My SO GLAD TO BE BACK Blog!

SooOooOoooOoOoo!!!!!

I promise, I'll never do that again.  But I had an exciting (and INCREDIBLY tiring) weekend!  And I'd love to share the details with you!

On Friday night, I went home, though I really only got a short while to spend with my parents and my dog!  Which is sad, but I enjoyed our time anyway--I got to have some home-cooked food, and my mama, being the fantastic woman that she is, made one of my favorite dishes!  Also, my dad recently got back from a trip to Iran to visit family, and got me presents and Persian sweets!  Weeeeeeeee!  Can't beat that.

Then on Saturday afternoon, I went upstate a ways (upstate NY, that is) with one friend from home who isn't back at college yet, and we visited our other friend at her school.  It was so interesting seeing their college and how things were run there.  It's a whole different world!  Their school was very campus-y, and just about everything they do is within the campus.  You need a car to get ANYWHERE, and not having one up there makes things SO TOUGH.  Otherwise they have to take cabs, which ends up costing quite a bit!  It made me so grateful to live in the heart of a city, and with public transportation so accessible and affordable!

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed my time, meeting my buddy's new friends, and seeing what it was like at a different school.  It's DEFINITELY a different culture, which is cool.  But you have to find which one you fit into best, and seeing their school made me sure that I found my niche, and thank goodness for that.  Also, it wasn't snowing up there, while DC got pelted with the wet white stuff!  That was a blessing, cause getting up there from DC and coming back was already VERY DIFFICULT.  Coming back today was excruciating, it was like 7-1/2 hours altogether.  I could have gotten to Europe in that time!

So as a result of my newfound sentiments of thankfulness for public transportation (particularly the Metro), I've decided that this semester, I'm going to start to really explore where I can get on the Metro.  I'll just hop on, get off somewhere random, and explore the area for whatever they've got there!  And of course I'll blog about it so that all of you can find out all the cool happenings my friends and I will be getting ourselves into!

I think I'm done for now!  And keep emailing, I love reading 'em!  ShireenS@gwmail.gwu.edu

<3 Shireen

Lazy Snow Day!

   IT SNOWED TODAY!!!!!!!!!! Because I'm from California, I always get really excited when it snows. For some reason, snow makes me feel like the cold weather is worth it. Today I woke up early and played in the little patch of snow on my balcony in City Hall. Once I got back into my room it wasn't long before I started feeling restless. The thing about a snow day is that once the novelty of  snow being everywhere runs out, you're not really sure what to do with yourself...and you're probably wet. To keep from boring myself to death, I went to Siz-ex (Sizzling Express) for lunch with a couple of friends. Siz-ex is a buffet-style restaurant in Columbian Plaza (that takes Gworld), they also have food that is made-to-order and a bar. Going out to eat is always a nice alternative to lounging around my dorm all day, and lounging was much more fun because I didn't have to do it alone. Afterwards I watched the snowfall from my friends room in the new dorm, South Hall. They have floor to ceiling windows in the living room so they have an amazing view.

   We came back to my room and watched "Angels and Demons" for the first time, which I actually loved. I haven't seen "The Da Vinci Code," and I sort of side-stepped all the hysteria surrounding the movies and the books so it was exciting to get wrapped up in the story without knowing anything about it. Because I write a lot of fiction, it was interesting to see such an intricate story play out on film and the way the screenwriter reconciled the text with the visual experience of the story (Can you believe they let Tom Hanks near all those historical sites!). Now I feel inspired to write which is good because I have a story due next week that I've been putting off for a while.
    After the movie I watched youtube videos for a good part of the afternoon (don't judge me) and ordered pizza for dinner. I planned on going to see a student play tonight, but judging by the weather, I don't think it's the greatest idea. There are a few parties happening in City Hall later tonight which is nice because it's freezing outside and heels and snow do not go together. Even if I don't make it out tonight I have good company and plenty of Gossip Girl to catch up on.

Here's something I found from Family Guy while surfing youtube...

'Til next time

Ekiria
Magalae@gmail.com

GW Weekend Brunch Favorites

One of my favorite activities on weekends that I dearly miss in London is weekend brunch with some of my favorite people after a night of fun! The best part about living in a city is all the various cuisines and cultures availabe at the tip of your fingers. Below is a list of my most adored restaurants and cafes in no particular order...

Tonic: Tonic is a New-American restaurant  that offers a great brunch on weekends and  is located conveniently on campus AND takes GWorld. This is a place that most parents take their children during parents weekend or visiting day. It's definitely crowded during noon-time, so it's best to call an hour in advance for a table. My favorite are the tater tots and eggs benedict!

Ivory basement: Dunkin' Donuts and The Buffet Restaurant next to it offers great breakfast sandwiches and meal deals for the cash strap student. They also take GWorld, which is pretty awesome.

Founding Farmers: This restaurant opened recently and is located next to the IMF building. Their website states: Founding Farmers offers farm-inspired American true food and drink in a modern, casual and eco-friendly setting. From our modern farmhouse, our menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner include homemade and ’scratch-made’ traditional American classics inspired by the heartland.This place is definietly on the higher end of the spectrum, but is a great place for a birthday or a special date.

Bread and Chocolate: This is such a great cafe for you and some friends to chill out and relax. They offer an affordable, yet delicious menu. The french toast and western omelate are my favorite!

Le Pain Quotidian: Located in lower Georgetown, across from the 4 Seasons. This is a lovely French/Belgium Cafe that has a variety of freshly baked pastries and breads. You could eat together at the communal table or in their outside seating area on a sunny day. Afterwards, why not wonder around Georgetown and do some shopping?

Cearly I'm no food critic, but I hope this gives you a better idea of some of the delicious weekend lunch options when you visit GW! Bon appetit!

Serena

Senior Year Housing

Though many of the readers of this blog are prospective students, here's a glimpse of one of GW's glamorous Senior Dorms!

While I'm abroad this year, GW housing hasn't forgotten me entirely. According to our housing website: South Hall is a senior exclusive housing option and is the newest addition to GW community. It will house over 450 fourth-year students in single and double bedrooms in 4 and 5 person suites. Spacious and modern, each suite has a washer and dryer in the unit, a common living room, dining area, an eat-in kitchen, and 2 private bathrooms. Each kitchen is furnished with a dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator. 2135 F Street is located near the Smith Center athletic facilities, and is across the street from Anniversary Park and the Foggy Bottom Grocery." How amazing does THAT sound? Not only does it sound fabulous, it's absolutely gorgeous and fully furnished as well.

Underclassmen housing typically rolls out in early March; however, due to the demand and housing scheme of South Hall, seniors apply to this residence in mid-January and students hear back a week later. The application is an online process where you enter your housing ID as well as those with whom you'd like to live.

