My Institutuin of Higher Learning-- Among Other Things

My second year--sophomore year-- of college has officially commenced, as of yesterday.
I think I owe the blogging world (though few its inhabitants) a small update:
- I moved into the Lutheran Student Center (no, I'm not Lutheran, and probably never will be... but I do have some Lutheran friends, and we have a mutual desire to follow Jesus, which is really all that matters in my book) on August 21st/this past Friday. Thus began the whirlwind that has been my college experience so far.
- Friday night (after I'd organized most of my things in my lovely, spacious new room), my might-as-well-be sister Christina Shinn and I ate at Olive Garden to celebrate the start of a new school year/mourn the end of a glorious summer. I tried the Chicken and Gnocchi soup I've had my eye on for quite a while-- it was satisfactory. :) We then headed over to the Apple Court apartments to visit Kayla and Katelyn for a while, which was great! I can't remember what else happened on Friday night... but I do recall feeling an unmistakable sense of peace and belonging. My room is top-o'-the-line cozy, as well. :)
- Saturday started out bright and early. The House awoke at 8 and began various cleaning rituals to kick-off the school year (and prepare for the upcoming house tour, which was to be given to new LSC students the following day). Chrissy and I were enlisted to chalk the sidewalks all afternoon, in an effort to publicize the LSC's opening worship the next morning. It sounded like a great idea at first ("You mean, we don't have to clean anything else, and we get to play with chalk all afternoon...?"), but after the first few advertisements were etched onto the rough cement, my knees and the palms of my hands were really begining to feel it. (Our drawings, however, were eye-catching and DARN GOOD-- I just have to make that clear.) :)
- After the cleaning/preparing/chalking/etc. was completed, the lovely miss Katie Lee came over the the house and had dinner with C-dawg and I (grilled chicken with oregano, green beans, garlic rice pilaf, and some peaches). We then proceeded to hang out, chat, and play an exciting round of BANANAGRAMS (which I won!), my new favorite game. :)
- Sunday, at the Center next door, we held Opening Worship for the LSC out on the lawn. All (well, most all) of the returning members came early to help set- up, and it was GREAT to get to see all the friends I have missed this summer. :) The worship was nice, the message was inspiring, and the fellowship was grand (a lot of new faces to meet and greet!). Oh, and I should mention the food we ate together afterwards... which was F to the AB.
- I took a 2-hour (ish) nap Sunday afternoon. Like I usually do. Not much has changed in that regard. ;)
- Tried to go on a run around campus. I haven't been running in about a month. My body was well aware of this fact, and didn't hesitate to let me know.
- Went to bed early to ensure maximum energy for the upcoming school day! Annnnd...

- SUCESS! Monday came upon me, and I felt as rested as could be. I woke up early, took a shower, read the Word and journaled a little, ate some yogurt and a kashi bar fo' breakfast, fixed my hair and face, donned some bermudas, a brown v-neck, and a colorful scarf-- and off I went to Spanish 102.

*Spanish 102: I have this class at 10am with a native speaker from Peru. She, ladies and gents, is simply GREAT. A fiesty little lady with a real zeal for seeing her students learn conversational Spanish... ? What more could you ask for? (Well, a translator for the first couple weeks of class, maybe. It's going to be taught completely in Spanish... as in, no English... as in... pretty darn difficult. BUT good, eventually.) ;)
*Computers for Learning: Another gen. ed I have to get out of the way... my last one, I think. From what I hear, it will be a piece of cake. The teacher seemed very nice and genuine. That's about all I came away with on the first day.

