Seconds, anyone?

Analogy: Luther and Thanksgiving dinner. Give me two minutes, and you'll see where I'm going.

Luther is like a Thanksgiving dinner. Before you arrive on campus, all you can do is think about it; the anticipation builds and builds until it almost bubbles over. Same with Thanksgiving: you wait and wait to eat all that delicious wonder in front of you. Your mouth waters, and your eyes glaze over. Finally you get to move into your dorm room, which is the equivalent of taking the first bite of your Thanksgiving meal. Then you feast. You eat and eat until you can eat no more. Same goes for Luther: you are running around like you're head's been cut off, trying to do everything, meet everyone, see all there is to see. But just like the stomach ache that comes from eating too much, overexerting yourself at Luther starts to take a toll. This is what I like the call the "Belt-loosening stage" of the meal. Your belt gets loosened a few notches at the dinner table; similarly, you take a step back from all of your many scheduled activities and just breathe. Along with this breather comes Thanksgiving Break, which, for many of us first year students, could not have come at a better time. Warm clothes need to be transferred from your home closet to your dorm closet, along with blankets, hats, and mittens.

But, of course, your stomach settles down, and you get hungry again. This is about the time you start yearning for the comfort of your dorm room. Seconds at Thanksgiving means more food, but at Luther, it means coming back to the final three weeks of your first semester of college with more force and vigor than ever before.

Analogies are always fun :-)
Always,
Allison

Has anyone seen the time? It was just here...

My oh my, how time flies when you're having fun. My roommate has a countdown of days until break, and I could swear she's changing the number more than once a day! It started at 19 days, and as I look at it now, it's dwindled quickly down to 2. Looking back on my week, I realize it went the same way: it started out pretty slowly, but by the time Friday came around, it was a frenzy!

Monday included a first for me: my first time participating in the Phonathon! The Phonathon is a fundraiser for Luther, and let me tell you, people really get into it! The volleyball team went to help, and it was really kind of fun. A few of my friends and I have started going to kickboxing a few times a week. It's very different, but it's really fun! I recommend trying it at least once.

Wednesday was a good day for me personally, but a bad day for my homework. I began reading Twilight, which, for those who don't know, is the newest Harry Potter. So I started this wonderful book on Wednesday, and neglected most of my homework so I could finish it. Which I did, just at a time of the night when most people were sleeping. Whoops! But it was totally worth it, because the next night was the movie premiere! A bunch of girls decided to go, so shirts were being made all day Thursday, naps were a necessity, and there we had it: the makings of my first midnight movie! Let me just say that although the reviews were horrible, I absolutely adore this movie!

This week is Thanksgiving break, which means no class for a good 5 days! I am stoked to go home and see all of my family, not to mention chow down on some of the best cooking in Minnesota :-) You can always tell when a break is coming; students become extremely unfocused, and most conversations revolve around travel plans, how many old friends you'll be seeing, and the ever looming question of how you're going to fit all of your dirty laundry in the car!

I'll leave you with a word of wisdom from someone much wiser than I:

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Always,

Allison

I've got the blues...

No, I'm not talking about the macaroni and cheese blue box blues, although I wish I was. My blues are more of a "it's not quite winter, but it's not really fall anymore" blues. This weather is kinda of getting me down. It's been rainy and cold here the past couple of days, which doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy when you're inside, unlike when it's winter, and there's snow on the ground and you can drink hot chocolate while wrapped up in a blanket, knowing that you're nice and toasty while it's snowing outside. So that's the weather forecast for Decorah right now: blues.

School has started to catch up with me. I've been sitting in the same chair all morning doing my Spanish homework. Keep in mind, I can't sit still for more than 5 minutes without fidgeting, so sitting for two and a half hours is crazy for me. And the worst part is, I'm still not done! And I want to get a head start on this weeks homework so I can get ahead before break. Because who wants to do homework when you're at home? Not me!

These past few nights have been pretty fun. Friday, I went to see the Jitro Girl's Choir, who performed in the Center for Faith and Life. They hail from the Czech Republic, and are one of the top choirs in the world. They were fantastic! Afterwards, I went to Walmart with Anna and her roommate Christy. We got some ice cream and watched a movie. Then yesterday, after doing a major biology lab report crunch, we (Anna, Christy and I) went to Mabe's pizza (I've said it before and I'll say it again: AMAZING!!!) and to the movie theater to watch the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. It was fun to get jazzed up and spend a night on the town. Don't get me wrong, I love sitting in my room and watching movies every weekend (don't worry, that was sarcastic), but it felt good to get dolled up once again.

As for this week, since it's almost Thanksgiving break, I'm predicting an avalanche of homework from all fronts. We're talking Spanish papers, Biology labs, Calculus tests, and, of course, another Paideia paper!!! The only plus I can see to all of this is that break will just seem that much sweeter when it comes! But until then, I'll be here, just trudging along!

Always,
Allison

Who would have thought that I would get a way with wearing shorts and a t-shirt in November in Iowa? Certainly not I. Coming from central Minnesota, I am well aware of the weather implications of the Midwest. However, something crazy is going on, and for the past week, the weather has been, dare I say it, NICE!!! I'm not sure what's happening, but I'm sure not complaining :-)

JV had our last volleyball match on Tuesday. We couldn't pull out a win, which was disappointing, but overall our season was very successful. If anyone out there is debating whether or not to continue with their sport in college, I would highly recommend it. Being on a team gives you an instant family, no matter how cliche that sounds. I know that while I may not be best friends with the entire team, they are always there for me if I need them, and vice versa. Teams give you a sense of belonging, a sense of importance, and most of all, a sense of family. I will miss volleyball this winter; I can't wait for spring season to start!

Other than that, things are continuing quite nicely. Students are beginning to register for J-Term and Spring Semester classes. I am very much looking forward to a change of pace over J-Term, and some new, hopefully more exciting classes this Spring. I enjoy most of my classes right now, but they are beginning to lose their charm, as most things do once they become routine. I am crossing my fingers to get into the classes I want, but, as always, there are a few back ups.

Well I must ske-daddle. I get to go watch fish swim around a tank for two hours for my biology lab (see what I mean about being mundane?)
Always,
Allison

Who needs Halloween? I've got summer!

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

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

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