As soon as I had mentally prepared myself to wear hats and mittens outside until May, not including lots of jackets and scarves, God throws me for a loop and decides it should be 70 degrees to round off this week. Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but all of my "warm weather clothes" are back at home. Ah, no matter, I still very much enjoy the warmth of the sun after a glorious Friday here at Luther College.
Today marks the day traditionally known as Halloween. But for the JV volleyball team, it means a trip to Waverly for an overnight before our conference tournament tomorrow. The only feeling that rivals this in my volleyball world would be the feeling of going to the State Tournament. This is a big deal, especially since we have a very good chance of winning this tournament! There is a ton of adrenaline coursing through my veins, and I haven't even left my dorm room yet!
Classes are just rounding off their midterms. After today's Spanish midterm, I have one Biology test next week and the third Paideia paper, which is very manageable, considering I plan on spending the rest of the weekend inside working on these two projects.
Major update: as of Monday, October 27, I have decided that I want to be an English professor. This is a big deal for me, because I have never really known what I wanted to do with my life, as far as careers go. But I have been enlightened, and English professor seems to be calling my name. Never has anything felt so right. So as I continue my search for J-term and Spring classes, I have a whole new realm to discover!
That's it on my end of the story. I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween, and a Happy All Soul's Day to you as well (if you're Catholic, anyway).
Always,
Allison
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Allison's Life Lessons
Hi everybody. I've had quite a bit of time to think over Fall Break, and I've come up with a few life lessons.
Lesson 1) Pursuit Rule. This is our number one rule in volleyball and it basically involves giving all you've got going after every ball until the whistle blows. But this rule is applicable to everyday life as well. For instance, in piano. I thought I wouldn't like my professor very much because of the different teaching style he used compared to my old professor. But I stuck with it, and even though I complain about the tedious practice schedule, I find that I'm improving in "leaps and bounds."
Lesson 2) Live and Let Die (Part One). At some point in your life, you have to realize that you need to live your life for you and no one else. Certain friendships may falter, but in the end, you need to understand that trying to please everyone else is only hurting yourself in the long run. Take some well deserved you time and make yourself happy once in a while.
Lesson 3) Live and Let Dye (Part Two). Change is good. Drastic change, good every now and then. Smaller change, good almost all the time. For instance, dying one's hair is a good idea every now and then. So is going to Marty's or Oneota instead of the caf every day. Try something new, mix it up a bit, keep 'em guessing.
There you have it. Three life lessons from yours truly. Be on the lookout for more sporadically tossed in here.
Always,
Allison
Lesson 1) Pursuit Rule. This is our number one rule in volleyball and it basically involves giving all you've got going after every ball until the whistle blows. But this rule is applicable to everyday life as well. For instance, in piano. I thought I wouldn't like my professor very much because of the different teaching style he used compared to my old professor. But I stuck with it, and even though I complain about the tedious practice schedule, I find that I'm improving in "leaps and bounds."
Lesson 2) Live and Let Die (Part One). At some point in your life, you have to realize that you need to live your life for you and no one else. Certain friendships may falter, but in the end, you need to understand that trying to please everyone else is only hurting yourself in the long run. Take some well deserved you time and make yourself happy once in a while.
Lesson 3) Live and Let Dye (Part Two). Change is good. Drastic change, good every now and then. Smaller change, good almost all the time. For instance, dying one's hair is a good idea every now and then. So is going to Marty's or Oneota instead of the caf every day. Try something new, mix it up a bit, keep 'em guessing.
There you have it. Three life lessons from yours truly. Be on the lookout for more sporadically tossed in here.
Always,
Allison
Monday, October 20, 2008
Here's a quick run-down of this weeks blog: 1) major and organizations, 2) volleyball, 3) Fall Break!!!
