Video of My Speech!
by Sara on June 16th, 2009
Hi everyone,
The video is finally here! Click below to watch me give my commencement address to Augustana College’s Class of 2009.
Sara Eiesland – Augustana College Commencement Speech 2009
-Sara
I’m a college graduate!
by Sara on May 24th, 2009
Hi everyone!
Today, I graduated from Augustana College! I’ve had an amazing graduation weekend, which began with graduation rehearsal yesterday and culminated today with the actual commencement ceremony.
Yesterday I also had a double open house in conjuction with my brother Brian, who also graduated today from Brandon Valley High School (congrats, B!). Our party was so much fun for me; a lot of my professors, family and friends came out to support me, and I had a great time sharing my excitement with all of them. So thank you to all of you who came out!
Today I participated in baccalaureatte in the morning (thanks to cousin Kristen for her company!), and apparently the service opened the floodgates for my poor mother…it must be very difficult to have both of your children graduating on the SAME day at the SAME time. Because of today’s double graduation, not only did my extended family have to split up, but my parents did, too. My Dad attended my ceremony and my Mom attended Brian’s.
I had SO MUCH FUN giving my commencement speech today, too; I got emotional in the middle of it, which was completely unexpected, since I’ve practiced it so many times without my emotions getting the better of me. Everyone I spoke with said I recovered well, however, but it was a little overwhelming :) I had a great time speaking in front of thousands of people in the Sioux Falls Arena, and I feel so honored to have been chosen.
MANY THANKS to my boyfriend, Jordan, who was a complete gem today and videotaped all of the action so that my entire family will be able to view my speech and me walking across the stage. Thanks also to Steve and Nachole, Jordan’s parents, who let us borrow their super camera to record the event.
I can’t wait to get my diploma in the mail!
-Sara
Busy week, full of milestones!
by Sara on January 29th, 2009
Hi all; this has been a busy week for me!
On Monday afternoon, I traveled to Minneapolis for the evening to attend the Oral History Project’s exhibition launch event. What an amazing sight to see the project I worked on all semester (during my internship with the Center for Democracy and Citizenship) completed! I very much enjoyed seeing all of my coworkers from the Center, as well as sharing in the experience with so many high-profile attendees, such as legislators and military personnel. The veterans themselves deserve much of the credit for what this exhibit stands for, as these 30 veterans willingly shared their stories. I feel so proud to be part of the final product. To learn more about where the Oral History Project exhibit will be shown, click here.
After the exhibition launch, I spent time with Deb, the family friend who I lived with this fall. It was wonderful to see her again and to chat. I took off early in the morning and headed home to Sioux Falls. It was certainly a quick trip, but well worth my while.
Tuesday, January 27 marked Jordan and my two-year anniversary. To celebrate, Jordan and I went skiing at Great Bear Recreational Park in Brandon, SD. Let me tell you this: skiing is hard! Jordan says I’m a natural, of course, because he’s supposed to say nice things :) But in all seriousness, I really wish I was a natural at handling the ski lift. As soon as my skis left the ground, tears clouded my eyes. My hand was gripping the lift chair so tightly I probably exercised all the bones in my arm. I wanted off, and I wanted off now. Poor Jordan was trying to calm me down, but all I wanted to do was cry and cry and cry. I guess it’s safe to say that while I may be a natural at skiing, I certainly can’t handle the ski lift. Or the big hill. Wow. But, to say the least, learning how to ski was enjoyable for the most part; it gave Jordan and I a chance to try something new (well, at least new to me) together.
That evening, Jordan and I got cleaned up and went out to Old Chicago, one of our favorite restaurants in Sioux Falls. We had a great time eating and drinking yummy cocktails and talking about our goals in life and how happy we are to see ourselves another year further and closer in our relationship. He makes me feel so excited for my future, and so excited to think of spending it with him.
