One last post

Wow. What happened? I'm leaving Luther tomorrow. I think I'm experiencing shock. I can't believe my first year of college is literally over. Minus the two finals I have yet to take, this year is gone. There are so many things running through my mind, and yet I don't know what to write. I could tell you about all the firsts and lasts my friends and I experienced this weekend, but that seems trivial in comparison to the looming departures I'm being faced with. I could tell you about how much I've changed this first year, but that seems silly. I don't know, maybe I'll do some random train-of-thoughts in order to give you a taste of everything.

This past weekend has been one of my favorites! It started out with Reading Day on Friday, in which the whole campus is basically shut down so that no student has an excuse not to be studying. So after being good students all day long and cramming information into our brains, four friends and I decided to go to Rochester for some well-deserved Buffalo Wild Wings and Starbucks. As we were coming home, we wondered why we had never done that before. It was so much fun! So college tip #1: take a mini road trip with your friends for some good food one random weekend. It doesn't matter if it's to LaCrosse or Rochester or just to Cresco (it's a small town about 20 miles away) just get in the car and go eat! Saturday was my roommate's birthday, so a bunch of us went out to Rubiayt and had dinner. It was so much fun! Most of us had never been there before, so it was a new experience, and the food was delicious! College tip #2: don't neglect the downtown! There are a ton of cute shops and places to eat and things to look at. Go into any store, and I guarantee you will end up having a great conversation with someone there, simply because there is no sense of time in a small town, and everyone is so darn friendly! Then to finish up the weekend, eight of us walked down to the canoe/tube landing and went canoeing all afternoon! It was so peaceful, just paddling down the river, looking at the trees and bluffs and listening to the birds. Then we went and laid out on the library lawn while studying, so we were not only outside in the glorious sunshine, but we were also getting work done. Talk about the perfect multitask :-) College tip #3: get out and have fun! Yeah, it was the weekend of finals and we could have been studying all day, but studying isn't what makes memories. You need to take a break, get outside and enjoy life! I know you're at college to get an education, but there is absolutely no reason you can't also have an unforgettable time with your friends while you're at it!

I was thinking the other day about how much I've grown since I left home last August. I'm not so sure that my outward appearance has changed as much as my mind and who I am, although I do think I look more sophisticated :-) But really, college expands your horizons like you wouldn't believe! I've gone from reading fun romance novels to reading C.S. Lewis and Jane Austen for fun! While watching chick flicks and comedies are a good time, I've also grown to like documentaries and films that make you think about bigger questions than any comedy can offer. I started school as a Biology major Spanish minor, and now am an English/Africana Studies major with a History minor. Who would have thought that Allison Croat, the girl who hated grammar and history in middle school would want to learn more about them in college? I certainly didn't think I would! I've learned to like to eat different types of food, and yes, I even drink coffee now! What?!?! I know, crazy. But it's just what happens when you decide to expand your horizons and try new things. College tip #4: don't be afraid to let go of who you were in high school. College is a time for you to grow and to change and to create the person you want to become. You don't have to be fake anymore; if you don't want to do something, you don't have to do it! Or if you really want to be someone else, there is no one telling you you can't do it because that's not the role you fit into. You get to be the best person: YOU! And while that is an extremely scary thought the first few months of school, you gradually become more comfortable with it, and by the time you get to where I am right now, you are finally fitting into the skin that was meant for you. And once you get there, your life seems to open up before you.

In closing, I want to thank all of you for sticking with me this year, through the random posts, the rantings and the bliss I've gone through these past nine months. Whether you are a senior in high school, already in college, or long done with your 'typical education' I want to wish you all the best. Take whatever opportunities life gives you and run with them. After all, we only get to live once, so you better do it right the first time, and there's no better time to start living than right now. As for me, I'm

Always
Allison

The time, has anyone seen the time?

Can someone explain to me how I have less than one week left of classes? I have TWO DAYS of each class left of my first year of college. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I could swear that someone has turned the hands of time ahead on me for a practical joke. Well let me tell you: NOT FUNNY! I feel like this year has disappeared; it's gone too fast. But alas, I'm sure you're not here to listen to me complain about how fast life goes and yaddah yaddah yaddah. So let's find something interesting to talk about.

