Happy National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

National Marshmallow Day is just another reason to celebrate today, because today also means one more day until the weekend! It's only the second week of classes, but I feel like I've built up two weeks worth of sleep debt!! Hopefully I'll be able to catch up a little this weekend, because I sure won't be able to tonight. After volleyball practice tonight, Coach Witte is having the team over to her house for dinner, and there's also a hypnotist coming to campus tonight, and I want to go to that too, but of course I have homework and studying to do too! So sleep is definitely not a priority tonight! :( But with a good dinner(I think we're having tacos...or maybe spaghetti) in my stomach, and possibly some marshmallows, in honor of National Toasted Marshmallow Day, I should be able to get everything done that I need to...and maybe even a nap!

The hypnotist that is coming tonight is Daniel James, a comedy hypnotist from Las Vegas, who is supposed to be absolutely HILARIOUS! I really hope I can get enough homework done, so I am able to go!

Hump Day!

Thank goodness it's Wednesday! Wednesdays are one of the lighter days in my schedule, I get my morning of to a good start at 8 a.m. with Organic Chemistry, folllowed by an hour in the Admission Office between classes, from 9-10, Spanish from 10:10-11, and then Research Design and Statistics rounds out the academic part of my day from 11:15-12:05. I have an hour off for lunch or a nap, and then I'm back in the Admission Office from 1-3 p.m. I have another hour break and then volleyball practice and weightlifting from 4:15-6:30 p.m. After practice tonight, it's a quick dinner then off to the Student Activities Fair. The Student Activities fair is put on by the Office of Student Activities, and is a great opportunity for students to learn about all of the different organizations on campus and get involved in those they are interested in.

Some of the organizations I am involved in on campus include the Student Media and Activities Committee (SMAC), which organizes and schedules almost all of the events on campus; Chef's Anonymous, a small club for those with an affinity for cooking (or eating! :D); Orientation Committee, which is responsible for helping first-year students make a smooth transition into college; and I also play intramural sports such as inner-tube water polo, volleyball, and softball, and I think I am also going to get involved in the Pre-Med Society this year as well (in my spare time of course!) But I think getting involved on campus is the best thing you can do in college; it's a great way to meet people, and it's fun too. It really allows you to take charge of your college experience and make the most of it and what it has to offer!

--Christy

New Year, New Ripon!

When we came back to Ripon this year, there were a lot of people on campus already--consruction workers--who had been busy working throughout the summer to finish the many renovations on campus! Since first coming to Ripon, one year ago, I have seen the new College Apartments Senior Residence hall go up, the mailroom and the Pub rennovations, which are still being completed, the building of a new facility for our Plant Department, the rennovation of the Todd Wehr building, and still coming this year, the remodeling of the Pickard Commons.

The new Senior Apartments, located near Tri-Dorms and the Evans Admissions Center, are beautiful 4-person units, that come completely furnished, with air conditioning, and cable TV... they hardly sound like a dorm! I have spent a lot of time in the apartments so far and cannot wait to live in them my senior year! :)

The mailroom and the Pub are nearing the tail-end of their rennovations; the Pub actually opened for carry-out orders only today. The remodeling of these two spaces will open up a lot of space, and make the area more student-friendly, with more seating, computer terminals with internet access, and also a stage for concerts, comedians, or open-mic nights. I can't wait until the Pub is done; it will be a great place to eat, study, or just hang out with friends!

The Plant Department is in the process of building a new facility down by the Rodman Center for the Arts. Currently, the Plant Department is housed in the basement of the Pickard Commons, but the college is looking to free up that space and make it available for use by student organizations and clubs. The rennovated space in the Commons will have offices for a lot of the organizations on campus, and also serve as another place for students to have meetings, study, or just hang out...Starbucks is so close! :)

Todd Wehr, in 2005 (left) and newly rennovated (August 2007)

Lastly, our main classroom building, Todd Wehr, received quite a face-lift over the summer! Todd Wehr houses the education department, the psychology department, the business and economics departments, and the math and computer science departments. The rennovations over the summer include the addition of an elevator, removal of the window grates, new windows, a new heating system, enclosing the breezeway and the addition of 6 beautiful new classrooms!

--Christy

Another year at Ripon begins!!

It's hard to believe I am starting my sophomore year at Ripon this year! The summer went so fast, but I'm so glad to be back! I was on the Orientation Committee this year, so I returned to campus a week early for Fall Orientation training and also to begin volleyball practices. Fall orientation went well, except for all the rain, and classes began before I had any time to relax! Today will be the fourth day of classes already! I am a psychology major and also thinking pre-medicine, so I have a busy semester ahead of me! I am taking Organic Chemistry from 8-8:50am, followed by Spanish 211 from 10:10-11am, and then the Psychology course, Research Design and Statistics, from 11:15am-12:05pm. I start a little earlier than I would prefer, but that also means I'm done a lot earlier--except for Mondays when I have Chem lab from 1-4pm, or Tuesdays when I have Stats lab from 2-4pm.

