She returns

So, I've returned for the moment to the world of blogging, which basically means that I have time and the inclination to do this before classes start again.

The first thing I want to write about is Operation Freefall, aptly referred to as the "Two Mile-High Stand Against Sexual Assault". Basically, every year all across the country folks raise money for the national organization Speak Out About Rape (SOAR) by getting people to pledge money for them to skydive! That's right- on April 26th, 2008, people meet at jump sites across the country to raise awareness to this horrible crime. I'm once again participating in this event, and would LOVE if you checked out my site, www.firstgiving.com/jpscott. If you feel like it's something you want to support, donate and pass on the information to everyone you know!

Next, let's talk about Focus the Nation. This is a really exciting national initiative happening all across the country on January 31st, 2008. It is designed to focus all of the intellectual energy of the country on global climate change education for one day, stopping business as usual and taking time to address this problem, arguably the largest issue facing our nation, the world, and my generation. I'm planning Bucknell's involvement in this event, and over 500 other colleges and universities are involved- this is going to be huge! Check out the press from my event on www.bucknell.edu (News), www.dailyitem.com (Local videos, Focus the Nation), www.facebook.com (My videos), www.youtube.com (focus the nation Bucknell), www.wkok.com (Leaders and Lawmakers, Jess Scott), or various other places :).

So, it's my last semester at Bucknell, finally. It's so strange to think that I've spent 17 years of my life in school- that's like at least a fifth of my life. I feel like my first year of college was productive, and of course Tanzania and the people that I've met here have been amazing... but I could have been out DOING something for at least the past 3 years. But, I need this degree to hang on my wall so that I can start out my working life making a few thousand more a year and entering the world of debt that this country counts on to keep its economy rolling.

sAnyhow, I'm excited to be done with this. I'm doing an internship with a group called SEDA-COG this semester, which could work its way into a job starting after graduation in May (check out their site, www.seda-cog.org) ... or perhaps, I'll end up working for the Bucknell Environmental Center, at least half time next year. And then, the following May, I plan to move out to Cali, the Sacramento area, to live with my friend Em K and train seriously once again in the martial arts.

In terms of my personal life... it's not terribly interesting. My "free time" is spent working at the environmental center, which is a great group of people who are my mentors, coworkers, and friends. SEDA-COG seems to have a healthy after-work life, so perhaps I'll meet a few people there. I'm happy and healthy and can't complain too much. I'm training for a half marathon currently w my best friend Marge, plan to take about 5 months to train (this is from sitting-on-couch to 13.1 miles, 5 months seems good) and then run something around May or June. I'm also a vegetarian now, minus still eating fish because I couldn't give up bacon AND sushi, at least temporarily- mainly for health reasons, but also because the meat industry is horrid in the states. If I were to eat meat, it would only be free-range, organic, and local, regardless of price- you've got to support responsible growing in order to increase the market and decrease the price, and getting involved in the local economy is definately the way to go as oil prices increase and therefore anything you transport gets more expensive. Just something to think about...

Let's lighten it up with our favorite part of my blogs... shout outs!
1) To my lil sis, who's heading to CO to live in a forest and teach little kids about beetles and other unidentified things
2) To my favorite coastie, up in the cold cold north country, without whom I would be unhappy at least daily... stay happy and strong babe
3) To everyone who saves whales on a daily basis by turning out their lights
4) To Captian Planet (he's our hero, brings pollution down to ZERO)