SOL Thanksgiving

One the things that I picked up pretty quickly about college students is that they love free food. And while there was plenty of delicious food at our SOL dinner this last Tuesday, I enjoyed the company of my fellow SOL members most.

On Tuesday, right after Thanksgiving break had started, the Student Organization of Latinos got together to break bread as a Rockhurst family. The feast included a tasty turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread stuffing, scalloped potatoes, and plenty of dessert for our twenty attendees.

I had the priveleg of leading us in prayer before chowing down and we gave thanks for our organization and its incredible members and our school for allowing us to bring our culture to the Rock.

It was a great night and it reminded me of how great it was to be a part of our organization here at Rockhurst. I think it's safe to say that your college experience will primarily take place outside of the classroom. The friends that you make in college are probably going to be your friends for the rest of your life and I'm proud to call my fellow SOL members my friends because we are there for each other and we've proved time and time again that we will be there for one another.

Below are two pictures from our dinner:

These are some of our members going through the line for food. 

This is Adriana and I. 

This Week: Latino Professional Panel and My Senior Capstone

This week, it was hard to escape the reality that my last semester at Rockhurst University is drawing nearer and nearer.

On Wednesday I was able to see a fellow SOL member successfully orchestrate his first event. It was an amazing thing to see as a leader because you're able to witness those same leader-like qualities grow within someone else as you assist them through the process.

It was also our first professional panel as an organization and three out of the five panelist were actually Rockhurst graduates.

Left to Right: Teodoro Garcia '95, Leticia Zarate-Garcia '95, Randy Lopez '06, Mayra Aguirre and Ed Mendez

The event organizer and moderator was Rockhurst junior, Anthony Moran. He guided the panelists through conversations about career and real-world preparation, interview experiences, the economy, and how being part of a minority population has impacted their lives. If you are around campus next year, I definitely would encourage you to check it out!

On Thursday night, I presented my Spanish Capstone on recent immigration policy changes in the United States. I had been working on it all semester with Dr. Rocio Duncan and it's helped get excited about law school. 

The happiest moment for me wasn't after my capstone when I knew that it was all over and done with, but just simply knowing that my parents had been there to see it. 

Coming from an immigrant and bilingual household, it's hard to try to integrate both cultures. For example, throughout my high school drama club experience, my parents only came to one of five productions. Not because they didn't care to make it to see me on stage but because language was a barrier and our family business made it hard for them to take time off. They also weren't able to make it to one of my biggest public speaking opportunities during my freshmen year at Rockhurst because of work again. 

On Thursday night, however, I was overwhelmed with pride and a sense of fulfillment that my parents were finally able to see me at work. 

Overall it was a great week and I totally looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with my SOL family on Tuesday and then again on Thursday followed by the Plaza Lighting Ceremony and some Black Friday shopping. 

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving! 

White Elephant Surprise!

In this week's blog, let me tell you how the most exciting part of my weekend was also the lowest...

On Saturday morning I received a text from my good friend, Paloma, to ask me if I was planning on going to SAB's Christmas in November that evening at Rockhurst. 

The Student Activities Board held the same event last year where they bought gifts and played White Elephant with the attendees. The attendance, however, had been low enough for people to take home several gifts. Some of them had even been game consoles, iPads and electronic readers.  

If you have never heard of the game the White Elephant, let me explain the details...

All of the gifts are individually wrapped and placed together for people to choose from. 

Everyone gets a raffle ticket and waits for their number to be called so that they can go up and pick a gift from the pool. 

The twist is that you have to unwrap your gift and announce it to everyone. 

That is because someone may steal your gift from you when their turn comes. 

The gift can be stolen up to three times before it cannot be stolen anymore. 

Basically, the third person to steal the gift really gets to keep it. 

So back to the story, I was so excited for the event. All day I had been daydreaming about taking home a Wii and a Nook. I could see the fireworks going off as I saw myself choosing the most expensive gift. It was going to be amazing! 

My evening, however, didn't go exactly as planned. 

I took a seat next to Paloma  at the event as I anxiously awaited the start of the game. There were a lot more people than expected. "Maybe I'll only get to take home the iPad tonight," I thought to myself.

The time had come. The moderator explained the rules of the game over a microphone as the crowd paid close attention. 

I had taken one more bite out of my pizza when she had called the last two number of the first raffle ticket chosen. "Number ....7-1."

I squealed as I looked down at my ticket and saw those numbers staring back at me. This never happens to me!

I hopped on stage and surveyed the gifts trying to figure out which one had the iPad. I picked one up and I immediately knew I had struck gold when the rectangular box felt heavy. I almost didn't want to unwrap it because I knew someone was going to steal it from me. 

I peeled back the wrapping paper and my fear had been confirmed. I hesitated, but the words finally came out of my mouth, "It's a Nintendo Wii." 

I had tried to be as quiet as possible, but the moderator repeated my words over the microphone. 

I took my seat and I could feel my skin get hot with anxiety. I knew someone was going to take it from me, but I didn't know who. I stared at the box hopelessly. 

Three girls chose gifts and no one had taken it yet. Then I saw him. 

The young man approached the moderator and whispered something to her and then approached the microphone: "I want the Wii."

My heart dropped. 

I surrendered my prize and went up on stage to pick another one.

I nearly cried when I unwrapped the box. This is what I had chosen...

Needless to say, I was heartbroken. 

I took my seat and looked the box up and down. Deep down I was hoping that there would be a Hello Kitty fanatic in the crowd that would want to steal the gift from me so that I would have another chance. 

I went home with the Sleep Over Set that night and I learned a life lesson...never mess with the White Elephant. 

Events, events, events!

The last two weeks have been incredibly busy! I've had my classes to keep up with, LSAT scores to anxiously await, and I've started my new job at an immigration law firm. PHEW!

However, I've had two wonderful events to look forward to each week. Last week it was the Sporting KC game with my fellow Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) members. It was a blast! And the best part came after the game (which we won 2-1!) at "The Cauldron" where we celebrated with other Sporting KC fans by screaming at the top of our lungs some of the best team chants I've ever heard in my life.

They really know how to rally up their people. I nearly lost my voice that night, but it was well worth the time away from my books.

This week I had the Mexican celebration of El Dia de los Muertos to look forward to. SOL puts on a celebration every year at Rockhurst to allow our students an opportunity to see what the holiday is all about.

In short, it is basically our Memorial day only with a bit folkloric twist. I think this video here by LAIKA House explains it best.

The belief is that on November 1st the spirits of our loved ones return to earth. My mother tells me that families visit the cemetery to clean the tombs of those they know and they decorate them with beautiful yellow and goal marigolds. The marigolds are supposed to light the way back home for the spirits. Next they fix altars at home with are adorned with colorful sugar skulls and papel picado. The table can be filled with pictures, their favorite foods, clothes, board games, and other small things that held a special meaning for them. 

This last Thursday SOL erected two beautiful altars. One was a generic altar that members and guests could contribute to. The other was built by Stephanie Dueñas who is a local artist as a tribute to one of her mentors who passed away in 2010. Below are some of the pictures from the event and the altars. 

Hope you enjoy!

This one is the teaser that was shown before the event.

This is Mr. Brock's altar by Stephanie Dueñas.

Papel Picado by Stephanie Dueñas.

Performer Allen Arias singing songs from his album The Dusty Road.

Stephanie Dueñas presenting her altar. 

On the left are two guests, and our SOL members Lorie Castilleja, Alexandra Chavez, and Hero Balani. 

The two on the right are dressed up as Catrinas which have become associated with Day of the Dead.