One Word 2012

Many of my colleagues across the country are participating in what is called "One Word 2012". What this means is we all pick a word that will help guide and motivate us throughout the year. When a new year begins, many people create resolutions or goals to motivate them for the year. The intent of the "One Word" project is to pick a word that is unique to the person you want to be in the new year. At the end of the year, you reflect back on this word, and how it has impacted your year.

I have never been big on new year resolutions or goals. For me, I define personal integrity by being authentic to who I am on a daily basis. If I want to change something, I take steps to make those changes. If I use a crutch like a new year to be my impetus for change, it negates the other benefits intrinsic to making changes.

Knowing this about myself, I watched people pick a "One Word" in 2011, and saw how they used those words to inspire them throughout the year. I remember being curious about the "One Word" revolution last year, but did not take the leap to join. This year, I have watched even more people put themselves out there and take the "One Word 2012" challenge. Personally, I decided that if I found a word that resonated with me, I would join in. If not, I would do what I could to support others.

Last night, I was pondering what word I could possibly pick to describe 2012 for me, and I looked across the room, and saw this picture I took in New York City's Central Park a few years ago:

Imagine

Most people know I am a huge Beatles fan. More specifically, I have always been fascinated with John Lennon, and the sage wisdom and wit he always displayed. The song "Imagine" means so much to so many people partially because of the endless possibilities the word implies. When I looked at the picture, things sort of clicked into place for me. My One Word for 2012 will be Imagine.

Imagine... the endless possibilities.
Imagine... the bonds I could create with others if I just allow myself
Imagine... the ways I can impact my profession through innovation

So tell me, what is your word for 2012?

PS22 Chorus in New York City

I thought I'd pass along my newest obsession to all of you. I recently discovered the PS22 Chorus of singers from a New York City school. This talented group covers many old and new pop songs and in some cases, makes the songs even better. The devoted music teacher has a true passion for music in our schools, and that passion is clearly shared by the students he teaches. Check out this amazing version of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" to see what I mean.



It's special groups like this that give me hope that music will stay alive in our schools. Truly inspiring!

Remember Me?

Yeah, I've suddenly been reminded that if I'm going to have a blog, I should probably make a post every now and then. Not sure why I haven't been as into blogging lately. I've been very busy, so that could be a part of it. I've also had some writers block in terms of what to blog about.

I'm here today because I know it's been awhile since I've stopped by. I also have laryngitis right now, so I feel a need to share my voice somehow. Before you ask (and I therefore have to kick your ass), I do NOT have Swine Flu. I have, however, been coming up with some very inappropriate Swine Flu/Pigs Flying jokes (get it, flu = flew) that I'll be happy to share with you if I hear any more jokes about me having Swine Flu.

So, what have I been up to recently? Well, lots, of course. One of the things I'm most proud of is the MS Walk I did with my family at the beginning of April.

Here's a picture of my Mom, brother, and nephew during the walk. It turned out to be a great day in Portland, and I know we all enjoyed getting out and walking for a good cause.

That's it for now, but I promise to be back soon with more updates! Before I go, here's a picture of downtown Portland during the walk. If you ever wonder why I love living in the northwest, wonder no more.

National Multiple Sclerosis Walk 2009

For quite some time, I have been feeling a call to action. Maybe some of it has to do with the message Barack Obama campaigned on, and maybe it has to do with personal experience. Either way, this feeling has been percolating inside me for quite some time, and I just had to act.

What am I talking about? Well, I created a fundraising team for the Portland, Oregon Walk MS 2009. What does this mean? It means I will be walking 5 kilometers on April 4, 2009 in an effort to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis research.

I decided to participate in the walk because of my mom. If you don't know, my mom has lived with Multiple Sclerosis since the early 1980s. My mom has had MS longer than they've really known what MS was, and consequently, was misdiagnosed for years. My mom is an inspiration to me daily, and I feel blessed to have her in my life.

