Back in Action

Well it was a great summer of research! But now school is back in full swing. The homework has started piling up, and the grad school apps are getting filled out. I have some exciting things to look forward to in my last year at IIT though:

Planning Kappa formal

being a SGA Senator

Epilepsy research

hosting BME study nights

I'm pretty excited.

-Waha

Student Government Association

Last night, I was elected to be a senator representing Armor College of Engineering! SGA does lots of things from approving and organizing student organizations, to planning student life activities. I think I'm interested in also being on the Academic Affairs sub-committee (all senators serve on sub-committees too). My good friend is the Academic Affairs executive board member, and we've been brain storming some exciting ideas about improving academic life on campus. I love to see things moving forward on campus, so I'm really enthusiastic about being apart of it!

Unfortunatly, finals are in sight, and these final projects won't finish themselves on their own. It's looking like it's going to be a couple long nights coming up here. Hopefully, I can knock my two lab reports today, leaving only my paper to be finished up tomorrow. My goal is to be able to sleep both tonight and tomorrow at least for a few hours.

Thankfully, Friday afternoon is the Student Ambassador party! And, Friday night is the SigEp's Date Dinner. At student ambassador party were grilling out and date dinner is clearly, a dinner. So, once all these final projects are done, I have a fun Friday planned which includes lots of food! When Saturday rolls around, it's back to studying though, cause finals are next week!

Final Sprint!

Waha

The X-Chormosomes, The Crown Jewels, and The Techtonics

Friday night the Bog was PACKED for the a cappella concert. The a cappella group here on campus has three different sub-groups:

The X-Chromosomes--an all girls group
The Crown Jewels--an all boys group
The Techtonics--8 girls, 8 boys

All three groups gave an excellent show! As a recently formed student organization, the group as seen a continuous rise in attendees at their concerts, and the attendees have seen a continuous rise in creativity and talent from the group. It was great to see the bog so packed. Normally, it's tough to get students out for events when finals are so close, but IIT students tend to love good music almost as much as they love math.

-Waha

The Music of the City

On Friday morning, Nicolle and I ventured downtown to buy a gift for our good friend's wedding shower. It's a short train ride up to the loop, where there is tons of shopping on State Street and Michigan Ave. We were headed back to school and were waiting for the red line (subway train). As we walked below ground we heard someone singing the classic song, "Lean on me." He was pretty good, so we joined him in singing (just not quite as loud). Nicolle sang the lyrics a few octaves higher than the man on the platform and I proceed to make the percussion sounds, the cymbal is my favorite. I got a little sad though, Nicolle is graduating, and I'm going to miss her immensely, because she is someone I lean on. It's a sad part about college, every year there is going to be friends who graduate and leave. When we got on the train we started talking about how much we love this part of living in the city of Chicago; There is Music Everywhere! It only got better when we transferred to the green line at Roosevelt, we had another artist rapping in the train car. He's a regular and a favorite of the green line. We tapped our feet again enjoying the music and rhythm that make Chicago a special place.

-Waha

Power 10

I used to be a rower. When we were approaching the finish line, the coxswain would give us something to pull for in each of the last 10 strokes, it was called a power 10. It's like a runner ending sprint. So here's my power 10 to the end of the semester:

1. Don't give in now you've already come so far
2. Finish strong
3. Pain is only chemical
4. There's oatmeal on the other side of the finish line
5. Your legs were built for this
6. Show them what your made of
7. For the team
8. For yourself
9. Empty the tank
10. Last one, right here

We'd glide across the finish line and take a deep breath absorbing the beauty around us. Sometimes, when classes get tough, I imagine that coxswain yelling out my power 10. Although not a perfect match, it can get me though some long nights.

10 strokes/3 weeks to the finish line,

Waha

What Courses Do I Take Next Year?

