There’s something I really love about being on Temple’s campus- fellow students who deeply care about current events and make strong efforts to raise awareness. Yesterday and today I was on my way to buy lunch and each time I was stopped by someone and asked if I was a registered Democrat in the state of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately I’m a registered Independent in the state of Connecticut, which does nothing for anyone.
The students were enthusiastic, kind, and endorsing Barack Obama. Other than the meager boys who stood around last semester mumbling things about Ron Paul saving America, these have been the only candidate endorsers I have seen thus far. Understandibly so…
Obama has come a long way since I was first introduced to his ideals two summers ago. At that time he was an enigmatic senator from Illinois, now he’s depicted as Christ on the front of the New Republic.
Regardless, I’m encouraged to see fellow students excited and tangibly participating in current affairs, even though the media has turned it into something I strongly abhor.
I suppose I will end there without ranting on and on about those devils- however, I have one more thing to say.
I’m sick of seeing the same person featured ALL OVER the Messiah College website on practically EVERY PAGE…
Over and out!
-Di

Raise Up Roofbeams, a band representing three Messiah College graduates played at the elite World Cafe in University City last night. It was such a pleasure to see these talented friends and musicians play at the venue after only seeing them play at Messiah and other Central PA locations.
It was my first time seeing a show at the swanky World Cafe, and certainly will not be my last. World Cafe is affiliated with Philadelphia’s public radio station, WXPN, and is nationally recognized as a hotspot for great artists from all over the world.

Check out the website for wonderful streams of studio sessions, interviews and a host of other informational blessings.
http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=39&agg=1

The downstairs stage was hosting a famous belly dancer, but it was sold out
(I will unashamedly be using emoticons in this blog.)
However, if I do have the opportunity to see such a performance, I will provide a detailed synopsis for you to relish.

Oh hello, I’m Diana, a new addition to the blogging family at Philly campus.
This is my second semester at MCPC, life here is quite peaceful and fulfilling.

The MCPC students spent the morning of Martin Luther King Jr. day volunteering at the elementary school around the block. I worked at the giant quilt station. There was a little girl I noticed when we first arrived, she was running around and behaving loudly. I like children like this. When she sat down at the quilting station we quickly became friends. Her name was Shante (pronounced Shan-tay)

Shante’s 10-year-old attention span lasted about 5 seconds, so to keep her in one place I rapidly interrogated her about her life and interests. Here are some things she revealed.
- The Cheetah Girls (a Disney channel movie) is one of her favorite programs to watch on television. The word “cheetahlicious” is a popular alternative to “cool” or “neat”, and is frequently used among the other girls in her school.
- She attends church with her older cousin, and does not enjoy it. She goes to the corner store before church starts and buys snacks to eat during the service. I asked her if her mother attends as well. She said no, and her reason why is not appropriate for this blog.
- She has asthma, and sometimes needs to use a breathing machine. I told her I had the same condition when I was her age, but then I grew out of it so she probably would as well. She said “No, my mom has it still.” I stood corrected.

With each quilt square we decorated, my fondness for Shante grew. I understand why volunteers always tell stories about the kids they work with, and am more aware of the potential to be an incredibly positive influence on the life of a child.

As we were on our way out of the school, it took me a few minutes to catch Shante’s attention as she chased her little friend around the gymnasium. She was quite sad to see us leave. My roommate Bethany and I agreed to send her a little note and invited her to go out for pizza with us sometime at the shop next door to our house.
In regards to the note…
“There better be candy in it.” Shante answered.