1) Alright, so you know how they say people change majors an average of 5 times before finally settling? Well I'm only got four to go! I decided, for the moment, that biology isn't for me. Now I'm leaning towards writing and English, maybe playing around with marketing or being an art director for a magazine. Which is where organizations come in, because I'm now an official staff member of the Pioneer Yearbook! After being part of my high school yearbook for three years, and being editor senior year, I decided it was something I really love to do, and everyone is telling you to find what you're passionate about. Well, after much searching and wondering, it hit me that this is what I'm passionate about. Which is how it ties in with changing my major, since that is ALSO supposed to be a passion. But we'll see how this plays out. Be on the lookout for more major changing, cause I'm sure it'sa comin!
2) Ahh yes, the wonderful sport of volleyball. JV has two weeks left to play, and I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of excited for the end. Don't get me wrong, I love the sport and I love all the opportunities it's presented me with thus far. But at the same time, it's time for a break, and time to start really cracking down on schoolwork and making friends and reaping the college benefits, whatever they may be. I always enjoy things more after a break, so I think, come spring season, I will be back in full force!
3) How could I blog and NOT write about Fall Break? It's the first official break for Luther students, and for many, a welcome escape from the consistency of schoolwork. It turns out that many of my high school friends were home this weekend. So I pull into my driveway 8 pm Friday night, do my hair, and pull out again by 8:30 to meet some friends at Caribou Coffee. That is about how my weekend went, coming and going to fit in as much as possible. I also went back to my high school to talk to a few teachers and to hit up the volleyball practice. I love my old team, and was super pumped to have the opportunity to play with them one more time. Now let me tell you, you really appreciate home cookin after three months of the caf food. I'm not saying the food is bad; it's actually quite tasty. But there's nothin like mom's chicken and wild rice...
So there you have it, a quick run-down of my life over the past week. Keep it real!
Always,
Allison
1) Alright, so you know how they say people change majors an average of 5 times before finally settling? Well I'm only got four to go! I decided, for the moment, that biology isn't for me. Now I'm leaning towards writing and English, maybe playing around with marketing or being an art director for a magazine. Which is where organizations come in, because I'm now an official staff member of the Pioneer Yearbook! After being part of my high school yearbook for three years, and being editor senior year, I decided it was something I really love to do, and everyone is telling you to find what you're passionate about. Well, after much searching and wondering, it hit me that this is what I'm passionate about. Which is how it ties in with changing my major, since that is ALSO supposed to be a passion. But we'll see how this plays out. Be on the lookout for more major changing, cause I'm sure it'sa comin!
2) Ahh yes, the wonderful sport of volleyball. JV has two weeks left to play, and I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of excited for the end. Don't get me wrong, I love the sport and I love all the opportunities it's presented me with thus far. But at the same time, it's time for a break, and time to start really cracking down on schoolwork and making friends and reaping the college benefits, whatever they may be. I always enjoy things more after a break, so I think, come spring season, I will be back in full force!
3) How could I blog and NOT write about Fall Break? It's the first official break for Luther students, and for many, a welcome escape from the consistency of schoolwork. It turns out that many of my high school friends were home this weekend. So I pull into my driveway 8 pm Friday night, do my hair, and pull out again by 8:30 to meet some friends at Caribou Coffee. That is about how my weekend went, coming and going to fit in as much as possible. I also went back to my high school to talk to a few teachers and to hit up the volleyball practice. I love my old team, and was super pumped to have the opportunity to play with them one more time. Now let me tell you, you really appreciate home cookin after three months of the caf food. I'm not saying the food is bad; it's actually quite tasty. But there's nothin like mom's chicken and wild rice...
So there you have it, a quick run-down of my life over the past week. Keep it real!
Always,
Allison
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I'm FALL-ing in love...
