I've got all my stuff in my townhouse now, save for a few clothes still at a friend's place.  And now comes the unpacking and buying.  I've been really lazy about it so far, so I need to get my ass in gear as I only have a few days left until my company arrives for the VT/ECU football game this weekend.

---

As some of you would know, the Malaysian Student Committee is holding their awesome MSC Race again this year filled with new challenges, better prizes and delicious authentic Malaysian food! Now isn't that something to make your mouth water and your competitive spirit to rev up?

For those who are new to the MSC Race concept, it follows the same game strategies of the Amazing Race with a very Malaysian twist! At the MSC race, groups compete against the clock to solve the many challenges offered which are linked to Malaysia and its melting pot of culture. This race also serves as a great opportunity to deepen your cultural knowledge of another country and to build rapport with Malaysian and international students.

So bring your winning attitude and your appetite and join in the fun which had everyone talking about last year!

RSVP by the 28th August 2008 to:

Anoushka: anoushka_2000@hotmail.com

Sherina: social_lil_sher@hotmail.com

Nisha: fleur_belle84@hotmail.com

We hope to see you there!

This quick editiorial is in anticipation of the absolute whirlpool of spin that will be employed by both the mainstream media, as well as the alternative media, in the wake of her passing away suddenly. The mainstream media will largely talk around the issues while seeking to distort her memory to promote their globalist agenda, and we can sure that they will not mention any of the issues that were actually of the most importance. It can also be predicted the the alternative media will make ludicrous accusations about Margaret Thatcher having been 'a member of the Bilderburg Group', an accusation that is entirely false.

I'd like to quickly brush the dust off of the cover of some of the pages of our history, with just a few quotes and a video. Hopefully they will make the case very clear, in regards to Margaret Thatcher not being the villain. The real villain here is The Bilderburg Group and their collaborators.

1990 Oct 30 Tu

Margaret Thatcher

HC Stmnt: [Rome European Council]

Highlights:

Transcript of Full Session

Quotes in relation to The Bilderburg Group

Can the Bilderberg Group be described as a "conspiracy"? The core "Europhiles" who comprise the steering committee seem to be bent on a strategy which they conceal from voters and for which they have no democratic mandate - these few may perhaps be described at the very least as anti-democratic. Some attendees are just natural corporatists and socialists eager to attack national democracies while other attend because they are impressed by finding themselves part of a conclave of the "famous". For the sake of appearances other guest are invited who totally reject their 'one world' or even 'one Europe' philosophy [Enoch Powell, Keith Joseph, Margaret Thatcher]. But in general they are a group of the kind of people who believe in collectivist policies within nation states, the "organisation" of capital and labour by superior brains (like their own) and who, failing to convince voters at home, gravitate to the supra-national collectivism of larger and therefore more distant and less democratically accountable power bases. No wonder Margaret Thatcher (whose downfall was reportedly discussed with such prescience at the 1989 Bilderberg conference) recently said, "It is an honour to be criticised by the Bilderberg Group".

Bilderberg has always discussed and promoted its power and designs behind closed doors. It has invited journalists of repute who never report their activities, and it invites leading politicians not as individuals but because they enjoy or are likely soon to enjoy positions of power. Both Heath and Blair were invited before they became leaders of their parties.

Europe's Full Circle - Corporate Elites and the New Fascism by Rodney Atkinson, Compuprint Publishing 1998. ISBN 0952511037

The Bilderbergers are widely reported to have been involved in the overthrow of Prime Minister Thatcher after she returned from an EMU discussion in Rome proclaiming "I refuse to hand over this sovereign nation to thirteen unelected bankers!"

British Prime minister Tony Blair in secret attendance - and who else?, Tony Gosling 24th Dec 1998.

He [Tony Blair] was lectured severely for failing to bring Britain into the common currency, which is to be phased in beginning January 1. Blair assured Bilderberg that Britain would join, but he had to resolve “political problems” because “there is a surge of nationalism at home.”

“You’re a Maggie Thatcher in long pants,” a German told Blair. This was a crude reminder that Lady Thatcher had been dumped as head of state by her own Conservative Party on Bilderberg orders and replaced with trapeze artist John Major, for the precise same reason (SPOTLIGHT, May 29, 1989).

After being deposed, Lady Thatcher told The SPOTLIGHT she considered being denounced by Bilderberg a “tribute” because neither Britain nor any country should surrender sovereignty.

The world’s most exclusive club wants supremacy in the judicial and economic fields, The Spotlight, 20th May 1998.

