December 8, 2008
As I had hoped, I had a relatively relaxing weekend as I geared up for this week of finals. Sure, I studied during most of my free time, but I was alright with that. Of my five finals (a 12 page paper, a 9 page paper, an 8 page paper, an in-class Software Tools test, and an in-class Accounting test), I have three done. All I have left is the twelve page paper and the Accounting test due Friday. I can make it. I hope.
In the process of studying for these finals, I ran into roommate conflicts. We have been coexisting alright for the semester, but were forced together due to the nature of the program we were living in. Anyways, we both went to bed at 4:00 AM on Friday night (I know, that’s even late for me). I woke up at 11:30 AM, but he kept on sleeping until 5:30 PM. So, I was stuck writing my paper in the hallway because he was still sleeping in the room and I wanted to keep the lights off out of courtesy. That night, I went to bed at 4:00 AM (Once again, I know this is late). My roommate was still away at the library. I woke up at 9:15 AM for church and, just as I was waking up, my roommate returned to the room and went to bed. Once again, I could not work in our room once I returned from church through the afternoon since he was still asleep. Simply put, I am getting annoyed of his continuing pattern of sleeping past 3:00 PM and my inability to use my own room as a result. It’ll be good to get away and have my own room over break. That is, if my parents haven’t given it away to the dog like last year.
Anyways, enough with finals and academics. This was my fun weekend. Friday night was spent at a Rockapella holiday concert at the Modlin Center. It was a good show. Rockapella is the singing group that performed the theme song for “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?” as well as the classic Folgers commercial. Though they didn’t do as many traditional Christmas songs as I would have liked and they also were a bit too “boy bandish” for me, it was still a nice way to spend an evening. I mean, how can you beat a concert by a famous singing group for only $8? After the show, two of my friends and I hung out in our residence hall’s lounge. Before we knew it, we had attracted quite a crowd and we had been their over three hours. It was so nice to simply relax and chat with friends I hadn’t been able to see too much.
Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?
Rockapella Folgers commercial
Saturday brought the quarterfinals of the playoffs for our football team. I had purchased a ticket to go on the fan bus to Appalachian State, but it left at 5:00 AM and didn’t return until 10:00 PM. I didn’t think I could devote that much time away from homework, so I pulled out at the last minute. Part of it was the homework aspect, but I also went last year to this exact stadium for the National Semifinal game and we suffered a heartbreaking loss. I wasn’t sure I could handle that again. I now regret the decision to not go because I didn’t get as much work done as I had hoped and it was a fantastic game. We won 33-13 and it was a huge upset. Appalachian State was the back-to-back-to-back National Champions. We snapped their 13-game post-season win streak. Even better, Appalachian State had only lost one home game out of the past 43. It was a fantastic game to watch, even though I watched on TV instead of in person. We forced seven turnovers and didn’t give any up. Additionally, this team’s quarterback (who RUSHED for 314 yards against us in last year’s playoff game) was able to do next to nothing on the ground. Because of the win, we will play Northern Iowa in the National Semifinals this coming weekend. I would love to go, but doubt there is any way that could possibly happen. I missed out on this game’s fan bus, but don’t plan to make that mistake again. I constantly saw my friends on ESPN’s coverage and kept thinking that I could have been there.
Some highlights from the Quarterfinal game
However, I was able to attend the InterVarsity Lead Team Christmas party because I was in Richmond on Saturday night. Our campus minister invited us to her house for dinner and dessert, as well as a white elephant gift exchange. I initially began with a jar of pig’s feet but upgraded to a plastic massager and a staple-less stapler. I was intrigued by both.
Our intern really got into the Christmas spirit
One of my friends read the book she received from the White Elephant
Finally, Sunday night was devoted to the Lakeview Holiday Celebration. My friend and I have been planning this for some time and simply wanted a chance to relax and celebrate the holidays with friends. So, we went shopping for Christmas treat ingredients and then made rolled sugar cookies, Chex mix, chocolate mint brownies, and fudge. On top of that, we had egg nog to go with it. Making the night perfect, we watched Home Alones 1&2. The Home Alone movies are some of my favorite movies of all time and it was so much fun to watch them again with friends while enjoying the tasty Christmas treats. The last thing on our minds were the upcoming finals. We created plates of the leftovers and left them for the students who were staying up late studying for finals.
Making the Chex mix
Preparing to decorate the cookies
The treats we left for late-night studiers
That’s all for now. The Christmas season continues to descend upon campus as the temperatures drop and the snow begins to fall. You most likely will not hear from me until after finals have finished and I am back home. I want to wish you a happy holiday season if you do not hear from me by then. Take care and God bless.
The aftermath of a frigid evening
Quote of the Week: “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy.” -Ernest Benn
Thought to Ponder: If there’s a speed of sound and a speed of light, is there a speed of smell?
Shout Outs: Any prospective students from Wisconsin
YouTube Video of the Week:
My friend thoroughly enjoyed this. Maybe you will too.