Whenever I'm asked what my favorite season is, I can never give the same answer twice. However, ask me now, and I'll tell you without hesitation, FALL! I'm beginning to see how truly beautiful this time of season is. In high school during this time of year, all I could think about was making it to the state volleyball tournament. Here at Luther, however, I find myself more and more praising God for the wondrous scenery. This past week has been the best by far. The trees are in the process of turning colors, with some trees already done, some right in the middle and others just beginning, so campus is the most beautiful array of colors I've seen. Walking from class to class now takes twice as long because I walk slower so a) I can take in the breath-taking view of the multicolored bluffs and b) I can kick the leaves around and make it sound like fall! Oh the joys of being outside. But it's been stunning around here this week, with blue skies and sunshine almost every day. I keep having to stop myself and ask if I'm really here, because it honestly seems like a scene from a movie every time I step outside.
But let's see, what have I been doing? Well, I got my second Paideia paper turned in, I got the results of my first biology test, and have been working on bacterial evolution in lab. I've also spent a large amount of time in the gym with volleyball practices, which is a very nice stress reliever after a long day of classes.
This weekend definitely made me feel like a typical college student. Friday night, Anna (yes, blogger Anna) and I walked downtown and stopped at a little store called Bookends and Beans. It's a cute little coffee shop/bookstore right on Water Street (which is the main street in Decorah). After browsing through the many books, I chose East of Eden off Anna's recommendation (I'm expecting big things!). Then we met some friends at Don Jose's, a local Mexican restaurant. It was super fun, just hanging out, being college students. Ended up across the hallway in a teammate's dorm after dinner and did homework until midnight, then hopped into bed. Woke up this morning and took a ROAD TRIP!!!!! Anna (again, yes, blogger Anna) and two friends and I drove to Forest City to watch our Norse football team take on the Waldorf Warriors...a two hour drive in the fall makes for lots of ooh's and ahh's when driving by all the bluffs...and of course Big Blue won, 31-0! GO NORSE!!!
And now, here I am, sitting "at home" on a Saturday night, desperately hoping the homework I have will just disappear. But alas, I know that if I want to have time to myself over fall break next week, I should do it tonight, along with a little extra so I'm actually ahead of schedule...we'll see how far that goes. Wish me luck!
Always,
Allison
But let's see, what have I been doing? Well, I got my second Paideia paper turned in, I got the results of my first biology test, and have been working on bacterial evolution in lab. I've also spent a large amount of time in the gym with volleyball practices, which is a very nice stress reliever after a long day of classes.
This weekend definitely made me feel like a typical college student. Friday night, Anna (yes, blogger Anna) and I walked downtown and stopped at a little store called Bookends and Beans. It's a cute little coffee shop/bookstore right on Water Street (which is the main street in Decorah). After browsing through the many books, I chose East of Eden off Anna's recommendation (I'm expecting big things!). Then we met some friends at Don Jose's, a local Mexican restaurant. It was super fun, just hanging out, being college students. Ended up across the hallway in a teammate's dorm after dinner and did homework until midnight, then hopped into bed. Woke up this morning and took a ROAD TRIP!!!!! Anna (again, yes, blogger Anna) and two friends and I drove to Forest City to watch our Norse football team take on the Waldorf Warriors...a two hour drive in the fall makes for lots of ooh's and ahh's when driving by all the bluffs...and of course Big Blue won, 31-0! GO NORSE!!!
And now, here I am, sitting "at home" on a Saturday night, desperately hoping the homework I have will just disappear. But alas, I know that if I want to have time to myself over fall break next week, I should do it tonight, along with a little extra so I'm actually ahead of schedule...we'll see how far that goes. Wish me luck!
Always,
Allison
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Papers and movies and flamingoes, oh my!
This week has been thoroughly jam-packed! First there was the second Paideia paper, then there was the volleyball match, Friday movie night, and finally Saturday's Homecoming activities!
Just when I thought I could pat myself on the back for a job well done on my first college paper, the second one pops up right behind me and practically kicks me in the rear to get me going! This paper was, in my opinion, a bit more bland than the first one...we basically had to read the writings of Martin Luther and discuss his rationals and arguments and whatnot. But, I have to admit, it grew on me, and as I'm now in the final throes of this writing process, it's fun being able to write a paper that you're confident about and know that even though you hated the readings, you pushed through them and can even evaluate them.
