Wednesday afternoon, I ran from class to the airport, arriving at the gate, just as my plane was boarding. That’s the one nice thing about having a small airport nearby…you can get in and out quickly. I arrived in D.C. late that night…scarfed down my warm welcome cookie, and headed up to my room to meet my roommate, Paige. She’s Texas A&M’s rep, and everything one would expect of a Texas sorority girl: beautiful, brilliant, friendly…and packed six pairs of shoes, all with six-inch heels.

Outside the Supreme Court...right before we saw Justice Sotomayor walk by

Thursday morning, everyone began arriving. I couldn’t help but to notice that the gender ratio was quite skewed. Women were outnumbered 4:1. The funny thing is that Colorado College has sent female reps for the last four years. For the most part, the students were from big, east coast universities and military academies. I have students in my peer group that are graduate students at Cornell and Yale, and everyone here is absolutely brilliant (example: my roommate is a regional finalist for the Marshall Scholarship). I have to admit, it was quite intimidating having to present my research to grad students, but once I got over my initial insecurities, I began to feel inspired. Being around all these dedicated people has made me reflect on what I want to do next year and challenged me to take necessary risks to realize my potential.

The highlight of Thursday was undoubtedly Bud Krogh. Krogh was an advisor to the Nixon administration and was imprisoned for his part as a “Plumber” leading up to the Watergate Scandal. When the Pentagon Papers were made public, Krogh was tasked with preventing the further leakage of classified White House documents. He went a little too far when he arranged for the break-in of a psychiatrist’s office to gather information on one of his patients (the person who had leaked the report to the New York Times). Although Krogh only spent two days engaging in illegal behavior under the misguided guise of “National Security,” it was enough for him to be sentenced to two to six years in prison. Two days of tacit consent erased all of his hard work and noble accomplishments. And the saddest part was that at the time he genuinely believed that he was acting in the country’s best interest. What was remarkable was the deep reflection Krogh had done since then. He spoke to us about ethics and loyalties and having the courage to voice a dissenting opinion. The rest of the conference was great (trips to the Supreme Court, running into Justice Sotomayor in the corridor, and briefings from Hill staffers), but Bud Krogh’s speech had the greatest impact on me.

Outside the White House on Friday night on our walk back from dinner and drinks

Although the Center kept us pretty busy, they were nice enough to give us Friday night off. I quickly made friends with several students, and went to eat dinner at Old Ebbitt’s Grill. The restaurant is famous for entertaining several Presidents, and is steps away from the White House. Afterwards, we crossed the street to hang out at Hotel Washington’s rooftop bar and enjoyed a gorgeous view of the city.

My Roommate, Doug, and me with Senator McGovern (and his new book) before heading off to dinner (picture from CC Website).

It’s been a jam-packed two blocks full of American History and law school applications. Last block, Senator George McGovern visited CC. At 87-years-old, he was surprisingly witty. He gave an enthralling lecture about his new biography on Abraham Lincoln, followed by an intimate dinner at President Celeste’s house. It was such an opportunity to gain insight into the career of a political icon. We asked him questions like what he wished he’d done differently during his 1972 presidential campaign, what he’d change about his political career, and what it was like to be a daytime bomber during WWII. The Poli Sci major in me was in heaven. I admire the senator’s dedication to stay involved in American politics despite suffering a landslide loss amidst Nixon’s duplicity in the Watergate Scandal. I still am amazed that I spent an entire evening with George McGovern.

Part II of my American History lesson was over block break when I visited our nation’s first capital, Philadelphia. One of my best friends, Kristin, is from Philly, and invited a me and a mutual friend, Branden, to visit her hometown. Branden and I rode our very first train, ate our first genuine Philly Cheesesteak, visited Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and the Eastern State Penn (where Al Capone stayed). I also visited the University of Pennsylvania Law School. We spent the rest of the break relaxing at Kristin’s family beach house in Delaware.

