Denim Day -- 4/27

I received the email below at work the other day and wanted to share with others. I had no idea what Denim Day was so my guess is that you don't either!

I'll be wearing my denim tomorrow :)

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UNCW students, faculty and staff are invited to wear jeans to campus April 27 in support of Denim Day, a campus-wide effort to protest sexual violence. Sponsored by the Collaboration for Assault Response and Education (CARE) office, Denim Day is designed to protest the myths that surround rape and sexual assault. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“We are asking everyone in the UNCW community to join us in wearing jeans on April 27 to speak out about this very important issue,” said Jen Adler, CARE associate director for violence prevention and response. “UNCW administrators are supportive of this effort and have given permission for employees to wear jeans even in offices where business dress is normally required.”

CARE will also provide stickers inviting people to ask participants why they are wearing jeans, so they can share the story of Denim Day, which started after a 1998 decision by an Italian High Court to overturn a rape conviction. The justices reasoned that, because the 18-year-old rape victim work very tight jeans, the 45-year-old defendant could not have removed her jeans by himself, so the victim must have participated and given consent. Wearing jeans during Sexual Assault Awareness Month has become an international symbol of protest about common misconceptions about rape victims.

“Since 1999, people have made a social statement by wearing jeans to promote awareness and show support to all those impacted by sexual violence,” said Adler.
Please join CARE in bringing attention to the issue of sexual assault by wearing jeans to campus April 27.

For more information on Denim Day, go to www.uncw.edu/denimday.

Lady Hawks

This has been a pretty exciting week in the world of UNCW Women's Basketball. Not only did the Lady Hawks get a bid to the WNIT, but they have also defeated their first round opponent, Richmond.

Now, here's the exciting part...

UNCW gets to host the second round game against Eastern Michigan! Not only is this the first post-season appearance for the Lady Hawks ever (in program history), but it is also obviously our first time hosting a post-season game.

As most of you are aware, I am an avid basketball fan and have been following the UNCW Women's Basketball team all season. Kristi and I even went to the conference tournament in MD last weekend. But I won't lie -- I follow because of Coop. I have loved her since she played for USC and grew up watching her shape the WNBA. She is a huge idol of mine and to have her here on campus is truly amazing.

So, here's to wishing the Lady Hawks the best of luck in the NIT! I'll be there cheering them on. GO HAWKS!

Spring Break?! Where?

Well, this week is Spring Break for the students at UNCW. This means that my office is finally clear of all student workers which translates to near silence. The phrase "silence is golden" has never rung so near and dear to my heart as it has this week. While there have been maintenance workers coming and going the past couple of days, it still beats hearing the "like" and "oh my god" every 5 seconds. However, it still seems like the space directly outside my office door is still the meeting place for everyone - staff, faculty, maintenance workers, etc.

I am not amused.

I had almost a dozen students (student workers in the office, classmates, etc.) ask me what I was "doing" for Spring Break. Well, since I am a full time UNCW staff member first and foremost, I will be doing my job without interruption due to classes and related meetings. I do not have the luxury of jetting off to Jamaica or Cancun or wherever it is young college kids visit these days.

My idea of a break is being able to sleep 8 hours a night and getting in a good work out. Is that too much to ask?!?!

With all of that being said, you can understand why I have not been as productive at work as I should be. But with each passing day my concentration gets better and better; Friday is shaping up to be the most productive day of all!

My motivation to do anything at home is also lacking. That long "to do" list that is sitting on my bedside table? Hasn't been touched since it's been made. Those school books that are waiting to be read in an effort to get ahead for the second half of the semester? Haven't been touched since they were taken out of my bag on Friday.

And this is why:
- Monday: My first day without classes was spent catching up on sleep. For twelve hours.
- Tuesday: My second day was spent watching a movie and then catching up on sleep. For nine hours.
- Tonight, I actually managed to work out, cook dinner, clean the kitchen and bathroom, change the air filter, shower and shave, put away some clean laundry, gather up some dirty laundry, and organize my belongings for work tomorrow. If I have any energy left after typing this blog post, I may even flat iron my hair. Hot damn!

I am hoping that tomorrow is a productive day at work and even more so at home! I'd like to attempt to tackle my "to do" list in case the weather is nice and allows for outdoor play time this weekend. I'd also like to put away this other mound of clean laundry that is staring me in the face, as well as sift through some paperwork.

I really feel that life would be much more do-able with a midget assistant. Think of all the extra little things (no pun intended) that could get done in my life. AND I'd be boosting the economy by paying someone a salary.