Well, the past week I’ve spent at home. I worked the week after finals in the Admission Office and in the Student Life Center. I’m spending this week at home and then next week I’ll be back at school working until the semester starts up.

Being home has been nice to see my family and some friends, but I can’t wait to get back to my BW home! I can’t wait to get back together with friends from school and to even get back in the classroom (yes, I’m a nerd). Don’t get me wrong though, the break has been very relaxing and beneficial to catch up on sleep, watch movies, and play video games. I do want to get back though. I hope everyone’s break is going great and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Sorry it’s been so long since I blogged everyone. I was so busy over the holidays. And boy, did i get some kickin cool stuff for christmas. I got Dore’s illustrated Divine Comedy and two half greek/half english epics (the odyssey and the aneid, which i guess is latin). I got to see all my hometown friends over break (all like two of them, give or take). I’ve baked cookies, carrot cakes, pastas and other things that i can’t think. But man, i can’t wait to get back to BW. As busy as i’ve been, i can’t wait to get back to see all my friends (i can live without the classes). Next semester i’m taking some interesting classes. I have the requirements (US History 1) and then German 102, Film and Culture, Comtemporary Short Stories and The Bible and Greek Mythology. The last three i’m really looking forward to, especially the bible and greek mythology taught by possibily my favorite instructor, Dr. Dolzani. Well, that’s all for now. Gotta keep you on the edge of your seat folks. Well, til then.

Winter break is always a great time to relax and enjoy time with family. However, when you’re out of school and just laying around the house, be sure to use your time wisely. This is prime time to college search or look up information about something you are interested in.

For me, I’ve been using this time to get a jump start at looking at Graduate Schools for Higher Education. I also took the time to clean up my desk in my room: clean out folders from classes this semester, sort through junk I’ve accumulated, etc. I also sorted through my email inbox and deleted old emails that I no longer needed.

So, just be sure to use this large amount of free time to your advantage. If you find yourself racking your brain to think of another movie to watch or something to do during your days off, get to that project you’ve been putting off. I’m sure you have a list of things you could do that would be productive and beneficial, so start crossing off that list!

Hello from Arizona! Finals week finished up Friday afternoon with “music ed speed dating.” It’s something the music ed professors cooked up for the freshman class when I was a freshman and some of the people in my junior choral methods class got to participate again this year. Everyone had to choose a “leading mind” in music education, (someone that has had an impact on the profession,) create a resume, and dress up like that person. The professors set up tables and we rotated through, so we got to “speed date” with almost everyone and find our music ed match (the person(s) with the most similar philosophy to our person’s). I especially enjoyed the project this time around because I got to talk to my leading mind, Dr. Jody Kerchner, professor of secondary general music and choral music at Oberlin, on the phone. My music ed professors recommended her to me and they kept laughing and saying that I’m a lot like her. They suggested that we meet up with her for coffee at the Ohio Music Education Association Convention in February too, so I hope that can happen!
Friday night after finals were over, three of my friends and I went to downtown Cleveland. We go almost every week for the orchestra, but we decided to go check out more of the city. We had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, shopped at Tower City, and had coffee at a new little spot. It was a nice end to the semester.
And now I’m in Arizona! It’s always a bit of a shock to come back. I get so used to coming and going and being so busy, that it’s funny to have less to do. We went to an Arizona Cardinals game the first full day I was back, I’ve been shopping with my mom, we stopped in to visit (ie: tease) my brother at his first job, I had breakfast this morning with my two closest friends here, and I’ve spent the rest of the time practicing and reading. Grades came out today too. This was definitely the toughest semester for me personally, but I got my highest GPA. Funny how that happens. Have a great holiday

Well I’m currently writing in Arlington Virginia about a 10 min drive from Arlington Cemetery. Today I got to visit Arlington cemetery which was an amazing experience within itself. I also visited the Smithsonian museum of Natural history, the national archives (home of the declaration of independence), and the capital building. Yesterday I did some shopping in some outlet stores and Monday I saw the white house, Lincoln, Washington, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, memorials. Being older now I appreciate and understand everything a lot more. I also had the chance to see the national tree, which was a lot smaller then I thought

Yesterday, the entire college (well, majority of the faculty and staff, as well any students that were staying here over break) gathered for a huge luncheon. The food was phenomenal (and all you can eat)! The decorations were nice too, really conveyed the holiday spirit and got people in a “merry” mood. Along with the food, there was an entire agenda of presentations, awards, carolling, and good spirits that entertained us all.

