It is blizzarding. In April. Each snow flake kills a piece of my soul.
But even the weather won't get me down, because life is falling in place pretty sweetly these days.
Looks like I'll be a May 2008 graduate! Saweeeet.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Musac and Español
Our prof is eloquently enlightening us to the fact that we have been butchering the spanish language for the past 8 years. Awesome.
Faint Music: Piano Man
15 minutes. Students behind whisper about the strange music coming from...? The window? Curious. They ignore it and continue to soak in the knowledge.
20 minutes...Giggling from the back. It's getting louder. Is that...Dylan?
I'm looking out the window, chuckling as well to the now not so faint music that's adding an interesting twist to this Friday's class.
Good taste, I think.
The prof stops. Asks us in his british accent what's so funny. Someone explains about the musac coming from...the window? An ipod? Does anyone have an Ipod?
Me: (thinking outloud). I have an ipod. Is it mine? Eh, let me...check. er... yep, sorry guys! It's mine...errrr. Awkwardddd. These two chuckle.
Prof: It appears they didn't take to your taste in music.
Faint Music: Piano Man
15 minutes. Students behind whisper about the strange music coming from...? The window? Curious. They ignore it and continue to soak in the knowledge.
20 minutes...Giggling from the back. It's getting louder. Is that...Dylan?
I'm looking out the window, chuckling as well to the now not so faint music that's adding an interesting twist to this Friday's class.
Good taste, I think.
The prof stops. Asks us in his british accent what's so funny. Someone explains about the musac coming from...the window? An ipod? Does anyone have an Ipod?
Me: (thinking outloud). I have an ipod. Is it mine? Eh, let me...check. er... yep, sorry guys! It's mine...errrr. Awkwardddd. These two chuckle.
Prof: It appears they didn't take to your taste in music.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Making Some Changes
During freshman and sophomore year, it feels like you're going to be in college forever; that you'll have all the time in the world to explore classes, majors, departments, and really find what's right for you. Then all of a sudden you're a junior, and you're constantly getting messages that you're steps away from graduation; that you should already clearly know what you want by now.
I was doing my best to just follow the path that lay ahead of me, and force my way to graduation, without really being happy with what I was studying, or really having a concrete reason as to WHY. I had lost sight of what I'm naturally good at, what I have naturally gravitated to throughout my whole life, and I was forcing myself into a career path that isn't what is best for me.
I still have a lot of unanswered questions, but I've taken some time to think about what things REALLY make me happy, and...well... I'm doing those things.
One thing I do know: this will be my last econ class. Ever.
That feels good.
I was doing my best to just follow the path that lay ahead of me, and force my way to graduation, without really being happy with what I was studying, or really having a concrete reason as to WHY. I had lost sight of what I'm naturally good at, what I have naturally gravitated to throughout my whole life, and I was forcing myself into a career path that isn't what is best for me.
I still have a lot of unanswered questions, but I've taken some time to think about what things REALLY make me happy, and...well... I'm doing those things.
One thing I do know: this will be my last econ class. Ever.
That feels good.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Squeaky Clean
I need to invite this kid over for mac and cheese more often. My kitchen is squeaky clean.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
The Grey Area
-I really like smoking. Can I smoke even when I'm praying?
-Of course not.
-I really like praying. Can I pray even while I'm smoking?
-Why of course my son.
This amongst other scenarios articulated by Mahmoud El Gamel at an Islamic Banking seminar has been tossed around in my mind in the past few days.
-Of course not.
-I really like praying. Can I pray even while I'm smoking?
-Why of course my son.
This amongst other scenarios articulated by Mahmoud El Gamel at an Islamic Banking seminar has been tossed around in my mind in the past few days.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Dive into the Deep End
Dove right into a vulnerable place in coach groups today: tuna fish monologue. Haven't pulled that baby out in three years, and it scared the crapola out of me, but I think it set a good tone. Let yourself be exposed, vulnerable. Show those around you who you are without wasting your first encounters discussing surface issues. Share your passions, and don't be afraid to dive right in, as scary is it might be.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Happy Post Middle of February Day
Looking at a GMM of 80-90 people is pretty mindblowing. It's like the product of everything we've been building up to in the past year is finally tangible. visible. real. We've planned and planned and now it's time to act. This requires that every single member in the LC step up and take it upon themselves to enable themselves and others around them to be both leaders and mentors.
