GAH

I feel so overwhelmed right now with school. Not only am I organizing this Palestinian Freedom Walk and working three jobs as of next week, but I am working on my capstone paper.

The topic? Israel and Palestine.

Honestly, what else did you expect me to write about?

So much homework. Gah.

You Know You're Back to School When...

You're reading a novel on the history of the Balkans in the process of doing research for your senior capstone while drinking a wine cooler... and then while trying to find your best playlist, you spill said wine cooler all over your laptop and can only watch in amazement until flipping your laptop upside down to drain the alcohol off your favorite and most needed electronic device... all while listening to Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson.

Mmm sticky keys.

Teach for America

It's something I'm considering as an option after college. Loan deferment is a plus. CNN has a little something to say about it right now.

Moving

Except for the fact that I and my laptop are sitting in my dorm room, I've gotten everything moved out. It feels nice to have gotten that all done so quickly (relatively) but I'm gonna miss this room... and hearing the church bells all the time, at least until September.

Oh Carroll College, how I'll miss you so.

If they don't give me a choice next year when I graduate as to whether college or university is on my diploma, I'm going to have a conniption fit.

Also, for randomness, here's a YouTube video of the Death Cab/Cold War Kids/Ra Ra Riot concert I went to. Cold War Kids is totally my favorite band now.

Thank G-d

I don't have anything else to lug up the five flights of stairs to my dorm room.

Yesterday was move-in day. Theron and I were able to get everything upstairs in a relatively good amount of time. We got most of it done early, so maybe that's why it was easier. It seems like most people waited until a little later to show up and start moving.

I got everything done yesterday that I needed to, which is so nice. We had a floor meeting last night and I guess most of the girls on my floor are freshmen, so it was a little awkward because no one wanted to talk, but they seemed nice.

My bed is extremely comfortable. I actually woke up at a regular time because I didn't feel as though I slept poorly. Theron gave me a whole bunch of his posters, so it doesn't feel naked in here... and his cow ottoman - it's so cute!

I know that the biggest thing I will have trouble with is being more outgoing. I tend to isolate myself when there are people I don't know very well unless I'm at work (don't ask, I don't get it either). Hopefully when I get home from work one night, I'll be able to branch out a little more and be a little less anti-social.

Guns on Campus?

Really?

Recently there's been a push to get guns allowed on college campuses in response to the recent school shootings. While I support the Second Amendment, I think this is a disastrous idea.

Living in the Milwaukee area, I see the damage that guns can do almost everyday on the news, driving around, whatever. I don't think the answer to crazy people with guns is to give other crazy people guns. I've gone out with a couple guys in the past who've had anger issues. The last thing I want to see is them on campus with a gun to "defend" themselves. What then? The next time someone pisses them off, they can pull out a gun on them?

Honestly, I know that I'd feel completely unsafe if people on campus had guns. I'm sure that certain crimes would go up, because not a whole lot of girls are going to want to carry guns (unless of course they live in Waukesha). So what, then we got girls getting raped and killed too?

Trust me, the last thing I want in the whole world is for something to happen at Carroll. I know that I'm someone who helps when I'm needed, and I'd probably get hurt pretty bad trying to help others get to safety. I'll admit, it's a scary thought. But, I trust Carroll. I know that if something was suspected, they would take care of us. They're talking about setting up an emergency text message system, like that at several of the schools that have been attacked lately.

Parents need to help monitor their children, help set good examples, and, if their kids need medication, help remind them to take it and make sure they're doing it. I'm sure it's hard to do when kids are moving cross-country for college, but I think it's an important thing. If the foundation for taking meds is set right during high school, then kids are less likely to stray from that.

What's scary to me is the thought of drunken, angry, sex-crazed college students walking around with guns on their belts. That's not the answer to the problem at all. It will just cause more issues than it solves.

I think the solution is for all the schools to set up emergency text message alerts, just like Carroll is looking into. Security needs to be tighter, and whenever there's anything suspected the school needs to close, just like Oakland did yesterday.