The Shakespeare in Performance class put together a performance, for lack of a different word, of a play that is gaining popularity Measure for Measure. A few friends and I went to see this performance, and let me tell you, it was hilarious! I've always had some problems understanding the way Shakespeare writes, meaning in Olde English, but after hearing it spoken for about 15 minutes, you kind of get the hang of things and can better understand what is being said. I think the class did a wonderful job! They took the original play, about 2700 lines, and cut it down to 1200 so it would fit into an hour-long performance. And they were incredible! The play was humorous, the acting was great for folks who aren't majoring in theater, and the audience was thoroughly engaged. I think this is something rare at Luther; then again, I feel like that's all I ever say about this school, that you can't find such and such anywhere else, but I really think it's true!

Oh, what else to say? This week the weather took a turn for the worse, so it wasn't as nice as it has been previously, but we're all holding our breath for this last weekend, as we have plans to go picnicing and canoeing and hiking one last (or first) time before summer. I must say, the less time you have, the more things need to be crammed in. I feel like there is so much that I want to say, but I think I'm going to save it for next week, and have a final hurrah, one last Luther cheer for this glorious first year at college.

Always,
Allison

Oh what a night...nope, oh what a weekend!!

This weekend was one of those that just makes you happy to be alive! Life at Luther doesn't get any better than this! It started on Thursday, when some friends and I went to cheer on our friend in the world-premiere of Camille's Carnival, which is a play that is written based on the songs of Camille Saint-Saen's Le Carnaval des Animaux. It was basically written by a professor at Luther, and was a lot of improvisation while writing from the students who were in the play. It was wonderful! The set was amazing (thanks to one of my friends who is on the set crew) and the play was magical.

Friday night was the Aurora/Norsemen choir concert and Relay for Life, which is a walk that raises money for cancer. The concert was great! I never cease to be astounded by the talent that Luther has, especially in it's choirs. It is simply amazing! And Relay was incredible! It started at 6pm and ended at 6am. I only made it until 2:45, though. But the sheer number of people walking around the track in the SRC (Student Recreation Center in the gym) was stunning. It's amazing to see that much support and effort given by a bunch of college kids. It was overwhelming; it's times like that that really remind me that there is good in the world.

Saturday, after sleeping in ;-), I wrote my last first draft for Paideia, and then joined the Brandt BBQ. It was a great time, the RA's (Resident Assistants) grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and had fruit and veggies and chips, the usual picnic foods, and anyone from Brandt could come and eat dinner outside. It was a great time! After dinner, we got a bunch of people in a circle to hit around a volleyball, then threw around a Frisbee. At 8 o'clock, we started the annual East v. West Capture the Flag game!!!! It was so much fun! West has won the past two years, and so we were hoping for a three-peat. It ended in a draw, as both teams crossed the line with their flag at the same time, after both teams cheated by throwing the flag from person to person. It was so much fun, because the grass was getting slippery with dew, so it was kind of like a big slip-n-slide :-)

Today was a glorious day! A friend and I rented "banana bikes" from the Luther Bike-Share program through the library. Let me just say that those yellow bikes are great! We went to the Decorah Fish Hatchery, where the DNR raise trout to stock the rivers. It was great! Then we stopped at the Sugar Bowl, which is an ice cream place downtown. It was so nice! We came back and went outside to join friends in doing homework on the lawn. But that didn't last too long before the Frisbee somehow appeared, just begging to be tossed around. So I took multiple breaks from my Spanish homework to please the disk.

This weekend has really made me grateful for living in Decorah, going to Luther College. I am positive that there is no where else that you can get a bike, ride for 30 minutes along the river and see the most beautiful bluffs anywhere. Everywhere we went today, the birds were chirping and the sun was shining. I don't think I could ask for not only a better day, but a better weekend or a better school!

Always,
Allison

Make new friends, but keep the old

This weekend I had the pleasure of going home with one of my best friends here, Taylor (I know I've mentioned her a number of times). It was a blast! I was really nervous about meeting all the people she talks about when she talks about her friends from home, but it turns out there was nothing to worry about, because everyone was just as amazing as she claimed! But it got me thinking about making friends at college.

