An Outcome I Can't Believe

Although I was unable to attend the Hall Council meeting on  Sunday, I got an e-mail from Melanie - the Ylvisaker hall director - asking if I was still interested in being in the Council and if I was considering running for any of the executive positions (President, VP, Treasurer, Secretary...) I knew that it would certainly be a good experience to play one of those roles but I was a little nervous because the whole hall was going to vote. 

Notwithstanding, I decided to run for president (I still don't know where I got the nerves). On Thursday, the election day, I went knocking on every single door in Ylvi, asking for votes (crazy, right?). And my friends actually accompanied my in doing this - very kind of them. They even almost made me wear posters around the whole hall saying "VOTE FOR LUWA!" And, after asking everyone I could see for votes, I was at a loss of what to do next. So, I had to endure a painful wait from 9:00 to 10:30 pm, when the results would be announced.

Contrary to what I had expected, at 10:35 pm, I got an e-mail from the hall director congratulating me on winning the election! I just couldn't believe it because I was actually the last person to put up their poster and start campaigning. I'm really happy about this because it gives me a sense of belonging. Being given the opportunity to serve in such a capacity helps me feel integrated into the Luther community. It also goes a long way in showing that everyone has a fair chance at pursuing their dreams at Luther completely regardless of their minority status.

Just when you think your Paideia class can't get any more interesting, you receive a huge shocker. Yesterday, my Paideia professor actually dressed up in a gown and hat and played Martin Luther during the class. It was so funny! We spent most of the class questioning the consistency of "Luther's" religious views as applied to "his" Admonition to Peace and, remarkably, "Luther" defended himself flawlessly. In the end, it proved to be a very effective teaching strategy as it helped us better understand Luther's views.

On Friday morning, I took my Calculus and Physics exams. Although they were more difficult than the previous ones, I don't think I'll do too badly. I've come to realize that the most effective time to do homework and study is not in the night when you feel you're done with all the activities of the day but in the daytime, when you are still having classes and work-study. Those one-hour breaks between classes and work shifts provide a very effective working time to either take up my Paideia reader or solve a few problems in my math homework.

For now, I'm looking forward to the Lakota Sioux Indian dance at the CFL tonight. I'll be going with my friends on my wing; I think it will be a lot of fun. Also, despite my previous addiction to swimming, I have still yet to try Luther's swimming pool out. And that's something I plan to do tomorrow morning. I really hope to have a relaxing weekend from the rigors of the week.

Have a great weekend,

-Luwa

The Marathon

Phew...I'm so glad the week is over! Throughout last week, I could only barely catch my breath. It was always from one activity or assignment to another. But I guess it's a learning process; it means I'll just have to focus more on my priorities.

Classes aren't going that bad for me. I'm finally beginning to understand the methods of instruction of my professors, which I think is very important. In my physics class, for example, it's not very helpful to take so many notes because my professor uses his touch-screen laptop to teach and solve problems. And at the end of each lecture, he posts the notes on katie. So, it's just better to focus on trying to understand the topic in class.

I took my first Calculus test at 8:30 am on Monday. I was only semi-conscious because I stayed up until 3:00 am that morning doing assignments (it's something you should never do; I don't even know how I got myself in such a situation). Nevertheless, my performance was pretty good; though, I made some silly mistakes. Next week, I have a couple of tests and my first Paideia paper due (sounds a bit scary).

I'm glad I'm making new friends. It's always good to know that you have people with which you can hang out and have fun. It was especially comforting last week when I would return to my room stressed out and find lots of things to laugh about with my roommate - Eli - and Jacob. I've also been able to identify some upperclassmen like Sylvia (from Uganda) who seem to have solutions to every problem (amazing isn't it?).

I'm really looking forward to my soccer game at 3:45 pm tomorrow. Although I couldn't play last week, I hope to put up my best performance tomorrow. I'm also going to be on the Ylvisaker Hall Council. We'll have our first meeting tomorrow and I think it's going to be interesting.

I guess that's it for now. If you have any comments concerning my blog or anything at all, please feel free to post them on my blog.

Take care,

Luwa.

One more song!

