Welcome to March! It has been nearly two weeks since I was here last, so I am clearly not living up to my once-a-day promise, but this semester has become busy. No excuses, though, I'm going to try to be better about it. (After all, at least one person reads this - Hi Nicole!)
My internship is amazing. Michelle did me a huge service by recommending that I do this - I have completely fallen in love with the Student Affairs Department, and can't wait to get even more involved as the semester continues. Today I went to a Management Meeting, which meant that I sat in on an hour long conversation between the eight sections of the Student Affairs department. It was a really great experience, and even though I didn't really say anything, I would love to keep going back. I'm not sure if they will let me, but I think I'm going ask. I didn't understand some of the acronyms or things that they were talking about, but there was something really cool about the meeting.
Wednesday I go to Prairie High School with Nelson, who is one of our admissions counselors, and I'm really excited. I haven't been to a high school visit since I attended one while I was in high school, so it's going to be really interesting to see the other side of that. I'll also start getting in to more events and more involved with the KnowHow2Go Program that Admissions is doing, which is a recruitment program that is targeted at low-income and first-generation college students, but we're waiting on more responses from Middle and High Schools for that one.
This Saturday, I leave for a five day Service Trip in northern Washington. We start in Puyallup and make our way all the way to Everett working on farms and orchards and ending at a food bank. It's going to be some hard labor, but I'm excited; it should be pretty fun, actually. My friend Brandi and I get to drive up together on Saturday, and I love driving, so that will be great. I wanted to do a service trip for Spring Break, and was looking at New Orleans for a while, but this one is free and local, so I think it is going to be even better.
Things are starting to look up, though this semester took a turn for the the worse for a while. I think it'll end on a good note, though, so I'm definitely looking forward to that.
2.23.2010
play on when you're losing the game
I was told early this morning that one of my prose pieces will be published in the school's literary journal, and I'm thrilled. It is a piece that I was already pretty proud of, but I'm even more proud of it now. It's the first time I will ever be published!
Also, our campaign finally launches tomorrow! My amazing candidates, Mason and Tiffany, will do an official launch of the campaign about 3 1/2 hours before their first debate - with one opposing ticket, we've got some work cut out for us, but I've got a lot of faith in my team - they're going to do great. The website is just about finished, and once we pick up our fliers and merchandise tomorrow, we'll really be ready to paint the campus PINK! (You can check out what is finished of the website at www.votepink2010.org.)
This weekend I head for Pullman for a basketball game versus the University of Washington, and I can't wait! I'm going with an amazing group of people, and it should be a great break for me. Another coffee date with Michelle is scheduled for next Friday, my internship is really interesting and most of my classes are going well, so I definitely have things to look forward to. I have to tell you, though, the thing I need most is a big fat hug from someone - and I'm not sure where to find that. Maybe one will turn up if I wish hard enough.
Also, our campaign finally launches tomorrow! My amazing candidates, Mason and Tiffany, will do an official launch of the campaign about 3 1/2 hours before their first debate - with one opposing ticket, we've got some work cut out for us, but I've got a lot of faith in my team - they're going to do great. The website is just about finished, and once we pick up our fliers and merchandise tomorrow, we'll really be ready to paint the campus PINK! (You can check out what is finished of the website at www.votepink2010.org.)
This weekend I head for Pullman for a basketball game versus the University of Washington, and I can't wait! I'm going with an amazing group of people, and it should be a great break for me. Another coffee date with Michelle is scheduled for next Friday, my internship is really interesting and most of my classes are going well, so I definitely have things to look forward to. I have to tell you, though, the thing I need most is a big fat hug from someone - and I'm not sure where to find that. Maybe one will turn up if I wish hard enough.
2.09.2010
crazy cakes.
My life has felt like a tornado since I last posted. Let's see if I can sum this up in the time I have left before class.
Washington, DC was not what I expected. First of all, the dynamic was different. Maybe I've reached my peak with the organization. That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but it made for an interesting weekend. On top of that - I got some kind of bug. I'm pretty sure it was food poisoning - either the one restaurant I went to that no one else did on Friday night served me bad chicken or I had a bad reaction to something everyone else ate, but I was ill. I missed all of the sessions on Sunday, which threw my weekend off. Serena and I had a great time lobbying on Monday though (I was completely fine when I woke up that morning), and there are still good things to remember about the weekend. Some parts of it were a total bust, though.
Since then, things have been a little hectic. It has only been a week, but with Monday spent in DC and on the plane, I felt like my week was incredibly short. I did write a piece for my creative writing class that I completely love, but I want to edit the mistakes and add some more detail to it and I'm not allowed to edit it. It is driving me crazy, but I guess I'll wait. I have no reason to doubt my Creative Writing professor.
I've also finally started delving in to my internship. Part of it was my fault - I've had the reading for weeks and have been putting them off to do other things instead. But I'm getting in to them now and I think I like them - some of the stuff I'm reading is a little over my head, but I'm doing my best. My meetings with the Student Affairs professionals start on Friday, so hopefully that will be good.
