I want a t-shirt that says: I Survived Finals at ____ University!

I survived finals. Not that many of them resembled traditional finals. I had two exams, two presentations and two letters to write. Prior to all that madness, was the week(s) of the paper.

I think that everything came off well. I did my best. I didn't obsess though. The hardest part of finals for me is letting go of my expectations and perfectionism. I think I did well this time. I went to the Christian club Christmas Party. I celebrated a friend's birthday by going out to eat. Basically, I didn't hibernate with my books while biting my nails. I watched a Lord Peter Wimsey DVD and fell in love with his chair:

It's not the best picture but I really like the pattern and colors. I also sprinkled my studying with Lord Peter short stories.

Back to finals... (the thought process here is representative of finals week) :)

My exam on Monday for Learning and Teaching was straight forward but I think I write too much! The physics exam was straight forward. There were a couple of points I could have studied better but over all it was a good straight forward test. It helps when the TEN point extra credit portion came straight from the review session the day before. I am so glad I didn't skip!

The group presentation for culture went well. The professor brought pizza since we were the last and only group to present that day. How to ensure an audience: food. The presentation went well; my closing was inspired by God since none of us had prepared a closing. I had a lovely chat after class with the professor regarding adoption outside of one's ethnicity and culture. Adoption is near and dear to my heart and I was curious as to what I could/should do as a someday mother of children that may not look like me or be of the same culture.

I spent most of my study time working on a narrated power point presentation on national education standards. It worked out but was super time consuming.

For my major pro seminar class, I had to turn in an action piece for my critical issue. I ended up writing to my senators and representative regarding national education standards. The second half of the project was justifying my reasoning.

The last letter, was to the president of the university regarding student support of the climate change initiative. That was ridiculous as our lab data was totally flawed and not useful. It was nice though to write the letter with new friends.

To round out the finals week experience, I had my post-final dream. I always have a dream after finals where I'm late to class, forgot something or missed the final. This time I was there for the physics final but was too distracted to write! I was approached by another student in the dream to take their test for them. The teacher caught on to what happened (I said no) and the other student turned in their paper with my name written all over it. The dream ended with me trying to convince the professor that I should be allowed to finish my test. He was being non-committal (just like in real life). He finally asks me to explain what I studied. I blank, and when I start to give a really good explanation of what nuclear fission is: I wake up. At that point I have to give myself a reality check of what is real and that I did finish all my finals!

Friday I was car-less as the alternator went out Thursday resulting in a tow, finding a new auto shop and a fun evening out with friends culminating in a Trader Joes run. On Friday, I went to the graduating senior project/thesis presentations. I am now really excited about the possibilities for my project! I got my car back yesterday after a introduction to the local bus system and enjoyed a quiet evening. At least until I went to bed! But that is a story for another day.

I am off to the land of Spare Oom.
Enjoy the Holiday!

Music

(Photo by Lora)

I'm itching for music. I can't just turn on the radio or itunes and be satisfied. No, this itching is in my fingers. My fingers are itching for an instrument other than this (laptop) keyboard. In the absence of an instrument I've taken to typing my notes to music and keeping the beat!

I was in Target on Monday and while desperately looking for a piece of electronics that I will never use again save for this one class (ahem) I saw IT. A keyboard, on and waiting to be played. I stopped an played a bit but I couldn't compete with the Christmas music. Can you say discordant? :)

Over the Thanksgiving holidays, I had the opportunity to see my brother play piano for the first time since starting classes. I was impressed with his ability. He's integrated his drumming theory to the piano to create an amazing composition. My goal over Christmas is to work with him to transcribe it. One of my favorite memories from break is slipping into the music room at church after the Thanksgiving service and trading knowledge back and forth on the piano. This trading will be short-lived. "B" is taking music theory and will soon outstrip my meager ability.

