It's the Holiday season, and thus a time to give thanks. I've been thinking a lot lately about how lucky I am to have the good friends I do. There was a time in my life not too many years ago when I had few, if any...I know I've blogged about that before.
In short, I hope everyone in my life realizes how thankful I am for them.
Ok, well, not really Santa, but here's what I got for Christmas:
To all out there celebrating. We had a relaxing and laid back day here at the Christiansen household.
It's hard to believe. I'm sitting here, after being home two days, and it still doesn't feel like the semester is over. this fall passed by so quickly.
I think I'll miss English Methods most. Of all the possible 8 am classes to have, that was the best. What a group...laughter permeating every day. It makes me a tad sad to know that it's my last methods class, and very likely my last class with Mark.
Time does fly. I can only wonder what next semester will bring.
This afternoon. Have the Environmental take home to finish yet, which may take significant time this evening and tomorrow AM. Due tomorrow at noon. Hopefully I'll get it emailed by the deadline...
Of the get together for Julie G., taken by Julie A. Quite possibly the first time I've been in pictures on someone else's blog.
See them here.
The first, a very nice service celebrating the life of Sadie's grandma, who along with the rest of that family has always been very good to me. She'll be missed.
The second, a celebration of the completion of Julie's time in Bemidji. A good time with good people. I need to get out more. See ya later, Julie...
He shows up at the reading day midnight breakfast...and makes it a family affair as his wife joins him.
He actively works the room, introducing himself to many students who might not otherwise get the chance to meet or work with him.
And he actually sits down for a game of spoons with one group, generating a round of applause from nearby tables, as he jokes as if he's simply another player sitting down for a hand.
Yet another sign that BSU's administrators are a cut or two above the "norm."
Ticking things off the to-do list.
Been very busy the last two days. The Methods class liked my presentation. I still need to get my essays in order for the portfolio, my goal is to turn that in Friday morning. Not gonna mess with the wiki too much, for now. I realized that this was my last class with Mark. Kind of sad, I will miss them.
Sent off most of my Christmas cards this morning. Still have about a dozen to do. People think I'm crazy for taking time to do them, but I like letting people know they are in my thoughts at least once per year. Also attended the Senate party this afternoon before studying for and taking my Urban Politics test, which I should have done well enough on to keep an A.
Next up...Content Area Reading. From looking at the study guide, we've covered very little of the material for this test, As we've spent most of our time for the last month on teaching presentations. As such I feel completely unprepared, and after talking to a classmate today know I am not the only one. It should be interesting.
In other news, it's official...I filed the form so the University knows I'm double majoring.
Oh, and we all get a free meal tonight! Yeah!!
I'm sitting here in the lab. There are students using the whiteboards in the back for a penmanship test. That's right...they are being evaluated and graded on the quality of their handwriting...size. shape, alignment.
One more reason I'd tank as an El Ed major.
Yeah, it's here. Finished the Lit Crit paper early this morning (about 1 am). Not sure if the paper makes any sense, but that's what I said about the last one, and got an A, so who knows.
Things to do this week:
Took pledges for Lakeland Public TV from 6-9 tonight. I think the camera flashed our faces 4 or 5 times. Did anyone see?
Who am I kidding. I'm a college kid, as are a great number of my readers. College kids watch MTV, not PBS. Red Green is pretty funny though.
In Methods yesterday, Mark mentioned he was blogging again. So, as I was doing my daily reading, and sure enough, after what appears to be a two year hiatus, he's back at it. I have to wonder if perhaps all the talk about them from his blogaholic students like me had a part in prompting him to give it another shot.
Check out this CrustyProfessor--he's a man with lots of interesting insights and wisdom to offer. Now, if we only had audio clips of some of the exchanges we all have in his classes...those are priceless.
Long weekend...MSUSA in St. Cloud. Had a good time despite the fact that December conference is always rough on account of the fact it is so close to the end of the semester, and I have a shit load of work to do.
I think everyone had fun, and no one told me afterwords they're never going back. There were a few dramatic moments as usual, a fairly long General Assembly meeting, Internal Affairs, and as an added bonus (or maybe added pressure?) filling in at the Board stuff. It's always interesting to do those kinds of "extra" things. Overall I quite enjoy it, although it is a very different, slightly nervous feeling being the one at "the" table. I know there were probably some people irked by one particular stance we took, "but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do"
Every month I come back from these things with a myriad of thoughts in my mind. I am frustrated by some things, energized by others. Overall, the organization never ceases to facscinate me. The people, the dynamics, the good, bad and in-between.
We were talking afterwords today as we ate lunch before returning to Bemidji, and I think Nicole summed it up pretty well: as crazy as these conferences can be, and as much as I may complain about the little things, I still love them. Why else would I keep going back after 3.5 years? I think some of it stems from the fact that at one never knows what will happen next.
MSUSA...a great advocacy group, but also part social org, soap opera and suspense novel. How could anyone not love it?
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