The Bilderbergers are alleged to have engineered Margaret Thatcher out of Downing Street because of her opposition to a European Superstate.

Western Morning News, 15th May 1998.

Once a year, the 120 men and women credited with putting Bill Clinton into the Oval Office and ousting Lady Thatcher from No 10, meet to discuss world events and, some claim, manipulate them.

The group was created 44 years ago by Bernhard of the Netherlands, a Nazi princeling with a vision of "globalisation" - a one-world government controlled by conglomerates more powerful than national legislatures. The secretive group has been accused of creating the European Union and the single currency, prompting wars and engineering the fall of unfriendly governments.

Lady Thatcher once remarked that to "be denounced by Bilderberg is to receive an honour". She opposed its vision of a European super-state.

The Whole World in its Hands, Jim McBeth - The Scotsman,  15th May 2008.

Along the way, the group, made up of between 115 and 120 of the world's most powerful businessmen, financiers, academics and politicians, is credited with engineering Margaret Thatcher out of the prime minister's job and getting a former chancellor, Kenneth Clarke, into bother over his expenses. The group was founded in 1954 by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands - it takes its name from the Oosterbeek hotel where the first meeting was held - in order to create a "think tank" of the great and good, to discuss "globalisation". The secrecy that surrounds its annual four-day meeting is legendary.

Return Of Secret Group That 'Rules The World': All-powerful Bilderberg think-tank set for another meeting in Scotland, Jim McBeth - The Scotsman, 11th May 1998.

And for those of you who may ask, "Then why do we keep seeing her hanging off the arm of all these globalists in photoshoots recently?"

Well, when you can't remember what happened up to five minutes ago (refer to the aforementioned dementia), it becomes very easy for you to be used as a stage prop by absolutely cynical traitors, such as Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Three different videos from all over NC... We are here but no one is checking for us. Peace out to 3rd World, Mica Swain and Rapper Pooh.  If you are a North Carolina Artists contact us and we will spotlight you on Street Legendz. Contact us at streetlegendzofnc@gmail.com or at myspace.com/streetlegendzofnc

Street Legendz of  North Carolina

1)ECU peeps are meeting at Zone 2.
Walk in The Deen main entrance, head down the corridor and turn right. This space is undercover, so don't worry about the rain!

The Deen is at Aberdeen street, Northbridge. You can catch the 886, 887 , 889 or 19 to head to perth and then walk down William Street and turn left into Aberdeen Street.

2) Get your ID, (18+, & ECU student card)

3) Dress smart - no ripped jeans, running sneakers etc!, The Deen's dress policy applies

4) No empty stomachs! While the drinks prices have been reduced, you're better off grabbing dinner before heading down to The Deen.

Give a call on 0431 229 479 if you've got any enquiries.

See you there!

See you there!

Caine.

ECU Board

Pillow Talk – Pizza Night/Movie Marathon July 19th

Got questions? Wanna discuss? Meet some people? Why not talk it over some free pizza during ISC's Pizza Night. Head down to ECU Mount Lawley campus and meet up with other new students and share your experiences so far.

Dont forget to dress up comfy for a marathon session of movies overnight on campus screening some great Saturday night movies from around the globe + all-time favourites.

What: Pizza Night/Movie Marathon

Where: ECU Mount Lawley campus, Bldg 3. Room 3.101

When: 19 july Saturday6 pm onwards till Sunday morning

Cost: FREE

How to get there: Catch the 886, 887, 889 or 19 from either direction (from the city/to the city) and get off at ECU ML campus.

FREE PIZZA

Take back the night: Safety campaign for women July 23 and 25th

Tired of feeling scared?
Tired of walking in high pace on your way home from late nights at the town?
Heard of drinkspiking?

All women needs a safety zone. Where there is no room for harrasment or threats. We in ISC and the Guild believe university is as good place as any for learning the skills that lets you create that zone for yourself.

Free pizza (veg and halal catered for) and a self-defense workshop!

What: Safety campaign

Cost: FREE

Where: Joondalup Campus :

When: 23^rd July 10am – 1pm.

Where: Mount Lawley campus

When: 25^th July 10am – 1pm

EN-TRANCE : Isc Welcome Party July 26th

Where : The Deen, Aberdeen Street, Northbridge
Time : 7 pm till late [get there early!]
When : Saturday, 26 July
Cost :FREE ENTRY!

ECU International Students Council are hosting their bi-annual Semester Party to welcome all new  students at Edith Cowan University. Come along and meet other new students and get a feel of the night life in Northbridge.

