Week 12/13: Amanda Stenzelbarton

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to write this Hero of the Week. Maybe it’s because I had food poisoning, maybe it was because I was stressing over my Abstract Algebra Exam, or maybe it was because break was around the corner and I just stopped caring about any commitments.  I think, more likely though, it’s because I knew I wouldn’t be able to find the words that would give due justice to Amanda Stenzelbarton, this week’s Hero.

Amanda is great. Really, really great. And if you don’t believe me, you should meet her, because she is one of the coolest ladies I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know.

Last year I knew Amanda from a distance. I thought she was just like every other Pep Band Member that was different from me, and I didn’t give myself the chance to get to know her. After getting to know Amanda this year by studying for Abstract Algebra, and dealing with Res. Life Craziness, I can honestly say that I’ve never been so happy to be wrong about someone.

If that’s not reason enough for someone to by my “Hero of the Week,” the reason I chose Amanda for these particular weeks is because of the hours we spent hanging out with Casve the Cat, on Election day Tuesday, just lounging around, bonding, and watching TV Shows.  Those few hours were some of the most relaxing I’ve had all year. And more importantly than that, I feel that is the moment Amanda and I stopped being merely “study buddies” and started being real friends.

Beyond that, I am eternally grateful for her help studying for Abstract Algebra. After I missed the Exam because I was sick, I knew it would be a lot for me to ask Amanda for help on something she was able to put behind her two days prior.  But Amanda, being the awesome person she is, came over, no questions asked, and sat with me going through the entire practice exam and other questions, until I felt confident for the exam.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again and again: Amanda Stenzelbarton is great.

Thank you.

Other Cool things that have happened:

Smoothie Making and Miracle with Armada; Got Food Poisoning; Went to Kaleva Café with some of my favorite people; Came home for Thanksgiving Break; Saw the Bertrands; Had Breakfast with my dad nd Tata at Golden Bakery; Beat my mom twice in Cribbage; Went to see “Perks of Being a Wallflower” with Audrey and Margaret;  Visited Kyle, Allie, and Camille at U of M; Watchin’ the 40^th American Music Awards

Quote of the Week: “And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” –Perks of Being a Wallflower

Week 10/11: Falling Behind/Going Home/Tata

Dear Friends,

I’m deeply sorry for not putting up a Hero of the Week for the past couple weeks.  School has been crazy, and this past weekend (November 1-4) I had to opportunity to go home to Dearborn for the weekend and surprise my family with my presence.

It was really great to get away, and I had a lot of fun…A lot of fun that definitely paid its dues in my busy-ness levels today. But it was worth it.

I hadn’t realized how much I had missed my family until I was getting ready to see them and then they were right in front of me.

As such, it only makes sense that these past two weeks go out to Tata-my Grandma (on my dad’s side).

Nimati Allan is perhaps the strongest, most beautiful women I’ve ever met.

In recent years my grandma has faced a downfall…with her Alzheimer’s worsening, causing her to lose some of her communication skills, every day I spend with her I realize more and more, how between me and her the only language we really need is love and patience.

The look on my Grandma’s face when I walked in was enough to make the entire trip worth it. She was so happy to see me, and the pure joy and love I felt just by looking at her is always inspiring.

I can barely speak Arabic. And the only word my grandma knows in English is “no”. But that doesn’t matter…When my grandma talks to me, I can always tell that what she’s saying is really important and wise.  And even though I can’t understand every word, I find comfort and happiness in my ability to decode some of her words, and understand most of what she says…even if I’m not able to respond.

When I was little, I was scared of my grandma.  She was so big. So tall. And she didn’t speak my language. But for some reason my parents expected me to want to hug her. I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand her. And I didn’t understand why I was named after her.

Looking back, I feel silly. Foolish, really.

My grandma is by far the strongest women I’ve ever met. She is pure, brute force. And most days I hope I turn out just like her.  I feel so blessed just knowing that I am even in the same blood line as someone as incredible as her.

These days, I’m so proud and so honored to carry her name. And I’m so grateful that I’ve been given the chance to know such a strong woman.

Other Cool things that have happened:

Careers in Student Affairs Dinner; HuskyLead Session; Roni Sanlo Queer History Presentation; Made my Chuck Norris Bulletin Board; Watched a Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 with Audrey and Trevor; My 19^th Birthday; IGTAAP Halloween Party; Armada Halloween Party; Went Home for a Long Weekend; Voted Absentee

Quote of the Week: “I don’t care how poor a man is; if he has family, he’s rich.” –Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford