Midnight Dessert – Captured Scenes

ENJOY!

Every now and then

So I realized just now that I have this pattern. Every now and then you will find me listening to Amharic(my native language spoken back home in Ethiopia) Song, which I normally wouldn’t like to listen to. I find my self reminiscing and wanting to stop speaking English and start speaking my own language. I would listen to the songs I like, search them on U-tube and just feel the beat and maybe do a little dance in my room. My roommates will hear the kind of music they have never heard of before and they would just look at me amazed at when I got interested in my own country’s music. I know that is bad, but I just feel like only a select musicians can make the song sound good so I only listen to those…haha. Any way, when you see me going through that, that means I really miss home and I’m probably gonna spend a whole lot of money calling home and talking to friends and family. Which is exactly what I did last night – after I got back from watching IRON MAN 2(which was completely unbelievable but AWESOME nevertheless) I was up till about 5 talking to my brother and my best friend. And yes it is very expensive it cost me about $30. I know, it’s crazy…..but that is how I am I just have those days where I’m just sick of not being able to speak my own language or see my friends and it just hurts my stomach a little bit – so I call them and try to release some stress.

This is all probably stress triggered …missing home and stuff…I think I’m feelin’ the finals closing in on me….well I’ll be okay, we’ll all be okay. J

Good Luck on your studies!

Words of wisdom from a Senior

This blog is a little different. I ran into a converstaion with a friend of mine about college life. She is currently finishing her senior year. She came to the US four years ago from Nigeria to attend school here at UMBC. She usually gives me such great advice and great support. So I asked her to write you guys some of her wisdom. Here is what she said. ENJOY!

My freshman days were some of the most exciting I had experienced in my life. Just the idea of so much freedom suddenly in my control almost drove me nuts… no parents to watch my sugar level, no parents to make me go to class… no bed times… this was the utopia i had always fathomed! The implication of that new found freedom was almost scary, for with each new day, and each new found freedom, I realized how hard it was for me to move forward with major decisions. This sudden and new conglomerate of choices to make almost left me stagnant… almost like being at crossroads. All of a sudden, I was in charge of the people I wanted to know, the activities to be involved in, my major to pick etc etc This was the re-defining moment, I could choose to carry on the way I was from high school, or I could re-define myself into this whole new person. Thinking back into perspective, I realized that despite all the fear I had about the choices I had to make, all the choices ended I made ended up sometimes changed, because I did change. College is a big deal, all this motion taking place, its easy to get engulfed and run with it or get left behind. Change happens all the time, we get molded and shaped into the person we’ll be staring back at in the mirror 50 years from now. While I wanted a grip on everything I would be doing and how things would be going, I failed to realize that sometimes some things just happen that are out of your control… and it is okay if things are out of your control, and when they are, if you had given it your best, just know that it will all eventually work out for the best. So to whoever is reading this, at whatever stage you are, as you either prep to come to UMBC or continue in it, don’t forget to grab your limitless opportunities and make the best of your new found freedom!!!

A well deserved weekend break

So this weekend I went home (meaning my sister’s house). The week before had been – not cool- I was on average getting only 4 or 5 hours of sleep and had to sleep on the couch to actually make sure I wake up in the morning– so by the end of the week I was wiped out. My energy was so low that I was annoyed with the sound of my roommates voice. I only spoke when I really needed to and ….kept quiet – just tired. So I knew what I had to do – I am one of those people that after a some time of energy draining activity need some time to recover, recouperate and renew myself before going back to normal again. So when my brother offered me a ride home – I did not hesitate. Just looking at my little nice is good enough to keep me smiling for a week. I slept about a good 8-10 hours, it was like I was trying to make up for lost time…haha. Had some good food and made strawberry cake with my sister. No offense UMBC but it was nice to get away for a while

Now I’m Back and finals are three weeks away, and I have an exam this week friday and next week thursday ….glad I went home this weekend I don’t think I’ll go back before finals are over… buuuu….but yeah — it’s good to give yourself a break sometime – I hope you are doing that ..:)

Have a good night.

