CUMUNC X: III

It took only 15 minutes to get there, so I had some time to burn until an ally came and briefing on some of the other countries' blunders. I then prepared my final speech, which, if done right, could make a victory ours. Before I could contemplate on running my card through Starbucks, it was time for committee session 6, the last. I sorted through my bag and found my bottle of water, important to ward off illness, and my ceremonial blue folder as well as the manila folder of press releases and personal messages. And how did it get in there? An award frame, similar to the ones that they put those 81/2x11 motivational awards in, or a MUNC award in. Somebody in my family must have been sending me a subliminal message, but I didn't remember having a loose one of those at home, though. M-Dogg kept the confidential releases.

After more press releases and more threats of gassing and the reality check that gas masks cost $200, not $2, the committee was totally partisan. But after much stalling, the final hour fell. I had not yet given my grand speech. Now tt was goofy time, and we did every imaginable loony thing in one hour, but thanks to that hour, Ethiopia had to clean up the floor singlehandedly. Purposeful success, compared to nuking Godzilla or the internet (which the dais had already proposed in a previous MUNC in high school). Lunch in a white gift bag, and we found the hideout of all the bruthas in Starbucks (I did not see even one of them with a Starbucks cup, but I guess at least one of them bought one). Grab a few bottles of water for the people next to be satisfied while I sipped from mine during the long ending ceremony.

There was a slideshow, with lots of pictures of the informal dance. Sort of glad I didn't go to it: a lot of guys were sidelined. Then came the intense part: the awards ceremony? Would I be able to slip one of them in that frame that I happened to have?

In short, I did. It turned out to be Best Delegate, good for M-Dogg's first run at MUN. But what to do with the unwieldy gavel which we had to share? I get to put it on display at home. M-Dogg, after the ceremony finished, asked to do a switch. So I pulled out the frame. The little congregation proclaimed at just about once;You brought a frame!?

But I'm not that type of person, though, so I wanted to find out really what the deal was about the frame. Nevertheless, as I had that frame on me, I got the paper instead. I could just imagine the uproar if that had been the person (CB) who won two awards at once. Sort of like being hit with two penalties for one crime. Sure, I was so confident that I would win an award, the population acclaimed. But I would have brought a half-dozen, a whole dozen frames if I thought like that, for everyone's awards!

It turns out that the shop where mommy got the bag was giving out free frames. To save a plastic bag, she put the frame in the bag, but forgot about it, and it came to conference with me.

CUMUNC X: II

Get that resolution passed. We were pummeled with crises, and we knew the international community might turn against the state of Eritrea (which I represented) and Somalia in a battle against Ethiopia. So in a whirlwind and with special maneuvers, a resolution solving Sudan's problems in one page was passed. As we were then sponsors (Cameroon went far out of their way to make sure we were justly represented), we could then stand the hits of page after page of our leader's belligerent attitude and love of sarin gas. Then this whole conference becomes eastern factions vs the west.

CUMUNC X: I

This would be my second run at CUMUNC- the Catholic University Model UN Conference. Well, maybe I could snatch an award this time. So yesterday afternoon, we got in the trusty steed- actually, just your typical SUV in a school bus form. I never knew that the buslets had a little PA system. ETA- must have been under 10 minutes.

Unlike last year, I did not have any frantic research to do, and a greater appreciation for this fine arts was show by the teachers, who did not pile on homework. Naturally, there was an opening ceremony. So there was the I was quite impressed with the brevity of some of the speakers' speeches. Straight to the point is good. This was after multiple plates of cheese cubes, crackers, and cheese-laden spinach provided- oh and some delectable cookies. and some strawberry punch. Session One- went quite smooth. I kept a lot to myself; but did not miss out on anything, as I prepared the drafts for the working paper. Quickly, it became 10:30pm, and time to postpone work for several hours and 2 class periods.

Over the first two days, we came across two SAAS alumni- I guess the Pryz is actually an everybody's place- or were they just trying to come our way?

I did it again

Some people say it's for personal achievement, but I only do it for practical reasons- getting home fast. Maybe it is sort of the former, seeing if I can make it to be with everyone else. Classmates, and friends, if I may be that bold. I know what it is like; looking at the street below from the Fort Totten red line platform, watching anxiously for the next shuttle to drop off the rest of the entourage before the next train came.

I guess it's something to see someone come up the escalator out of apparent nothing.
As I am suggesting, I repeated the B51-passes-you-then-you-run-for-the-80 routine. It worked, again. I must mention, this event somewhat resembles what happened Wednesday, February 6. I avoided a mob and ended up behind the benefactor, making me #15. If I would have counted carefully beforehand, I would have avoided the situation and left him in his #15 place. So I did the aforementioned routine.

It was lucky that the routine worked, particularly today, when there was a train delay (Our train repeatedly malfunctioned), which kept me out of home for half an hour. For that matter, it was so bad that by New York Avenue, I was doubting my ability to get off at Metro Center, therefore requiring me to Farragut North it. I got out fine, and I was mighty glad I had the communal entourage to support me through those hard delays.

