This semester is going to be just as full as last semester no matter how hard I try to shed off extracurricular activiites! I was pretty dejected in December when I found out my new college GPA, and I concluded that it was because I went to meetings every night of the week and always had full weekends with volunteering or dancing. All this resulted in homework coming second to activities.. so maybe I got an A in trying all that Berkeley student groups tempted me with, but, well, not an A in academics. As a suggestion to incoming freshmen-- LISTEN to people when planning your schedule.. like how they said take the minimum class units, don't overload yourself, take time to adjust.. etc. Sophomores on my floor predicted my personal failure (I am no longer a 4.# student), but I thought I was a superhero.

This semester I love my classes! Well, they're not always crazy interesting, but I chose them all and got them all and I have fluent GSIs. I'm taking Nutri Sci 10, Chem 3A (organic), Math 54 (linear algebra), Span 25 (literature), and an archeaology seminar. If you haven't noticed, no more environmental economics and policy major. I am hoping to switch to Nutritional Science in CNR, since I've been fascinated by nutrition since sophomore yr of high school and I detest working on making more money. I laugh at myself now, but I was naive. I took EEP thinking I could use it to be a policy-maker or at least understand how the world deals with the environment in the business and political realm. I learned what I wanted- but much more than I asked for.. so many line graphs and economic concepts, not too hard, but just not interesting. I recommend the class, even if it's not my major anymore- if you want to learn why pollution still exists.

As a small note, Cafe 3 opened up this semester! (Unit 3's Dining Commons) And it has a fun ambiance and the best juicy cucumbers. It doesn't match up to Crossroads as far as vegetarian hot food options, but there is a Pho station, tons of fresh fruit, a waffle maker, a sushi bar, good pizza, custom-made omelettes, and daily pastries like at the GBC. They also have great cauliflour- haha..yes I look forward to that more than the pastries. It's fun there meeting more people by chance than at Crossroads since it's smaller and it's right in front of my building, Norton. I can't write up a whole review of all the DCs yet.. I have to visit Foothill and Clark Kerr more.

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 7:42 AM | Permalink

I went home to Sacramento this past weekend and felt much more normail than expected. Many of my college friends say that everything changes once you move out- your room feels odd, there's a feeling of missing Berkeley, and everyone treats you like an outsider- but I didn't feel any of those. I couldn't believe my sister actually missed me! She's 4 years younger and very involved in high school already- as busy as a senior. The rest of my family tried to cater to my wishes.. like getting Halloween decorations out and asking me what I wanted to do.

Being home made me recognize my accomplishments (hahemm..) and experiences of college so far. It's summarizing two months to neighbors using one sentence.

The worst part of going home, though it was really on the 'coming back' part of the journey, was the transportation. My arrival to my dorm room was delayed by an hour and a half!! All because I have no experience on deboarding trains and buses! I stood up with my heavy large three bags on the second floor of the Amtrak train from Sacramento, when it arrived at the Berkeley station (which is beautiful). I moved quickly and a man coming on the train and upstairs let me go past first, but I was too late! the doors were already shut and I couldn't open them. No buttons. No cord. No helpful train conductor or anything! I just yelled and looked everywhere, but resigned myself when I heard, to my luck, that the Emeryville stop was 4 minutes away. I got off there, spoke with a generous ticket man who said I could catch a train at 8pm (it was 7:15 at the time), for free.

I did catch that one, and found the AC transit bus stop easily enough, but couldn't deboard that one on time either because of so many people on it.

Well..now I'm an experienced public transit college student and know better than to wait until a vehicle comes to a complete stop before standing up.

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:04 AM | Permalink

I just got killed today by my three midterms. I thought they would be okay. I had plenty of time yesterday and at odd hours this morning, when I decided to take my time reading instead of cramming stuff in my head. I cannot believe how evil that math test was!!! Afterwards I replayed the gory scene/metaphor in my head.. my guts being ripped out and my face drained of all life. I wanted to quit college, throw away dreams of professional school, and curl up in a ball to be a rock. It took so much effort to go on to a committee meeting, Crossroads for dinner, another committee meeting, then ballroom dance practice. Now I've talked to my loving floormates and feel stable, but it was such a life-changing feeling of doom. I hope that tomorrow's Study Abroad Fair (which I've been anticipating for 2 months) will raise my spirits. My roommates are both going home this weekend and I hope I can stay busily relaxed.

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:23 AM | Permalink

I have decided to be a Unit Residential Sustainability Education Coordinator for Unit 3! Whew, it's a long name for a job, but it's much more fun than the name. If you have time, check out: http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~recycle/ssec/aboutus/index.html Today I went to a day-long training retreat for being part of the RSEC program at Cal. There were about 15 people and we played name games, ate great homemade food, and learned sooo much about sustainability.

Sustainability? What is it, you wonder? Well, you probably know, but many people in my hall don't. I explain it as a goal in life (in universities, houses, businesses, and everywhere) of not harming the earth and its atmosphere. It is lessening energy and water use, reusing as much as possible, and always recycling as much as you can. I wish I could live a life of no impact on earth- haha, no I don't mean I want to be ignored- but I do mean that my waste and consumption of resources doesn't destroy more beautiful nature and harm the health and resource wealth of future earthlings. My new role in my unit will be to update the sustainability boards, keep in touch with the facilities manager and RSECs, publicize sustainability extensively, and personally talk to people one-on-one and encourage them to have a earth-friendly lifestyle.

Continue reading "I am a URSEC now!" »

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:01 AM | Permalink

Packing for leaving is hard to do when all high school friends want to say goodbye and celebrate friendships. I began filling boxes today with clothes and items I usually bring when traveling. I appreciate living close to campus (less than 2 hours), and being able to leave scarves, long socks, and all those winter items at home.

I used to think that moving stuff would be easy- just grab stuff and go to a dorm, but no, I must consider each shirt, shoe, and book's worthiness in my tiny (I'm only guessing at this moment) triple dorm room. I have contacted my roommates and so far so good!

Continue reading "On My Way!" »

Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 10:41 PM | Permalink