Since being at the University, I've had little contact with musical instruments. Target, Thanksgiving and borrowing someone's guitar at a beach bonfire have been the extent of my musical moments. I'm looking forward to going home, being able to play on "my" piano, and celebrate the first coming of our Lord and Savior. Just one more week and a bit!

So I promised a post on thankfulness and/or Thanksgiving... Right now I am truly thankful to make it through this week! I had something due everyday but Wednesday and a lot of them were writing projects or research papers. Thus, instead of a long wordy post, I will rest my wrists and give you pictures instead!

I'm thankful for:

The sky to rest my eyes and renew my heart...

Pea blossoms (which grow up to become peas!)

A certain, special cat with discerning taste!

SNOW!!!

Fall color and fruits

Family, new and old friends, new and old churches, moments of rest, learning, teaching, loving, the past and the anticipation of what's ahead.

I'm most thankful that we have personal, loving God who through Jesus Christ took the sin of the world. During this season of Advent, I'm especially reminded of how we are to be watchful, desirous and yearning for his return.

And I'm thankful.

Spare Rooms

Anne considered them a thrill and an honor, a certain faun referred to it as the land of Spare Oom and I am currently residing in the one at my grandmother's house. I'm on a brief holiday from school; however, my family doesn't have a spare bed so I'm in the "front" (spare) bedroom.

I'm enjoying the holiday and I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. I have so much that I'm thankful for this year. Being at my grandmother's is a blessing and I'm enjoying my time with her and my family. I've also enjoyed visiting my church family! On Tuesday, I finished my volunteer work with my 4th grade class and we had a delightful class party.

One of the best parts of being home has been the delightful fall weather and colorful leaves. The trees at the University are evergreen and the few deciduous liquidambar trees have been holding onto their green leaves. I've had some long talks with them about fall and changing colors etc. Coming home has felt wonderful with cold and wet weather. The trees are decked out in the most gorgeous display and it finally feels like fall!


However, I don't have internet in the land of Spare Oom so I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to post until next week. I also have several papers, projects and assorted assignments due when I get back so it may be awhile before I post words. I will post some pictures though!

A week in the college life of Lora

This post is actually a part of the blog carnival happening over at the Young Ladies Christian Fellowship where lots of discussion about schedules and routines has been happening.

I started working on this when I first heard about the blog carnival but then I got sick and everything is a bit behind. Warning: long post ahead, read with caution... ;)

Here is my week:

I do dishes after every meal but cooking happens in chunks. I tend to cook enough for 3-4 dinners at a time so I cook about three times a week. The good news for me and the fridge space is: I have finally figured out how to make enough rice or pasta for just a couple meals. After cooking for the family it was hard to adjust to cooking just a little rice or pasta. Plus, I got tired of eating the same starch for a week!

My morning routine is get up, cleaned up, dressed and fed. I don't hassle with makeup and my hair is scrunch and go; so, it cuts down on how long it takes me to get ready, Evening routine: sometime after dinner and homework, brush teeth, wash face, get ready for bed and hopefully be in bed before 10 where I read until too late (Bible and/or pleasure or school books).

Here's a generalized week:

Mondays and Wednesdays

6:45 wake up (6:30 if I’m really being proactive)

7:25 out the door for the shuttle to main campus

8:00-9:20 Introduction to Teaching and Learning (it's fun community learning based class with great interactions between students)

9:20-9:45 “Studying” with friends in the Library

10:00-11:20 (I think… I have too much fun to think about the time) Physics

Depending on the day and homework load, I go home and work on homework or go to the library or computer labs and do more homework or I go home and goof off while making lunch. This also depends on if I made and brought a lunch with me.

1:25 Leave for Shuttle if I’m home

or

1:45 Start walking towards class

2:00-4:00 Computer Class/Nap Time – I’m being honest here… the class puts me to sleep. It would be easier if the teacher gave us the assignment and guided us with less lecture. Although she’s been starting to do that more…

After classes, I go home and do more homework, eat dinner and watch something on the computer. Sometimes I run and do a little shopping at Target but I try to keep that to a minimum. My goal each night is to be in bed by 9:30; I might still be studying but I’m in bed and hopefully asleep by 10:30.

