Saturday, October 29, 2011

a fabulous weekend

I must admit that though this has been one of my harder semesters, this semester has contained some of the best weekends!  I believe I am beginning to learn the balance between having a social life and an academic life.  I make time to have fun with friends, and just have to work harder throughout my week to get the necessary things done.  I have become a much better judge of my time.  I praise the Lord for allowing me to become an RA and learn this lesson.  Being an RA made me feel obligated to be social, and therefore I am learning this current lesson.

Speaking of weekends, this weekend has been no exception.  Friday afternoon I got some good homework done after lunch, and then had a class at 2:40 for music proficiency.  The class went all right (definitely thankful I am an el ed major), but I was glad when it was done.  Kari and I had been wanting to get together for a long Starbucks date, but we only had an hour before she had to be to work.  So instead of a long Starbucks date...we went to Starbucks (in the snow, I might add), got our drinks, and then came back to campus.  We hung out with her mom, brother, and sister on campus for a little bit before she had to clock into work.  I then helped her at work (make beds and clean), and we then enjoyed a long conversation.  I then ran up to the cafeteria, picked up some dinner for the two of us and then ran back down to her work (on campus) and we ate dinner together.  I came back to my room and got my stuff for work and headed to the Snackshak.  I got a bit of work done, and then when Kari finished work up at one end of campus she came over and hung out with me at work (it's nice that both of us have jobs we can do this at).  We attempted to watch a movie but I was a bad friend and wasn't overly paying attention and so we turned it off and just hung out.  We came back to my room, hung out some more and then I had to go to bed (so so sleepy).

I got 10.5 hours of sleep last night- how awesome is that?  I feel like a new woman today.  I looked out my blinds, only to find snow on the ground!  I worked on some homework, got ready for my day and went to lunch.  It was so good to breathe in the cool, snowy air.  I then had to work 1-3:30.  I got a Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino with homemade almond whipped cream and cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top.  I tried it last year and hated it (thought it tasted like a candle), but I really enjoyed it today.  Work went very well as I got a whole project done--a commercial for a stapler.

After work I went to the library and worked on my history homework in front of the fireplace.  When that was finished I started reading Sign of the Beaver.  What a cozy afternoon it has been inside from the frigidness outside.

I went to dinner and then came back, changed into my comfy fleece pants and have enjoyed being productive and snacking on candy corn.  I have been working on a budget today, and think I pretty much have it worked out.  I am so excited about this.  This was not created because of concern, but to an extent I like structure.  What I used to do was split up my money by percentage, with one category being "spending".  I too often thought that was money I could spend without thinking of the many different directions it needed to be going.  Now that I have my budget, year round I will be saving for Christmas, textbooks, el ed supplies, etc.  I have a specific category for gas expenses for observations and breaks to go home.  I am so excited about this, because I feel it relieves so much stress.  Next Christmas, hopefully I won't have to think "hmm, and where is the money coming from for Christmas gifts? oh take it out of my savings for school".  I like accountability and I believe this is just what I needed to increase financial maturity.  I feel like such a nerd, but this really gets me excited.

Tomorrow will be church, and a day of rest.  While in college, I have tried my best to set Sundays aside as a no-homework day.  My body needs this day, to help make it through the week.  It has done wonders!  This may be the only day in the week I have time to clean my room or do laundry, but if so, that's okay.  I love my church family down here so much and am eager to spend another day with them.  Tomorrow night will be communion and baptism (fifth Sunday).

Some upcoming countdowns...
1 week until Mission's Conference
3 weeks until Thanksgiving Break
7 weeks until Christmas Break

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

I Survived!

It was a very long week last week leading into this Monday, but God is so good, and He carried me through (as He always does).  I had a big paper due on Friday determining my philosophy of education, uh...kind of a big deal.  I finished that and am eager to hear what my professor thinks, and how many stupid things I said.  Monday I had an exam in History and Philosophy of Education exam in the morning, a quiz in Doctrine 2, and then a US History exam.  It was a rough day for a gal who is not a big fan of history.  I was looking for a relaxing day today, but that did not happen...sadly.  I had a lot to do today to get ready for Mr. Peterson's meeting with the president.  Aah, the joys of being secretary for the Mission's Conference Steering Committee.  I make it sound whiny, but actually I love it.  It is an insane amount of work, and a huge extra responsibility but I would say it has been the highlight of my college career thus far.  Mission's Conference will be November 7-9th.  I am looking forward to it immensely, though there is so much to be done before then.