Besides classes, I have also been busy with volleyball. During the pre-season, before classes started, we were practicing an average of twice a day, but with classes having begun, we are down to our usual once-a-day practice from 4:15-6pm. We had our first scrimmage this weekend at St. Norbert College, and I think the season looks bright for us! We have 9 returners, 5 of those starters last year, and 4 rookies this year, who will make a great contribution! I am looking forward to the season and to our first tournament this weekend!

Finals are right around the corner...

This weekend was beautiful! I ran in the RC2 half-marathon/10k on Saturday morning...and finished the 6 miles in 58 minutes! I was pretty tired after that, so I took a nap, did some reading, then it was time for Springfest! Springfest was a blast! :)
Sunday I went to the baseball double-header, where I read a little, got a little sun, and watched the boys beat Lawrence!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend!

Me finishing the 10k!

My girls and me!

The Hush Sound!!!

Today was the last day for a lot of my classes...I had a Latin final test and two other classes. Tomorrow is the very last day of classes, then Wednesday is Reading Day (no finals), then the exams begin! I have one on Thursday, a couple of take-home exams due Friday, and then my last final is next Monday.

--Christy

A Run, Fun, and a whole lot of studying!

Tomorrow morning is the Ripon College/Ripon Community half-marathon and 10k for my Theories in Motivation Class. It leaves at 8 am from Storzer, and I am only doing the 10k, so I am expecting to run for about an hour, but I am starting to get nervous!! After the race, the festivities of Springfest begin! From 1-4 pm there will be activities around the Union, including: Inflatable Laser Tag, Cooler Racers, and Bungee Bull, then at 4 o'clock the bands start! Elements of Style kicks it off, followed by Modern Giants at 5, Northern Room at 6:45, Villains of Verona at 7:45, and the Hush Sound at 9! After the music it's time for a little dancing, as Theta Chi hosts a Springfest lounge party!!

Sunday the baseball team hosts a double-header against Lawrence at 1pm and the Equestrian Club is going riding at the stable from 1-3...so I am torn! But one thing is for sure: this weekend will be fun, but also a lot of studying!

Tonight the Senior Art Majors' Exhibit opens and there is also a Jazz Ensemble concert, which I am planning on going to, my friend Tyler plays the sax and tells me he has lots of solos! So I can't wait to hear him!!

--Christy

Busy Busy!

Today I only had one class, but here's what my schedule looked like for the afternoon:

work 12-2 pm
English 2:10-4 pm
IM softball game 4 pm
Orientation Committee meeting 5-6 pm
Dinner 6 pm

Smoking Aces 9 pm

Tonight SMAC is showing Smoking Aces in Bear Auditorium at 9 o'clock...they are giving away over $700 in prizes, including 2 30GB iPods! So I am definitely going to go to that!! :-)

Tomorrow I only have two classes; at 1:05 and at 2:30, so it will be a good chance to rest up before the 10k on Saturday!

--Christy

The Ending of a Beautiful Weekend and the Beginning of A Busy Week

This weekend was beautiful, and we sure took advantage of the weather here on campus! Friday night SSS (Student Support Services) took a bus to the Brewers game, SMAC sponsored an outdoor acoustic concert featuring Michael Wideburg, and the Alpha Delta Pi sorority sponsored a relay for life and brat/hamburger fry in the Save-A-Lot parking lot.

Saturday was Merriman's Ultimate Frisbee Tournament to raise money for a family striken with leukemia, and also the WFCA State Froensics Tournament on campus, so that was neat as well! I had a volleyball tournament at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee all day, so I missed out.

Sunday was Expo, I gave a speech on the College Search Process, cabossed a tour, and chatted with prospective students and their families. Sunday was also Phi Delta Theta's "Firefighter Run," so the guys were dressed in full fire attire, running laps around the Quads to raise money for our Fire Department and fire awareness. The weather was beautiful and everyone was outside--participating in the firefighter obstacle course, playing volleyball, football, frisbee, soccer--you name it! The music was playing and everyone was having a good time! Sunday night Residence Life sponsored a cook-out in the Quads, which was nice too!

The Fire Truck!

Look at those fine Firefighters!

The Phi Delts running!

It was a great weekend and I am sorry to leave it behind, because these next couple of weeks are going to be very busy!

