Lots of things to write about, but not many pictures to post!

I have a lot to update about, but since today is 9/11, I thought I would begin with some things that are relevant.

The first thing I would like to show you is the following video. A teen puppy raiser for Guide Dogs of the Blind (GDB) showed me this video about Roselle, a GDB guide dog who guided her handler from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Can you imagine being the puppy raiser of THIS dog? What an amazing story. This just reminds me that you never know what the little "deeds" you do for society can turn around and end up becoming.



Yesterday Luke was telling me about his 9/11 experience. He lives 1 mile from the towers and has some pretty amazing stories and experiences. You can tell how shaken he still is by the entire experience. I learned so many fascinating things from him. He told me how things were handled that day at his school - much different than how it was done here. Kids that had parents that worked in the towers of had parents in the police/fire department were taken out of classes. He said that about 80% of his friends lost parents. One of his best friends, a girl in his class, was told that her dad jumped out of his 81st floor office window. For months after the attack his room was covered with ash and dust. On the roof of his building he could always find pens, papers, and other debris that were flown out of the buildings. He has a box under his bed that holds a collection of things that he has found from the towers. His own father was a block away from the towers when the first plane hit. He didn't come home until two days later covered in gray ash.

His perspective on what happened that day is so eye opening. From chicago we watched the TV, listened to the radio, and read newspapers. But he watched it happen with his own two eyes, and felt with his own hands the debris. It was crazy listening to his memories.

On a lighter note, I'll fill you in on a few things I have been doing this past week.

1) On Tuesday our history class went to SLU's Vatican film library in the Pius XII library (this is the main campus library right across from my dorm). SLU hold 75% of the ORIGINAL manuscripts from the vatican library in Rome. We actually got to touch some of them and read them. It was SO cool! These are extremely old pieces composed on animal skin. So interesting. Scholars from around the world come to SLU to research these, many of them not even allowed to see and touch the real copies...but we got to!

2) I would like to announce that I am an official ROCKSTAR for SAB (student activities board)!!! What is this you may ask? Well, SAB is in charge of bringing entertainment to campus - concerts, comedians, speakers, etc. Well, there are two levels to the club - Rockstars and Groupies. Me, Erin, Katie, and Dave have been selected as Rockstars! As rockstars, we have a lot of responsibility. We must attend ever meeting, help with mostly every event, promote, and do other various things. But on the flip side, we get to do a lot of super cool things! Not only do we have official gold name tags, t-shirts, and theme song, we get back stage passes, premium seating, and first dibs to be on the hospitality committee! This means that we get to escort artists around campus, dine with them, set up their dressing room, etc. The first act we get to work on is the homecoming concert, featuring JACK'S MANNEQUIN! The concert is going to be in the Chay next friday. I'm so exciteddddd! This is a band that I have always loved, and has grown to immense fame over the past few years. Check them out below:



3) Lat night a group of head went over to the Powell Theatre (3 blocks north on Grand from campus, right by the Fox Theatre) to see a debate. The debate was "Is believing in God a good thing?" It was an atheist vs. a strong christian believer, both scholars in their own area. Luke got the tickets for us. Me, Murphy, Dave, and Patrick walked over together from campus. For $10, it was very interesting to watch. It got heated when they opened the floor for the audience members to ask the scholars questions. Mom, you would have loved it!

4) On tuesday Erin and I went to hear a SLU professor talk on Global Warming. We went on behalf of ETF (the slu Environmental Task Force). The talk was very interesting, but it was all stuff that I have heard and seen before from Mrs. Brandt. It WAS cool though to feel so educated about a complicated topic! He did an awesome job presenting the information and also did a great job providing a balanced, fair opinion. The free pizza was also nice. :)

5) I have found one of my favorite places to eat on campus: in the Fusz food court there is a SLU version of Foodstuffs, except in addition to making amazing custom salads, they make custom wraps...SOOOOO GOOD!

6) I erged a 3K. Woo for me!