Tuesdays and Thursday

In the mornings, I volunteer at a local elementary school as part of my classes. I’m currently working with 4^th graders in Math and English Language Arts (ELA). The goal is to learn about the classroom environment/management and teaching styles. I love the kids but it’s hard to see their knowledge gaps (I work with the lower performing students) and wonder how they’ll ever catch up.

4:00-5:50 Physics Lab (Tuesday only)

6:00- 7:30 Culture and Diversity class

8:00- ? Christian club (Tuesday only) Fellowship with great teaching and worship

Thursdays and sometimes Fridays are Library days and shopping days. I usually pick up meats, dairy and grains (or goodies) on my way home from volunteering at the school. Recently Thursday has also added writing lab reports up with my lab partner before our culture class. I also type my notes for Friday’s class and do the readings for Culture.

Friday

8:00-11:00 Upper Division Major Exploration

I spend the rest of theday working on homework if I have something due that evening or Monday, I may tidy things up or I relax and go for a walk, watch some tv or a movie, read or work in my little garden. Friday is also Fellowship Friday with the Christian club.

Friday and sometimes Saturday is Laundry Day. I have a good block of time to run everything through. The trick is I have to wait until after 12 on Saturday to do laundry or vacuum since we have some late risers here. The picture is of my "clothesline". I can't have a clothesline so I've used my table and chair to dry sheets and towels on sunny days.

Saturdays have been anything but consistent but typically sometime during the weekend I’m doing something with friends. Service Saturdays with the Christian club helps with that. Physics homework is usually a Saturday task.

Sunday is church time. This week I didn’t go to church since I was sick but I’ll go this week. Sunday School has been a different experience at this new church and I don’t know what to think about it. I really enjoy the church itself and I’ve been consistently attending the main service. I did check a couple churches out but this one seems to be the best fit at this point. After 18 years at one church, finding a good fit has been hard.

After church, I finish my shopping with a visit to the local farmers market where I round out my stores with fresh vegetables and fruits. This is the easiest and best place to find organic produce without driving 15 minutes. I usually come home and if possible not do homework but keep the day dedicated to God but honestly, that’s happened maybe twice this whole semester. Sometimes I go to the evening service at church but that’s also happened twice. Usually school or my procrastination/forgetfulness gets in the way of this.

This is my routine and schedule for now and in a couple days I'll know what my schedule for next semester will look like but for now this works. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you've enjoyed this peek into my week!

Saturday!

So after 6+hours of staring at the computer screen yesterday, working on the research paper, I could close my eyes and the lines of print never went away... So I took a break of being on the computer and relaxed.

My body, however, had different plans for this morning. So instead of sleeping in, I was up at 5:00 and by 6:30, I had made flashcards, breakfasted, showered and was off to participate in a cause walk. I wasn't planning on going but I said that if I woke up in time, I would go...

Famous last words...

But, the walk was awesome... Well, maybe not the walk part since it was a bit anticlimactic but the memories we made! Driving with friends, singing along to songs, going to this cute little zoo, playing on the playground, In N Out and getting lost while trying to go home.

The oddest part:
being told by an automated voice that loitering (in the park) was prohibited and our pictures were being sent to the police department. Hmm... What do people do in parks other than loiter? And FYI, we were walking. Not stopping, just walking. Well, the police department now has great pics of our awesome orange and white homemade shirts.

My favorite part: calling my mom for directions on the way home. I told her that I was with friends and we went on an adventure and got lost. She asked me where I was. I told her ___ city (~ 2hrs away) which then spawned the rest of the people in the car to suggest other alternatives such as the following:

• Hey Mom, I went for a drive... Why do all the license plates say Wyoming?
• Hey Mom, there's this border crossing thing and all the agents are wearing red with funny hats...
• Hey Mom, I went for a walk and now I see this sign: where's Ca-nad-a?