Otherwise I'm just trying to manage my time better. I can't seem to get myself to focus, and I don't know if I'm overwhelmed, or bored, or frustrated - but something is getting to me, and I need to get rid of it. Too bad that next therapy appointment isn't for several weeks. Look like I'm going to have to figure this one out for myself - and we all know how well that goes.
Washington, DC was not what I expected. First of all, the dynamic was different. Maybe I've reached my peak with the organization. That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but it made for an interesting weekend. On top of that - I got some kind of bug. I'm pretty sure it was food poisoning - either the one restaurant I went to that no one else did on Friday night served me bad chicken or I had a bad reaction to something everyone else ate, but I was ill. I missed all of the sessions on Sunday, which threw my weekend off. Serena and I had a great time lobbying on Monday though (I was completely fine when I woke up that morning), and there are still good things to remember about the weekend. Some parts of it were a total bust, though.
Since then, things have been a little hectic. It has only been a week, but with Monday spent in DC and on the plane, I felt like my week was incredibly short. I did write a piece for my creative writing class that I completely love, but I want to edit the mistakes and add some more detail to it and I'm not allowed to edit it. It is driving me crazy, but I guess I'll wait. I have no reason to doubt my Creative Writing professor.
I've also finally started delving in to my internship. Part of it was my fault - I've had the reading for weeks and have been putting them off to do other things instead. But I'm getting in to them now and I think I like them - some of the stuff I'm reading is a little over my head, but I'm doing my best. My meetings with the Student Affairs professionals start on Friday, so hopefully that will be good.
Otherwise I'm just trying to manage my time better. I can't seem to get myself to focus, and I don't know if I'm overwhelmed, or bored, or frustrated - but something is getting to me, and I need to get rid of it. Too bad that next therapy appointment isn't for several weeks. Look like I'm going to have to figure this one out for myself - and we all know how well that goes.
1.28.2010
washington, dc.
I have arrived.
It was an adventure getting here - I missed the train by 30 seconds, nearly froze waiting for the next one, got lost once I got off the train, and nearly didn't have a room to sleep in. But I'm here, I'm warm, and I'm listening to President Obama's State of the Union while I type this.
While my first hour or so in DC was a little hectic, I'm excited to be here. The Power 100 has always been an amazing weekend, and I know this one will be the same. And I am eager to talk about Kenya to students who really, truly care.
It's late. I'm sure you'll hear from me throughout the weekend, though, as there is always something to talk about when it comes to the Power 100.
It was an adventure getting here - I missed the train by 30 seconds, nearly froze waiting for the next one, got lost once I got off the train, and nearly didn't have a room to sleep in. But I'm here, I'm warm, and I'm listening to President Obama's State of the Union while I type this.
While my first hour or so in DC was a little hectic, I'm excited to be here. The Power 100 has always been an amazing weekend, and I know this one will be the same. And I am eager to talk about Kenya to students who really, truly care.
It's late. I'm sure you'll hear from me throughout the weekend, though, as there is always something to talk about when it comes to the Power 100.
too late.
Yesterday, at our campus bookstore, I purchased the newest issue of Time, which has President Obama on the cover. I've tried to read it several times, and it's not for my lack of interest in the article, it's my frustration.
And not with our President.
On January 12, there was a 7.0 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This is news to no one. Millions of people lost their homes or, worse, their lives. The people of Haiti are struggling. It is devastating.
But it is not as if their struggle is new. Yes, it is worse, but new? Not even close.
Haiti is a country in poverty. Many of the people that live there own only a one-room shack and cannot feed their children. War has ravaged their country. They are in desperate need of help from those that can.
And all of a sudden, everyone can.
It is moments like these, like the Tsunami in 2004 or Katrina in 2005, that remind me why I work for an organization like the ONE Campaign. Every organization has office politics and kinks that need to be worked out, and I might get frustrated occasionally, but ONE is not waiting until our international brothers and sisters are in dire straits to help them. They are trying to conquer the problem now, jumping in with more force when an earthquake or tsunami happens.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't help places devastated by natural disasters. Of course we should; natural disasters are directly caused by no one and assistance is often necessary. But explain this to me - why is it that during natural disasters, not directly caused by man, people jump out of their seats to help, but when countries are in poverty, which is caused by man, it is so hard to get people to help?
I just wish more people would help those poverty-stricken countries now, instead of later. Later can often be too late.
And not with our President.
On January 12, there was a 7.0 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This is news to no one. Millions of people lost their homes or, worse, their lives. The people of Haiti are struggling. It is devastating.
But it is not as if their struggle is new. Yes, it is worse, but new? Not even close.
Haiti is a country in poverty. Many of the people that live there own only a one-room shack and cannot feed their children. War has ravaged their country. They are in desperate need of help from those that can.
And all of a sudden, everyone can.
