The Importance of Presentation. . .

Ok, I'm beginning to better understand what's going on here.  When we were creating Students for Peace in Palestine we thought a lot about what topics the group would discuss and what we wouldn't.  We talked about outreach programs and ways to begin a dialogue on campus about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  We talked about information we knew and information we'd like to learn.  We briefly talked about the name of our organization, chosen to affiliate us with the national organization.

We did not talk about what "Students for Justice in Palestine" would sound like to someone who knew nothing about our organization, nor did we discuss whether or not the name reflected our intentions or goals.  As it turns out, presentation is everything (my design professors were right!).  We began questioning our name just a few weeks after we created the group and decided to change it to "Students for Peace in Palestine."  It sounds a bit less militant, if you will.  I just got off the phone with my dad-- someone I regard as one of the wisest people I have access to-- and he brought to my attention that our name still doesn't convey who we are.  In fact, one could read our name and assume we're pro-Palestine (and maybe by default anti-Israel).  Perhaps "Students for Peace in Palestine and Israel"  would be better?  Maybe "Students for Better Understanding of Human Rights Violations in the Israel/Palestine Area"?  I'm honestly not sure.  Maybe we should simply join with a campus human rights group like the Social Justice League and create a sub-committee.

Be that as it may, we are a campus organization and the people who might be upset about our name have already heard our name.  So maybe now it's a moot point.  I'll admit, when I first heard the organization's name I was hesitant.  I'm still not a member of the Facebook group just in case it bodes ill for a job application.  I understand those who have initial reservations about Students for Peace in Palestine based solely on the name, I really do.  In a perfect world we would all do independent investigation to learn motives and reasoning behind controversial subjects, but we don't live in a perfect world and few people have time to learn both sides to every issue.

From that [newly found] observation, it's a shame my organization didn't give our name more thought at the beginning.  The importance of presentation cannot be questioned, and now we're dealing with some complications that *maybe* could have been avoided.

I'm still disappointed about the lecture though.  And more determined than ever to find a solution that works.

So Disappointing. . .

I'm so disappointed right now.  I've been working really hard to get a lecture series going for Students for Peace in Palestine (formally Students for Justice in Palestine), and our first lecture was supposed to be tonight.  However, it appears that our campus Jewish organization, Hillel, was making plans to "derail" the lecture.  I don't know many details yet, but the lecture has been canceled until further notice.

Everyone has a right to free speech, so at blank value I don't mind that Hillel was going to protest our lecture; however, considering we're a brand-new organization that is concerned about violations of Palestinian rights as well as violations of Israeli rights, I think their decision was very much a knee-jerk reaction-- I wish they would have let us have our first lecture so they could see that we're NOT anti-Israel or anti-Jewish.  We're pro-human.  Maybe I can understand their fear, but I wish they hadn't decided to pre-judge us.  Again, I'm sooooo disappointed.

So, if you're a member of the Hillel group or have been watching SPP with a wary eye, please understand that our group just wants to bring awareness that there are people--Jewish, Arab, Christian, and a host of other identities-- in the Israel/Palestinian region who are being denied their basic human rights.  When we DO have our first lecture, I hope that you come, listen with an open mind, and bring your perspective to the discussion.  Please consider joining the conversation we're trying to have on campus rather than stifling it.

Because the only way to promote peace is to promote understanding.

To learn more about Students for Peace in Palestine, read the Daily News article announcing our group.

Three Words: Human Hamster Ball

I had a GREAT weekend.  It began Thursday afternoon when I saw this after my last class:

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448" caption="The timeless way to lure students to your event."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448" caption="Human Hamster Balls!"][/caption]

Intrigued for obvious reasons, I wandered around to find out more information.  The University Program Board had arranged not only the human hamster balls, but also had provided free pizza and hot dogs, tie-dying, and make-your-own-frosted-cookies.  UPB organizes a lot of fun activities throughout the year, such as the Friday Night Filmworks.  After my delicious hot dog, I made my way back to the main attraction and found myself inside a clear, plastic beach ball.

After my frictionless adventure, I went to a Students for Justice in Palestine meeting.  SJP is a new organization on campus (actually, we're having our "coming out" meeting this Thursday at the Scramble Light!).  Despite the suggestive name, we focus on human rights issues in Israel and Palestine and try to stay out of political debates.  It's been a good time so far with information sharing and meeting new people with similar interests.  I'm sure I'll post more about the group in the future.

