This weekend I was lucky enough to get to spend some time with my family. And not only that, I was able to spend it in Whistler! My little brother goes to school at the University of British Colombia in Vancouver, so the family weekend in Canada was a great excuse to get in some good skiing and also a little family time.

The forecast was rain for the weekend and it ended up being gorgeously sunny and we even got about six inches of snow on Saturday night for Sunday! Amazing weekend with a great crowd.

After a few nights up in the mountains we headed into Vancouver for a day and night. I got in a little bit of shopping and then had some amazing Indian food for dinner before doing a little bit of a night out. It’s great to have so many awesome places within range of Bozeman!

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Well, the most conclusive thing I can say after my trip is that eighty hours in a van is a LONG TIME! For the most part, the trip was really awesome, and overall it was a great experience. For the first few days down there we did some work with Habitat for Humanity in Alexandria. We mostly did some roofing which was really cool to learn and see. All of the work we did was with hand tools so though it took a bit longer, I think we all appreciated the work a bit more in the end.

After that we worked with a local women’s center called the “Hope House”. It houses women and children in transition. It helps get these types of families off of the street and develop positive future connections through employment and mentoring programs.

Overall it was a really interesting experience and some great exposure to a part of the country that I hadn’t had the opportunity to explore. The hospitality in the south is everything that I had heard about! There is nothing like fresh biscuits delivered at 10am everyday!

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Well, I depart today on what is undoubtedly the longest roadtrip that I have ever attempted to undertake. A group of twelve of us will be leaving today to drive – yes that’s right, drive – down to Louisiana in a fifteen passenger van. I know you’re jealous!

We are headed down to a town called Alexandria, which is about 3 hours north-west of New Orleans. We’ll actually be driving all the way to New Orleans today/tomorrow and staying in the city on Saturday night so that we can get up and walk around on Sunday morning. Then, on Sunday evening, we’ll head back to Alexandria where we’ll be staying for the week.

We’re all participating in a program called BreaksAway, which is operated through the Office of Community Involvement. While we’re in Alexandria we’ll be working with Habitat for Humanity to build houses for hurricane survivors. Alexandria was one of the towns that was flooded with survivors and those trying to escape the hurricanes that devastated the southern coast. In August of 2005, right after Katrina hit, the town of Alexandria went from a population of 30,000 to 60,000 nearly overnight. Since the hurricane left, and the water has retreated, many people have returned home, but about 15,000 of the refugees remain in Alexandria and are in need of housing, so that’s what we’ll be working to do this week!

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So I am drawn to blog again already! This afternoon ASMSU hosted our first (and hopefully!) annual rail jam. It was a really great event that gave everyone a mid-day break from classes. We had a DJ there for the whole thing who spun music on the mall – the main walk down the middle of campus, and had two rails built by a local MSU graduate. There were about 30 local kids riding, which was great to see. During the event ASMSU auctioned off all kinds of stuff, including a reserved parking spot for a week, free movie tickets and free tutoring. The biggest prize of the day was one of the 15 foot rails!

It was a really nice break from the monotony of studying and the free hot chocolate was nothing to complain about. It was also good to see the AMSU Presidential candidates out trying to rally votes already. Our elections are the first week in March, so campaigning is in full swing already.

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Yesterday was absolutely amazing! Ishmael Beah, the author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier was in Bozeman. I was fortunate enough to be a participant in what our Leadership Institute (the primary sponsor for the event) called a “masters class”. About twenty students from across campus were selected to participate, and they were chosen based on their interest in his story and work.

Being able to sit down with him in a more intimate setting was an enlightening experience. For me, the most memorable thing about the whole experience was his overwhelming sense of hope, not only individually, but also hope for society over a whole. When asked about our future generation, he said that he thought we had the potential to do everything, but just lack the confidence in ourselves to accomplish all of our goals. It was inspiring to listen to someone who has suffered so much still have so much hope and faith in human beings, and our future as a whole. I hope I can live up to his challenge to be a source of change in the future.

