Fun Fun Fun!

Hi Everyone! Busy, as usual, around here. Actually, this past week was fairly relaxing. I gave a presentation in a class on Monday. Tuesday I got my Vegetations Lecture midterm grade - I was happy with my score :) On Tuesday night there was a HUGE display of the northern nights, BUT...unfortunately I didn't get to really see them. 0 for 3 now in attempting to see them. I will see them up here at some point! On Wednesday I had my USG meeting, which is always interesting. I really enjoy it! The unfortunate part is that I missed seeing Garrison Keillor, who was on campus :(

Yesterday was a busy, but extremely fun, day. For most of the day I was at my USG (Undergraduate Student Government) retreat. It was held at the Mariner North in Copper Harbor. It was fun all around - the ride up and back, lunch, and just being with like-minded people. No big deal or anything, but any day you sit across the lunch table from the Vice President of your University is a good day. Then, a top of that, have a car ride (1.5 hours) with him. He is a real great guy. Look for pics!

After the retreat was Safehouse. Safehouse is when the residence halls decorate the hallways, either "fun" or "scary" and then the public can come through. If they go to the fun hallways they go "trick or treating." If they go to the "scary" hallways it is similar to a haunted house. I helped out with that by making sound effects for a scary hall. That was fun! Look for pics - warning, some are "scary"!

Then...yes, it was a full day...I went to the hockey game vs. Denver. On Friday we won 7-2! Last night we tied with them 2-2. Both games were good. Look for pics.

A few general things.....

- the weather has been quite nice, but somewhat all over the place, lately. Frost in the morning, scraping of vehicles, sunny clear days, and cool crisp fall evenings have all been in our recent past. Looking forward to some wacky weather! The only down turn of the weather changing is my nose bleeds :(

- I am planning to apply to LeaderShape. LeaderShape is a seminar for collegiate youth to go to in order to enhance their leadership abilities and help them see their strengths and weaknesses. Wish me luck! The application process for the seminar is pretty competitive (60 students total).

Wishing you all a happy Sunday!

Great Time in the Porkies!

Hello everyone! I had a GREAT time this weekend! On Friday a friend of mine and his family came up to visit Michigan Tech. They had a tour and then I gave them an unofficial tour. Then, on Saturday, I rode with them to the Porcupine Mountains (Porkies) and hiked in to meet up with more friends from home. I had a great time hiking and seeing faces from home :) Look for pics soon! Some of them tell a pretty unique story - like the bear claw marks on the back of the cabin (no, not from when we were there), or the pic of my neck (an ember from the fire popped, flew up, and burned my neck - ouch!).

I shouldn't neglect to mention that on Thursday night I saw the movie Green Fire, a movie about a man named Aldo Leopold, a leader in conservation. I really enjoyed his story and the movie...right up my alley if you couldn't tell :)

On Saturday I participated in Make-A-Difference Day. With a group of friends we went and washed windows for an elderly lady in town. It felt good to get out and do some service.

On Saturday, we drove to the Porkies, stopping a few times along the way to take in the scenery. We got to the park and hiked in, stayed over night, and hiked out Sunday morning. I got back to campus late evening, did some laundry, ate, and then went to evening church.

I am certainly having fun here, but can't wait to see you all back home! Only 24 more days 'til I'm on break!

Restructuring of Photos

Hello all! I have revised the organization of the Photos link. The link on the left now brings you to a website where you can click on the time frame (aka month) and then the album that you want. I hope this works well. Let me know if you have any problems. Enjoy the photos!

Weekend Fun - including cooking!

This weekend was full of exciting things. The UW-Madison Badgers were in town and played the Huskies in hockey. We won both games in OT.

On Saturday afternoon I went apple picking with some friends. We picked apples from trees up on the Tech trails. We brought back a LOT of apples! We cooked them up into two apple pies, an apple crisp, and a lot of applesauce which we made into apple butter on Tuesday evening. All of this cooking was quite a process, but a lot of fun! Look for pics!

Also this weekend I went to Walmart, which was my first trip there since I have been here. It felt good to return to "civilization" for a bit :)

On Tuesday I had my last midterm in Vegetations of NA Lecture. I think it went pretty well!

