Amin's Blog

Okay… so I haven’t really been keeping up with my blogs, so I am beginning to feel a little guilty so I’m going to write over the course of the spring break. Finals are over and with that the spring quarter comes to a close. I think I finished rather strong and I’m confident going in to next quarter. My classes for the spring are International Political Economy, Intro to Microeconomics, and Intro. to law. I surprised myself this time by taking more economics classes than political science because I have been fascinated by the current economic crisis happening in America and want to learn about the economy. I am particularly looking forward to my intro. to law course because eventually I want to become an attorney.

Aside from the finals I also had to write a few papers from my electricity and inventions class as well as my international relations class. For the latter, I had to write an 8-10 page critical book review on the book Holy War, Inc.

It was a great book in that the author Peter Bergen (who is also a journalist currently working as a CNN terror analyst) vividly describes the history behind Fundamentalist Islam and the threat they pose. He is one of the only Western journalists to have personally interviewed Osama bin Laden. My electricity and inventions essay was much shorter as I had to write about an Austrian physicist named Lise Meitner who practically discovered nuclear fission. You know…its amazing how hungry you get when you study for long periods of time. I didn’t have time to eat anything yesterday so when I finally turned in my paper last night, around 11:30 I was famished. I’ll just have to remember to work out extra hard this weekend when I go to the YMCA to burn off those stubborn carbs.

Oh the by way, for those of you looking for a job there are weekly newsletters (every Wednesday) from the career center about various jobs on or off campus. Often times there are internships as well for different companies within the newsletter. If you’re still not satisfied, visit the career center office, the career team there specializes in finding a job that suits your skills. So don’t hesitate make an appointment today!

I just got in to the IAS program on campus so I’m pretty happy. I want to eventually major in the field of global studies. Also UWB Scholarships are now available for the autumn 2008- spring 2009 school year! Remember the deadline is March 31, 2008 so here’s the website: http://www.uwb.edu/students/finaid/scholarships/. Don’t miss your chance for free scholarship money! I’ve decided that I’m going to apply as well, because I could use the money.

Miscellaneous: Aside from my studies, last week, I went to this restaurant in Seattle, on fifth street (I forgot the name though, but it was a great restaurant). I had a braised lamb shank (which is my favorite food). It was very delicious, and I’m looking forward to visiting that place again. We were initially going to go to the Cheesecake Factory but it was so crowded (what a surprise, it was on a Saturday night). I guess there was some kind of high school tolo so it just added to the chaos. But going back to my delicacies, aside from lamb, I do possess a taste for barbecued chicken, so as you can see I am a carnivorous eater!

That pretty much wraps up my hectic week thus far. Remember I will be publish a blog during the spring break (I know, my conscience always tends to get the best of me) so keep an eye out for that. I’ll talk to you all soon.

aminm11@u.washington.edu

It feels so relaxing being on spring break. However, I am making the most of this opportunity to get prepared for the upcoming spring quarter by getting my books and doing a little reading on the classes I’m taking to familiarize myself with the coursework. I am so ready to start the next quarter at UWB because of the classes I’m taking (which I think I mentioned before). In order to contain my excitement I am reading a book authored by the former Secretary of Defense under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations Robert S. McNamara, entitled In retrospect: the tragedy and lessons of Vietnam. Since seeing the documentary (called the Fog of War) on this prominent figure, I am been increasingly enamored by his polarizing policies that continued to prosecute the war. By reading this book, I hope to gain an in-depth look as to how the intricate amalgamation of interrelated American foreign policies and objectives resulted in such a divisive war.

By the way, I just started a job as a Career Peer Advisor. I strongly urge you all to come in to the Office of Student Affairs (located in the Library annex) and have your resume and/or cover letter reviewed by trained advisors.

To make an appointment please go the Career Center website, which I have provided (please copy and paste this address in the toolbar: http://www.bothell.washington.edu/careers/ ). Not only do you gain information as to the appropriate formatting of a resume and cover letter but you receive help on how to improve the content of the documents. The Career Center staff is a great resource for students to utilize if you want employers to be attracted to what you have to offer, so who woudn't want to use this great source! Also be on the lookout for our weekly career newsletter (published every Wednesday) that contains information about various careers and internships.

Can you all guess what is happening on Monday April 7th? That’s right; students are invited for a special dinner with Chancellor Kenyon S. Chan in your honor. This is an opportunity for Dr. Chan to hear about your experience at UW Bothell. It could be what you love about the campus or what’s not going so well right now. Also you can provide suggestions for the future. The event will be hosted from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the North Creek Events Center. They really would like every time come so you are welcome to come before or after class is you cannot attend the whole time. Please RSVP to studentlife@uwb.edu by Wednesday, April 2.

ALERT: Husky Hello, sponsored by the Career Center will be on Monday March 30th, so please stop by the Promenade for some drinks and snacks and perhaps say hi to me as well. We will be there from 8:00 to 11:00.

I am currently in the library right now and my time on the computer is close to expiring so I must bid you farewell, until next time my friends.

aminm11@university.washington.edu