I went home Friday night to spend some time with my family and go shopping with my mom to find her a new dress.  Going home is usually a treat, but this year promises to be more fun than usual-- nearly all my high school friends have graduated and are living either near my hometown or in Chicago.  It's very convenient for visiting purposes.  Actually, I just learned that my two best friends will be sharing a house in Chicago with two of our other friends.  I'm incredibly jealous to say the least.  Muncie's a fun place, but my two best girlfriends are holding down a place in Chicago without me.  Grrrrrr.

I had a great time with my mom and dad when I was home.  One nice thing about getting older is that you get significantly closer with your parents (at least I am).  Then to finish up my weekend I visited my two cousins in Indianapolis.  They both have babies, so it was fun to hold them and catch up with my cousins.  My cousin Sarah is studying to be a beautician, and she trimmed up my bangs, which look fabulous (Sarah's so talented).

So yeah, great weekend.  Now I'm getting ready for a hectic week.  I have a Mitchell Scholarship deadline this week, and my studio is preparing for our field trip to Boston.  I ate some rancid veggies today and am experiencing a sore throat and achy stomach as a result, so I'm basically taking it easy today and working on my online classes until I feel less food poisoned.  In the meantime, I think it's raining again.  Ick.

Living Lightly Fair

Last weekend was a great example of why Muncie can be much more fun that you'd expect.  On Saturday I went to the Living Lightly Fair at Minnetrista, which is just a ten minute bike ride from campus.  My roommate and I got there in time for the weekly farmers market, where I bought some homemade tea (I drank the sage tea yesterday, and it was yummy).  Then we saw all the vendors.  I ended up buying a new scarf and a small bag to hold my phone.  All around a good time.  My biggest complaint was that there were far fewer food options this year after the farmers market ended.  On the plus side, the local boy scouts had a hog roast at the fair grounds across the street, so we just went over there and delighted in our hearty barbecue pork, baked beans, homemade applesauce, and baked potatoes.  They also had a rummage sale--nearly everything was $0.25!  I bought a new skirt AND a black dress that will serve nicely as this year's Halloween costume (I'm going goth!), for a whopping total of fifty cents! I could pick up that much money from the streets!  Naturally, I feel rather successful.

My Professors Know Everyone, Everywhere

I'm *thrilled.* I'm applying for a Fulbright Grant to do a research project in Jordan after I graduate, but as a part of the application I need a "letter of affiliation" from an organization in Jordan that says they'll give me support.  I've been trying to make contact with people from universities and organizations for about a month, but to no avail.

But today, everything changed.  Have you heard of the Six Degrees of Separation?  Well, it's true.  As it turns out, the Chairperson for the Department of Urban Planning just returned from Jordan.  To make my life more perfect, he also has contacts at the University of Jordan, which is where I'd like to study.  So he's sending an email to his contacts today, and *hopefully* I'll hear back from them sometime this week.

Isn't that grand?!  :)

Video: A Few Minutes in an Honors Science Class

I'm finally taking Honors 296: Inquiries in the Physical Sciences. From what I gather, we'll be talking about the scientific discoveries from the past 400 years or so (since Newton basically), and figure out what it all means and how it relates to the collective "us." That in itself sounds pretty baller to me, but after the first class I can barely contain my optimism about this subject.

This is a few minutes of my professor on the first day talking about why math and science generally disinterests students:

And then my battery died. (Those who know me won't be surprised.)

After that segment, my professor then proceeds to scrawl "2+2=4" on the board while passionately questioning, "Why are we ever taught to believe this in grade school?"  He then scribbles "50 lts oxygen + 50 lts hydrogen = 50 lts H2O" to make his point.  He then says, "One drop of water plus one drop of water makes one, bigger drop of water."\

Yeah, I'm going to love this class.

Video: A Few Minutes in an Honors Science Class

I'm finally taking Honors 296: Inquiries in the Physical Sciences.  From what I gather, we'll be talking about the scientific discoveries from the past 400 years or so (since Newton basically), and figure out what it all means and how it relates to the collective "us."  That in itself sounds pretty baller to me, but after the first class I can barely contain my optimism about this subject.

This is a few minutes of my professor on the first day talking about why math and science generally disinterests students:

And then my battery died. (Those who know me won't be surprised.)

After that segment, my professor then proceeds to scrawl "2+2=4" on the board while passionately questioning, "Why are we ever taught to believe this in grade school?"  He then scribbles "50 lts oxygen + 50 lts hydrogen = 50 lts H2O" to make his point.  He then says, "One drop of water plus one drop of water makes one, bigger drop of water."

Yeah, I'm going to love this class.

PS- I *will* learn how to embed video this semester!