Wow, two posts in one day...

I almost forgot! Last night I went to see the spring play, Arcadia, and all the actors did an amazing job!! The sets were gorgeous, AND they even lit stuff on fire on stage. Pretty cool, I know :)

The play is performed all the way through Saturday, so anyone who's interested should come see! The tickets are free, and the show starts at 7:30!

Okay, I think I'm really done blogging for the day...

~Jess

One week until Panama!!!

It's offically only one week until I head to Panama!! I can't wait!! Unfortunately, I have a mid-term and two papers standing between me and my trip, but I can handle that. I also have the chore of packing :( but I KNOW that everything will be worth it once I get to Panama! I am just so excited! I've been trying not to think about it, but I can't help myself anymore! Ahhh :)

Sorry, back to life this week...

Tonight I'm eating dinner with one of my professors and a couple people from the library and a poet! He's speaking to our creative writing class on Monday, but it will be fun to get to meet him early!! He is obessesed with Dolly Parton, so all of his poems have at least something to do with her and they're amazing! His name is Justin Cronin if you want to check him out!!

~Jess

Ouch!!

Today I got my vaccinations for when I go to Panama....which means four shots in one day. My arms don't feel too bad right now, but I bet I'll have a tough time moving them tomorrow!! It's all good though, I'd rather have sore arms than malaria or thyphoid!!

Life is busy, busy, busy around campus! I'm currently working with the SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) organization on writing the script for our regional competition in March. I've been getting to see all the projects the SIFE students have put together and they're just amazing! One girl translated the city calendar of Ripon into Spanish so the Hispanic community could understand the notices, and that's just one of many!

On a less academic note, my roommate Christy and I, along with some friends, had a good ol' fashioned sleepover party on Saturday night AND built a fort in our room with blankets and stuff. It was pretty amazing if I do say so myself!! We also rearranged some of the furniture in our room on Sunday afternoon just to spice things up and it looks great!! Life is good :)

~Jess

Two Weeks and Counting!!

It's only two weeks until I leave for Panama! Wow, I can't believe it! This year is flying by! Today the Seniors got fitted for their caps and gowns. Unreal- before you know it they'll be graduating!!

Last night there was yet another comedian on campus. He performed at the Terrace, and it was a great show...and always great with a snack (the Terrace has amazing subs and pizza). Today is my good friend Lauren's birthday, so that's exciting, and I've been in party-planning mode for a couple days now. It's so hard for me to be tricky, but so far I haven't given up any secrets, so that's good :)

That's all for today!

~Jess

Feliz dia de san valentin!

Happy Valentine's Day!! It's a freakin' blizzard outside right now- but at least it's a gorgeous blizzard! :) I feel like I'm in a snow globe!

I have some exciting news on the horizon- I'm applying for an internship in Australia this summer!! How cool is that??? I was looking at doing my study abroad program in Australia, so who knows, maybe I'll end up back again next year! What I DO know is that I'm going to Panama in March for a service trip, I'm going to Jamaica on a Maymester program in May, and I'm going to Australia in June! And all thanks to opportunities at Ripon College! Life is goodm man....or should I say mate! :)

~Jess

Horsey time :)

Tonight I'm going out to the stable to ride with Professor Avery and I'm so excited! I've been so busy that I haven't been able to go out there lately and I miss just being around animals!! It's snowing, but it's the kind of big flakes that are fun to catch on your tongue, and it's really still quite warm. Perfect horseback riding weather if you ask me!!

Other than that, school is in full swing. I have a midterm in my Communication class on Thursday, so I'll be studying for that, and I give my first speech in Public Speaking on Friday. ANNDD add Valentine's Day to the mix and it's going to be one crazy week!! Crazy good, though. And that's all the matters to me :)

~Jess

Another fun weekend!! :)

This past weekend was really fun! Everything from birthday celebrations to Superbowl parties kept me busy, busy, busy, but it was awesome!! On Friday it was my one-year anniversary with my boyfriend, Kent, so we went out to dinner at a restaurant called Gooseblind in Green Lake. It was amazing! They have everything from fish, to wraps, to pasta, and everything is delicious!! I had the pasta carbonara and even the leftovers were yummy!!

On Saturday morning my mom came to visit and took me out to brunch. There was also an Ethical Leadership Program event on campus that I wish I could've made it to... but I couldn't turn down seeing my mom!! Saturday night I went out wish my girlfriends and we hung out at one of the fraternity houses, it was our friend Mike's birthday so we had to stop by and wish him well :)

Then Sunday was church, an awesome brunch in the commons, and a nap before heading to a Superbowl party. If there's one thing I love more than the Superbowl commercials, it's the snacks at Superbowl parties. SOOOO much food, but I'm not complaining!

Yesterday we had a guest lector in my creative writing class, a writer/professor from the Fond du lac area (her name is Paula Sergi and she taught a class here last semester which I was in). Anyway, she's always a hoot and it was great seeing her again! Yesterday was also an informational meeting on the Londen/Florence semester abroad programs- just one of the endless possibilities for off-campus study Ripon offers. Oh, and did I mention that your financial aid follows you abroad for a semester? So you get to go to college anywhere in the world for near the price you would to stay right here. It's a great opportunity and I can't wait to take advantage of it!!

Today at lunch one of the local businessmen involved with the renovations happening to our downtown came to talk to the students in the Pub. Then anyone who wanted to could fill out a twelve question questionare and get free Roadhouse pizza just for doing it! For those of you who don't know, Roadhouse pizza is probably the BEST pizza ever- and they donated the pizzas for free. This is a really exciting time at Ripon College because students involved in the SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) organization are given the opportunity to work hand in hand with the entrepenuers who are making the renovations to downtown. If you want to check out what's going on, just check out this link: http://media.www.riponcollegedays.com/media/storage/paper944/news/2008/01/23/News/Sife-Brings.Downtown.Developers.To.Campus.To.Hear.Student.Views-3161806.shtml

Well, that's all for me for now! Take care and stay warm!!

~Jess