When I heard about John McCain's vice presidential pick, I smiled. I thought he was handing the Democrats the presidency on a golden plate. But as the week progressed and the polls came out, I was surprised to see that Sarah Palin is gaining ground with Republicans.

I suppose the initial wave of support she is riding is fueled both by her speech at the Republican convention and the subtle victimization she plays out so well. Why have a candidate with an actual resume when you can put your arm around your pregnant teenage daughter and look like a long-suffering everywoman?

One in every three TCU students studies abroad. The university just made it safer and easier for future Horned Frogs studying around the globe by providing emergency services overseas.

Tracy Williams, associate director for the Center of International Studies, TCU Abroad, told the Skiff that TCU signed a contract with International SOS, an international emergency service provider that will provide medical, personal, travel, legal and security assistance services for students. The story appeared in Friday's issue.

TCU is an active campus with its close-knit student body, multiple organizations and top-notch facilities. But I wonder how many students are active when it comes to using on-campus facilities.

I hadn't realized, until now, that a number of on-campus facilities go unnoticed by students. It struck me when a senior in my jogging class said she had never gone to the University Recreation Center.

When Sen. Barack Obama spoke last week at the 75,000 seated Invesco Field in Denver on the anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, it should come as no surprise that the speech was nothing more than a mere disappointment. The fireworks and speeches from admired senators and history-marking men like Sen. Ted Kennedy only set up the anticlimactic aftermath of the Democratic convention.

When Jeffrey Geider wanted to learn more about environmental conservation, he went deep in the heart of the Amazon.

Last month, the Institute of Ranch Management sent two of its faculty members, Geider and Kerry Cornelius, as well as associate provost of academic affairs Bonnie Melhart, to Brazil to visit with TCU alumni John and Kika Carter to learn about ranching practices that stress environmental conservation.

When I came to TCU in 2004, the C in the middle of the name played a huge part in my decision of where to further my education.

And no, that C doesn't stand for construction like I have heard a lot of people joke about lately.

In case some of you have forgotten, that C stands for Christian. And with Christianity comes sportsmanship.

I have been known to throw some friendly lyrical jabs while on the baseball diamond or basketball court, but I feel as if I know when to say when.

It was an all-around successful weekend for TCU athletics. The football team remained undefeated with a 67-7 victory over Stephen F. Austin. The volleyball team improved its record to 6-0 by winning its second straight tournament, this time in Edinburg. The soccer team hasn't lost yet this year either as it is now 4-0-1 with two shutouts in Arizona. The women's cross country team took the top spot at the North Texas Invitational, while the men finished fourth.

Volleyball

Freshman premajor Alyssa Posey feared she wouldn't be able to go to her first choice school because she couldn't get a private loan.

"I applied (and got denied) twice and got a loan the third time," Posey said.

Despite national credit crisis reports, most TCU students applying for private loans have ultimately managed to secure the money needed to pay for school, said Mike Scott, director of scholarships and financial aid.

Free food, drinks and face painting attracted crowds of students to the Frog Frenzy tailgate party at the Campus Commons on Saturday despite suggestions that the new tailgate policy would lower attendance at the party.

With radio favorites playing in the background, students mingled with friends and grabbed a quick bite at the party before making their way to the football stadium.

A couple of students who began line dancing soon turned into a group of about 30 in their purple Class of 2012 T-shirts.

The location

Students and employees traveling abroad will now have experts providing services from health care to political evacuations under guidance of TCU, an official in the Center for International Studies, TCU Abroad said.

TCU signed a contract with International SOS, an international emergency service provider, so students and employees who are studying or conducting research abroad with TCU will benefit from emergency medical, personal, travel, legal and security assistance services, said Tracy Williams, associate director for the Center for International Studies, TCU Abroad.