I ran in to one of my old students, X, and his best friend yesterday. They both graduated last year, were science students and were quite involved on campus.

I counseled X during his first and second year when I was director of MEChA Calmecac, a counseling and mentoring program for UCLA students. Our goal was to raise the graduation rate for Latinos, which was quite low in comparison to other groups when concerned MEChistas began the program in the late 1980s. The director position was my first (and only) full time job. It was extremely challenging, but I loved counseling and working at the Community Programs Office, which is full of bright and talented student leaders. Calmecac led me to graduate school where I decided to focus on retention and persistence issues for Latino students.

While working at Calmecac, I realized that I wouldn’t get to see my work come to fruition. After counseling my students for two years, I’d be off to graduate school and would no longer be there to help out. But I never really left. I stayed at UCLA and kept in contact with some of my old students. They’ve all since graduated.

Yesterday, X and his best friend, brightened up an otherwise dull day. Not only did X remind me of a great time in my life, he also said something that made me feel like I did something right. He explained to his best friend, “I used to have to meet with Cindy every other week because I was on academic probation. And now look at me, studying for the MCAT.”

X takes the MCAT on May 31st. I hope he kicks ass.

I’ve been in college eight years and have never taken a spring break trip. The stereotypical trip is not my thing. I don’t care too much for beaches and tanning and parting with drunken frat boys. I do like traveling, but I couldn’t afford that during my 4 years as an undergrad. For the past 3 years in grad school, I’ve been (a) too poor or (b) too tired of traveling to want to schedule a trip during the short break between winter and spring quarter.

This year is different since I sort of have to take a spring break. Actually, it’s more like I’m going on tour: Dallas to visit family; Austin for a conference (not SXSW, I wish); Houston to visit more family, meet my cousin’s newborn son; New York City for a second conference.

I’m really excited about the Texas part of the trip. It’s been about a year since I’ve seen most of the Texas side of the family and I miss them. I’ll also finally meet some of my favorite (former) bloggers and reunite with HEOC alumni now living and teaching in Austin.

But New York… well, I think LCD Soundsytem put it quite well: “New York I love you, but you’re bringing me down” (mp3).

I’ve gotten half a dozen headaches simply trying to schedule my flight through the travel office at school and my codo hurts when I look at hotel costs.

It’ll all work out. I’ll forget about the headaches when I’m hanging out with Sean or grabbing lunch with Jeff or hitting up the open bar with fellow students at one of the many conference receptions. I won’t rule out the typical spring break hangover just yet.

Photo from my December 2002-January 2003 trip to NYC by my good friend Chris.

A couple years ago, I ran for a position with the graduate student government. I won the election and became the vice president of external affairs. The next year I ran unopposed for re-election.

During my two years as VPEx, I served on the board of directors of the University of California Student Association, a coalition of the 10 campuses and over 200,000 graduate, undergraduate and professional students at the UC. UCSA became a big part of my life, and I really enjoyed my two years, even when I had frustrating conversations in the meetings.

The pros outweighed the cons. I was always traveling, but I earned frequent flyer miles and cashed those in to visit family in Texas and friends in Chicago (twice). I spent less time with family and my ex-boyfriend complained that I was always gone, but I met lots of new people and was inspired by undergrads at UCLA. I “white-lined” (or lobbied) at the often boring UC Regents meetings in San Francisco. Afterward, I’d treat myself to retail therapy at H&M (conveniently located across the street from our hotel) and had ice cream with Rio at Mitchell’s. Sometimes I felt like we wouldn’t see results from all our hard work and that it’d be impossible to get a fee [tuition] freeze with such a bleak budget situation, but then it happened and students and their families saved money.

When I finished my term last June, I knew I’d miss being involved. I couldn’t just leave the organization, so I signed up to be a part of UCLA’s graduate student delegation for the summer conference in Santa Barbara. I also signed up to attend my third Student Lobby Conference in Sacramento even though I had to miss a day of the conference due to my cousin’s wedding.

I arrived at the hotel a little after 10 a.m. I was still half asleep when I saw the tallest Mexican ever (TME), a fellow grad student from UC Riverside. He was surprised to see me.

TME bent down and I tiptoed a little so that our hug wouldn’t feel physically awkward. And it wasn’t. He gives the kind of hugs you need when you’re still tired because you didn’t get enough sleep, you almost getting a speeding ticket and nearly missed your flight. In short, it’s the best kind of hug.

We talked a little before I had to check in to my room.

“Cindy! I missed you!”

“I missed you too.”

“You weren’t here yesterday. Are you making a guest appearance?”

“Something like that.”

“Did you drive up?”

“No way. I flew.”

A few hours later, I bumped in to the executive director of the organization. She gave me a big hug too.

“I missed you,” she said.

“I know… well, I mean I miss you guys too,” I replied.

Throughout the day, I’d hear similar comments a few more times and got more big hugs.

I knew I’d miss UCSA, but I didn’t expect the staff and other current/former board members to miss me much. They’re far too busy and the organization runs perfectly fine without me.

But they do miss me, and it feels nice.