The UW Chronicles: Volume IV: Brownie Points and Other More Delectable (and edible) Forms of Nourishment

Just got back from my Geography 270 lecture, and again it was a very interesting class. It turns out Professor Jeffries checks the Geog. 270 message board, on which I posted a message about New Right Development theory which is partially based on Laissez-Faire economic policies (check the meaning of Laissez Faire on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laissez-faire. Super interesting.) The World Bank and The International Monetary Fund rely heavily on these theories, and in effect have told countries that they must remove any restrictions to trade. When Professor Jeffries talked about this in class my hand immediately shot up, "So does that mean countries must peel back environmental regulations in order to satisfy the World Bank and the IMF's guidelines?"* "Excellent question..." Wow, was I nervous, but I did it! In front of three hundred of my peers I asked a question and thirst for that particular piece of knowledge was quenched, yes they do peel back environmental regulations, because in Prof's words, the New Right developmentalists see the environment not as something that needs to be protected, but rather as simply a resource.

*My old(not old as in years,old as in "used to be my"...) econ teacher Bluestone taught me about this stuff, the rabble rouser that he is...OK, are you happy now Blue? :)

But anyway, back to the message boards. I posted some links to various parts of the IMF and World Bank's websites, as well as some links to the Global Exchange website and their critiques of the WB and the IMF. And I just had to include Seattle and the huge protests that took place against these massive organizations in '99. And guess what, my googling paid off, the professor told the class to look at my post because it was particularly interesting and relevant to today's world of development. Sitting next to me was a guy from my FIG (Freshman Interest Group) and he looked at me and said, "Wow, major brownie points Erinn."
My reasoning is that since I find this class so interesting and engaging, and since it challenges and re-molds my own political and ideological views on globalization and the IMF and the World Bank, I want to be an active participant. I am actually now seriously considering pursuing Geography as a major and perhaps double majoring in Geography and Law, Societies and Justice and then minoring in Journalism.
Put simply, I love college and how it expands your mind and your opinions beyond their original boundaries.

But I received something just as delectable as "brownie points" through the mail from my fabulous aunt, Nancy. She is the ultimate baker and even after hearing that I was vegan, she told me she would still bake cookies for me. And before you know it, there's a slip inside my mailbox telling me that I have a package. I was ecstatic and the person behind the counter thought I was a little weird, exclaiming "Vegan cookies!!" But, oh well. I got up to my cluster and munched on them with Jessica, the other Erin and my roommate Patricia. Nancy, they're so fluffy and yummy, and you asked if you should add cinnamon, the consensus is that they could use a bit more cinnamon, but that the chocolate chips and raisins work very well together. Thank you!

Happy, Holy Vegan cookies, notice the halos and smiles, oh and the rays of light, indicating that they are yummy and made with love and without animals! Yay! Yummy! Thanks Nancy!

Oh my, I'm already a "tree hugging, granola eating, radical, wacko hippie." (Quote courtesy of another tree-hugger, JB you know who you are) That fine art on our room door's whiteboard is courtesy of my cluster mate Jessica, isn't it cute?