VP Me Please!

So I guess I didn't explain it quite as clearly to everyone who was wondering why on earth I'd drive all the way back to San Luis Obispo in the middle of a work week. I was trying to be brief, but at the same time, it might have been a waste to come all the way back down if it didn't go through as planned.

I came back down here to run in the officer elections for SWE. Based on previous observations, you have a very low percentage of winning in a relatively high position if...you're not present. Having someone represent you isn't always a good solution either because It's just not as effective. I'd had a rough morning and didn't get to do what I'd intended to in preparation for the elections. What I wanted was to be the VP of Corporate Relations. I do corporate work on a daily bases and I love it. Too bad my speech was kind of a flop...I just wasn't quite with it. Why I'm running? Because SWE has given me so much experience and networking with students, campus, and companies, and I want to give something back. I feel I'm ready to manage a group and I want to bring companies that SWE hasn't previously worked with into the networking circle. Why I feel qualified? I'm an officer this year and know how the club organizational structure works. I do extensive (pretty much overly extensive) networking and communications with a very broad range of companies on a daily basis, such as IBM, Intuit, Amgen, Lockheed Martin, Lawrence Livermore Labs, Google...the list goes on. And when I say networking, I mean personal contacts that I know and who know who I am. I bring them to campus for recruiting sessions and technical info sessions. I'm planning a department banquet that is similar to EWI during the winter. And I am involved with a broad range activities.

Anyways, my speech forgot a lot of that stuff. I probably wouldn't have said it all anyways. It's hard to talk about one self without sounding...conceited I guess is the word. Anyways, fair enough I didn't get it...which is actually okay. Amber was just as qualified plus her industry involvement had been directly connected to SWE. Plus she brought her team tech crew to vote lol...smart move. I got a different VP position instead. I am now the VP of Campus Relations...which is the current core that I am in. I had been considering it, as well as VP of College Relations (but I didn't want to run against Sabrina on that one!). Unfortunately, I do feel really bad for the other person who was running for my VP position. She wasn't present, so it wasn't as fair to her that I was there and stood to run against her. I know she would have been qualified as well and I hope that it will not hinder anything between us.

I really don't like conflicts between people. I am excited though...and it gives me something to look forward to next year. :)

Other than that, I have rather mixed feelings about my visit home. Bible study was great...awesome. I helped make strawberry shortcakes and had dinner with friends. I got my alone time and enjoyed my room once again. I did a lot of things that needed to get done on campus that I hadn't been able to do for the past few weeks because I haven't been there on a normal school/work day/hours, I got to ride my bike everywhere (ah I miss that up here in San Jose), went hiking and surprised Kyle, and I got to work remotely from home. The weather was...perfect. But in this same time frame, I lost a friend. I don't think it's quite hit me yet, but maybe it'll be better this way. It's hard to see someone you care about walk away, but perhaps the hurt and the low feelings I feel will walk away with it. To my friend, I hope you know I don't have or hold anything against you...I find no reason to. It's just a matter of moving forward.

Some people say I'm too nice. It's true, I am, but that's the whole thing...I am and it's genuine. I don't do it just to be nice...I actually dislike that label...she's "nice". But my feelings against people don't last. If anything I may just feel bad about myself. It's not the best way I know. It's just the way I am. It makes me strong in some ways, but weak in so many others.