It's pretty empowering, after weeks of:
goal setting
planning
Marketing
info sessions
IT kinks
applications
floods of emails,
4 nights of interviews
and a few hours of slap-happy hysteria
to finally see the culmination as 40 unsuspecting newbies walk into their first GMMs.
This weekend: ROKS Spring 2007.
230 Rowdies will gather.
60 will be wearing RED.
It's pretty empowering, after weeks of:
goal setting
planning
Marketing
info sessions
IT kinks
applications
floods of emails,
4 nights of interviews
and a few hours of slap-happy hysteria
to finally see the culmination as 40 unsuspecting newbies walk into their first GMMs.
This weekend: ROKS Spring 2007.
230 Rowdies will gather.
60 will be wearing RED.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Holy Buttload
It's 1 in the AM. I haven't even started the spanish that's due at 8:50 AM. But all I can think is: HOLY BUTTLOAD.
Just finished off our recruitment drive.
Three info sessions this past Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
137 potential members attended in total.
97 are now somewhere in the process of completeing their applications/registering for interviews.
Wow.
This is the beginning of something big.
Just finished off our recruitment drive.
Three info sessions this past Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
137 potential members attended in total.
97 are now somewhere in the process of completeing their applications/registering for interviews.
Wow.
This is the beginning of something big.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Belated Thoughts
A bit delayed, I know, but it's finally time for my WSC reflections...
I've never been more proud to say that I'm a member of AIESEC Madison. With carloads of 17 people driving anywhere between 14-18 hours to get to the glorious town of Spartanburg, South Carolina, we started off the conference strong and ended stronger.
WSC was definitely a chance to pause and look back on the past year in AIESEC, and the progress we've made both locally and nationally. This semester has been truly remarkable. After a few years of completely turning our LC's structure upside down, trying new things, failing, trying newer things, succeeding, I think we finally are at a point where all the pieces are in place and we are already starting to see results.
Looking around at our delegation at WSC, I saw 17 individuals that are all leading our LC. They may not have VP positions or fancy titles. That's unimportant. What they do have is a passion, drive, and commitment to making AIESEC's vision become a reality. They have the ability to empower others, and they have what it takes to blow shit up in Madison this next year.
I'm also incredibly proud of AIESEC US right now. I have learned and grown so much from working with the subgroup this past year, and I'm so proud of the progress made and where we are as a nation right now. I owe Luke a pretty freaking huge THANK YOU for taking on the monumental task of facilitating the work of the subgroup, for always being there to bounce ideas off of, and for being an incredible friend. Also, for looking way crazier than me on dress your P night.
At WSC, I felt my first pangs of pain at the thought of all the AIESEC Madison members who will be graduating in May...Some of these individuals sucked me into the organization as an unsuspecting freshman, others I've grown to depend on in the past semester. They have been mentors and friends, and they continue to challenge me every day. And, although I have been been conveniently avoiding the reality of their graduation, and will continue to do so for a good bit... for now, I'll just say that you folks have played a bigger part in my life than I think you know, and for that, I'd like to thank you.
So.. I have officially stepped into my LCP role, and I can finally say that I am confident enough to take this on; to take on the challenge of leaving AIESEC Madison better than I started it; to enable individuals to do the job of running, building, and growing AIESEC Madison better than I could ever do it, and well, basically... to blow shit up.
I've never been more proud to say that I'm a member of AIESEC Madison. With carloads of 17 people driving anywhere between 14-18 hours to get to the glorious town of Spartanburg, South Carolina, we started off the conference strong and ended stronger.
WSC was definitely a chance to pause and look back on the past year in AIESEC, and the progress we've made both locally and nationally. This semester has been truly remarkable. After a few years of completely turning our LC's structure upside down, trying new things, failing, trying newer things, succeeding, I think we finally are at a point where all the pieces are in place and we are already starting to see results.
