Ready to Get Started

I have been here two weeks now... and it feels like a lifetime. I can't tell if it's because time is flying or because it's crawling by slowly. All I know is that I am anxious for classes to start. Everyone I have met has had at least three self-doubting, quarter life crises this week. Without a rigid schedule to follow or the freedom of vacation time spending, we've all had ample time to question our program selection, course choices, spending power, new found social lives and setting. Our departmental inductions and receptions were both exciting and nerve wracking; professors, program directors, deans and career center advisors all vomited important dates, policies and opportunities at us. They gave us just enough information to feel intrigued but overwhelmed, ready to start but uncertain about how to begin...

I can finally say with confidence that I have chosen the right classes within my course (and have conquered LSE's bizarre online registration process). I have also introduced myself to my personal advisor (Dr. Claire Moon) and my tutor; both are intimidatingly and inspiringly accomplished scholars. I feel lucky to have been placed with Dr. Claire Moon; her research interests coincide with my own -- she specializes in transitional justice and political reconciliation. I think she will be a tremendous resource when I begin to write my dissertation. (Although I am counting on Prof. Edlin's advice from abroad!)

Social interactions here are still...awkward. Pubs close very early here, clubs are not my scene, drinks are killer expensive, and the kids in my hall are from such varied backgrounds that it can be hard to establish any common ground. Accents are still hard for me to process and my nationality (and the pending presidential election) has become an inescapable/ dreaded conversation topic. Some foreign students seem to forget that although the US has a participatory democracy... individual American citizens do not have the authority to dictate executive governmental decisions (foreign policy or economic). They also fail to understand that it is unfair to expect any American to shoulder the blame for Bush's failed presidency. Not everyone is satisfied with the past 8 years and not everyone contributed to Bush's presidential victory. As a human rights student, it would be easy for me to ask critical questions of students hailing from countries with abysmal human rights records... but I don't. Why? Because it doesn't make for friendly conversation on a first meet and greet.

Anyway, in the description of my blog...I promised to share my feelings on global politics. I think it's finally time for me to discuss this dreaded presidential election. I downloaded the Palin/Biden debate yesterday online. Amy and I watched it in complete shock and horror as Palin appealed to the Joe Six Packs, hockey moms and Mavericks nationwide, fumbled through McCain's Congressional voting record and deliberately avoided any of the moderator's questions with a coy smile. I must admit, I have not been very engaged in this election cycle but Palin might have just triggered me to action. McCain is aged and Palin is young, inexperienced and ignorant. She seems to relish in her small town, small-mindedness. She has botched every major interview this past week and seems to be surviving PR events by regurgitating facts robotically. It's scary to think she could be our president or have any say in the selection of up to three Supreme Court Justices. What's even scarier is her broad base appeal...hockey dads everywhere have found their sexy political soulmate and staunch Republicans have found the bull dog they need to "reinvigorate" their platforms. Quite honestly, the whole thing makes me ill. Obama must be elected.