Tragic Coincidences

In the spring of 2002, I was a Senior in high school. That was the year I was on Student Council, so I wanted to experience everything that Council was part of, even the Junior/Senior Prom. Yes, it meant breaking a Fishing Opener tradition, but Dad was ok with that...there is an Opener every year and only one Senior Prom.

Since I wasn't seeing anyone, my friend Tina set me up to go as her sister's date in a group with her and some other friends. Except for her, none of us was dating the guy or gal we accompanied so it was just a fun evening shared with friends.

That same year, my sister accompanied her then-boyfriend, who was a Senior like me. They had a wonderful, memorable evening as well.

Fast forward...

Labor Day 2003: My friend, the sister of my prom date, is killed in a motorcycle crash.

Thanksgiving Day 2006: The brother of my sister's former boyfriend and 02 prom date is killed in a motorcycle crash. The cycle had been a birthday gift just weeks ago. He was 20.

Both college sophomores, wonderful kids and so full of life. Both siblings of our prom dates. Both lives taken far too soon. An eerie, tragic coincidence.

If one needed a reason never to get on a motorcycle, this is it.

Rest in Peace, Tina and Brandon. Know that those of us who knew you will always remember the wonderful people you were.

Time to "Think Big"

I have been involved in student government a long time. In that time, I have seen the group ebb and flow...some months and years have been better than others. Nothing you do is always perfect. Just a couple of weeks ago I was writing on this blog about bumps in the road.

However, in the last couple of weeks I have also come to realize just what we are doing this year. It is not every day that students, faculty, and alumni come up to you and say things like "That bill was excellent", "I admire you", "He's a rock star" or the simple, yet powerful "Thank you for your work."

As my colleagues and I have discussed of late, it is very easy to get caught in the day to day kinds of functions we are required to fulfill, like going to such and such meeting or reviewing new policy. Much Senate business is reactive--we offer a response to an administrative proposal.

In the last month or two however, it seems like things are being taken a step further. Proposals are being reviewed, but along with that come suggestions for improvements. And folks are speaking up and asking questions. There are some things in the pipeline, that if done right will impact BSU in the long term.

It's time to "Think Big" and I'm glad I'm around to see it.

Not So Mighty?

Last night, the scroll ball on my Wireless Mighty Mouse quit working.

This morning I spent an hour on the phone with Apple.

They are sending me a new mouse.

Hopefully it will be mighty enough to last more than a couple of months.

Something From "The Lodge"

Checking out "The Lodge" today, I came across this post. Apparently, the U is considering adding language to their conduct policy that would punish students for off campus violations if they were serious enough.

Read the full article on wcco.com.

Definite food for thought for a student leader, especially as we've been discussing honor and conduct codes this past week. The big question related to this article--who decides which offenses are "serious" enough??

Election 2006

Well, yesterday was certainly an interesting one. I spent it in the office hanging out and answering election queries before heading over to the local DFL celebration with other friends.
Hanging out at a party soiree like that was a new experience It was a good time, and the energy was positive because they did very well.

Let's see:

• Moe won re-election and Olson unseated Ruud.
• Amy Klobuchar becomes MN's first woman US Senator--and I met her the other day.
  
• DFL took control of MN House and kept Senate, but Pawlenty kept the Governor's office. It will be interesting to see how things play out over the next couple of years.
• Democrats took US House and the US Senate, Of course they will have to contend with Bush and vice versa...which means a slow couple of years.
• The Event Center passed, albeit by a slim 44 votes.

The downers...

• Michelle Bachmann wins the 6th...UGH!
• Hal and Zac both lost to incumbents. They are both young and will (hopefully) try again some day.
  

It's Election Day

VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Proud BSU Student Am I

This photograph was taken last week outside Royalton on Highway 10, and sent by our illustrious student body president to the Marketing Director with subject line "The Greatest Image Ever"

Me, the king of silly pictures and out of context quotes.

Whirlwind

It's hard for me to comprehend the past two or so weeks. They have been a rollercoaster of emotions surrounding my three "lives"...personal, professional and academic. Mostly the latter two.

First came the midterms. Those stressed me out. I felt like I did not have a grasp of them at all but ended up with high Bs and low As, which caused me to breathe a sigh of relief. Now I must worry about my thesis...I think I know where I'm headed but it has been slower going than expected. The data portion has frustrated me most...I have it but my SPSS version will not read the documents I need!

