katelyn’s posterous

 
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my new apartment

This past weekend I finally moved into my new apartment. It was a real pain in the butt to get all of my stuff moved out of my storage unit and into this place but in the end it will be worth it. My friend Kayla and I got a 2-story, 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhouse just across the street from Grand Valley State University and we already love it!

 Here are pictures of our living room, kitchen, my bedroom and my bathroom, which is located in my bedroom.

       
Click here to download:
my_new_apartment.zip (1550 KB)

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Filed under  //   Allendale Michigan   bedroom   camera phone pictures   furniture   Grand Valley State University   Kayla Cooper   kitchen   living room   moving   townhouse  

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a real update

Since I moved back in with my parents in April I haven't really posted anything informative so here is a real update:

The summer got off to a slow and boring start.  I was really excited about spending a few months back home for the first time in about 2 years but it wasn't really living up to my expectations.  The last time I was home for an extended period of time, none of my friends had serious jobs or were in school.  We had all the time in the world to do whatever we wanted.  I'm not sure why I still expected it to be like that since we are two years older and have a lot more responsibilities.  But I've adjusted to the change and my summer is going great so far.

When we can, we've been spending a lot of time outside.  Annie and I spent an entire day at Bishop Park just reading, hanging out and flying kites.  Then for Memorial Day, I got together with a bunch of friends at Elizabeth Park and had a picnic.  We spent 6 hours hanging out and relaxing (pictured below).

Tomorrow it looks like Annie, Luke, Jordan and myself are going to be attending the spring "speakeasy" in downtown Wyandotte.  We're dressing like classy flappers and it should be a really good time.


Since I am within my last 30 credits of graduating I cannot take classes anywhere other than Grand Valley.  This means that I'm not taking classes at all this summer.  I have been going to school year-round of the last 3 years so this is weird for me to not be taking classes this summer.  I'm also not working because I'm still collecting unemployment from when I was laid off.  Even if I did find a job, I'd have to quit soon when I move back to Grand Rapids in August.  So I'm just taking a summer off to relax.

But my sitting home, relaxing and doing nothing is about to come to an end next week.  After completing my public relations internship at the Make A Wish Foundation office in Grand Rapids, I applied for an internship in Detroit.  Not only did I get an internship in Detroit but I got another at the Ann Arbor office.  In Detroit I will be working as their graphic design and web assistant.  I'll be working on various communication projects, which include: web edits and updates, working with Google Adwords, keeping track of MAW Flickr, YouTube, and Twitter accounts, and the creation of general communication materials (postcards, web banners, images, logos, event related materials, etc.)  In Ann Arbor I will be a communication assistant and will be dealing to newsletter stories, web articles, letters, press releases, etc.  My primary focus will be on Make A Wish Foundation's annual Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour (WAM).  With WAM I'll have to pitch stories to the media regarding the event as well as promoting the event along its route and dealing with media opportunities.  I'm really excited about this internship because I loved seeing the Make A Wish Foundation's spring gala come to life right before my eyes.  Now I'll get to do the same thing with the bicycle tour.  Both internships are unpaid and I'm not using them for college credit, which I don't really mind because it is such a wonderful cause and it's great hands-on job experience.

As much as I love spending time at home... I'm not too excited to be living back with my parents.  After a few years of doing what you want and coming and going when you want, it's a really big adjustment.  But I know when August 7th comes I will be sad to be moving into my new townhouse.

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Filed under  //   1920's   Ann Arbor Michigan   Annie Pilon   Bishop Park   Bring Joy One Penny at a Time Gala   classes   communication assistant   Detroit Michigan   Elizabeth Park   flappers   friends   Grand Rapids Michigan   Grand Valley State University   graphic design and web assistant   hanging out   internship   jobs   Jordan Dyjach   kite flying   Make A Wish Foundation   Make A Wish Foundation of Michigan   Memorial Day   moving   parents   picnic   prohibition   public relations intern   reading material   relaxing   speakeasy   summer 2009   unpaid internship   WAM   Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour   Wyandotte Michigan  

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I miss Grand Valley...

It's been a long time since I spent a summer downriver and I was really excited to spend so much time down here.  Now I realize how much I took living out there for granted. I love walking through the campus at night and how quiet it is. And more than anything I just want to go to the beach in Grand Haven and have a picnic and lay in the sand and read.

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Filed under  //   beach   camera phone pictures   campus   downriver Michigan   dusk   Grand Haven Michigan   Grand Rapids Michigan   Grand Valley State University   GVSU   GVSU clock tower   Kirkhoff Center   Lake Michigan   picnic   summer 2009   west Michigan  

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final college classes (update)

After meeting with my advisor yesterday regarding graduation and my last year of classes, I had to make some changes to my previous schedule.  But now it is done and I have nothing left to worry about.  I don't even have to take classes this summer, which makes me really happy!



I'm really pumped on my Environmental Studies classes.  I was planning on having an Environmental Studies minor but the program was still in development until this year and I don't have enough time to complete the 22 credits before I graduate.  And I'm definitely not staying here any longer.  So as my elective path, I choose to take some of the classes--Introduction to Environmental Studies and Sustainability and Environmental Ethics.


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Filed under  //   Advertising and Public Relations   Allendale Michigan   college   college courses   College of Liberal Arts and Sciences   environmental studies   fall 2009 semester   graduation   Grand Valley State University   relief   update   winter 2010 semester  

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final college classes

I worked really hard the last three years and I was still unable to make it out of here in under four years.  But at least I'm not going to be here any longer that four years (that I think, would probably kill me).  This time next year I will be getting ready to graduate with a BS in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University.  My next step will be to get out of West Michigan and back to the east side ASAP!