More posts forthcoming... stay tuned!

How does the garden grow?

When we planted the peas, I wasn't sure how to support them without purchasing a lot of materials. As it turned out, Mom had saved some old netting and on a short visit home I found some unused stakes that I could use...

The netting is attached to the balcony railing with yellow yarn that I borrowed from another project. This will hopefully keep the weight of the peas from dragging the netting down.
There were also a few strategically placed nails on the railing (from the previous tenants) that proved quite useful.

The first planter.

I think this is mid-thinning...

And this is this week:

Clouds...

"'Wouldn't it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true, and we could live in them?' said Jo after a little pause." - Little Women

In Unexpected Places...

In the midst of my errands today, I stopped at the library to drop off a couple of books and walked in...

That was a mistake; because after all, I was in a hurry to get back studying. cough, cough, ahem. So I just thought I would pop in and see what was of interest... I would be quick after all. At this point my family would be laughing because quick at the library for me is under 30 minutes but that's another story!

The library has a wonderful small selection of DVD's that I love to browse but try not to borrow since I don't need yet another distraction. I pulled the newest version of Mansfield Park off the shelf (I was feeling a little austentatious). The woman next to me, exclaimed "Oh, that's a good one! Do you like Jane Austen too?" I smiled and said yes and we started to compare notes on movies. We ended up talking about Jane Eyre and she had just watched the 2006 version. (A beautiful movie with a rather modern interpretation in my opinion.) I shared that my favorite Jane Eyre movie was the Timothy Dalton version which while not visual exciting is very true to the book and very well acted. She asked "Is this it?" and sure enough she had checked it out. She was also checking out my favorite version of Emma (with Kate Beckinsale). It was so nice to meet someone with similar tastes in movies; I was so glad I went in.

Anne calls them kindred spirits or as Miss Cornelia says "the race that knows Joseph". Sometimes I find them among other Christians, homeschoolers, 4hers, plant nerds or students. Or at the library. Where is an unexpected place you've found a kindred spirit?

Life...

The weather is wonderful here! It's been gray and windy and cloudy and yes, I know that doesn't sound like great weather to most people... Call me crazy but this weather is invigorating. Plus, when it gets too cold to be outside, tea time!

The sad part of the change in weather is that everyone is getting sick! At least one person in each of my classes today was coughing and hacking. In two cases, they were seated next to me. Yeah, could you breathe in that direction. Thanks.

In my physics class, my professor was sick and he lectures right next to my desk... Don't breathe. Don't breathe. But he is an awesome teacher. He matches my Environmental Science teacher at DA for enthusiasm and energy (and that is a feat).

We've played with levers and used physics to set up pulley systems 10ft up without using ladders and not breaking windows. We've had class outside, built roller coasters and made carts. He's borrowed my pencils and pens to demonstrate the force of gravity and stapled my notebook to show that a stapler could be two types of lever. I just want to video tape the lectures so badly. He is so much fun to watch! He also is a botanist (and fire-ecologist) so he uses botanical names for plants! Sigh :) When I visited during office hours, he had a poinsettia "blooming" on his desk!

Every time I look up: there's God's handiwork in the most amazing clouds.
Get ready for a cloud post!

Gardening on a Balcony...

When I moved down to the university, I didn't expect to do much gardening stuck in a dorm or in an apartment. However, I was blessed by sharing an apartment with a couple other girls and being the one with the balcony. One of my first purchases was planters for the patio. I added two strawberry plants and planted an Asian mesclun lettuce mix in one planter.

(The strawberry and lettuce planter. The pots that the strawberries came in were recycled to start red swiss chard.)

(A couple days later...)

Then my mom came to visit! She brought two 1/2 barrels that she had made from a pickle barrel and more seeds! I had helped her haul home four pickle barrels last spring to use for a rain barrel system that would include water from the roof. We already had 3-4 barrels and she realized over the summer that we didn't have enough space to really use that many. It was really fun seeing my mom and entertaining her for an afternoon. She thought it was fun seeing me play hostess. We spent most of the afternoon playing in the dirt. With great results...