Block II was a little unusual because it was my first thesis block. As such, I did not have class…just independent research under the guidance of an Economics professor. My flexible schedule permitted me to take a week off to travel with my FYE (First Year Experience) class to Washington, D.C. FYE is the first two blocks every first year student takes at CC, and is freshmen only. Each class has one or two upperclassmen mentors. This year, I am a mentor for the Principles of Economics FYE. The students spent the first 6 weeks of the class learning about economic theory and then had the opportunity to apply it in the form of a policy proposal that they researched in D.C. We had meetings with USDA, NASA, PhRMA, The World Bank, The Fed, Grameen Foundation, Department of the Interior, Colorado Senator Udall, and everywhere else you could imagine.

Now that I’ve come back from D.C., it’s time for me to finish up my law school applications. As you’ll remember, I spent all last winter writing about studying for the LSAT. I got my score back, and I performed well enough that several top institutions contacted me saying that they’d waive my application fees for this year. Initially, I wasn’t planning on applying to more than one or two schools because I was thinking that I’d take a year off in between college and grad school. However, I’d be foolish to turn down an opportunity to apply to top law schools for free. Accordingly, I have a lot of work to do to get all of my applications in order before Thanksgiving Break…which is why I’m spending block break getting it all done. On that note, I’m off to work on my personal statement.

We divided our time between Denver and Colorado Springs, meeting with top state officials and participating in cultural activities. I arranged for the delegates to meet with Attorney General John Suthers, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, and Climate Change Manager (and CC alumna) Ginny Brannon. They also met with top Colorado Springs officials, such as Mayor Lionel Rivera and IFES (International Foundation for Electoral Systems) President Richard Soudriette. We also fit in plenty of cultural activities, such as National Cheesecake Day at The Cheesecake Factory, a tour of the US Olympic Training Center, and a hike around Garden of the Gods.

The Salvadorans were awesome. They remained engaged throughout the day and continuously asked thoughtful questions. El Salvador is a war-torn country, achieving peace a mere 17 years ago. At the end of the Civil War, Salvadorans restructured their political system, and are eager to improve it. It was such a rich experience to be able to get to teach such prominent leaders about the U.S. and our politics, while also getting to learn more about them and their country’s history. I also enjoyed the opportunity to meet with all of the speakers. I would normally not have access to political officials, such as the Attorney General, or meet with them in such intimate settings. It was interesting getting to see their take on the Colorado and American political system.

Overall, it was exciting to practice my Spanish and learn some Salvadoran slang (like chivo means “cool”). The bonds the Salvadorans and I formed will be long lasting, and who knows…one of them might very well become the President of El Salvador within the next ten years.

Me with some of the delegates at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs

All seven delegates with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

On top of all that, I love the location. During the school year, I don’t spend too much time off CC campus.. Working at EPF has allowed me to get to know a completely new area of the Springs, which is breathtakingly beautiful. El Pomar is closely tied with the Broadmoor Hotel, and its executive offices are on the hotel’s property. I a block away from the Broadmoor at the Penrose House. It’s just close enough (6.5 miles) to comfortably bike to work. In fact, with all the stoplights and traffic downtown, it takes almost the same amount of time to bike as it does to drive. The Penrose House is the estate of the founders of EPF, Julie and Spencer Penrose. EPF bought the house in the early nineties to use as offices and provide a free meeting space/conference center for nonprofits. Working in such a beautiful place makes me excited to come to work every morning…that, plus I love my job and the people I work with.

The Penrose House...where I work! (photo from EPF website)

Two of eight deer laying in the front lawn of the Penrose House

Arriving at Reagan National Airport. Don't worry; we bought carbon offsets for our flight to and from D.C.

Discussing agricultural offsets with Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack

Eighth block I took a class called Global Environmental Economics. For the first two weeks, we learned about climate change economic models and municipal and state responses to climate change. Then, we spent our last week in Washington, D.C. studying the political process of pushing climate change legislation through Congress (i.e. the Waxman-Markey Bill). During the first week of class, our professor made a promise to us. He said that by the end of the three and a half weeks, we would know more about climate change than any undergraduate class in the nation. Initially, I thought he was exaggerating, but upon completion of the class, I really do believe that I now know more than any other undergraduate student at any other school.

