President Obama's Talk-- Pictures

President Obama addresses the UT student body about the importance of receiving a higher education and the failure of our generation in doing so. He stressed the importance of not only seeking, but completing education. 1/3 of college students in the United States does not graduate; 1/2 of minority students don't. President Obama called education an economic issue-- something that was essential-- if the United States wanted to compete successfully in the global economy.

Protestors stood outside Gregory Gym, where President Obama spoke.

Although they hoped to make an impact, they were probably not very successful. President Obama entered the gym through the back entrance.

Spain

The last part of my European trip was Madrid.

Our family rented an apartment in the heart of city-- right as the World Cup Finals were in session.

It was amazing to be in a city so involved in a national sport. I couldn't help but wish that United States had a national sport!!

We didn't actually spend much time exploring Madrid itself-- although we walked around some of the streets near our apartment in search of food (my mom's a vegetarian... and we actually found that getting vegetarian food was quite difficult).

The most interesting part of our journey? Seeing a group of Hari Krishna fans dancing through the streets of Madrid!

While in Spain, we took a trip to Segovia-- the place where Isabella and Ferdinand first met each other. Their palace was a sight to see!! Interestingly enough, it was much smaller than I expected.

The town of Segovia was beautiful and quaint.

Spain certainly was an experience!

President Obama's Talk

Yesterday I had the great honor of getting to hear President Obama speak at the the Gregory Gym at the University of Texas.

He talked to the audience about the importance of higher education-- stressing that "education is an economic issue". He quoted some statistics that are particularly frightening: 1/3 of college students don't graduate, and 1/2 of minorities don't. In one generation alone, he said, the United States has fallen from 1st to 12th place in its ability to produce graduates. In our current economic state, and with the growth of the world economy, education is necessary.

To be able to hear President Obama speak, live, was surreal. His charisma resonated through the auditorium. But perhaps stronger than his presence was his message-- the importance of education.

I'll post pictures from the talk later tonight!