I remember being so extremely afraid of not being able to make friends when I left for college. I'm actually a quiet person when I'm around people I don't know; it takes a while for me to open up. So I was worried I would never really have a chance to meet anyone because I am so shy. But somehow or another, people become more than just the girl-down-the-hall or the guy-from-calc-class and become Kim and Augie and people who you are able to talk to. It's surprising how fast people go from being acquaintances to being your closest friends. It just sort of sneaks up on you. I cannot name the exact date when Taylor or Anna or Emma became my best friends, it just sort of happened. Somewhere in between the many movie weekends and trips to Mabes and the Whippy Dip, these people become your confidants. It's crazy! I went from being scared of not being able to meet anyone to meeting so many new people that I couldn't keep their names straight! It's insane!

So I guess I just want to reassure everyone out there that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You may be scared about meeting new people and trying to find a group of friends who fits your personality. But trust me, these people will find you. Just don't be afraid to be yourself and let loose and have fun. Go to school events that are interesting to you, because chances are you'll be able to find people who share the same interests as you. Don't be afraid to ask someone to help you study in your accounting class. If you're lost on the first day of bio lab and see someone carrying a similar notebook, ask them if they know where they're going. They could end up being one of your best friends. Believe it, because this actually happened to me. Erik and I ended up being lab partners and study buddies for Bio 151 first semester, and he's one of my closest friends here. You don't know the kinds of people you will meet at college. Just don't be afraid of being shy. All it takes is one step outside of your comfort level, like asking someone if they know where the classroom is, to start a life-long friendship.

Until next time, I'm
Always
Allison

Spring has Sprung!

Yes, it is official: spring has come to Luther College! This is evident by the masses of people who seem to have come out of hibernation. Suddenly, there are swarms of people all over the library lawn! It's crazy! At almost any hour of the day, you can find people sitting on the grass on their blankets, doing homework, or talking, or playing Frisbee or just hanging out. It's great! People have started to walk leisurely to and from class or just meander around campus because it's simply too darn nice to stay inside. It's wonderful! It's times like now that I can relish in the moment, just live, and think "Yeah, this is what being in college is all about." Although, I'm not going to lie, being outside in the sun makes one seemingly 'forget' all the homework they have to do (Don't worry Mom, I promise I'm still doing it all...it's just taking a lot longer than this winter).

Other than that, not much else is new on my home front. I will register for classes on Wednesday; cross your fingers that I can get into the ones I've chosen!J-Term applications are due this week. Luckily, I've already turned mine in and written the essays that each trip requires. I'm hoping my trip will get enough people in order to actually go...again, keep your fingers crossed! I will keep my fingers crossed for everyone out there who is still making their decision about where they will end up next year. If you have any questions about Luther, please feel free to e-mail me: croaal01@luther.edu I would love to hear from you. Until next week, I'm
Always,
Allison

Lenka and the Hush Sound

So last night was another fabulous concert brought to Luther Students by the Student Activities Council (SAC). Lenka and the Hush Sound performed, and they were FANTASTIC!!!!! It's so cool to hear music that is off the main stream, you know, something that you don't hear every day. And these guys were it. And not only were they it, they were incredible! I am so glad that Luther supports these kinds of concerts, because they really broaden horizons.

Yes, I was really this close!!!

Other than the spectacular concert last night, life is settling down here at Luther. Schoolwork is slowly but surely getting done somehow, don't ask me how I do it because I wouldn't be able to tell you. After my minor breakdown last week (how could you tell?) things slowed down a bit so I've been able to not only get caught up, but I've also been able to be actively involved in the going-ons of campus. Such as the production of So Tech, So Savvy on Friday night. This is just a small production put together by one of the dance professors, featuring ten students and one faculty member in an alternative, interpretive dance show. It was really great, especially getting to see my professor dance :-) It's things like that that really make Luther unique.