New Student Day Pictures!

So I finally got the pictures for new student day that I took using my bosses phone – sorry that they are not so great but still you can see all the potential new students and families joining us.It was on April 10, 2010. I met so many people – some proud parents, some unsure seniors, some very excited to just start school at UMBC and others just confused as to where the breakfast table is located …lol( it was 8:30 am I don’t blame them) Then our star students and the president of UMBC welcomed new students. Afterwards new students and families were allowed to go to different workshop like ‘Meet the Deans’ where they would get to meet all the deans of the departments at UMBC and ‘Student Life Workshop’ – where I was at. Three other students and I got to tell our story and talk about life at UMBC. The campus was crowded with about 2000 new students and families and Imagination Destination National contestants and families of about 3000. UMBC was lively with kids and new students with  walking all around campus. It was really nice. I didn’t get to go to new student day when I joined UMBC – So it was nice to see it and speak about my experience to others.

ENjoy the pictures – Sorry if they are a little low quality – took them with my boss’s cell phone

New students and families settling in

Pick Up America

On Tuesday at 11:3o am on the third floor of the Commons I met a group called Pick Up America. Pick Up America is a group that travels through America picking up trash. That Tuesday morning they were passing through cleaning Catonsville heading to Ellicot city. The group is actually very small and has not gone all the places that they want to go but I was just inspired by their drive to make such a move and take on some thing so big. And the amazing thing is they were just 25 and 26 years old. The guy who thought about it first was on an internship when he first thought of starting something like this.And now the group is making it across Maryland and saving so many tax payers money and saving the planet one trash at time.

Airplane Recycling Moving at a Snail’s Pace

is their slogan. It’s so inspiring to see how their number is not much but they wake up every morning and pick up trash till 7 pm.

The had a presentation about waste and just our culture of disposing so much into the environment. They talked about how wasteful behavior. They especially talked about plastic bottles and other plastic disposal. I was really surprised to know how much farther the effect of plastics go. I always knew that it was dangerous but the effects that they pointed out in their presentation was something I had never thought of. The plastics disposed out in the environment and release a chemical into the soil. Then plants including sea plants like plankton grow in that soil and then small fish eat that plastic and sharks and other sea animals that eat these fish are affected to an extent that 90% of their new borns don’t survive. So the next plastic bag or plastic bottle you throw out is actually killing an entire species step by step.

They mentioned how our wasteful character has become such a habit that we actually think that things can not be done any other way. Many people actually think bottled water is much better than tap water. But using plastic is like using energy to produce something that can not be recycled back to be reused – so much of it is wasted. One of the solutions they proposed was to ban plastic bottles entirely. I keep thinking about what would happen if that became a policy — so much would change. I know a lot of people don’t see the effect much but I wonder when we would see the seriousness of environmental degradation and actually take an action that huge.

hmm…. check out their page >>pickupamerica.wordpress.com/

UMBC’s President at Stanford University

UMBC was not one of the schools I applied to my senior year in highschool. In fact, I had never heard of it before my brother sent me the application. It even took me a while to understand what UMBC stood for – University of Maryland Baltimore County. So when I heard that my best friend is going to Stanford University, I was very happy for her and not to lie – I was very jealous. But the truth is undergraduate education at UMBC is tied for fourth place with that of Stanford Univesity on the list of national universities committed to undergraduate education. UMBC’s president since 1992, Dr Freeman Hrabowski, was selected by Time Magazine as one of the Top Ten College Presidents. He was also named one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report in 2008. He was even on the short list for President Obama’s picks for the position of Secretary of Education.

So when my best friend called me from California this morning to tell me that my school’s president is speaking at Stanford University, I was not surprised. Forget my jealousy, but rather I was proud to have come to UMBC.

So for all those who don’t believe that going UMBC is as good as Stanford University, even Stanford admits it – I suggest you take a look at the flyer…

SO what?