Aside from campus housing, many seniors also opt out and live off campus. There are various apartment complexes my friends have moved to, such as The Elise, Winston House, Columbia Plaza, 2400 M St, to just name a few. Living off campus may be just as or even more expensive than GW housing due to utilities, internet, and cable bills; however, this is a learning process that helps seniors begin adjusting to life post-graduation. Nonetheless, don't be discouraged about off campus housing as GW supports its students regardless through the Office of Off-Campus Affairs.

For more information about GW housing programs: http://living.gwu.edu/halls and Office of Off-Campus Affairs: http://gwired.gwu.edu/offcampus/find/.

Serena

Warm Thoughts with #25

25. Go on spring break with your friends.

Before I write about previous spring break trips, I want to let you all know that it is SNOWING in Washington, DC right now!!! It's really coming down. We are expecting between 1 and 4 inches today--and of course it's Saturday so no snow day. I can only hope that this will continue till Monday...

But for those of you in the Washington DC area (or anywhere it's cold for that matter), let's think warm thoughts. As a senior, I have had three college spring breaks so far, two of which did not include me going home to New Jersey. As fun as that was (no, seriously, it was fun), I had a great trip to North Carolina the following year. 

One of my friends, Liz, is from Charlotte and has a beach house in Sunset Beach, NC. Her dad was nice enough to drive up to DC and leave her a car for us to drive down. Then I drove my car down from New Jersey and we took two carloads down. I must have had class or something on that Friday because my car left DC around 3:30, which in retrospect, I would not have done. We didn't get to the house until after midnight--needless to say, traffic was pretty bad. While it wasn't exactly hot in Sunset Beach, it was warm enough and we did the best we could to get some sun. My friend Amy and I tried to tan on the roof, but it didn't work out too well:

For the week we visited Sunset Beach, we mostly slept in, went to the beach, went bike riding, and hung out at Liz's adorable little beach house. We took a day trip to Charleston, which was beautiful and a lot of fun. It was the perfect mix of doing nothing but having the best time with your closest friends, and of course, sunny weather.

Last year, I was abroad in Sevilla, Spain and we had two week long breaks, and I traveled for both, but those can be a whole other blog (and in fact were on our old blog). This year, my three friends and I have planned a trip to Costa Rica! It will actually be warm there and I hope we'll end up laying out on sandy beaches rather than roof shingles. The important thing is that we'll be together and nothing can make a better spring break than that--except maybe glorious beaches, snorkeling, surfing, cheap food, and speaking Spanish for a whole week! That's the beach close to our hotel in Esterillos Oeste:

I'm so pumped for spring break! I hope everyone is enjoying winter right now--or at least trying to-- and can look forward to their spring break trips to a warm destination. But if not, for now you can at least think warm thoughts.

--Abby

A Momumental Vote

No, I am not talking about November 2008 or health care reform.  I am talking about the Student Association Senate's vote on gender neutral housing.

Last Tuesday I attended the meeting where the senators discussed, debated, and voted on the bill.  The bill had been talked about for sometime and was actually discussed at an earlier meeting, but tabled until this past Tuesday.

Advocates for this bill wanted gender neutral housing for those students who do not feel comfortable living with the same sex or are transgender.  Currently there is a Learning and Living Cohort called Escaping Gender that houses a few transgender students and their friends, but they called for more accomadation for their situation.

The bill demands a trial period for the housing option allowing students to chose the opposite sex as their roommates.  Those who wish to stay in same-sex rooms can still choose that as well.

I know you may be a little confused about this, but to clarify, you will not be randomly assigned to be a in a room with the opposite sex.

Along with this bill, the Student Association also voted to create an LGBT Studies minor. The classes used in the minor already existed so it was just the matter of gathering support from students and departments to organize the classes together.

You can read the GW Hatchet article about this meeting HERE.

If you have any questions EMAIL ME!! I love hearing from everyone!

Kim

How to Find a Job: Work-Study

        Picture this: You've gotten into GW, everything is set and in motion. You're registered for classes, your flight is booked, and then you receive some disturbing news: Mom and Dad can't fund your extracurricular activities. It is a recession, and for more and more students this is becoming a reality. Thankfully you have a getting hired "expert" right here. I've worked at GW four years, and to be honest, I kind of stumbled into my first job (But now you don't have to! Yay!). Freshman year I was Office Assistant in the Department of Romance Languages, Sophomore and 1st semester Junior year I worked for the An Bryce Foundation (which was on-campus and work-study), and now I am the Office Assistant in the English Department. The most important thing to think about when you're looking for a job is figuring out what you are looking for. Here are some good questions to ask yourself:

Am I just looking for a job to start out and make some money, or am I looking for professional development? What connections am I making?

Do I mind if the position is unpaid?

Do I have work-study?

What kind of job do I want? (internship/regular job/work-study)

*Personally, I couldn't afford to work for free, so I took advantage of my work-study eligibility. Work-Study is basically a situation in which your check is subsidized, so basically the government pays half and your employer pays the other half. These are the easiest kind of jobs to find on campus (but don't worry, there are other options, but that's for my next blog!). A good place to start is in a department of the University, maybe even the department associated with your major. Generally speaking, these are low-key jobs where you can do your homework while you work. Almost every part of the University has students working in it, so a good way to start is to figure out where you want to work and (professionally!) ask if they are hiring. I found out about the English Department job over an email that was sent to me over a the Department's listserv. Working there allowed me to be on the forefront of everything that happened in my major. I always knew when and where everything was, and who to ask if I didn't know. One of my friends is a Biology major and she recently got a job where she gets to carry out experiments in a lab on-campus. However, a lot of people work in random departments, like I did my freshman year. I even know a History major that works in the Engineering/Applied Sciences Department, so don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. All student departmental jobs are work-study, no exceptions. Departments are not the place to look if you don't have work-study.
        
*If you check on GWork, a job-search and networking website for GW students and alumni, a lot of organizations that are not affiliated with GW offer work-study jobs. This is a good alternative to the unpaid internship for students who can't afford to have an unpaid position. From a quick look on GWork I found open work-study jobs at the Peace Corps headquarters as well as various non-profits and organizations around the city. Because so many organizations are based in D.C. there are a lot of job opportunities available here that you can't get anywhere else. GWork is a great place to look for both work-study and non work-study jobs, and some organizations (like the An Bryce Foundation) are willing to hire both.
          
*The Office of Community Service offers a lot of information about both volunteer opportunities as well as work-study opportunities geared towards community service and development. My job at the An Bryce Foundation was organized through an initiative called Neighbors Project which was started by the Office of Community Service. Aside from being an enriching experience, working with An Bryce gave me the opportunity to get an awesome job working with kids the summer after they hired me.