Having spent my whole life observing my mom struggle with this disease, I felt it was time to do my part to support the cause. I had intended to just walk as an individual, but received overwhelming support from friends, family, and coworkers to create a team. Quite honestly, I was in complete awe that so many people wanted to join my cause. I think this provided the validation I needed to show this was the right thing to do. My team is coming together well, and we're even getting some monitary pledges! Amazing!

So readers, I have one request for you. Please keep me in your thoughts as I prepare for the MS Walk. I'm planning on doing some minor training to prepare for the walk, so I will need support in pushing me with this endeavor. And thanks in advance, because I know the people who truly understand me know how important this walk is to me. I will forever be humbled by your show of support.

YES WE DID!!

Readers, I can't even say how PROUD I am of all of you! We did it! We proved to the rest of the world that the United States is ready for CHANGE! We elected a President who personifies hope for all generations. I cannot wait until January 20, 2009 when Barack Obama takes the oath of office.

YES WE DID!

Meeting a Personal Hero

Tuesday was Convocation on campus. For those unfamiliar with the Rites of Passage of a university, Convocation is the welcome to the university that is meant to mirror Commencement at graduation.

In my tenure at this university, I have seen many Convocations come and go. As a Freshman, I remember asking my RA what Convocation was, and she replied that she didn't know, so I didn't go. As a staff member, I have never felt like Convocation was a big deal, and I've even helped organize it a bit.

Well this year, things changed. A colleague of mine decided to be more intentional with selecting a Convocation speaker, so she thought back to her own college career, and wanted to bring someone to campus who had inspired her to think differently about her life. Turns out the woman she invited had a similar impact on my life. Who is it I am referring to? Peggy McIntosh.

Now, if you don't work in higher education, or if you have never done research on white privilege, you may not know who Peggy McIntosh is. If that is the case for you, I implore you to look her up on Google and read some of her papers. The woman is amazing!

I have known about Peggy McIntosh for over a decade. Once I heard she had been confirmed as our Convocation speaker, I started reflecting on my own experiences with her work. My Freshman year of college, I took an Ethics class in which I was required to read McIntosh's famous paper: "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack." In this paper, McIntosh lists some privileges she has simply because of the color of her skin. Reading her list of privileges made me rethink my own privileges as a white woman. Some of these things I had never really thought about as privileges. I just knew them as truth, and had no idea others did not have that same opportunity.

One of the points McIntosh makes that stuck with me through college and after was her statement about being able to buy "flesh" colored bandages, and have it match her skin. I think the fact that I had never even thought about someone with a different color skin not knowing this privilege really honed in the injustices of racism for me. Some of the other privileges McIntosh itemizes cut much deeper, but for some reason I related to this one the most.

I studied McIntosh again at least twice in grad school, but still, I remembered my reactions to this paper my first time reading it my Freshman year of college. Needless to say, when the opportunity presented it self to have a private session with her before Convocation, I made sure to make time in my schedule to see her.

The meeting exceeded all my expectations. Peggy McIntosh speaks in a very calm and easy going tone. She does not claim to know all the answers, she just continues to state that she speaks from her own experiences. Somehow, she comes across as someone who is easy to relate to, and makes you think about your own experiences and unearned experiences. I think it helps that she has no expectations that everyone will see them as privileges, because she is simply telling her story, and how she couldn't sit idle and watch injustice happen.

I left that meeting (which, to quote my colleague, was the quickest hour ever) feeling revitalized in my need to point out my unearned privileges as a white person. Does this mean I'm a racist or bad person? Of course not. I just need to do everything I can to ensure that these unearned privileges do not continue in further generations. For helping me to see this at such an early age, I consider Peggy McIntosh a personal hero. I am honored to be able to say I have met her.

The students are coming! The students are coming!

Earlier in the summer I blogged about the students leaving. Alas, the time has come for the students to return. Fall is my favorite time of the year in regards to weather, but it's my busiest time of year for work. We spend more than a month preparing for the students' arrival on campus, and tomorrow is our D-Day. Almost 3000 students will arrive to move on campus!

