Presidential Elections

This is the first presidential election I have been eligible to vote in. I like to think of myself as fairly educated in political matters at all times (daughter of lawyers) and I do my best to encourage my friends to learn a little about the people who run our country. I have never paid quite as close attention to a presidential election until this year because either I couldn't vote myself, or I still sat in a high chair at dinner. As the campaign began and Colorado became an important swing state, I started learning more and more about our country and the people that live in it.
To begin with, I need to address my peers. Dear other college students, did you really just ask me the difference between a Democrat and a Republican? Did you miss that day of US history where we learned about the electoral college? And please, don't tell me you're just voting like your daddy does. Who let you into a University? We are important. Our votes count just as must as anyone else's and yet here you are, refusing to register to vote even though other politically sound college students are EVERYWHERE on campus, coming into your classes and harassing you in the halls, just to get you to register. "I forgot," or "I didn't have time," is a bunch of bullshit. You had the chance, and you chose not to. I know, you said you just don't know enough about the candidates to vote and so you just never registered. NO EXCUSE YOUNG LADY. You know how to use the internet (I know you do because you uploaded 210 pictures from last weekend's "Blackout" football game). I am shocked by the lack of interest in this presidential election I have witnessed among my peers. In 4 years, when you're starting your career or buying a house or trying to get health insurance - you're going to wish you had Googled it.
Secondly, a problem I have with these presidential elections because of the animosity it evokes in US citizens. Good old George Washington warned us not to develop political parties for it will divide our nation. And you know what? Dear Georgie was right. Democrats and Republicans are coming out of the woodwork and suddenly standing up for values they had never previously mentioned caring/knowing about. But here, we go back point #1, being uneducated; if you don't know what you're talking about, shut up. You don't know the first thing about what it means to be a republican, or what Romney's first name is, stop. Stop arguing with your peers and judging someone who thinks differently then you. You know what, that's what I think bugs me the most. Just because your friend is voting for someone you're not voting for doesn't mean you get to push your opinions on them. As a matter of fact, that's what bugs me about political parties in general, on social issues anyway, is that I don't want you to feel as though you can tell me what to do or how to think (2 points - Which political party I'm a member of?).
I have more to say, but BioPsych class is over (mom, I was paying attention, I swear) and I've gotta run!

XO
K

Public Relations

For my PR class, we were told to write a professional press release about an alternative energy discovery made my CU. All of the details were up to us. Here is what I wrote:

Contact:

Catherine Marylander

Media Relations Director

Public Relations, Inc.

(303)-717-8415

catherine.marylander@colorado.edu

For immediate release – September 25, 2012

CU Boulder Faculty Discovers Unexpected Energy Source

Unexpected use of marijuana smoke changes the way people look at an illegal drug

Boulder, Colo., September 24, 2012 - Earlier this month, scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder discovered that the smoke released from smoking marijuana can be captured, processed and used as an alternative energy source. Scientists utilized the school's abundance of marijuana smoke and found a method using newly created Cannabis Technology to power entire buildings and possibly cars using only this smoke. This discovery may fill the world's need for a alternative energy source that promotes a greener world.

A team of scientists, lead by Dr. John Anderson, came together on the CU Boulder campus in early 2010 to combine their years of schooling and passion for a greener future. They attempted to use the rapid waters of the Boulder Creek, glacial run off, and solar power to generate enough energy to power their energy lab. All of these alternatives proved futile. Finally, Anderson's son suggested he and his team utilize the local student body's habit of smoking pot. “I was skeptical to draw more attention to the school's already bad reputation brought on by the pot-smoking culture, however, due to the chemical properties in Cannabis, it became hard for me to ignore the opportunities,” commented Anderson.

CU Boulder has always had a negative reputation due to the notion that they are a “stoner school.” This implies that the student body frequently partakes in the illegal consumption of marijuana. However, since this new discovery, the reason for CU Boulder's bad reputation might end up being the same factor that makes the school go down in alternative energy history.

