OAR!

Emory holds a fall band party every year that's free for students. Last year's made national news - not because it was exceptionally amazing, but because the stage collapsed and the show was canceled.. AKON, who created the insanely catchy (and classy!) song "Smack that" had his workers setting up the stage when it somehow broke. Whooops.

This year's was MUCH better. One of my absolute favor bands, O.A.R. performed! You might know their songs "Love and Memories" or (my personal fav) "Crazy Game of Poker." As someone who doesn't know a heck of a lot of bands, I was super excited. I wound up just a few feet from the front. After a bit, my friends I felt a bit too squished so we moved back from the crowd and still had an amazing view. It was a lot of fun dancing around with friends and mingling with other students. The lead singer laughed at us for simply smiling and waving up at him. Some other students crowd surfed, which terrified me, but it was easy to move away from them and no one was hurt.

In other news, have you heard that we have a new president? I watched the election coverage with several friends and we all danced around the room for several minutes after the announcement. I walked outside later and could hear Obama's speech blaring from many TVs. And, my professors all enjoyed talking to us about the historical aspects of the election in class on Wednesday. My Jewish Studies professor described attending MLK's "I have a dream" speech, which honestly sent shivers up my spine. Though most people I talked to shared my happiness with the result, McCain supporters didn't seem to feel alienated. They comfortably expressed their views in a rational (not angry, ignorant or mocking) manner.

Oh and before I head off to read my classmates' creative writings stories, I'll mention a (in my opinion) interesting story. Wednesday night, my "Holocaust Memoirs" professor, Deborah Lipstadt, invited the 18 students of the class over for dinner. Profesor Lipstadt was involved with a trial against a Holocaust denier, which made national headlines in 2000. We all knew that she's a renowned historian and author, but it's easy to forget because she's so down-to-earth and easy to talk to. After chatting over humus, pita and fresh veggies, she left us for a few minutes to prepare her homemade lasagna. We all began to look around the living room, which was covered in fun gadgets and artwork from around the world. One boy in our class suddenly gasped. Propped up right behind him, was a framed letter signed personally by Bill Clinton.

Emory professors often literally write the books, but they still have a clear passion for teaching and interacting one-on-one with students. I didn't originally apply here for that reason, but its given me even a greater appreciation for my school.