Update.

I have had some wonderful opportunities in the past week or so. The foremost is having dinner with Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State of the United States (under President Clinton). Though I sat at the table with her, unfortunately, with the set up I did not talk to her as much as I would have liked. In fact, the most I got in was thanking her and shaking her hand. After all the hype of the event and being asked to dine with her, I had been hoping to speak with her more--one on one. Oh well, I met her. She is a wonderful and kind lady.


In other news, I was also scheduled to staff the governor on Thursday for an event she was attending to advocate the Michigan Promise scholarship. That didn't happen, unfortunately. Largely, it was a fault in communication. I am not to concerned with this because I know that I will have many, many opportunities to meet and work with/next to the Governor. Education and jobs are priorities for her and working under her education advisor ensures these opportunities in the future.

I am still poor. I have to wait to hear about the Yehle Scholarship and I have not heard back from any of the places that I applied to so far about jobs. Andrew highlighted a bunch in the Michigan Daily for me. I had been planning on looking and going to get applications yesterday (Saturday), but I ended up getting a free ticket to see Michigan v. Notre Dame. It was a good game, but it became boring in the second half because the Wolverines were dominating so strongly. It was a shut-out. 38-0, U of M. I am happy they won, though I am not a huge fan. Their win ensures that this house is a happy and enjoyable place to be. So, U of M's record is 1-2. State's is 3-0. It will be interesting to see how next week goes.



I need to get a job, but I think I am going to have to do it during this week because my weekend is full. Carley, my cousin, is getting married on Sat the 22. It is a really informal wedding, but the party afterward should be really fun. I hope Andrew decides to go, just because Stephanie will be with Jared. I am not sure if anyone I really know will be there. I could hang out with my mom? She's pretty cool, but we'll see.

Today, I have to do my homework and hope my allergies clear up. I hope you are all well.

Peace.

Love
I Corinthians 13: 3-7
Romans 13: 8

New phase in life.

Hello to all who may or may not read this.

I am writing to quickly update the small and very important portion of the world that cares enough to check my blog regardless of infrequent updates.

My life is taking a significant step in some unknown direction, hopefully forward. After contemplation, I decided on a full-time internship with Governor Granholm, analyzing education policy in her executive office. I am very excited for this opportunity. Though, admittedly, I am nervous. In addition to interning 43 hours a week, I am trying to find a part-time job to help cover the living costs. I will be commuting to Lansing and I need to be able to pay for gas, parking, food, some rent, and a cellular phone (for security).

It is liberating, in a way, to be working and not have to be doing homework all the time. We'll see how long I maintain that view. Change is refreshing. Just being in a new town is nice. Now, I need to somehow remain committed to the person I have become over the last few months. It becomes easy to revert to old behaviors when busy/stressed/overcoming new challenges - I don't want to come to that. The beauty that I saw and encountered over the summer I need and want to retain for the rest of my life. I want to be able to reinvigorate that feeling with experiences here, at home. To do this, I think the most important commitment I need to make is one to myself. I have, for the last 2 or 3 years, been lost in what I assume others expect of me. I was unhappy. For now, I believe the best thing for me to do is to return to the parts of myself that freed me when I was younger - music and art. My life has largely been void of these things for the past 2 years. Not only did these things give me time to focus, reflect, and find clarity but they gave me one of the most valuable things to proper self-happiness - time with myself. I also want to continue to write in my journal - something that I have tried to do for years with little success until my experience in Peru this summer. I am hopeful.

Also, Corey, I am very happy that you liked the baby bunny. I am glad someone could borrow the joy that I found from it. I hope your classes are going well and that you are finding time to smile.

Peace.

Love
I Corinthians 13: 3-7
Romans 13: 8