It always a challenge to pick out courses. Your adviser helps you with the required ones and the graduating on time thing. However, then there's those electives. There are so many! If you have lots of interest, it can be quite a challenge to decide which of the 8 courses your interested in to take in the one time slot you have available. So here's how it works: First, you meet with your adviser, and they tell you which courses you NEED to take to graduate. They also will provide you with information about future careers, internships, and all those good things. They'll let you know which courses you get to choose, and some good choices for those electives. Finally, your adviser gives you your pin number. On registration day, you log on to myIIT and go to the academics tab where you can enter your pin and register. You need to have your bill paid and no holds on your account to register though, so make sure to check that a few weeks before registration begins. Your first semester you'll do this whole process with your academic adviser during orientation, so everyone knows how it goes when they get here!

As I was completing my registration this year, I realized I only have one more undergraduate registration left! Graduation is starting to sneak up on me...

I began researching graduate schools shortly after this realization. I guess I'm taking the GRE this summer.

-Waha

GW09

Well, Greek Week has begun! Last night we opened up with each chapter presenting a skit and their banner. Here are this years themes: (or at least what I think they are, I couldn't completely see everyone's skit)

Pi Kaps--Hide and Seek
SigEps--The Revolutionary War
Delts--The Finer Things in Life
Alpha Sigs--Vikings
Skulls--Skull Models (Zoolander twist)
Triangle--U-Tube
ASA--The Presentation of Man
Kappa--The Flintstones
Zippos--Superheros

The theme of each house is an exciting part of Greek Week. Often the characters and the theme carry through to each of the events. Points are gained through the winning of each event, and a winner is declared at the end of the week. This years events include:

Skit/Banner
Egg Toss (short speed toss and a long toss competition)
8-man
leg tunnel
Greek Council Meeting (higher % of chapter there = more points)
obstacle course--hurdles, high heel race, army crawl
dance off
cook off

I think that's all. Greek Week is lots of fun, and a great chance to have friendly competition. My favorite event is the dance off! The one challenge of the week is to continue to stay on top of classes even though there are lots of fun things going on. I find that going to the library is a good way to escape all the craziness on the quad and get some work done.

Also exciting today, its student government elections! Our student government is VERY active, and there are great students running for positions this year. I am enthusiastic about the next year at IIT!

Yabadabadoo!

Waha

Most Likely to Succeed in Life

That's the award I received at our sorority formal last Friday night. I was flattered. We have a formal event once a year. Everyone dresses up and invites a date; we honor our seniors and do something special for them. The "little sisters" of the girl graduating stand up do something special for her. My big sister is graduating this spring, so her other little and I made up a goofy poem about her. It was silly, but she really liked it! It's nice to have a chance to give back to the person who was a mentor to me when I joined the sorority.

I almost forgot the most important part though... The food was AMAZING!! We went to this cute little place in Greek town. They had a nice dance floor too, so after we stuffed ourselves, we danced and danced. Finally, our feet hurt, so everyone got back on the bus and we headed home.

It was a fun break from the school work!

Waha

Summer REUs

REU--Research Experience for Undergraduates

Summer REU--10-12 week summertime REU usually accompanied by a stipend and a wealth of opportunities for learning more about the research field. Universities normally don't use their own students for these summer projects, but instead they do a sort of exchange of students all over the country.

The BME professors are excellent at IIT for helping students obtain these REU positions. They are always sending out updates for programs they hear about, and writing recommendations in a timely manor. I was studying in a group of BME students last night for our electronics midterm. Everyone there had been selected for different REU programs. Some students were in the Midwest and others were further away (one student is in California!). Personally, I'll be at University of Illinois Chicago doing neuropsychology research! In addition to having excellent summer positions with top researchers, everyone seemed to be able to find a position that suited their interest. I'm excited to hear in the fall how everyones summer experience turns out!

Waha

Underwire Support

A supportive community is like an underwire, you don't always see it, but if it weren't there everything would just droop. So, I always try and be a supportive member of my community, because I don't want those around me to droop. People don't often come to me for help with homework. I always put my name and what I'm good at on the sorority tutor sheet, but often I don't have too many people asking for help. These past few weeks though, I've had three different people come and ask me questions. It's pretty exciting. I really enjoy helping others with homework and projects. I've found that when I help others, I end up explaining it to myself too, as a result, I also gain a better understanding of the material. It's cool to see how what I learn in my biomedical engineering classes lines up with what my friend might be learning in her mechanical engineering classes. Often, by combining the information and understanding we get from different professors it helps to piece the whole big picture together. Additionally, I enjoy when I can help someone learn. The moment of discovery is priceless, it exemplifies the power of the human brain. It makes my day to see them get things right, and when I can make it worth their effort to come find me. A supportive community can make all the difference when working through difficult classes. Being a support for others can make all the difference in your heart.