Our first day of classes in D.C. beginning at the World Wildlife Fund

On the mall in front of the White House

Enjoying a night off at the State Capital in Annapolis with my classmate, Alli

It was amazing how many connections CC has to the climate change world. We were able to meet with several alums at the World Wildlife Fund, who were instrumental in coordinating the case study. We spoke with several other prominent NGOs, such as the Environmental Defense Fund, the Pew Center, and United States Climate Action Partnership. We also met with top politicians like Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CC alumna) and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack (CC parent), who were able to squeeze us in between meetings with the President and security briefings on Afghanistan.

It was a truly amazing class. I had no idea what I was signing up for during preregistration, but it is classes like these that truly define the CC experience. Uninterested in climate change issues, I registered for the class to fulfill a major requirement. Upon completion, I found that the experience instilled in me a passion for the environment I never knew that I had and aided me with myriad connections in the climate change field.

Since then, I have been keeping pretty busy with my internship at the El Pomar Foundation…which I will save for another posting.

The view of the main beach from our hotel room balcony

Looking back on everything, I’ve decided that this year’s spring break was the best spring break I’ve ever had. I spent ten days in Mexico, the first half with friends in the beach town of Acapulco and the last half visiting family in Mexico City. After spending 7 months last year in South America, I was desperate for a beach fix.

Chelsea and me with the divers after the show

Chelsea and I chose Acapulco because it’s close to Mexico City, safe, cheap, has a great night life, wicked waves, and gorgeous views. We spent our days on the beach, drinking congas, riding jet skis, and playing in the ocean. At night we’d go clubbing. We also had a chance to visit La Quebrada to see the cliff divers. These young men risk their lives to jump off these ridiculously high cliffs (several hundred feet up) into raging waters. They have to time their dives just right so that they don’t hit the rocks and die. It’s really exciting to watch. We picked an excellent time to visit Acapulco. For most of our stay, the city was relatively empty. Just as we were leaving, the rest of the spring breakers began arriving.

I arrived Sunday afternoon to Mexico City. I was able to spend a few minutes catching up with my Abuelo. When he saw me, he asked me what I had been eating. I’ve always felt really short here in the U.S., but I’m huge by Mexican standards. All of my aunts are 4′10″ and weigh 95 pounds…so I, at 5′4″, seem like a giant to them. Everyone was amazed at how tall I’ve become. After spending time at Abuelo’s house, we met up with my aunt Tita and her children for dinner.

The Pyramid of the Moon

Bere, Mari Jose, Sofia, and me at the convent

Tuesday I went to a pewter factory to order some formal place settings for my house next year. Later that night I went to a convent to recite the Rosary with my aunt Bere and two cousins Maria Jose and Sofia. It was a little tough saying the prayers in Spanish, but I caught on pretty quickly to Hail Mary. When I got back to Tita’s house, I was excited to see that my father had dropped by to eat dinner with us.

Wednesday I caught up with my aunt Pollo (that’s a nickname, her real name is Norma, but no one ever calls her that) and cousin Rocio for a delicious lunch in the posh district of Polanco where Rocio works. Afterwards, Pollo and I went to watch a movie at the IMAX.  Once again, my father was awaiting to eat dinner with me when I returned to Tita’s house.

Abuelo blowing us a kiss after discovering the mariachi band

Thurday was my father and my grandfather’s santo (or saint day). Your santo is the day of your saint’s feast day. For me, since Eve is short for Genevieve, it’s the feast day of Saint Genevieve on January 3rd. Because the feast day of Saint Joseph is on March 19, that’s when we celebrate my abuelo (Jose) and my father’s (also Jose) santo. In Mexico, your santo is a bigger deal than your birthday. You have a party and receive presents. It was very exciting for me to be in Mexico for this special day. A few of my aunts and I woke up early to serenade my grandfather with an 11 piece mariachi band. He loved his surprise.