Free entry, reduced drink prices, and a live band performing on the night, you can't miss it!

**********************************
What you should have been born knowing:
**********************************
1) While entry is free, (VIP entry for ECU Students), come in by 7, as The Deen tends to get packed pretty quick!

2)Since The Deen is an 18+ venue (no kidding), please bring proper identification such as your Passport (But for Embassy's sake, *please* do not, i repeat, *Do Not* lose it!)

3) Your ECU Student Card is *not* an 18+ proof card, but bring it along to get into the VIP queue.

4) For those at the Student Village Mount Lawley, you can catch Public Transport buses 887, 886, 889, and 19 to get to Aberdeen Street. Return buses run till late. Check out www.transperth.wa.gov.au for bus timetables.

5) Party Hard. Drink Responsibly.

Email ecuisc@ecu.edu.au if you've got any queries.

ECU has TOTALLY removed all charges and falsely accumulated grades!!!  I'm ready to do a back flip!!!

SO....the process of finding out where I am going to be this fall is back on track......

I will keep you all updated as I find out more info....

and Kindo-

I am on Chapter 7 in Emma :o)

1) Living in Perth Orientation Day [Thursday 17th July 9:30 - 1:30]
- BBQ sizzle organised by the Student Guild: Help out at the barbie, meet everybody, and get free food!
If you likey, shoot an email to Antonella at communications@ecuguild.org.au or ecuisc@ecu.edu.au by Wednesday 16th July 12pm.

2) Student voice sessions: Student Central are looking for people person(s), (people people?) to have a chat with new students in small groups, talking bout your student experience. This is an informal session. (students around students = no suits or polished shoes). Get in touch with Jane at j.hallos@ecu.edu.au or ecuisc.pr@gmail.com by Wednesday 16th July 12 pm.

2) Stalls - Like to hang about, snap some photos, and hand out some flyers under the shade of the stalls? Help us out on the 17th, 22nd and 24th Welcome Days.

3) NLC Forum for International Students - [Friday 18th July, 1 -3 pm, Curtin University].
Okay. Now this is for everybody whos got a word or two (being modest) to say about their experience as a student. (Hint : This is where you can rave about anything - from student fees, accommodation issues, soft muffin tops (yes, everything bout your studnet experience in Australia)).
This is organised by NLC - recommendations and outcomes from this panel will be compiled and sent to the higher education review panel.
If you are unable to attend during those times, you can still share by sending an email to ecuisc@ecu.edu.au

Get in touch with us at ecuisc@ecu.edu.au
International Students Council Board
ecuisc@ecu.edu.au

PS: Watch this space, events coming up soon!

Well, I doubt this blog will ever actually get any hits.

By the time anybody discovered this blog, they may be able to find out that this is a blog written by a Malay student from University of Warung Ahmad.(UWA does stand for many other universities but this University of Warung Ahmad is just to personify the actual university making it...funny?)

The University of Warung Ahmad has been around for ages since the 1900s. It is located on an island and one of the most isolated places in the world. Many of its citizens are conservative here and when Melayu students come to study at University of Warung Ahmad, they too become conservatives by without even realizing it!

Despite being part of a modernised society, we still become a citizen of the Utopia Kampung Melayu. This Kampung provides us in a community of fun filled friends, energetic football playing community, food provisions resembling what we receive from Tanah Melayu, and many more things that make us not want to leave this Utopia. We help each other, we play with each other(no pun intended), and we study together.

University of Warung Ahmad is not the only university on this part of the Island. The Western part of the Island has 3 other universities as well. Cermin University of Technology (CUT), Eric Chia University (ECU), and also Muthu University. This is an educational hub filled with fun, flare and games!

Well, I will be travelling to the east coast of the Island to meet other citizens of Malaysia is Beris-Ben. So, hear from my correspondence from Beris-Ben soon.

My non-existent tan begged for some vitamin D and my feet hadn't burned themselves on the hot cement since mid-May. So, yes, today was a perfect day to go to the pool.

I walked up there armed with a book to read, a disappearing hangover and the excitement of not having anything to do.  From afar, I could tell the pool was crowded, but it's Saturday, it's to be expected.  As I got closer, I realized it was really crowded.  Whatever, I don't need a pool chair, cement it is.  As I pushed through the gate, I found myself standing in the middle of an orgy of frat boys, random old people cooking a pig in the shade and three dozen drunk blond girls.  It was 2 in the afternoon.