*The Library is a good place to get a job because it's very conducive to doing homework. My friend Harriet worked in the Media Center there, and the traffic was always very low, so she had a lot of time to read and finish last minute assignments. But library jobs go very quickly, so if you think you want to work there, you need to apply as soon as possible after you get on-campus. I know this because I've never been able to get a library job, but now that you know this, hopefully you'll have better luck than me. As far as I know, the library focuses on hiring work-study students.
          
*Another good place to look is Admissions. I say this because admissions hires a lot of people because of the sheer volume of work they have to accomplish. This is not solely a work-study job, so if you don't have work-study, this might be a good opportunity for you. Admissions is a  good place to start your working life at GW because they have flexible hours and it's a good way to get started if you want  any kind of administrative job on campus. In addition Admissions has summer job opportunities and working at Admissions makes them easier to take advantage of.

If you're having trouble getting hired, don't hesitate to ask questions. As I said before, almost every part of the University hires students help them run effectively. Now don't you feel needed? Email me if you have any questions: magalae@gmail.com

'Til next time,

Ekiria

#87

87. Attend a movie premiere at DC's largest and oldest movie theater: the Uptown.

This summer was a bit unusual for me. I spent part of it at home, part of it in my new apartment in DC, and part of it on a road trip with two of my good friends. While living in DC, I was mostly unemployed, so I tried to go out and do free things that I had always wanted to do, like visiting different museums. However, one of my favorite memories from this summer was going to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at midnight at the Uptown Theater. (see photo above, courtesy of the DCist)

When we got out of the Metro (Cleveland Park stop on the Red Line), my friends, Spencer and Greta, and myself were startled at the length of the line. It went down the block and up a side street! Luckily, our more devout Harry Potter fan friend DJ was already in line. We found him and chatted for a little while before realizing that we could run across the street to CVS to get some candy before the movie started. A line of movie goers had formed at CVS, so we waited anxiously, hoping the huge line outside wouldn't move without us in it. Just as we were checking out, people's phones started ringing and we heard frantic voices saying, "Ok! I'm coming, save me a seat!!". We ran across the street and thankfully reunited with DJ, but it was quite a scene. Once we got inside the theater (there is only one, and it's huge, like the size of a concert hall), we had little or no idea of where we were going. We just followed the crowd and seized the first three seats we could find on the upper level. It wouldn't have been so bad if the crowd had just been savagely saving seats but these people were in costume. So while you thought you could sit down in one place, a girl in a Golden Snitch costume or a Ron Granger look-a-like, would tell you otherwise--a truly odd and somewhat startling experience. We made it through the crazy dash for seats, and now it was time to wait. After all, it was only around 11 p.m. We passed the time by chatting, noticing other GW students in the crowd, and of course, by commenting on all the costumes around us. As it approached midnight, everyone in the theater was anxious and excited for the film to begin. The lights went down. The crowd silenced. The clock struck 12. But alas, no sounds of the projector starting up and no image on the large, dark screen. So, we waited. And waited...and waited. People began to jeer. It was now 12:05. Minutes passed and people were not pleased with this situation (especially since the running time of the film is so long). Finally, the projector flickered on around 12:15 and we were transported into the world of Harry Potter.

After the film, we all decided that we would walk home. The Metro closes at 12 on weeknights and technically this was still a Thursday night, so we opted to walk home, instead of taking a cab. Not only is it cheaper, but we all wanted to discuss the film further. We finally made it back to Foggy Bottom around 3:30 a.m. It was a long night, but well worth it!

--Abby

Welcome Back Week

One of my favorite activities on campus every year are the Welcome Week festivities in September and the Welcome Back Week in January. These weeks always feature an assortment of events, from free buses to Target to free breakfast on the first day of classes to a school-wide student organization fair and lots of fun in between!

This year's events (my last Welcome Back Week :( ) did not disappoint. On my last first day of classes at GW, there was a seniors-only breakfast at the Alumni House, which was a great way to get the semester started (especially since it forced me to wake up in plenty of time for my first class :) ) 

In my opinion though, the best part this year was the 

special "Showtime Sunday", held at Tonic, 

a restaurant/bar on campus, during the 

Green Bay Packers-Arizona Cardinals game 

which featured food and drink specials! 

Aaron Rodgers going in for a touchdown!

Although the game didn't end quite the way I wanted (Rodgers was facemasked!!!), it was still a ton of fun hanging out with friends on campus and cheering for my team.

- Vickie

GW England Study Center

One of the special amenities of attending a GW sponsored program, particularly in England is the GW England Study Center. The two leading ladies of the program are Prof. Laurie Kaplan and Dr. Geeta Kulshrestha, both of whom have been with the program for several years.

Compared to other universities that provide no support system for their students abroad, the Study Center has been such a vital base for many of the GW students study abroad. It is one of the most generous programs as it funds many of our cultural activities, dinners, and performing arts events. Initially, we attended a London 101 session to learn about the safety, culture, and educational differences compared to the US. Gradually through the months we've had wonderful events such as: walking tour of London, afternoon tea at the National Portrait Gallery (overlooking Trafalger Square---gorgeous view!), Thanksgiving dinner, plays--Inherit the Wind with Kevin Spacey (brilliant actor), Turnadot, Waiting for Godot (LOVE LOVE Samuel Beckett), and so much more...

Without the Study Center I wouldn't have ever thought to do or see a lot of things I've experienced because everything that I attended, GW PAID for...how amazing is that? The directors are darling people and it's always great to see your GW friends and to reminisce about what could be happening on campus that day or week.

Sadly, Howard Zinn and J.D. Salinger, two great literary figures of our time passed away today. However, such authors gave voices to those who were in desperate need and forever preserved the teen angst we all experienced in words...Let their brilliance live on.

Serena

Get Involved at GW

I know I often talk about my student organizations, so i thought it would be appropriate to pass along some resources to find student organizations at GW.

First, watch this video created by GW. (You will notice that I am in it.) It gives a short student prespective on the different features of GW's campus life.



And if you are friends with GW Undergraduate Admissions on Facebook you can find an even longer video that includes students talking about the city, athletics, and academics.

Student organizations are all a part of the Student Association which is our form of student government.  The SA allocates money to student orgs based on past budgets or a set amount for new orgs.  They also can cosponsor events hosted by student orgs.  This means that the event will receive an allotted amount of money for that event. You can learn more about the SA at gwstudentassociation.com but I have explained the basics.

The Student Association is then under the Student Activites Center which is a main department on campus.  SAC is a great resource for orgs because they do much of the financial paper work required such as sending students refund checks and things.  They also have a complete list of organizations at their website.

