2008 November Archive at Amani, ‘12

Archive for November, 2008

Counting down…one week of classes left!

Hey there, Prospectives! Hope all is going well…

For the past two weeks, I’ve been bogged down with a Spanish group project, preparing for a Calculus test, and writing my second big CORE essay. My workload has been pretty heavy, not to mention the various meetings and practices I’ve had—but hey, that’s college!

It actually hasn’t been that bad, especially because my Spanish project was really fun—we had to make a telenovela, or a Spanish soap opera. As you can imagine, we had so much fun with the storyline, as did our fellow classmates. The only thing that was a little challenging was making sure that all of our grammar and spellings were correct, because it was completamente en español (completely in Spanish). Many groups recorded their telenovelas and simply showed their videos to the class, which is what my group did. However, there was one group that acted out their telenovela in class—it was bold to do because it meant that everyone had to know all of their lines prior to starting and maybe added nervousness from being in front of the teacher and the class, but they did a really great job. Check out my group’s video below!

Oh yes, I cannot forget to tell you all my good news! I found out this weekend that I was accepted into the summer study abroad program to Seville, which is in Spain! I’m so excited! I plan to minor in Spanish, and after taking two semesters this year, I thought it would be good to immerse myself in the culture in order to improve upon my speaking and comprehension skills, so I applied to the study abroad program. And now I’m in it! It costs a little under $5000, not including transportation there and back, but it’s worth it. The cost includes tuition for two classes, room and board, and about three or four mini excursions. Of course spending money and any other expenditures are not covered, but I think it’s a pretty good deal. Not to mention there are lots of scholarships available that will cover about $2000, so it’s not so bad. Also, I plan to use my one-time $3000 stipend that I have as an Oliver Hill scholar. So for my airfare and anything extra, I’ll just be working over my Christmas break! (I do take donations! Make your checks out to Amani’s Expanding Education Fund, lol.)

And now I’m home for Thanksgiving break—it could not have come at a better time! I’m so happy to be at home in my own room (with my bed on the floor)…and it’s nice to be with my family. Last night I made candied yams for the first time, and I did it all by myself! (My grandmother gave me a general overview at the start, but she wouldn’t tell me anything further when I asked—she said that I couldn’t hurt them, so to make them to my discretion, lol.) And today, I helped my other grandmother with her delicious sweet potato pies—and it was historic because we actually have a written recipe for them now! For all the years that she’s been making them, she has never once stopped to write down the ingredients and steps. While we still don’t have the recipe for just one, we do have a recipe for four pies, so eventually I’ll be able to make one perfect pie! :-) And I think I might just become a sweet potato extraordinaire! hehe

Now I’m just waiting to indulge in all of the awesomeness of food that is tantalizing my taste buds from downstairs—won’t dare to count calories today (not that I ever do, lol). And tomorrow, well, I’ll be fighting all of the crazy people at the malls and stores for the merchandise that goes on the same sales at days other than Black Friday, lol. All in the holiday spirit, of course!

Hope you are enjoying your families! Have a happy Thanksgiving, Prospectives!

Amani
This is what happens when he thinks no one is watching lol

My sister and her cool tights …on the phone with family

Me, also talking to family…trying to finish a piece of cake that I had no room for lol

My brother attempting to be cool with his matching socks haha

Published by Amani on November 27, 2008 in School life and Breaks. 0 Comments

Busy, busy weekend!

Hey there, Prospectives!

I’m still awestruck by the historical significance of this election! But life doesn’t stop, so I just smile and keep it moving.

In the UR bubble (referred to as such because of its distinctness and remoteness from the rest of Richmond), a lot has been going on. On Saturday, our two black sororities on campus, Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha, each held walks for good causes—the Deltas for Lupus and the AKAs for Breast Cancer. I participated in both, which meant waking up at 7:45 on a Saturday morning to ride off campus and walk three miles in the cold and rain in honor and memory of those with Lupus and then coming back to rest for a couple of hours and walk twice around the lake in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. I really felt good for contributing to both causes, both financially and physically. Not to mention that I won a raffle for a $20 Wawa gift card at the Lupus walk and both groups gave T-shirts to their registered walkers. And afterwards, with all of that blood pumping, I was focused and ready to do work. (Yes, schoolwork on a Saturday…it happens.)