Many new questions are bound to arise due to this new discovery. Governmental officials have expressed some disapproval due to the illegal nature of marijuana itself. Senator Michael Bennett explained, “Marijuana is still an illegal drug. Until we have done further research on it's effects on the human brain, this fact will not change. It's possible use as an alternative energy source only encourages further research.” Will this discovery change the nations view of pot as a drug? Will it be legalized? Does this encourage more people to start smoking.

University of Colorado at Boulder

The flagship university in the state of Colorado, CU Boulder is a member of the Association of American Universities. It is a public university with 25,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students.

Contact –

Philip DiStefano

(303)-495-9235

philip.distefano@colorado.edu

Dr. John Anderson

John Anderson received his Bachelors in chemical engineering from Colorado School of Mines in 1982 and then attended graduate school and received his PhD from Stanford University a mere four years later. He has been at CU Boulder for 10 years both researching and teaching.

Contact –

(303)-439-9800

john.anderson@colorado.edu

Senator Micheal Bennett

Bennett was elected to be Senator of Colorado in November of 2010. He is a democratic senator who stands for creating jobs and holding the federal government fiscally responsible.

Contact -

1127 Sherman St., Suite 150

Denver, Colorado 80203

(303) 455-7600

Hobo or Professor

I'm back in school with all new professors and all new classes. I am currently sitting in Norlin Library and a man just walked by my quiet study room. I eyed his clothes and his stride, both of which were very odd - to say the very lest. I wondered what he was doing in the library; preparing a chemistry lab? Printing handouts for an anthropology lecture? Finding a warm place to sleep? Then it dawned on me - there is no way to tell the difference between a homeless man and a professor.

I don't know that this rings true across campuses nationwide, and doesn't apply to the Business School here at CU, but as far as those Arts and Sciences professors are concerned - they may actually be hobos.

For example, I am taking a German upper division literature class all about Goethe's Faust (don't ask how I ended up here, it just worked with my Tuesday/Thursday schedule). My professor asked us to call him "Edward," no last name mentioned. He said he used to go by Ed but he outgrew the name. Edward looks like a shriveled 100 year old skeleton. He is about six foot tall and doesn't weigh more then 95 pounds. He wears ill-fitting pants and a pattern vest everyday. He always seems frazzled and mutters curse words and nonsense under his breath. All you would have to do is give him a "Anything Helps. God Bless." sign and BAM, you'd have yourself your very own hobo.

This fact rings true for almost all of the male professors I have had thus far in college. They hunch and hobble into class (even the under 30 professors) wearing their over sized pants and poorly tied bow tie.

Sometimes I wonder - could they be both? A homeless professor? Food for thought.

K

Study Abroad: Complete

I think I'm depressed that study abroad is over.

It's so strange to think that I will be sleeping in my childhood bed in just one more night. At times, it has felt like I've been gone for so long while other times, it's as though I just got here. Some days I would look at my calendar and be like - holy s*t, I have so much time left here. But now that I'm on my final days, it's like - holy sh*t, I have no time left here.

I am in Stockholm with my dearest father and we have been having a blast. We have been to Old Town, a Viking Walking Tour (which included wearing viking helmets, yes, there are pictures), the Vasa Museum, and we have been eating. I am so lucky he came to see Copenhagen, saw my apartment, and now we get to discover a new city and put in our father-daughter bonding time. Now everyone gets that chance you know.

However, I keep thinking about all my friends back in Copenhagen, who are no longer in Copenhagen but have returned to their respective US states or are traveling through Europe, and I am sad to think that we will never all be together again. BUT, I have doubled my number of Facebook friends so it's still a win. I have so many memories (good and bad) that I can keep forever with these people that were complete strangers 2 months ago. (Yes, that was very corny, but I am feeling really corny right now so deal with it.)

I am really excited to go to Boulder and get back to my everyday, boring life. Maybe I can join a gym and get a tan...or get a job.

See you soon Colorado!

xo,
K

I miss my American food

I miss my favorite foods. So, on my last day of classes in Denmark, this is a list of all the foods I need ASAP when I get home. (Joey - I'm talking to you)

1.) Chipotle

2.) Rush Bowls

3.) Foolish Craigs

4.) Pei Wei

5.) Red Robin

6.) MEXICAN FOOD (None of the good queso and guac filled deliciousness on this side of the pond)

7.) Ripple

8.) Walnut Cafe

9.) Sushi (nom nom nom)

10.) Starbucks

I'm drooling,

K

I guess my study abroad is over..?