I encourage everyone to take a list at the opportunities through SAC and other student organizations.  I beleive this is an essential part of any student's GW tenure.

Don't forget, if you have any questions you can email me!

Kim

101 Things to Do...

So, I've had a good idea for my next few postings. On the MyGW website, my.gwu.edu, there is a list of 101 Things to Do at GW. As you check of the things you've done, the website will generate a rank for you. I've completed 55 things, and it asks me "Are you Big George?". Basically, I've done a lot of things but there are still 46 to go! Some of them I can't do, like running for Student Association President or studying abroad at GW Paris, but some things I definitely need to do, like eat a Menuch hot dog. I've decided that for my next few postings, I'll tell some of the stories behind my completed things from the 101 Things to Do List. I'll also keep everyone updated on any newly completed things from the list.

With that said, let's start with something random, #40: Finish a GW Hatchet crossword puzzle or sodoku while taking lecture notes.  The Hatchet, GW's student run newspaper, is the second oldest newspaper in the District behind the Washington Post. It's published bi-weekly, each Monday and Thursday. Besides providing coverage of events on campus, sports, and even national news, the Hatchet always publishes a New York Times crossword and sodoku. The puzzles, like those in the New York Times, are easier on Monday and harder on Thursday. Even though I live off campus now, the Hatchet is available in so many locations on campus that I can grab a copy on my way into work or class. I do love to read the articles to find out about issues on campus and what's happening in the GW community. But there is nothing more satisfying than completing a Hatchet crossword puzzle, especially on a Thursday. To finish one in just a single class period is especially challenging and a task I have yet to complete. Of course, I have finished one in two or three class periods, or during a slow afternoon at work, but never in just one period. It gets hard to do the puzzle during small classes like those that I'm in now. Large lectures-- maybe one in Duques, Funger Hall, or E Street-- are prime for crossword puzzling.

Critics may wonder how a person can concentrate on taking notes or listening to the professor when trying to finish a crossword puzzle in class. While I do agree that it is not appropriate to do a crossword in every class and concentrate solely on it's clues as opposed to your professor, I must admit that I would have fallen asleep in class many, many more times than I have if it weren't for those Hatchet crosswords. If the classroom allows, a student can make the act of puzzling seem like the student has genuine interest in the professor's lecture. My suggestion is to keep the puzzle under a notebook and go back and fourth between it and taking notes. This way you will not be bored to death and you can still be some what up to speed with the class material. If crossword puzzles aren't your thing, there's always sodoku. Another favorite section of mine is the crime log (there are always interesting reports about things like "lewd acts"). And if all else fails, you can give in to your heavy eye lids and take a little afternoon nap during your 2:20 p.m. polysci lecture.

That's all for now, stay tuned for more of the 101 Things to Do!

--Abby

Religion at GW

I wouldn't call myself a religious person in any way, shape, or form, but I have reverence and respect for the religion I was raised in (and of course all others), and I go to mass once in a blue moon.  I consider myself more spiritual and less attracted to a rigid organized religion--but enough about my views!  Here's the story behind this post:

Last night, my friend asked me if I wanted to go to church in the morning, and I'm like, "Uhhhhh... sure?"  I felt bad saying no, cause it's church! and I couldn't turn down a friend who wanted to feel a little holier--God knows we all need to be a bit holier sometimes.  (Hah--I didn't even mean to mention God just now.  It kinda just happened!)

But I also didn't want to wake up at 8:30 on a Sunday.  However, I did.  And I was proud of myself.  Not just for waking up and walking to church in the rain on a cold yucky morning, but because I went to church!  In college!  Not at home because my mother is making me!  That shows dedication, I think!  Also, since I was already up, I had the whole day ahead of me to figure out everything before the school week started.  It was great!

I feel like this isn't going to be a regular thing, but for when I do need to recharge my Jesus battery, it's good to know I can.


Of course, I recognize that not everyone at GW is Catholic or Christian, so I figured add a blurb about religious centers at GW in general.  Among the most popular that I know of are the Newman Catholic Center, the Muslim Students Association, and Hillel.  But of course they're not the only religious groups on campus, through GW, or in the area.  Do your research, there's resources for whatever you believe in all over DC, and in our neighborhood, too.  Also, they all have really fun events throughout the year--and you don't HAVE to be of the faith to go!  Believe me, I've gone to more than my fair share of Hillel and MSA and other events!

Now, I haven't gotten any emails in a while, have y'all forgotten about me?  I hope not.  If you wanna say hello, drop a message at shireens@gwmail.gwu.edu
~~~  Shireen

2nd Semester Musings

So many things are happening in my life now!

1) Jersey Shore is over!!! :(

------  I kinda hate to admit it, but I was an avid viewer of this show!  And now it's over and the fun jokes will fade and it's kinda sad!  No one saying "The Situation" or using Jersey jargon or saying "Schnookers" and all other denominations of "Snookie" and I'll miss it!  In the meantime, check this out:  It's HILARIOUS!!!

2)  Tonight is the Strong Hall Formal!  Not that big a deal, but I get to wear my new gold glitter pumps.  Yeah--get excited, folks!  (I'll put up pictures once I get them from people!)

3)  I am now in a loving, committed, 100% healthy, one-sided relationship with Jay Sean.  Don't even worry about it...

----- I'm not even THAT obsessed.  Promise!  But when my friends find out I like someone (like a celebrity or politician or what have you) they assume I'm obsessed.  It's the same with President Obama.  It's just a thing, I dunno.

4)  I'm loving my English class (Faulkner & Morrison)!  Take it, if you can.  Professor Schreiber is so great!  She's really nice, and down to earth.  She wrote a book, and DIDN'T force the class to buy it or even read it.  (Though I actually want to.)  She references bits and pieces here and there, and photocopies other parts, but I find it really cool that she doesn't cram her ideas down the throats of her students.  Not many professors are like that--for the most part if they write a book, you gotta get it, and that's all you're tested on.  I dunno, I'm not gonna rant about a professor I barely know yet, but so far I'm quite happy with this class.

5)  ... I think that's it.  Second semester is great so far!  Work is really fun and I feel so important, even though I know I'm not.  Don't worry, my head isn't getting TOO big.

And of course, keep those emails coming!  Shireens@gwmail.gwu.edu

~~~Shireen

Last Semester.....

Well, I have officially started my last semester at GW, which is definitely bittersweet. But I'm not gonna talk about the end yet, cause I'm not ready to. I hope everyone had a great winter break, mine was good but cold! Granted, I did go home first to Wisconsin and spent Christmas there with my family,

but then we went to Florida for a week, expecting to hang out by the pool and wear shorts and t-shirts at DisneyWorld. No such luck.... the entire 10 days in orlando, the high was only 58 degrees. Luckily I had some sweatshirts with me!

