T minus four hours
In four hours I will be headed for the mountains of Pennsylvania. All that stands in the way is a Public Relations presentation. I'm ready to get this show on the road!

Last night I had the privilege of procrastinating a bit with a trip to the Reith Interpretive Center downtown. Three of my housemates and I made the half mile trek to this environmental learning center to hear about how local businesses are thinking "green." It is always fun to get off campus for a good meal, network with some folks, and catch-up with old acquaintances.

In other news from last night -- this time more nationally -- Obama conceded the PA primary to Clinton. I tried to vote but my absentee ballot got here too late for me to return my vote in time -- a bit frustrating. So it looks like Clinton has a glimmer of hope now, but Obama seems to still be holding the hope trump card.

Speaking of politics, I'm sure you all heard our CNN debut was delayed a few days. There are already two videos up on CNN from similar round-table discussions, both from PA. Go to cnn.com/videos, search for "first-time voters," and you'll find them. One is students from Penn State, the other is women from Scranton.

As I grab a cup of java and head off to my final final, I realize this yet another semester of "beth midrash" -- Hebrew for "house of learning/interpretation," as I learned from Jim Brenneman in our Prophets class -- is nearly complete. I also realize I haven't seen my family in over three and a half months, which is as long as when I went on Cambodia SST. PA has been in the news so much lately, I better head back to my roots while the state is still in the spotlight!
Posted at 08:53 #

My voice matters?
I'm in a state of elatedness. For one, I just finished my Hebrew Prophets final a hour or so ago. And then I watched tonight's episode of The Office and ate ice cream. But the bigger reason I'm on such a high right now is because I'm going to be on CNN soon!

Six other GC students and I discussed how our faith informs our political decisions and views with Emmy- award winning journalist, Rick Sanchez. How cool, huh?!

While my faith has been important to me for a long time, I've only recently developed a liking for politics. It is probably somewhat based off of my fascination with current events and the media. But I also feel like I have a unique worldview to offer, and politics can be an avenue to voice such a perspective.

And on Wednesday we offered our perspectives. In fact, I've never in my life felt like my thoughts mattered and were valued so much before. CNN, local media, and college public relations persons were asking us questions and throwing us in front of cameras.

As a communication students with interest in journalism, I couldn't help but be in awe of the broadcast process. Even though I've been backstage at ABC news headquarters in New York City, it was way different to be on a mock-CNN set in the church-chapel!

I haven't given myself ample time to process the whole event yet. And with finals looming next week (though one was finished tonight!), I don't see myself setting aside too much time for personal reflection. But the three local newspapers sitting next to me will provide a steady reminder of how excited I was on Tuesday -- and still am now! Tune in next Wednesday morning from 6-9am to see us on CNN. Sorry I don't have more specifics.
Posted at 22:55 #

Speeding up or winding down?
Just two more weeks of school. The area public schools are taking their turn with "spring break" this week. Major League Baseball has begun. Tennis practice is in full swing. And winter seems to have finally made its exit.

I'm at that point in the semester when I feel like I should be winding down, but things only seem to be speeding up. Tests, projects, papers, finals, here I come. Admist all this work, I'm playing drums for three different bands that have performances within a week of each other.

Yesterday, though, I made myself slow down. I set aside time to go to an on-campus conference on what it might take for the Goshen community -- both the college and the city -- to practice "sweatfree" stewardship. Sweatshops have infiltrated our global market over the past number of years but are also a local reality. A Cambodian woman and Costa Rican man shared powerful stories of working in garment and pineapple-harvesting sweatshops.

Some of you may know that I was a member of the Spring '07 Cambodia SST. Besides learning about how to combat Walmart and sweatshops, I was able to use my Khmer again for the first time since SST. Oh how wonderful this felt. Juxtaposing the stories I heard with the language I once again struggled to speak, made me want to rush back to my house and book a ticket for Southeast Asia.

Reality reminded me that I was to spend three more hours in that same seminar room in Newcomer Center to prepare for this week's Hour After, which is a "coffee-shop" kind of musical performance led by GC students. A few of us former Kratz 3 guys decided last year to put on an hour after this year, although, in retrospect, we probably should've picked a different week!

My agenda for today is as follows: class, chapel, modeling (for an Art Dept. drawing class!), lunch, homework, tennis practice, supper, homework, indoor soccer intramurals, homework, and in bed...by midnight? Let's hope so.
Posted at 13:50 #