Capstone Requirements Post......

So this is the second to last assigned blog post, which I wish I had done earlier because now it is a pain and I only vaguely remember some of the events I need to describe... Here goes nothing!

Capstone Social Event:
The only Capstone Social I attended this semester was the first Hot Cookie Friday. Now let's be honest: what could be better than FREE hot cookies and milk? Not much. I was going to go with Monica, but she was being slow that day so told me to go and that she would join me there later... mistake. I arrived, and it was awkward. Oh so awkward. I knew no one except Brewer, who seems to be the most active and popular person on campus who isn't Marcus Lattimore (for good reason--he is a nice guy), but, needless to say, I said no more than a few words to him before awkwardly floating around the rooms of the study shack looking for a familiar face. Did I mention the word 'awkward'? Anyway, eventually Caroline showed up with her roommate, and I stood with them. I had met Caroline at that Summer Reading Experience thing on the way there, and, ironically enough, she would also be in my U101 class! Despite the awkward experience, it would help her and me to become better friends (we would hang out after), and she is now probably one of my closest friends on campus. So, all in all, going to Hot Cookie Friday was probably a good thing. Maybe next semester we will try to get involved with those more... I just really hate being a wallflower. (Story of my life.)

Capstone Conversation:
I went to the Harlan Cohen (SP?) event, which counted as a conversation. I went with Monica and Caroline... and some other people. Anyway, when he started with a song I thought it was going to be a long night, but, luckily, I was wrong. He actually ended up being really funny, and I enjoyed my time. There's not much to say about this one, but I know I have to have this be over 150 words, so I will try. He still seemed like kind of an annoying guy, but his book(s) sounded interesting, though I also never bought one. Considering I was just a spectator to an informative comedy show and it was so long ago, I do not have much to say... Am I at 150 yet? I hope so. I am moving on even if I am not.

Capstone Cinema:
I attended the Capstone Cinema that was cosponsored by the 'ONE' organization, and I am glad I went. I went with Caroline and her roommate, and we saw a 45-ish minute documentary called The Lazarus Effect. It was very interesting, and I recommend to everyone, even though I almost cried. The only reason I held it together is because there were people around. Why did I almost cry, you ask? Well it is about the HIV/AIDS problem in Africa, focusing specifically on a health clinic in Lusaka, Zambia (also ironic: I have a friend there for a gap year right now!). It is highly informative and depressing due to the terrible things these people have to live through. Basically, it helps people to realize how much these people need medicine, which they can get for free through organizations (like ONE). One woman, who had AIDS herself and was exceptionally inspirational and important to the clinic, had lost all three of her young children to AIDS. Her story and the images of a four year old boy who was not responding well to the medication (he died soon after, according to the film) is what almost made me cry. However, the story is not all depressing, considering the amount of good the medical clinic is doing for the people of Africa. Their story is uplifting and gives hope that one day everyone with AIDS will have access to the proper medication.

Personal Challenge:
My personal challenge this semester was to maintain an 'A' in Arabic, which I have done as of right now (no clue what my final grade will be since I have yet to take the final), but I consider it an overall success. I know some people (namely Brent... not cool) would argue that this is not a personal challenge since I am a beast at languages (hello, my name is Holland, and I have an ego), but I think it legitimately was. Arabic is not German, and its alphabet is very, very different from ours. It has been much harder to start than German was since many of its sounds and grammatical rules are quite different. Also, there is no verb in Arabic that represents 'to be', which is a pain and makes translation hard sometimes. I understand that maybe it wasn't as challenging as I had first anticipated it to be, but it was, nonetheless, a challenge. If it makes it better, I promise to choose a better, harder challenge next semester, though I have no clue what it will be. I know I could try to become outgoing a meet people, but I am so freaking shy! I do plan to join some more organizations, and I might do this on my own. Perhaps that is a challenge enough in itself. :-)

OK. So... I have one more blog to do, but I will save it for tomorrow to help me avoid more homework (this one is helping me put off a massive German reading assignment).

Toodles!

Holland