Transitioning...

Well, the 8th week of class is upon us and I am having one of the hardest times getting back into the swing of things. You would think that I wasn't in school for weeks, but I just had one of the most relaxing weekends ever. I went home. This is something that I ususally don't do because I love Bluffton, but going home got me away from thinking about homework. So now I am back in my room, with homework that needs to be done and I do not want to even start it :)
I guess I am at the stage of class, where you don't want to do anything but sit around with friends, but you have to because midterms are this week. How is it that school is going by so quickly. I guess it is the same speed of every other day, but being more involved makes it seem faster.

Have you ever had that one professor/teacher in school who you love. One that you look forward to walking into their class ever day? Well... I have that class tomorrow. The professor is Laura Brenneman (I will let you in on a secret.. the first time I sat in one of her classes I was terrified of her.) She is one of the Religion Department professors but I have her for my Northern Ireland class and also Theories of Peace and Conflict. The best thing about that class is how she teaches it. Laura brings this
"I know you are a college student but I still want you to learn" vibe to the class. She is open about our ideas but also is there to teach us about what is going on. Professors like that make the day better. Lynda Nyce is another one of those professors. She is so unique about teaching our Cross cultural class. She is someone you could sit and talk to forever about anything.

I think it is important to have professors who you can love. It pushes you towards going to class everyday, but also encourages you to learn from them. I love where I am in life. I was able to come to Bluffton and meet these people.
Part of why I am here is because of my faith and being able to grow in that faith not only with friends, but also my professors is something truely amazing.

Stay warm... spring is right around the corner!
Blessings,

Anna

One Saturday Morning...

Next fall, I have had the opportunity to go on an experience of a lifetime. In previous posts, I have talked about My trip to Northern Ireland. I will be there for a whole semester and will be studying the history and also the conflict that has been happening for years.


Well, this past Saturday the director of the program, flew over to the states to talk to us about the program and any questions that we may have about the program. This was something that I had been looking forward to for a while. It was when I would be getting answers, but also learning about this country. This day was going to be great! I was finally going to understand the reason I was going to Ireland... well... hopefully understand.

This was some assumption that I had. After leaving that morning, I did realize one thing and that was I only have about 6 months until I leave and I am terrified. How am I going to survive in another place without my mom? How am I going to do this. It was soon after that I understood it wasn't how was I going to, it was more of a.. I can do this.
Going away is an opportunity of a lifetime and I get to be a part of it. Sure the classes are incredibly difficult but they should be. I shouldn't be able to fly through this.

I guess this post is more about reflection than information. If there are any questions about what I will be doing over there then feel free to ask. I might not know the answers but I will try to help.

Happy Wednesday.

Blessings,
Anna

My Friday Night...

So after a long week of stress it was wonderful getting a break from it all on Friday night. Although I worked for 6 hours on Friday, the day was wonderful! I am taking a class that is only 2 credit hours so on Friday I am finished with class at 10. This seems to leave plenty of time to take a nap, find something to eat, do more homework or just to sit and talk with friends. The best part is that the options can be astounding. This past Friday, I was going to be able to see a best friend from home! She was coming to "hang out". Since my week wasn't going so well, I was suprised with our other friend and her daughter as well! It was one of the best days I've had in a while. I was able to be myself and see some old friends!
We were able to spend most of the day together, until I had to work at 5.
I think what I am trying to say is that even though you can love a place so much, there may be times when you need to get away and see a different scenery. I encourage that so much! It may be the make or break process that you will have to deal with.

Friday nights on campus are usually filled with something to do. Whether there is Marbeck After Dark (MAD), planning an activity or another organization on campus having an event.
Last night there was actually 2 things availiable. Salsa Dancing was open to anyone willing to learn how to dance in Founders. This had great reviews already. People love the fact that they can learn to dance. (well... some people) :)
As well as dancing MAD opened up the Shannon, the movie theater in town, and had a Midnight Movie playing. It was the romantic comedy, 27 Dresses. What a perfect fit for the day after Valentines Day!
The two things that I love to stress about looking for schools is that becoming involved in something on campus is very important. It could be intermural sports teams, or the musical. Being active will keep you from missing home, but will also get you out there to meet new people.
The second this is to keep an open mind... about everything. Going out of our comfort zone isn't always appealing, but can be very worth it in the end!

Have a happy weekend!
Blessings,
Anna

what a week....

This week has finally made it to Thursday and I don't know what to say. It has had a lot of ups and downs.

For starters.. Tuesday the snow was piling up around campus. There were things to be done and not a lot of time to do it in. That was when I realized that things were going to be a bit more difficult this week. Tuesday I needed to drive in the snow to Wal-mart so that I could pick up the "Couple's game" prizes. This was going to be important for our MCB activity that night. So my roommate and I took off to see Wal-mart at it's glory, which ended up being longer than usual. The snow was causing delays and we were both a bit nervous. While at wal-mart, we picked up everything we needed, but received a phone call we didnt want. Our Hall Director, Mary, called to tell us we needed to move out ASAP due to some condition with our building. There was a bit of a leak within the pipes, but we could move over to Old Ropp. The fact that they provided housing for us was wonderful, but it was a long day.
Driving back to Bluffton, we made our plan for the night to take my car, and pack it full of what we needed. At 11 pm that night, I was finally able to get comfortable within my surroundings.
So after all of that madness we finally had a place to sleep. It ended up that we needed to stay in Old Ropp for about 2 days and now I am typing from my very own computer in my room. It was a weird few days!


