Time & Change
Hello! I’m going to start writing weekly blog posts, probably on Mondays, because I want to discipline my writing this semester. I’m undergoing a lot of change in my life right now, so I’m looking for something consistent. I’m also thinking about rebranding my blog with a catchy name, because I’ve been slacking in the the personal marketing department. Any suggestions?
Major Changes This Semester:
1. I’m a newly single woman! As a result, I’ve been moodily listening to Lorde’s new album Melodrama, but also to Lord Huron (more than usual) because it makes me feel ethereal and wanderlusty. Lord Huron is always an excellent cure for heartbreak. That, and good friends and family. I’m grateful for all of the kick-ass people in my life and I’m excited for upcoming adventures. The future is looking good. Onward!
2. I got a HOUSE! My roommates and I moved off campus this year for our JUNIOR year (wow). The initial giddiness has worn off a little now that we’ve lived here for two weeks, since the internet never works and I actually have to cook for myself. Being an adult is fun?
3. I’m interning this semester with the Columbus nonprofit I Know I Can. I was placed with them through Ohio State’s Nonprofit Immersion Program, which gives OSU students the opportunity to act as non-voting board members and learn about the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit. I’m super excited about this because my previous nonprofit work has been with major global issues like human trafficking, which is big picture and makes it difficult to actually see change. The Freedom Center is such a large institution and I was just a research intern over the summer, meaning my work didn’t really involve understanding how exactly they financially stay afloat and other such details.
I Know I Can, on the other hand, is a educational advocacy organization whose mission is to inspire, enable, and support Columbus City Schools students in pursuing and completing a college education. I’ll be working to implement a college mentoring program where OSU students partner with Columbus high school students in supporting their college aspirations. I’m looking forward to enacting change at the community level!
4. As for my own college aspirations, my English major is well underway and I’m getting a ton of writing experience this semester. I’m taking two classes as general ed credit: Environmental Science and Philosophy of Logic. I’m enjoying them so far, since learning about climate change solutions and avoiding calculus with a “math” class about philosophy are two of my favorite things.
I’m also taking three English classes: Colonial to Civil War American Literature, Business Writing, and Professional Writing Cultures.
So far, I like American Lit more than British Lit last semester because 1) American Lit lacks excessive fluff and is way easier to read, and 2) American history is fascinating for its contradictions. The attempts of colonists to justify killing and slavery with divine right and rugged individualism sets a paradoxical precedent for the America we see today. I love exploring that concept in further detail than I did in high school.
My Business Writing and Cultures of Professional Writing classes are very similar. I probably should’ve taken them in different semesters, but oh well. In the Business Writing class, we’re partnered with the Columbus organization Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW). I’ll be creating a marketing proposal all semester for their tree planting campaign, which might be a little dry for my taste but I’m nonetheless excited to get those writing skills. The Cultures of Professional Writing class, by comparison, practices writing techniques for many different workplaces. For example, we do marketing pieces, copywriting, journalism, personal essays, editing, and publishing. I’m super excited about trying out a bunch of different writing styles and refining my skills.
5. I’m also continuing my involvement in two clubs, Scarlet Fever and Advocates for Women of the World. Scarlet Fever is an a cappella group on campus and I’m super pumped for our performances this year. Here’s a link to our YouTube channel if you want to check us out!
As for the other club, I’ve mentioned Advocates for Women of the World in a previous post, but here’s a recap: we’re a club that focuses on educating and advocating on behalf of global women’s issues such as the refugee crisis, campus sexual assault, and human trafficking. Check out this article one of our members wrote for the Ohio Peace Collaborative about our “Banner Up” campaign! I’m excited to create more positive change this semester for women at OSU and around the world.
What Else I’m Excited About
Next semester, I’ll be studying abroad from January to May 2018 in London! I’ll be going to school at Richmond University, an American foreign-exchange university in the neighborhood of Kensington. I’ll be taking classes on British Art & Architecture, Contemporary British Literature, British Fantasy Writing (um, dream come true of reading LOTR and HP in England), and Critical Globalization Studies. My blog will probably turn into a travel blog during those months, so be on the lookout for that.
Oh, I almost forgot–my 21st birthday is in 11 days!! Ah! How is that possible? I’ll be spending the day with my roommates, probably drinking margaritas and eating tacos.
That’s all for now, friends. I’ll be getting through this semester one day at a time with lots of TV shows, books, studying, food, wine, and Lord Huron. Feel free to reach out, I’d love to catch up.