A great week in terms of volleyball: JV won our match, with the last game being 15-0 (for those of you who don't understand volleyball, just know that the other team didn't score a single point, and that our entire team was jumping up and down for the rest of the evening because it was so awesome)! The rest of the week's practices were fun practices, because our coaches don't want us to forget why we're playing: for the love of the game and the bonds we've created on the team. It was a welcome change from some of the more intense practices we've been having.
Friday night found me with my roommates and one of my best friends here on campus chillin' at WalMart. It was homecoming weekend, so Decorah was full of alumni. We ditched plans to go to Mabes for that very reason, and went instead to this cute little place I'd found once with my mom. We ate a great dinner, did some necessary errands at WalMart (which never fails to eat up my money...) and ended up back in my dorm room watching a movie. It was a great Friday night, I don't think I've laughed that hard since I've been on campus!
Speaking of Homecoming weekend, Saturday was full of events of all shapes and sizes for students, both past and present, to enjoy. It started with the volleyball alumni game, and included lunch on the library lawn, the football game (which we won, thank you very much), two soccer games (which we also won), some fun alumni rugby games, and of course, the FLAMINGO BALL!!! It was a great chance to get all dolled up! Again, I went with Taylor and the roomies, and we had a great time! The band was great; they played those classic oldies that everyone knows and can sing to, such as RESPECT, some classic Jackson 5, and Love Shack, just to throw a few out there. All in all, it was a fantastic evening!
But alas, here we are, Sunday has once again jumped up on me. It always seems to come out of nowhere...and it never fails to find me with a nice pile of homework to keep me busy. But I think it's raining, and rain always seems to be in my favor, since it encourages me not to be outside, but to be inside actually being productive! Until next time, I'm
always Allison
Just when I thought I could pat myself on the back for a job well done on my first college paper, the second one pops up right behind me and practically kicks me in the rear to get me going! This paper was, in my opinion, a bit more bland than the first one...we basically had to read the writings of Martin Luther and discuss his rationals and arguments and whatnot. But, I have to admit, it grew on me, and as I'm now in the final throes of this writing process, it's fun being able to write a paper that you're confident about and know that even though you hated the readings, you pushed through them and can even evaluate them.
A great week in terms of volleyball: JV won our match, with the last game being 15-0 (for those of you who don't understand volleyball, just know that the other team didn't score a single point, and that our entire team was jumping up and down for the rest of the evening because it was so awesome)! The rest of the week's practices were fun practices, because our coaches don't want us to forget why we're playing: for the love of the game and the bonds we've created on the team. It was a welcome change from some of the more intense practices we've been having.
Friday night found me with my roommates and one of my best friends here on campus chillin' at WalMart. It was homecoming weekend, so Decorah was full of alumni. We ditched plans to go to Mabes for that very reason, and went instead to this cute little place I'd found once with my mom. We ate a great dinner, did some necessary errands at WalMart (which never fails to eat up my money...) and ended up back in my dorm room watching a movie. It was a great Friday night, I don't think I've laughed that hard since I've been on campus!
Speaking of Homecoming weekend, Saturday was full of events of all shapes and sizes for students, both past and present, to enjoy. It started with the volleyball alumni game, and included lunch on the library lawn, the football game (which we won, thank you very much), two soccer games (which we also won), some fun alumni rugby games, and of course, the FLAMINGO BALL!!! It was a great chance to get all dolled up! Again, I went with Taylor and the roomies, and we had a great time! The band was great; they played those classic oldies that everyone knows and can sing to, such as RESPECT, some classic Jackson 5, and Love Shack, just to throw a few out there. All in all, it was a fantastic evening!
But alas, here we are, Sunday has once again jumped up on me. It always seems to come out of nowhere...and it never fails to find me with a nice pile of homework to keep me busy. But I think it's raining, and rain always seems to be in my favor, since it encourages me not to be outside, but to be inside actually being productive! Until next time, I'm
always Allison
Abby, Taylor, Emma and I before the dance
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