I wish all of you a happy Easter week. Stay safe, don't eat too much candy on Sunday. Although if you are going to have any kind of stomach ache, I have found that the candy-induced ones are most preferable :-)

Always,

Allison

Allison's Life Lessons Part 2

Hello all. Just thought I'd give you a quick life lesson that I've just recently learned:
Spring Break is supposed to be just that: a BREAK, right? Wrong. Don't get me wrong, enjoy the warmth, enjoy the snow, enjoy wherever it is you frequent, even if it is your own doorstep :-) Take a well-deserved break from the day to day routine of classes. But don't be stupid: DO YOUR HOMEWORK ANYWAYS!!!! Because it WILL be waiting for you when you come back, don't worry your pretty little head about it. No matter how much you tell yourself that you'll have until Wednesday to read Paideia because of the lecture Monday, don't forget that you'll have two assignments to read by then. And in the mean time, you will inevitably get more homework in class on Monday, and on Tuesday and all the following days that you will, of course, have to put off because you're still catching up from break. So even though you don't want to even THINK about your crazy depressing philosophy midterm when you return, do yourself a favor and think it anyways. Crack open your Paideia novel, get online and do some research for your paper. Trust me, you'll come back and won't be at a higher stress level than when you left. I promise.

Always,
Allison

Moving forward

With the end of Spring Break, one would think that the weather should reflect the wonderful title of this vacation, meaning it should feel like spring, correct? Obviously I'm the only one who thinks this way, because the weather outside, while no where near as bad as full-blown winter, lacks much of the spring feel. While it is sunny and nice looking, the temperature keeps us from thinking that spring can really show up in March. But I digress...

Coming back from break is like a slap in the face. You conveniently "forgot" your books at school, along with the assignments due when you return. So after 10 days of blissful nothingness, you return only to be reminded of everything you have yet to do, such as study for a midterm, read Paideia, and write more papers. Whereas this would not be anything out of the ordinary for day to day college life, things pile up after being gone. I imagine the same thing happens for those in the "real world" who return to work after an extended absence. I don't know about you, but personally, I don't really appreciate it :-) But again, I digress, and life moves forward.

An e-mail reminder was sent out recently reminding students of upcoming registration. It's so weird to think about sophomore year already. I mean, didn't I just move into my luxurious dorm room like last week? And here we are, choosing classes for next fall. It's insane!!! No matter how much you want to hold on to each and every moment, life moves forward (sensing a theme here?) whether you want it to or not.

Anyway, I won't bore you with the details of my break, although I will tell you that 85 degrees is much nicer than the 25 I returned home to :-P Enjoy this lovely week, try to take hold of each moment even as you continue to move forward.

Always,
Allison

Study Abroad

As March rolls around, a common thought, at least among my friends and I, is where we want to study abroad in the coming years. And as a Luther student, let me tell you that there are so many opportunities, it's overwhelming! But in the best way possible.

For the past two months or so, my friend Taylor and I have been pursuing study abroad options for junior year. The options are endless! I've spent countless hours pouring over the brochures and pamphlets and magazines from the Study Abroad office, and there is no shortage of places to be, that's for sure! You can literally study ANYWHERE in the world! It's insane! For example, I plan on going to England. Okay, so at least we've got the country narrowed down. But where in England? It's amazing, the opportunities that present themselves! And I have heard nothing but positive feedback from those students who have chosen to spend some time abroad.

If you want to go abroad, but only stay for a while, not a whole year or semester, J-Term is the opportune time to do so. The list of next years trips just came out, and let me tell you, they are AMAZING!!!!! For example, there are three professors going to Africa for different courses, there is one going to Russia and Norway, there is one going to Ireland to study Tolkein and C. S. Lewis, there is one going to the Bahamas to study marine biology, and there's my personal favorite: Greece! You spend approximately 21 days in Greece studying Greek theater. I think this would be the bee's knees! In fact, it's been pretty much all I've been thinking about lately, minus Spring Break, of course :-)

If you have any questions about the opportunities to study abroad while at Luther, please don't hesitate to contact the school. The workers in the Study Abroad office would be more than happy to answer any questions. And if you want a more specific view of a student's excitement to go abroad, feel free to contact me. My e-mail is croaal01@luther.edu I would love to hear from you! I'll be gone next week for Spring Break, so have a safe week, enjoy each and every moment, for you will never get it back.

