Despite my not wanting to go back to Portland after enjoying the comforts and pleasure of home, I made it through my first week back. While I did not have any tests or papers to worry about, I had A LOT of reading. Even though this past week was uneventful, there were still some highlights. On Thursday evening, my friend Caitlin and I went out for sushi. We went to Mio Sushi, an amazing sushi restaurant. They make "sushi pizzas", which is seaweed topped with rice and seafood. When one lives on college food, eating off campus every so often is a necessity. Although I did not do anything big to celebrate Halloween, I did hand out candy to kids who trick or treated through the dorms. Residence Life invites neighborhood kids and their parents to trick-or-treat at UP. The kids have a blast getting candy from different dorms, even though I am not sure their parents are happy to see them get sugar high.
This coming week I get to meet with my amazing advisor to plan my schedule for next semester. Okay, I know it's just an advising appointment, but I actually enjoy meeting with my advisor every semester. He takes the time to talk with me rather than just signing my registration form. I have been an English major for a little over a year now, but I still think about how incredibly lucky I am to have an advisor who cares about me not only as a student, but also as a person. As I write about my upcoming appointment, I cannot believe I am halfway done with the semester and that I only have three more semesters of college left.
Seven more weeks left of the semester--let's see if I can make it through!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
A Letter to Fall Break
Dear Fall Break,
Why do you have to be so short? You are wonderful, fun, and relaxing. I really do not want to be at school and do all the reading I have to do. Don't get me wrong, I have a lighter credit load and (usually) like my classes, but I would much rather be having fun. From home cooked meals to visits with friends and old teachers, every moment was fantastic. I really enjoyed going back to HNHS and helping Paula teach her psych class, as she had an enthusiastic group of students. I cannot wait to spend more time tutoring and helping teach lessons there, but that first great experience affirmed my aspiration to be a high school teacher. On Thursday, my mom and I saw "It's Kind of a Funny Story," which was my first movie in theaters I had seen in a while. I enjoyed the movie, as it had dynamic characters that go through tremendous growth. The day before I left I had a lovely lunch with Mindy, my old high school religion teacher. It was so nice to see her and we have awesome conversations.
Unfortunately, I recognize that all good things must come to an end and I must get back into school mode. On the bright side, I come home for Thanksgiving in a month AND my not having class on Wednesday (classes after 4 PM are canceled) allows me to come home Tuesday evening!
Yours truly,
Laura
Why do you have to be so short? You are wonderful, fun, and relaxing. I really do not want to be at school and do all the reading I have to do. Don't get me wrong, I have a lighter credit load and (usually) like my classes, but I would much rather be having fun. From home cooked meals to visits with friends and old teachers, every moment was fantastic. I really enjoyed going back to HNHS and helping Paula teach her psych class, as she had an enthusiastic group of students. I cannot wait to spend more time tutoring and helping teach lessons there, but that first great experience affirmed my aspiration to be a high school teacher. On Thursday, my mom and I saw "It's Kind of a Funny Story," which was my first movie in theaters I had seen in a while. I enjoyed the movie, as it had dynamic characters that go through tremendous growth. The day before I left I had a lovely lunch with Mindy, my old high school religion teacher. It was so nice to see her and we have awesome conversations.
Unfortunately, I recognize that all good things must come to an end and I must get back into school mode. On the bright side, I come home for Thanksgiving in a month AND my not having class on Wednesday (classes after 4 PM are canceled) allows me to come home Tuesday evening!
Yours truly,
Laura
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Five More Days
This weekend has resulted in a hardcore studying, exhausted me. The title indicates the number of days I have left until fall break. Here are the highs and lows of this past week as well as the coming week
LOWS
1. Studying for my history midterm--I am doing well in the class, but there's a lot to know. Luckily, I am going to have a study part with some people in the class Wednesday night.
2. Working on my satire midterm. I have to write two 5-7 page essays by Friday. I finished my first draft of the first essay, but I am having trouble with my second essay. Right now I have a really bad case of writer's block
3. Missing the comforts of home, including my favorite restaurants and my beloved cat, Lily
HIGHS
1. Last week was my first official week of work. I really enjoy working at the writing center because I get to help students and learn about new topics. Though English and psychology are my specialties, I have helped students with English, history, communications, and theology papers.