Well that flew by. I am finishing my 6th week in Denmark and I am obviously super cultured, fluent in Danish, and worldly now. NOT.

It's been possibly the greatest summer of my life.

I have compiled a list of the things I have learned about myself and about the world outside of my little Boulder bubble.

1.) Boulder is the tits.
 Because I was housed in a dorm-like setting with all other American student's, I actually learned more about other colleges and other parts of the US just as much as about Europe. I lived with people from the South, from the East Coast, from California, from Iowa (where the f*ck is that anyway?), and a few others from Colorado. My state wins. Sucks to suck.
I am serious, Colorado, Boulder specifically, is the greatest place in the world. Between the mountains and the weather I couldn't ask for anything more.
I always have heard people say that people in Boulder are "down-to-earth." I never really understood what this term was referring to and I have just assumed people thought we were literally close to the earth, being dirty hippies and all. I assumed they pictured us all smoking pot and sitting cross-legged on the dirt under a tree. But actually, Boulderites are so down-to-earth - in the sense that they have their priorities in the right places. I have a new appreciation for where my parent's decided to raise me.

2.) Europe love/hates America.
Europe's relationship is like my secret love for Zac Efron. It's Love/Hate. I literally HATE HIM. He has a "YOLO" tattoo - need I say more? But secretly, I love the way he looks, I thought he was phenomenal in Hairspray, and I think he's damn sexy. But if you ever ask me about this again I will deny, deny, deny. Zac who?
I have noticed in my recent travels that although many Europeans do see Americans and America in general as inferior to themselves, naive, and full of loud, obnoxious, fat people - they actually love us. Every store is filled with American flag message T's and burger's dominate all of the trendy restaurants. The music and the TV shows are all re-runs of what we have all worshiped at one time or another in the US (Friends from 2001? Hollaaa.). So although we've been told that Europe hates us, they only hate us like I hate Zac Efron - outwardly. Inwardly they want to take us out for a nice lobster dinner and learn everything about us.

3.) Travelling is exhausting.
After visiting 5 countries and living half out of a suitcase all of the time, I am pooped. All of the time. We all are. If anyone in my program sits still long enough, we fall asleep. No exceptions. Imagine how hard studying and taking lecture notes is now? A god damn challenge. Coffee is about $8 a cup, so we do our best to get by without it.

4.) My parent's love me a lot.
I am so grateful that my parents love me. Not only do they put up with my endless tears, mean jokes, loud voice, and pretend to read my blog (see you Sunday Dad!) - but they love me enough to send me to Europe on study abroad. Boy, am I a lucky girl.


XO,
K

Amsterdam - Day One

I have stepped into an alternate universe where everyone is smoking weed, eating mushrooms, and doing prostitutes. HELLO AMSTERDAM!

I never realized how scandalous those Dutch really are.

I am actually really enjoying the atmosphere, way more then I thought I would. At first you're like, "woah, those are boobs and they are for sale," and then you're like, "look at all these creepy middle aged men looking at the boobs!" and finally you're like, "This is kinda neat."

In that order.

At first, it seems wrong and dirty but that's only at first glance. Then you realize, this is the culture here. Yes, the men staring in the window at the almost naked woman straddling the stool are still creepy. However, right next to these creepy men and pornographic images is a really cute little froyo place with a happy older couple eating ice cream outside enjoying the sun. Neither parties seem the least bit bothered by the other. It's a completely new dynamic.

What's also interesting is that they are trying to close off this whole red light district to tourists, which seems counter intuitive to me considering the fact that they are a huge source of revenue. But walking around, gawking at all the shops, I realize that I don't fit in. I am kind of ruining the vibe. (Not that that's stopping me, by any means.) But we are going to be among the last groups of students with this opportunity. So I am soaking it all in!

For the rest of the week, because we are here for my Human Trafficking and Prostitution class, we are attending various lectures and visiting non-profits to learn about the different aspects of prostitution here in Amsterdam. I am really interested to understand why they have taken such a different approach then most of the world.

Keep ya posted.

XO
K