Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Here's another cool place to check out while you've got some down time in Cedar Rapids.  I got to go because Heidi had to go for an Art History assignment and I tagged along.  It's about a fifteen minute walk from campus.  And with your campus ID, admission is free.  It's a small museum but really pretty.  Heidi was checking out the Roman exhibit which corresponded perfectly with my study of Western Civilization.  Some of their other collections include a Grant Wood collection, Malvina Hoffman (Rodin's last student), Czech and Slovak collection, and Mauricio Lasansky.  Here's the link to their website: http://www.crma.org/Default.aspx  It's a really nice place and you should check it out!

Coe Question of the Week

So Heidi and I have decided we are going to do a Coe Question of the Week.  Check here each week to find a new video of fun.  This week with fall starting up it has been a bit chilly and we needed some hot beverages, aka hot chocolate.  Heidi has decided to share her special recipe with you all so enjoy!

Question number one: How does a college student make hot chocolate in a college dorm room?

Hurray the PUB is open again! PUB Grand Opening!

So along with the caf there's another food option available to the Coe students: the PUB.  It's attached to Gage Union and PUB stands for Permanent Union Building.  This summer it was being remodeled because it was a little outdated.  I hadn't really seem the PUB during my visits to Coe so I was psyched to see how it turned out.  Coe hosted a grand opening last week and I decided to check it out.  The PUB is beautiful, I love how they remodeled it.  They serve Starbucks coffee, burgers, chicken tenders, grilled cheese sandwiches, salads, slushies, and cappuccinos.  There are also a wide assortment of sugary goodness like candy, snack food, soda of all kinds, and desserts of all sizes and flavors.  So pretty much anything you want the PUB will probably have.  To buy your food you can use your Coe Cash or do a meal exchange so you don't have to eat in the caf for a meal.  The PUB also hosts bands and other activities, utilizing the stage space.  Although I haven't spent a lot of time in the PUB, I get a warm, cozy feeling when I walk in and have a feeling that I'll be spending a lot time there.  They are open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM and 7:00 - 11:00 PM, Fridays from 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM and Sundays from 4:00 - 11:00 PM.        

   

BAM! Awesomeness: Fun Things to do in Cedar Rapids

All right.  As much as college is about learning and growing as a student, a good college student knows when to take a night off and relax.  The great thing about Coe is that we are surrounded by the Cedar Rapids area and there is so much to do.  I've got two things you can do: Monday Night Bowling and Kernels Game.

Monday Night Bowling: How much does it cost you to bowl one game and rent a pair of shoes?  Probably a little bit more than you'd like to spend....except on Monday nights at Westdale Bowling Center everything is only a dollar.  Yes, you read that correctly, ONE DOLLAR.  Shoes, games, and even hot dogs and soda.  Located only ten minutes (by car) from Coe it's a great study break.  My friends and I checked it out the first Monday we were here and had a blast.  Homework's been a little heavy the past few Mondays but we hope to get back to the alley soon!  

Kernels Game: Cedar Rapids also has its own Minor League Baseball team called the Cedar Rapids Kernels.  Coe and the Kernels sponsored a Coe Night at the Kernels the first week I was on campus.  For only $3 I got a ticket to the game and a free kelly green t-shirt.  The field is about a six minute drive from Coe and students had to find their own transportation (which isn't too hard to do).  It was a beautiful night and the Kernels won!  It was another nice study break because who doesn't love baseball, popcorn, peanuts and pretzels!

Classes at Coe

So I'm three weeks into my first year of college and I'm loving it here at Coe.  This post is dedicated to my classes at Coe.  Here you need 32 credits to graduate.  Some of these credits will be earned through your General Education requirements which are pretty much classes that contribute to your liberal arts education.  And then of course you're taking classes for your major(s) and minor(s).  "Normal" classes meet either two or three times a week and are worth 1 credit.  There are also other "small" classes, such as music lessons, music ensembles, gym, etc. that are worth fractions of a credit.  Each semester you can earn a total of 4.9 credits; any more and you'll have to petition Coe.  This semester I'm taking 4.9 credits.  Here's what I'm taking:

- African American Literature (1.0 credit)
- French 315: Conversation and Composition (1.0 credit)
- FYS (First Year Seminar): Tempestuous Season (studying the 2008 Recession and 1.0 credit)
- History of Western Civilization (1.0 credit)
- Clarinet Lessons (0.3. credit)
- Concert Band (0.3. credit)
- Topics in Composition (0.3 credit, part of being a Writing Center Consultant)

Most of my classes meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  It's definitely a new feeling of only have classes three times a week instead of five but I like it because it gives me more time to do my homework.  My classes have been really great so far; each class is pretty different from the others so I get a nice sampling of subject matter each day.