Pumpkins and Storms

Oh my! What a day it has been! There was a tornado warning today and all of the students were ushered to safe areas. I walked over to Marbeck to get lunch (Fried Ravioli day--YUM!) only to find that it was going to be closed in 5 to 7 minutes. A storm was headed our way... Instead of staying at Marbeck and going downstairs to the hall, my friend and I walked back to Ropp. Let me tell you this: It was super windy. I was afraid I was going to be blown away. We all moved to the first floor, out of the way of windows. We were lucky-the RAs and HDs handled the situation really well. That was one positive.

We ended up staying downstairs for only about 25 to 30 minutes (at least the ones who just got back). After the storm had moved on, we hurried to lunch. We were looking to get lunch before going to class. I love fried ravioli, so I was not about to miss lunch today! I must say, it lived up to my expectations. I even got a to-go-box and took some to my 1:00 class.

On another note: Halloween is approaching FAST! There are numerous events on campus. I am hoping to make it to some of them. The Social Work Club has trick-or-canning Thursday, and that should really set the mood. I haven't been trick-or-"anything" in a really long time!

I carved pumpkins with the art club last night. It was amazing! The president of art club set it up. She bought pumpkins and made the food (salsa, cookies, cheese dip, caramel apples, etc.). She really created a fantastic event. I am not much of a carver/sculptor (my artistic talents lie in the 2D realm), but I had a blast none the less. We listened to the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack and drank cider while carving our pumpkins. There were prizes for the most traditional, scariest, most creative, and best of show. I did not win, but I had fun. I wish I could say that I had a bigger role in the creation of this fun event, but instead I just joined in on the pumpkin carving festivities.

Meow!

Since my last post, things have been great.

My boyfriend was able to finally find a roommate and moved into a new apartment Friday! I am very excited for him--he has been looking for an apartment for quite some time. He is slowly bringing some of his things over the next week or so, but the majority of his stuff has been "relocated".

My Friday was very busy... I turned in a paper for a class. It was quite a relief to have it done! I went to the Mennonite Memorial Home and called BINGO. I always have fun doing that. It is fulfilling to reach out, if only in this small way. I also had a follow up interview for my Practice 1 class. That went well. The rest of my evening was spent relaxing. I ended up going to the Community Market here in Bluffton. I did a bit of grocery shopping. Two of my friends and I went to Arby's after our mini shopping excursion. I love being able to go out and catch up with friends. Thatweek had been a busy one.

On Saturday, I went to the Farmer's Market in town. It is located next to the bank and Post Office. I got some cupcakes from The Little Black Apron. It is a new business that does special orders. It is not an official store, but the lady takes orders and comes to the Farmer's Market, which ends next weekend. I got Buckeye Cupcakes. They were delicious. They are filled with peanut butter. The icing is chocolate and there are peanut butter crumbles on top. Yum! She makes multiple kinds. Next Saturday is Family Day. My parents are going to come visit, and I may try to take them to the market. I know they would like the cupcakes. I also got meatballs, which were tasty. After the Farmer's Market, I went to Findlay. My boyfriend and I's 3 year anniversary was Sunday. I wanted to pick him up a present. After, I stopped at the mall and looked around.

For our anniversary, my boyfriend and I spent the day together. We went to Olive Garden and spent the evening just hanging out. I was glad that he was able to get the day off.

Today is the start of a new week. I am excited because I have no assignments due, so it is a chance to rest and get caught up on some work. :-)

Time Flies

It is unbelievable how fast time flies; it really is. I cannot believe that the end of October is almost here! How can that be? It seems like just a few days ago, I was moving into school. Now, the end of my second month has almost come to an end. I guess that's what happens when there is so much to do!

It has been a truly hectic week. I had a Process Recording due today. A Process Recording is a project for my Social Work Practice 1 class. We had to interview an elderly individual and record our thoughts, feelings, and observations. The project, itself, was quite time-consuming. I also have a paper on an agency and how policy impacts its functioning die tomorrow. I have been working hard to get everything done. Luckily, I took my test of the week today. I am relieved to know that it is over. It can quite overwhelming at times when there are numerous things due at once.

Luckily, Tuesday provided a bright spot for me. Three of my friends and I decided to have a girls' night. We ordered pizza and talked. That was really fun. It is SO important to take time for yourself in school. I cannot say that enough! If you don't, you get burnt out so easily. Tuesday night was also the Breast Cancer Awareness Forum that was sponsored by the Social Work Club. Being an officer these past few weeks has kept me very busy! We were working hard to make sure that the panel (a group of people to talk about breast cancer) came together. I and two other officers also made and presented a PowerPoint that discussed the myths of breast cancer and facts that concerned men and women. We had a doctor and a woman and her daughter on the panel. The woman is currently battling breast cancer. Her story was so powerful. As you can tell, the social work club has been busy! We are also going trick-or-canning (collecting cans for a food bank) next Thursday. Then, we will be planning a Thanksgiving Dinner!!!

Oh wow! It's been such a busy week... I think I need a nap. :-)

Ace of Cakes... My Reality

Last night, Bluffton held its first annual Ace of Cakes competition. If you have watched this show, you can understand the craziness that is cake decorating. Myself and two of my friends took on the challenge, competing against several other teams.

