Well, my Thanksgiving was very, well American! I did the whole turkey thing and my parents were down so it worked out well. We bought a turkey and all.

Well, I’m writing a story for the Ipulse on the Class Gift for 2008, and thought it would be a great blog topic.

A friend of mine, Elias Parra, is the chairman of the Class Gift Committee. This year the class of 2008 is not going the usual route as all the past years have, in donating the clock outside the cafeteria, the benches in the Perper Plaza, or the BBQ grills outside Freiburger. This year each graduating student is asked to donate $20.08 (symbolizing the class graduating year: 2008). The students will be donating money towards an endowed scholarship that will go towards an upcoming senior. As Elias said “We decided to make the gift more focused on the students this year, and give something that will actually create an impact in the lives of the students”. One of the Lynn Knightline Callers called me last week and told me about the class gift, I made my donation over the phone with my card, but you can also make your donation over the website or through the Office of Development. They are asking all students and parents to donate a little something, as the scholarship may very well be benefitting them!
“Some people ask for a bench with a plaque,” says Elias “but I think that helping a senior finish school is more important than a plaque.”

I know I’ve said this a thousand times before but, *GULP* I can’t believe I graduate in two weeks!

Well, my mommy and dad finally arrived! Yesterday we went Thanksgiving food shopping. Well, my fridge has never been this full in its life!
Tomorrow we’re going to cook a turkey. Thanksgiving is not a celebration we have in South Africa, but when in the USA, do as the Americans!

So, I figured considering its Thanksgiving, its a time to give to others. So, I’ve done a spring clean and have tons of clothes I’m donating. And on Thanksgiving day, when you sit down to your meal, think about how you could make a difference in some one else’s day. I’m going to take a big plate of food down to the security guard on duty in our community.

To all the special F words:
Friends,
Family,
Fate,
Forgiveness,
and Forever.

On Tuesday, Carl Hiaasen came to Lynn as part of the Dively Frontiers in Globalization Lecture Series. I had the opportunity to interview him in the studio. Last time I mentioned that I was formulating questions to ask him. Well, I sorted my question and put them onto note cards with the Lynn seal on the reverse side.

On Tuesday morning I went to Hiaasen’s lecture in the theater. It was very informative and it helped me to establish which questions I wanted to ask, and which ones I should discard. I was rather nervous leading up to the interview, however, I think it is good to be nervous as it keeps you ‘on your toes’. Hiaasen was very nice and answered all of my questions. I think the most awkward part of an interview is the initial meeting when you’re waiting to start the interview as the camera operators and studio are checking audio etc. I never know what to say and try to start small talk. After I ran out of small talk, I went to plan B…’I'm from South Africa’ - That is always a conversation starter!

The interview ran extremely smoothly! I think as an interviewer, it is important to remember that the audience is watching the interview to hear what the interviewee has to say, not what you as an interviewer think. As an interviewer you are purely a listener, and a question-asker. You have to be both, as without listening… you won’t know what questions to ask. Sometimes I will have a question order set up, and then the interviewee will touch on a topic that relates to one of my upcoming questions, so I’ll skip the order and go straight to the relevant question. It actually happened in Hiaasen’s interview: he touched on the topic of the government and politics, and I had an ending question asking about his view of the upcoming presidential elections, so I changed the order and asked him - ‘Whilst we’re on the topic of the government, what is your view…’
You always have to remember that although you must have a good idea of what the interviewees answer will be to your questions, you will never truly know, and thus it is important to be flexible.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped with the interview - from helping me better word questions (at the last minute) to working behind the scenes. An interview wouldn’t be possible without all of you!

In the last few weeks, many people have approached me and told me that they read my blog.

Every one from parents on the campus tours I give (yes, I am a campus tour guide)
and even teachers and students.

I would just like to send a special thank you to Ellen, who I am told regularly reads my blog
to ease the stress of her bathroom alterations. I hope you have a great day!

Founders Day was such a blast. I had so much fun and the university went to such an effort. Every year they have this fantastic band - the live music really creates the atmosphere. I wish they would have live bands like this on campus more often, like one Friday a month? It would definitely bring more of a sense of community to campus (not that we don’t already have one! but it would be fun).

