Sylvana Jajou ePDP

The littlest of creatures decided it would do something. It swooped into the stream and picked up a few drops of water and went directly into the forest and sprinkled them on the fire... Then one of the animals shouted out and challenged the hummingbird in a mocking voice, “What do you think you are doing?” And the hummingbird, without wasting time or losing a beat, looked back and said, “I am doing what I can.”

[theoriginalsupermodels]

Dolce & Gabbana - Spring 1992 RTW

[trasemc]

[positivityadvocate-deactivated2]

[studentlifeproblems]

[positivityunlimited]

Found this on pinterest and thought it’s a good idea to share. Never suppress your emotions, acknowledge and embrace them 💕 they can almost always teach you a great lesson about yourself!

[sylvanajajou]

My group volunteered with Teen Court for our service project. Teen Court is essentially a simulated trial that helps youth offenders avoid entering the correctional system. As volunteers we acted as jury members, and after a few visits I volunteered as a lawyer. We hear the case and then ask the defendant questions about their offense and their experience and try to get a better understanding of their level of remorse. With that information the jury gathers and discusses a list of recommendations, things like “extra chores” or “no TV for a month” that will help the offender learn their lesson. It is far more empathetic and reasonable than sending a child to juvie and/or leaving them with a permanent record. The experience was really eye opening and evoked a lot of empathy. I think it was an experience every person learned from, even the volunteers. We got to really hear the stories of these young kids and gain a perspective we don’t always have access to when just hearing the news. I really loved everything about the experience. It blended a lot of my interests in a way I hadn’t seen before. I am very passionate about the issues that plague our criminal justice system as well as philanthropy so it was so cool to see how those two things intersected. The only thing I wish I could change was the availability to volunteer. It was pretty hard to schedule around their strict hours. Otherwise I had a fantastic experience and plan to continue working with the organization in the future.

[sylvanajajou]

Would ya look at the time...

Even though this is not my first experience with the freedom of a college schedule I feel that since moving out to Indy on my own I’ve really had to relearn good time management habits and exercise my self discipline. I find that living alone makes it really easy to not feel held accountable because no one is going to scold you when you don’t wake up for your 9am. When asked “how are you managing your time?” I don’t really have a good answer. I guess I haven’t been. I haven’t been as aware of my schedule or due dates as I should be and it’s definitely been affecting my performance. Keeping yourself accountable is hard enough, it isn’t any easier to do when you aren’t even sure what you’re supposed to be responsible about. I am definitely going into next semester way more organized. I’ll go through my syllabi and map out when things are due so I can plan accordingly instead of constantly playing things by ear. 

[sylvanajajou]

Once upon a time there was a freshman...

This may not be my first semester at a university but it is definitely still a semester of firsts. It is my first semester living away from home (and on my own to boot!). It is my first semester out of my home state of Michigan. It is my first semester living in a city. With all those firsts comes a lot of uncertainty and so I am admittedly a bit nervous. I have to make new friends and adjust to being in a new environment. I don’t know where all the cool spots are or what people like to do with their time here. I’m also nervous to see how I adjust to not being as heavily involved with different campus organizations. Back home I was top dog. I ran whatever I could get my hands on. It won’t be that simple being the newbie. I’m also nervous that I won’t be as responsible with no one to hold me accountable. I know that that shouldn’t be an issue because I am an adult and should hold myself accountable, I just mean that that is going to be an adjustment and I hope I handle it well.  

[sylvanajajou]

On April 20th, 2018 I joined my peers and left my classroom at 10am. We walked solemnly out to the field in front of our school, a quiet sea of orange t-shirts and rosy cheeks. That silence was a stark difference from how we felt. The energy in the air was charged with passion, frustration, and determination. As they all filled the space in front of the platform I stepped up and, just as I so often did, I spoke my mind. 

It could have been us.

It was Wednesday. Valentine’s Day. One minute students were in their classrooms, learning and engaging with one another, just like we all were only moments ago, and then the next minute they were huddled together behind their desks desperately trying to contact their parents to tell them what could have been their last words. Nikolas Cruz strolled the halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School spraying bullets through windows, classrooms, and the bodies of staff and students from his legally owned AR-15 style rifle. Because of the current system there is nothing that protects anyone from senseless gun violence. Twenty children were shot and killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. Just 6 and 7 year old children. Some of them died before they could even tie their shoes or lose all their baby teeth. And that doesn’t mean just at school. The lack of regulations around buying and owning guns leaves people vulnerable everywhere. That includes churches like the one in Texas, where gun violence claimed twenty-six lives. That includes clubs like the one in Orlando, where gun violence claimed forty-nine lives. That includes concerts like the one in Las Vegas, where gun violence claimed fifty-eight lives. Innocent mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. There is no reason to believe it couldn’t have been us.

It shouldn’t be us.

This is not our job. Standing out here in the cold to tell the government that we don’t want to die because they won’t do their job. It should be the people in office who vowed to represent us and our values. We value the lives of people of color. We value the lives of children. We value the right we all have to go to school and get an education without being plagued by the fear of being gunned down in our classrooms. We value our democratic system that was made to work for us, not against us. So again I say it shouldn’t be us. To the state representatives who are neglecting their duty to make the voices of their people heard: we’ve had enough. Legislation must be created. And it will be. With or without you.

We are all here to say never again. We will not allow for things to continue as they are. No longer can it be so easy for someone to buy such a lethal weapon. No longer will we stand to hear of people dying by gun violence on the news and pray the bullets didn’t hit too close to home.

It won’t be us.

Some people told me I was brave for standing up there that day. I don’t think I was any more brave than any of my peers standing before me. I felt a sense of pride representing them with my voice but I did not feel heroic. I could not have felt more proud to be a part of a movement where kids my age stood up and said enough is enough.