Now...about after the successful awards ceremony last afternoon

I zipped over to the Cathedral (the place I spent a miserable night on Dec. 1, 2007) to watch a fellow St. Thomas alumnus sing evensong. Went well, got to boast of my recent part in victory, came home and had a nice pasta dinner. And I worked on the history project.

CUMUNC IV (Sunday)

The wind blew and whistled through the building, the temperature is falling fast. But, I will not speak of that, rather I would speak of one of my best days of my life.

It was 9:50, I had intentionally come in at 9:40. The fellow delegate was not here yet, so I had to entertain the thought of dictatorship. Not necessary, as one could clearly see people from "a mile away" from the top floor of the Przyb' Center. Everything had to be carefully said and done to be a breadwinner, the whole South Africa-Japan bloc knew. So on the stage we pressed to get our paper, authored by South Africa (Very good thing) through the question session. Unfortunately, the front-row countries such as China and England had a different agenda. By the grace of heaven we were able to merge the infidel's paper into ours. The conference barely held together as we finally voted the resolution in. A little parade, and the conference went downhill. A militant group took away Singapore and we threw paper airplanes and paper anti-aircraft missiles to intercept.

Lunch was the same as yesterday, and the fellow delegate had a celebratory sk-cub-rats (read backwards) Frappucino. Then there was the closing ceremony, which was the awards ceremony. Our conference group, the SOCHUM (Social, cultural and humanitarian.) had our awards first. The outrageous militants (China and Israel), all three being 11th graders, in a corrupted manner, got the two Outstanding prizes. At least a Saint Anselm's character won the grand prize, a gavel. At least the other awards were given without corruption. A classmate (9th grade), who performed well, won in the 1963 US security council run-up. But there was the big prize. Best High School. Who guessed? We won with a yelp, upsetting McGuniess' 5 year winning streak. I guess all our people performed do well. "South Africa deserved to win", and we did. So did Japan. You'll hear it all on Thursday at announcements. Again.

CUMUNC III (Saturday)

It was about 9:50am. I was thinking I might become the dictator of the country, as Chris was not there yet. But he came. That was probably a beneficial thing, because we actually pressed our papers through the vote. Good thing for points. That took us through until lunch, which was a boxed sandwich, and a bag of chips, and a brownie that actually tasted United Nations-fresh. As well as a whole table of soda cans to pick from. Some research about the child soldier problem, and a power play in creating a popular working paper. Unfortunately, the European economy crashed when Russia sealed the borders and France dropped the Euro and reverted to the Franc. But, we got our version into the passing process. Then time was up, and following the customs of St. Anselm's, did not go to the Delegate Dance.

Afterwards...
I was driven by the faculty member to the station in a sweet little car. However, there was surprise track work and the train didn't come. Until I boarded the G8 home. At least the ride was quick, but I hurt my ear trying to talk on my Cell over the loud people. By the convention center, however, I was the second-to-last person on the bus, and had personal time with the driver for about 5 blocks. Now I was supposed to meet my mother in Farragut Square. Apparently the ride went so fast she had not made it to the square yet. I jumped the 38B to my doorsteps (in the West End). I called my mother and found that out. (P.S. I live 10 blocks from the square.)

It took 45 minutes for the complete trip, nearly as fast as a rush hour train trip.

CUMUNC II (Friday)

I got up at 6am as usual. My math homework was done. I was fine, until about 3rd period, when sleep deprivation hit me. I was still fine. At 1:30 the Italian started moaning about putting our issue to the side. We, however got that Trafficking paper passed, and our school made sure to be the writer of a working paper. About 2 hours in, the chair had us split our paper, and the Italian's papers into different topics about global warming. A crisis situation occured, and it was slightly fun because it somewhat involved our country, South Africa. It was basically less polution or more good HIV drugs. And so then it was dinner break. Their food court was schism-ed from the Catholic part, basically selling out of any good meatless options for a Lenten Friday. Session 2, we did whatsoever, and time flew to 10:00. I was able to Blog last night as I did not have to go to school early today.


By request, I mention that Tomas received a 103 on his Huck Finn Quiz. An A+++.

Backlog: CUMUNC I

(Thursday, after school). I had some math homework. Also, I had to write a position paper- which had been changed in that last few minutes before getting on the shuttle over to CU. "We're screwed." Nearly. Chris and I had worked on the original paper since Wednesday, and combining the two versions at lunch. We scrounged the details of International Affairs and scrapped together a draft. Luckily the conference had something called the Resource Room with four laptops. So we typed in all the info and had something slightly decent. Then I nearly had a bite to eat. I think it was such a waste, though. Once I had gotten my little plate, it was time to go in to the opening ceremonies. Thus like the real UN, I threw away food without shame. So this is the opening ceremony. There was the worst speaker I had ever heard. He sarcastically said he would keep the talk under three hours. Kahn and Lockes' world peace. For half an hour.

So then we got started on the conference. Unfortunately, we did not get the upper hand that day, but we did become sponsors- something important for the points game. So it was quite fun for 3 hours (I will elaborate later.) It was 10:30 when we finished, and 11:30 I got to bed.

More later!