Looking around at our delegation at WSC, I saw 17 individuals that are all leading our LC. They may not have VP positions or fancy titles. That's unimportant. What they do have is a passion, drive, and commitment to making AIESEC's vision become a reality. They have the ability to empower others, and they have what it takes to blow shit up in Madison this next year.
I'm also incredibly proud of AIESEC US right now. I have learned and grown so much from working with the subgroup this past year, and I'm so proud of the progress made and where we are as a nation right now. I owe Luke a pretty freaking huge THANK YOU for taking on the monumental task of facilitating the work of the subgroup, for always being there to bounce ideas off of, and for being an incredible friend. Also, for looking way crazier than me on dress your P night.
At WSC, I felt my first pangs of pain at the thought of all the AIESEC Madison members who will be graduating in May...Some of these individuals sucked me into the organization as an unsuspecting freshman, others I've grown to depend on in the past semester. They have been mentors and friends, and they continue to challenge me every day. And, although I have been been conveniently avoiding the reality of their graduation, and will continue to do so for a good bit... for now, I'll just say that you folks have played a bigger part in my life than I think you know, and for that, I'd like to thank you.
So.. I have officially stepped into my LCP role, and I can finally say that I am confident enough to take this on; to take on the challenge of leaving AIESEC Madison better than I started it; to enable individuals to do the job of running, building, and growing AIESEC Madison better than I could ever do it, and well, basically... to blow shit up.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Nice
My first class today:
male 1: Wow, Sara, are you sick?!
Me: errr...
male 1: sorry, that could sound really bad, but you just look pretty sick
Me: Ya. Sick. Right. I'm sick.
5 minutes later, same class:
Male 2: Sara you have this thing on your nose
Me: Ya. A pimple.
Male 2: shoulder shrug.
Annie: HAHA!
Good Morning to you too everyone.
male 1: Wow, Sara, are you sick?!
Me: errr...
male 1: sorry, that could sound really bad, but you just look pretty sick
Me: Ya. Sick. Right. I'm sick.
5 minutes later, same class:
Male 2: Sara you have this thing on your nose
Me: Ya. A pimple.
Male 2: shoulder shrug.
Annie: HAHA!
Good Morning to you too everyone.
Monday, December 11, 2006
The Third Eye
As I wake up this morning to an email from my mother about another sexual assault occuring on the UW campus during broad daylight, I can't help but compare the liberating feeling of walking around freely through the streets of Hong Kong to the sentiments I wake up with today, in Madison, my hometown.
The third watchful eye has crept back into my daily routine, as walks home from the library and other locales in the late night have been consciously limited, my step quickens during my walks home from c lasses that let out after dark, and I am left with the gut-wrenching realization that the one thing I fear most in this world has occured to at least two young women in the past weeks on my very campus.
The third watchful eye has crept back into my daily routine, as walks home from the library and other locales in the late night have been consciously limited, my step quickens during my walks home from c lasses that let out after dark, and I am left with the gut-wrenching realization that the one thing I fear most in this world has occured to at least two young women in the past weeks on my very campus.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Musicals, PJs, and Good Friends
A chillaxing night with two Beautiful ladies included nostalgic moments watching Joseph and the amazing technicolored dreamcoat at good old west high school, followed by a night in cozy pjs watching My Best Friends Wedding.
Gotta make the most of the times when we're all here in Madison.
I seem to take that time for granted.
Gotta make the most of the times when we're all here in Madison.
I seem to take that time for granted.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Mary's Monkeys and life's other updates
Mary's Monkeys:
My most fun class in college so far is definitely my 1st semester arabic class. Mary, our TA, is a pretty remarkable individual. It's amazing how 6 classes a week for one pretty challenging course can create a strange bond between everyone taking part. So, in class, Mary's students are sometimes referred to as her monkeys, but outside of, she has two little monkeys of her own, Lydia and Sophia.