Always,
Allison

What a wonderful world

Spring is officially here! Well, at least until Friday, when the forecast calls for more snow. But by then, it will be Spring Break, and by the time campus fills up again after break, I'm thinking all the snow will be gone. So here's to spring!

Springtime at Luther is a magical time. Everyone is in a perpetually good mood, except for when they are stuck in class for that dreaded hour chunk that hinders them from being outside. Spring is a time for creativity: today, I saw three guys on the library lawn playing makeshift baseball with plastic bottles! I think that's one of the great things about Luther: the library lawn! It's been home to many, many activities, including many impromptu Frisbee matches and suntanning sessions.

Another wonderful thing about Luther in general, not just in the spring, is the musical talent. It's insane! You walk around and hear people singing, and no one thinks twice! Even people who aren't in choir or taking music lessons find their own ways to "jam". Take my friend Myhro, for example. He's not involved in music classes or lessons or anything, but he plays the guitar. So random nights, we'll have a guitar session and we'll just chill in a room and he'll just strum away to Keith Urban while we talk about anything and everything. It's great, to just be hanging out with a live guitar thrown in the mix. It's awesome!

I wish all of you weather like we're having here, because it doesn't get any better (65 and sunny!)
Always,
Allison

Preus Library

This week, I think it would be advantageous to explore the wonderful world of the Preus Library!

As a first-year student, I was only vaguely aware of the many resources the library offered until just recently, as I began working on my Paideia research paper. For about the past week, I have been spending multiple hours a day in the library, using their many resources. For starters, the online catalogue. You can access the library's online resources from anywhere on campus. The library website allows you to search not only the entire library collection of books, but you can also look at the almost 25 online journals the library subscribes to. This is wonderful for when you are unable to leave your room because of the treacherous weather conditions...or because you're too lazy. If you do decide to brave the elements, or leave your bed, and head to the library, you will find a plethora of resources.

First is the books themselves. The shelves of the library are packed full of books of all kind. And not just one floor, nope, we've got books on the first and third floor. And these are the specialty books, books about specific subjects. Preus library also holds many reference books, such as encyclopedias and maps of all genres. If you can't find what you are looking for on your own, you can always ask the person working the reference desk. This desk can be seen as soon as you walk into the library, and is home to the librarian on duty. The librarian is there to answer your questions and to help you find anything you could ever need. For example, I utilized the reference desk while searching for articles about Chinese films. Basically, the library has all you could ever want for any type of research.

And if there is something that you need that it doesn't have, there is an office for interlibrary loan which borrows books from other libraries for a period of time. And if this isn't enough, the library is full of comfortable couches for you to do all of your wonderful work. There are also tables and chairs on all levels, and take it from me, they work very well for doing homework of any kind.

But not only does the library offer books and resources for papers and the like, it is also home to the technology help desk, which is great when your computer decides to act like a computer and not work. The Student Academic Support Center (SASC) is located in the basement, and it offers tutors for any and all subjects. The library also holds the writing center, which is extremely useful for those big important papers, or even your everyday Paideia response paper.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of the Preus library and how wonderful it is for any college student.
Always,
Allison

Concerts!

Time for a break from Paideia! So this week, I want to talk about the many wonderful concert opportunities Luther offers. There are many different types, so we'll take a quick jaunt and discover them all!


First of all, there are student concerts. These include junior and senior recitals, where junior and senior music majors put together a concert of their preferred repertoire to perform for friends and faculty members, along with anyone from the community who enjoys music. These range from piano concerts to violin and guitar, and I even saw a poster today for a tuba concert! These are usually performed in the Noble Recital Hall in the music building (a wonderful hall, I've had many piano seminars there, and it's great!).


Next is faculty concerts. These are members of the music staff who have put together an impressive set of works to perform for students, other faculty members and members of the community. These, too, can range from guitar to piano to vocals. Many perform as duets. These concerts also take place in the Noble Recital Hall.



