Jasmine's Blog

So one thing that surprised me when I got here was how long Winter break is. It is over a month, whereas in high school it was like 2 weeks. However, we also did get a lot more days off in between.

Even though Thanksgiving Break is over in 30 minutes, I am not going to lie, I could certainly use another break, but will certainly, no matter how challenging they are, miss some of my classes this semester. I have met some great teachers and done some actual learning- what a surprise.

There are some classes you take because you have to or because the course description SOUNDED alright, and you do what you have to in order to get a good grade and be out. Then, there are some that truly effect how you see the world. The Global Politics and Intro to Organizational Communication classes I took this semester have been those type of classes. I can take what I learned in Org Comm and truly apply it to my future in Human Resources, which is what I THINK I want to do with my life.

The Global Politics course opened my eyes to issues I never really thought of. Most of our education is pretty centered on America and doesn't really focus on other countries (not just geography or locating them on a map, truly knowing what their issues and conflicts are and how the US sometimes causes them), so it was great, but saddening to learn about the realities of Darfur, Rwanda, immigration in general, world finances, etc.

But I was going to review this month briefly:
1) As of November 4, 2008, in the first presidential election I was ever able to vote in, the people of the United States elected Barack Obama to be the next leader of our country. Needless to say, this was the first presidential election that I cried over. I watched CNN the whole night, then I went to the grocery store around 9:30 and ended up missing the big moment haha. Everyone in the store was clapping and cheering, you would have thought they had just put everything on clearance! It was crazy, the energy on campus and in my apartment was electric. Everyone was excited, people were screaming out of their windows into the wee hours of the morning. I am so glad I was able to live during this time. I will certainly be praying for Barack, he has tough times ahead of him, but I believe that...YES, HE CAN!

2) It got cold. Throughout this month, the temperature has been dropping, it has been snowing, and I have found that my hoodie and ballet slippers no longer make the grade :(, I love those slippers! So, I had to go to Burlington Coat Factory, the one stop shop for winter here in MN, and buy a dress coat and everyday warm coat. I got pretty good deals, my torso has not been cold yet! I also had to buy winter boots- in the past I have been totally against the Ugg style boots, but I bought a pair and found that though they are not cute in any shape, form or fashion, they are very warm and comfortable. So now, whether I am walking to class outside or the Gopher Way (an underground tunnel system here on campus), my feet and upper body will be warm...now to find some long johns for my legs

3) So much so little time, this month also included many other amazing things. For example, Free Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream at Gophers After Dark, a midnight breakfast hosted by a fraternity on campus, two awesome open mics, Experience MN (a day of fun for multicultural prospective students and families) where Thomas and I performed, a showcase featuring the art of stepping hosted by the Black Student Union, me winning the $1000 SEED of Change Award/ SEED Breakfast, the John Legend concert here on campus- (AWESOME!), the Unity Dinner hosted by several organizations, Ebony Mic Night at St. Thomas (an open mic event at a local university), the sad end of Gopher Football and our last game in the Metrodome, Thanksgiving, Black Friday and finally, World AIDS Day/The Red Revolution hosted by Shades of Red Student Group kicks off tomorrow.

What a month, with finals fast approaching and winter break approaching even faster, there is a lot to do. I am going to try to have the maximum amount of fun possible over break. Can't wait! I will certainly be filling you in...until next time...Be EZ!