College of Liberal Arts
University of Minnesota
Twin Cities Campus
101 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Mike's Blog

Back to School...

Winter break went by way to fast! I decided to spend my winter break back in my hometown enjoying home cooked meals and visiting with family. I also stayed very busy managing the local movie theater in my town since business picks up during the holidays. It was great seeing everyone again and getting caught up on all of the recently released Blockbuster Hits.

One of the best movies I saw was Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood. Eastwood played a Korean Vet who helps protect a troubled youth from a local Hmong gang. ~Fun Fact: The movie was actually based on the culture of the Hmong in Minneapolis and one of the main actors (Bee Vang) goes to high school in Plymouth, Minnesota.~

I also enjoyed Will Smith’s performance in Seven Pounds where he plays an IRS agent and decides to change the lives of several strangers. This movie did not receive the best reviews since critics feel it plays with the viewer’s emotions, but I was still very impressed with Smith’s performance. I would suggest seeing both Gran Torino, Seven Pounds as well as many of the other notable movies that were released before the new year (Valkyrie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Revolutionary Road, etc...).

However, winter break is now over and it’s back to the reality of the busy college life style. It is now the end of the second week of school and I am still trying to get back into the rhythm of studying and writing papers late into the night. Fortunately my class work has yet to pick up, so I will be able to enjoy watching Super Bowl XLIII this Sunday. I am not really favoring one team over the other so I decided I am going to cheer for Arizona since I feel they are the underdogs. I am also a fan of Larry Fitzgerald who used to be a Vikings ball boy.

Have a great Super Bowl Sunday!

 January 31st, 2009
Picture of Mike
  • Class & major: senior; psychology, Spanish minor
  • Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota
  • Why a liberal arts degree : Before applying to the U of M I was thinking about majoring in psychology. After asking questions and researching, I learned that the U of M's program is ranked with the best. This was the most influential determinate of enrolling in the U because my focus was the quality of the education I would receive. Overall, CLA has stood up to my expectations and is helping me discover my abilities and potential.
  • My advice for a good first semester : It goes by fast, so enjoy it! Keep your door open to new opportunities, meeting new friends, and getting involved in activities. Some critial advice is to make sure to STUDY a lot your freshman year. You won't have the option to get behind.
  • Favorite hangout on campus: the big comfy chairs in Coffman
  • Favorite quotation: "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." - Gandhi