spoke, walked, and even ate with prospectives and their families all day long. I was relieved from my duties at 4, so Linsey and I returned to my room and each napped for an hour before we met some of my friends and their prospectives for dinner at the Lion's Den. 

And then it was time for...homecoming!

Finally out of our fancy clothes and high heels, a group of us made our way to the Grady Cole Center where we got to see the end of the girls' game (the team they played is 16th in the nation, and we lost by only one point: 63 to 64). I brought my camera and all of its lenses, so I was experimenting a little bit; I really wanted to be sure to get some good, close up pictures of the homecoming court. 

The boys' game started as soon as the girls' ended, and it was a fun and exciting game. We basically "rocked" the Trojans, and won by some ridiculous amount that I cannot remember.  The homecoming court looked awesome! Our freshmen representatives were Joey and Lauren--definitely the best looking couple.

After the homecoming game, Lauren and I went with Linsey and her prospective, Emily, to Ben & Jerry's. The guy working there, Joe Leonard, was an '06 graduate of Queens and the founder of the  Drumline. He gave us a discount on our ice cream, and told us to "have fun in Core" as we were leaving. It was the perfect ending to a Queens filled weekend.

Fondly,
Leslie Virginia

Scholars', Homecoming, and Valentine's Weekend

This upcoming weekend is going to be intense...

It's Scholars' Weekend!

As an Ambassdor and a Presidential Scholar, that means double duty for me. But I am secretly excited to be so busy for such an awesome reason. 60 prospectives in one weekend? It doesn't get much better than that. If you're coming, know that I am ecstatic and cannot wait to meet you.

Along with the big Discover Queens this weekend, we also have our first Core exam of the semester on Friday. This means lots of studying will be going on this week, even amidst all the excitement for...

Homecoming! Which is also this weekend. You're in for a huge treat if you'll be visiting us on Saturday. There will be so much going on, you won't know what to do with yourself! I'll be there to help you decide, though.

If you aren't much into basketball, Opera Carolina is performing "Love Notes," their Valentine's Day collection, on Saturday at Queens' Dana Auditorium. I recently saw their production of Aida, and it was magnificant. It's nice to know that, even with rock, pop, and rap as prevalent as it is now, the classic and timeless sound of Opera is not dying out.

Something else going on this weekend is Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre's visit to Charlotte. I'll be going to see their performance on Sunday afternoon. CUB, Campus Union Board, sold 10 $8 tickets; I wouldn't have missed that opportunity for the world! You'll hear a lot about CUB as you come to visit, and when you finally get to school here, because they do an incredible job planning events and bringing students together. Here's my shout out to all of you: I love CUB!

If you are coming this weekend, I am anxiously awaiting your arrival. If you are not coming this weekend, but haven't been to visit yet, be sure to check out the upcoming Connection Queens on March 29! We look forward to meeting you. :)

Fondly
Leslie Virginia

Dancin' in the streets, gonna take on the world someday

  The Queens Dance Club, of which I am the PR Person, is up to many exciting things this semester!

At the beginning of January, when we first got back to school, Stephanie, Lacey and I laid down a brand new marley dance floor that was generously donated to us. It took four hours and lots of hard work, but it was worth it in the end. We now have a beautiful, Harlequin floor to dance on--and this is only the beginning for the dance room! Up next, we hope to paint, install a sound system and air conditioning, and add a touch of character with drapes and pictures. I cannot wait to see the transformation.

Also going on with the Dance Club are our weekly programs, or dance classes. Every Thursday night, one of us (Stephanie, Lacey, Amanda, Lindsey or me) teaches a class; so far this semester, we've had Salsa, Swing, and Hip Hop, and each one has been loads of fun! If you're ever visiting, and you're here on a Thursday night, feel free to contact me (leslie.pitman@qmail.queens.edu) and come to class.

Also, for ballerinas, we have an advanced ballet class every Wednesday. All of us are working really hard to grow the dance program and dance opportunities at Queens, so get excited! Because we sure are.

The best part about the dance club is that you don't have to be a dancer to participate. You just have to be willing to try new things and learn new stuff. Also, unless you're an officer, it doesn't require a huge level of commitment. Come to whichever classes you want, and join us, if you'd like, when we go to see local dance performaces at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. We just bought $8 tickets from CUB to see Alvin Ailey American Ballet Theatre this Sunday!

That's all for now.

Fondly
Leslie Virginia

Professionalism, Honesty, and Integrity

This semester, after an application and interview process, I was selected to be a Queens Student Ambassador!

If you have ever been to visit our campus, you met an Ambassador. We are the ones who give tours, host overnight students, and help out in any way during important weekends like Experience Queens, Discover Queens, and Connection Queens.

I am so excited to be a part of this program, because it means I get to tell even more people about my amazing experiences here. I am still a "JA" or "Junior Ambassador" and am undergoing some training. This week, and then again in 2 weeks, I'll be shadowing a Senior Ambassador during a tour. I'll be able to learn what to say when, what not to ever say, how to answer questions, and the tour route. Hopefully, by the end, I'll know the school extremely well!

I wanted to be an Ambassador since before I got to school here, because I had such a good time with mine during my visits to Queens. Also, I love this school so much and want to tell as many people about it as I can. Feel free to ask me any questions; I should be even more equipped to answer them now that I am a JA.

One of the coolest things about the Ambassador program is that it's students. Students are the ones giving tours, so prospectives (you) have a chance to connect with them on a level that would be different if you were with, say, and admissions counselor. You and I are at somewhat similar places in our lives; or, at least I remember what it was like to be in your place, because it was only a year ago for me. We are all about the connections here at Queens, and as an Ambassador, I have a great opportunity to connect with visitors--and that is really exciting.

I've also come to the conclusion, with the help of a friend, that I say "awesome" and "excited/exciting/excitement" too much. Forgive me!

Fondly,
Leslie Virgnia