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A day off of school! For some reason, these three day weekends in college seem to be exponentially better than just the standard weekend. I don’t know what it is about the one extra day, but it seems like so much more than just one day. Although I must admit I’m not exactly capitalizing on this extra time, it has been a thoroughly enjoyable day so far. It’s about 2 p.m. and I’ve just managed to motivate myself out of bed to get some food and enter in my blog about enjoying the lovely college lifestyle. I guess I was somewhat productive with this time as I managed to make it into bed around midnight, allowing for some serious catching up on sleep. Those 14 hours last night were very much needed! Unfortunately, I think the rest of this unusually gorgeous day will have to be spent inside catching up on all of that academic reading and those assignments that have been piling up. Hopefully today I can find some time to take a break and get a bit of the “fun” reading in! I’ve been trying to finish up Ishmael Beah’s book, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. He is coming to our campus in just a few weeks and I am so excited to hear him speak. His journey is really an amazing one and I can’t wait to share what I learn from him with you! In the meantime, pick up his book!

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Happy Valentines Day! Although this may seem a slightly depressing holiday to those of us without Valentines this year (yes, myself included), I have to say I thoroughly enjoy this time of year. A nice bouquet of roses or dinner out with a sweetheart can be great, but just as wonderful are the notes of love from the people who are always close to you. For example, my wonderful mother never fails to send me a Valentine’s Day package stock full of chocolate and love. As a poor college student, packages like this really brighten my day and remind me how much she loves me. That with the ridiculous chain email from my grandma and cute cards from the “it’s the elementary teacher inside me” girl in my office remind me that it doesn’t have to be all about that romantic dinner – not that that isn’t great of course!

Having one less day of serious lover shopping to do and a lot more money in my pocket is not something that I’m planning on complaining about this year! Besides, how can I complain when I have an excellent evening of celebrating planned with all of my other single friends tonight?! What better to distract us during those dinner hours than an 80’s workout gear inspired gathering? I only hope that my leotard (which is bright pink) goes alright with my aqua colored tights! Hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with as much fun and love as I know mine will be! J

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SUPERBOWL SUNDAY! The great American Sunday that is the culmination of football season. Although I’m not claiming to be the true and hardcore football fan, I do enjoy a good game. I must confess though, as much as I enjoy the game, I usually watch the Superbowl just as much for the multimillion dollar commercials as I do for the tackles and touchdowns. Hopefully the ones this year will be thoroughly amusing! And of course who can deny that the real highlight of football Sunday is? Incredibly high calorie food that tastes amazing! I’m going over to my friend’s house to watch this afternoon so I cannot wait to see what she will supply us with.

As a Kansas City Chiefs fan (random I know – but my dad’s family is from Kansas City and if I claimed anything but the Chiefs I’d probably have to give up my last name!), I don’t really have a preference for today, I just hope it’s a good game. I like the idea of an undefeated champion claiming that “perfect season”, but just as possible is that underdog reaching for victory. I’d just like to see a good game without too many penalties or injuries. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens!

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Doing all of my homework for classes, like the good student that I am, I recently stumbled upon a blog which I found very interesting. I wanted to share it because it seems like such a cool idea. It is called “On Day One” and the address for it is ondayone.org. It is an interactive blog where the creators encourage active participation from everyday citizens on how to make this country better. They accept everything from policy suggestions to general comments on topics ranging from education to foreign affairs. Their goal is to compile the input they get from citizens and present it to the President on the first day of his or her term in office. It is a nonpartisan effort that is trying to get citizen input on important issues in America and on topics that will have an impact on our future.

I encourage you all to check it out and maybe even offer your input! Maybe your suggestion could be the one to make some changes! The beauty of a democracy!

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Ah the beginning of a new semester! Lucky for me I get to start this one a few days late! I just got back from Rwanda earlier today and so I’m stopping here in Detroit to spend a few days with my family before I head back to Bozeman to start school again. The great thing about a long break is that you get time to do a little bit of everything but I must admit I’m starting to get a bit bored. And, as excited as I am that I get to start the semester a few days late (who doesn’t like missing school?), I must admit that I am really starting to miss the routine of school. I am also looking forward to the foot of snow expected to land in the mountains on Saturday! Hopefully my first weekend back in Bozeman will correspond with an epic dump and I can really have a great welcome weekend!

