While there may be the rest of today and tomorrow that most people will be allowed to enjoy, my weekend ends today as I will be spending the rest of the time through most of next week doing a lot of work. First, I’ve been working on a monster of an LAS paper for a while that I have to buckle down and finish today and tomorrow and turn it in Monday at 2:00. I don’t think this one should be as difficult as the last one since it seems that there is more room for opinion to be inserted into it, but at 6 pages I’m guessing it’ll still give me a hard time. Aside from that my LAS class is demanding another 3 page paper that’s due on Wednesday which discusses the talk we saw Michael Eric Dyson give the other week, so I have a lot of writing ahead of me. Apart from the paper writing I have a big math test on Wednesday that I’m going to be doing a lot of studying for. I did really well on my last one and I’m hoping to repeat that. I also have to start preparing myself for student observation at an elementary class for my education that I’ll be doing for the next two weeks. All that plus regular homework from other classes (especially drama which seems to assign a fair amount) is going to be killing me. I guess I’ve had some easy times for a while, however, and I was overdue for a really tough week, and at least I’m getting things done starting today and not waiting until the last minute. I’m upset I can’t go out tonight but my fun has to take one for the team as I get my work done sooner rather than later.

I heard an interesting rumor the other day. I heard that the campus apartments and in very low demand next year, so low that you can buy one out for yourself. That’s insane. Apparently, your own bathroom and kitchen is not something to be desired. So, to play off of this, if you want an apartment (even if you don’t want to buy it out for yourself) now is the time to pursue that dream. I’ve lived in 63 beech and heritage hall and the apartments and the apartments are by far the best living quarters i’ve had here on campus. Not only is there your own bathroom and kitchen and living room, but it makes you more like a real adult and not a college student. It’s basically the next step in the process of graduating: living on your own and being responsible for your meals. It’s a good experience and i’d recommend living in the apartments some time in their career here.

It was an interesting week
As soon as I got back I had to make up a test for a class that I missed while I was in England. In addition, I had some stuff due this week so things were a little busy. The weird thing was I was really jet lagged until about Tuesday. I kept waking up at 7:30am for some reason (which would have been 11:30 in England) so it took me a few days to readjust back. The funny thing was when I was there I was totally fine, it just hit me when I got back. The Bookstore is having a Spring break photo contest so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for one of my pictures to win me something.

In addition, I’m keeping my fingers crossed because I got offered to attend a conference in June to Represent BW’s Residence Life at a conference in Florida. The only thing I’m waiting on now is actually getting accepted by the conference organization. If I get to go that will totaly make my summer

Last night a kid from my old high school Orange visited BW and did an overnight, and since my roommate Phil works in admissions and also went to Orange he stayed overnight in our room. His name is Jared Johnson, and though none of us really knew him well we all hung out for a while. He had been on tours here before, so we didn’t really need to show him around. We didn’t end up going to Midnight Madness, because another of our friends from high school came here since OU is on break and we introduced them both to the people we knew. They all just ended up going out and just hanging. I had to stay in because I had a bunch of homework, and when they came back they ended up staying up late and keeping me up until like 4 in the morning, so I was dead all day today. Jared said he really liked BW, (funny enough, he said he loved the food…) and said he was almost sure to come next year. I’m glad we helped someone in deciding if they will come here or not, and I wish him all the luck in the world with that in the fall. I’m hoping for more overnighters, because it’s always interesting to show them around here. Next time I hope its someone no one knows because the last two have been from Orange. Still, I like the whole overnight thing, I look forward to it later in the year.

