Sunday, February 7, 2010

On Why I Don't Blog And Why I Should

So, I've had this blog for quite some time and I don't really use it. I'm sorry my one fan, you do mean a lot to me...I swear.

I just don't believe I live an interesting life. Rather, I believe I live a rather average life and when I realize that I have done something awesome I forget how awesome it was (case in point: Kenya).

But I know that I should blog. I know that it is an overplayed form on online communication and nobody really cares (Again, sorry one fan but really, you have better things to do).

Nonetheless, I feel as if our world, specifically our digital world is losing its humanity. It used to be that on online journal could be read by thousands of individuals simply because a person was doing it. Now, in order to have a blog with more than one frequent viewer, you have to be blogging about something interesting, keep it short and at the same time update it frequently with links so that maybe somehow random people will stumble upon your blog and you can encourage them to be followers of your blog.

I say no.

So, this is is my resolution (late I know but whatever): I will work on blogging more often about my live, loves, etc in this new year. If for nothing else, so Blogger doesn't simply decide to delete my blog in order to save server space.

But really, this si something that I want to do, I've always wanted to do. I simply need to get off my butt and do it.

So please, if you do read this, comment. Let's turn this into a conversation about my life and loves incorporating your life and loves rather than simply a weird college student's musing on life.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Thoughts on a Sickness

So, my school is awesome. I got a ride to the hospital, I had someone wait with me, constantly checking on me, I got an several emails checking on me, an email to my professors, and emails wishing me good health from said professors. And that is just protocol.

My professors sent work to me via my friends, I had friends check up on me, I have meetings for one-on-one time with my profs, and much more.

My school is awesome.

But in being sick, I realize how much work I still have to do....*sigh*

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

My Dilemma

I'm currently enrolled in an African Politics class and I have been looking forward to it since last March when I found out about it and got in. My problem is, I have been to a country in Africa: Kenya (in case you didn't know). And since going, I have had an adverse reaction to people clumping together Africa as a whole.

In Kenya, we had a dinner with a group of Kenyan bloggers and other intellectuals (I hate that term too) during which I was lambasted for saying "Africa" rather than "Kenya". And they had a point.

Africa is a very diverse continent with 53 counties (possibility of more soon) recognized by the U.N. It has hundreds, if not thousands of tribes and languages being spoken as well. And yet we clump it together.

Kenya alone has a rich history of political, economic, tribal, and socio-political issues that sets it apart from its neighbors. Beyond this, people from each country have their own customs and usually get offended by being clumped together.

So, you might be wondering why I am writing this; is it just for catharsis? No. It is because I want people to know, and I want people to understand why people do this (especially Westerners).

Africa is scary! When most people think of Africa they think of either a giant wilderness or of the scary African natives. Why?

In general, we have a history of doing this: "Heart of Darkness", "The Lion King", "Out of Africa", the AIDS crisis, National Geographic, Drought Relief Services Reports. Pretty much whatever we look at, we find objectification on Africa.

Why is it that we can show women from Africa's breasts but if they are from anywhere else it is considered uncouth? They are the crazy foreigners, its just what they do.

Why is it we can show the genitals of Africans in movies but not of other people? They are the crazy foreigners, its just what they do.

Why is it we can show Africans dying in documentaries without any hesitation, but other countries its hard to be able to do so? They are the crazy foreigners, its just what they do. They can't help but die without the White man's help.

The list goes on....

Maybe this is just a silly pet peeve of mine, or maybe my eyes have been opened...I don't know....

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Resident Life 2.0

So, we have been in RA training all of this past week and it has been really interesting.

We have a wonderful staff and I am really excited, but it has been very taxing to attempt to put my hall together the way I expect it to be (all beds lofted (as is told will happen to incoming freshmen but never actually happens), all maintenance and IT issues resolved (doesn't look like they will be), and to be able to lock my door without issue (probably won't happen).

Because of all of this, I have not had time to mingle or even really talk to the three (maybe more) residents that I already have...and they all live next to me (two in one room and one in the other)...I mean really?!

I told them that I would be busy and gave them my number if they needed me but, nonetheless I feel bad!

But I have been working really hard and I am very excited for this coming year...I just hope that it goes well and without too many issues...but this is the hall that had over $1000 in damages to Exit Signs alone last year....

Last thing: I had to spend $319.70 on books this semester and I have a book for each hour that I am in class...really? I mean REALLY?

*sigh*

Thursday, July 23, 2009

So, I Kinda Suck....

I realize now as I'm about to have to blog about my time in Kenya (if you don't know already idk what i should do with you...more info here) that I kinda suck at blogging unless I have to....

I mean I do microblog (whatever that is) and I do have a photostream on the side there where I photoblog...but for the most part I don't update the actual blog part of this page.

And for that I am sorry. Now I do have a bit of an excuse, lately, my life has been very uninteresting...so I see no need to bore you all (whomever you may be) with the mundane details of my day to day life without any real insight...hence why I rarely post on my other blog. Without some need to blog I just don't.

But I have made a resolution of sorts...I will attempt to increase my bloggage (is that a word?) even if it is simply an update about how mundane my life is at the moment.

So, on that note: I spent yesterday in San Francisco and walked 10 miles (I google mapped this after the fact to find out how far I had trekked) and now I have a MASSIVE blister on my right foot...perfect for going to a foreign country! :D YAY! jk, jk

Nonetheless, I had a great time and had a wonderful lunch, explored some fascinating areas and scoped out some new places to eat! :D (If you're wondering why I didn't have a wonderful dinner, it is because I had to wake up at 3 AM today to get ready for my flight and I decided to OD on sugar so I passed out via Cinnabon, this worked out wonderfully until I had 3 friends call me.)

Well, I have to go, there is something going on with my flight that I didn't pay attention to...oh, they're trying to get people to ditch it to make more room...um....no.

Nonetheless, I am STARVING...adieu!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Finals

I wrote 20 pages last night.....my hands are SO sore.......and I'm taking a later final for one of my classes because of this, my lack of sleep and my need to study more....

2 more finals left: MLK and African Art

20 more pages of paper left: NGO Theory 

19 rooms I need to check out personally before I can leave....

also, still need to pack up EVERYTHING.....


awesome