It's Raining in February ?!?

Oh Chicago... the weather is crazy here. One day is 10 degrees and the next day its 50. I've lived in Illinois my whole life, so I can't say much about the weather anywhere else. However, here there are often dramatic movement between the extremes. I guess it keeps it exciting, right? I've made a habit of checking the weather before I leave the house.

Strategic Competitiveness

Normally, when a professor goes out of town the class is canceled. Dr.Brey had a different idea though... he sent our biomaterials class to hear the dean of the business school speak about Strategic Competiitiveness. When he was first telling us this, I was rather, unenthused. I brought my knitting thinking I'd be sitting listening to someone ramble about the market or something along those lines.

I was completely wrong! The dean was interesting, and the lecture was interesting. He spoke first about how the medium of teaching has to adjust to meet the learning style of the students. He continued with outlining what being strategically competitive meant, which consist of six parts I'll try and remember: Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Sustainability, Incisiveness, and Innovation. It was really intriguing lecture. Well, the shirt and free food did help a little too, but even without that, it was good. It's exciting to be apart of the momentum here at IIT. It's also really exciting to see that change is happening here, there is an energy of forward thinking and a willingness to try something new. I enjoy that; I don't like feeling stuck in a rut. Turns out it wasn't such a boring lecture after all.

Impressed,

Waha

Shhhh... I'm sleeping!

It's my fourth year living in a dorm, and I'd like to think I do fairly well living with others. I'm currently living in the Kappa house, which is like a mini dorm with only members of Kappa Phi Delta sorority living there. We have established quiet hours, and generally, I have no issue obeying them. This morning, however, I forgot that those quiet hours extend into the morning... I decided to heat up my breakfast before work around 8:15am. No problem, right? Well, actually, using the microwave violates the quiet hours policy, and therefore, is not allowed until 9am. I was in the wrong; I think it's a dumb rule, but none the less, it's the rule. We also have a microwave on the first floor, so really it was just my laziness. As a result, I was met with great opposition for my forgetfulness by my previously sleeping floor-mate. It made for a rather upsetting start to the day as I don't wish to disturb those who I live with.

Even after four years, there are many challenges of living with others. However, the experience has really taught me how to handle conflict and how to compromise. Overall, I've enjoyed living in the dorms.

Uff da,

Waha

A Milk Crate of Information

"Waha, here's your... crate for risk management." The Greek Council president greeted me as I walked into the first Greek Council Meeting of the semester last night. Greek Council is a group containing representatives from each Greek chapter as well as officers and chairs to provide activities and guidelines for the Greek community at IIT. A milk crate containing a binder which was falling apart and tons of materials related to risk management. So, I've added to my tasks for the semester to also clean up the risk management information. When I ran for the position of Greek Council Judicial/Risk Management chair, I thought it was going to be a walk in the park... it's starting to look like a bigger job than I originally anticipated. However, I've become passionate about risk management, and I'd like the job to be done well. Kappa in the past few years I've been there has not been as involved with Greek Council, so I'd like to leave a good impression. Additionally, I'm compulsive about binder organization. I really enjoy getting supplies and making something that is a complete mess into something functional. The meeting went well last night. It was short, but effective. I look forward to the leadership opportunity involved.