Tomorrow is the culmination of the work I've done for more than 10 months. My position is always planning for a future date - this date. All the preparation, calls, emails, and hard work will come together into one event tomorrow. There is no time left to make changes. The way things are now will effect an entire academic year.

No pressure, right? Yeah, uh huh. Part of me is exhausted, but most of me is excited. In my line of work, this is what we live for. All of my hard work will be realized tomorrow, and I am as ready as I can be. I know that I have done everything I can to ensure that students will be satisfied with where they are living. I know I can't make them all happy, but I sure as heck tried!

So don't try calling tomorrow, I'll be at work. I was at work today for that matter as well. People who know me know that I'm not really available in September, and that's okay. The reason I do all this work is because I get a great sense of accomplishment when I see a freshman arrive on campus with their parents filled with anticipation for the year to come. Knowing I played a role in their success at the institution is all the reward I need.

The Way You Drive is a Reflection of your Character

I have a general disdain for other drivers. I feel like most people are in either too big a hurry, or too distracted (be it by their phone or passengers) to pay much attention to others on the road. It seems like common courtesy is a rarity, and people easily forget that other's lives are in your hands when you are reckless on the road.

Today I was driving, and I noticed someone was driving right on my ass. I was going around a curve where an off-ramp from the highway merged with my lane. People frequently speed here, and consequently, there is usually a cop waiting for them around the corner. This jerk-face behind me decided to get into the merge lane to try and pass me. In an effort to help prevent her from getting a ticket for reckless driving, I moved over as well, so she couldn't use the merge lane to pass me (which is illegal, FYI).

Naturally, this woman honked her horn at me. Apparently she thought she was done a huge injustice because I wouldn't let her break the law. A short while later, she pulled into the next lane and eventually passed me. She gave me a good glare as she passed, and I just smiled and waved her on.

This incident got me thinking. How much can you tell about someone's character by the way they drive? I try not to be too judgmental, but I seriously wondered what type of person this woman was. On what planet is it really ever okay to do what she was trying to do to me, and then act as if you were the victim?

As a driver, I try to be courteous to others. If someone needs into my lane (and isn't a jerk about it), I let them in. When possible, I try and let others turn into my lane if it's a busy traffic day, and it looks like they may be stuck there for awhile. I firmly believe in the pay-it-forward method of driving: do good to others, and good will come to you.

I'm not trying to claim to be a perfect driver. I'm a bit prone to driving fast, and am guaranteed to be yelling at other drivers from the safety of my car, but I try to be courteous. Maybe I would do some of these things less if I knew my character was on the line.

Maybe if we all drove as though we knew it was a judge of our character, we would be in less of a hurry, and more courteous to each other. Who knows, we may just prevent some accidents and save some lives.

If Not for You

Greetings, readers! After my illness, I took some time to recover. Never fear, you knew I wouldn't be gone for long! Guess what, thanks to this here blog, I had an awesome opportunity yesterday - I got to see Barack Obama speak!!

How was I able to do this? Well, Obama was in Oregon on Friday to give some campaign speeches. It appears that the Oregon Primary on May 20th will actually count in helping decide who the Democratic nominee will be, so the candidates are starting to roll through our beautiful state. I heard that Obama was going to be speaking at the University of Oregon (about 40 minutes south of me), and immediately started making plans with some friends to attend.

A few days before the event, we heard that people were already lining up. The arena holds 10,000 people, but at the rate things were going, we were going to be lucky to get in. Being the resourceful people we are, the 3 of us who were planning to attend started coming up with a Plan B of sorts. We all post on various blogs, and had heard through a media source that bloggers were able to register as media for the various campaign events. We thought, what the hell, might as well try it, right? So we registered for the event as media.

