So I'm sitting here in the Fireside Lounge in the Student Life Center contemplating whether or not I want to brave the snow storm, suck it up, and walk back to my apartment. As much as I need to do at home, I love sitting here next to the fireplace watching people pass through. The Lounge seems to attract all the student leaders on campus, many of which are close friends. You always see a face you know in the SLC.

Big news on campus this week...the Student Government Association just sent out an e-mail telling students how to run for office for next year. Exciting stuff! The SGA this year, including myself as the Director of Student Voice, has worked really hard to solidify our processes and really build from the ground up. It's exciting to have a fresh group of faces and ideas coming in. We're hoping to have some serious competition for offices to give the student body more choices in whom they want to represent them.

And in talking about elections, seems like the Champlain community is pretty stoked about the inauguration tomorrow. Regardless of your political views, this election is arguably one of the most monumental in history..and I also think it's cool that the inauguration is the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I heard Darius Rucker, from Hootie and the Blowfish, in an interview yesterday on CNN. He was interviewed about his genre switch from alternative to country music. He also talked about how he and his wife told their son he could be anything he wanted to be except for the President of the United States and a country singer. But now that doesn't hold true because Darius is a country singer and Obama is president. I hope the new president shifts quite a few paradigms in this country.

Enough about politics! Looks like the snow has calmed down so I'm headed home to get ahead on some homework. Hope everyone is staying warm out there!

Posted by Katherine Maund at 11:27 AM | Permalink

In an effort to raise awareness as well as funding, I am joining my friend Meghan in the mission to stop blood cancer (leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma) from taking more lives. She will be participating in an endurance event in April and has pledged to raise at least $3100. You can visit her website HERE to make a donation. Even the smallest donation is helpful and if you are unable to give at this time, spreading the word about this worthy cause is imperative.

A close friend of mine has a sister that battled Hodgkin lymphoma and is now in remission. I think most of us can say that we've been both directly and indirectly affected by cancer and supporting the efforts of those seeking a cure is monumental. Regretfully, I oftentimes ignore requests for donations, though for worthy causes, because I don't feel connected to the cause. In light of my New Years resolutions, I won't ignore these requests anymore...and even if I can't donate money (especially on a college budget), I will spread the word. I also feel a direct connection to this cause and think it is essential that we find a cure. Cancer has taken the lives of many of those close to me, those close to my friends, and millions more I've never met.

I hope you'll join Meghan and myself in our efforts to support blood cancer research. As I mentioned above, if you cannot give at this time, all I ask is that you tell just one other person. You can blog about it, talk about it, Tweet about it, Facebook it, etc. Use those social networking tools to support this worthy cause. Once again, HERE is the website to make a donation. Thank you in advance for your efforts and generosity. I can't say enough about how crucial it is to fund cancer research.

Posted by Katherine Maund at 11:09 AM | Permalink

I always find New Years resolutions daunting. I get excited to make big plans then feel utterly disappointed in myself when I don't succeed. Alas, 2009 brings a different kind of enthusiasm and optimism than years past. Maybe this is true because I'm graduating into "adulthood" or simply because I've had a shift in paradigm. This year, I've made a few resolutions with the intention to strive for them and LEARN from my mistakes if I don't meet my own standards. You can't really go wrong in working toward a positive change even if you don't make it quite as far as you'd hoped. So without further ado, here is a list of my resolutions for 2009:

1. Build my website. It's been looming over my head and it's time I polished it up and made sure ALL my media are available on the web. I'm just learning Dreamweaver and it will be a long road, but once I get a grasp on web design, I'll have much more marketable skills for the real world.

2. Finish my EP. I started recording in the studio a few years ago and laid down 6 unfinished tracks...just guitar and vocals. I want to add a few more songs, polish up the ones already recorded, and get that thing on iTunes! It's time. I've put it off for far too long.

3. Get healthy..and I don't mean just working out! I LOVE food, let's be honest. I'll try anything once and I have such a sweet tooth. But I want to put good, organic food into my body not only to look healthier, but to feel better. You are what you eat...and goodness knows I don't want to be a walking piece of fried chicken!

4. Educate Myself. There are so many things I want to learn about and have never put in the effort. I want to become fluent in French and Italian (since I'm lacking after being back in America) and I want to try to take at least one class twice a semester. Gotta keep the brain active!

Of course there are a few other little things here and there I'd like to accomplish, but you get the idea. What are some of your resolutions for 2009?

Posted by Katherine Maund at 5:51 PM | Permalink