Of the awards, one of the cool parts is that an advisor I work with a lot, Marc West, won one of the Administrative awards! With the award comes a nice monetary compensation, which I’m sure made his Christmas! It was great to see him win though, he was really surprised. It was a great honor and I can’t think of anyone else who deserved it more.

I find out about my grades this weekend, so I’ll be sure to blog a little later about the results!

It’s amazing to be in 70 degree weather for 3 weeks of winter break. I am right now in Texas, enjoying the sun and not having to wear warm clothes:)! The feeling of not having anything to do for the next couple of weeks is even better. Just laying on the couch, watching t.v., shopping, sleeping in late and oh! the joys of vacation. I absolutely love it! Of course I miss seeing all my friends from school, but thanks to technology and having cell phones, I get to talk to them often.
The friends I am staying with are basically family, so it feels like home to me. I get to talk to my parents often and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. Although, I do look forward to the 27th, when I get to see my friends and leave for Miami:) Another warm, warm place.
But, I hope everyone is having a good break and I will keep you informed about the fun things I do over my break!

Well, winter break has started. I’m fortunate enough to be living on campus for most of break. I wanted to stay on campus becuase I had some work to do on my computer and around campus and did not necessarily want to worry about trying to take it home. However, I’m happy to be staying here so that I can relax, have the room to myself, and do some work. At night I’m looking forward to getting some work done and then hanging out with other students who are here over break.

I’m working in the Admission office during the day all of this week, then I get from Dec. 25-Jan. 1 off and I’ll be home. January 2nd I’ll be back here to work for a week. School starts back up Monday, Jan. 8th, but I’m going to enjoy the time I have off to relax and catch up on sleep! Talk to you again soon (grades come out later this week)!

This spring I will be taking Victorian America (history), East Asia history, Principles of Econ II, Public Speaking, Digital Photography and Roman Catholic Sexual Morality (religion). I have to say that I’m really excited about tanking this digital photography class, I’ve been wanting to take this class since freshmen year. On another note, I have been delaying to take public speaking because I didn’t think I was ready for it, until this year. Being in Student Government and being and RA has really helped my speaking abilities and it think I’m ready for it. My Roman Catholic morality class should be interesting, I’ve never taken a religion course and plus I’m not catholic so it should really be a new experience, which I guess is the goal of going to a liberal arts college. I know also that I have a lot on my plate for next semester but I’m up for the challenge J

I can’t believe how fast this semester went by, I finished my last final today and I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. Now to only look towards the future. Over break, I plan to go to Washington DC for a week and I think its going to be amazing with all the lights. I hope to head to the Smithsonian museum of natural history and maybe the Museum of Native American History for sure. I really would like to see the Lincoln memorial and Washington monument and hopefully the national tree.

After that, I’m coming home and spending some well deserved time with the family, and hanging out with some friends from home. I also will be picking up more hours at Blockbuster to make some extra moola. I’m actually all finished with Christmas shopping, so that’s also another weight off my shoulder.

Holiday Gala was last Saturday and I have to say it was absolutely amazing! The work that Student Government and the Holiday Gala committee put in totally paid itself off because it seemed as if everyone had an amazing time! If you don’t know what holiday Gala is Holiday gala, was a formal ball for the entire student body that Student Government puts on for the campus, SG took over the entire union for the night and there were tons of things to do. Even the president of the college was there and it was great to have the administration there.