10 Days

It’s been just over 10 days since I last posted, my apologies. In the past week I have taken two midterms and written a paper. I have also moved into my new apartment- so life is busy. Now onto business. I had an interesting time at the University of California Student Association Annual Congress; it was interesting to say the least. I have my own personal gripes that have less to do with business than with, well, personal opinion- but that’s for my personal/emotional Tumblr. Anyway: Congress.

So it started out in the haze of a California summer morning. After a full day, an all-night paper writing session and a near run-in with campus PD, I was ready to go. I slept for an hour on the four hour bus ride that included several breakdowns. We arrived near the end of lunch- hungry and tired (at least I was). There were clinics and workshops and we finished out the day with dinner in the dining commons. I played coy and anti-social for most of the weekend- exhausted from school work and life in general. I took a two hour nap after dinner, read for a bit and went to sleep around 11 or 12. 

Day two, which is still somewhat of a blur, was full of workshops and delegation meetings (to my discomfort). All-in-all it was a lot of work and little play, but interesting and provocative, issue-wise. I was still feeling the lack of sleep from the day before. It truly is a blur, sadly enough. Also, there was no way to broadcast my experience in real time due to lack of reception in buildings on campus. There was some glimmer lost from my eyes.

HereI will have to take a break to contemplate and recollect days three and four. I will do my best to finish this update soon.

Update

So it’s been a little over a week since I last posted. Things are interesting. I am busier than I anticipated for summer but I am moving along. Two summer school classes and nearly twenty hours of work a week have kept me busy enough. Time is moving so quickly that it’s already midterms week! This weekend I was on a conference call with The United States Student Association and was debriefed about this debt ceiling business and how our economy works. My current project is checking the USSA website for gender inclusion along with the chair of The National Queer Students Coalition, which we plan to have finished by mid September. As for immediate happenings, I am traveling home (kinda) this weekend for the University of California Students Association Congress at UC Riverside. I’m excited to see friends from all the UCs, meet new ones, and longboard at UCR because it has an amazing layout for skating. Also, being reunited with several of my running mates from this past spring’s student government elections isn’t too bad of a way to spend the weekend either. And, not to mention, the organizing and activism that is sure to take place this weekend! All in all I am excited for the Congress, even though the bus is leaving at 8:00am. Well, here’s an update from the business side of my life. Hope you all have a great weekend!

I had my first business Skype call for the new year last night.

It was fun but we have a lot to do.

Personal and Political

I am reminded almost everyday about why I am driven politically. It’s a bittersweet reminder, like the alarm clock calling me from my warm bed on a cold day when I have a coffee date with a close friend. My personal struggles continue to push me to act politically. It never ceases to shock and amaze me that ignorance continues reveal itself from every facet of my life. As much as I am tempted to lose myself in literary study, I am equally challenged to remain engaged in the world around me. I think I can truly say that it is a daily struggle, among others, to put myself outside of my personal issues with the world and focus on political, revolutionary action. As much as I am reminded of my political responsibilities by my personal experiences, I am as often, if not more often, touched personally by the ideas and people that I meet in political settings. I cannot separate my personal from my political, but I dare to offer the idea that I may not want to separate them.

Back for two days

I already have five events, three meetings and one conference planned for this month. Some of the events, including the conference, I’m just attending and not organizing, so that’s cool.

It’s still going to be a busy year.

Back from USSA

These past few days at USSA Congress were inspiring. I have met people really working to fight for their causes, visions, and communities. I was reassured that I’m where I’m supposed to be- that I’m representing people that other people aren’t. I understand that I have to be in those spaces that other people are not occupying.

I went through a few interesting experiences at the conference that opened my eyes to my own personal views and values. I guess what they say is true: you never know your true values until you’re called forward to defend them. It can be difficult to hold your ground and fight for issues when you feel like you’re alone or one of the only few that are invested.

But this is the feeling that keeps pushing me. Whenever I feel alone in organizing, identifying or speaking on the issues I believe in I think of all the people that I know and don’t know that these issues affect. I think about the people that feel alone in life on a daily basis, and I can’t stop. I can’t stop using my opportunities to advocate and educate others knowing that utilization of my opportunities furthers the opportunities available for others. I won’t stop doing everything I can to represent my communities, the communities I consider myself an ally to, and the individuals in those communities.

Can’t stop. Won’t stop.