We are a little over a week into the second week of classes, which are going pretty well for me. Here's a quick rundown of my final semester of classes at GW:

SOC 102: Techniques of Data Analysis (basically social science statistics, a requirement for my criminal justice major)

HIST 101: History of U.S. Counter-Intelligence (awesome class only offered every so often, basically storytime with a former FBI agent)

PAD 125: Intro to Public Administration (another required class for CJ, interesting with professor's vast government experience)

SOC 189: Sociology of Terrorism (another really great class with an engaging professor - who also is a former FBI agent... see a pattern?  haha)

In addition to my classes, it is my last semester in the GW Undergraduate Admissions office and I am also still interning at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), albeit in a different office now, but more on that later.

~Vickie 

GW Emails No Matter Where You Go!

As many of you know, I'm pursing a year long study abroad program at the LSE. One of my greatest fears of leaving campus was was that I would be completely cut off from the GW community. Thankfully, this was not the case! Regardless of how long you are away from campus or how remote of a country you travel to, GW still sends essential emails that pertain to your program of study or community information in general.

For example, I am a member of the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi; despite not physically being on campus, I am still part of a separate listserve geared towards study abroad members. I also still get emails from various student organizations, updates from GW Hatchet with campus news, information from the advising center, etc. So, have no fear and apply for study abroad ! With technology advancing everyday, you'll be connected to GW in no time...just be weary of your inbox filling up every week!!

Serena

A Recipe for ya...

           In case you didn't know, (and you didn't), I love to cook. This was a little bit hard freshman and sophomore year, because most underclassmen dorms have shared kitchens. To keep from having to lug kitchen supplies to and from the common kitchen (and from becoming sick from eating fast-food all the time), I had to learn to improvise. This basically meant cooking things that involved the least amount of ingredients, the least amount of money, and the least amount of time possible. Thankfully, last year I moved in to City Hall, an upperclassmen dorm which has a kitchen in every room (and I never looked back). I'll try to post recipes from time to time to give you ideas about things that you can make easily, whether you're sharing a kitchen with your entire floor or not.

Here's something you can make that will impress your friends (quickly and easily)!

Cream of Mushroom Chicken

Ingredients:

*2 Chicken Breasts (What I usually use, but you can try any other cut)

*1 Can of Cream of Mushroom (Not optional, don't be silly)

*Mushrooms (optional)

*Onions (optional)

*Pepper

*Garlic

*Olive Oil

*Bouillon Powder (a tbsp or 2 cubes)/Or salt

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the Chicken Breast and cook them until they are browned (10-15 minutes each side). Eyeball the amount of pepper, garlic, and bouillon powder you want to use and add it to one side of the chicken breasts, then flip them and sprinkle the remainder on the other side (bouillon powder tends to be very salty so use it sparingly). Add onions and saute for a few more minutes until they are soft. Add the mushrooms and cook for another minute. Add the can of cream of mushroom soup. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce until it is brown (or no longer pink) on the inside (5 minutes). Flip the chicken breasts and allow them to simmer for another 5-10 minutes rotating them to coat them in the sauce.

I made this today and served it over rice w/ green beans on the side. So Good.

Ekirizzle

MLK Day of Service

"The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his example -- the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King's character and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his revolutionary spirit." 

--- Coretta Scott King on the Meaning of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Today, Martin Luther King, Jr. day has been re-branded as a day not only to remember and admire one of our nation's most notable heroes, but also to promote his legacy of service for the greater good.  As a result, thousands of us worldwide took part in service projects throughout the country today, making it "A Day On, Not a Day Off."

GW played a large role in this effort within DC, planning special community service events for students to participate in throughout the day (in a similar manner to our Freshman Day of Service held on 9/11 each year).  Here's the site from the Student Activities Center on today's events.

Maybe I should have told you guys sooner so you could get involved if you didn't know already?  Oh well, you'll get 'em next year!  And besides, you don't need any special day to give back!  Though the significance of today is surely more motivation to do your part for the community in which you live--and beyond!

