I tried to make a quick post yesterday, but for some reason the library computer I was on wouldn't let me get on to google.
Maybe google was down.
Anyway, what inspired me yesterday was my progress on my Nicaragua final project.
I am hoping to become involved with the Rainforest Action Network in fighting against local corporations who take part in massive levels of deforestation, which not only contributes to climate change, but threatens indigenous rights.
I emailed a friend about help with organization, and then I emailed the RAN leader from right here in Minneapolis. She hasn't replied yet, but I feel empowered regardless. Depending on the suggestions she might have, I am thinking about hosting an event on campus to raise awareness about this issue, and the local perpetrators. I have never done anything like this before, and if it happens, it could be life altering.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Winter Break in Review
In theory, there should be a lot in this post.
I started my winter break by going to St. Cloud with Colin after he got back. We hung out with his moms, drank egg nog and went to a variety show at his Uncle's theater. Then I went home to Ogilvie. I only stayed home for a couple days, and it was nice. I helped my dad clean the shop, had a sleepover with Sara and Nicole, and went to the neighbor's for a delicious Solstice dinner. I forgot what it was, but it was delicious.
I came back to the cities the day before Christmas Eve because the blizzard threatened to make travelling difficult. That night Aunt Beth picked me up and took me to her house to get reoriented and to get final dogsitting instructions. My Christmas holiday was a pretty good one. The first day Petie and Axel (the two Leonbergers) pouted and wouldn't leave their beds, but on Christmas I took them for a walk by Cedar Lake, and I became their best friend. I did a lot of reading, movie watching, facebook checking and string cheese eating. It really was a great time. When Beth and Louisa got home I got a ride back to Augsburg where I set to finishing my move in. I had already set up my book shelf, but I made it even better, and started hanging things up. Erica said I filled in nicely, and that makes me happy. The room really looks nice, and I am proud of my bookshelf corner. It feels really comfortable and like this is my room. I still need a desk, or something to get rid of a really disasterous corner in the bedroom.
I spent a few wonderful days in the room by myself, and on New Year's Eve I joined up with Ali, Mitch and the gang for celebrations. As recounted in Ali's blog, we went out to eat, and then went back to Tony and Brian's. I had a really good time playing pictionary and Trivial Pursuit, and just hanging out with them. They are cool people and I am glad that they included me. :)
On New Year's Day I rode the bus to Beth and Louisa's and attended their party. It mostly consisted of coworkers, relatives and friends of Beth and Louisa. I am in the awkward inbetween stage, where I am not quite old enough to shmooze with the adults, but I feel out of place with the kids too. Regardless, I had a great time, met some cool people, and in the end Beth's Cousin gave me a ride home. On the way out I saw my Trumpet teacher too, and that was interesting.
THEN...
On the second, we had our pre-departure class, and on the third 13 students, and 3 professors boarded the plane for Nicaragua. The trip should be a blog on its own, and I don't want to go over every detail here, but I will say that we had an amazing experience together. We stayed at Augsburg's Center for Global Education in Managua (the program that a bunch of other schools go through!) and our hosts there set up all kinds of outings, and meetings with Nicaraguans to learn first hand about the issues facing the country, particularly the poor and women. We visited a cooperative and a hospital in Sandino City (the poorest city in Nicaragua), the United States Embassy, and a women owned organic coffee cooperative up in the mountains near Esteli. Many other speakers came to the center, and on the last day we swam in a volcanic lake (where I met a Tom Robbins fan from California) and then went to Grenada (William Walker's head quarters).
I really enjoyed every bit of it, and the people I shared it with are some of the best I'll probably ever meet. Before going we learned about Paolo Freire's concept of experiential learning, and how learning must be incorporated in a circle that includes reflection and action. We also learned about being not only students, but teachers as well, and THAT was an amazing concept. Everyone on the trip brought their own knowledge, experiences and ways of looking at the world, and we all were able to share that with one another creating a "classroom" like nothing else. History Professor Michael Lansing lead the course, but Professors Mohammad Salom and Joe Underhill went along as well. We all dove in together as studenteachers and it was great.
I just got home last night after travelling all day. Erica got home from Paris a couple days ago, so I spent my first time in the apartment with her. Alex came over having just returned from Washington, then Erica's boyfriend Matt, Steve and Mary from the floor, and Colin came over too. We stayed up talking until midnight. Colin left to get sleep before an early morning flight to New Orleans, and then everyone dispersed. I went to bed and absorbed everything I could about the day, about my new room, and about everything that is going to happen this semester.
