Cecilia's Blog

 

Every semester there are two clear marks of the beginning of a new semester:

• A course syllabus for each class, this semester, four:

-Government: Theoretical Foundations of Modern Politics

-Government: Political Communication

-English: Masterworks of American Literature

-Elective: Family Resource Management

-Rapoport Service Scholars Program: Civil Responsibility and Community Engagement

• A retreat for the leaders of the organizations I am involved in, which if you have read my blog before, you may be familiar with:

-UT Student Volunteer Board

-UT Leadership and Ethics Institute (which includes LEAP)

As for my classes this semester, I have an OK balance. I am really, really excited about my Political Communications class, to the point that it made me sad that class was canceled on the second week of school. My other government class is in the field of political theory, and it is my first course in that area, so it is going to be a bit more challenging than other government courses I have taken, but that’s what it is all about, about taking the challenge. And then of course, English, as one of the required core courses–which I had still not taken. My elective is definitely out of my field, but brings a good balance to my course load. The seminar as part of the Rapoport Service Scholars program is a great environment for discussion, especially when it is nine of us in the class!

What is also great about my classes this semester is that I know at least one person in each of them–so if you think UT is too big, give that a second thought.

They are all moving at a fast pace. I’ve already turned in two papers and had three quizzes since we started school.

Retreats. During the first weekend back to school, the SVB and LEI retreats marked the beginning of a new semester in these organizations–bringing us all together to reflect on the fall semester and plan for the spring.

After the LEI retreat we went bowling in the Texas Union Underground (on campus) with our advisers. This is one of the many ways you can see how although UT seems so big at first, it really becomes a lot smaller when you start building communities. And while at first you don’t think administrators and faculty are accessible, then it is in part through those communities that you become a part of that and you establish even closer relationships with them.

Below some pictures of bowling after the retreat:

The Student Volunteer Board (SVB) is also off to a good start. The first two weeks of school are always hectic with recruitment, part of the reason why I’ve been absent from blogging aside from getting back to the routine of school–definitely different from being able to sleep in until noon, stress-less during winter break…but over the break, I missed all of this and everyone here, so I take the crazy, busy routine any time…because, as I’ve mentioned before, I can always “get by with a little help from my friends”…at the end of the day, no matter how stressful things are, it is always good to have that support circle to fall back on and people that lift you up and reassure you that everything will be OK…nothing compares to that.

So back to SVB, we were actively recruiting–tabling bright and early on the West Mall and coordinating Information Fairs in the afternoons on the FAC patio. The first information fair didn’t go as planned. We ordered tables but they were never delivered. But instead of calling it quits, we decided to be flexible and improvise. So, yes, if you saw people standing on the West Mall with signs to volunteer, I was one of us! In the end, it still worked, we still got several people signed up for our mailing list, and, above all, what made me really happy was how we worked together to make things work and to see how much closer that brought us. I really have to give big thanks to all my fellow SVBers who were there that day. That day was proof that by working together, we can still make things happen even when they seem tough to accomplish at first.

We’ve also started a new e-newsletter communication method. And since I am in charge of communications, I am really excited about our new newsletter e-mail system (I know, I get overly excited about small things like this, but I know that in the end they are going to make a huge impact!). Now I get to make newsletters that are much more attractive, hopefully, but that’s in the eye of the beholder…or is it?

Check out how our information fairs (most pictures are from the second Information Fair, for which we actually had tables and free pizza for those who went) went in the following pictures:

In addition to school and organizations, I have been really happy to be back to the full swing of things…reuniting with friends, meeting new people and continuing to do the things that make each of my days at UT priceless. Sounds cheesy, but they really are.

A couple of memorable moments so far this semester:

=Trying to get into the Texas versus A&M basketball game with Jimmy a couple of weekends ago and the doors closing just 10-15 people ahead of us, so we couldn’t get in and so I have yet to go to a basketball game this season. (Yes, even if you have a printed ticket through the Longhorn All-Sports Package, that still doesn’t guarantee you admissions).

=The start of new things…of something new.

=Watching Evelina (former LEI adviser and now life coach/motivational speaker) give a presentation at Austin High School and meeting her mom.

=My first time at Romeo’s (really, really, good Italian restaurant here in Austin…if you are looking for a good place to go maybe next weekend for those of you who celebrate this upcoming Saturday…this is definitely the place to go!)

=My first time at Rudy’s BBQ for Janice’s 22nd (ah, I’m such a baby) birthday. (If you haven’t been, please make it your next place to eat out at, well, after you try Romeo’s, and make sure you tell them that it is your first time there, I didn’t and I missed out on all the samples)

=Starting campaign logistics for the upcoming UT Student Government elections (Amanda is running for university-wide rep and I have given myself the title of campaign manager…great idea…)

=Walking through the State Capitol grounds at night (first time), I definitely encourage it, just don’t do it alone!

=Saturday night at the library with Erika (one of my former LEAP mentees, now a LEAP mentor) and Stacey (fellow Rapoport Service Scholar)…whom I have adopted as my little sisters although they are almost older than me

=Feeling under the weather, but finally fully recovered!

=Reuniting with Pearl…one of my three roomies for next year! Yes, I, Cecilia, am finally moving off campus to an apartment after six semesters of on-campus living in the same residence hall, in the same room, on the same bed! I think this will make many of you proud.

=Giving a campus tour (always love those) for a group of students from San Antonio.

=Finally talking with Felicia via Skype after weeks of lack of instant-communication. I finally had to accept the fact that she IS studying abroad in Mexico and that she won’t be back in Texas until May. Because I won’t have any pictures of her and I this semester, here is an old one, for you to see the face behind this bullet point!

To look forward to this week: more LEI, LEAP workshop with LEAP Alumni, more SVB, more school, getting ready for my first round of exams (although not necessarily looking forward to it, it’s happening whether I want it or not), the weekend (as usual) AND something really exciting: the Clinton Global Initiative University conference starting Friday evening until Sunday, about which I promise to report fully on!