Part of being a UMBC student is realizing how many of us lead fulfilling lives off campus. I've run into successful authors, business people, performers, engineers, and videographers just to name a few. Recently, I was part of a live drawing / poetry performance at the Creative Alliance where writers from UMBC's faculty read from their collections as I interpreted the work using the visual arts. I had the pleasure of drawing a response to the poetry of Michael Fallon in front of a live audience. Michael is an esteemed poet and a lecturer in the English Department at UMBC. I've just finished my first year as a graduate student at UMBC and have been surprised at every turn. I am continuing my activity on campus throughout the summer as a graduate researcher in the IRC.