Creative Writing: Revamped

Today's Creative writing class was actually more of a creative reading exercise. We got together with both sections of the class and shared a piece of our writing by reading it in front of the class. I must say (granted I'm kinda a nerd for these kind of things) I really loved it! It was so amazing to hear everyone share their pieces- some very powerful and personal, others light-hearted and funny. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and now I find myself viewing my life as an author might. I don't mean to get all "english major"-y on you, but that happens from time to time...my mind just starts writing stories that attempt to make my pretty average life seem legitimately striking. Wait a minute...isn't that what I'm doing right now??? Hmmm... ;)

~Jess

It's almost December!!

Wow, I'm once again struck by how quickly time passes! Classes are already gearing up for finals (happening in two weeks) and Christmas is right around the corner. It has definitely gotten colder, but thankfully the sun is still shining! Tonight we have an Innertube Water Polo game, and both of our teams are undefeated...so I like to refer to tonight as "The Showdown of the Century." Wish us luck!!

~Jess

Christmas, here I come!!!

With another beautiful Thanksgiving complete, it's now time to let loose with the Christmas cheer! Christy and I are decorating our room tonight with everything from garland, to lights, to Christmas trees (that's right- treeS)...even some singing snowmen!! I can't wait...we're going to crank the Christmas tunes and make ourselves a winter wonderland!!! Wahoo!! :)

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!
~Jess

One More Day Until Break!!! Yahoo!!

I can NOT wait until Thanksgiving!! Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy....mmm, I drool just thinking about it :) Plus, everyone's always in a good mood at Thanksgiving...well most of the time. It's sort of become a family tradition for either my sister or I (sometimes both) to get sick every year at Thanksgiving time. This year must be my year, because my throat's already getting a little scratchy :-/

In other news, I just found out I got chosen to be the Mentor Coordinator/Center Manager for Ripon College's Collaborative Learning Center next full. It's a mouthful, but it's quite an honor to be chosen and I'm very excited!! :)

Also, today I watched student music recitals during Golden Hour and they were all spectacular!! For those who may not know, Golden Hour is a one hour time period on Tuesday mornings when no classes are scheduled so there's an opportunity for campus-wide gatherings.

That's all for me today!

~Jess

Knock, Knock...

I went to a camp this weekend as a chaperone to the Confirmation kids at my church and it was called "Knock, Knock." The Bible verse theme was Revelation 3:20 and the camp was truly amazing!

I left Friday night and didn't get back until Sunday at a little before noon. Then came brunch, the Packer game (another win WOHOO!!!!), and some homework time. Next it was off to watch a movie with Kent. And not just any movie, but probably one of the best movies ever made... Planes, Trains, and Automobiles with Steve Martin and John Candy. I LOVE that movie!!

This week is only a three day week here on campus, thanks to Turkey Day!! Before I know it I'll be shoving in the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie! I can't wait :)

~Jess

Dickens of a Christmas!! :)

Last night the comedian Jay Black came to campus and he was hilarious!! I haven't laughed that hard in awhile!! I also had a church meeting last night to discuss the Christmas Pageant and other youth group activities. On November 30th we're going to head downtown for "Dickens of a Christmas." In case you've never heard of Dickens, it's probably the coolest holiday tradition I've ever experienced! The whole downtown is decorated with white lights (as it is for the entire winter season). Then there are people in all of the windows of the shops downtown dressed up in costumes and acting out scenes from Dickens' Christmas Carol. The actors include everyone from college students, to the mayor of Ripon, to little kids from the community! Inside the shops there are cookies and hot chocolate, and there's a sleigh going up and down main street giving rides. It's simply amazing! I loved it last year and I'm so excited for it this year!! :)

~Jess

Prairie Walk!!

Yesterday was so beautiful! It was in the 50's! In November! Kent and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a nice walk through the prairie. Last night I also finished another paper. I'm on a roll, baby!

Tonight Colette and I are going to decide which kids get which roles in the Christmas Pageant this year, so that should be exciting! Aside from that, it'll just be homework for me tonight...and maybe a movie with the ladies.... We'll see :) I love college!

~Jess

Guys, Dolls, and Electrical Fires

This weekend my high school put on the musical "Guys and Dolls." However, when I got an email Friday morning saying there had been an electrical fire in my high school's basement I questioned whether they would be able to perform, but the old saying "the show must go on" certainly held true! They got everything fixed and the musical was amazing!!

Saturday was spent relaxing and playing board games with the fam. I'm beginning to think we're the only family who actually plays board games together....oh well, it's a great time!! :)

Sunday was a children's service at church, and all the kids did a great job in the service! I'm so proud!! Then came a lovely Sunday afternoon nap, followed by a highly productive "library party." I've begun calling them "parties" in an effort to make myself excited for them. The bad news is it rarely works, but the good news is last night's LP yielded a 6 page philosophy paper!

~Jess

Men in Tights...

The FYS class that I am the Mentor for is preparing for a mock trial in class tomorrow. They are using evidence from one of the novels we read to prepare arguments to either defend or convict Giovanni, the main character on trial in the book. The class is divided into two teams- the prosecution and the defense. Today they got to try on their costumes, time-period correct, of course. It was a hoot! A couple of the guys had long shirts and spandex tight things...the looks on their faces were priceless! Tomorrow's trial should be a blast!

~Jess

Nothing like a nice, warm cup of coffee to start the day out right :)

This morning I met my pastor for coffee and we had a nice theological conversation :) After coffee, my day kicked in in full force: an interview, class, lunch, class, class, now work, then volunteering, Equestrian Club meeting, then IM water polo tonight!! Whew!

Life is a blur, but I love every second of it!!
~Jess

Author S.L. Wisenberg comes to campus!!!

Sheesh! At least there wasn't enough of it to accumulate, but it was still windy and cold!!! I managed to stay warm, though, don't you worry. Last night dinner in the Commons was especially good- a warm bowl of soup to shake the chill of the air and warm, soft buns with butter!! Mmmm! There were tons of other options too- wraps, pizza, tacos, pasta, burgers....-but it was definitely a soup day yesterday! Today's looking like it may be a soup day too... we'll see.

Today in my Creative Writing class we're having an author sit in and talk to us. Her name is S.L. Wisenberg and we've read a lot of her work in class. She's very talented, and I look forward to chatting with her during class and also listening to her fiction reading tonight at the Caestecker art gallery on campus.

Too cool!
~Jess

Save-a-Lot Field Trip

As a college student, I know the splendor of a deal...and cheap food has to be one of the best deals there are! Last night I took my youth group to Save-a-lot to buy food for the local food pantry, and let me tell you- we got a ton of food!

In other news, THE PACKERS WON yesterday!!!! Woohoo!! Also, the Patriots/Colts game was a thriller, although I would've preferred that the Colts had won....but oh well.

Today is Monday Music Madness on campus in the Pub. The first Monday of every month, SMAC brings in live music so we get to enjoy being serenaded while we eat. Good deal :) I'm heading over there at noon... a half hour and counting....

~Jess

The Countdown Toward Napping Begins!

Usually I book my weekends pretty full, but this weekend what I'm "planning" is RELAXATION!! I'm going to sleep late, sit around in my pajamas, and get some work done.

I can't wait!
~Jess

Happy November :)

I know I say this all the time, but time just flies by! I can't believe it's already November! The good news is, the leaves are still green, the sky is still blue, and I still love Ripon College!

I just scheduled my classes for next semester and declared one of my majors, English. Just thinking about the future is so exciting!

~Jess