I am just so impressed with all the thoughtful efforts that went into the event (such as the jumping castle games, the snowcone machine etc). Earlier on in the day I participated in the canoeing race around the lake. My friend, Shira, and I desperately wanted the beautiful Lynn towels they were giving to participants of the canoeing race, thus we decided to compete! We tried begging for towels first, that didn’t work - so, we signed up a team. The Water Warriors (as we were called) were going to make a splash! Only one problem…I live off campus and I was not prepared for a day at the lake, in fact I was in my work attire! Oh well, I’d just have to bring the ‘professionalism’ to the team. Firstly, we had to recruit a third team member… we headed straight for the fitness center, where we were bound to find a muscly man to be the strength of our team (we were the brains, you see? and hopeless at paddling). After much convincing, we had found our mighty man.

As we stood at the waters edge, our hearts racing and our toes sinking beneath the disgusting gooey sludge at the bottom of the lake, we knew we had the power… we had the brains…we had…to win! Additionally, the competition was on, Kevin Ross was competing against us.

GO! We were off like ducks in hunting season. The wind swept through my hair as our mighty man whisked us into the lead. Our strategizing had not helped much (and I must admit the brains where somewhat lacking) but we still had muscles on our team! The aim was to touch as many balloons as possible (different colors = different points) (Thank goodness neither Shira, nor myself were colorblind). It was a frantic scurry, canoes overturning all around us…there were even some close collisions!

As we pulled back up to the waters edge, mascara running down my face, my clothes sopping wet… we felt victorious, we felt strong, we were The Water Warriors! Unfortunately, we did not win (however, we did receive our gorgeous, soft, cuddly, blue Lynn towels). It did not sadden us that we had not conquered… we had succeeded in our hearts (and at least we hadn’t toppled over three times like other teams )

Overall, Founders Day is just one of those days I know I will look back at in years to come, and think of how wonderful my time at Lynn was.

Finally it has rolled around to that time of the week… FRIDAY.
Although, this weekend is unfortunately going to be lots of working… very little playing!
I can’t believe I graduate in a month!!! A MONTH!!!

I think I’d be a whole lot more nervous if I didn’t have a plan for next year. I can’t imagine entering the big wide world just yet! Additionally, I have no desire, what so ever, to leave Lynn just yet! So, I will be starting my Masters in Communications at Lynn in January! I am very excited and can’t wait to begin. Each course will be eight weeks long and I will be taking two courses a term. The courses meet twice a week in the evenings (generally from 6 pm - 10 pm). And my degree will be a year long. I am taking the accelerated course - so, I hear it’s quite intense with many papers. I’m not too worried, however, as English is my favorite subject and I love writing papers. Just don’t give me anything to do with maths!
Well, I am off to start my weekend.

“Join me next time for an update and some great footage of Founders Day at Lynn! Until then, Good night and good luck.”

So, I still am not used to this whole daylight savings thing! Luckily I knew to turn back my clock this year…
However, I have come up with a solution to my tardiness. When I turned my clocks back, I only turned it back about 45 minutes.
You may question why I did this, but it’s rather clever, actually. This way I intend not to ever be late… I just wish I didn’t know that my clocks are 15 minutes ahead of time!

I can just imagine what’s going to happen… I’ll look at my watch, realize I’m running late, and then think: “Oh, I actually have another 15 minutes” - so, I won’t really hurry… and will end up being very late! oh well, I’ll have to try it out and see what happens.

I hate tardiness, yet it’s one of my flaws. Actually, to be fair to myself, it runs in my genes. My parents are renowned for being late. I was late for school everyday as a child, and it wasn’t actually my fault at all. It became a daily game my father and I would play: Who could be ready and waiting at the door first. It worked for the first week, and then I got bored of being on time, waiting for him, and still being late!

Additionally, I think that, as Lynn is unlike many of the larger universities with their gigantic lecture halls, it is more of a disturbance to other students and the professor when you arrive late. So, I suppose at most other universities you can get away with it…but not at Lynn. If any of my professors or teachers happen to read this, may I recommend you turn your watches back 5 minutes…