Well, I always say that I am going to write more often but there are just never enough hours in the day. Okay – a number of people have asked for a pic of Sandie and I so see these below. I want to scan some old pictures from when we were little so I will get to that soon – I promise!
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So, my new “paid internship” is going well but it is a challenge, of course, to balance work and school – many of you know just what I am talking about. The simple logistics of being at different locations is a challenge. It turns out I-10 floods in a number of spots on the main lanes between 610 and Baytown. Wow! Well, I finally got new tires so that helps. My husband finally said I had gotten every safe ounce out of those tires and now that I have new ones, I believe him. My poor husband does not see me most of the week and he has “stolen” my dog’s heart. Oh, sure, Trigger-nometry (his legally registered name) is happy to see me but he has bonded with my husband more and I have to say I am a little jealous. It is a win-win for Trigger because now I give him more treats. All is fair in love and war – the love of my dog and the war for the love of my dog. He’s GGGGRRRREEEEAAAAAT! (sorry – had tooo!)
Well, this semester is half over and let me give you a run down on how things are going. I love my classes this semester…Business Law class is sooooo interesting. There are a few challenges that I did not consider with my other classes.
Let’s start with voice class, which I now refer to as “humility training.” Who would have thought this was soooo hard? I will say that I have learned new breathing techniques that have helped me when dealing with my asthma. But, it is embarrassing that while my friends are singing hits by Cyndi Lauper (gotta love her!), I am singing “Down by the Sally Gardens.” Ok – please don’t think I am complaining. I love Dr. Black and she is doing the right thing by me but I get so frustrated that I cannot just study and get it right. Practice, practice, practice. I try so hard! It turns out that as much as I like to talk, Dr. Black has had to remind me that singing is an activity done “out loud.” She says I am making progress. Let us just leave it at that.
Exercise class has been a challenge because I have been trying to stabilize my schedule. I love to work out but sometimes I cannot get to the gym during the open hours so I do it from home. Bummer that I cannot count that but the most important part of exercise is the personal benefits and the wellness that comes from that activity – both physical and mental. If you are not exercising, add a little bit to your day, or every other day, for the sake of your well being. Nike has a great piece of advice: JUST DO IT! Even if it is just a little each time. Every bit makes a difference.
My photography work is fun. I have been working on my collection of photos and it has been harder than I thought because I want it to be perfect. I have to make a book and I have great ideas. My honors project includes yard art – both wacky and wild, as well as sophisticated and elegant. If you know of interesting yard elements like this, please get in touch with me so that I can include them in my portfolio. I am really excited about this project.
Okay – I saved the “best” for last: Environmental Science. So far what I have learned is that this is not an area that I will major in. I do love what I am learning and it is so different from what I am used to studying. This is the perfect class for someone like me who is not a science major. We study things that are practical information that can be beneficial to every person in daily life. However…I have realized that if our activities do not make me dirty, I am usually allergic to them. There was the flower disection, the separating of the owl pellet (not what you think, but I will spare you the details, unless you ask…), sifting of the sand to discover the variety of components in the compound mixture. The activity that tops my list right now is the plant collection. We need to collect 20 Texas native plany species. We joked yesterday about how bad my allergies were after Carlton, Gloria, and I worked on our project together. We spent all afternoon and part of the evening gathering and identifying specimens on Sunday. Fast forward, I came from the doctor this afternoon where I was given the “you should know better” lecture and treated for “severe allergic reaction” to an unknown allergen. WELL – I know what allergensssssss….they are pressed in that plant press downstairs! I got a steroid shot – which means I will eat everything in sight for the next few days. And, a round of antibiotics because the doc believes I have barely started to brew a sinus infection. Since I am due to travel this weekend, best to be precautionary at this point.
Traveling? Yes, I am traveling this weekend to Washington, DC. I am thoroughly excited but equally anxious because I have such a busy schedule. I will be attending the National Collegiate Honors Conference with Mr. Britt, our fearless Honors Director at Lee College. This is a chance to interact with other colleges with honors programs and learn about opportunities at their campuses when moving from the two-year college to the four-year college. One thing I learned recently while in the company of leaders from other state four-year colleges is that they (four-year campuses) recognize that they are losing student body to the more cost efficient community colleges. They are starting to realize that they should be looking to these campuses to find good transfer students to their campuses. Everyone reading this that is a student now should pay attention and ask questions of potential transfer campuses and confirm what they have available for you so that you can adequately compare opportunities at various campuses.
When I get back, I will write more about the conference and what I have learned. I will also be working on some scholarship essays so it will be very busy but like I always say, if you want something done, give it to a busy person. My planner is full of color right now!
Before I close, I want to take a second to say thanks again to the Lee College Foundation, the Lee College Honors Program, and the Lee College Ambassador Program. Without these organizations and the extraordinary people that make up each one, I would not have the courage or belief in myself necessary to attempt the new things I do, nor would I have the opportunity. Each of these programs has kept me “in the game” and I will be forever grateful. Thanks, thanks, thanks to each of you – College Relations, Honors Office, and others!
Well good luck to all of you students for the remaining part of the semester. If you are not yet a student or have taken time off, note that registration starts soon for the spring semester – get your schedules out and pick your classes! Best of luck!
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