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I’m still in Rwanda and it’s been a very interesting and busy week. After closing the workshop with a press conference, we’ve moved to working with some of the local grassroots NGO’s to try and better understand how much what we talked about last week is actually being implemented. I am working with a group called Amahoro that uses sports and cultural activities to try and motivate and mobilize street children and orphans. The group uses the sports and cultural activities to engage the children and then adds an activity about social awareness on to the end of every “fun” activity. Through this they are encouraging dialogue about important issues in Rwanda today like HIV/AIDS and conflict resolution. They hope that by mobilizing and informing young people they can help to shape the future of the country.

So far it has been a great experience and I have spent time out in the field actually seeing the activities the group does as well as visiting children that Amahoro helps to sponsor so they can afford school. It has been another really eye-opening experience in that I have been able to see the impact the group has had on these children’s lives. I hope to be able to continue to work with them when I return to the US.

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So I’ve been here about a week now and I can still pretty much sum it up with the word WOW. This place is so immeasurably different than any that I’ve ever been. I spent a summer studying in South Africa, but what they say is true, South Africa isn’t like the rest of Africa. It is strange to really exist as a complete minority in a society and to be pointed at simply because my skin color is different.

For the first few days here we have been participating in a human rights workshop with local Rwandan youth. We’ve been discussing the history of Rwanda and what caused the evolution of the genocidal ideology, the actual genocide itself, and how the country is working to move beyond it today. The progress that has been made in the 14 years since the genocide is really amazing to see, but there is still much work to be done. It is strange to think of myself in a place where such violence took place such a short time ago. I think that much of what the government and other independent individuals and groups are doing is great, but it is somewhat overwhelming to think about a country overcoming such a traumatic event. There are so many different approaches that can be used it is really interesting to see how they are being implemented by various groups. Hopefully the open dialogue that we are having here can help to develop new solutions to the problems this country faces.

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Merry Christmas ….well a bit late but still! I am actually currently sitting in the Frankfurt airport on my way to Kigali, Rwanda. I left earlier today and have a long layover here on my way. I am heading to Rwanda to participate in a human rights training program through a group called Global Youth Connect. I will be meeting about ten other young Americans to study for a few weeks in Kigali and the surrounding area. It should be a great opportunity and I’m incredibly excited to be able to learn about Rwanda and human rights there in the environment where they are actually happening!

In the meantime, I think I’m going to head into Frankfurt for the day and see some sights. I haven’t been into the city here in years (since I lived here actually I think!) so it should be interesting to see!

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So I must confess that as I write this blog I am sitting on a porch overlooking the beach in beautiful Cozumel, Mexico! My uncle Jimmy comes to this house at least once a year and he invited my family to come along for Christmas and it has been great so far! A total change from the snowy landscape of Bozeman, but I cannot even begin to complain about the relaxing downtime on the beach! I get to spend a few leisurely days here which is a nice alternative to the busy schedule I seem to be able to maintain back at school. Only a few days though!

This morning we did some snorkeling just out in front of the house that we are staying in. Though we didn’t see much of anything (not exactly the Great Barrier Reef), it was great to spend the afternoon floating in saltwater instead of trudging through snow! It is also great to get to spend some time with my family. Being so far away from them most of the year I don’t get to see them much. I never thought I’d be the one to admit that I missed home, but being away really made me realize how nice it is to spend time with my family, especially during the holidays.

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Finally! Finals are over for me! Well, the actual test taking part of finals anyway…I still have a few papers to finish up and turn in, but the hard stuff is done. I cannot believe how quickly this semester has gone by. It seriously feels like I was wearing shorts at the first football game just a few weeks ago. Overall it was a great semester though. I had so much fun with all of the Homecoming madness in October and really enjoyed my classes this semester. It is hard to believe that I am over half way done with my undergraduate career! Luckily I plan on attending graduate school, so I won’t have to rush off into the “real world” anytime soon. I plan to take the LSAT in the spring (which is now approaching faster than I imagined!) and then hopefully attend law school after I graduate from MSU. I’ll just have to see what happens in the next few semesters and see if my hard work pays off!