Friday afternoon, we left work early to get to the event (which was scheduled to begin at 9:00 pm). As soon as we got there, we saw a line that can be described as nothing short of extremely long. The line stretched on for 4 blocks in 2 directions. It seemed that thousands of people were hungry for the opportunity to hear this great man speak.

We decided that 2 of us would get in line, and the other would try out registering at the press booth. Well, our friend had no problems registering as press, so my friend and I decided we were going to use our press credentials as well. It is important to note here that we knew a few people in line a few paces behind us. We decided that they would be our litmus to see if we would have made it into the event if we had stayed in line where we were. I must say, it was pretty awesome to walk past all the smug people who had been in line for days, and get my press credentials at the entrance to the event. ;-)

After signing in as press, it was time for the security check. Now, I've done my fair share of flying, and let me tell you that being checked in an airport is no comparison for being frisked down by the Secret Services. I considered tipping the agent who frisked me when he was done! After finally making it through the security check, we walked into the venue to grab seats in the press area.All we had to do now was wait 3 hours for Obama to start speaking! As we waited, it occurred to us that we didn't plan what we were going to do for dinner very well. None of us wanted to leave the venue to go get food, because it would mean getting reacquainted with the Secret Service when trying to get back into the arena. Um, no thanks. I'll wait to eat.

The wait didn't seem to last long, because we were busy taking it all in. How the heck did we pull this off? It was an amazing feeling to be right in the middle of all the excitement! Soon enough, the national press who travel with Obama entered the press box, and we knew the event was about to begin. Next thing I knew, the music started blasting through the arena speakers, and I was rocking out to Earth Wind & Fire's "Shining Star" with Producers from CNN and CBS! Some people would be embarrassed by this, but not me. Seriously, what did you expect me to do with that song playing?

Before I knew, it, Obama began speaking. I have heard broadcasts of his speeches before, so I knew I was in for something eloquent. That being said, there is something electric about being in the room when he speaks that changes everything. The energy in the room was astounding, and the way Obama fed off that energy was like nothing I had ever seen before. At times I had to check to remind myself that I was at a campaign rally, not a rock concert! Seriously, if you get the chance to see him live, I highly recommend it. To know that I was in a room in the midst of change makes me incredibly emotional, even as I type this.

After the speech, we left to go find some dinner. As we walked to the car, we were silent because we were still taking in everything we had just participated in. I've never felt like I was a part of history before, and in that hour of listening to Obama, we all understood that this event was as historic as it was epic.

So thank you, readers. If not for you, I wouldn't have been able to be a part of this event. The people who were in line behind us didn't make it into the event, so I know for a fact that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

YES WE CAN!!

Don't want to be an American idiot

I don't know if you know this, but it's election time again. Now, I've suffered through almost 8 years of the current administration, so naturally, I am a smidge excited about the prospect of change on the horizon.

In the past, I have never been too involved with the political process. Don't get me wrong, I was excited the first time I got to vote, and continually perform my civic duty, but I have never been enraptured by a candidate the way I find that I am with Barack Obama.

Back in 2004, I remember watching Obama speak at the national convention. I didn't know who this guy was, but I remember thinking that he was an incredible speaker, and would go far in the future. Since then, I have watched his star rise, and soon became excited at the prospect that he may run for President in 2008.

Flash forward to the primaries, and I find that I have an itch to get involved. I am frustrated that Oregon doesn't have a primary until late in May, and my voice may not be heard until it's too late. Over the last few days, I have seen Obama's lead increase as he continues to win states. I am beginning to see a future that is very bright on the horizon, and I want to get involved even more!

It annoys me to see on the news that Hillary Clinton is carrying the white woman vote, because I refuse to be pigeonholed. Not all white women are voting for Hillary. Most of the women my age are excited by the opportunities for a fresh start Barack Obama represents. Don't assume where my vote is going (media) until I have the opportunity to actually vote. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to ensure their voices are heard. Be proud of this Democracy in which you have the good fortune to live.

YES WE CAN!