As always, email me with any questions or anything at all at shireens@gwmail.gwu.edu.  I've also got some 'gonnections with service organizations in the area, if you're looking for some volunteer work to sink your teeth into!

~~~ Shireen

The G-Word

With all the excitement of the first week of classes winding down, it's given me some time to think about the dreaded g word: graduation. Although this semester has just started, I can't help thinking about the fact that it's my last. It seems like graduation is fast approaching and there is nothing we can do to slow it down. "Make the most of it," people tell us. "Enjoy your time in school, they're the best years of your life," older friends and family advise. But what exactly are we supposed to do? Stop time? It's like falling, when you know you're falling, and there is nothing you can do to stop it; you're mid air, already on your way down. You'll hit the ground eventually, and when the dust settles, you'll be okay, but you won't be in the same place, or the same person. The important thing isn't what will happen when you get up, but rather what you can do so that when you do get up, you can still appreciate the view from the top you had before you fell. So, it makes me think, is there really a way to "make the most" of our remaining months?

For me, to make the most of my last months at GW means spending as much time with my friends, participating in as many GW activities as I can, and absorbing as much knowledge as I can before leaving. I think most of all, it's important to do the things we love at GW while we still can. So I'm going to go to every basketball game I can. It means playing soccer with my club team as much as possible, grabbing dinner with my friends whenever we can manage the time, going out to our favorite nighttime spots, and recovering together the next morning. It means reading all of my assignments (or almost all of them), writing the best papers I can, and attending my classes regularly--even if they are at 8 a.m.  It means taking the time each day to appreciate the little things and the moments that will stay with you. I know I'll be sad to leave but it is my hope that I can leave with a smile on my face and the knowledge that I did all I could to make my college experience the best it could be.

We can't freeze time or stop the clock from ticking down, but we can try to appreciate the time we are given. But this kind of mentality should in no way be limited to seniors. Time will fly faster than you thought possible once you start your freshman year of college. It moves at warp speed, semester after semester passing and blurring together. It may sound trite and hackneyed, but before you know it, you'll be wondering where did the time go, just like every graduating college senior. My advice? Take the time to do the things you love and leave here a better person than you came in.

--Abby

And the waiting begins...

I know you are all anxiously awaiting to hear your decisions from GW and all of your schools.  This is a time of anxiety and no control over what happens next.  I want to let you know things will all work out how they are meant to be and as long as all of your documents are submitted there is no reason to get worked up.  I have been answering emails in the office and a common one is explaining that many applicants were not able to get their last documents in or postmarked on the 10th (it was a Sunday). We understand if you sent something out on Monday that it would be a little late.  Your application will not be hindered because you sent it a day late.  Please keep checking your Activity Center portal to make sure all of your documents have been recieved and processed.  And note that it may take up to two weeks after we have recieved them in the office to file them in your account.  Be patient.  We have over 20,000 applications and we are working as fast as we can.

In other news, housing applications are beginning to open up already for continuing students.  GW recently opened a new residence hall for senior called South Hall and since there is such a high demand for this building GW Housing opens the application early.  Now I am not sure what I am doing for housing next year quite yet.  I am applying to be a House Proctor (GW's RA) in a freshmen hall, but I will not hear a decision about that until Feburary or so.  My friend and I have talked about moving off campus as well.  So I have a lot of logistics to work out before I definitly say I am applying for housing.

Housing applications are all electronic now as well.  Once you are a GW student you can log into you housing portal to apply for housing, request roommates, and see your booking.  As a freshmen your roommates are based off of a questionarre you fill out.  This includes basic questions such as are you a smoker, do you stay up late or wake up early, do you mind having guests in your room and other logical questions when matching up a living situation.

Thats all for now.  I will be back soon!

Kim

What can I actually do with an English Major...Musings on avoiding an anxiety attack.

            So it's second semester senior year and the pressure is on. Among other things, I'm trying to get hired. Please. Someone. Anyone. Hire me!
           All jokes aside, senior year is a time when I feel like everyone is figuring out what to do and what your degree really means. As my mom often puts it, "Now that you know how to think, you can start to get educated." A bachelor's degree is like a small stop on the way to much bigger things. Of course, if you're like me, all the possibilities these "bigger things," present are overwhelming. But senior year doesn't have to be a 9-month-long anxiety attack for everyone (trust me I know that person and they are no fun to be around). I think I'm at the point where I'm trying to assess how useful my education has been to me, and figuring out what my actual skills are and how I can develop them. This has spurred a few new activities in my life:

1) I'm beginning to think about how market myself, so I'm talking a Human Services class (182). This class basically gives you the opportunity to write a grant for an existing non-profit organization which is an incredible skill to have. If you didn't already know, EVERYBODY needs a grant writer.

2) I'm writing every day now. As an English major/Creative Writing minor, I haven't always found it easy to motivate myself to write. However I made a pact with myself to write for an hour every day. If you're talented but you never produce any output, how will anyone ever know?

3) I'm looking for areas to contribute on-campus. That means, submitting to various publications of campus, like the Hatchet, paying attention to what is going on, and involving myself wherever I feel there is an opportunity for networking. When I ask people what the wish the took advantage of in college, most people say they wish they took advantage of networking opportunities. I'm visiting the Career Center and the Alumni House every chance I get. Even if there isn't a special event going on, they have endless resources to make you educational experience even more valuable. While good grades are always important, your ability to ask people for advice and connecting with professionals in your field is a necessity. Good grades get your foot in the door, but networking keeps it there.

Above all, it's important to have a plan for each semester and to carry out your plan to the best of your ability. I've been thinking I might want to stay an extra year to join the 5-year English Bachelors/Masters program. While I want to graduate with all my friends this year, I recognize that staying will put me in a much more competitive place in the future. I'm still keeping my options open by applying for jobs (Teach for America!! Wish me luck!), but because this job market isn't offering any guarantees, I want to  give myself as many options as possible.

Now that I feel sufficiently awkward for sounding like a mom, here's a video of my a capella group, The GW Troubadours, from our concert in December. It's the acoustic cover of Lady Gaga's Poker Face. I'm singing the solo! Enjoy.

*We'll be holding auditions this Tuesday January 19th, at 7:30 (second floor Marvin Center).*



Ekiria

Syllabus Week? I'll believe it when I see it...

A word of advice: don't get caught up in the hype that the first week of a semester can cause.  It could be damning!  So many people thought they could coast the first week and just hang around and party but it's soooo not true!

I know for me at least, I had a hell of a lot of work this week!  Don't get me wrong, I still had plenty of fun and I got to catch up with everyone I missed over break, but I needed to budget my time wisely!  And I know I'm not the only one.

On another hand, I've started fulfilling my New Year's resolutions!  My friends and I decided that we're going to take advantage of DC more this semester.  Being tourists, going to new restaurants and hot spots, and just seeing the sights!  

So my buddy's friend from home was in town for the weekend, and we took her out on the town in proper DC fashion!  We hit up the National Portrait Gallery, which is a must-see because it's got all those historical paintings you've seen in textbooks and such, but in REAL LIFE!  Then we visited the Crime & Punishment Museum, which is too fun.  You may walk in and think like, "$20 admission?  Eh, I'll pass..."  But don't!  It's totally worth it!  That may have been the highlight of the weekend, the girls and I took a zillion pictures and it's educational but not a drag!  Also, they film the show America's Most Wanted there, and you can see the studio which is super cool.

I'll keep you updated on all my further DC excursions!  We're planning on the International Spy Museum and the Newseum soon.

And email me!  shireens@gwmail.gwu.edu with ANY questions.

<3 Shireen

Why I read about a Giant, Self-sacrificing Fish today

I'm planning on majoring in International Affairs with a focus on Conflict and Security, so many of my classes have to do with profound, interesting, but not unexpected topics- for example, this semester I'm learning about the theory and practice of pre-, mid-, and post-conflict peacemaking as well as about the fundamentals of  military deterrence strategies.