[sylvanajajou]

Change is good (apparently)

Adjusting to college life has been way more challenging than I expected. It was really really hard for me when I got out to Indy. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know where I was. I felt constantly off balance. Even though things are a million times better now that I’ve found a circle of friends I care about and who care about me, I wouldn’t say I’ve completely adjusted just yet. I still don’t feel quite like my old self. I need to get myself into a rhythm again. I need to get a better sense of my community so I don’t feel like so much of an outsider. I know that in order to get there I need to first and foremost get my sh*t together in school. Once I have myself straightened out in that respect I can actually engage in things around campus and around the city without the nagging guilt that I’m forgetting to do something or that I’m falling behind. I want to get back to feeling like my old self but at the same time I have definitely changed in some positive ways since coming to IUPUI. Even though this first semester didn’t go as I would have hoped, I learned some really important lessons. I learned that there are so so many people ready and willing to support me. I learned that there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. I learned that I can’t keep letting myself get in the way of my own happiness and success. That last lesson was a tough one to learn, but with all I’ve been blessed with here in Indy I can’t keep learning that lesson. I know that now I have the strength and support I need to make sure I am accomplishing all I have hoped for in coming to the school of philanthropy.

[sylvanajajou]

Indianapolis is actually pretty cool... Who knew, right?

Being from outside of Indy, everything feels at least a little exciting. Everything I try is a first for me. I love popping into all the cute shops down Mass Ave, I’ve explored Fountain Square a bit, I’ve climbed to the top of the monument, and I’ve enjoyed the Nutcracker Ballet at the Murat theatre. One thing I love about Indy is how kind everyone is. Most people smile and say hello as they pass on the sidewalk. I’ve struck up a number of conversations with strangers that flow like I’ve known them for years. All the hospitality makes me feel at home. I will say my favorite place in Indy so far has got to be Coatcheck Coffee. It’s a quaint little coffee shop not too far from my apartment and they have the best croissants. I love going there to do homework or study when I need to be away from Ace but can’t quite drag myself all the way to the library. 

[sylvanajajou]

*drumroll pleaseee*

My favorite person I’ve come across since moving here is definitely Taliyah Guy. We didn’t speak much when the semester started. She had her group of friends and I had mine. Eventually I started to branch out and we struck up conversation and we just clicked. She reminds me of my friends back home, things have been so easy with her. We’ve gotten along so well and so quickly we actually decided to move in together next year. I can’t wait to have a roomie and be around my girlfriends instead of being alone all the time. I think it’ll be really beneficial for me. Taliyah is hilarious and goofy, but I like that she’s also really honest and tells me what I need to hear. I have a feeling she might be one of my forever friends. 

[sylvanajajou]

Gotta get through the rain to see the rainbow

My biggest challenge this semester has been myself. I have struggled so horribly to maintain self discipline. It’s bad when you’re struggling but it’s even worse when there’s nothing anyone can do to help because it’s just a matter of you being responsible. I have really disappointed myself this semester. I know that I am better than what I produced this semester and it’s hard to see how poorly I’ve presented myself. I know that I’ve dug myself a hole, but I also know I’m going to get myself out of it. I can’t afford to fail the way I have (literally) and so it’s time to step up. I would never forgive myself if I took the opportunities I’ve been blessed with away from myself. I am going to work smarter and harder next semester and every semester after that. I know I can do it. I just have to do it. 

[sylvanajajou]

This was the Notre Dame vs Virginia game on Sept. 28th. This was actually the first college football game I had ever been to and it was intenseeee! I’ve never been a big football fan but now I understand the appeal. There was so much energy in the stadium, and even though I had barely any clue of what was happening, I was so excited the whole game. It was also cool that Notre Dame ended up winning that game, 35-20, so it was a good day all around!

[sylvanajajou]

This is a video of a local Indy band called The Brothers Footman that I saw preform at Square Cat Vinyl in Fountain Square. They were one of 3 performers in the Sofar Show I went to. Sofar is a company that organizes small secret concerts around the city. They focus on showcasing local talent. It was super cool to be at such an intimate concert with only about 40-50 other people all hanging out like friends in their basement or something, just enjoying the music. The performers all hung out with us before/after their sets too. It just felt like one big casual hang out with a bunch of friends who were, in reality, total strangers. It made me feel really welcome in Indy, which I’m still learning to be my new home.

[sylvanajajou]

This word cloud represents the goals I have and will continue to work towards during my IUPUI career and in my life in general. The words that appear the largest are the words that reflect some of my biggest goals. I will remain optimistic even when I face challenges. I will persevere through hardship. I will keep moving and keep myself motivated. I will not let my pride get in the way of asking for help when I need it to be successful. I also chose the place marker symbol in the middle to represent that I will be here and I will be present in all that I work towards. It reminds me that I can’t run from things. This is where I am and I will work hard to get to where I want to be.

[sylvanajajou]

To This Day Project - Shane Koyczan

Shane Koyczan "To This Day". Help this message have a far reaching and long lasting effect in confronting bullying. Please share generously. Find Shane on Fa...

This spoken word poem is one that has stuck with me since the moment I heard it. It may not seem particularly “motivational” but to me it is profoundly inspirational. It deals with the issue of bullying. Sometimes our biggest bullies are ourselves. For me that could not be more true. I battle a constant war of having the strongest desire to make my dreams come true but feeling incapable and unworthy. I face shame and guilt. I feel lazy. I feel like I’ll never win the war within myself. Towards the end of the poem Koyczan says “...There’s something inside you that made you keep trying despite everyone that told you to quit.” I try to keep that thought with me every single day. Especially on those days when I think I can’t get back up from the bottom.