Finally, you have the mainstream concerts. These include more renowned artists, such as OKGO, the Harlem Gospel Choir, and Jon McLaughlin. These concerts take place in Regents gym and the CFL (Center for Faith and Life). These usually have a bigger turnout of students, and they require tickets in advanced, which are free if you have CAF (a fee you pay in the beginning of the year that allows you to go to concerts and school events for free through the entire year). These concerts are the talk of campus for the week before and after they take place. They are wonderful ways to broaden your horizons and just have a great time with friends!



So there are the three types of concerts here at Luther. They are all spectacular and a fantastic opportunity to hang out with friends in a unique setting.


Paideia is calling, more next week! But until then, I'm

Always

Allison

The Jon McLaughlin concert on Feb 17 in the CFA

A Case of the Mondays

Happy Monday everyone. What a week this has been. Paideia is officially in full force! I'm becoming a pro at deciding whether or not a source is credible enough to use in a research paper! For those of you who don't know, Spring semester for Luther first-years is all about the Paideia research paper. Each class section has a different theme, chosen by the professor, and each student chooses a different topic to research and write about. So for the next month, the library will be full of Paideia students frantically cramming knowledge into their brains so they can spit it out on their computer when it's time to write their paper.

Lucky for me, I chose to watch a movie and analyze whether or not it accurately portrays women in the 1920's in China. So that means I get to watch a movie! Right? Wrong. That means I'll get to watch the movie about 12 times in order to spot the tiniest details about female life. But in all honesty, this movie is pretty good. It's called "Raise the Red Lantern" and I strongly recommend it, because it is a great movie.

Other than that, it looks like winter again! It snowed this weekend, which was AWESOME news for my Outdoor Winter Activities class, because now we can actually go snowshoeing! We hit the trails today, and let me tell you, this is one of the most fun things I've done! It's great! I think everyone should try it at least once!!!

That's all for now, seeing as I've got a large monograph (look it up!) to read about the roles of women in historical China before dinner tonight.
Always,
Allison

Second Semester

I have discovered that I haven't really shared much about my second semester classes, so I thought I would disclose a bit of information about my classes now.

First off is Paideia, of course. Last semester was all reading, but this semester is different because the main focus is a research paper that is specific to each Paideia section. For example, my class is doing research related to China, since this is the topic my professor chose. Our paper has to be 8-10 pages long, and must include many primary and secondary sources. It will be a lot of work, but I plan on choosing a topic that is at least semi-interesting to me so I don't loathe it.

Then there's Philosophy. This class is AWESOME!!!! We talk about things that make my head spin, like how do we know whether something is pious because it is loved or that it's loved because it's pious? Crazy, I know, but it's one of my favorite classes! The professor is kind of a spark plug, which makes it that much better.

Spanish this semester is focused on writing different types of compositions. Currently we are working on descriptions and have to write a letter of recommendation where we describe in "lenguaje vivo," or vivid language, the traits of the person. I'm looking forward to getting into it more and getting to write some really interesting things.

Finally is my skills class, which is Outdoor Winter Activities (OWA) which is taught by the volleyball coach. Basically, we go on hikes and go snowshoeing. Or we will if we get any more snow. This class is a great way to get outside and to explore Decorah in a really fun way!

Oh, I almost forgot about Honors, which I mentioned a bit in my last post. We're focused on culture and the media, and I really think I will enjoy that class. As I stated in my previous post, my blog with my studies is http://cultureandthemedia.blogspot.com if you are interested in learning more.

Here's to another Sunday doing homework! I love college!! Until next time, I'm
Always,
Allison

Homework and the Internet

Usually when college students think of homework and the internet, they think Facebook and the problems they face when they are trying to do work, but are compelled by the force of Facebook to not do their work and instead search bumper stickers and look at pictures for the hour they had intended to use for writing their Paideia paper. But Facebook isn't the only 'evil' on the internet. However, there is a lot of good that can come out of the internet as far as schoolwork.

Besides your typical research that is done for papers, one of my professors has found a unique way of incorporating the internet into class. The topic of our course is 'Culture and the Media' and our assignment, once a week, is to write a blog about a certain topic that is determined the week before. In this way, we are reflecting on certain aspects of the media in a way that has become more mainstream in our culture: blogging.

