Thankful

Thanksgiving was this past Thursday, and as cliché as this is, I think the best thing I should do for this entry is talk about what I am thankful for.  Obviously, I am thankful for my family, friends, education, my health, but outside of those things, this semester has taught me that I have way more things to be thankful for.  I am thankful for living in a country where the government has just laws and a fair court system that provides me with certain rights.  I am thankful for the fact that I am not living in a warzone, that I have access to health care, and that I can use the Internet to look at whatever I want.  I am thankful for an education that has taught me life lessons about saving money.  I am thankful for having the experience of traveling to Brazil my first semester in college.  Mostly, though, I am thankful that I live in a country that has afforded me all of these opportunities to have such a bright future.  It really is incredible to think about the endless possibilities we all have living in a country as prosperous as this one.  Even though globalization insists that the U.S. is no longer as prestigious as it once was, I still think it’s the best country in the world to live in.

Friends

It's hard to believe that we have two days of class, Thanksgiving break, and finals until the semester is over.  It's crazy to think that at the beginning of the semester, most of us were strangers, but now I feel like I have really gotten to know every person in PEGS.  This week, I had my interview for PEGS with Dr. Becky Casey.  The interview went great!  She was such an awesome lady to talk to, and I appreciated that she seemed to genuinely care about what I had to say.  I feel like sometimes my goals catch people off guard, but I think she really understood where I was coming from.  Also, I am in the midst of applying to be a Resident Assistant in Fall 2011.  It is a job that I would love to have, so hopefully my personality shines through in the essays I am writing for the application.

I think the thing that impacted me the most this week was listening to Dr. Betty Siegel speak.  The message I took away from her was that every moment can be put to good use.  The time she took to form relationships with people and put a smile on the faces of others really made a difference in the long-run and allowed her to leave a legacy.  I think a big reason as to why she has become so successful is because of the genuine connections she made with others along the way.  Oftentimes, particularly in College, I think people are encouraged to talk to others because they could provide them with a job or an internship.  But Dr. Siegel befriended people at the Waffle House out of genuine sincerity and ultimately, the dedication she showed toward those friendships allowed her to be considered a Waffle House "legend."  Although it is not the most prestigious title, it allowed her to find a home away from home where she knew that she would be in good company.

This Thanksgiving I will be traveling to New York City to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade because my brother will be playing in the only marching band from Georgia in the parade this year.  Here is a picture of them featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Maybe I will stop by the New York Stock Exchange while I am visiting...we will have to see!

Government

After writing two sociology papers this weekend, I am wiped out to say the least.  But I cannot allow for a Sunday night to go by without blogging!  I feel like the theme of this week has been the government: whether we like it or not, it is evident in every aspect of our lives.  The article we read in BUSA 1000 proved to me that the consequences of the government's lack of responsibility in terms of saving for future generations could play out during my lifetime.  Yes, individuals can make a difference by making smart investments and buying within their means, but ultimately, the government's financial issues are much more vast, complex, and in need of reform.  In KSU 1111, we addressed the subject of government as well, but rather than discussing how large and powerful it is, we read an article about the government's increasing decentralization.  The article explained how the government's inefficient policies have forced large businesses and corporations to assume the role of government by taking on corporate social responsibility.  Although companies are becoming more socially conscious, at the end of the day, their main goal is to make a profit, not save the world.  Conversely, such a large government seldom has the means to benefit specific communities or people.  Despite your political beliefs, few can argue that the government's laws are too complicated and inefficient and in great need of reform.  At this point, I think it is a matter of deciding which issues will benefit the most from reform.  

Outside of class, I just finished my application for the King-Casey's Women's Leadership Experience as well as my application for PEGS.  Fingers crossed both go well!

Creativity

Things are certainly getting more intense as the end of first semester is now in sight.  The due dates for all of the major projects, papers, and exams are coming up, so my "to-do list" is currently running very long.  Still, knowing that I am so close to finishing with a successful first semester is motivation enough to do quality work and keep my grades up.  By working on all of these assignments this week, I have realized that they are designed to challenge us creatively.  The PSA and the Global Village Project for KSU 1111 are both open-ended in their directions and allow us to think for ourselves and formulate our own ideas.  Even though both of the projects are time-consuming, I appreciate the fact that we really get to design the project.  Also, deciding what exactly we are going to say and do during the 30 minutes we are allotted at the President's cabinet meeting involves working together and deciding on the best ideas to make our meeting as meaningful as possible.  For me, the projects that allow for the most creative freedom are my favorite because they feel less like a chore and more like something meaningful I can learn from.  I know that all of my professors are working together to make sure that we take something away from each of our projects, so as I continue on into next semester, I will have to adjust to less personalized classes.  None the less, I am in the midst of reapplying for the PEGS program, so hopefully everything goes well.