Let Them Decorate Cake

Hello, friends!

So as I am about to begin the second week in winter term....I am so grateful for the weekend and the chance to relax and catch up on much needed sleep.

Friday, my roommates and I went to an "Ultimate Cake Off" sponsored by the Student Activities Council! For our cake, we decided to stick with the ever popular theme of "holidays," yet with the reference to hit song, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."  Although we didn't win the competition, our cake did have the honorable mention of being the most times "liked" on Facebook!

This is our cake!   I take credit proudly for the reindeer and sleigh!

Tonight Maura (my roommate) and I were scrambling to pull together all of the last minute details for our yoga club fundraiser. We decided to hand make and sell crafts instead of the traditional bake sale.  This is the first time I've ever organized anything for something like this, and the first time I realized how much work needed to be done!

We decided last minute to sell hot tea...an endeavor undoubtably spurred by the cold and snow.  So tomorrow morning I'm meeting my friend Sara at 7:45 so I can get her set up with the items for the sale before my 8 AM class!   We have all of our members working in shifts at the table...hopefully they'll be busy!  

With that being said...I'm going to call it a night.  In addition to the early morning craft exchange I have a quiz in my math class.  I've studied, and hopefully I'm prepared.

Multi-tasking Much,
Paige

Winter Wonder Term

Greetings Loved Ones,

It's cold here, and to think that this snow is just the beginning is a little bit scary, but I always grow to love the wintery world that greets me each morning.  I'm making rice now and lots of it so I will have something to eat with soup for almost each and every meal until the sun shines.

Anyway, winter term is in full swing, and after a few days of getting syllabi (love that word,) I am ready to start learning, which in all classes I already have.  Here's a quick overview of my classes:

• Math Problem Solving:  This course is to fulfill my last math/science course here.  My teacher is really passionate about math, which will help since Math and I have always been at odds.  
• Philosophical Inquiry:  This is another core requirement with the liberal arts.  It's an 8 AM, and despite the mass amount of coffee that it takes to get me there, I think I will like it.  
• Police Functions:  This class is a requirement of my major.  However, I'm pretty sure I would have taken it on my own...it is just amazing.  I'm not sure if this is something I should admit to other humans but I have even read ahead in my text book...
• Psychology and the Law:  This is an elective I'm taking for my major/minor.  It is excellent.  Ideally I want a job in forensic psychology, so this class is making that seem realistic.  

 So those are classes.  My life has sped up in every other aspect as well, things with Yoga club are continuing and keeping me busy.  I'm also looking forward to all of the winter activities coming up.

P.S. My blog is all wintry and what not.

Baby it's Cold Out There,
Paige

Tragedy and Togetherness in our Community

As we returned back from Thanksgiving break, we came together with a shared amount of sadness, as missing student Jenni-Lyn Watson was found dead near her home.  This tragedy has touched everyone on the Mercyhurst campus, for we are all truly a family.

Our term began with a prayer service for Jenni-Lyn to mourn the loss of a remarkable girl who was loved by her friends, family, and everyone who knew her.  This tragedy speaks to the love that exists on this campus, the wonderful people and support systems.

In this time, we're all praying for understanding and peace.

Classes began on Monday, and I look forward to giving you a glimpse of my new life in Winter Term.

Thoughtful in Times of new beginnings,
Paige

Because we're really all a family

As Thanksgiving break began the Mercyhurst community was given the unsettling news that fellow student Jenni-Lyn Watson was reported missing.  Jenni-Lyn is a junior dance major.  The entire college community is praying for her safe return.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/24/new.york.missing.woman/index.html?hpt=T2

This news story really has shown the love and support among everyone at Mercyhurst.  Until Jenn-Lyn is home, we are going to do everything we can to make sure she comes back safely.  Until then, your thoughts and prayers are welcomed and encouraged.

Coffeehouse!

Hello, everyone!

Currently, I am drinking coffee and writing a paper for my Street Gangs class.  I thought I'd take a break and write a little bit about my night!

Even though it's finals and absolutely crazy, I decided to take a break last night to go hear a singer/songwriter in the student union.  His name was Caleb Hawley, and I'd definitely recommend him.  Anyway, it was a great night and a nice break...also there was food and coffee (which was the rationale for going since it would fuel my writing later).

After the show my roommates and I visited our neighbors.  I'm looking forward even more to thanksgiving break...I'm leaving Monday for home!

I'll Check in After More of my paper is done,
Paige

Finals Already?

As the last week of classes is upon us, I find it hard to believe that it is already finals.  It feels like only posts ago I was describing the midterm process.

Finals have always been stressful with the trimester system, but it helps that I have only three classes to focus on.  Thanksgiving break is always my favorite time of the year, and it helps that my Birthday is right at the end of it.  I'm looking forward to a new set of classes in Winter term.

This week, in addition to going to class, I put in hours volunteering with one of the after school programs.  Despite the lack of interest expressed by the criminal justice club, I truly have grown to love the program, and thanks to my wonderful roommate (Hi, Maura!), it is an enjoyable break to the week!

This weekend though, I plan to study and prepare for exams, and earn a much needed Thanksgiving Break!

Loving the Library,
Paige

A Little Sunshine and Productivity

The past 24 hours have been some of the most productive hours of my life.  After much consultation and debate I decided to declare my Archaeology class as "Pass/Fail."  I can do this once in my college career, and it was very reminiscent of deciding when to play the "Pick four wild card," in Uno.  Although I worked very hard, I still was not confident how my final grade in this class would affect my GPA, so I decided now was a good time.  Also, I am strong in my major classes, so I don't see those being a problem in the future.

In addition to this, I put in an application for the RSVP program, which is a program where current students (me) return to their high schools to share their experiences with prospective students.  I really look forward to this if I end up doing it!  I also signed up for two events to work at this weekend for Ambassadors.  Additionally, I caught up on hours of work study that I was behind on.

Tomorrow we have a meeting for Criminal Justice Club, so I'm working on preparing a presentation about after school programs so I can really encourage people to join me on the next excursion.

In other news, it is getting cold here.  Sadly, it's time for boots, coats, and lots of soup.  This also means the trimester is coming to an end, and I will soon be swept up in a whirlwind of finals.  Which means Thanksgiving break is also upon us.

Going forward from here,
Paige