Waha

Sheep Brains and Surface Tension

In half an hour I'm going to my lab where we're dissecting sheep brains! I'm really excited, I love dissections. Furthermore, as stated before, I'm way beyond interested in the brain. My friend, Emily, and I were reminiscing the days of cat dissection in high school last night. I learned, and have retained, so much anatomy from having done those dissections. I respond well to hands on learning. Hence, my excitement towards my approaching brain dissection. The one downside is that it is right before lunch, and although it does not bother me personally, I know that the women I eat lunch with at the Kappa house won't necessarily care to hear about my brain dissection as they eat. I guess not everyone can talk about dissection over a meal... I feel the same way about mustard, if I think or talk about, or even worse, smell it, while eating my stomach pulses with pain. In fact, writing about it makes me feel sick.

Tomorrow, I have a lab dealing with surface tension. I don't have quite the same enthusiasm about that one. None the less, it should be interesting, and in my opinion, any lab day is better than being in a lecture. So, I won't complain about the hands on opportunity.


Love the lab,

Waha

CVs, Resumes, and Cover Letters, Oh My!

Well, it's that time, to fill out all those applications for internships and co-ops over the summer! It can be a challenging process. However, lots of students form IIT are very successful at obtaining outstanding summer positions. As I've gotten older, more and more of my peers are spending their summers at doing work towards their future goals. In fact, I would say it's rare for an IIT student to not be spending their summer being productive in some way. I spent last summer doing volunteer research at University of Chicago, and now, the doctor I worked for has been extremely helpful in helping me obtain a industry position for this coming summer. The summer before last, I worked in the UG Admission office full time, where I made the connection with my boss who connected my up to the doctor I did research with... Uff da! I guess one thing really does lead to another!

Waha

Can't turn back now

a rocket launched,

a cork popped,

a roller coaster lap belt secured,

a concrete poured,

a plane on the runway,

there's no turning back now.

Once again, the semester has begun, and like every semester before it, we've past the point of turning around, changing classes, and trying again. The challenge is on!

I'm already procrastinating and behind on my work. I often struggle to say no to socializing. Knitting has become my downfall; it's really difficult to pass up a night of stitching and a movie. Okay, maybe it's only difficult for me to pass up.

Realistically, I'm not actually behind on my work either. I'm just really interested, so I wish I had more time to get ahead. I'm taking some fascinating classes. Such as, my Quantitative Neural Function course. I'm so excited to learn all the intricate details of the brain. I love that not everything is known about the brain; there's a sense of adventure invoked when learning that the precise function of something is unknown. Okay, so again, maybe it's just me...

But, here's my big tidbit of knowledge for college: Pick a major you love. Choose something which invokes a sense of adventure when you think about attending classes. When I entered college as a freshman, I was going to a liberal arts school, and I had chosen everything based on how I was going to get into medical school. I abandoned my love for math and science... because someone told me going to medical school would be smart and would guarantee me a job someday. It's not a surprise I became bored quickly. So, I made a change; I transferred to Illinois Institute of Technology to try something else. Since, I've fallen in love with engineering. I love my classes, hence, why I show up to them (I wasn't so good at showing up in liberal arts school). Alright, that's enough, I'll step away from the lectern.

Take Off,

Waha

historic hope

One summer morning after my junior year of high school, I quickly pulled clothes out of my dresser as I attempted to pack my suitcase. My family stuffed our red Ford Winstar with clothes for two weeks, loaded a car top carrier with camping equipment, and drove to the east coast. While my best friend was spending her family vacation on the beach in Hawaii, I walked from Lexington to Concord, toured 4 past presidents homes, visited the grave of Paul Revere, and met our state senators, Mr.Durbin and Mr.Fitzgerald. Although I enjoyed our historic tour of the east coast, there was something appealing about those beaches in Hawaii...

One night during that vacation, we were all sitting in the hotel room eating and playing cards when my dad turned to the channel to watch the Democratic National Convention. We watched several speakers and I continuously asked my parents questions about the politicians.

"Who is he?"

"Whats her job?"

"How long is their term?"

Mr.Obama came to the lectern; I was captivated and empowered by his rhetoric. I waited until he finished to ask my father the usual list of questions. I learned Mr.Obama was running to be senator in our home state of Illinois. I was overwhelmed with a new hope for our state and our country.

