December 7, 2007
I can’t believe it, but classes have officially ended for the semester. It feels like just yesterday that I was moving in. I’m amazed that it’s been four months since I’ve seen my family and friends. That’s probably because the world is so connected right now. Between, Facebook, e-mails, and calling home, I haven’t really lost touch. One week from now, I will be boarding a flight to go home. This week has been relatively slow with little work, yet I still have found things to do.
I did have one paper to do this week. It was for CORE and I had to analyze The House of Mirth through a Marxist perspective. My teacher offered help sessions and I went to them in order to get the best grade that I could. Although tedious, I spread the work out over three days and didn’t try to cram everything together at once. This strategy was much more effective and allowed me to separate myself from the work and look at it with new eyes. My teacher really liked it and I got an A. Also, the teacher has decided to alter the final and offer the class a choice. In short, I am not taking the final and am done with the class. I have an A and am more than happy to take it and run. This class really worried me at times during the semester, so I’m very happy right now.
In Public Policy, we held a simulation based on the federal budget. I was surprised at how difficult it is to try to balance the budget. However, it really didn’t take into account all of the pork barrel projects that are incorporated into the budget. It has been a tough class and now worries me the most. It was a lot of technical information and I’m just hoping to do the best that I can on the final. Also, I’m glad to be done with a Tuesday-Thursday class. It meets for 75 minutes late in the afternoon and can really be quite draining. I only signed up for one Tuesday-Thursday class next semester.
Enough about classes, on to social events. I got together with my Men’s Small Group for a Bible Study on Tuesday night. It was pretty casual and then we had a surprise visit. The Women’s Small Group visited us and sang a Christmas carol while handing us guys a bag of Christmas cookies and a personalized card. It was very thoughtful of them.
Me with the Christmas gifts that the Women’s Bible study brought us
Student Government held a fancy Christmas dinner for both the men and women. There was crusted snapper, giant steaks, amazing desserts, egg nog, and a lot more. It was nicely decorated and a great break from the usual meeting.
Desserts at the Student Government dinner. I chose the cheesecake.
Later that night, I went to the Christmas a cappella concert. It was very festive and well-done. I am still looking to buy one of our four a cappella groups’ CDs, but can’t decide which one yet. Besides the music, I was very happy with the turnout at the concert. We packed the Pier and there wasn’t anywhere to sit. That was very encouraging to me since a lot of events don’t get anywhere near the attendance that they deserve.
On this note, I met with the vice president for student development. I had filled out a survey regarding my life here and what I thought. I listed concerns and he asked me if I would meet with him for a follow-up. We talked about the school spirit and my main concerns with campus. Although we don’t have great attendance at sports games, I realized that we have the same percentage of the student body attend as the national average. I see all of the pictures from my friends about their football games and am slightly jealous. Yet the main reason they have such great attendance is because they have so many students. I don’t really regret coming here because U of R has so many opportunities I couldn’t get elsewhere, yet I do miss some aspects of big colleges. However, meeting with this vice president was very encouraging and I anticipate keeping in touch with him. Also, he recomended that I take a look at Lakeview. It is a dorm that has specific groups that are tied to classes. It’s an amazing dorm, since it’s still being built, and you live with people with similar interests. You take a class together with the same professor who serves as an adviser. I will look into the Presidential Campaign group and see if I have any other friends who may be interested.
Thursday night found me at an Balinese Gamelan concert. Some of my friends are in this class and were performing. It is Indonesian music and dance that tells the tale of some ancient tale. There was also a shadow theater that was quite entertaining.
Dancers at the Balinese Gamelan event
Indonesian music from really interesting and cool instruments
After the concert, I returned to my room to be surprised by a gift. The Residence Hall Association delivered a package and they said it was from my parents. I had no clue what was in it and hadn’t heard anything from my parents about it. It turns out that the box was full of snacks, such as OREOs, popcorn, candy, etc… I think it was meant to provide treats for finals. Thanks Mom and Dad.
Me pondering the contents of my mysterious package
Finally, I must say that I jinxed our campus. In my last post, I mentioned that it was cold, yet nowhere near close to snow conditions. Well, it was snowing fairly well two days later. It didn’t stay on the ground for long, but it was funny to see people with umbrellas and my friends from the deep South complaining and bundling up. However, it still pales in comparison to back home in Wisconsin. They already have a foot of snow on the ground and have dipped into negative degrees already. That’s the one reason why I might not be ready to go back home.
Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.
Our bell tower is decked out with Christmas wreaths
That’s all for now. I should start studying for finals and making sure everything is in order to go back home. Enjoy the snow if you have it and the Christmas breaks that will arrive soon for you.
Countdown to Home: 7 days
Countdown to Christmas: 18 days
Quote of the Day: “By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may get to be a boss and work twelve hours a day.” -Robert Frost
Thought to Ponder: What if the hokey-pokey really is what it’s all about?
Shout Outs: Freshmen Women’s Small Group for the Christmas treats, Mom and Dad for the treat package.