So, when I paused for second today while doing my readings, my immediate thought was that Tibetan Buddhism is definitely not one of these expected classes. I ended up in the class after discovering that the Political Geography course I had initially registered for was a advanced graduate-level course, and after dropping it found this was one of the two courses that fit my schedule this semester.

Why stay in this class? I've always been intrigued by religious inquiry--having fairly well-developed beliefs of my own and clergy in the family-- but that aside, there has to be some kind of good reason for taking any class, right? As it turns out, that reason came up today in just the second day of class. Our professor-- a Buddhist nun who commutes to the university from her convent in Maryland-- was talking about the possibility of reincarnation in the context of the Tibetan religious leaders. Each of these "lamas", or enlightened souls who are held to reincarnate over and over again in order to bring others enlightenment, is recruited as a child after the death of the old spiritual teacher, whose consciousness, memories and spiritual power is believed to pass to the new incarnation.

The lamas, of whom the Dalai Lama is the most famous and most important, are often considered the political key to the stability of Tibet because of the authority they hold in the mountainous region's culture. I read some time ago in The Economist that the Chinese Communist Party, in an attempt to cement its control of Tibet, had begun declaring that it-- not the lamas themselves or their clerical subordinates-- had the right to choose new lamas. This happened at least once, some years ago, when the second-most important religious leader's chosen successor disappeared under mysterious circumstances; the CCP-appointed alternative is under house arrest as well, and his few public pronouncements have urged obedience to the government.

I got a chance to ask my professor whether or not the CCP's control of the lamas would be considered politically legitimate because of the religious imperatives of obeying the lamas in their capacity as spiritual leaders. She answered, contrary to the beliefs and hopes of some in the West, that the campaign probably would be successful. That's the kind of insight into the internal workings of a long-simmering conflict that can sometimes be found only in some of the most unexpected places- and a great reason to take a "random" class every once in a while.

Since I don't agree with the Chinese government's suppression of Tibetan dissent, or with what I feel is the immoral use of force to culturally assimilate Tibet and its people, the conclusion I heard was disturbing. Still,  getting a more nuanced, realistic understanding of the world is an important prerequisite for trying to change it to better conform with my ideals. From my education I could expect nothing less. (edited 1/14/09 8:27 PM)

Year Long Abroad

 I thoroughly enjoyed my first two years at GW--from having internships to holding executive positions on student organizations to exploring all that DC has to offer aside from academics, I loved it all. Since Freshmen year I knew that I wanted to study abroad, whether I knew where or how long then was still unanswered.

Having never been outside of the continental US, I had an incredible opportunity to pursue an intensive language program in Beijing for 4 months. Towards the end of my trip and my return to the US, I found that 4 months was not adequate time to truly experience a culture and its people. As a GW Business student in the Accountancy program, I didn't expect to study abroad again as this is a very demanding major with quite specific graduation requirements. Regardless, I sought my adviser, created a 3 year plan, and  miraculously was able to study abroad Junior year.

Knowing that 4 months for me was not enough, I began researching year-long study abroad programs and came upon The London School of Economics General Course program. Going in, I wanted to focus on my major: Accounting. I wanted a rigorous quantitative learning experience taught by prominent researchers and professors within the field. I applied in December, was notified of my acceptance in April, and departed for London in October.

With a 5 month summer break filled with work, study, and play I was ready to leave the US and begin studying again---who knew one would consider such a thought! During my time abroad, I'll be sharing my experiences: travel stories, cultural and academic differences, what I do on a daily basis, and why I still love GW and can't wait to return.

Send me comments!

Serena Wong

First Day on the Job!

Today was frightening, fun, and finicky, but I got through it!  And I'm optimistic that I'll get the hang of interning in a jiffy.  Hopefully...


To get into the buildings, you have to go through a security check like at the airport, complete with the conveyer belt that scans purses and coats and the metal detector and wand.

I pass the screening and go through the halls to my office, (Rayburn Building, office #2329, if you wanna stop by!) but the building is oddly shaped and I keep getting lost in the corridors and there are so many exits and I always go out a different one. (Always meaning ALL 2 TIMES I went.  Ah, well.)  So then I meet the woman that hired me and the other intern who has been there previously so she knows her stuff.  I also met the Congresswoman!  She's super nice and I expected to be intimidated but I wasn't.  Good sign!

Then I had to read the intern handbook and learn how to answer emails, how to update constituent information in the system, how to answer calls, how to sort mail, and which staffers are in charge of what (which will be hardest to remember, for sure.  There's so many topics to know!)

Except maybe the phones, that's tricky too.  Firstly, they're SUPER hard to figure out and I accidently put this press guy on hold instead of transferring him, so that was embarrassing.  Secondly, there are some nasty, angry, uninformed people calling and complaining to you about whatever is plaguing their minds.  This one piece of work called in complaining about the Senate health bill, when our office really can't do anything about that since we're in the House!  Then, he called me a "Washington Fat Cat" and said, "You know, I'm sure you're a nice lady, but you know the taxpayers elected people like you Washingtonian elites and you're not delivering to the public!"  


We're not allowed to talk back to constituents who call in, but I politely explained that I was just an intern and it was my first day, so really I had nothing to do with the bills and their impact on the public.  Ha.  Then he used that as an excuse to get doubly mad at the fact that he was talking to someone that was so low on the totem pole.  Luckily, I was able to keep my cool and just write his call up as "opinion expressed" and plug it into the computer system.


So it was quite a rush, and I'm excited to continue and maybe one day be a good intern!  Needless to say, this will all make me super busy in the coming days, weeks, and months.  Makes one think I'll have less time for GW blogging...  We'll see.


Really though, keep the emails coming!  shireens@gwmail.gwu.edu
<3 Shireen

Back to Reality

So I am back and ready for a new semester!  Move-in went well, even though unpacking is my least favorite things to do; it is great to see old friends; I am slowly remembering things about campus, buildings, and work.

Today was the first day of classes and it is 7:00PM and I have not had one class yet!  (My first class is at 7:40.) I was at the Admissions Office for a bit this morning and then went to my new internship.

This semester I am working at a political strategist office in McPherson Square.  The firm does fundraising and financial organization for political candidates and non-profits.  I think this is going to be good semester.

Being back in the country is still a little weird. I realized that hearing people talk on the streets without an Australian accent is weird.  I assume I will get used to it eventually.

Other than that I am still figuring out what the hot topics are at GW.  I am sure I will come back in the next few days with some administrative things or new happenings on campus.

If anyone has any suggestions or questions I can use as material please email me at kwollner@gwu.edu.

Check out our new bloggers while you are at it!

Have a great week!

PS: Congrats on completing your applications!  Be sure to keep checking your status on the Admissions Activity Center to make sure all of your documents are processed!

My First GW Spring!

The first day of classes was unusual, to say the least.  I only had one class today: Principles of Economics with the intelligent yet lovable Robert Trost!  After this week, I'll have my internship after class, but I start work on Wednesday this week, so today promised to be a slow and lazy day.

As it turns out, it was slower and lazier than I thought it would be!  Not even 30 minutes into class, the fire alarm went off in Funger Hall, and we all had to hurry out!  As we were leaving, Professor Trost called out, "Come back Wednesday!" so we were free to go!

I was ecstatic that I had a even more time to get re-acclimated with campus and to fix up my room and whatnot.  Right as I got back to my dorm and settled down, I realized I left my hat (and my favorite one, to boot) on my seat in class!  It was truly one of those, "I hate myself" moments.  So I had to go back and stand on the sidewalk in the bitter cold til the building was cleared.  Luckily, I got my favorite brown beret back, and all was right with the world.

So yeah, first day of classes wasn't too shabby.  I'll let you know how the rest of the week goes!

Keep those emails coming!  You don't even know how much I enjoy reading and answering them!  Needless to say, it inflates my ego, though that's probably something I can do without...  Nevertheless, keep emailing!  shireens@gwmail.gwu.edu

