May
2007
Signing off for the Summer0
“I’ll be back.” -Arnold
Sorry it has been a bit since I’ve checked in here. Three formals, two finals, two papers and one Slope Day later, I can say it has been a pretty eventual last few weeks, and that is not to mention moving out out of my apartment (all of my belongings typically fill our ‘94 Suburban, a fact I am not necessarily proud of, but have finally accepted). Throughout the year, I have acquired a few entries I never posted of fully developed. Below are some thoughts I wanted to touch upon before I sign off for the summer.
Tomorrow, (eek!) I’m off for the summer to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to work for the U.S. State Department. I’ll serve as the Public Diplomacy intern at the Consulate in Belfast for ten weeks – I’m not really sure what that means right now, but I’ll soon find out. The power sharing government and politics in general of the region are pretty interesting, so I think it will be quite an adventure – aside from the fact I’ve never traveled to Northern Ireland, lived abroad and only have housing for the first few weeks. I’ll also have a little Ohio time sprinkled in there too, so all and all, it is shaping up to be a great summer.
I’m a bit better with hellos than goodbyes – goodbyes seem so terminal. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes saying so long can give me a feeling of relief and is very necessary. But sometimes, goodbyes are kind of hard too. When I say farewell to a place or a person, I usually do it with the hope I will see them again at some point. The path of life ahead of me is pretty undefined (ie where I’ll be sleeping in three weeks) and I’ve learned no matter how much planning is put forward, the most unexpected can still occur. So maybe I’ll never see these people or places again, but then again, maybe I will.
Nevertheless, good luck to everyone in the Class of 2007. I didn’t have the chance to wish you all well, but enjoy your post Cornell days and keep in touch. You all will be missed.
But no matter where we are, our thoughts were, are and will continue to be with VA Tech. The events of this tragedy were hard to understand and I am impressed by the way the students, faculty and all members associated with the VA Tech community handled the situation. I think we can be inspired by their strength to reach out to our peers and support each other. Poet Nikki Giovanni wrote, “We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly. We are brave enough to bend to cry, and sad enough to know we must laugh again.”
Going back a bit, much thanks goes to The Student Blogging Project. I appreciate that Cornell is brave enough to give six college students the ability to choose subject matter, language and anything else they please and link it to the university’s website. The people behind this project are like those really cool parents who support their kids through the tough stuff, but never set a curfew. You all rock.
I started this blog when I began working at the Supreme Court of the United States, an experienced I could have never envisioned. It was, in a word, awesome. The Court requested that I abstain from blogging about my time as an intern for privacy and safety reasons. Understandably, I respected their desires, but unfortunately could not write about some of my most exciting experiences. But just to give you an idea, I can tell you this from first hand experience (and with photo documentation to prove it). As my 5′8″ self in 2″ heels shooting hoops on the Highest Court in Land, with the exception of the swing vote, I would tower over pretty much everyone riding the Bench. Got that? If not, do a little civic research.
And finally, a thanks to You. Apparently the other bloggers and I receive thousands of hits a month on these pages. I know those all can’t be my grandparents Mimi and Poppy. Without your interest, this project wouldn’t keep running. So if you have any feedback, thoughts or want to let me know who you are, feel free.
Everyone, please enjoy a wonderful, safe and adventurous summer. “I’ll be back,” and before you know it.