Classes started today. I initially had some stress regarding my ability to buy books, but once that was smoothed over a bit, I went to French and then ate lunch with Jenny and a bunch of other cool people. I am feeling good now, though I am still adjusting to having everyone back. It's hard to believe that by the time this semester is finished, there will be crocuses sprouting, and I will be halfway through my undergraduate career!
I started my winter break by going to St. Cloud with Colin after he got back. We hung out with his moms, drank egg nog and went to a variety show at his Uncle's theater. Then I went home to Ogilvie. I only stayed home for a couple days, and it was nice. I helped my dad clean the shop, had a sleepover with Sara and Nicole, and went to the neighbor's for a delicious Solstice dinner. I forgot what it was, but it was delicious.
I came back to the cities the day before Christmas Eve because the blizzard threatened to make travelling difficult. That night Aunt Beth picked me up and took me to her house to get reoriented and to get final dogsitting instructions. My Christmas holiday was a pretty good one. The first day Petie and Axel (the two Leonbergers) pouted and wouldn't leave their beds, but on Christmas I took them for a walk by Cedar Lake, and I became their best friend. I did a lot of reading, movie watching, facebook checking and string cheese eating. It really was a great time. When Beth and Louisa got home I got a ride back to Augsburg where I set to finishing my move in. I had already set up my book shelf, but I made it even better, and started hanging things up. Erica said I filled in nicely, and that makes me happy. The room really looks nice, and I am proud of my bookshelf corner. It feels really comfortable and like this is my room. I still need a desk, or something to get rid of a really disasterous corner in the bedroom.
I spent a few wonderful days in the room by myself, and on New Year's Eve I joined up with Ali, Mitch and the gang for celebrations. As recounted in Ali's blog, we went out to eat, and then went back to Tony and Brian's. I had a really good time playing pictionary and Trivial Pursuit, and just hanging out with them. They are cool people and I am glad that they included me. :)
On New Year's Day I rode the bus to Beth and Louisa's and attended their party. It mostly consisted of coworkers, relatives and friends of Beth and Louisa. I am in the awkward inbetween stage, where I am not quite old enough to shmooze with the adults, but I feel out of place with the kids too. Regardless, I had a great time, met some cool people, and in the end Beth's Cousin gave me a ride home. On the way out I saw my Trumpet teacher too, and that was interesting.
THEN...
On the second, we had our pre-departure class, and on the third 13 students, and 3 professors boarded the plane for Nicaragua. The trip should be a blog on its own, and I don't want to go over every detail here, but I will say that we had an amazing experience together. We stayed at Augsburg's Center for Global Education in Managua (the program that a bunch of other schools go through!) and our hosts there set up all kinds of outings, and meetings with Nicaraguans to learn first hand about the issues facing the country, particularly the poor and women. We visited a cooperative and a hospital in Sandino City (the poorest city in Nicaragua), the United States Embassy, and a women owned organic coffee cooperative up in the mountains near Esteli. Many other speakers came to the center, and on the last day we swam in a volcanic lake (where I met a Tom Robbins fan from California) and then went to Grenada (William Walker's head quarters).
I really enjoyed every bit of it, and the people I shared it with are some of the best I'll probably ever meet. Before going we learned about Paolo Freire's concept of experiential learning, and how learning must be incorporated in a circle that includes reflection and action. We also learned about being not only students, but teachers as well, and THAT was an amazing concept. Everyone on the trip brought their own knowledge, experiences and ways of looking at the world, and we all were able to share that with one another creating a "classroom" like nothing else. History Professor Michael Lansing lead the course, but Professors Mohammad Salom and Joe Underhill went along as well. We all dove in together as studenteachers and it was great.
I just got home last night after travelling all day. Erica got home from Paris a couple days ago, so I spent my first time in the apartment with her. Alex came over having just returned from Washington, then Erica's boyfriend Matt, Steve and Mary from the floor, and Colin came over too. We stayed up talking until midnight. Colin left to get sleep before an early morning flight to New Orleans, and then everyone dispersed. I went to bed and absorbed everything I could about the day, about my new room, and about everything that is going to happen this semester.
Classes started today. I initially had some stress regarding my ability to buy books, but once that was smoothed over a bit, I went to French and then ate lunch with Jenny and a bunch of other cool people. I am feeling good now, though I am still adjusting to having everyone back. It's hard to believe that by the time this semester is finished, there will be crocuses sprouting, and I will be halfway through my undergraduate career!
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