For my hours of community service for this semester I have been working as a Big Brother, Big Sister and I meet with my Little once a week. I love how excited my Little gets to see me, because it gives me so much joy that I'm making an impact on her life. I try to find fun things for us to do like coloring or making projects but also helping her with homework or other things she's stuggling with. I've really enjoyed meeting with my Little and I'm sad that my time is almost up with our school year nearing the end, but I look forward to starting up my visits again in the Fall.

Today Erik Albinson came to talk to us about making a difference in the world. We talked about very difficult issues like oppresion and race. His presentation was amazing and shocking. In my Human Relations class we are learning about similar issues that involve race and ways that we can help stop discrimination from happening on campus and in classrooms. I think that these are very important issues to address and make aware of problems are society still faces today.

When Robert Temple came in to talk to us about leadership roles he shared about running a Nuclear Power Plant. I think running a Nuclear Power Plant is a huge responsibility and I was really impressed on his role as the supervisor of the plant. I think the most important thing I took away from his speech is leadership is something that is hard to define and there are always different definitions on what leadership means. But I feel that it is important for each person to define what they believe leadership to be.

I just returned from New Orleans on a mission trip with twenty other students from Coe this spring break. The power that a trip like this can have on a person is beyond belief. If you take the time to listen to the community of New Orleans they have many powerful words to share and so much trust and hope for what little they have and how much they have been through. The little things that don't go just right in life don't matter so much when you witness a place of such devastation. What hurt the most was that I was in Biloxi two years ago and when I went down this last week I was expecting a dramatic change. A community starting to rebuild instead I saw some areas that were partially re-built and most areas that looked like a hurricane had just went through yesterday. I was very disappointed and frustrated at what had NOT happened in the past two years. I am still trying to understand why. When I first got there I was furious but after a few days I realized that all I could do is work my hardest while I am down here try and come back as much as possible and most importantly come back and tell America that the south is far from being rebuilt and they need our help. Much of the city looks like a third world country and that should NOT happen in America. Therefore I want to spread the word that devoted volunteers and leaders are needed to help rebuild because the people need you and appreciate every nail that is put in and every board that is put up!

Wow, Erik Albinson had an amazing presentation that he presented today. He brought to my attention so many things that I had never thought about. The points that he made and in the ways that he did so were absolutly amazing. I do not feel that someone could criticize how he discussed this very difficult topic. I was very moved by his speech and as a new addition to Residents Life it helped show me the opportunities that I have ahead of myself with the postion I will be holding.