Checkmates is tonight and the menu is S'mores Popcorn!  I may finish up some stuff for the Mission's Conference Meeting tomorrow and then try to write a fun pictorial blog for you all.  Anyways, thanks for your prayers with the difficult week--I survived!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

current and upcoming post(s)

This has been a pretty hectic week.  One of my biggest responsibilities has been to write my philosophy of education.  This is no small task.  I am sure my teacher will laugh at some of the things I write and think "she is still so young and naive...this view will soon change".  I expect that to happen.  Because the truth is, I am still so young and naive, and have so much more to learn.  There has been a lot of researching, praying, and digging into God's Word as I nail down exactly what my philosophy of education is.  This is my planned future.

I have also been in the schools a lot this week between observations and Practical Christian Service.  I have had a lot of fun in the classes with the students.  I definitely feel like I am in my "groove" when I working with the students--I love it!

The schedule of life doesn't really slow down much until Monday night.  This weekend I plan on working just about the entire time I am not in class down in the concession stand for the highschool tournaments going on in our gym.  Working the tournaments are so much fun, and add the hours up quickly for the pay check.  On Monday I have two big exams that I am already studying like a mad woman for.  Pray I get done this weekend what needs to get done (a balance between work, study, and resting).

I have some fun blogs I want to do, but I can't justify it right now.  But here are some sneak previews....

 Fiesta Pictures!

Candy Corn has got to be my favorite thing about Halloween--I love the taste, and I think they are cute.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Bridge Day

According to the New River Gorge Website...."Bridge Day is the largest extreme sports evening in the world.  It's amazing. Trust us.  Bridge Day is held on the third Saturday in October every year in Fayetteville, West Virginia.  Hundreds of BASE jumpers and nearly 100,000 spectators are expected to attend this year's Bridge Day.  The New River Gorge is 876' tall and the world's second longest single arch bridge."

In my two full years of going to school here in West Virginia, I had yet to go to Bridge Day. I was planning on going last year, but things came up, and I got sick.  This year I wanted to go, because next year may be my last year, and what if something comes up next year?  Five of us from school went together.  We piled into Reed's small car, and made the trip.  We parked at K-Mart and rode a shuttle bus to the festivities.  The bus drive, was no boring event though.  We had the craziest bus driver ever.  He had dressed up in his hillbilly attire.  He wore fake teeth, had disco balls hanging from his years, and a hick hat on.  He said many very interesting things.  It was rather odd, but it did have everyone in the bus laughing.  The five us had fun walking around and looking at the different vender's displays.  It was PACKED!  We made it onto the bridge, and watched several jumpers for a while.  Here are a few pictures!


 The white circle is where they aim to land--didn't always happen though.



Notice this particular jumper--he did a back flip off.

The weather was absolutely beautiful for the occasion!  It was such a fun atmosphere, I would go again.  We were worried about how long we would have to wait in line to get the shuttle back (3ish miles) to Reed's car, but thankfully we only had to wait 30-45 minutes!  So thankful for the break from classes, and the fun with friends!

Monday, October 10, 2011

pictorial update

 I am a visual learner, therefore I color code...warm colors for the theories, and cool colors for the philosophies.  Another great technique for me is note cards!

 We had to make a timeline of what we felt were the 10 most significant events in the War for Independence.  I wanted to do something other then a black line with numbers and simple words.  I love coffee staining, so i decided to make an index card (see above...I really do love index cards) book.  
 Hot glue is another favorite friend of mine!
 Tada!  My random finishing touch was adding a ribbon bookmark.  It looks way cooler then the work I put into to...like 1 minute.

 The fall decorations and smells have arrived.  Here in WV the colors right now are absolutely breath taking.  I don't remember them being this vibrant before.  As far as inside my room, it isn't as pretty, but I wanted to bring out the fall touch.  Scott gave me the pumpkin, and the two scarecrows and candle (above laptop) are from Grandma and Grandpa my freshman year.  The silk flowers are an addition this year.  I love fall, and love the colors, smells, and weather.  I also have a pumpkin spice candle on the warmer.

what a weekend...

