April 4, 2008
I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to wonder where 2008 is going. We’re already one-quarter of the way through the year. I only have six more classes in three of my classes. Before I know it, it will be finals and then summer. I celebrated the end of the week by going to The Cellar, our on-campus restaurant, with my friend. It’s become a tradition almost every weekend and the food is really good. I had a panini and it was excellent. I always like to find some way to relax after I power through Fridays with classes and trying to get as much homework done as possible before I give in to the weekend.
This is only half of what I got and it tastes a million times better
than this picture can convey
As I was writing this blog, Kelly came and put a smile on my face
Now, it’s time to recap what I’ve done to lead up to today. Last Saturday night, our improv group, Subject to Change, performed at the Pier. They are very talented and that provided a great comic break from the college life. Also at the Pier this past weekend was “Cloverfield”. I think the best way to sum it up is that it is a very strange, frantic movie. “I Am Legend” alternated as the other movie last weekend.
My church had a bluegrass band perform for worship this week. That was a really fun break. Our campus liaison from the church was the lead singer and we found out that she has a great voice. Our group of UR students who go to that church gets together every Wednesday for lunch. I normally have class, but I didn’t this week. Our pastor grilled hot dogs and hamburgers since it was an amazing day and we were able to relax partway through the week.
My pastor grilled hamburgers for us
My work with the Admissions Office has slowed down this week, but I’ve still been fairly active. I ate lunch with a prospective student and her family on Monday and answered questions that they had about the school. I also am answering questions for prospective Richmond Scholar Finalists and the incoming Class of 2012 via Facebook. I know that these groups helped me a lot when I was going through the process, so I’m trying to give back a little. Plus, I simply like doing it. Another fun thing I did with Admissions was launch my modeling tour… sort of. I was able to help with a photo shoot for our upcoming viewbooks. So, if you ever wonder who that good-looking guy is working out in the University of Richmond brochure, it’s probably me.
I also decided to participate in two student-led experiments this week. I even earned a little money for doing them. One of them was for Psychology and tested my dieting behaviors and the other was for Leadership Studies and tested my perception of a leader effectiveness after a mock disaster. Maybe the Psychology one impacted me somehow, because I decided to head over to the Weinstein Center for a midnight workout that day.
I am running unopposed for Class Chair next year, but my work isn’t over. I’m helping some of my friends campaign and I’m continuing my duties as current Class Chair. I’m organizing a March Madness event and also have been working on a project of my own for the past two months. It’s taken a fair amount of time and I’ve been able to meet with some of the administration through it. I did a survey in the fall of freshmen guys and their top concerns. I followed that up by writing responses to their top concerns with what we as their student government have done or why we were unable to do anything. The issues ranged from printers in the lounges to a cleaner lake to better off-campus transportation to student-scheduled finals.
One major event that I cannot neglect is housing for next year. I am in Lakeview, but it wasn’t announced what rooms we’d be living in or with whom we’d room. It was a difficult process at times since there are so few options (there are only seven of us guys in my program), but it all fell into place amazingly somehow. Right now, it looks like I will be living in a single with my two good friends, Andrew and Caleb, in the other half of the suite. We’re really excited.
Finally, I attended my very first Seder Dinner on Thursday night. Hillel, our Jewish group on-campus, sponsored it and there were some interesting foods. I tried gefilte fish and matzah and there was some other really good food there. I learned more about a Seder Dinner and it was a fun time.
Matzah
Our Seder plate
Our delicious Seder dinner
I know it may seem like I do a lot of outside activities, but I do manage to keep all of my classes straight as well. I finished my musical instrument sculpture. It’s a sitar and I think it looks really cool. I also wrote a CORE paper this week on the book “Age of Iron”. I’m so proud of myself because it’s not even due for another two weeks. Also, we’re continuing to read Tocqueville in Leadership Studies, but most things seem to keep moving along just fine.
My skull sitar
My musical instrument for Sculpture
This has been my week. It seems like I never have a truly “slow” week, but next week might come close. Looking ahead to next week, the University of Richmond is going to be hosting Ben Bernanke, the Chairman of the Fed and arguably one of the most influential people in the world. He rarely does public appearances, so we are very proud to have him coming. Just this past week, we had the Ambassador from Taiwan speak on campus as well as astronaut and UR alum Leland Melvin. We bring in great speakers and have top notch programs. That’s it for me, though. I hope everyone is enjoying the weather wherever they live and this post is finding you happy and healthy.
I got a care package from home with Easter treats
The weather is amazing and everything is blooming
Our campus just put up a high ropes course last month
Quote of the Week: “Know what’s weird? Day by day, nothing seems to change. But pretty soon, everything’s different” - Bill Watterson
Thought to Ponder: Why are they called “stairs” indoors, but “steps” outdoors?
Shout Outs: Matt from Duluth
YouTube Video of the Week:
Human Tetris. For some reason, this is very amusing.