Well, the monkeys were destined to meet this weekend, as a few of Mary's students decided to tag along on the family's Saturday bowling night. Plans changed a tad due to the popularity of saturday bowling leagues (who knew?), so bowling night turned into a night at Casbah, a local arabic restaurant/bar, where the seven of us, including Mary's monkeys, invaded Casbah's bar for a good two hours. Strangely good times. I have so much Respect for Mary.
The Fam:
My brother has officially been accepted to the UW. This has both positive and negative implications. This is a tricky phase for the little punk, I just hope it turns out well come next fall. He has some big life decisions to make...
As for the mother/daughter vaca, it has now turned into a whole family vacation. My mom, dad, brother, and I will be spending 21-26 of December in Puerto Rico. Random, I know, but my mom's hooked on the idea, and I'm goin with the flow. Sadek family vacations have ended on less than stellar notes the past few attempts, but I'm choosing an optimistic approach with this trip, and we'll see how this turns out.
End of semester:
Three weeks left of this semester, and the weather is getting to me, man. Let's see if I can build up any motivation to study these next three weeks. I'm looking forward to a fresh start next semester.
My most fun class in college so far is definitely my 1st semester arabic class. Mary, our TA, is a pretty remarkable individual. It's amazing how 6 classes a week for one pretty challenging course can create a strange bond between everyone taking part. So, in class, Mary's students are sometimes referred to as her monkeys, but outside of, she has two little monkeys of her own, Lydia and Sophia.
Well, the monkeys were destined to meet this weekend, as a few of Mary's students decided to tag along on the family's Saturday bowling night. Plans changed a tad due to the popularity of saturday bowling leagues (who knew?), so bowling night turned into a night at Casbah, a local arabic restaurant/bar, where the seven of us, including Mary's monkeys, invaded Casbah's bar for a good two hours. Strangely good times. I have so much Respect for Mary.The Fam:
My brother has officially been accepted to the UW. This has both positive and negative implications. This is a tricky phase for the little punk, I just hope it turns out well come next fall. He has some big life decisions to make...
As for the mother/daughter vaca, it has now turned into a whole family vacation. My mom, dad, brother, and I will be spending 21-26 of December in Puerto Rico. Random, I know, but my mom's hooked on the idea, and I'm goin with the flow. Sadek family vacations have ended on less than stellar notes the past few attempts, but I'm choosing an optimistic approach with this trip, and we'll see how this turns out.
End of semester:
Three weeks left of this semester, and the weather is getting to me, man. Let's see if I can build up any motivation to study these next three weeks. I'm looking forward to a fresh start next semester.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
WSC
As of right now, Madison has 17 delegates going to this conference, most of which are driving 17 hours to get there.
That makes me smile.
That makes me smile.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Mother Daughter Vacation Advice
So, the madre's pretty set on a Mother-Daughter vacay this winter break prior to WSC. She's been talking a lot about Puerto Rico, but I don't know enough to say whether this would be a good place to spend a week with the madre. Any advice on Puerto Rico, or a more suitable locale would be appreciated.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Green Package
It came with a printed letter:
Sara,
I am sorry for taking your mittens. I feel ashamed that I did such a thing. I hope you are able to forgive me in your heart, though you don't know who I am. I hope college is going well for you.
Best Wishes
sitting patiently inside the green package were my favorite mittens from high school.
Sara,
I am sorry for taking your mittens. I feel ashamed that I did such a thing. I hope you are able to forgive me in your heart, though you don't know who I am. I hope college is going well for you.
Best Wishes
sitting patiently inside the green package were my favorite mittens from high school.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Rough Moment
My bracelet from Thailand has unfortunately passed.
With it goes a little piece of my soul.
With it goes a little piece of my soul.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Finding a Balance
Just as the overwhelming realization that the line seperating my normal life and my @ life has essentially disappeared, that my day to day interactions, work, thoughts, and weekends are becoming more and more consumed, I received a phone call that brought back a bit of my sanity. Next year I will be living in a house with some non-@ friends, and although this was a tough call, I think it will be for the best. While I may not have the weekends to spend with these folks this semester, it is refreshing to know that I will build into my life some time with these gals in our humble abode come next year.