- Monday afternoon-- well, a considerable chunk of it, anyway-- was dedicated to school supply shopping. My checking account is running dry fast, folks.
- FINALLY made a pitcher of blackberry iced tea. (It only lasted about a day...)
- Ate some leftover "pizza" (goat and ricotta cheese, tomatoes, grilled chicken, and oregano all on a whole wheat crust) for dinner. I wish I could take credit for the origination of this culinary delight, but... I only assembled it using a recipe I found in a magazine two years ago. It never disappoints. :)
- I headed out to attend my 5pm "Intro. to Education" class expecting to be bored out of my mind. Little did I know that I would sit next to a really sweet girl named Amanda with the EXACT SAME MAJOR (she wants to teach ESL in China; I am patiently undecided upon an exact location at the moment), that a lady would come to present an opportunity to tutor non-native English speakers in neighboring cities through a special MSU program (as a part of one's PRACTICUM, if desired!), and a really passionate, knowledgeable professor. Mom, I think you would've liked your education classes a little more if you'd had THIS teacher.
- Had an EXCELLENT workout in Plaster that evening... felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and all the other "re-'s".

And, of course, Tuesday was today. :) What's that? You'd like to hear all about it? Well, you're in luck:

- Woke up this morning at 8. (I've been sleeping amazingly well lately, which baffles me, since I live a mere few feet off of crazy-busy National Street, right next to a cross-walk that makes constant noise. Praise Jesus for THAT anomaly.) Read some o' the Word over breakfast, and chatted with Jesus while sippin' on a cup of blackberry tea. Beautiful start to the day!
- Had my Ethnic American Literature class this morning at 9:30... I have to say, I got a little nervous when my teacher walked in and ordered us (nicely) to put all our chairs (all...41...chairs) in a circle around the room... so we could face each other and feel completely awkward on the first day. It ended up turning out pretty well, though, because once the initial awkwardness faded, I actually felt like I knew a little bit about almost everyone in the room. PLUS, an old friend (and dance team-mate) from High School is in that class, which is just plain awesome. :)
- Lunched it up back at the Hizouse and did the dishes (parents: be proud). I can't remember exactly how I spent the remaning lunch break between classes, but before I knew it, it was time to head off to Honors Poetry. Of this class, I had NO idea what to expect.
- Walked into Siceluff (the English dept. building) for the fourth time in the past two days, and got a tad bit lost on my way to room 404. Once I DID make it, however, I discovered some familiar faces. Sat next to Kalyn, another ole' buddy from High School, with whom I unexpectedly have another Honors class with! The class itself, from what I gathered this afternoon, is going to be interesting. Very chill and laid back. We don't even have a final-- just a poetry reading/Christmas party at the end of the semster. Yes please. :)
- Went to the bookstore with Kalyn to help her get a book. It was C to the ROWDED. Wow.
- Studied for a Spanish "test" (a review of Spanish I) for a good portion of the afternoon. I'm a little rusty, to say the least. I suppose I haven't really had a need to use it much this summer. (Nevermind that I spent a good amount of time in and around Dalton, GA.) ;)
- Made one of my FAVORITE meals for dinner-- one I came up with on my own a few months ago. Wild Brown Grain Rice with Veggies (tomato, yellow squash, mushroom, carrot) and chicken sauteed in olive oil, basil, oregano, and garlic. Add a little shredded cheese on the top and YES... you have yourself a taste of heaven. So to speak.
- The LSC's first "Prayer&Praise" night was this evening at 6, and we kicked it off with a couple worship songs, and then a bunch of "get-to-know-you" games. I have to admit, I had a LOT more fun than I was expecting to have. Man, I really love those Lutherans. :)
- Ice Cream and fellowship afterwards? Of course. It's always a good time.
- Another great workout brought to you (well, really just me ;) ) by Plaster Sports Complex. Saw Kristen while walking back to the House, and chatted with her for a bit-- 'twas lovely!
- Came back to the House and found the boys playing "Pitch"... which, supposedly, I need to learn how to play. They say it's a lot like "Spades"... so... we'll see. ;)

I'm completely exhausted after a WONDERFUL day here in Springfield, and I think I'm going to head to bed soon. I am very much aware that my life is soon to be consumed with reading and projects and essays (oh, the burdens of being an English major), so I've made up my mind to cherish these nights of extra sleep.

Who knows when the next time I update will be? Certainly not me. But, if I can, it will be fairly often. Maybe? Well, let's just be patient and see. :)

Moving Onward...