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So I realize that I said the library was a great place to find distractions from studying, however I think I've found an even better place. After Thanksgiving that happy Christmas feeling seems to swell over everyone, and I think that there is no better way to really bring that time of the year in than with cookies. I spent more than a few hours in my kitchen on Sunday producing some really amazing cookies! I made three different kinds – complete with frosting! I even managed to pull of an old family recipe that I hadn't successfully completed before! As much fun as that was however, I was forced to face the music that is finals week and time for papers, presentations and tests! In fact, I need to do that right now…

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I love the first real snow in Bozeman! I think most people do, but as a former ski racer I can’t help but believe that I get a bit more excited than the average Joe. Although I’m not usually able to get up and do that first hike and ski day the first time snow really sticks on the ground here, there is still just something about finally seeing snow on the ground. It does nothing but really get me excited to ski, and especially this year because I know Big Sky opens only a week from today!

Everyone around here has their favorite place to ski: you have the Bridger locals, the kids who will only ever hike, the Moonlight kids, and the Big Sky addicts too. I find myself in that final category. When you live in Bozeman its hard not to love the fact that you’re only 45 minutes from some of the greatest skiing in North America. And, although I’m not usually fortunate enough to be one of those five day a week skiers, I do get up at least a couple of times a week. I can’t wait for that first day out this year!

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Although I love Bozeman, it’s always great to “get out of Dodge” for awhile every now and then! This weekend I’ll be heading to Portland with ASMSU for a Northwestern Leadership conference. I titled this blog Portland Adventures because I’m sure that that is what this weekend will be. There is nothing like taking off on a roadtrip with five other people crammed into a van for a 12 hour drive each way. Though I’m not sure exactly what the weekend will bring, I anticipate some great dining out in the city, maybe some time for a little shopping, and a lot of leadership learning!

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This time of year, everything seems to pile up and during the week I find myself spending very little time at home - you know, that place where I pay rent! Now, I realize that much of this time not at home is really just time I spend doing "group studying" (aka procrastinating while gossiping with friends), or spending countless hours facebooking, but about this time in the semester I find myself frequenting my favorite spots on MSU more and more.

The best place to really get studying done is the third floor of the library. Sitting on the silent floor while listening to the fountain in a personal cubicle is certainly the best environment for me to actually be productive. It is also important that I "forget" my power cord for nights like this, so that my time perusing the internet is limited to how long it takes my battery to die. The third floor is also great for the group study rooms. If you're actually interested in doing some group studying, the ability to just lock yourselves in a room is a pretty nice option. If you're going for the potentially more unproductive option, the second and first floor tables are always a nice choice. Although I've had some successful endeavors at these rectangular spaces, I often find it much more entertaining to people watch in the coffee area below, or spend my time wandering about talking to as many acquaintances as I can find (I've noticed how we all seem to have so many friends to distract us when we have studying to do). And of course, if you want that guarantee to not get anything done, you can always lounge in the coffee area….sipping latte after latte and having a conversation with everyone who come down to refuel of caffeine.

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One of the best things about going to MSU is the amazing leadership opportunities they offer here on campus. As an elected Senator of the Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) - our student government here on campus - leadership is something that is incredibly important to me. This week, as part of the transition of new senators into ASMSU, we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with the Leadership Institute here on campus.

The Leadership Institute is a committee that is sponsored by ASMSU which is charged with promoting and expanding leadership across campus. One of the biggest and most noticeable ways that they do this is by bringing in amazing speakers throughout the year. This year alone they have brought in speakers ranging from Dr. Ken Kamler (an expert on what happens to the human body when it is exposed to the utmost extremes) to Greg Mortenson, the author of the renowned book, Three Cups of Tea. I think something that is often overlooked however, is the amazing impact that that this group has on other smaller communities across campus. They consistently enter smaller environments to work on a one-on-one basis with students to promote leadership skills. Tonight was a prime example of that! The Leadership Institute Staff came in the ASMSU Senate and worked with us for about two hours on how to improve our leadership! We worked on trust exercises to encourage strong relationships within our senate, and also had a conversation about how to improve our communication as a group and with our constituency. It was an incredibly valuable session for all of us that not only helped us get to know one another, but also pushed us to take a renewed look how we, as returning senators, are doing.