I wasn't going to let this ruin my Saturday afternoon, so I found the only open space on the cement and laid down, opened my book and anxiously awaited the overbearing sweaty feeling.  Before that could happen, more frat boys came barreling through the gate, keg in hand and a cooler of jell-o shots.  Now this is Greenville and it is a Saturday, but what the hell was going on?

Half-way through an annoying Fergie song, a frat boy asked "What the hell are we listening to?" --my thoughts exactly.  He walked over to giant speaker and began scrolling through the ipod.  Fitter Happier came on.  Nope, he went to the next.  The Cranberries' Linger started playing. Nope.  Incubus' Pistola.  Nope. Smashing Pumpkins' Disarm. Nope.  I was starting to think whoever owned this Ipod had good taste, but this frat boy was ruining it. What did he choose?  Give you one guess.

O.A.R.

Of course. Another fratty shouted, "Shit yeah!" Frat boys high-five'd and my arms burned while I rolled my eyes.  What followed couldn't have been more stereotypical frat boy music: Dave Matthews and Bob Marley.

I gave up on reading my book, turned over and proceeded to cook my organs a little longer.  The frat boys had circled around the table right behind my head.

"Phat tattoo, man. When are you gettin' it touched up?"

They stood around comparing equally sweet armband tattoos and revealed in each other's awesomeness. Several girls had run by giggling and downed jell-o shots that came from a trash bag inside of a cooler.  The boys discussed the bars downtown and how much money they had dropped the night before.  "My tabs are always big."  Thank you Daddy Warbucks.  I had only been there 40 minutes, but I had to go. Not only had my liver been cooked very well-done, my brain seared by the overly predictable frat talk and music.  I needed to go.

Frat boys everywhere--I hate you.  I know daddy is paying for your alcoholism and friends.  That's cute. I know that sweet tattoo totally meant something to you as you convinced your brahs late one night that getting Cindy inscribed on your arm after your one month anniversary.  I know those beer bellies forming are sure to attract some hotties.  I know those tight khakis are worn just so they can cause your tiny bulge to be seen.  And sadly I know, one day you will inherit daddy's fortune, you'll marry Cindy (whose hair is falling out from dying it blond too much), live in the suburbs, act like a douchebag and drink to try to forget how sad your life is.  It's sad really.  I wish it could be different, but you made your decision. <3

Ya esta tarde me he puesto a investigar más en detalle y claro que me sonaba, como que durante varios años --desde su creación en 1979 hasta el 31 de Diciembre de 1988-- nos estuvieron machacando con el ECU para arriba y para abajo. Bueno a los españoles nos suena un poco menos porque nuestra entrada en la UE fue en el año 1986 cuando el ECU ya llevaba un tiempo funcionando. Es increible como se te pueden olvidar las cosas, o si no olvidar si que al menos pasar a un limbo de los recuerdos casi desaparecidos por completo, en este caso oscurecidos por el éxito apabullante del Euro.

Para los que les pase como a mi que les suene pero casi ni se acuerden, les recordaré que el ECU fue un invento de la UE (no es verdad que fuese de la UE, fue de la CEU - Comunidad Económica Europea) para configurar una moneda virtual que englobase a todas las monedas de los países integrantes (al final no todos integraban su moneda en el ECU). El valor del ECU se calculaba con una media ponderada de las divisas que lo integraban. La idea era ir ajustando los cambios de las monedas de cada país (sólo se permitía una fluctuación del 2,25%) para cuando realmente se pusiese en marcha una moneda real y física que era el objetivo final. Cuando se llegase a esta moneda real debería existir un cambio fijo entre la moneda antigua de cada país y la nueva moneda común que reflejase el valor de cada divisa.

Una cosa que no me queda muy clara es el por qué después de existir durante prácticamente 20 años se eliminó el término ECU en favor del conocidísimo Euro. Parece que ECU también era el nombre de una antigua moneda francesa y por esa connotación a algunos países no les terminaba de gustar la palabreja. Lo que me parece más razonable que pensaran fue: si no eres un gran políglota ECU era simplemente un acrónimo que no tenía un significado muy concreto y en cambio con el término Euro si que se ve una relación más directa con lo que representa: la moneda común europea (de Europa pues Euro).

Más información: Un poco de historia del ECU (eng)

And now, being 2 classes shy from graduating from East Carolina University and receiving my Masters in Instructional Technology, I am left to think what long-term goals await. You see, receiving this graduate degree is a short-term goal as well. I feel sometimes that I have yet set a long-term goal. How can a 27-year old college graduate fail to have a long-term goal? I could stretch for a goal and say that I want to accomplish my career objective; the same objective is placed time after time in my resume. And I do value that, I truly want to pursue a career in advocating learning and computing technologies to improve education within a traditional and classroom setting, but is that a goal that measures my happiness?