After moving all of our things back to RC, I needed to go to one of my favorite classes ever! At Bluffton we have a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. This was something that goes along with the Northern Ireland program and is actually something very interesting. Laura Brenneman is the professor whom teaches these classes. She is one of my very favorite profs. She makes things interesting and will relate it to different subjects that fit. I am in her Theories of Peace and Conflict which just seems to apply the theories behind conflict resolution.
The different classes at Bluffton are so interesting. It can be funny how when trying to figure out what I need to be doing with my life, I am able to view so many options. That is what is important. I just don't want to be informed about one thing, but with an overall perspective.

This post has been a little of what is going through my head at this moment and all of the stresses in my life...
I guess there are times for everything!

Blessings,
Anna

Activities...

What is there to say.
Well, 1 week ago we were flooded in because of rain and this week it is snow and ice. Ohio weather is a bit crazy. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. Just like school work. When I write this blog, everytime my mind becomes blank. I don't know what I can say about college to suit every different person. I think that is why I am supposed to just talk about what I do to see if you are interested in any of it.
Well, many of you know (if you have read the blogs before) that I am involved in some of the Religious Life on campus. There is a music ministry group called Shining Through that travels around in the Spring semester on weekends to sing for churches. This is my favorite activity. Why? Well, Shining Through meets once a week to have fellowship and to practice, but that is all the contact we have until Spring semester. We are not together all of the time and have built friendships because of our faith.
This past weekend we actually had an overnight trip (because we traveled about 4 hours to one place). This weekend was one of the best weekends I could have ever had. I was able to get to know people that I didn't know very well. I think that is my favorite part.
Other than Shining Through, I am part of our Student Activities Planning Committee. MCB. This is a group that plans activities for the students on campus. They will range from traveling to watch a Browns game to playing a game about who knows which roommate better. This group is a lot of fun, because you get to see the end results of activities. My very favorite is when you watch a waterbottle or t-shirt being worn on random days. You know that that person came to events.


All around campus there are activities that you can become involved in. My favorites are the ones that you can leave feeling great. Shining Through is that activity for me. I can be at home with the people I sing with and they are very supportive with anything that I do.

So, when thinking about a place that I knew I belonged was very important. I wanted to be able to be myself when I attended activities or even became apart of them. That is something very important.
Ask questions... be yourself... find something that is for you.

Blessings
Anna

What a weekend!!!

Where to start?
When thinking about my weekend all I can say is LDP!! Leadership Development Program. This weekend was all about that! We had our winter/spring semester retreat for the LDPers! This was located in Lima at a place called Woodhaven camp. This started on Friday and was supposed to end on Saturday afternoon. What a night. It was a time to get together to meet new people,spend time with friends, and to step out of the "box" with leadership training. The first thing that I was able to do on Friday was play four-square. I havent played that since 6th grade and I spend a solid hour and a half standing in the ready position waiting to attack. This was such a great time. We spent the weekend playing little activity games. It was a lot of fun. Other than the little games we didn't get much sleep. But that's college for you. :)
On Saturday it was time for naps, friends and homework. These things seem to be an everyday occurrence for me. Over all it was a great Saturday.


One of the big things about College that sticks out to me is that it flies by as long as you are staying active. Whether it spending time with friends, being involved in a club, playing sports or just homework, the time seems to fly by. Two friends of mine were actually talking about how crazy it is that last week went by so quickly. It felt like yesterday that I was coming home from break with my car packed to the brim. We are already in our 5th week of classes and 1/3 of the way done. It seems bizarre to think about things in that sort of way.
My calendar has very few openings until the end of March/beginning of April. College just seems to be full of meetings, schedules, and work, but it is so worth it.
So as I finish this post, I ask that you think about what you love to do, what you love to be involved in, and what you are looking for in a higher education process? These questions can be the little things that make or break your decision about school. In the end, do what feels right. Pick the place that you are most comfortable in their setting or environment.

Blessings,
Anna

What it's like...

College. Fun. Busy. Crazy. Entertaining. Stressful. Hard. Wonderful.
What else can I say? How else can you describe this time in your life when you have to take care of yourself for the first time?
There are so many times in the day when I wake up and it is so surreal. I'm not living at home, I'm not being cooked a dinner every night by my mother, and I'm not even mentioning my laundry! There are so many things to adjust to while you are away from home. It can be a time of worry, anxiety, nervousness, or even relief. The fact is that you need to look at this as another step to move in the right direction.

This past week, I walked into my lobby and saw a whirlwind of excitement. It was actually a mess, but a wonderful mess. There were blankets thrown around, books spread out and 4 girls curled under blankets with their laptops open. It was a sight to see. They were all studying for the upcoming week of classes and reading for quizzes. This was something that I was able to smile about, because these girls were getting things done and doing it together.
After joining them for a bit of time, I then headed to work in Marbeck. I am a Desk Manager and get to answer the phone calls that come in. It is some time that I am able to work on homework but also some time that I can watch people go back and forth from dinner to their mailboxes. I love my job, because you are able to keep up with what is happening on campus.
Bluffton is a place full of activities. This past weekend there was Winter Formal and swing dancing. The ministry team traveled to a town for some overnights and church in the morning. And on campus there was Sunday Morning Worship. Every weekend isn't like this, but many of them are. They are full of fun and activities and friends.
The main thing that is happening on campus is our Student Senate President Election. This isnt happening until February 26th, but the people running are getting out on campus and are getting their pitch out to people.

Our Student Govn't is very important on campus because they are able to make changes. They listen to students and try to fix some things for the campus. Some of the topics in this years running candidates include recycling, 24hour open space, printers in the residence halls, and just making progress.


Bluffton is a place of involvement. It might be scary trying to move away from home, but it can be so worth it.

Blessings,
Anna