~~~Shireen

Move-In Day!

I just completed the two-hour drive from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Washington DC.  It is always exciting to go back and see all the things that have changed.  I have changed somewhat and met many new friends aboard, but it is great to see familiar faces all around campus.  GW may seem like a big school (and one without a “real” campus), but after a while numerous faces in the crowd seem to stick out and special memories mark every street and building. 

I am living in Philip Amsterdam Hall (formerly New Hall) this semester; it is located on the same block as the gym (Lerner Health and Wellness).  Unfortunately, when I walked in the room it looked like it had been completely trashed.  There was dirt and dust everywhere and everything was misplaced.  I think there was a problem with organizing the cleaning since I am moving in during the middle of the year.  Someone in the room next door had the same problem, and when the house staff came to their room, I just asked if they could clean my room as well.  They said that it would not be a problem.  I left to grab a bite to eat and when I came back the room was all clean and I was finally ready to move in. 

Later tonight, I plan to go to Tonic to see some student bands perform on the third floor lounge.  It’s a nice space and for the kick-off of the series they are have free appetizers.  There is almost always free food to be found on campus and all you have to do is go to events.  It’s great way to eat cheap at GW.   

  

Welcome Back

Hey everyone! School starts up again tomorrow, and as the beginning of the end of my college career approaches, I feel both nervous and excited for what the future holds. For now, though, I'd prefer to focus on enjoying my last semester at GW! After a pretty hard semester in the fall, I decided to take only four classes instead of the normal five. My schedule as of now has five academic courses and includes two exercise science classes, squash and weight training; a psychology course on the theories of personality to finish up my minor; an American Studies proseminar on American in the 1990s; Introduction to Acting to fulfill my art requirement; an Art History course on Spanish and Portuguese art in the 16th century; and a Media and Public Affairs course about Media, Politics, and Film. Of my main academic courses I have to choose which class I am going to drop but I'm going to attend them all this week to see how it goes. Luckily, almost all of the books I need for my courses can be found in GW's main library, Gelman, or through the Consortium with other DC area universities.

However, in most cases, students have to pay ridiculously high prices for their text books each semester, only to sell them back for half of what they paid. The bookstore does offer used books but they are still expensive and you get less money when you try to sell them back. I am so glad someone told me to buy my books online so I didn't pay full price at the bookstore. I suggest that--and this goes for any school you attend--you buy as many of your books online as you can. Amazon usually has really good deals on new and used books, plus you can sell them back there too. Half.com, a division of Ebay, also has great deals on textbooks. A new place to get books online, Chegg.com, allows students to rent books for a low price and then you just send it back to them at the end of the semester.

If your classes require more literary or smaller books that are not necessarily "textbooks," you can check to see if they are at the library. But sometimes, even if they are more traditional textbooks, you may even be able to find it through the Consortium. I found my psychology textbook that way, so I don't have to pay $130 for my book now! The other thing about books that are available at the library is that most of the time your professor will place them on reserve so that students can use them for 2 or 3 hour periods at a time and not purchase the book for themselves.

While I am excited that I will only be purchasing one book this semester, I am saddened that I will not have the opportunity to keep my books. Sometimes I like keeping texts from my favorite classes as a memento, or just to have to read in the future. It's nice to have a full bookshelf and see the books that helped shape your understanding of the world, made you laugh or cry, made you realize something you never thought about before, or remind you of a great class experience. I saved my copy of Hiroshima after my Dean's Seminar about World War II since it was one of my favorite classes and one of the reasons I majored in American Studies. I guess I can always buy my favorite books from the semester after it's over...


Stay tuned for more about Welcome Week Activities (that means lots of free food and events)!

--Abby

Almost There!

It's the new year!  The new decade!  2010!  And it doesn't feel too different.  Ah, well.  It's January 6th, which means that I've got just a few days til I'm back to GW.

Today, I decided to go back to my high school to visit past teachers and friends.  Being there is so surreal—such a weird feeling.  Like, I’m moving forward so quickly and things are just sorta ambling along back home.  VERY little has changed, which is why I’m more than happy that I’m not there anymore!  I miss it at times and I’m nostalgic a lot, but I DO NOT want to be back in high school. 

So it’s the day that they all (at the H.S.) get back from their Winter break, so it was a lazy day.  I was thinking of coming the day before break, which is basically one big party, but I was busy so I decided to take advantage of the day with less traffic from past students such as myself.

On top of that, I got to be a drawing model!  Last year I was in AP studio art, and we traditionally do figure drawings (not nude, don't worry) in the week after Winter break, because it fits in the lesson plans AND because old students can be taken advantage of as models.  And now it was my turn to be a returning student turned model!  I had also modeled for my own classmates a bit last year, but this time I was the big cheese!  It made me feel quite important.  I’m trying to get the pictures that were drawn, if the kids allow me to post them I’ll show you all that crazy talent.  They work hard in that class.  Trust me, I know--it was grueling!!!  Seeing their stuff makes me wanna take a drawing class next semester.  I think my schedule is too full though.  But maybe in the Fall!  Here’s hoping!  I've found that art classes fill up quickly here.

I think that’s all I got to say.  It’s a new year!  Whatta rush!

As always, send your questions on any topic at all to:  shireens@gwmail.gwu.edu

<3 Shireen

Happy New Years!!!

Hope everyone had a good break and a chance to prepare for the rest of the school year. There are just a couple of days before the general application period ends and I hope that anyone who knows for certain that they want to apply for early decision II does so. It is a great opportunity to be in a somewhat less competitive pool and get early notification of acceptance. Believe me, the early notification will take off weeks of stress.


My name is Paul Waters and I am a junior double majoring in political communication and international affairs. I plan to go to law school directly after college and I hope to practice international human rights law. I have an internship with the Department of the Interior and I am studying to take the LSATs in June (more on that later).

This semester I am living in the Focus on Fall Study Abroad housing in Philip Amsterdam Hall. Last semester I traveled abroad in Costa Rica studying sustainable human development through the International Center for Development Studies (ICDS, http://www.icds.ac.cr/) and GW Latin America.

I spent six months in Costa Rica lasting from June to December. During the summer, I spent five weeks with ICDS in an intensive language Spanish course that was free due to my participation in GW Latin America. I am also in the Focus on Fall Study Abroad community, which entails a small scholarship and guaranteed housing for the spring semester.
Ask questions!!!
Paul Waters

More Links:
Focus on Fall Study Abroad http://www.gwu.edu/learn/internationalprograms/studyabroad/focusonfallabroad
GW Latin America

http://www.studyabroad.gwu.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=06067A764F00717000750570071F04010D0F1B010E08066B7200737376067102757077737B707173&Type=O&sType=O