Cafe Victoria

Going with the Saturday Night Live Theme this morning…

On Wednesday my students spent 1 hour lost in powers that be of Roberts Rules of Order, trying to appoint a new round of commissioners to their board. It resulted in three current commissioners let go (kind of like the current job market). One deserving student asked to stay, and one voted in who can’t make the meetings next semester. Thanks Roberts Rules.

On Thursday at the Inter-Club Council meeting Brandon, our college’s Cafeteria Manager did an awesome presentation updating the clubs on the status of the cafeteria, changes in menu to help with affordability and flavor, and now will offer Fundraising Fridays. The clubs loved the idea. If all goes well, the cafeteria can start moving towards the black, and clubs can make some real extra money while having fun cooking and bonding. Next task, creating a contract form that really makes this Fundraising Fridays happen. However, I can hear the students now “Not another form!”

On Friday, I learned that all the Christmas cards I sent on Monday, in the cutest red small envelope, will cost our friends an extra trip to the post office and .20 cents. Due to the fact that the card is smaller than normal and needed more postage…What?…ahh..kind of funny.

That’s weekend update, I am Victoria Worch… now off to hike Mount Tam

Matthias took an silent review idea from Charlie. Hmm, I started writing and realized I was doing mini reviews.

Gas Prices: Yahoo!! Today, I was able to buy 9 gallons for $20 bucks
CNN’s Presidential Transition coverage: that is enough..no more…move on. I cannot even name who Bush picked 8 years ago. Obama will do fine.
Madagascar Escape 2 Africa: Funny!! I could watch a whole Penguin movie. Damm, those guys are hilarious.

Last night I watched “The Visitor”, an independent film about the Post 9/11 Immigrant Experience and our deportation detention centers that exist in our country. It is a great film. After the film, it got me thinking about how Americans and the American government are housing illegal immigrants in detention centers. There is a line in the film where the character who is being detained, who is from Syria says something close to this; “I am not a terrorist. The terrorists are not in here. They have money. They are not in here. I just want to play my music”.

I told Matthias, I want to do something about this. I am not sure yet, but I feel really powerful about this issue. The film opens my eyes to the way this country is fighting terrorism. We are tearing families apart and creating more and more stereotypes and discrimination. There has to be a better way to fight terrorism and process illegal immigration then holding people in detention centers. There has to be…I encourage you to watch “The Visitor”.

Since finishing graduate school, I have been enjoying yoga, catching up on my television watching, hanging out with friends, and jumping in full speed into my role as the President-Elect of the CA Community College Student Affairs Association. The President-Elect position is similar to the vice president role. I am serving with a great group of fellow student affairs professionals. The best part is I’m forming friendships with all of them. It is so important for me to keep networking since I am a single person department which happens a lot on community college campuses. Since budgets are so small, many times, one person is managing student government and student activities. During our CCCSAA board bi-weekly conference calls, I share any challenges I might be facing with my students or the programs I am leading. Otherwise, I probably would not be calling out for help.

The one thing I am learning from this experience is I like being a mentor and helping new advisors become familiar with the field of Student Affairs and Student Life. This December will make it seven years in my role as the Coordinator of Student Life. As the President-Elect, I’ve taken on co-coordinating the professional conference in Napa next March, am in charge of the professional and student scholarships, and just finished with co-organizing the Advisor reception at the Student Senate Fall General Assembly. We had 60 advisors there! Adrienne, the President and Carlos, the Student Senate Liaison and I did an awesome job. We were able to create an experience for advisors to discuss hot topics, such as free speech and balancing work and life outside of work, and have fun networking at the same time.

I’ve also realized that for many years now, I have managed my office, advised student leaders and studied leadership. But this President-Elect experience will be my own personal leadership experience. So far, it’s a lot of fun!

Celebrating: 1 year wedding anniversary!! One of the many highs today was eating the top layer of our wedding cake, which has been frozen in our fridge since the wedding night.  You would be surprised but ours tastes really good!!

Reading: Nancy Pelosi’s “Know Your Power”

Working on: the Save the Date flyers regarding the CCCSAA Professional Conference next March, and Scholarship applications to be handed out this coming weekend at our annual Student Leadership Conference in San Diego.

Balancing: House hunting, relaxing, and working evening events such as the weekly Presidental Debates.

Looking forward to: Maui!!

Thankful for: Matthias, our families, friends and Rock Band.

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Daily Word — Monday, September 22, 2008

New
I welcome new outlooks and produce inspiring results.
I relax and am at peace as I contemplate this season of change. I picture summer’s green leaves being transformed into ruby and amber autumn jewels. The smell of the earth grounds me. Breathing evenly and fully, I continue to relax.
As a new season begins, I feel new beginnings within me–the stirring of ideas, the welcoming of transition. I give myself permission to change, to grow, and to evolve. Immersed in an awareness of God’s guiding presence, I have new outlooks that bring new results. Maintaining my expectation is as simple as taking in my next breath.
I am refreshed and ready to greet the season with grateful anticipation.

Inspired by my cohort member Tira Young’s blog entry of Sept. 4, 08
I AM … proud of my Mom and Dad
I WANT… to know what the next step will be
I HAVE … 19 student government officers…going on 20 this week
I KEEP … a journal of what “I learned and I am grateful for” in my car
I WISH I COULD …. enjoy more things rather than worrying about them
I HATE … hate crimes
I FEAR …. not doing enough
I HEAR … our birds
I DON’T THINK …McCain is going to win
I REGRET …days I worked too much
I LOVE ….Matthias Worch
I AM NOT …lazy, just enjoying having no homework!
I DANCE … in the kitchen, living room, in my car
I SING … in my car
I NEVER … smoke
I RARELY …not think during yoga
I CRY WHEN I WATCH … Notting Hill, did it again last Saturday
I AM NOT ALWAYS … following an agenda
I HATE THAT … AIDS is still being spread
I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … the Media’s need to find out every little detail about Sarah Palin
I NEED … to do the dishes
I SHOULD … not do the dishes