And then I am reminded, each time as I arrive home, that I am blessed to be with my love of my life. She always know what to say to bring out the fiercest of emotions in me. I realize each day that I shy away from my long-term goal because it is so far away from achievement. I feel that it is too exhausting to reach. My long-term goal is to show my future wife that she has nothing to fear by sharing a life with me.

There will be hundreds, maybe thousands, of short-term goals in this process of making a woman happy, but in the end, it will be all worth it. You see life is a series of short-term goals, in my opinion; all in the process of developing a long, prosperous life where happiness is the captain of your ship.

Of course, I could be wrong...

The Midori R35 in the pitbox at Fuji Speedway where Yasushi Kikuti would test the new suspension.

Here you see Yasushi, during the day he would record a time 1:54.581. Midori also knows that alot of R35 owners wont go near a track in the car. Therefor he also tested the suspension on the public highway in Hakone.

The Suspension is looking good ;) It's a 3way adjustable one (bound, rebound and height). The ECU is still in a testing fase but I expect some good things from it. It is said that it will remove the speed limiter and increase the rev limit and boost.

Midori

And this time its going to be a whole lot better!

Proposals invited:
International Students Council Board have decided to open up the organisational team to every student at ECU to increase professionalism of the event. If you have a plan in mind on how to run the MCW event, you and a friend could get-together, form a team, develop a strategy and submit your proposals to ISC for consideration.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to get hands-on experience in organising and running events professionally, build your portfolio, or simply, get to be part of a great multicultural environment!

The Event:
Multicultural Week is an annual event organised all around Australia by the respective International Student Council equivalents at all universities. MCW aims to highlight the multicutural nature of Australia in its traditional week long string of events which usually take place during the first two weeks of October. In the past, ISC has collaborated with African Students Association to include the Cup of Nations Soccer Tournament with MCW as well. Visit http://ecumcw.wordpress.com for furthur information.

Judging:
All proposals will be reviewed by the ISC Board and panel of judges consisting of industry body experts, previous event advisors and relevant ECU Staff.

Theme:
The theme for this year's Multicultural Week is "Home is..."
The theme is open to intepretation by the teams.
Go creative:
..but be realistic at the same time. MCW in the past have been run with budgets that rely heavily on acquiring sponsorship support. Proposals from teams must include:

• Summary
• Team stucture
• The Event Concept - relevance to ISC
• Key messages/objectives of the event
• The estimated budget
• Sponsorship strategy
• Event timeline
• Team recruitment process (state how you will recruit more members and volunteers for the crew)

Teams must read and accept the terms and conditions for submission of proposals.

Deadlines

• Expressions of interest (state that you are interested in organising MCW) must be sent to ecuisc@ecu.edu.au by Friday June 20, 9pm.
• Proposals must be submitted to ecuisc@ecu.edu.au no later than Friday June 27th 9pm.

Information
View the terms and conditions here
For more information on ISC visit : http://ecuisc.wordpress.com
Multicultural Week 2007 Blog page: http://ecumcw.wordpress.com
Send an email to ecuisc@ecu.edu.au for more information if required.

--

International Students Council Board

For instance, right now I am in Media Effects, which is actually really interesting.  Far more interesting than my International News Communication that I am taking online.  Anyway, in this class, I sit in the front row, raise my hand to answer all the questions and volunteer to do stupid stuff.  It also helps that I've already had this professor.  So essentially, I am that girl you can't stand in the class.  I don't tell long winded stories no one cares about, but I take a ridiculous amount of unnecessary notes and yell out the answers.

In my Visual Merchandising class, I strolled in with sweat pants on, sat in the middle rows, nearly fell asleep everyday and gave bullshit answers if called on.  In my video production class, I took every project he gave us and made a mockery out of it.  I would do everything he said had to be in it, but then turn it all backwards, but just enough so it technically wasn't "wrong."  In my Small Group Theory class, I was the quiet girl who sat in the front that scribbled notes the entire time and never said a word.  In Human Sexuality, I was the teacher's pet, not to mention the only person taking it as honors, so I got to do all the extra stuff.  Knox would call on me to explain what queefing was to the class and then I had to be the assistant to the dominatrix girl (it was kind of awesome).  In my basic reporting class, I was the girl who asked a lot of questions and always volunteered to read stuff.  In Merchandising Strategies, I sat in the front row but made jokes the entire time with the girls around me, while doodling to-do lists on my notes.  In French, I sputtered inaudible and incomprehensible  responses to French questions, while using translators at home.  In English, I wrote as many controversial papers as I could possibly write.  In geology, I was constantly asked to change my major to geology and got stuck having long winded conversations with the professor while trying to take my tests.  The class personas go on and on, however, I have consistently been the lackadaisical student in Merchandising--because the program is a joke--and been the super nerd in communications.