That night, the Black Student Association held their annual Harlem Renaissance Ball, which was very fun. After arriving around midnight (the ball was from 10 pm – 2 am, as are many organized parties on campus), I found out that my name had been drawn from those who had submitted answers to Harlem Renaissance trivia earlier in the week. (This must have been my day for winning ) Unfortunately, I missed this opportunity to win $25 because I wasn’t there before 11 pm, so they had to draw another name. Despite this, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself with my friends.

Farren and I at the ball

Sarah and I

Sunday, too, was a busy day. It was the long-awaited day for MOVE (Multicultural Overnight Visitation Experience) participants, consisting of high school juniors and seniors, to come and experience the university first hand. The students took part in several activities, including tours, a simulated CORE class, and a social, and they stayed overnight with a currently enrolled host student. I signed up to host but did not get paired with a prospective student because so many host students arrived while I was serving as a student panelist that the need for hosts was fulfilled. Being a panelist was enjoyable—we got to answer any questions that the students had about preparing for or existing within the University of Richmond. Also, my best friend Sarah hosted two girls she knew from home, so I still got to bond with the prospectives even though I didn’t get to host.

The MOVE social was so much fun! The social is pretty much an exhibition of the different multicultural organizations that the campus offers. Some of the groups included were D-Squad hip-hop dancers, Umoja gospel choir, Asian Beat, Ngoma African Dance Company (of which I’m a part), the AKAs, and the Deltas. I think the prospective students (as well as our own) enjoyed the performances very much, and based on the crowd’s reaction, I’d say Ngoma performed very well, especially with it being our first showcase of the school year. I had minimal energy after our high-energy African dance “High Priestess,” but my face showed my excitement of participating in my first performance with the dance company. Of course, now I just need to start utilizing the Weinstein Center to get in better shape so that I’m not out of breath and overly exerted when we have to perform about six dances in our spring concert. I have my work cut out for me, but then again, nothing comes without hard work.

Ngoma

Asian Beat

The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta

The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha

D-Squad

Umoja

I’m not even going to bore you with the frustrations of last week’s registration for spring semester courses, but I can say that registration sure is a cut-throat process. I didn’t initially get the courses I wanted, but I’ll just check every so often to see if anybody has maybe switched out of the course or if any of the teachers will give me an override into the class. I have hope that it won’t end up so bad.

Keep on going, Prospectives, because only those who persevere enjoy the fruits of their labor. Until next time!

Amani

Published by Amani on November 10, 2008 in Etc... and School life. 0 Comments

Yes We Can…Yes We Did…Yes We Will!

It was 11:00 p.m. I was in my best friend Sarah’s room, sitting on her bed with my laptop, logged onto Facebook with the TV locked on channel 18, CNN. I turn toward the television as I hear uproar from the Chicago crowd on the screen, and I see that the caption says that Barack Obama wins the presidential election. I was immediately at a loss—I couldn’t decide whether to cry, laugh, or shout in celebration. I was elated. Change is needed, and now change will come.

We are living in the midst of an immense historic occasion. Less than 50 years ago, schools and facilities were still segregated and there was no such thing as equal rights. Who would have thought that we as a nation would progress so far so fast and be able to bring about real change in America? It’s more than just a race thing, although Barack Obama has shattered statistics and defeated the odds. It’s all about change—positive change. We will never be able to move forward if we are not able to encourage and embrace change. I am so excited that this want for change is felt all across America and around the world—regardless of race, religion, or creed.

It will not be easy, but change will come.

A celebratory march on Broad St. by VCU students (taken by my friend Brandy)

Political awareness has been significantly heightened amongst young people, and moves have been made to politically mobilize college students on campuses all across America. Here at UR, I have seen so many students taking action on their political beliefs. From chalk statements on the pathway to D-Hall to posters on dorm room doors to T-shirts and buttons, Richmond students have made their voices heard. Students have worked so hard at registering voters, canvassing, and volunteering in any way they could. They, along with people all across America, have done a great job to stimulate young America into becoming citizens who are well-versed in important political issues.

My neighbors’ door

My door