Wednesday marked the final day of my Interim class. Hard to believe that my LAST Interim class is already over, but I can honestly say that I enjoyed this class immensely. Learning about race and how it fits into America’s historical context and into America’s modern-day discussions has been fascinating. This class functioned to provide a smooth transition from HECUA back to Augie, and I’m very grateful.
Today, I’m back to work at ACE full time until my FINAL SEMESTER AT AUGIE starts next week. I can’t believe I’m a second-semester college senior, only a mere four months away from graduation!! I’m very excited to be done, but at the same time, I’ll certainly miss the academic life. I love learning, as corny as it sounds, and it’ll probably be a rocky transition, but I’m looking forward to new challenges.
My friend Kim from Minneapolis is coming to Sioux Falls to visit me this weekend! I’m very excited to see her and to show her a little glimpse of my world here in South Dakota. We’re going to get thai food and see a band perform on Friday, then we’ll hit up the mall and maybe the movie theatre on Saturday. Hopefully we’ll also eat dinner with my family in Brandon on Saturday night. Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, so Jordan and I will spend that day together after Kim leaves to travel home. It should be a fun-filled weekend; I’m really excited!
Here’s some prayers to send up, if you would:
Pray for Jordan and his job prospects. He has a few opportunities in balance, so please pray for God’s direction and blessing on Jordan’s goals and desires.
Pray for my friend Ashley, who is over the half-way mark in her chemo treatments.
Pray for my brother and his teammates, that they are safe from injury and have a restful few days without games.
Pray for my Mom, in hopes that her icky cold goes away soon.
Pray for safe travels for Kim.
Love you all!
Because it’s been awhile…
by Sara on January 22nd, 2009
Hi all; sorry for the drought in posting. I’ve been busier than busy with Capstone at Augie and with work at ACE.
I feel like there’s never enough time in the day to do everything I’d like to; I wish there was another hour in the day where all I had to do was write. I also wish that sleeping time went by slower; I rarely wake up feeling fully rested anymore, and I feel like if the night-time hours went slower, I might have a shot at feeling awake in the morning. Of course, that would make work days for people halfway across the world much, much longer, which would really suck for them.
Can I just say that I’m so glad that we now have a President Obama? :)
I’m heading up to the Cities on Monday afternoon to attend a private reception for the exhibit that I worked on in the fall; it’ll be nice to attend that, as well as to spend time with Deb. I’ve missed her while I’ve been in Sioux Falls!
I’ve had some dreams change in the past few months. While I thought originally that I would take a few years off and pursue a Master’s degree in public policy, I’ve recently fallen in love with poetry. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but have only felt spurts of inspiration over the years. Now, after HECUA, I’m uncovering inspiration in words, objects, and in nature. I now want to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing. I’ve done a lot of research these past few weeks, and while I still plan on taking at least one year off, I’m very excited at the prospect of doing nothing but write for two or three years, and hopefully getting paid to do so.
Hope all is well with each of you; it’s been an adjustment being home, but I’m trying to find myself all over again. :)
Because I’m avoiding homework…
by Sara on January 7th, 2009
It’s three days into J-term, and I’m already sick of homework.
What happened to my HECUA days, man?! I’m missing reading novels (like, interesting novels) all the time.
Over J-term, I’m taking my Capstone course, which at Augie means I’m close to graduation (and indeed I am). I am SO ready to freaking graduate.
I think.
An update on my life: my boyfriend Jordan has mono. Cue me: nanny, caretaker, chef, all around maid. Woo. Here’s to hoping I don’t get sick.
Warning: TMI alert. Because of said mono, I haven’t held Jordan’s hand. I’ve kissed him only on the forehead. Once. And cuddling? Nearly unbearable (I don’t want him to touch my bare skin out of fear of getting mono myself). So how do I occupy the now oodles of free time that usually is spent snuggling?
Homework. Oh, and Clorox-ing the house like a mad woman.
Speaking of my duties: I’ve made a few really, really yummy meals this past week, including lasagna, spaghetti, and a chicken dish. MMM!
