Blog #1 - How I Spent My Summer Vacation....in School

Starting from the moment that I could make any objections (probably around 18 months old), my father has repeatedly told me, "Erin, there are always going to be things in life that you don't want to do, but you just have to do them." And so it is with this statement in mind that I've come to take Writing for the Media - a requirement for graduating communications majors at Manhattanville College.
My academic background can be describe in one word: non-linear.
I started college back in September 2001 (yes, that September) at Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA. I was a declared sculpture major with dreams of doing special effects makeup and prosthetics for film and television; my goal since the age of 5 was to work for Jim Henson Productions/Creature Shop. Unfortunately, art school was not at all what I had anticipated it to be. Expecting to do mostly figure sculpture and casting moulds, I was forced into compromising my work to fit into the "art world" - which at the time (and still today) is mostly interested in conceptual work (a real example from one of the students in my class: taking a dump in a paper bag, covering it in honey, and telling the class a story of how it relates to her childhood).
Additionally, as I became more involved in my field, it started to become apparent to me that the FX makeup industry was becoming more and more obsolete, as computer animation/CGI became more advanced.
After having to re-evaluate my entire education (and my dreams), I decided to go into film; but while I was interested in the production aspect, I was more interested in the analysis and criticism of film. This meant that I was not only at the wrong school, but also in the wrong part of the country. Surprisingly, instead of telling me to just "stick it out," my father said, "maybe you should consider transferring."
I don't really know how I found Manhattanville College. I just know that I was accepted, offered a scholarship (beyond all reason), it was close to NYC, and they offered film courses. I think it was the fact that they had a castle on campus that really swayed my decision. That, and I was told that I didn't have to take any classes involving math. Nonetheless, I embarked on a new phase in my life, which included living on a real campus and writing papers for the first time since high school. It was a bit of a culture and academic shock for me, so I decided to take some time off ("some time" turned out to be a year-and-a-half). I re-enrolled in 2005, and haven't looked back.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Upon graduating, I don't plan on working - at least not right away. For the past twenty-five years, I've lived a very comfortable and privileged existance, and while I fully appreciate every opportunity that I've been given in life, I feel very compelled (almost guiltily so) to give back. That's why I plan on working/volunteering in Africa for AIDS/HIV-related issues (either in Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Africa, or Ghana) right after I graduate. I have plenty of time in my life to work in America and earn money and support myself, but I anticipate the intrinsic value coupled with the experience of helping people (who really appreciate it and need it) far outweighs the former.
So here I am now, with 25+ research and term papers under my belt, taking the required Writing for the Media (during summer vacation, no less) so that I can graduate. Though I'm not exactly thrilled with it, I know it is something that will help me as a writer, and will eventually help me when I embark on a definite career path (I've been told in every communications class I've ever had that potential employers greatly value writing skills). I know that I'll work hard, but I can't say that I won't call my dad and complain a bit.