Another thing...

So, here's the bad piece of news for the day: The Swiss have banned the construction of minarets on mosques. I find this completely ridiculous. It is hurtful to Muslims living in the country. There has already been backlash form the U.N. about the legality of the action, so hopefully it won't last. I think if they are going to ban minarets, they should be banning steeples as well! To read more, here is the piece from NPR.

Break

So most college students headed back yesterday. They will all return in a few weeks for Christmas break. But not me! I have an extra-long break, since I am on trimesters! So hopefully this pile of stuff will become really awesome handmade Christmas presents...

And of course, I have an extensive reading list! All books I know I should have already read but just never found the time:

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind William Kamkwamba (finished this weekend!)

Waiting for Snow in Havana Carlos Eire (I'm about 100 pages in, he came to speak at my high school last year and I've been wanting to read it ever since!)

Hope, Human and Wild Bill McKibben

Wandering Home Bill McKibben

Pieces From an Active Life Bill McKibben

Second Nature Michael Pollan

Made From Scratch Jenna Woginrich

The Bookseller of Kabul Asne Seierstad

Natural Capitalism Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins

The Thoreau You Don't Know Robert Sullivan

God Is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World John Micklewait and Adrian Woolridge

We'll just have to wait and see how many I actually get through... hopefully a good chunk of them, anyway. I went to one of my favorite bookstores this weekend, Seasoned Books in Rochester, Vermont. I also got some bumper stickers to add to my guitar case.

My mom and I drove back from Vermont today, making a pit-stop (or perhaps a long shopping trip) in Northampton, Massachusetts. Northampton is an awesome town, with lots of cool independent stores. I also found another bumper sticker there! So my guitar case will get a face-lift when I get back to school. I also picked up some crafty supplies for presents while in Northampton... :)

Progress!

President Obama is going to Copenhagen! It was somewhat up in the air if he was actually going to go, but now it is official! Here is an article with more about the increasing commitment of the US to get things done in Copenhagen. There are lots of exciting things coming together all at once:

"“For the first time, an American administration has proposed an emissions reduction target. When President Obama lands in Copenhagen, it will emphasize that the United States is in it to win it,” said Senator John Kerry, a Democrat of Massachusetts and one of the leading advocates of climate action on Capitol Hill. “This announcement matches words with action.”"

All pretty exciting stuff.

I will be sure to keep updated on everything I possibly can.

On the book front, I finally finished William Kamkwama's book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. The first half was a little slow, but you come to appreciate it by the end. Overall, a great, inspiring read, and I heartily recommend it. If you have a chance, Google him and take a look at the windmill he built. It is so amazing the things we can make if we put our minds to it and get creative about materials.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Also I'd like to put in a plug for Fantastic Mr. Fox: check out my mom's blog here.

Horatio

My guitar's name is Horatio. I picked that as his name because he sticks by me even when I'm being crazy, just like Horatio and Hamlet. He originally belonged to my dad when he was in college and I rescued him from the closet. Sadly, Horatio could not come home on the plane with me. But he's in good hands! He is staying with my friend Kate from school, since she lives in town and can use him while I'm away. So here are some pictures of my last songs with him for 6 weeks! I'll have to find another way to make some musica!

Back Home

I was greeted at the airport by this sign and my mom and sister. Pretty nice welcome! It feels strange to be back in the Northeast... lots of crazy drivers and people in a rush to get everywhere! I hope to get lots of things done this break: declutter my bedroom (I lived without a lot of stuff for 3 months, that probably means I don't need it), read some books for fun, and make fun christmas presents! I will be getting green and crafty the next few weeks, I can just tell. I am off to Vermont on Thursday for Thanksgiving, which is one of my favorite holidays. Especially because it involves cranberries.

I'm done!

I have officially survived my first trimester of college! I finished my Spanish final exam, so now I am done. I don't leave until Sunday, so tomorrow will be full of packing and cleaning and saying goodbyes. Then I shall be home and able to figure out what to do with 6 weeks of break!

Islam goes green!

I was checking out some news websites and found this. Pretty amazing what monumental things religions can do when they use their powers for good!