The other day Ellis said, "Don't you ever turn it off?"  To which I replied, "What, the bitch?   No.  Don't you like that I'm reliably bitchy?  You can count on it."  She said she guessed, she did need some stability in her life afterall.  With my friends, I like to be reliable, whether it be in showing up places, being the bitch or throwing the necessary sexual joke in there--they can count on me.  But when it comes to being a student, my grades are reliable, but I don't want anything else to be.  I want someone to walk into class and be like, "Oh God, she's in here," because I had previously been the annoying girl.  But then I want to throw them off by being the slacker in the back who makes snide remarks and is secretly fucking up the curve.  I love my life.

I couldn't find any pictures of me being studious, so here's one of my favorite pictures where bitching is in full force

Burch captured these precious moments.

Obsessions with food like this get me into trouble. It is this very shortcoming that caused me to become a gym maniac and healthy food connoisseur, so that I could at least gorge on non-transfatty foods and then run it all away at the gym. But there was a period in my life that was consumed in calorie packed fragility and an empty treadmill at the gym calling my name.

My freshmen year.

My freshmen year started at UNC-G. The food was mediocre at best. The meat was mysterious. The desserts were dry. And only thing that seemed slightly organic was the salad bar. I sought refuge there and quickly lost the liquor weight I gained from a summer of graduation debauchery. It wasn't until I transferred to ECU and was met with multiple buffet lines, all sprouting in greasy imitations of home cooking that I found my match. Where they lacked in authenticity, they made up for in sodium, enigmatic greasy liquid, and solidified fat. It wasn't Taco Tuesday, BBQ Wednesday, the millions of grilled cheeses, the Waffle bar, fried chicken, or delicious french fries that did me in; it was the dessert bar.

There in an island of savory jubilation I threw caution to the wind and immersed myself in a bowls of chocolate pudding topped with brownies and chocolate covered strawberries. I piled plates of chocolate cake and apple pie on my tray and never left a meal without devouring at least four desserts. No one stopped me. No one said, "Hey maybe you're getting kind of squishy and should put down the chocolate eclair." Instead, I relished in the endless dessert bar and quickly found my freshmen 15. I ate them out of convenience and addiction, never out of hunger. I went into that year as a small and size 4, I left as a large and a size 6 that didn't really fit.

I looked back on that semester in regret over the destruction I had done. In the past, I had occasionally gone to the gym, but only in the vain hope of being skinny for prom and spring break, now I knew I had to commit. I returned to Cary with a gym membership in hand and ambition to stick to a healthy diet. It is here, where I started my love/hate relationship with the gym. I just passed the two year anniversary of my quest to be in shape and have proudly kept off the 20 pounds I initially lost, now a size 2 and XS :). Some months I'm stronger than others, some months I'm skinnier, some months I'm lazy and some months I drink and eat entirely too much, but it all equals out in the end and I can proudly say that somewhere in there I learned the importance of self control.

Through it all, Anna Woodall Hudson gets MD

By Brandon Sneed
News Staff Writer
14.MAY.08

Kenly native Anna Woodall Hudson, 28, graduated from East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine this past weekend, thrilling parents Sara and Hal Woodall and husband Keith Hudson, senior pastor of Riverview Baptist Church in Washington, grandmothers, Gladys Slaughter of Wilson and Bessie Woodall of Princeton – and for good reason.

Hudson attended on a full academic scholarship (ECU’s Brody Scholarship) and graduated in the top 15 percent of her class in a way few, if any, have ever done, turning a remarkable accomplishment into an all-out conquest of the impossible.

For the last 11 years – through her final two years of high school, four years of undergrad at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and five years of medical school – Hudson has been battling an autoimmune disease that knocked her out of school twice and shoved her to the brink of heaven more times than she can remember.

Doctors have been repeatedly confounded by the illness, which first appeared in 1997 as a rash and was originally thought to be Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph nodes, though a preliminary biopsy proved that diagnosis wrong. Since then, the disease has been diagnosed incorrectly at least a half-dozen times while ravaging virtually every inch of her body, moving to a new region almost as soon as it is wrangled under control somewhere else.

