Call to Service

“And so a new generation inspires previous generations, and that’s how change happens in America. It doesn’t just happen in election and campaigns, it’s happened in service all across America. Young people getting involved in Teach for America and Americorps, people teaching in schools and working in community organizations [pause] joining the Peace Corps! And as this is broadcast all around the world, we know that young people everywhere are in the process of imagining something different that what has come before. Where there is war they imagine peace, where there is hunger they imagine people being able to feed themselves. Where there is disease they imagine a public health system that works for everybody. Where there is bigotry they imagine togetherness. The future will be in your hands if you are able to sustain the kind of energy and focus you showed on this campaign. I promise you, that America will get stronger and more united, more prosperous, more secure. You are gonna make it happen and Michelle and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God bless you and God bless the United States of America.”

President Barack H. Obama

MTV’s Be the Change Inaugural Ball Jan. 20th 2009

Don't Worry

It's Alive!!!

I know that this blog has been dormant for a dreadfully long time...but, as with stratovolcanoes, around here dormancy is rarely permanent.

I'd like to begin using this tool to communicate with my friends and family near and far.

Let me start by communicating some rather significant, dare I say, life-altering news:

In two months time, I will be moving to Kyrgyzstan. (I'll allow time for you to google this obscure location before following up with details, news, and updates from this pre-departure, soon-to-be Peace Corps Volunteer.)

Mud Run!

On Sunday my mom and I ran the 10K "Mud Run" at Camp Pendleton. It was definitely the most fun and most organized race I've ever encountered. I'd recommend their races to anyone and everyone.

(World Cup Update: The US Men's Team is playing poorly and I really doubt they'll beat Czech Republic. There goes the "best US team ever" PR they're touting.)

Video Posting

I think the video post (see below) is too large of a file to be practically viewed by anyone. So I'm seeking alternative methods...but let me know how well it is working for you.

Commencement Video Clip

Now What?

So, I've completed the requirements for my degree, survived the ceremony and hoopla, and recovered to some extent. I just wanted to update my family and friends...even though it seems my life has slowed down a bit.

I'm currently enjoying some World Cup Soccer - Costa Rica is actually making a match out of this...but I have faith in my beloved Germans. This summer I'll be campaigning for Roxana Folescu, as we attempt to get her elected to the California State Assembly. A lot can happen between now and the November election, but right now we're pretty optimistic. Next week, I'm headed to Alaska to visit Ingrid. It should be an amazing adventure for this city-slicker...

I'm trying to post a video clip of my commencement ceremony, but (as usual) technology may get the best of me.

We Did It

Cristina and I - seems like just yesterday we were freshman roommates. wow.

Family Time - My Graduation

The family enjoying German beer and cuisine...Kaiserhof (the only German restaurant in town). Prost to me and being a COLLEGE GRADUATE.

Brunch after the ceremony

My two favorite boys!!! I loved spending time with family to celebrate my graduation...that's what it's all about.

Sunshine and Shamu

Ingrid and I at Seaworld.

Spring Break! (emphasis on the 'break' part, not the 'spring')

Ingrid and I had an awesome reunion during her visit and it was definitely tough to say 'goodbye' again. But I'm headed to Boston for Easter to visit her (and possibly other JYMers...yay!).

Then, I had two weeks of midterms, which culminated in 4 IN ONE DAY. That was not fun, but I was well prepared and I wasn't stressing myself out as much as I used to. However, the people all around me were giving off serious stress-vibes (and germs, for that matter), to which I am unfortunately not immune. So I ended the week feeling sick and dead tired. Luckily I have this entire week off school to recover mentally and physically. And that's what I've been doing - bumming around the house, watching movies, and contemplating the meaning of life. Who would expect anything less from me?

Oh, and I survived the hail/rain/thunder storm that hit this weekend. It's hilarious how weather makes Californian's crazy. You'd think it was the apocalypse...everyone was cancelling their plans, building arcs (just kidding), and just being weird. I personally like hail...it looks like snow, which reminds me of nothing but positive memories.

my favorite baller of all time

Here's the kid in action.

Ending February with a bang (no, Dick Cheney is not involved)

It's gonna be a great weekend:

Tonight is my brother's last basketball game of the season, which should definitely be exciting to watch. He's such a stud!

Tomorrow night I'm going to see the Vagina Monologues at UCSD (yay for extra credit in my gender politics class!)

And finally Sunday Night marks the arrival of my very favorite person in the world: Ingrid. She's flying in from Maine for the week and I am SOOOOOO excited. Die Mannschaft wurde endlich wiedervereinigt!

New Years in the AZ

The one and only JJ showing Bubba how to pose for a picture.

Ashley and I proving why curly hair is in. 

Just wanted to share some pics from my New Years trip back to Scottsdizzle. Here's one of Bubs and I looking beautiful (as usual). 

Unemployed No More

After last's semester hectic schedule, I've finally found a job for this upcoming spring semester. I'll be working back at the on-campus coffee shop, Aromas.
I'm pretty excited about this development, but not as excited as I am about my classes:

Life in the Oceans;
International Relations Theory;
Sex, Power & Politics;
Politics of Germany;
US/East Asian Relations.

Let's just say I've got quite a bit of optimism invested in 2006.

Wanted: Song Writer/Composer

I've heard plenty of songs in my day that were dedicated to a specific place (like Carolina in my Mind, Sweet Home Alabama). I've never before understood why someone would feel the need to sing about a place. Now I get it. If I had a musical bone in my body, I'd be occupying myself with song composition right now. ...sigh... Munich.

35 mpg, thank you very much

I'm getting 35 miles per gallon out of my good ole car. The thing is almost 12 years old, yet you gotta go HYBRID to beat that!(and I will, someday) Let me make it now be known, that I am energy efficient.*

Speaking of energy efficiency, I just heard about some interesting new measures taken by the Japanese government in that regard. Tokoyo, the world's most populous metropolian area, is seeking ways to increase energy efficiency. The government started a campaign this summer urging workers to 'dress down' at work so as to reduce the high demand for air conditioning in office buildings. Not only was this campaign successful in terms of the saving the city's energy, but it also boosted sales in the city's menswear market. The Japanese government is incorporating the same philosophy this winter by encouraging sweaters, and the like, in the workplace.

The story sounds awfully humorous until I stop to think about how many office buildings I've entered over the past summers, in which I wish I'd worn a parka. In Southern California especially, that sory of extreme climate control is a waste of energy as well as uncomfortable.

I guess I like to think in a slightly different way nowadays: Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung. (There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.)


*broad definition of energy efficient is used here. this is based on american standards, which are like the worst standards to ever go by.