Education First, My Life Second

In these past few days I have tasted the joy of working whole-heartedly for something that I believe in - having the Utah legislature stop cutting the funding of higher education. Although it has resulted in me staying up later and getting up earlier all the while filling in the middle of my day as well with tabling and handing out petition cards, I am deeply satisfied to see the posters that I've worked to hang up around campus and to see the giant thermometer-banner that I made hanging in the Union.

In case I haven't explained Education First to you before this is what it is all about: Education First is a non-partisan group that largely works with business leaders of Utah (predominately republican) to tell the Utah legislature that Utah's economy cannot be maintained and the businesses cannot employ Utahans if the legislature does not put education first. Education First is also working with all of the higher education institutions in Utah to mobilize the students to prove that the students care if funding gets cut and tuition gets raised. It is even a competition between the universities and colleges of Utah to get the most petitions signed and whichever school wins will be awarded a table at the Governor's Gala (wouldn't it be amazing to be there?).

So, this is what I've been working on - heart and soul - for about a week now. It has reminded me that I love this sort of life: the sort of life where I am working relentlessly on something that I am passionate about. This in turn makes me believe that I would enjoy a job, as consuming as it might be, working for the government on education reform.

P.S. Next time I am in the Union, I'll take a photo of my giant thermometer. :)

Chamomile tea after a long week

I keep realizing different things that I did this week, and remembering them all I realize that it is not surprise that I am exhausted! It is time for some chamomile tea (check), sleep (getting there), and a refreshing hike (coming soon). In the meantime, here is what I did:

Went to my Thinktank meeting
Explored UMFA with a friend and spent an hour and a half on one exhibit (that's right, one!)
Practiced Tennis in the field house
Wrote my midterm essay for Intellectual Traditions on the same topic that I have been working on for an essay for my Western Civilization class
Received the highest grade (98.5) on the midterm for my US Government class
Went to a forum about redistricting
Discussed history essay with history professor
Went to a poetry reading
Went to a Government Relations meeting and will potentially be co-chair for the Special Projects Committee
Had free pie at the Village Inn with suitemates at 10:00 pm
Asked by Dr. Jones to TA for him
Played and won a very fun tennis match for the intramurals
Had a 'lunch date' to learn more about running for ASUU Assembly
Went to a lecture about the European crisis with the Euro
Worked on distributing Education First pamphlets for the Special Projects Committee of the GR board

Yeesh. No wonder I am tired.

Time to return to my tea.

1/4

With midterms (mostly) done I am 1/4 of the way done with my freshman year I have finally uploaded some of my photos and I will allow those to review the year for you. (Keep in mind that the photos go backwards in time. )

Only 50 Minutes?

Hello all!
I wanted to quickly report to you that my first midterm was a success. I correctly guessed two out of the three essay topics (religion, women) and I think I did a good job writing the essay and writing 5 short responses on different subjects. The only challenge was doing all of this in 50 minutes - a huge difference from being used to exams that last at least 90 minutes, if not much more. It is a whole different sort of challenge. But I got it all in and I feel very good about it! We'll see!

Next: US Govt on Friday!

University of Utah T-Shirt, Victoria Secret U of U Sweatpants, and Paul Frank Slippers

The Outfit of Champions. Or atleast the outfit that suits a long needed break.

After having a wonderfully busy week which culminated with seeing Babcock Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (absolutely hilarious and fantastic) and going to the Homecoming Dance (definitely the funnest dance that I have ever been to - I have a photo booth strip of photos to prove it too) I took the day off today.

Originally, I was going to go to the game today (U v. University of Washington) and volunteer with Recycle Rice Eccles but I decided yesterday and this morning that I definitely wouldn't have enough energy to do that. I seem to be making a habit of turning the game days into my relaxing days. It works for me.

This morning I showered and had a lovely, relaxed breakfast. I had a toasted bagel and egg (egg sandwich!) and strawberries and oranges with orange juice. Mm.

I then walked down to the library and read or reviewed 20 sources from ancient history for my Western Civilization exam on monday. These sources include everything from a section of the play Lysistrata to Socrates' speech at his trial. All very interesting.

Next, I walked back up and had lunch at the HC (pasta and a vegetable marinara, broccoli, yogurt with granola and raspberries). I followed this with a fantastic nap. So far I have spent the rest of my afternoon doing laundry, outlining essays, and working on government vocabulary.

It is wonderful to have a day to spend in my Paul Frank slippers.