2. Trever's 21st birthday party Friday night
3. The students who come to the writing center are required to fill out a conference report indicating their goals for the session. At the end of the session, I am required to indicate what we worked on during the session as well as suggestions for improvement. The report goes to the student, the professor, and the director of the writing program (my professor/boss). On Wednesday, my boss emailed me just to tell me that he likes the way I give feedback (positives before suggestions for improvement)
4. Performance for group voice on Friday. I will be singing "Hello, Young Lovers" from The King and I
5. FALL BREAK!! Fun stuff will be part of my week at home :)
Off to do laundry (and read my history textbook). Adios!
LOWS
1. Studying for my history midterm--I am doing well in the class, but there's a lot to know. Luckily, I am going to have a study part with some people in the class Wednesday night.
2. Working on my satire midterm. I have to write two 5-7 page essays by Friday. I finished my first draft of the first essay, but I am having trouble with my second essay. Right now I have a really bad case of writer's block
3. Missing the comforts of home, including my favorite restaurants and my beloved cat, Lily
HIGHS
1. Last week was my first official week of work. I really enjoy working at the writing center because I get to help students and learn about new topics. Though English and psychology are my specialties, I have helped students with English, history, communications, and theology papers.
2. Trever's 21st birthday party Friday night
3. The students who come to the writing center are required to fill out a conference report indicating their goals for the session. At the end of the session, I am required to indicate what we worked on during the session as well as suggestions for improvement. The report goes to the student, the professor, and the director of the writing program (my professor/boss). On Wednesday, my boss emailed me just to tell me that he likes the way I give feedback (positives before suggestions for improvement)
4. Performance for group voice on Friday. I will be singing "Hello, Young Lovers" from The King and I
5. FALL BREAK!! Fun stuff will be part of my week at home :)
Off to do laundry (and read my history textbook). Adios!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
English Society, Work, and Fondue
Our first English Society meeting was on Tuesday. We talked about our upcoming annual banned books week reading and other events we would like to see happen. Our banned books week reading is this coming Tuesday, and we are going to read passages from books over the years that have been banned or challenged. As president, I have been busy baking cookies to bring to meetings and events. Luckily, some of my friends are going to make cookies with me today. Being president is a lot of work, but at least I have wonderful co-officers and club members who I can count on for help.
On another note, I started working in the writing center last week. I still do not have official hours yet, but I did see some students on my own time. All the new writing assistants have veteran writing assistants as mentors, which is nice for us to have someone we can to with questions and concerns. My mentor is my friend Moon, and I had the pleasure of observing her on Wednesday. I am really excited to start working at the writing center more, although I am naturally nervous about leading a student in the wrong direction.
Last night I went to the Anchor (our newest hang out spot on campus) where I heard some jazz and enjoyed fondue. The picture on the left is cheese fondue, while the one on the right is chocolate. There were graham crackers, marshmallows, fruit, and bread for dipping. As a foodie, I am going to put a fondue machine on my Christmas wish list.
Well, I shall conclude here as my history paper and Gulliver's Travels are calling me. Adieu!
On another note, I started working in the writing center last week. I still do not have official hours yet, but I did see some students on my own time. All the new writing assistants have veteran writing assistants as mentors, which is nice for us to have someone we can to with questions and concerns. My mentor is my friend Moon, and I had the pleasure of observing her on Wednesday. I am really excited to start working at the writing center more, although I am naturally nervous about leading a student in the wrong direction.
Last night I went to the Anchor (our newest hang out spot on campus) where I heard some jazz and enjoyed fondue. The picture on the left is cheese fondue, while the one on the right is chocolate. There were graham crackers, marshmallows, fruit, and bread for dipping. As a foodie, I am going to put a fondue machine on my Christmas wish list.
Well, I shall conclude here as my history paper and Gulliver's Travels are calling me. Adieu!
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