In case you are interested in reading my homework assignments, my new blog website is http://cultureandthemedia.blogspot.com/ I would encourage you to browse through it from time to time if you are interested in what type of writing college students do in a typical class.

Always,
Allison

Flexibility

Flexibility: adjustable, compliance, limber, pliancy, malleable.

It's time for another one of my tips and tricks for college students. Today's lesson is all about being flexible, in both the physical and mental sense.

Physical:
I'm taking a skills class called Outdoor Winter Activities, and one of the things we've talked about already is the importance of stretching. Stretching leads to flexibility and decreases your chance of injury, especially if you're a klutz like yours truly. So stretch. Be flexible. Work your muscles in different ways, like snowshoeing (which we're doing for class, by the way, and is really exciting)

Mental:
It is very important to keep an open mind, especially as a college freshman. For example, I came into school thinking I wanted to do something in the medical research field. But I kept an open mind, because I wasn't positive that that was the route for me. And a great new opportunity has literally fallen into my lap in the form of English. But even after deciding to major in English, I have continued to keep my mind open, and yet another opportunity has flown its colorful flag. After an extremely interesting Paideia lecture yesterday, I am now seriously considering a second major in Africana Studies. But the cool thing is that four of the classes for this major are also history courses. And you only need five history courses to minor, so by taking one extra history course of my choosing, I could have a minor! So by keeping an open mind and not closing myself off with the notion that I was going to be a biology major no matter what, I have discovered new passions of mine that have been previously under-developed.

So there's another life lesson from a college freshman. I hope you can apply it to yourself, no matter what walk of life you are living. Until next time, I'm
Always,
Allison

Ring the alarm!

I remember being in grade school and having fire drills. Those were the days when you were almost sad for a drill, because it meant that you had to leave your coloring page, or your book or your science movie. But you obediently walked outside silently in your single-file line and waited while your teacher took the roll and made sure that no one was left in the bathroom. Then, when your teachers said okay, you diligently walked back into the classroom and began your activities again.

High school is a different story. You love fire drills, look forward to them, even. You try to weasel it out of the teachers when the next planned drill will be taking place. Fire drills are the best, especially during an extremely long and tedious lecture on the coefficient of friction during a double AP Physics day. Or even better, during a day with a shortened schedule, so you end up with only 10 minutes of Honors Spanish, but you still have a 35 minute lunch. And these fire drills are no longer silent. You grab a large group of friends, meander down the stairs and out to the sidewalk and have a chat while the teacher tries to take a head count of all the kids in the class. Unfortunately for the teacher, their kids are spread out all over the sidewalk. Then, when the okay comes, you walk S...L...O...W...L...Y... back into class, dragging out this wonderful twist of fate and using it to its fullest potential.

And now, there's college fire drills. These are extremely different, mainly because they happen in your living quarters, not your classroom. We have had alarms during the fall; quite a few, actually, and they have usually been on weekends around midnight or two o'clock. These drills, as far as I know, are not planned and come about from people pulling the fire alarms. So there will unexpectedly be an alarm, and everyone will have to exit the building and wait for the okay from an RA to enter once again. Normally, this isn't that big of a deal. Unless it's the middle of the night, let's say around 4:30 am, in the middle of winter, let's say potentially January 24, with the temperature well below zero, let's say approximately 5 below zero. And you've been woken up from a very deep slumber. You have to try to figure out what the heck that annoying alarm is, jump out of bed, put on enough clothes to keep you from freezing, and get your butt out of the building. The bad thing is, you never know how long you'll be outside for! In high school, you can count on less than 5 minutes each time; but here, any guess is a good guess.Then you have to go back inside and shed off the many layers you hastily assembled into and try to go back to bed, all the while thinking that you have to get up in four hours to work on a research presentation due in two days. Needless to say, fire alarms are not high on the "Things I Can't Live Without" list.

Gotta love J-Term!
Always,
Allison

Same old song and dance...snow!

