Updates

I haven't written in a while, I've been too busy to even think! Luckily it has slowed down some recently. The event that kept me most busy was my brother's wedding on September 13th! It was a beautiful day that really made me proud of my little brother. I loved seeing his childhood best friends all grown up in a tux. I finally got to visit their apartment for the first time on Friday night, and it seems like they're really off to a great start. I love them!

My classes are pretty amazing. I look forward to getting on campus and seeing everyone for the day and getting down to business! I feel like just in the few weeks that have passed this fall so far that I have learned more than I have in any other semester. I'm amazed at the passion teacher educators have and it really solidifies my passion for agriculture education. I have had ideas arise from almost every conversation in my education classes that I know I can use in my career.

Things have started rolling on Ag. Council! I have an amazing group of officers that I know will exceed my expectations. I feel like sometimes I have so many ideas that I can't pin it all down, but I could not be more grateful for having this responsibility during my senior year so that I can try to leave on a positive note. I just hope through things like Raiderfest and Ag. Ambassadors that I can help just one future MTSU find their home in our department like I did. I can't imagine being anywhere else.

I have also begun a new venture as a BeautiControl consultant! I haven't hosted any spas yet, but I am building my list and my inventory and spa supplies. I had so much fun hosting the spa for Amanda's bridal shower that I really wanted to be able to help other people experience that much fun, too. My training is on October 11 and I get the second part of my spa kit. I'm excited!

Today I bought a $4.95 ticket to see one of my heroes, Rudy Guiliani, at the Sommet Center in Nashville in about a month. I was reading the Sunday paper and saw this ad for a motivational seminar, featuring people like Pat Summit, Collin Powell!, and of course my favorite, Rudy. I couldn't believe that it was only $4.95, so I immediately when to the website (before finishing breakfast) and saw that somehow it was true. I also bought the $4.99 workbook that goes along with the day. It looks amazing and I'm glad I by chance saw it. It's like America's Leadership, In Concert. I'm such a dork for things like this, but I can't wait. I'm sure I can learn things to help Ag. Council work more efficiently, and also things I can teach my future officer teams.

So basically my life is amazing!

Change Of Plans

I had planned on living in Wood Hall this semester, then moving back home for the Spring semester so that I could be closer to where I will be student teaching. I was also planning on working around 18 hours a week as DA. On Monday, I got my "schedule" and saw I was only on for 6 hours a week. I was paniking! I have supported myself through college by always having a job, even when I was a state officer, but when I saw that schedule it seemed impossible to live on 6 hours a week. I called around every other department on campus - Rec Center, bookstore, Aramark (yes! Aramark! that was the level of my desperation), and some others. Finally, I decided that I should just take the money I was alloting to my Wood rent (for a private room), stay home, and commute like I used to. This seems crazy to most people, especially because I have class 4 days a week, but I did it for two years, and I really liked it. Other things compounded to make commuting more difficult - like being a state officer, working as a waitress, having very limited funds. But I'll have enough gas money, and Mom suggested putting it on a Pre-Paid Visa so that I'd have it seperate and always know its there. And I'm looking forward to it! Its only an hour, and its through the beautiful Sumner, Wilson and Rutherford counties. I have my iPod, my coffee, my sausage biscuit, I'll be good! And when I need to stay, I can stay at Ash's. I have a laptop now to work anywhere during breaks. And this way, I can use the rest of my scholarship money to support myself, and I won't work again until I'm hired as a TEACHER! I know this may sound terrible, but I've worked since high school, so I'm very excited to take the year off from work and be able to focus on my last year of college before my career! I'll be able to work on my methodology, lesson plans, my resume, and all the last minute ends that need to be tied up before student teaching. Needless to say, I can't really have a job during my student teaching semester anyway, so I guess I get my "no work" break a semester early!

The other benefit of doing this is that I get to spend more time with my family. In EXACTLY one month, my brother is getting married! I have a lot to help them with - all the decorations, all the music, all the flowers! and I'm a bridesmaid - and moving next week and being in Murfreesboro all the time really wouldn't lend itself to me doing my best for my one and only little brother. Not to mention, I would have had to get another off campus job that I'm sure won't like me asking off for three days in the first month. That also means I don't have to worry about any work obligations when it comes to Ag Council. I was elected President to coordinate, plan, delegate, carry out, and inspire. I really feel that the extra time I will have will ensure I do the best job for our department. I'm excited!!

On a side note, I went to the dentist today - my first visit since *cringe* 2005! I guess I got busy with college, Ag, FFA ... I got my teeth cleaned and then learned I have *another cringe* 4 cavities! Yuck. I brush my teeth! Twice a day, and sometimes 3! Geez. I have another appointment tomorrow morning bright and early at 8 to fix all but one of them, since its on the other side. That means I'll have a third appointment in the near future. Crazy!