My father with his sisters at the Santo celebration

A little while later, we went to the salon to get manicures, and then arrived at Pollo’s house for the celbritory lunch. Pollo is an excellent cook, and didn’t disappoint with her fabulous paella. We also had a ton of chicharron, queso fresco, the spiciest salsa I’ve ever tasted, and strawberries in cream. After the party, I went to pick up my pewter plates and hang out with my aunt Pame and my cousins Santiago and Maria.

Friday morning, my aunts, abuelo, and I went to breakfast to celebrate Pollo’s birthday. Afterwards, I had to go to the airport. My father and I enjoyed one last meal before saying goodbye, and then I was off to explore Duty Free. I was delayed several hours in Dallas, but I finally made it back to Denver late Friday night. I had the whole weekend to enjoy with my mom and catch up on sleep. The break was a perfect balance of fun in the sun with friends and catching up with family.

On Friday, our tour guide t-shirts arrived. Since my boss likes to use sports metaphors in tour guide emails and thought that his emails were so hilarious, he decided that he’d extend the metaphor to this year’s shirts. They’re pretty sweet, I must admit. They’re baseball tees with the CC logo on the front with “Team Tour Guide” printed underneath. On the back they have our nicknames and class year for the number. Mine says, “Captain” (because I’m the Tour Guide Coordinator) and my boss’s says, “Coach.”

Their arrival couldn’t have been timed more perfectly. The last two home hockey games of the year were this past weekend, an opportune time to premier our shirts. My boss’s extact words were: “I have your t-shirt which you are expected to wear at all times for the rest of your life becasue it’s just that awesome.” Following his instructions, I sported the tour guide apparrel to the hockey game to cheer our team on.

Chelsea and me (in my sweet tour guide t-shirt) at the hockey game

Right after the team scored, making it 5-3 (Tigers) with 30 seconds left in the third period

When I think back to three weeks ago when I had never seen an LSAT question and had no idea what a logic game was, I am astonished at the progress I have made. I’ve improved nearly 15 points in my practice tests, a difference between the 50th and the 90th percentile. The saying: “anything is possible in a block” is very true.

Learning on the Block Plan has prepared me for intense studying like this. I realized that I was too busy to spend a full year studying for this test, so my best option was to take a block and immerse myself completely in preparing for the LSAT, giving this task my undivided attention. It has basically taken over my life. It’s been intense, studying logic for 10 hours a day. Surprisingly, it’s been really fun. Logic games are basically like doing a puzzle, Reading Comprehension is just reading interesting passages critically, and Logical Reasoning is understanding how arguments work.

Now I’m at the final stretch. It’s super scary, but equally exciting. I have 3 more days of intense studying, Friday to relax, and then the test is SATURDAY!

On that note, I’ll leave you with an easy logic game from an old LSAT test that you can try:

A company employee generates a series of five-digit product codes in accordance with the following rules:

The codes use the digits 0,1,2,3,4, and no others.

Each digit occurs exactly once in any code.

The second digit has a value exactly twice that of the first digit.

The value of the third digit is less than the value of the fifth digit.

1. If the last digit of an acceptable product code is 1, it must be true that the

a. First digit is 2

b. Second digit is 0

c. Third digit is 3

d. Fourth digit is 4

e. Fourth digit is 1

2. Which one of the following must be true about any acceptable product code?

a. The digit 1 appears in some position before the digit 2.

b. The digit 1 appears in some position before the digit 3.

c. The digit 2 appears in some position before the digit 3.

d. The digit 3 appears in some position before the digit 0.

e. The digit 4 appears in some position before the digit 3.

3. If the third digit of an acceptable product code is not 0, which one of the following must be true?

a. The second digit of the product code is 2.

b. The third digit of the product code is 3.

c. The fourth digit of the product code is 0.

d. The fifth digit of the product code is 3.

e. The fifth digit of the product code is 1.