It is said that the Eskimos have 27 words for snow. And you know what? I can totally understand. I was going for my daily walk today, and of course, it was snowing. But this kind of snow wasn't the blizzard type of snow nor was it the windy blowing freezing type of snow. This snow is by far my favorite type of snow: the soft romantic floating snow. This kind of snow is the kind that drifts lazily from the sky in big flakes, the flakes that linger on your hair and eyelashes. It reminds me of a romantic moonlight walk in the woods, and when you come inside, your cheeks rosy and your hair covered with a fine layer of soft snow, you sit by the fireside sipping hot cider.

Snow is a great way to define the winter, in my opinion. Since there are so many different kinds of snow, it is highly unlikely that you are unable to find a type to fit your situation. The snow that accurately describes my J-Term so far would be somewhere in between the lazy snow that is gracing my view outside my window and the not quite so lazy snow that comes from a mean-looking sky that has a specific purpose of leaving a layer of snow on the ground just thick enough to make you shovel. Basically, my class involves reading and walking, which is why it's a bit lazy. However, the reading we have to do is extremely difficult and involves many days with 100+ pages per night, which is where the difficulty comes in. I thought I would have much more free time during this month, but I've spent quite a bit of time simply reading.

That's about all I have for this entry. I apologize for the compactness, but I've still got some reading to do for tomorrow, along with some research for my presentation next week. I promise I will have something a bit more entertaining than snow next time. Until then, I'm

Always,
Allison

Being Catholic at a Lutheran school

Before I begin, I think a little personal background is necessary. I have grown up in the Catholic church, I attended Catholic school from first grade on through high school. I've had many religion classes, not only in school but also through church. I have had religion crammed into my mind over and over, including many classes that have taught the same thing, like the Bible, and who Jesus was and understanding the mass. But I never realized how much I took my religion for granted until now.

I find it ironic that only now, being surrounded by Lutherans (nothing against them, my best friends here are Lutheran, I'm just seeing the irony in the situation) have I truly come to respect and cherish my faith. I have started going to church on Sundays of my own accord, not because my mom was taking me, but because I truly WANT to be there. I've begun to read devotionals and try to relate them to my life in the here and now. I've also taken to thinking more about what I believe and why I believe it.

I have grown exponentially in my faith in literally the past week. Something has changed in me, and I can't express how grateful I am for it. I feel that even though I have spent my whole life around Catholics, I needed to try to "defend" my faith to others in order to prove to myself that my faith was strong. When I say defend, I mean informing those around me about things like Vatican II and St. Francis of Assisi, which are a very important part of my faith. Granted, these two specifics came about from my J-Term class, but it has opened new doors for discussion. Again, this has made me realize how special my faith is to me.

And that's my food for thought this week. I'm still
Always
Allison

J-Term? What is that?

I think time flying by is a massive understatement. I think it's more like time takes off in it's rocket and leaves me in it's dust as it speeds off, faster than sound, leaving a very confused and bewildered girl behind. That about describes my Christmas vacation.

So here I am, back at Luther, ready for an exciting J-Term. For those of you unfamiliar with this crazy phenomenon, J-Term is the one class you take during the month of January. For many upperclassmen, this means studying abroad or internships. For freshman, it means two hours a day every day of a class of your choosing. The classes range in topic, from the quest for the holy grail to an introduction to excavating archeology to the study of cancer and its causes and treatments. My class is a perfect fit for me. It's called Walking Books, and we read books and go on walks! It's wonderful!

The books we read all have to do with walking. The one right now is about a man who walked the Appalachian Trail. Another is about the history of walking, one is a search for the contemplative life, and one is a Jane Austen novel. All in all, I am really looking forward to the literature for this course. But more importantly are the discussions we have in class. We talk about walking! How cool is that? We talk about where we walk (which is part of our homework, to walk at least 45 minutes a day), what we have seen on our walks, the kind of things we think about while we walk...it's awesome! And of course we discussing the walking that takes place in the books. Never have I been so excited for a class!

So there you have a quick synopsis of what my life will be consisting of for the next month: reading and walking! Maybe I'll bump into some of you on my wanderings!
Always,
Allison