Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Down the Home Stretch. Kind of.

I feel like as midterms are behind me, I'm beginning to breathe a little easier and the term is almost at a close. I'm starting to relax a bit, and my life has slowed down. It's slowed down enough to let me review everything I need to do.

Which includes registering for classes. And there goes the relaxation.

But seriously, registering for classes makes me eager to finish up this term and start the new classes! Bring it on! New material, new professors, new classmates! Even new SCHOOL SUPPLIES! YES!

Truth: one thing that gets me really excited for a new term is new, fancy pens. Really, it's my one splurge, to buy nice pens. It's okay to laugh, I promise.

Getting back to classes- I registered for 4 classes this upcoming term. Because, let's face it: once winter hits and we're under three feet of snow, I'll be spending lots of time in my townhouse, so it's better to not waste my time and instead make some hot chocolate and hit the books. I'm taking three courses that matter for my major: Teaching Secondary Social Studies, World Politics, and U.S. History III.

One of my best friends and I have taken a class together every term since Spring 09, and I'm not willing to break that chain now. So again, I'm sucking it up and taking 4 classes.

My fourth class is Buddhism. Now, I was born and raised a Roman Catholic. But after about 20 years of being surrounded by my Christianity, I'm ready to broaden my horizons a bit and dive into something new and exotic. I'm really pumped for this class. I've heard that it's difficult and that there's a lot of reading, but the people who have taken it haven't regretted spending their time in that class. I'm hoping that's a sign of good things to come!

But for right now, I'm focused on attempting to stay focused. Which with me, is never a guarantee, but more of a "work in progress" type of deal. Unless there's coffee involved, and then anything can get my full attention!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Pass Me the Tylenol...

I haven't posted in a while, and I promise that it's not for lack of interest...but after all, it is midterms week and I've been buried deep into my books and homework for a while now.

But, the storm has passed and we're back to normal classes and work loads. The midterms were overall not too difficult. I'm taking World War II (this midterm was a breeze, but I'm a history major, so if it wasn't, that would be a problem), Educational Psychology (a little more difficult, but I was prepared) and World Cultures (this midterm kicked my butt!). I felt horrible after the World Cultures midterm. For a 100 level class, it was really hard. I'm sure I did just fine, but I'm putting in extra effort for the rest of the term to make up for it.

But right now, we're on fall break. It's nice that Mercyhurst is on trimesters, it's just more opportunities to get home. Usually when I tell people that we're on trimesters, people look at me like a) I'm speaking Swahili or b) implying that I'm a pregnant woman (neither are true) but it's really great! 5 weeks of classes are past me and I'm halfway done with the Fall term.

The weather this past week has been atrocious. Personally, I typically enjoy the rain and thunderstorms. But I draw the line at seriously contemplating getting two of every animal and building an ark. I was halfway convinced that I was going to have to paddle to my classes, especially across the large puddle that forms in front of my townhouse whenever it rains. My roommates, however, built a bridge:

How is that for good old Mercyhurst ingenuity!?

But, I'm the type of person who isn't content unless I'm completely stressed out. So, on top of my classes, I'm working two jobs. One is at the campus coffee bar- it's cool, I love making the drinks and experimenting with the flavors. The next time you get a latte or something, try vanilla+hazelnut+peppermint together. Trust me, it's really good! It kinda tastes just like Christmas.

My other job is working at Old Navy here in Erie. Another job that I really enjoy- I mean, who doesn't want a discount on some pretty awesome clothes? I went and blew $100 on a shopping spree...and I'm sure I'll do that repeatedly, especially when the stress at school calls for some retail therapy!