Have you ever been to a dance party that ended at 11:00pm and you didn’t realize you enjoyed it so much until the musicians said goodnight? On Friday night, the Salsa musicians from Argentina left us chanting One more song! One more song! That was my first Salsa Dance Party, and it was amazing. Initially, I knew nothing about Salsa. But after some professional training from my RA, Bryan, and Sharon – an expert Salsa dancer – I was good to go. I couldn’t believe how much I had learned that night. With the wonderful music from the Argentineans and the awesome Luther dancers, that party was the perfect emollient for all the stress and anxieties of the week.

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Last week, my assignments were definitely more than those of my first week of classes. However, they seemed much less tedious – perhaps, due to the fact that I’m getting better acquainted with my schedule. On Tuesday, I realized what a wonderful resource the Student Academic Support Center (SASC) is. It was there that I got advice on how to better plan my schedule with my new custodial work-study shifts and changes in classes. I got incisive tips on pre-class reading and note-taking, and I realized that I could take the Honors Colloquium – a course I had always dreamed of taking. The SASC is definitely a place at least every freshman should visit.

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For some reason, my classes are getting a lot more exciting. Last week, I was actually looking forward to every Paideia class. So far, I like all my professors; they’re quite friendly and approachable. I talked with my Physics professor on Friday and he told me about this cool research he’s into. I can’t give you all the details but it has to do with isolating and annihilating sub-atomic particles, and further decomposing the quarks produced. I really wish I could be a part of it (don’t worry, I’m not a nerd).

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I've discovered a way to get anywhere on campus at the speed of light – the bikes from the Luther Wellness Program! Seriously, those bikes are awesome. I even use them to go downtown to Wal-Mart. They can also get addictive, considering the fact that you can rent them every day for free (which is what I do).

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Right now, I feel bad that I had to miss the trip to Rochester. The diversity center was going to take us shopping in Rochester today and, after looking forward to it all week, I mysteriously woke up this morning with a sore neck. I guess I’ll still be able to go some other day. For now, I can console myself with the Capitol Steps show last night [I cracked a rib laughing; maybe I also cracked my neck], the man-made dinner at Ylvi [wonderful Filipino dish], and the intramural sports this evening. Luther just seems to get more and more exciting, doesn’t it?

What an Exciting Orientation!

Hello, everyone! I find it pretty awesome sharing my experience at Luther with you. Before coming to Luther, I had absolutely no idea of what to expect. I was a bit nervous, excited, anxious…had all the feelings you can imagine! Nonetheless, I should tell you that I found Luther to be so different from what I had expected.

When we (the new international students) arrived at Luther on Friday, we immediately reported to the diversity center. The diversity center staff welcomed us very warmly, and was very eager to help us get settled. We discussed extensively about our hometowns and cultures before going to eat at a Spanish restaurant downtown.

On Sunday, we had a fabulous picnic with the Diversity Center staff (plenty of food to eat). We also played a really cool Cameroonian game – Yankaloba. Then, that evening, the International Student Assistants took us downtown to see the cool spots in Decorah. It’s actually a beautiful small town. The people are very nice and friendly too; many of them (people we hadn't met before) even waved and smiled at us as we strolled by.

By Wednesday, after having listened to so many talks, getting lost on campus a couple of times, and having not slept well due to jet lag, I wanted the other new students to arrive. I wanted the orientation to be over. But that night, we had this really cool dance party at the Union. There was plenty of music, dancing, laughing, pictures…I had lots of fun.

After the international students’ orientation, when the other freshmen arrived, time seemed to move so quickly. Before I knew it, classes had started. My first class was Paideia. I actually like my Paideia instructor; he’s such an interesting person. He makes the class very interactive and makes us think so deeply about the text even before we realize. And all my classes so far seem to have taken the same shape. However, it won't be too long till I start wishing it was still orientation because right now, I seem to have been bombarded with tons of assignments from all my classes!

For the short period that I’ve been here, though, I’ve realized that Luther is made up of faculty and students who are determined to make things work. The members of staff and students are ever so nice and approachable. They want to know you and your culture, and offer help anytime you need it. So, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to handle all my school work, with all the support I have on campus.

Well...I guess that's it. Next week, I’m going to form a soccer team for the intramural soccer tournament on the 14th. I’m also going to try out for drums for a jazz band on campus . I’ll brief you on the exciting outcomes of these events and more the next time you read my blog. Until then…Have fun!