While I live in the middle of a sandy patch, I'm actually in a great agricultural region with fabulous farmers markets so I planted accordingly. The seasons are different here so right now we're in the middle of "summer". It's been cool this year so I focused on starting my cool season crops. Each barrel is planted with lettuce and a row of snap peas. The two other planters are filled with snap peas. I also added a some Sweet Alyssum seeds to the planters to attract pollinators.

This last week, I started thinning... While I thinned I remembered the first book in the Boxcar Children Series. Henry, the oldest, takes a job thinning a woman's vegetable garden and gets permission to take the thinned plants back to the boxcar where his sister turns them into a soup.

My thinnings weren't suitable for a soup so turned them into a most delightful salad with some additions from the farmers markets...

Reading... I mean listening

Starting when I was young, every summer was filled with swimming, gardening, family and books! The summer library programs started and I would be on a race to see how fast I could reach the highest goal.

Mom would always check to make sure I was reading appropriate material but by the time I hit Jr. High age, I was pretty self regulating. This was in the middle of my long skirts, of course I'm a conservative homeschooler "how could you tell?" phase.

In college (2004-now), while most students took a break during summer, I would make a list of things I wanted know more about or would make me more "well rounded" and check out stacks of books from the library. And in July, I would wish that there was an adult summer reading program to motivate me to finish!



I read Shakespeare, history books, cookbooks, architecture, math and science books. No, I didn't become an expert on anything but I have fun watching Jeopardy!

This summer, my reading was different. Since I drove quite a bit for work, I borrowed some audio books. I "read" the Fellowship of the Ring (for the first time). I know... what kind of person am I? Don't worry, I haven't seen any of the movies yet either. The experience was more enjoyable because I was listening because I listened to the parts that I would normally skim over (songs and poetry) which definitely added to my understanding as the story progressed.

I also slipped in some Jeeves and Wooster short stories by P.G. Wodehouse. Once again, so much better when listened to! I had read some stories before but so much of the subtle humor was lost. Are you getting the feeling I tend to read fast and skim over? ;)

Of course, I did read actual books.



The Insectopedia by Hugh Raffles seemed fitting considering that I was looking for insects all summer. It has an essay for each letter of the alphabet. Each essay is insect related but often touches on a more social commentary outlook. The first essay made me laugh out loud as it described a sticky trap attached to plane (researchers were trying to track how insects migrated). I'm picturing the yellow sticky traps we used in trees dangling from a plane. Other essays included the language of bees, Chernobyl (insect deformities as seen by an artist) and the culture of cricket fighting. It was fascinating and I was disappointed when I couldn't renew it any more.

So what do you read? Fiction, Non-fiction? What subjects interest you and do you have any recommendations?

School Story: Part One

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
- Colossians 2:6-7

(School Landscaping)

When I arrived at school, the first week was chaotic and overwhelming. I had expected mounds of homework but when it started coming... I was ready to run. I was fine and enjoying the experience up until the middle of my third class that first day.

I had visited enough that the school felt comfortable; I had navigated the shuttle system, and I had previewed most of the class assignments online. In the middle of that third class, I was ready to drop a class and run for the hills. Nothing was harder but I had started worrying about all sorts of extra issues. I hate worrying. It doesn't help and it just makes life harder.


The verse from Colossians reminded me of what my focus should be on. The Lord led me to this school. If it had gone my way, I would have been done 3 years ago, attending the big state school near my house and living at home. I also would have gone through a program of study that wasn't appealing and had to fight to get into overcrowded classes.