Over the years, Hudson has been in nearly every hospital in the region and met more doctors than she ever wanted to know. Hudson always had an idea she would want to be a doctor since her father is one, and the idea became a career decision as she majored in biology at UNC and dealt with all types of doctors throughout her illness.

“She wants to be the right kind of doctor,” said her mother.

Hudson, who will be a doctor of family medicine once she has finished her three-year residency, was first forced from school her junior year at North Johnston High School when the disease flamed to life for the first time, and missed her second year of medical school when it pinned her to her bed once again.

“There’s no cure for it,” Hudson said. “Like any disease, it just has its times when it’s worse and when it’s better.”

Hudson’s success – and her very survival – has been a team effort. On days Hudson was unable to leave the bed, family members would attend classes for her, tape-recording the lectures and taking notes, then reporting back to Hudson in her bed or hospital room with a full review of the session.

She has survived pneumonia, tuberculosis, single-digit white blood cell counts, arthritis and nine surgeries.

She is currently on 19 separate medications, and has an IV implanted in her arm, fed by fluids stored in a fanny pack cinched around her waist. Through it all, many have stood beside her, though the most notable have been her parents and husband.

“It was very difficult on (her father Hal) as a doctor,” shared Mrs. Woodall. “He was our backup, though. He got her what we needed, and he feels such a strong pride in Anna for what she has accomplished.”

Husband Keith turned out to be, as opposed to a knight in shining armor, a rock powered by an unwavering heart.

The two knew each other slightly in high school (“Everybody knows everybody in Kenly,” said Keith) and became a couple midway through their undergraduate college years.

After getting engaged in only seven months of dating, they were married the summer following Hudson’s senior year of college on June 14, 2004.

“It’s been an absolute joy,” said Keith. “I’ve really enjoyed our marriage. Her illness definitely increases the struggles and stresses … but I absolutely love her. I love her more today than when we got married.”

A self-described career-driven workaholic, Keith has turned down a number of pastoral opportunities and been forced to cancel multiple trips with his church youth group in order to care for his wife when illness strikes, which is often due to her body’s fragile immune system caused by the mass amounts of antibiotics.

Living without a trip or opportunity is welcomed, however, compared to the alternative – living without his wife, a horrific possibility that has presented its ugly self quite enough.

More than once, Hudson’s disease has racked her to the breaking point. Multiple onsets of life-threatening illness (pneumonia, tuberculosis, flu) have pushed her to that edge, beating her down below 100 pounds and threatening to destroy her heart more than once.

“Those are always extremely difficult times,” said Keith. “They are very scary times. Who wants to be a 28-year-old widower?”

The most vivid near-death experience Hudson recalled was when she contracted a variant of tuberculosis her second year of med school and was confined to a hospital bed, under medical masks and getting pumped full of practically every antibiotic that fit. The disease forced her stomach to reject everything it received, carving away pound after pound until the frail Hudson was under 100 pounds and being kept alive by a feeding tube and oxygen mask.

“I said to myself, I really might die here,” Hudson recalled.

In other situations, Hudson’s white blood cell count – the cells that fight disease – was exhausted to the point of becoming undetectable. After one surgery, Hudson’s heart raced out of control (over 180 beats-per-minute) and her brain went berserk as she rambled incoherencies while doctors scrambled to save her life.

And Hudson has pressed on, battling and defeating the disease every time and continuing to do so to this day.

“She just has an unbelievable drive,” said Keith. “A lot of it is her perseverance and reliance on God … and it’s like she just says, ‘How can I keep living?’ She does it to live for the people and relationships she is in.”

She could have done without med school – “It probably made things worse,” she said – and likely would be in much better health today without it, but without that experience, she may never have had the chance to save the lives of all she has crossed in her work as a doctor.

“People get shocked and are taken aback by a 28-year-old girl wearing an IV bag and admitting people at the hospital,” Hudson said with a laugh. “But people hear my story, they see what I am living through, they believe they can make it too.”

She speaks of her disease as a Super Bowl MVP does his games – something to be dealt with and conquered, rather than stressed about.

“It’s just like, you get adjusted to a new normal,” she said. “I never have a day where I wake up and just feel good. My best day is probably the average person’s worst day. But I make it. I’m okay.

“And I feel blessed.”

Hudson credits her incredible support staff of friends and family, and cannot believe how gracious the administration at Brody has been in working with her and allowing her to chase and conquer her dreams of being a doctor.

And through it all, Hudson, who was saved about a year after the disease surfaced, has realized that despite all the hell she has experienced, God still loves her.

