a better post

OK, I've realized lately that people actually read my blog, and you deserve something better than an animal story.

In keeping with my habits this semester, I've spent more time on "extracurricular activities" than school work. Partly this is a reward for being done with my presentations, and getting better grades or feedback than I expected/deserved. Partly it's laziness. Mostly it's related to the fact I've forgotten how to say no.

As I mentioned, this was earth week. It began with a good talk and panel on climate change (global warming and the changes that go with it), which is saying a lot, since it's something I'm constantly hearing about it. It ended with an Earth Day festival that I've been to many maddening, hippie-filled meetings to help plan. Very impressed with the result, and the fact that the severe thunderstorms, hail, tornados, etc. stayed out of the way, at least until later that night. We also had more volunteers from SPEA than we could use, which is amazing for this time of year...it was a much-needed chance to lay down our burdens for awhile, sit in the sun, chat with friends, and be filled with idealism. Then on Sunday, the 2 student orgs I'm in fulfilled our adopt-a-trail and adopt-a-road duties. For adopt-a-trail, each group does one major maintenance day a year, under supervision of parks staff (I wish I'd thought of that when I was in charge of Adopt-a-trail!) We got to carry around big logs, and install them where erosion control was needed. Fun stuff. Between that, and carrying a million tables up and down stairs for Earth Day, I'm exercising my long unused muscles. Yay!

I've also been talking to a lot of prospective students lately. Eating lunch, calling them on the phone, sending long e-mails. My excuse is I owe it to a school that's been good to me (financially), but the truth is I like it. I like telling them all the things I wish I'd known going in, hearing how they got interested in this field, hooking them up with profs or other people they need to know, and meeting the potential next generation. Maybe it's a bit of a power trip.

This goes back several weeks, but I've rediscovered the joy of boggle! (You know, the game where you shake up cubes with letters, and stare at them for a certain amount of time to make as many words as possible) One of my friends got it for her b-day, and we've had 2 Boggle nights so far (we're so nerdy, and proud of it). This game takes me way back to my childhood, and of course with my years of experience, I win a lot. It's great that my little brother's not here to beat me!

Well...it's the last week of the semester, and next week is finals week, so you may not hear from me. You probably will, because I'll be in front of a computer all the time. I also have a new quote list for this semester that may find its way onto my blog, without citations of course. Don't get too excited, they're probably only funny to people in my classes. But I may have to let them in on my blog for the summer, anyway.