Student Experience Blog: December 2012

Being jobless doesn't mean being jobless

Wed, Dec 26, 2012

So the break has been a relief. After plowing through more then a hundred books in three months, on topics ranging from rascism in ethnographic imagery to the role of the metropolis as a tool for crosscultural alienation, I was starved for simpler pleasures.

So I had a few projects I had set up for the break. 

I took care of the chickens and took down the greenhouse I had constructed. As with most DIY things, the greenhouse worked, but was a eyesore. But, you learn with each passing movement.

Christmas Greetings (And Fall Reflections!)

Tue, Dec 25, 2012

It's been a while since my last post, hasn't it? What with the stress of finals, preparing for and performing in the Feast of Carols, and the zaniness of Christmas shopping and present wrapping, updating the blog took sort of a low priority. But now that Christmas is finally here and Winter Term is looking a lot closer this side of the holidays, I figured it would be a perfect time to gather my thoughts and reflect on the semester I just completed.

The Long Way Home

Thu, Dec 13, 2012

I am currently in Phoenix airport waiting for my connecting flight to Los Angeles. Very shortly, I will be boarding a flight all the way to Australia! That’s right, I am going home for Christmas break and I am probably going the furthest away from Caldwell, ID of anyone. I am able to fly home today because I managed to finish all my finals yesterday and get packed just in time to get on a flight out of Boise. Now I begin the long trek home, which includes copious layovers, long flights (around 14 hrs!) and expensive airport food. 

Why I have not posted for awhile

Thu, Dec 13, 2012

So, I just realised that it was been almost two months since I have posted on these blogs.

This is partially so because I had nothing fancy to say, no ground breaking insights, no incisive comments. It was also because I had somehow managed to bugger myself on the academic side of things. You see, I made the fundamental mistake of taking multiple classes that required intense creative thought. So let's go over it, so you can learn from My Mistakes.

Logging Time During Dead Week

Sat, Dec 8, 2012

I’ve mentioned before that I have one of C of I’s Heritage Scholarships. One of the stipulations for keeping this scholarship is that I do 20 hours of community involvement per month. Community involvement is a pretty loose term; it’s generally translated to mean “anything you’re not paying for or getting paid for.” So while a good portion of the Heritage hours that my fellow scholars turn in may be from volunteer hours or time logged doing research, a lot of items are just fun events that we’ve attended on campus.

How I Spent My Tuesday

Wed, Dec 5, 2012

I’ve spent a large part of my day in the library, wondering what I’m going to do with my life, and trying to get all of my last remaining assignments done so that I can focus on studying for my finals for the rest of the week. I’ve been pretty stressed about finals, because I know  that they’ll be here before I’m even close to ready. But I was very productive today and decided to take a little break after dinner, and it has turned out to be one of the most enjoyable Tuesdays in memory. I went to Ballroom for the last twenty minutes or so, long enough to learn how to jive.

Words and Spotlights

Tue, Dec 4, 2012

There comes a time in every young writer's life when they must present their work to the masses, prepared to face the heavy blows of criticism, judgement, and worse (boredom and disinterest). I suppose tonight happened to be my time, as my Creative Nonfiction Workshop presented our best work of the semester this evening in the McCain Pub. With nothing to accompany us but a music stand, a microphone, a long legged chair and one of the brightest spotlights known to man, each ENG-220 student read their favorite pieces of the class to an audience mostly made up of their fellow writers.

Teaching Indirectly: What I've learned from Dr. Thuerer

Tue, Dec 4, 2012

My section of PSY-496: Abnormal Psychology will be the last time it will be taught at The College of Idaho, at least for some time. Our Psych Department has updated its catalog and it is scheduled to be replaced for next year. With my graduation application being accepted, I’m finishing my second and last class with Dr. John Thuerer.

That Time of Year

Tue, Dec 4, 2012

And it is that time of year again. It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas here at the College, with many events taking place celebrating this festive time of year. One of my favourite events which takes place on campus and I try to attend every year is the Delt's Charity Ball.

Table Rock

Sat, Dec 1, 2012

This morning, this lovely group of fourteen people and one super cute dog got out of bed early enough to be on the way to Boise by 9:30. This is pretty early, for a Saturday at least.

We parked at the old Penitentiary and hiked up a dirt trail that wound its way up hills covered in delicate dry yellow grass and rough scrub brush under a heavy gray sky. It was just barely drizzling and pretty windy, but surprisingly warm today.