Today was one of those days. I can’t focus enough to study. I’m trying very hard to really identify what happened to my week. I know what happened but I really do know where I went wrong….. sorry to start off with a low tone but despite my attempt to stay positive this week has not been as great as I had hoped it would be.

Today I saw my lab report grade for one of my engineering classes….. I FAILED! …yeah I know it’s crazy. Despite our professors constant words of comfort that we will do better next time, my group took it pretty hard. It’s been a hectic week……I  mean don’t get me wrong…..I’m luvin this weather and it’s been really great despite some of my disappointing classes. But I guess now that I am in my room and I’m rewinding what happened this week, I have to admit I feel a little sad. I keep telling my self that I will work harder and I will look back at this day and it won’t even compare it to what is to come but still… .

I think one of the challenges in life is to cut yourself some slack…… So what I did so terrible on my first exam of the week? So what if it was so easy I don’t know what happened? So what if I failed at one of my reports? So what I didn’t so well on my exam this morning? ….So what?  Some things happen- and for me, especially when it comes to my education, that something I can’t seem to accept. But you know what convinced me this morning, when I walked out of my second exam this week, I realized that all you can do is give it all that you can. Sometimes situations don’t work out or turn out the way I want. Even though I have been studying for the past two weeks I was still not confident. But all I can do is try my best – give it my all – try all that I could . And that is enough. It might not seem so but really it really is.

Wish me luck on my exam tomorrow!

Enjoy the pretty weather. C ya!

Ambitious ME :)

This week I found the ambitious me – I’ve always known that I was a hard worker but never this ambitious. I finally made a decision as to what I would like to minor in. Yes…Yes I know Chemical Engineering is good enough by itself but I don’t know but I want more….I guess that is human nature.

Monday morning I went to see my advisor and we sat and started to talk about how I’m doing in my classes. Then we moved on to what I need to do. The Chemical Engineering curriculum is pretty packed by itself but I asked her about minoring in computer science. I’ve only taken one class and although it was very time-consuming and hard work, I have to admit it was one of the coolest things to know how to do. We looked over the requirements and it seems I would only need 7 more courses to get a minor in computer science after this. However three of these classes overlap with my chemical engineering requirement and a math minor requirement which after this would only require me to take 2 more classes to earn. But my ambition was not in all this information that I am boring you with but rather in my decision. I decided to do it all! ….and when I say all I mean ALL. Will I succeed ? Won’t I get tired? Do I really have to ? …are questions to be answered in future posts but for now. I have decided to get my B.S. in Chemical Engineering, and a minor in both Computer Science and Mathematics. To do this though, I would need to take at least two classes during winter, and take 17-19 credits a semester and work really hard. According to my calculation, not factoring in scheduling issues that are very likely to happen, I plan to graduate in four and half years. So……TWO and half years to go!

I know it’s crazy…..maybe I’ll grow out of my decisions but for now I feel very driven to do it all. I’m excited though….everything seems so much clearer now. SO wish me luck(fingers crossed)

Kay…see ya later.

Leadership Week Kick off

So today was the beginning of a week-long celebration of leadership that the Leadership Consultants, a group which I am a part of had planned. It was to start with the Simon Says game in the commons – this game of course signifying that leadership is not about telling someone what to do – Simon is always telling someone what to do…:)

When we thought of this idea for the kickoff we were all excited with the idea and thought everyone would like it. I guess we were wrong coz despite the promises we got from people saying they would show, they didn’t. We had some people show up therefore we couldn’t continue to play as much as we wanted. Was I disappointed? Honestly yes! I truly believe that this game would be fun for everyone and raise everyone’s spirit and remind them about leadership in a fun way. Have I given up? NOPE there is still a week to go and more fun events. So if you are out there and you want to win prizes and enjoy a good event with free food come join us Tomorrow from 6-7:30 @ sports zone in the commons. Wednesday on Main street from 12-2pm. Thursday from 6:7:30 @ sports zone and for our last day of the Leadership week Friday 12-2pm. Check out the flyer I promise you will enjoy it. So don’t miss out!