7. Homecoming

I don't have too much to talk about this week because not much happened except for Homecoming. Since I'm a freshman, this is my first college homecoming I have experienced as a student. Around noon, I went and ate some lunch at the Caf with one of my friends. It wasn't the usual where we had to stand in line and the lunch ladies served us. They had the food set out on tables and you could serve yourself. I guess that was just apart of the homecoming festivities. Anybody could go in and eat for free from what I could tell.

After I ate my friend and I just chilled in the room for a while then we went outside to watch the parade. There were many tailgaters outside enjoying the homecoming atmosphere. I heard a drum beating as well and I assumed it was some sort of tradition for homecoming at MC. We got to the street the parade was going down and we found a seat to watch for a little while. It reminded me a little bit of high school with all the floats and the homecoming court.

It was a pretty fun atmosphere and it was relaxed. It made me glad I could just be around the festivities and not have to worry about school work or anything for a little while. I know this has nothing to do with the mission statement, but I honestly didn't have anything that related to it.

6. Service project

I actually like service projects. It makes me feel accomplished that I did something good for somebody else. My classmates and I had to do a service project for English Comp, just like the rest of you. I had signed up for the one that was at these apartments in Raymond on Thursday. We were supposed to play with kids and stuff. I really like kids, so I thought it would be pretty cool. Plus, it was only supposed to last 2 hours.

I figured there would only be a few people there to play with a bunch of kids. It was the complete opposite. When I first got there, there were about 20 students to one kid. Seriously, there was only one kid. As soon as I noticed this, I started thinking how I was going to profile a kid when there was only one and everybody (for the most part) was playing for him. Others were just standing off to the side and I have to be honest, I was one of them. I didn't know what to do with just one kid.

I stayed there for about an hour and left early. A few more kids showed up but not enough where there were enough for all of the students. This discouraged me and I felt like my experience was just a waste. We were made to do this service project but I feel like this should be optional. The students who want to do the service projects should volunteer. The ones who don't want to shouldn't have to participate in these projects. I honestly think this would create a better experience for those who want to be there since there would be less of them and more kids to play with and profile.

5. Fall Break

I was pretty excited about this fall break. We have a bye week in football so I went home this Friday. I've stayed at my parents house Friday night and Saturday night, and will stay here Sunday night as well. I plan on going home Monday morning because we have football practice that afternoon.

Anyway, I've spent most of my break spending time with my family. It has felt so good to be home and away from school for a while. I haven't really done much school work or studying because surprisingly, most of my teachers have told me to not worry so much about school work and just relax this weekend. Even Dr. Randle said our response papers aren't due until Wednesday (I think). I have even more respect for my teachers than I already had because they're not pushing the students to continue working hard over the break. They know that we need time off to let our minds and bodies rest from their demanding classes. To me, this demonstrates excellence in education as well.

I hope everybody is having a great fall break. For you over-achievers out there, just take a break this weekend. I know it's great to stay on top of your school work and I am still in the process of learning how to do that. It is also good to settle down for a bit and not worry so much.

TJ

Blog 4: Being away from home

I label this number four because I wanted to keep up with everybody else since I missed last weeks blog; and for that, I apologize. I've been thinking about being away from home lately.

College is supposed to be a great time in a person's life, if they choose to attend, of course. Most kids want to "let loose", so to speak, and get away from the home life for a while. I was thinking that before I came here. I just wanted to get out and be on my own. I have found that to be hard as of right now. I hate being so far away from home. I'm five hours away from family and friends that I grew up with and lived around all my life. I'm making good grades right now but I am not enjoying myself as much. I thought I would be having the time of my life but instead, it's almost dreadful right now.

I've made friends that I really enjoy, but I miss my old friends too and being able to hang out all the time. Now it's hard to even hang out with my new friends because of all my classes and football. Even when I have a little spare time, I need to be studying. But I guess that's just a part of college wherever you go. I guess I never really planned on moving so far away from home and if I was going to, it was going to be fine and dandy anyway because I wouldn't have minded being far away from my family and friends. I'm here to tell you that right now it's not that great and I wish I was somewhere just a little bit closer. Not so close that home is 15 minutes away, but somewhere where I could come home on the weekends and not have to leave so early on a Sunday because it's such a long drive back.

This is just something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I don't know if you will necessarily enjoy reading it, but hopefully you will understand on where I'm coming from and who knows, you may relate to it.

Thanks,

TJ