4. Any of the following pairs could be the third and fourth digits, respectively, of an acceptable product code, EXCEPT:

a. 0,1

b. 0,3

c. 1,0

d. 3,0

e. 3,4

5. Which one of the following must be true about any acceptable product code?

a. There is exactly one digit between the digit 0 and the digit 1.

b. There is exactly one digit between the digit 1 and the digit 2.

c. There are at most two digits between the digit 1 and the digit 3.

d. There are at most two digits between the digit 2 and the digit 3.

e. There are at most two digits between the digit 2 and the digit 4.

See? Isn’t it so much fun?

Correct Answers: 1) a, 2) c, 3) c, 4) e, 5) e

]]> http://blog.coloradocollege.edu/students/2009/02/lsat-5-days-and-counting/feed/ 2 http://blog.coloradocollege.edu/students/2009/01/sabastiao-salgado/ http://blog.coloradocollege.edu/students/2009/01/sabastiao-salgado/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:15:55 +0000 Eve '10 http://blog.coloradocollege.edu/students/?p=354 One of the most common questions I am asked by prospective students and faculty is why I decided to attend CC. There of course are several reasons. Obviously, the Block Plan. I think it’s great for a myriad of reasons. I love Colorado. I also like the fact that it’s a small liberal arts school, with small classes, where students develop strong relationships with faculty, often publishing in peer-reviewed journals and assisting professors with graduate level research as mere undergraduates. However, the factor that  most distinguishes CC from other colleges are the students. The students here have a genuine desire to effect change and make the world a better place. It’s inspiring reading the Alumni magazine and learning that my some of my peers, wanting to ensure fair and livable wages for coffee producers and to protect the environment, started their own fair trade coffee business before even graduating. It makes me strive to be a better person in order to live up to this CC standard.

I came across a quotation from a famous Brazilian photographer the other day that does a good job summarizing CC students’ attitude towards this desire to improve our society:

“Acredito que uma pessoa comum pode ajudar muito, não apenas doando bens materiais, mas participando, sendo parte das trocas de idéias, estando realmente preocupada sobre o que está acontecendo no mundo.” -Sabastião Salgado

For those of you who don’t speak Portuguese, my rough translation is, “I believe that a common person can help a lot, not just giving material goods, but participating, being part of the exchange of ideas, being genuinely worried about what is happening in the world.”

I’ll leave on that note, so that I can begin to plan my next project to make this world just a little better than I found it.

The scholarship is uber competitive (there’s only one winner per state) and is a beast to fill out; it has seven short answer questions plus a policy proposal, none of which are easy things to quickly anwer. Luckily, I immediately knew the theme of my application: going to law school to further my work advocating for the Hispanic community. A child of an immigrant, I’m especially interested in immigrant rights issues. I spent most of my first two weeks of break researching statistics and gathering information about possible career paths, law schools, etc. Then, I had to articulate my thoughts into coherent essays. The process was particularly difficult because, although I’m passionate about the subject, I’ve never had to write about it before now.

I’m glad to be finished; it’s a huge weight off my shoulders, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but just filling out the application was extremely rewarding. Believe me, there are several other things I would have loved to have been doing over break besides filling out an application, but let me explain: as a junior, this application forced me to consider what type of graduate school I want to go to, explore law schools, speak with professors at those schools, brainstorm possible career paths, think about the steps I must take now to get there, and work towards a solution to a problem plaguing our community. One of the difficult things about attending a liberal arts school is that you don’t have to ever narrow your options or goals in life, which can lead to a crisis senior year when people graduate with no idea of what they are going to do after college. I, on the other hand, now have a set of concrete goals and a plan on how to accomplish them. So, even if I don’t get this scholarship, I’ve gained a lot from just filling out the application. But fingers crossed that I get an interview – they’ll announce finalists in four weeks.

Even though I was rather productive this break, I had time to relax a little bit. I caught up with old friends, played in the snow, hung out on Pearl Street, and rode my bike. During the first three weeks of break, the weather was freezing and super windy. But when a sunny day sneaked in, Xavier (my brother) and I managed to fit in a bike ride.

taking a quick break before heading home