Welcome Back

Back by popular demand, the Aventuras- or Adventures- of my young life.

I was proud of the consistent blog that I kept during my travels in Spain, and apparently more people enjoyed it than I imagined. Mostly because of my Grandpa's wishes, the blog is back- this time under a more generic name so that I can continue writing as long as my life is interesting. And hopefully, that will be for a long time.

This blog won't be an online diary, or an opinion column. Consider it more a "Weekend Update" of my life, in place of mass emails. You can expect pictures, stories, jokes and accounts of all my day to day victories and blunders. And so, I begin!

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I've been back at school for only a week now, and this semester definitely has a different vibe than any before it. At present, there's way more free time on my hands, but the responsibility surrounding the upcoming "G word" on May 10 (ground rule: we don't ever say the real word out loud) is an-ever intimidating presence. The job hunt seems to be the only thing anyone ever talks about. It's kind of like how in high school, everyone starts talking about prom in January, even though the event itself isn't till May.

Tomorrow, I'm going to have to seriously prioritize my life and make some decisions about filling in the rest of my semester. I've made the decision not to work, even though I see the cash dribbling out of my account. I feel like I'll have the rest of my life to work, and I can spare 3 more months of sloth.

I am still making sandwiches though- this time, for the homeless. I finally signed up for the sandwich ministry at church that I've been thinking about for a while. Every other week, I'll put together lunches for the homeless in Syracuse. It will be one of the many service projects I plan on doing this semester. In addition, many of you know that I will have my hands full as the PR chair for this year's Relay For Life. I'm really looking forward to all the opportunities to reach out to the community and make this year's event for the American Cancer Society the most successful ever!

Finally, I'm seriously considering reengaging the Sudanese refugee community in Syracuse. It was such a big part of my life for my first 3 years here. The program I used to work for dissolved last semester, leaving me frustrated and ready to forget about the whole thing. But there are other opportunities available to work with high school students or adults, and help open the doors of education for them. In the very least, my knitting needles will be clicking, making scarves for refugee kids, along with the other talented knitters in my service fraternity. Imagine what a shock it must be to move from Africa to SYRACUSE! The kids are in serious need for winter gear, and we hope the scarves we make serve not only to warm them, but to welcome them personally to their new home in America.

To end on a lighter note, Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tonight, I'll be going to a party where the theme is "I have a Dream." You have to dress like your dreams: some kids will have "SU Football National Champs" T-Shirts on, others will be wearing a sign saying "employed." I'll post pictures soon- and you'll all see my deepest and most profound dream for many years.

Peace and Love!