Getting settled

Yesterday and today were very productive for me. I went by Ringling and met with the advisor, signed some forms and went off to the new Student Center which I must say is a work of art. I have never entered a building so large and only dedicated to student services. I felt imprtant being there! Since when do art and design kids get such great facilities? It was very impressive. I got my student card then headed to the IT department to set up my email account and wireless internet.

Then I came out of that building and walked around. I saw a large fitness center in the Student Services building. I was just in awe. Then I went into the empy library that was so nice. Nice and beautiful aren't even words for Ringling because the terms are so generic and not powerful enough. If "wow" was an adjective, I think it would be the right one for me to use. A long wall of magazines on display, tons of rooms to sit, couches, meeting rooms, private desks, dvds, videos, lots of reference books.

Maybe to some of you that's what a school library is...but you do have to realize that I am coming from an art and design school where all of this is brand new to me. Defeciency in organized structure, investment into facilities, communications, services, events, groups, social gatherings all led me to lead a Student Forum at OCAD that documented student concerns. I don't blame students for having high expectations from their school. The administration of any institution needs to realize that it is very important to make your students happy and have no concerns regarding student experience...none. Art and design students should enjoy their college years just as much as any other college or university. It is critical to really invest greatly into student life and experience at any institution. I forgot to mention that there is an entire building for a dining hall and cafeteria that serves breakfast, lunch an dinner. Yea, OCAD students, I know what you're thinking. I'll stop bragging about Ringling now.

If I did not have this bike I would be wreckless. This city is bike heaven yet I have seen more bikers in Toronto when it's -5C outside...times 20. What's the deal Florida? Taking the weather for granted? I am the only biker out in these streets, except some random ones I see here and there. I'll probably see more when I go to the trails near the beaches but still, it's disappointing. I went to an Apple retailer with this bike to order in a part for my computer - the logic board, because a RAM slot decided to stop working for some reason. Then I biked all the way to a SunTrust bank to open an account. Then I went to Winn-Dixie and bought more groceries that I should have considering I was taking them home on a bike. My back pack was full capacity and I had three bags with some fish, pasta, grapes, etc. on the two handles of my bike. Yea, I was about to tip over but it's only 5 minutes to my house and I was proud of how well I maintained myself. Actually, before going to the bank I took a peek around the Ringling Museum. There's sign in front of it saying "You haven't seen Sarasota if you haven't been to the Ringling". Apparently it's a magnificent Museum. For those of you who have no idea where the "Ringling" name comes from, here is a wiki for you:

In 1927 Ringling moved the winter headquarters to Sarasota, Florida, where he and his wife, Mable, had been spending winters since 1909 and where they had built a 30-room English country house with the look of an Italian renaissance mansion and a similar museum building for his art collection. He and his brother, Charles, were instrumental in the modern development of Sarasota. John soon became one of the richest men in the world. His circus travels took him all over Europe, and he established a collection of fine Baroque art. He also acquired a large collection of work by Peter Paul Rubens.

John Ringling died on December 2, 1936. At his death, he willed his house, the museum, and his entire art collection to the state of Florida. The house, Cá dˈZan, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art offer visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Roaring 20s and a renowned art collection. Another of John’s legacies is the Ringling School of Art and Design, which asked to adopt his name because of the cultural influence of the museum and its collection. A museum devoted to the Ringling Brothers Circus has been established on the estate also.

That explains the "mansion-ness".

However, I am prepared to criticize the students and the teaching at this school. Let's see what is under all this expensive exterior and the quality of teachers and work that comes out from this school. Ringling is a private school and a lot of "higher-class" students (quoted by the advisor) attend it. Florida is a rich state with lots of loaded people. They can easily afford their kids going to this school. I'm prepared to judge them. We'll see how this all is. Don't worry OCAD I'm not going to totally bash you down.