Walking in, we did not know what we were getting ourselves into. Believe me, cake decorating is hard! We decided to go with a Halloween themed cake. Much to our despair, the other teams there were really, really good. There was a castle with a princess, a cheeseburger (looked good enough to eat), a pool, a shoe, a cupcake mountain, a river with boats and a bridge, a game board, a chalkboard, a Breast Cancer Awareness bra, a pumpkin, and then our cake. The concept of ours was cut short when our haunted house fell apart. Instead, we used fondant to make pumpkins and ghosts, oreo bits to make gravestones, cake for the tiny house, and gummy bears for trick-or-treaters. While ours was not going to get us our own show, it was great fun!

I fueled up before the competition at Chipotle. Some friends of mine went with me. We stopped at the mall and then made our way over to the land of yumminess (i.e. Chipotle). I always like going out with my friends. I think that it helps to break up your week or (in my case this week) celebrate the end of the week. I had two tests this past week. There was a lot of studying and stress. Once they were done, a great weight was lifted off my shoulders!

Mid-Day Musings

Waking up at 4:30 is unpleasant. Waking up when you don't have to is even more unpleasant. I am one of those people who doesn't get back to sleep easily unless I am extremely tired and still in that "sleep zone"... Or whatever it may be.

Needless to say, I only managed to get about 20 minutes of light dozing in the remaining 2 hours before I ha to get up for work.

So, to back track, the homecoming dance was pretty fun. There was a large turnout. I think that the football win might have attributed to the school spirit as well. There were a lot of alumni, including last year's graduates.

My Sunday was filled with homework, as was my Saturday afternoon. I had a movie for Christian Values at 7 pm last night.

My evening will consist of studying. I have two tests this week. I just hope I will be well-prepared. I have a lot that I need to do, and I can tell it is midterm time. It is in the air. There are a lot of projects and tests coming my way. Others are feeling it too.

I am very excited for this weekend, though. For C. Henry Smith, we are going to the Freed Center at ONU to see a performance of Hamlet. That should be pretty good. Afterwards, my boyfriend and I are going to (belatedly) celebrate Sweetest Day. :)

That is all for now...

Ready, Set, Go!

This past week has been really good. Well, really good and really busy! The week after Fall Break always does two things to me. 1. It makes me a bit sad when the next week comes because I find that week to be VERY long. 2. Makes me realize everything I have to do. On the other hand, I have gotten so much done. THAT is a great feeling. In college, you have to realize that there is always a bit more to do. BUT there is always so much to look forward to!

I had a paper due yesterday, and I got that out of the way. It made me a bit nervous to hand it in, since I wasn't quite sure it was what my professor wanted. However, I was also immensely relieved! Whoo--one paper done and out of the way!

On Wednesday, I met with Kathy Dickson about my resume and grad school process. I am slowly working on getting both of them done. It is a lot of work, but dividing it up helps. Also, I know how happy I will be when it's all done. Knowing you have completed something is a huge relief. It is also exciting. It is like tackling a small (or, in my case,  large one) goal!

Yesterday, I called BINGO at the Mennonite Memorial Home. Usually, there are classes where you are asked to do some kind of service work. In the past, I have done things at the MMH. This year, I am doing it just to help them out. That is one of the great things about Bluffton--it has given me a lot of chances to get involved with the community. I also met with someone for a class project, afterwards. It was a mini interview. Afterwards, I went to Chipotle and relaxed in my room with some television. A friend and I then went down to Bob's for some food. We got there just in time to see the MCB (Marbeck Center Board) get to the best part of the evening (in my opinion). We saw one of the members get "pied." They made a whip cream pie, and he had it smeared over him. MCB members are good sports--you'd have to be!

Today, I went to the library to work on some homework. I am really getting into using the library as my study area. In the past years, I have gone there off and on, but I have found it to be a real haven this year.

Tonight is the Homecoming Dance! I am very excited. I love to dance... Even though I am slightly silly while doing so. I will try to report back on the "festivities" ASAP. Have a great weekend!

Fall Break

Fall break is one of those times: it is both relaxing and just a bit stressful. Fall Break started this past Friday. It was a break that is much needed by my friends and I. While we enjoy being at school, a nice break always helps to alleviate some stress.

On Friday, I went to the Mennonite Memorial Home. I call BINGO there in the Alzheimer's ward. I always look forward to calling BINGO. The residents are so nice, and I like being able to help put on an activity they enjoy. The woman who is normally there was not able to be there Friday. She asked if I would be ok calling by myself. I felt that it was important for me to do so. Many of the residents look forward to BINGO. I headed home after BINGO. Friday night was relaxing. I managed to fit in some TV and got some much needed sleep.

On Saturday, I went to Woosterfest (a local spin on Oktoberfest) with my parents. This was a lot of fun. Woosterfest itself wasn't overly exciting, but it was great to spend the afternoon with my parents. Sunday consisted of more resting. I have been pretty tired lately, and the sleep was needed greatly.

Today is filled with homework! I am working on my Social Welfare Policy and Analysis paper. It is keeping me busy today. Updates to come.

I am excited for this coming weekend: Homecoming!!!