On Wednesday I had my USG meeting, which we hashed out some big issues regarding money to certain organizations. I am glad I decided to run - I really like the position!

On Thursday I had my Field Techniques class, during which it was extremely windy and cold. Long underwear, earmuffs, and hardhat were all necessary!

Today is an absolutely gorgeous day. The temperature is around 50 and sunny. I had a busy day with classes, meetings, and work. BUT....as always, it all pays off. This weekend I am going to the Porcupine Mountains to backpack and see some friends from home! I am really excited! The forecast calls for sunshine and friends! :)

Also, tomorrow morning, I plan to participate in Make a Difference Day. It is a day of service projects and the community comes together to accomplish them. That should feel good :)

I hope all is well back home and that the MN students (Rachel, Angela....friends...) are enjoying MEA! I wish I had that break!

Sidenote: The broomball rink are in the process of being constructed - exciting! Look for pics in the future of broomball.

Only 28 more days until Thanksgiving Break!!

Let the Snow Fly!

The rain is falling, the winds are whipping, the temperature is dropping...the snow can't be far behind!

The weather this week has been chilly with this weekend being extremely windy and rainy :(

Earlier this week I had my Vegetations midterm. I think that it went really well!

This week I also started a second job! Don't worry, it's only two hours a week. This job is sorting through plants/weeds that were collected and separating them out and then counting how many of each species is present. The data will be used in the research about herbicide use.

On Wednesday I had my USG meeting. It was a long meeting with lots of hot topics discussed. I enjoyed giving my input!

Yesterday (Friday) I went to the hockey game versus UW-Madison. We won in OT 2-1. It was a really good game! I am planning to go to the game tonight too!

Also last night, after the game, WHSA hosted a coffeehouse in the dining hall. It was really fun. Free food and an evening of music, poetry, etc.

I'm gearing up for another midterm this Tuesday. It should be an OK week though.

Counting down to Thanksgiving break! Only 34 days!!

Weekend fun!

Here's what I've been up to!

This weekend was the culmination of our homecoming week. On Friday we raced cardboard boats out on the waterway. That was certainly fun to watch! Look for pics!

Sidenote: Friday night to Saturday I got the most sleep in one night thus far. I was in bed by 10pm and didn't get up until 9am! It felt great!

On Saturday I went to the homecoming football game (vs. Saginaw Valley). We lost in OT :(

But, to redeem ourselves as a whole, our hockey beat American International in the hockey game I went to Saturday night. That was really fun! Look for pics from both events.

Overall I had a relaxing weekend. This was sort of a lull in the semester before things pick up again.

Hope you all are well. Happy autumn!

p.s. - Look at the pics to see the progression of fall colors!

Another Busy Week!

Well, this week almost beats out last week for 'busyness' or should I say business...hehe! Here's what I have been up to this past week.

Way back, last Friday, I had a full day between classes and work. I also attended some graduate seminars to learn about what the graduate students were researching, which was very interesting. THEN....the family and Mary came!!!!!

Mom, Dad, Angela, and Mary came to visit me at college! I had a great time with them over the weekend. We drove around and saw some fall colors, drove to Copper Harbor, and enjoyed our time together. Something really cool is that we went to some waterfalls that were flowing. Waterfalls + fall colors + family....can't get much better! Look for pics!

Also, it should be mentioned that I am thoroughly enjoying all of the goodies and supplies that they brought with them! :)

In other notes...

- I have had my first USG meeting since officially being on the council. I also held office hours this week! Pretty exciting!

- Homecoming for us is just around the corner! All this week there are different events and then the football game and such is this weekend.

- Even though I have been extremely busy writing papers, going to meetings, and doing homework, I love college! It has been really fun thus far. Even in these first six weeks or so I have learned so much and cannot wait to continue - Bring it on!

Earlier this week was pretty "usual" - work, classes, learn some trees, more classes, go to meetings, even more classes and schoolwork.

The weather has been great the past few days. Lots of sunshine and some good fall colors! Look at the pics!

Hope you are all well. Keep smiling - life is good!