Then come the bumps in the road we have faced in Senate. It's probably no worse than I have been though before but I have felt like I was in the middle of, and even contributed to, a lot of drama. We all have lately, and it hasn't been the greatest use of time--something I realized through many conversations with a certain friend and colleague who has usually been able to help me put things in pretty good perspective. And I'm thankful beyond words for that. Everyone needs a person or two to keep them "grounded".

Of course the MSUSA conference this past weekend had its share of drama too. Our State Chair, a colleague for several years, decided to step down after this semester. While everyone understands it was a decision he had to make, it's sad to see him go.

I was asked yesterday how I was doing lately. My honest response was that I am hanging in there and have been pretty stressed. This week has seemed better and I hope it stays that way.

What a Week

And it's only Wednesday. Enough said.

Oh well, at least I don't have class tomorrow. The beauty of having two classes the same day with the same prof who decided to cancel for the day.

"Crash"

Tonight I had the opportunity to watch the movie Crash. It was screened on campus...an event put on by the newly formed "Diversity Jam" group.

Wow...what a picture. It was powerful...sad. It was so interesting to see the different perspectives the characters had. It really brought home the point that everyone has their own struggles and set of prejudices. And I found that the score was quite good as well...bought the soundtrack.

Definitely a movie worth watching.

A Busy Week, But Productive Too

• Took two midterms--I feel comfident about the Campaigns and Elections one, but not so much about the World Lit one.
• Did one of the pieces of my campaign analysis project
• Turned in my grad plans...now officially filed to graduate in May...a little scary, but good.
• Met about my poli sci thesis, which is starting to come together, at least I know where I'm going with it...if only I could fast forward through the whole data collection and entry part.
• Did lots of little things around the office, and helped our speaker with the meeting since Cody is gone and Bruce was temporarily mute.
• and plenty more...
  

It's Entirely Too Early

To be windy and snowy and nasty like it has been the last two days.

UGH.

I Haven't Dropped off the Face of the Earth

Once again, I have not posted in nearly a week, and as usual I imagine that people have been waiting to hear what I have to say...or not. I was in the office the other day and Steph and Cody were talking about whether or not blog posts should be dated. Yes, it provides a nice chronology but also makes one look and go "oh gosh I haven't posted in X number of days."

At any rate, it's been a very busy week. We had Senate elections, so I spent close to 10 hours tabling for that. We did get 400-some votes cast, which is pretty good. I did miss the episode of CSI my friend was in...bought what I thought was the right episide on iTunes yesterday, but it wasn't so I guess I will have to wait until the right one comes out.

Of course I also had a few assignments to get done...seems like everything always comes due at the same time, but it always works out.

Retreat

Yesterday we had our Senate retreat. I think it went very well. We went out to Itasca State Park and it was a great day; a tad cool in the morning but sunny and nice. The fall color there was also beautiful. It was good to get away from campus on such a day and have some conversation about the rest of the year.

Today--a lazy Sunday.

Facebook's Grammar

Facebook grammar is freaking amazing. On my friend's profile it reads:

"Kara is your friend. They was also a fellow group member. "

They was, was they?

Wonder who does their programming? Whomever it is might have flunked English.

This is what happens...

When one dines with the staff he worked with all summer, and another colleague, after a long day of MSUSA meetings.

Me: "Our organization may not be sexy, but we are!"

Kelly:"I can't pay with my hotel keycard"
Me: "Unless you can find a real hott waitress!"

Yes, I said these...I blame overtiredness.

A Crazy Weekend

I'm finally getting around to blogging about this weekend. It was fun but very busy. Hosting a conference tends to make a person feel very busy. Additionally, there was also the STLF Dilla Days event going on, so between the two it made for long days and late nights on Friday and Saturday.

It's crazy but worth it. I would not trade any of it for anything.

I Want...

The new features of Blogger in Beta...come on already and let me convert!

Weekend Home

This weekend I went home in order to see my grandparents who were in town for a short visit. Honestly I was surprised to hear they were coming as they don't make it to Minnesota much anymore. After all, it is a long driving trip for folks in their 80s. (They don't like flying anymore and prefer to take a few days in the car).

They were completely surprised to see my sister and I...parents had not told them we'd be down so they were completely floored and VERY happy. I am glad we got the chance to visit.

Also had a chance to see Brent, Derek and Sadie, which was very nice and I am happy to see that she's enjoying the "city life."

Clarification

To all who commentend with shock at my decision to step away from my role as a voting Student Senator:

-We are not full
-I can still participate in debate
-I am still a member of the body
-I'll get used to not voting

I chose to go this route in order to "ease out" by gradually reducing my role over the next year as opposed to going from as involved as I have been to flat out being done...if that makes any sense.