Over the past couple of weeks, there have been a series of hate crimes here at Simmons College.  These crimes have been threats made against girls here from multiple races, religions, and orientations in general.  It makes me sad that someone would come onto our campus, so accepting and diverse, and make it their objective to undo all that we’ve worked so hard for.

This last Wednesday, a sit in was organized at the Simmons Main College Building to protest these hate crimes.  I attended, and heard many powerful words from my peers and advisers.  I think this coming together of the Simmons community not only demonstrates our power to overcome the terrible crimes committed by one hopefully confused individual, but shows our will to make the world a better place.  A world of peace is a world without hate, and this sit in is hopefully a small step in many more anti-hate protests to come.

Girls listening to a speaker at the anti-hate sit in

Random event:  walking to Shaw’s with my roommate yesterday, we encountered a fallen traffic light in front of the Landmark Center.  Although the traffic light was on the ground, it continued to change its lights, refusing to give up its duty of directing the Boston traffic (which is impossible anyways).  

I always knew drivers were bad in New England.  I spent most of my life driving through Springfield MA and Hartford CT to get to relatives houses and other places…but nothing compares to the wondrous drivers of Boston.  I’ve seen cars do things here that I figured impossible!  I just hope that traffic light wasn’t betrayed and hit by one of the many Boston drivers it was trying so hard to protect .

Obviously, being in a college environment, the presidential election is a humongous deal this year!  For many students, including myself, it’s our first opportunity to vote for anything.  Now in my opinion, college is supposed to be about sharing opinions, views, and beliefs- especially political ones.  However, I feel that it has become increasingly difficult for students in this liberal college Boston environment to state their true feelings.

I’ll be honest.  I’m voting for Bob Barr (the libertarian) because I don’t trust either Obama or McCain.  I find them both to be incompetent “jerks” and can’t have putting one of them in office on my conscience.  As of today, 5 Simmons students have completely jumped down my throat, claiming my vote for Bob Barr will be a vote wasted.  They tell me, how can I vote for Bob Barr, when there’s no chance of him winning; I’m only taking votes away from Obama.  Here’s how I see it.

1) I’m registered to MA.  Obama is going to win my state no matte what.

2) If I was forced against my will to vote for one of the major parties, I would vote McCain over Obama.  So, technically I’m not taking any votes away from Obama, seeing as he never had mine to begin with.

3) I respect everyones decision to vote for Obama, McCain, or anyone else they choose…so why is it seen as such a sin for me to vote for a minor party candidate?  I believe in a small federal government that barely interferes in my everyday life….that’s what the libertarian party stands for.  

I just wish I could vote in peace.

The difference between high school homework and college homework already seems to be a challenge for some of the girls I’ve met.  I feel like it’s essential to find a balance between class, work, going out, and taking time to let your brain melt out of your skull.  

In high school, things are different.  You spent 6-7 hours in school every day, get an amount of homework almost impossible to finish, stay up until 1 in the morning finishing it, then get your 5 hours of sleep before the next school day begins.  College gives one the opportunity to drop those habits! The longest period of time I have class in a given day is about four and a half hours.  There’s plenty of time for me to do my work, and do it thoroughly.  Because I start everything before it’s due (not counting this blog post haha), I have been able to get out and explore (like going to the science museum last Monday), or simply watch tv (yay gossip girl!), without feeling guilty or too much pressure from my homework.

If this balance isn’t found now, the rest of ones college career may be placed in jeopardy, and procrastination really isn’t worth getting bad grades in college.