The most amazing thing about this organization is that opportunities like these are not limited to ASMSU. Any group across campus can invite the Leadership Institute to come in at any time and assist them in evaluating their own group/office/organization or anything else. The Leadership Institute is constantly reaching out to the MSU community and working to improve many aspects around campus. In fact, next year they will be starting a "Leadership Certification" degree that can be earned through MSU and will be open to all majors. I'm excited to see the future expansion of this committee and watch the leaders that they train in action!

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Fall is Bozeman seems to happen overnight. I looked around outside today and suddenly realized that all of the leaves had fallen and the ground is covered in a golden multitude of leaves. It’s hard to believe that we've already had snow on the ground and yet I'd failed to notice that it really was Fall!

By far, the best thing about MSU in the fall is watching students adjust to the changing climate. I must admit that people watching is one of my favorite pastimes, but this time of year simply cannot be beat. As someone who has always been used to the cold, I can't help but giggle at those students who show up the morning after the first frost completely covered from head to toe with hats, scarves, gloves, boots and long johns ( I often suspect hand warmers are in use also, just not visible!). They stare out with wide eyes as the "Montana kids" are still wandering about in flip flops and shorts. I just want to warn them all that this is only the beginning and yet reassure them that they too will adjust soon!

There is nothing better than sitting out on the Mall in the middle of campus sipping on hot cider, surrounded by snowy mountains, and watching everyone saunter by in their various outfits. I try to imagine what each of them is thinking. The bundled ones are simply imagining how much colder it will get with fear in their eyes, and the ones in tank tops are counting down the few days until they start their backcountry season. It is a truly amazing the variety to see!

So next time you're on the Mall, watch out for me, because I might be watching you!

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Hey!

My name is Maureen Weiland and I am a Junior here at MSU double major in Political Science and Philosphy. I'm from Clarkston, Michigan but came out to Bozeman for the great school, atmosphere and skiing! Unfortunately, this year the snow came a little bit early....

What a crazy weekend!! I have to say that only in Montana will you find your University Homecoming Representatives walking across the football field at halftime with long underwear hiding under prom dresses and hiking boots peeking out of the bottom!

Saturday morning opened with snow gently accumulating in Bozeman – mind you it was October 6th. As a homecoming candidate destined to spend the day outside in a prom dress, I must tell you that I wasn’t all that thrilled, but as I headed down to the parade, I had a shift in mindset. How many times in your life do you get to ride down Main Street in a parade as snow falls around you?

The parade turned out to be a blast and had amazing turnout considering the cold temperatures and billowy gusts of the wind. After the parade all we all headed up to the Alumni Tailgate area for some wonderful free food to wait for the Bobcat kickoff. As the game got underway we were escorted up to the Alumni Box where we spent the first half warm and dry, but all longingly gazing at the crazy student section on the other side of the stands. It was an amazing sight to see. All of the “GO CATS!” boys were still out jumping around painted up without shirts on. Thousands of students still crowded into the stands despite the weather, cheering at the top of their lungs and showing their Bobcat pride!

When halftime finally rolled around we made our way down to the field for the big announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen. Brandon Howard and Kelsi Canavan were both crowned and couldn’t be better Ambassadors for MSU. Both are involved in the Orientation, Residence Life and engineering majors, they not only work hard academically, but continually represent students’ needs across campus.

After the game we all headed out to finally spend some time in the student section of the stands, and mingle in the tailgate area after the game. I have to say that Homecoming was definitely one of the best weekends I’ve had here at MSU so far. Not only did I get be a part of an amazing tradition that brings together Alumni and current Bobcats around a Saturday football tradition, but I got to wear a prom dress and hiking boots! Now how many people get to do that?!

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