Diane Walker's Poems and Photos: You sleigh me

Diane Walker's Poems and Photos: You sleigh me: "You have to laugh, you know -- when some part of you gets so ridiculously caught up in all those shoulds and oughtas: that old goat, ego, is..."

She said, She said

15 Rules for Us Girls to Live By -by Marion Roach on August 18, 2009. The first rule is so true and is one that I absolutely live by. Red shoes are essential to add spunk, gumption, un peu de geule to life. Rule # 3 is to wear lipstick. My grandmother, as the story goes, would always "put her face on" and wear white gloves before leaving the house. My younger sister follows this rule when she's dancing or doing anything where she needs confidence.
Mount Holyoke posted this on their facebook page. what a great blog!

Google Maps

The other day I explored Google Maps. In Italian class our TA has shown us Milano and her apartment. I didn't know this but you can actually walk along some streets of the world just sitting in front of your computer. So I revisited 63 Avenue Douglas Haig and it was surreal. Here I was, in front of my computer screen, scrolling down a familiar street of my childhood that I hadn't been on for close to 10 years until suddenly I see Mme. Usson's house and la court. Weird.

"Civil Rights, Black Power, and Social Justice: The Courage to Act"

That was the title of tonight's panel discussion featuring civil rights leader Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr.,  civil rights scholar Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of History at Tufts University and moderated by our very own President Lynn Pasquerella. I just love these panel discussions because they are so inspiring. The conversations and dialogues they spark keep me thinking and excited for the rest of the week. This was the first time I actually stayed after the panel to go up to the speakers to thank them for their time and discuss further issues of social justice and the need for change. 


You can find an article about the evening from the Mount Holyoke News as well as from the New Hampshire Gazette here. 

Nooma

This is exactly what I needed to hear this weekend. I've been struggling to come to terms with me declaring a major. I've talked to professors, friends, family, mentors and all I seem to feel is pulled in different directions, tempted to please one person or the other. I have yet to make a decision because I need to see how I like my classes this semester, but I think it is important to ask yourself the question, "What is it that I have said yes to?"Rob Bell also states in the video something really profound: Do not do anything out of obligation.

• "We need to examine the rhythms of our lives if we are ever going to will the one thing in our life..."
• "Being busy is a drug that a lot of people are addicted to."
• Focus your energies
• What's my path?
• Withdraw, listen to God/myself
• "May you drop your shells in the pursuit of a simple, disciplined, focused life in which you pursue the few things God has for you."

Nooma- where Rob Bell posts his videos

East Coast Weather

I'm back in two feet of snow, below freezing weather and blue skies. I got back to my room late at night and realized what a luxury it is to live on quiet Bainbridge Island-no noise from fans or lights outside, no 5:30 am wake up by beeping trucks coming to take out garbage or deposit food for the dining hall. The weather here is so cold and dry that it took me a total of perhaps 30 minutes for my skin to dry out and my hair to flatten out. At least there is sunshine.
My friend and I went on a walk around Upper Lake and stomped around in the snow, which was quite deep.

Italian Politics

"Whatever it is, it is very Italian. This is, after all, the culture that invented the Baroque, with its trompe l’oeil ceilings, false doors, facades that disguise multiple layers and facades that disguise nothing at all. In his years in public life, Mr. Berlusconi has blurred the line between image and reality. Or rather, he has made a brilliant career on the fundamental Italian truth that image is reality." -Donadio, Rachel. Surreal-A Soap Opera Starring Berlusconi, New York Times