Another update: still want a dog. This week, I want a Beagle. We’ll see how long that lasts.
I have this theory that after being such an amazing caretaker while Jordan’s been sick, he should buy me a dog.
Are you reading this, honey? I know you are.
Dog, please. A dog. :)
My Last Day at the CDC
by Sara on December 10th, 2008
Hi all,
First, HECUA’s “Writing for Social Change” Public Reading went SO WELL last night! My classmates and I all performed our work so well; I am so proud to be included among such a brilliant group of people. My parents and my boyfriend Jordan paved their way through the snow to see me read my poem, and I am so grateful for them making the trip. The woman I live with, Deb, also came; it’s one of many, many things she’s done for me throughout the semester. She’s absolutely wonderful.
Today marks my *LAST* day at the Center for Democracy and Citizenship; how bittersweet! I am sad to leave the staff and the Oral History Project, but I look forward to keeping in touch, writing for the blog from time to time, seeing the Oral History Project exhibition, and keeping up on what the Center is doing to impact our world.
It’s getting down to the end, people; only three days left in the Cities, counting today. Where has the time gone? I feel like I was just arriving here, yet I also feel like I’ve been here forever. I’ve undergone such a significant transformation; I’ve gained independence, confidence, a new dose of dreams and goals, and a bunch of lasting friendships.
I feel so blessed today.
My Last Saturday…and MORE!
by Sara on December 6th, 2008
Hi all!
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but today marks my LAST Saturday in the Twin Cities! I am continuously shocked at how quickly the past four months have gone.
I spent my evening last night watching “Dateline” with Deb, the woman I live with. We munched on Vietnamese food from a restaurant that I can’t spell…yummy! This episode of “Dateline” was FREAKY; a college student studying abroad was murdered, allegedly by her roommate in Italy, also American…weird.
Yesterday I visited Jess Winter, an Augie alumnus, at Cityview Public School in Minneapolis. This school houses Pre-K through 8th graders, and let me tell you: this school is STRUCTURED. The students stand in lines with their hands on their hips (to prevent one another from touching their neighbor); there is no talking in said lines. The students have strict (but WONDERFUL) teachers.
Jess works for the Minnesota Reading Corps (MRC), a division of Americorps. She is a reading tutor for 3rd grade students who are reading below their grade level. I observed her tutor two kids, who were totally adorable and really inspiring. I also met a wealth of staff members at Cityview; everyone is so positive and just oozes pride in their work and pride in what MRC is doing for the school. It was a great experience, and this research will prove very useful in writing my thesis.
On deck today is writing my last paper for HECUA and packing for home. It’s so weird to be packing (even though I brought a bunch of boxes home over Thanksgiving); I just can’t believe this experience is coming to an end.
Here’s an agenda for the rest of the time I’m in the Cities:
Sunday: Deep-clean my apartment, one last time; put together my final portfolio for HECUA; hang out with Kim!
Monday: Class; make sure homework is done; prepare for my parents’ and Jordan’s visit; JON & KATE!
Tuesday: Work; out to eat with my parents and Jordan; PUBLIC READING!! [More about this to come!]
Wednesday: LAST DAY at the Center for Democracy and Citizenship; UGLY SWEATER PARTY with my HECUA classmates that evening!
Thursday: Community Gathering [9 - 11 a.m. at Intermedia Arts, Mpls]; Closing class session; finish packing; Early Christmas with Deb!
Friday: HOME!!
So, my Public Reading: Me and my ten HECUA classmates, along with Bill and Molly, our teachers, and Ed Bok Lee, an area poet, will be reading our own work in an event next week! The reading event will take place at The Loft Literary Center [in Open Book building, downtown Mpls] at 7 p.m. COME!!! It promises to be a great time; my classmates and I have very distinct points of view on the world, and are very excited to share our work with whomever wants to hear it.
Thanks, y’all! Six days and counting…
Next Page »