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Filed under  //   Advertising and Public Relations   Allendale Michigan   college   college courses   College of Liberal Arts and Sciences   fall 2009 semester   graduation   Grand Valley State University   relief   winter 2010 semester  

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GVSU student rally again

Protesters rally again

By Lauren Fitch GVL News Editor 
3/14/2009

The protests sparked by the shooting of Grand Valley State University student, Derek Copp, will continue today as students gather at the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus as well as the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department.

A sit-in will be held at 10 a.m. in Kirkhof to draw the attention of GVSU administration and begin a constructive dialogue about the situation.

Greg Hatt and Edo Gelbard, friends of Copp, also organized a protest scheduled to start at noon at the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department on 12220 Filmore St., in West Olive, Mich.

The main issues the students at the protest want to address are police brutality and the tactics used by the West Michigan Enforcement Team.

Hatt, a former GVSU student, said the goal of the protest is to see the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department change their policy on conducting search warrants and drug investigations, which Hatt said is the root of the current situation with Copp.

Around 9 p.m. Wednesday, officers of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department attempted to execute a search warrant for narcotics at Copp's off-campus apartment. As officers approached Copp's apartment, one deputy fired a shot at Copp, 20, from the apartment's rear sliding door.

"We want to see that justice is served," Hatt said. "We'll let the legal system decide what justice is."

Hatt said personally he thinks the deputy should lose his badge.

"I still have love for the guy and don't want to see him lose his job," Hatt said. "But I don't think it's acceptable for him to continue (in law enforcement) if it was his error, if it puts another student in danger."

Gelbard, a GVSU junior, agreed the deputy should be terminated.

He said the laws meant to protect citizens are actually hurting them in the way they are enforced.

"The point of (the protest) is to let the Sheriff's Department and the media see that the movement stands for peace and love," Gelbard said. "We want to show them we are respectable, young adults who should not be shot under any circumstances."

Gelbard said Copp would be proud of the way everyone is coming together for the protests.

"This is what Derek (Copp) is all about," Gelbard said. "He wouldn't agree if the protest turned into a more violent message."

Hatt, who spoke to Copp during the weekend, said Copp is thankful for the protests and supports the cause.

Most of their conversation, Hatt said, was focused on Copp's well being.

Copp continues to be treated at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital for injuries sustained during the shooting at his Campus View apartment.

Copp's parents told 24 Hour News 8 the bullet entered the right side of their son's upper chest, breaking several ribs, rupturing his right lung and continuing through his liver. The bullet remained lodged in his lower back, but doctors expected to remove it Friday.

"He's going through a lot right now," Hatt said, referencing Copp's physical pain as well as the possible legal charges he could face. "His world came crashing down."

Organizers expect turnout for the protest to be more than 100 students, though Hatt said he would be happy with anything.

"It's hard to get a handle on how many people are involved," Gelbard said. "It's spreading fast."

More protests are scheduled for the Allendale Campus throughout the week with a March for Peace to start at 1 p.m. on Friday from the Pew Campus.

"This isn't going to stop," Hatt said. "This isn't going to be a one-time protest. We're going to keep going until we see a real change."

http://www.lanthorn.com

                     
Click here to download:
GVSU_student_rally_again.zip (422 KB)

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Filed under  //   Allendale Michigan   Grand Valley State University   Lanthorn article   not my picture   peaceful protest   protest   rally   shooting   students   violence  

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Girls Night Reunion

After our freshmen year at Grand Valley, Chelsea and Melissa transferred to different schools and we have really been able to see them much. But they came out to visit Friday night and we had a really good time! It makes me miss how much fun we used to have our first year here. Now I'm just too old and responsible. It has it's pros and cons.


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Filed under  //   Allendale Michigan   Chelsea Saari   girls night   Grand Valley State University   Melissa Ismet   party planning   reunion  

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GVSU student shot at apt complex

GVSU student shot at apt
complex

Victim was shot in the chest

Updated: Thursday, 12 Mar 2009, 9:19 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 11 Mar 2009, 10:47 PM EDT

ALLENDALE, Mich. (WOOD) - A Grand Valley State University student was shot while police were trying to execute a search warrant at his off-campus apartment, according to the university.

State Police say the search warrant was drug-related.

They say WMET, or West  Michigan Enforcement Team,  was executing the warrant when the officer-involved shooting occured. It remains unclear about exactly who fired the shots.

The shooting occurred at around 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Campus View apartment complex on 42nd Avenue in Allendale.

The 20-year-old male victim was shot in the upper torso and is stable at a hospital, university officials say.

 

 

Contrary to what this article says, Campus View Apartments & Townhomes is part of Grand Valley State University's on-campus housing.

It's so sad. And very scary. The kid must have had a gun. And it might be naive of me but I don't like to think that students own have guns, let alone, have them in their on campus apartments.

Grand Valley has a very quiet campus life in the middle of nowhere and it seems like everything is close to perfect. Then it's something like this that reminds you that you're still in the real world.

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Filed under  //   Allendale Michigan   college   drugs   Grand Valley State University   GVSU   news story   shooting   violence   WOOD TV  

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QT PIE?!

I'm sorry, personalized license plates really drive me nuts... especially this "QT PIE" one. I bet 20 bucks that she is no such thing.

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Filed under  //   Allendale Michigan   camera phone pictures   Grand Valley State University   idiot   personalized license plates  

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old dead dudes

Me, Abe Lincoln and Steven Douglas (the guy that ran against him for president).

I was really sick but nothing was going to keep me from getting my picture taken with good 'ol Abe.

They came to my PolySci class to reinact some of their presidential debates.

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Filed under  //   Abraham Lincoln   camera phone pictures   Grand Valley State University   impersonators   Political Science   sick   Steven Douglas  

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