Many Issues

Yesterday in class it was brought up by another student that we shouldn't bring up Halloween with students because of religious beliefs against the holiday. Well, what I have to say to that is that Halloween is celebrated by many just how Christmas is celebrated by many-it holds no true religious aspect for people anymore. There are a few that actually take a holiday, such as Christmas, for its true meaning, but seriously, its become a money-making industry. This also made me steam because we were told we need to be considerate about people's beliefs against the holiday...well, not that I am not considerate, b/c consideration for other people is high on my list, but how many people are considerate of my holidays? We get two weeks off to celebrate Christmas and New Year-a time where teachers usually don't give homework, but my New Year and the birth of a God falls in October and November...do I get any days off? Am I excused from doing work? No. If I tell my teachers that I have these holidays coming up and I'll be missing class, do they ask me if its really necessary? Yes. In my religion beef or any cow product should not be eaten. Do people around me respect that? No. They eat beef in front of me all the time. My point is that if you're going to tell someone to be considerate to you, you need to be considerate to ALL. Many people use the word "all" but don't really understand the meaning-that it really does encompass every individual. Many holidays from different countries are represented on the calendar, is mine? No. Considering how many Indian people live in America, I feel this needs to be changed. We've let things like this go for so long, because many times I think Indians are passive and don't want to start issues with other people, but honestly I want to be represented, taken into consideration, and respected.
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The buildings being built around campus are almost done! The housing information for the the West Village, which will be open to upperclassman and grad students will be dispersed in November and so far they look pretty nifty. I believe the floor plans are online if you want to check it out. I also heard that the back wing of Cowles Library is being redone with a coffee shop, so that will definitely be nice to have. I need to make time to go out and take pictures. My camera has been crazy lately so I haven't been able to use it as much as I like to.

It seems as though everyone brought their cars back with them from home after Fall break so its quite difficult finding parking. I had to park in the lot across the street from GK, and leaving it there for a couple of days made it filthy because its right next to all the construction going on. Now I have to find a place with a car wash b/c its kind of embarrassing driving around with such a dirty car.

Edwards will be here this weekend. Exciting. I'll go if I remember, but I have A LOT of homework to do. I think I take being Iowa for granted because all the presidential candidates come here so often that I never go to see them because I know they'll be back in the next month discussing some other issue. I do feel an obligation to actually pay attention to this election because soon enough I'll be in the real world, facing these politics head on-especially as a teacher.

I got my student teacher placements. I'm scared out of my wits. These students' lives are in my hands!! I have to make sure they learn! I have to follow curriculum, standards, differentiation...all that for every student. It's all coming down to reality now. I haven't made contact with them. I'm a little apprehensive because my going to meet them is the actual check that I'm just about done with Undergrad and I'll be teaching. whoa!

I'm out.