“God doesn’t make me sick,” Hudson said. “He allows me to be sick. He knows my struggles and my heart and how much I want to be well. But he’s also blessed me to be able to finish school and keep my grades and study. He’s given me a husband who is wonderful and takes care of me. He’s given me a father who brings me IV fluids. He’s given me a huge support system.”

As if what she went through to make it to graduation was not enough, eight weeks ago, Hudson fell down some steps and broke her hip, only to cross the stage (while also battling bronchitis) with nary a wheelchair, walker or cane, one of which the typical hip-breaker would require.

“God always clears the path,” said Hudson. “Sometimes, it feels hard, like I can’t go on anymore. But he always makes a way for me.”

(pic | contributed to Kenly News)

All volunteers, whether as part of an organisation or not, are invited. Bring your friends along as well for some tender loving care. This is a good oppoortunity for those who are interested in becoming a volunteer to socialise and get some first hand tales of how oh-so-much fun it is to be making a difference.

Free food, live music (Daniel & Richard) definetely can't be missed.

MCW Certificate Giving Ceremony
ECUISC would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who have been involved with the Multicultural Week 2007

FREE ENTRY
Friends of guests are invited as well.

----

Contact ecuisc@ecu.edu.au to RSVP or for any enquiries.

But her are a few highlights from the weekend…

Aimee and Dan (this is not a picture from the weekend but a picture from their wedding years ago) But it was so much fun having them up for the weekend. Dan became my mom’s favorite child this weekend. All she could talk about is his wonderfulness… no offence Dan you are great! But it was nice hanging out with my sister. We had fun, although we had to do things like clean out the shed, cook 15 lbs of potato salad and pull weeds we had a good time.

Ok so this is not my mom but I don’t have those pictures yet. Congrats Mom it was great!

Sunday was also mother’s day! So to celebrate we went to a winery in eastern Oklahoma, Grape Ranch. The wine was so good. And we played botchy ball and I totally dominated!

This is the best wine. I love it. We had such a great time. The wine tasting is free and with a purchase of a glass of wine you get to keep the glass. How fun? I had such a fun time.

Then we left early Monday afternoon and went boutique shopping in okc.

Fun times if you have an afternoon off I would suggest it! But don’t bring your dog. Maddox had to stay in the car. Sad day.

I bought a coin necklace. But it is really cool. It is like 100 years old. I love it.

Maddox also turned one this weekend. Friday when all my roommates woke up we had a birthday party for him. We dressed him in his birthday outfit, cargo pants, blue polo and tie. And sang happy birthday to him and blew out the candle in his hot dog. Then he devoured the hotdog cake. It was precious.

There are around 80 students from Burma on student visas in Australia and hundreds more who are here on a permanent residency basis. Due to the nature of the cyclone, most communication infrastructures have broken down.

In this time of sorrow for the many who have relations and friends back home in Burma, Mr Ron Maw of the Burmese Association of WA has agreed to be available to all students who wanted some support and to be able to talk with fellow countrymen regarding family situations back home.

Ron can be contacted through: 0419 864 727, home 9418 6726, email: ronmaw.52@hotmail.com

Also for those who wish to contact the University Counselling services:

The Counselling Service reception operates from 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Building 3 Room 128 Mt Lawley campus (for all campuses)
Telephone 9370 6706
Facsimile 9370 6730
Email: counselling@ecu.edu.au

Our prayers are being said

ECU International Students Council Crew
------
Thanks to CISWA, NLC West and ECU for the information.

Phoenix Power fitted the new BBS LM DBK rims, they are 20" 9.5j ET40 in the front and 20" 10.5j ET20 in the back. I really thought these wheels would look good, but I have my doubts. I think they look to massive on the car. For the tires Phoenix chose the Potenza RE070R and they measure a massive 255 in the front and 285 in the back.

All black parts of the car are colour coded to give it a clean look. They also have a ECU in place that overrides the speed limiter, according to them the car should reach the 309km/h.

GTR Blog, Phoenix Power

--

SCIS International Food and Culture Night

An International Food and Culture night has been organized for Friday 2nd May, and all SCIS staff and students are are invited. The night will celebrate SCIS's great cultural diversity.

Venue: ML Building 13 - Staff Room
Date: Friday 2nd May
Time: From 6.30 pm onwards
Entertainment: Lots of great food, live music and dancing.

Please bring along some food to share with the other participants. For more information please contact Dr Leisa Armstrong <mailto:l.armstrong@ecu.edu.au> .