Instead, I found out that my position was ending at church in the end of February. I had a applied to this school an hour away from home (an hour and half away from church). School plans had fallen apart so many times before that I really didn't think that I was going or if I did go that nothing at home would have to change. I could keep working and living at home and commute. I went to visit the school for the first time on a Monday, a less than a week after I found out that I wouldn't have a job in a few months. I started to get excited, the school was more than I had hoped with small classes, service learning and a rigorous senior project. I had been excited about the school when I applied but that had faded, I wasn't sure what God really wanted at this point.

(Campus artwork by students)

When I got home from the visit, there was the acceptance e-mail from the school! It had arrived before I even left for the visit.

My life:

Beautiful gardens

and great clouds,

are some of the best parts of my work!

Things I've learned...

Things I've learned from my new job as an agricultural assistant:

• That numb feeling in my lips? Sunburn.
• Your hair looks lighter as your skin gets darker.
• Don't hit the clutch in the county vehicle; it's not there.
• Don't forget the clutch when you get back in your own car.
• I now understand how the pioneers felt walking all day everyday.
  
• Parking a Porsche under a sticky trap; not a good idea.
• People go out in the oddest states: no shirts (men only, thank goodness), old fashioned pajamas or smoking an old fashioned pipe while shirtless and driving a red scooter.
• College textbooks can be used as a platform for changing a tire.

Of all of the unusual and interesting things I've discovered at my new job, the best is that I really enjoy my work and am really blessed by it. You can't ask for more than that!

Reality

Tap tap tappity tap… tap tap tap. My fingers move reluctantly over the keys. Tappity, tap. This is never easy. Tap. I play with words. “Due to budget cuts.” “stepping down, leaving?, no longer on staff.” The words don’t make it easier. I finally get it done; proof read and make the final changes. There it is: “Due to leadership vision for children’s ministry (talk to ____ for more details) which will help our current budget needs, as well as my desire to complete my education, I will no longer be on staff here at church after June 30^th.”

So much is summed up in that one sentence. It contains hints of what’s to come and the bold truth of the present.

Books Everywhere!

Welcome to my bookshelves.

(Louisa May Alcott Collection)

You've caught me at the best time. You see, I had started taking pictures of my books a few months ago to post but never got around to it. I took pictures of the most accessible bookshelves and stopped. Now, I'm looking at the possibility of moving in August and it was suggested by my roommate (sister, who would like a more minimalist look) and parents that I should box up and store the books since it would be quick, easy and make my summer much simpler. So I started boxing...

and boxing...

I already have two boxes under my bed. Now, add to that the 9 other boxes stacked next to my bed; it's like a built in bed now! I didn't realize I had so many books! I only had a 3'x3' bookcase, two 4' shelves and a 7 1/2' shelf. Of course, the long shelf was double stacked and I had carved out other spaces (under the bed, in the closet, ahem). The books are all boxed with the exception of a couple Spanish books, Bible studies, writing books and cookbooks which I know I will need at the University regardless if I move or commute.

I took pictures of the books in the boxes as a record so those are posted here as well. Almost all of my books are book sale finds, from recycled book stores or gifts.

(From left to right) Wives and Daughters, Jane Austen, Five Little Peppers Collection, Understood Betsey, The Prince and the Pauper, Deerslayer and Last of the Mohicans.

The Louisa May Alcott Collection (minus Jack and Jill)
My favorite surprise finds: Pansies and Waterlilies and one of the Lulu's Library series)


Various Christian living books, How the Heather Looks, The Burgess Flower Book for Children






My two favorite series from when I was younger: The Sugar Creek Gang and the Homeschool Detectives. The Sugar Creek Gang fans will know why The Hoosier School Master is boxed with the series. ;)

Bobbsey Twins

Favorite: Dr. Christmas


Boxcar Children and In Grandma's Attic

Nancy Drews = 1 1/2 boxes
Not pictured: Hardy Boys 1/2+ box

My contribution to the living room collections: Elsie Dinsmore (circa 1906 editions)

I hope you've enjoyed a peek at my shelves. Most of these are children's collections but I have a fair amount of classics that didn't get pictures taken before being boxed.

God be with you!