It is moments like these, like the Tsunami in 2004 or Katrina in 2005, that remind me why I work for an organization like the ONE Campaign. Every organization has office politics and kinks that need to be worked out, and I might get frustrated occasionally, but ONE is not waiting until our international brothers and sisters are in dire straits to help them. They are trying to conquer the problem now, jumping in with more force when an earthquake or tsunami happens.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't help places devastated by natural disasters. Of course we should; natural disasters are directly caused by no one and assistance is often necessary. But explain this to me - why is it that during natural disasters, not directly caused by man, people jump out of their seats to help, but when countries are in poverty, which is caused by man, it is so hard to get people to help?
I just wish more people would help those poverty-stricken countries now, instead of later. Later can often be too late.
1.27.2010
one a.m.
I'm still in the Student Government office. Nicholas and I are putting some things together for the Walk-Out and Rally that is taking place on February 4th. I also still have loads to do and some of it isn't with me, so will I be sleeping tonight?
Not likely.
I love these nights.
Not likely.
I love these nights.
1.25.2010
cinnamon latte.
We return.
It is Monday, the text surprises me, as I haven't heard from him or seen him all day.
"Study session tonight?"
I hesitate, remembering that I promised my step-mom that I would actually eat dinner at home, for once. It takes me a minute or two to calculate the time, but I respond with, "What time? I told my family I would have dinner there. If you can wait until 8, then yes."
With an "Ok. Sounds good" the plans are made, and I settle in for the bus ride home, the brief shopping trip to Target, and the final walk from Lincoln to 8th. I tell my parents Nicholas is coming at 8; my step-mom sighs. Dad put the ham in late - dinner might not be ready in time.
It is, and we eat, but I'm anxious to leave - anxious to return to the atmosphere that I felt so at home in.
He orders the same thing, I order differently, and we find a spot further in the back, our previous nook occupied by a schoolmate that neither of us were expecting to see there. Sometimes I feel like Portland is a novelty to people from Vancouver. Portland? What? You mean you actually cross the I-5 Bridge?
It's a different atmosphere tonight, much louder and filled with more people, but something tells me that has more to do with our location in the coffee shop than a difference of evenings. Then again, more people spend Tuesday nights in coffee shops than Saturdays, I'm sure.
We read, take breaks, talk about things that make us think. It's the same type of evening, though the conversations and the readings are different. I let my new glasses get accustomed to my face; watching him turn over and around trying to find a comfortable position on the couch. I chose the armchair for a particular reason; he's a mover, and I was not about to get kicked in the head.
I purchase a cinnamon latte, recommended by another friend, and he chides me. "You'll be up all night," he says. "Don't drink that." I smirk and drink it anyway. "So I'm up all night," I say. "I have a lot to do in very little time."
The evening ends earlier than I would have liked, but the conversations have become more important than the homework, and I think we both knew that we could have talked for hours. Another time, maybe.
He plays a new song on the ride home, we continue our good conversations, and one last turn and a hug later I'm getting out of the car, agreeing to continue going back. It's good for both of us, these evenings. Hopefully it is the beginning of a pattern that gets us through a semester destined to be stressful.
It is Monday, the text surprises me, as I haven't heard from him or seen him all day.
"Study session tonight?"
I hesitate, remembering that I promised my step-mom that I would actually eat dinner at home, for once. It takes me a minute or two to calculate the time, but I respond with, "What time? I told my family I would have dinner there. If you can wait until 8, then yes."
With an "Ok. Sounds good" the plans are made, and I settle in for the bus ride home, the brief shopping trip to Target, and the final walk from Lincoln to 8th. I tell my parents Nicholas is coming at 8; my step-mom sighs. Dad put the ham in late - dinner might not be ready in time.
It is, and we eat, but I'm anxious to leave - anxious to return to the atmosphere that I felt so at home in.
He orders the same thing, I order differently, and we find a spot further in the back, our previous nook occupied by a schoolmate that neither of us were expecting to see there. Sometimes I feel like Portland is a novelty to people from Vancouver. Portland? What? You mean you actually cross the I-5 Bridge?
It's a different atmosphere tonight, much louder and filled with more people, but something tells me that has more to do with our location in the coffee shop than a difference of evenings. Then again, more people spend Tuesday nights in coffee shops than Saturdays, I'm sure.
We read, take breaks, talk about things that make us think. It's the same type of evening, though the conversations and the readings are different. I let my new glasses get accustomed to my face; watching him turn over and around trying to find a comfortable position on the couch. I chose the armchair for a particular reason; he's a mover, and I was not about to get kicked in the head.
I purchase a cinnamon latte, recommended by another friend, and he chides me. "You'll be up all night," he says. "Don't drink that." I smirk and drink it anyway. "So I'm up all night," I say. "I have a lot to do in very little time."
The evening ends earlier than I would have liked, but the conversations have become more important than the homework, and I think we both knew that we could have talked for hours. Another time, maybe.
He plays a new song on the ride home, we continue our good conversations, and one last turn and a hug later I'm getting out of the car, agreeing to continue going back. It's good for both of us, these evenings. Hopefully it is the beginning of a pattern that gets us through a semester destined to be stressful.
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