4/16/2018

What have I been watching?: Brooklyn 99
What have I been listening to?:  Come Hang Out - AJR
Last movie I watched:  Shanghai Noon

I've just returned from a weekend in La Crosse for Arrowhead Model United Nations conference.  A few weeks (months?) ago, an email was sent to all Political Science and International Studies students at my school, informing us of the opportunity to participate in Model UN.  This has never been available for me to do before, not at my high school nor my previous Universities, and the only knowledge that I had of Model UN came from a few episodes of Parks and Recreation.  I was hesitant to commit to nearly 4 days of academic extracurricular activity, especially considering I had no idea what it involved or how to properly participate in it.  But I committed anyways, lured in by the offer of free hotel accommodations and meals.  I made it clear to the program advisor that I wanted to attend on an observational basis, watching in order to learn, since I didn't have much knowledge of international affairs, UN procedures, or really anything regarding Model UN.  My emphasizing this didn't end up making much of a difference.

Only 3 students ended up going that weekend.  Several more had initially committed but dropped out as the weekend approached.  I don't necessarily blame them--I too was beginning to rethink my decision.  I received very little information as to what was expected of me, what the conference would be like, etc.  All I knew was that I would be representing Germany, and it turned out that I was participating in the Economic and Finance Committee (yikes).  I was never informed of a dress code.  It turned out to be a rather formal affair, very business formal attire.  I had thrown a couple button up shirts in my bag just in case, which didn't really suffice (at all) but did keep me from looking like a homeless person had somehow made their way into the conference.  Everyone looked quite dapper, especially the men in their suits.  I came to the conclusion that I must invest in a nice blazer and some nice straight legged pants and perhaps heels, regardless of if I participate next year.  I was also not aware that the whole basis of the Model UN conference is that each delegate conducts research and creates a proposed resolution (on the topic of their choosing) having to do with their appointed country.  So I showed up entirely empty handed, not only without a resolution to propose, but also without having read the proposed resolutions of the other delegates in my committee (because I didn't know they existed).  There was also a whole array of formalities and procedural methods and rules that I was entirely unfamiliar with, but that part wasn't so bad and I became more accustomed to them by the second day.

I mostly just sat and listened, since I hadn't done any research and didn't have much knowledge of the topics in the proposed resolutions.  I did get a few disapproving looks and overheard a comment from the delegate of Syria chiding "countries like Germany who just sit there".  The worst part was during caucuses, which were essentially periods of free discussion for delegates to ask each other questions informally, clarify parts of the resolution, create amendments with other delegates, etc.  During those times I'm sure I appeared quite lazy and uninterested, but really I just wasn't able to contribute anything. 

On the second day, I did go on the speakers list several times, as I'd become a bit more familiar with the procedure and felt slightly more comfortable speaking.  After a delegate proposed their resolution, the chair (moderator) opened the speakers list for those that wished to make a comment or question on the resolution, show their support for it, show their disapproval for it, etc.  One of the most difficult parts of Model UN is that you are supposed to accurately represent the policy positions of the country you are representing.  Your own personal opinions should not define your participation.  Instead, you are supposed to vote the way a real UN delegate from your appointed country would.  This led to very comical discussions involving the delegates to Russia and North Korea (The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) who did a great job accurately portraying the policy positions of their countries.  It was quite difficult for me, however, because I had not made myself acquainted with German policy positions.  Because of this, I was often very uncertain how to vote, and ended up with a lot of disheartening abstentions. 

Overall, I was quite unprepared, but I still greatly enjoyed the conference and would like to participate in it again next year if possible.  I wish I had had a better understanding of what was expected of me so I could have been a better participant. Nonetheless, it was an awesome experience, and I definitely don't regret going. 

The plan was to return Sunday mid-afternoon, but massive snow storms derailed everyone's plans.  Some groups had driven 5+ hours to get to the conference, and had to either leave Saturday morning (missing a full day of sessions) or stay an extra night in La Crosse.  My group ended up returning Saturday night, somewhat abruptly.  The weather was getting quite bad by the second hour of our return, but we had no issues.  The snow coated every tree, bluff, fence post, and rock on the winding roads back from La Crosse and it was so beautiful.  I felt quite a bit of melancholy as we returned, with such a good experience coming to an abrupt end, but not so much so that I couldn't appreciate the lovely scenery.  Now the weekend is over and I'm back to my routine, but feeling honestly quite dazed and jumbled. 

Happy prolonged winter
-G

4/2/2018

What have I been listening to?: Switch Lanes - Tyga

What have I been watching?:  The Path

I took advantage of all my roommates being gone for Easter yesterday and shot a few clips around the apartment.  The school doesn't have many photos of this building up, and when I signed up for housing I didn't get to see the inside of my hall until orientation day.  Anyways, maybe some obsessively organized planners such as myself will benefit from getting a glimpse into the hall beforehand.  

It was super annoying to make because my camera is smarter than I am and I kept having focusing issues. 

Yesterday, as I said, all my roommates left and I immensely enjoyed having the place to myself.  I had a very productive day.  The athletic center for the University was closed for Easter so I went to the exercise room in my hall instead.  I made steel cut oats with honey and maple syrup, and a chocolate rice cake topped with peanut butter, chia seeds, and sliced almonds for my post-workout meal.  Then I did some cleaning around the apartment.  I actually enjoy cleaning when its because I feel like it and want to organize the place.  I vacuumed all the floors, cleaned the toilet, the mirror, the sink and bathroom counter, washed our dish drying rack, and organized my desk.  Did a bit of studying, and then in the evening my mom and uncle came into town to spend a few hours with me before they had to go to the airport.  We had dinner at Olive Garden, and I shot a few games of pool with my uncle at a bar while my mom spectated.  My uncle worked at a billiards store and competes in pool tournaments.  I held my own.  I even won a game.......on a technicality.

Cheers.
G