So, I know have periodically posted about my graduate school search, interviews, and other excitements, but I’ve finally made my decision. I’m going to be attending graduate school at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, Colorado! I was offered a position as an Assistant Residence Director (which means I would be like a Hall Director in a residence hall). It comes with a free apartment, meal plan, they cover my tuition, AND I get a monthly stipend! I’m VERY excited to enter graduate school and begin the next chapter of my life. I have to report in mid-July, so I have the first two months of summer to relax and enjoy for myself before I head out there and begin my life for the next two years. I’m also happy that decision is finally made

I have begun my search for a job, and I have come to find that it’s not going to be an easy road. I am looking for a position in this area because my family is here and I could live at home for a few months to save money; however, I have to be very flexible and willing to take a job anywhere because it’s so competitive in the Cleveland area. I am also looking in Colorado, near where my boyfriend will be going to graduate school. It might not be the best option, but when I started looking there, open positions were much more abundant. The schools there seem to be hiring middle school teachers (what I want), with a decent starting salary and some only work four days a week!
I’m really looking forward to the interview process (I know; I’m crazy!), but I do not want to fill out one more application! I have already filled out at least seven, which means writing a cover letter for each and answering different questions that reflect my philosophy of education. While I don’t mind it, I feel that I can express my passion and ideas better in person. Plus, I dislike writing the same thing over and over, just in a slightly different way to fit each position. The process is exciting, but at the same time, VERY stressful! I will keep you updated!

I had a really nice long weekend. Easter began at the early hour of 4:45am because I got up and played at three church services. It was a good time. It’s such a noviltey to get paid to play horn. Later that day about eight other BW students and I went to our professor, Mrs. Grady’s, house for Easter dinner. This is the fifth year she’s had students over and it was so nice. She made lots of food, her five year old daughter gave a piano and violin “recital,” and we went down to her basement and she gave away old things she wanted to get rid of. I got an end table–my first real piece of furnature! It was so nice. I love the close relationship that many students and professors have.

Well, it was announced last week who our April Reign performer will be. Every year Campus Entertainment Productions (an enterainment programming organization on campus) pays for a performer to come and put on a concert during April Reign, which is an end of the year celebration of campus-wide involvement and events (I’m sure myself or others will blog about April Reign as it draws nearer).

This year, the band will be: A New Found Glory!! I’m pretty excited because they are an alternative/punk band - which is different from the past few years of performers. They had some pretty good songs, and since I own their cds I’ll be able to sing along with a lot of what they play. Last year I worked security at the concert, but this year I think I’ll just enjoy the entertainment and have fun

Over the Easter break, my family and I kept talking about my ever approaching graduation. I can’t believe that these past four years have gone by so quickly. I got in the mail a bunch of information about graduation such as ordering my cap and gown (done), ordering tickets, the procession, where to go and what time, etc. I keep putting off reading all of the information, not because I don’t have time but because I think that I am trying to deny the fact that I will be entering the real world! I can’t believe that the end of my four years at B-W is ending in almost 6 weeks. My dad and I also talked about what I was going to do after graduation. I am still crossing my fingers for law school, but I have an interview tomorrow at a golf course in Medina. So I guess I am just weighing my options and see how the cards fall.

I just realized how long it’s been since my last blog! I apologize to anyone who religiously checks my blog. It must have been pretty boring for you. Ha Ha Anyway, I’ve only got great news to report! I am more than half way done with student teaching (that’s not good), but I’ve been having a blast! My teacher is great and by now, I have taken over all classes, which means I am in charge of everything. I write the plans, I discipline, I GRADE (not the most fun part), and anything else my teacher would normally do. I’ve been observed by my supervisor three times already, and so far, so good. Every student teacher is assigned a supervisor from B-W. That person keeps in touch on a regular basis and visits the school to observe at least 5 times during the experience. It’s up to the supervisor to “grade” the student teacher. I was slightly nervous the first time she visited, but after that it’s been fine. My students are great, and we’ve been doing so many fun projects that I actually WANT my supervisor there to see it.

My favorite unit so far has been Shakespeare. I’m only teaching 8th grade so they normally just get a little taste of Shakespeare, if any at all. I couldn’t resist teaching a play though! I decided to do a comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and we didn’t just read it, oh no! We acted it out. We decorated our “stage” and the students brought in their own costumes and props. Everyone was very into it and they learned so much through a very interactive activity. Anyway, I will write more later. I’m on spring break, so I’m catching up. You will be hearing more from me in the future; I promise!