Later that election season, I had the opportunity to meet Mr.Obama. He came to the local coffee shop and spoke. I didn't know he was coming until that very day. My friend had told me the junior AP History classes were going to see "some guy running for some office... Obanma... or something." I decided I had to be there. I walked into the main office and pleaded my case to see "history in the making." The assistant principle wrote me a pass to leave. I then walked downtown to see the man whom had so strongly inspired me before. Again, he evoked in me a sense of hope for the future. I took a picture with him, and I got his autograph (on the pass that excused me from class).

That year for Christmas, my dad bought me a shirt which read, "Obama 2008." Although, I won't lie, I didn't wear it much. I didn't want people to think I was crazy for thinking that a man who was the junior senator for Illinois could possibly become president. Instead, I kept my hope secretly hidden in the back corner of my dresser drawer.

One Sunday night sometime later, my dad was driving me back to college. As usual we were having a deep political conversation. He had just finished reading Mr.Obama's book, 'The Audacity of Hope.' There had been no announcement of Mr.Obama running for president in 2008, however, my dad expressed he was confident after reading Mr.Obama's book that he would be our 44th president.

As the primaries progressed, I began to see my father's prediction unfold. On election day, I took my hope out my dresser drawer. Actually, I let my little brother wear my 'Obama 2008' shirt, but I wore my "got democracy?" shirt, a gift from my mother, but still a symbol of hope and confidence in our country. I proudly cast my ballot and wore my "I voted" sticker.

Today, I watched as my dad's prediction came true. I'm glad my parents dragged me to president's homes, out to battle fields, and to every Abraham Lincoln site in the country. I'm thankful they've taken the time to answer my questions, provided the tools for me to research more, and encouraged me to be bold. Because today, I understood why the historical events which occurred were so significant. Not to mention, I knew every historical reference that Mr.Obama made.

It's easy to think that what happens in Washington DC doesn't effect us. It's easy to pretend that who's president doesn't make a difference and can't change the world, or that one vote in a state "guaranteed" to go democratic doesn't matter. I think my father and Mr.Obama would both agree though, that all of these things are significant and the worst place to keep your hope is tucked away in a dresser drawer.

-Waha

Risk Management Programming

My current position at my sorority, Kappa Phi Delta, is the risk management chair. With any position within the sorority, it can be a challenge to decide what one would like to do during the semester. I have some ideas...

1. An Alcohol Awareness Event--This is a must! I'm looking now for someone to come do a workshop for us.

2. Fitness Classes--I'm thinking of having girls take turns leading the rest of the girls in a workout. I'd like to promote health and wellness.

3. Weekly Health Trivia--Maybe in our weekly agendas I'd put a quiz question related to risk management.

4. Get an Emergency Defibrillator for the Sorority House--This could be pricey, but I'm going to look into trying to get the school to partner with us on it.

5. Encourage Education--I think this is the best way to avoid risky situations! My goal is to not only educate my sisters, but also, to teach them how to educate themselves about potential risks and how to avoid them.

I'm not sure I can manage to do all of these things... I'm also an engineering student! However, I'd like to try.

Get Educated!

Waha

7 Down, 3 to Go

I realized recently that I have completed 7 semesters of college course work! But, I still have 3 left to finish. However, when I put it in perspective, I'm 70% finished... That's quite a bit done. It could be worse right? I'm also considering doing a PhD./MD program, and thus, adding another 8 years onto my education anyway. My grandfather used to always say, "Education is the one thing no one can ever take away from you." He was right; an education is an investment that cannot be foreclosed or confiscated. I think that's part of what makes it worth the time and the money. So, I'll keep plugging away at it... like that TV show from the 90's, Step by Step, remember that one?

Buckling up for another semester,

Waha

I now know why I'm not a polar bear.

It's 2009!!! And I brought in the new year with a plunge, into Lake Michigan! And it was COLD!! This year my dad decided he wanted to do a polar bear plunge, so my sister, my brother, my friend from Italy (also an IIT student), and myself all decided we would join him. So, at noon today we all put on our bathing suits and joined about 100 others to do the polar bear plunge. We are all now official members of the polar bear club!

Burr...

Waha