What a weekend I had...a great one, a busy one, an exhausting one, a refreshing one, a challenging one, and a life changing one!  This past weekend was so much fun.

The beginning session of homecoming was testimonies and special music.  How awesome to hear the testimonies of alumni who have see the power of the Word of God in their ministry.  Nursery was a lot of fun.  Quick story:  I was sitting down on a chair when a little girl enthusiastically grabbed my arm and said "let's go on a journey!"  I complied and we began skipping around the room, and landed on her magic carpet (aka, the toybox lid).  She quickly informed me that we were flying- I had never flown on a magic carpet before.  We continued out journey when I stopped her and excitedly asked if we could go to the zoo.  "Why of course, where is it?"  I said "right here" and pointed to the zoo animals printed all over the crib.  With disgust, she replied "that's a crib!"  ouch! shot down by a three year old.  I was simply trying to be imaginative just like her, ha.

Friday afternoon I worked the alumni v. students soccer game.  The weather was perfect, and so I enjoyed the time outside visiting with a friend while watching the game (and the concession stand).  Before the game, and during the halftime show was a dunking tank, to raise money for Mission's Conference.  Several members of our staff were dunked--very amusing.

After nursery on Friday night, a group of us went over to the Childs' for a bonfire.  We roasted s'mores with the gigantic marshmallows that Mrs. Childs had picked up for us.  Due to our request, she had a wide variety of chocolate: Reese's, Cookies n' Cream, Milk Chocolate, etc. To top off our s'mores a little later on we had dark chocolate cocoa- yummy.  We told stories, and enjoyed the time of fellowship and relaxation with friends.

Saturday morning began early.  Ladies Fall Luncheon began at 8:30am.  I had been talked into going, and felt I needed to be a good example as an RA and support the event.  I am so glad I went, and wouldn't rather have spent my Saturday any other way.  Reba Boweman was the speaker, and the theme was "Desert Blossoms".  We talked about blossoming in the hard times through worship. We looked at Abraham and how he worshiped God with what he loved most, his son.  We also dove into the story of Job and how, unlike Satan thought, he still worshiped God, even when he wasn't being blessed.  The messages hit home for me, and I am still working through applying the things I learned and centering my life around it.

Sunday had me at church, and it was so good to worship with my church family.  Love the people at Daniels' Bible Church and am so thankful to have them in my life.  I decided against going to the Reformation Fair.  I so badly wanted to, but had to be a responsible adult instead and come back to get homework done.  I got my homework done, was able to take a nap, and take care of some personal things (laundry, cleaning, etc.)  I got a lot done, and even got slightly ahead on homework.

There is nothing too big going on this week besides the normal day to day responsibilities.  Some homework assignments, meetings, quiz, etc.  Thursday night will be coffee house, which is always a highlight of my year.  Next weekend doesn't look much slower, but another fun packed one.

Thanks for reading my blog, and keeping up on what is going on in my life.  I hope you have a fabulous week.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Happy Fabulous Friday!

Finishing up a busy week, and on to a busy weekend.  Homecoming started last night, so that has classes cancelled, with the addition of a chapel service.  We have chapel all morning today.  I will help out in nursery for one of the sessions, as well as tonight when the alumni have their special banquet.  I work the student/alumni soccer game this afternoon, and hope to make it to the Childs' for a campfire tonight...with s'mores!  Tomorrow is our annual ladie's Ada Spangler Conference that I chose to go to.  Reba Boweman is the speaker, and I keep hearing very good reports on her, and not a single negative one.  I am looking forward to that, though it will leave a busy day.  Sunday is no exception to the hectic-ness as we have regular church, followed by our church picnic- Reformation Fair.  I am looking forward to it, though wondering how I will make it through the week with barely any down time this weekend.  The answer? The Lord's strength!  That's all for now, folks.  Happy Fabulous Friday!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Philosophy Exam

philosophy, metaphysics, aesthetics, cosmological, theological, anthropological, axiology, epistemology, neo-scholasticism, pragmatism, deductive reasoning, self-actualizationreconstructionismperennialism... too many words.  If you happen to think of me Wednesday morning (or before), prayers would be very much appreciated for the monster of an exam I have at 9am for History and Philosophy of Education.