--Christy

Rolling Toward Another Weekend

I cannot believe how fast the time is going! Yesterday I had class all day then volleyaball practice from 5:30-7, Chef's Anonymous had a smoothie and frappachino night, and there was also an Open Mic night at the Terrace sponsored by SMAC, but I was so exhausted, I ended up just going back to my room to relax after volleyball.

Today on campus there is a Blood Drive, so I might try to stop by there, I only have one class from 2-4, but I am showing my room for Admission tours and then hosting a prospective student from Colorado tonight, so I'm really looking forward to that! It should be a lot of fun! I have an intramural volleyball game at 8:30, but other than that I will probably just relax tonight, and maybe play some frisbee or throw a football around! It should be a nice night for that!

--Christy

Tuesday Tournament!

Yesterday the weather was gorgeous, so last night I went for a run in the prairie with my friend Cameron, it was my first time ever being out there, and it was BEAUTIFUL! I am so sad that I didn't go out there sooner! There is a bench out there, at the top of the hill, and it's Cameron's favorite spot on campus...and it's quickly climbing the list of my favorite spots on campus! :o)

Today I have two classes: Spanish from 10:10-11 and then English from 2:10-4, but I might have to leave English a little early because we have a volleyball tournament at Lakeland College tonight. There are seven of us driving over in vans, and we play three matches. I am pretty excited!! But I have to miss my intramural volleyball game, and we are playing the other team that is undefeated tonight! I am sure the "Diggas" will overcome my absence and continue our winning ways!!

--Christy

Two Weeks to Go!

The time sure has flown, I can't believe we only have two weeks left of classes! The weather is finally turning around and it's looking more like Spring! Yesterday was the Chi Bowl, and the weather was beautiful! My friend Jess and I brought our homework and a pair of sunglasses and went out to watch the boys play on Upper Sadhoff. There was quite the crowd! The Sigmas ended up winning it, but I'm not sure what the score was. After the game I went back to my room to do some homework and laundry before volleyball practice. Then after practice it was more homework.

Here are a few pictures from the game:

The Boys

Watching the Game

The Boys of Sigma Chi

Today I have an exam in Psychopathology and a project due for Latin, but tonight looks to be more relaxing, so I am planning on going for a run and going to bed early!

--Christy

T.G.I.F.

Ahhh, it is finally Friday. Time to kick back and relax. Just kidding! This weekend is going to be very busy! Tonight I am going to the Heidel House for dinner with some friends to see another friend that is working tonight, then we're going to the One-Acts tonight, student-directed plays that are supposed to be very funny, but I'll have to miss the Murder Mystery! There are just too many choices! Today is also my friend Eugene's birthday, so we're celebrating that tonight too!
Tomorrow I am going shopping with the girls and then to the Graffiti party and then Sunday is the Chi Bowl and somewhere in there I need to do a project and study for an exam!! It doesn't look like I'll be catching up on very much sleep this weekend!

--Christy

Tired Thursday

Today I only had one class: from 2:10-4, and I worked before from 12-2, but I am so exhausted! All of my late nights earlier this week have caught up to me! But there is no end in sight! I have a psychopathology exam on Monday and also a Latin project due Monday. And this weekend looks to be busy! Tomorrow is one of my friend's birthdays and also a Murder Mystery sponsored by Residence Life, and then Saturday Jess and I are taking a day trip to Appleton to go shopping, and then Sigma Chi is having a Graffiti Party Saturday night, but there is also the "Mud Run" going on Saturday afternoon, a 5k run for the Pre-Med Society, and on Sunday is the "Chi Bowl": Theta Chi vs. Sigma Chi in football! So that should be a lot of fun to watch! Now I just need to get some of this homework done so I do some of these things this weekend!

--Christy

Winter Returns for Round Two :(

Today when I woke up there was snow on the ground! I was so disappointed, I want the warm weather back! We only have a month left of school--it should not be snowing! But students are not letting the snow get the best of us! There are a TON of activities goiong on tonight! Residence Life is sponsoring a Karoke Night at the Terrace, SMAC is sponsoring a trip to a private show at Comedy Sportz, a comedy club in Madison, the Equestrian Club is having its kick-off event, and Chefs Anonymous is hosting "A Night at the Ballpark," where we will be cooking homemade Crackerjacks, nachos, and beer-brats. I also have volleyball practice tonight, but I'm going to go to Chefs Anonymous after, and try to make it to the Karoke Night later! It's going to be a busy night!!

--Christy

Another Tuesday...

Today hasn't been very exciting so far...I had a Spanish exam this morning, then English this afternoon. I sent in my registration for the Ripon College/Ripon Community Half-Marathon/10k, which is coming up in three weeks!

Tonight I have a SMAC meeting at 8pm, so I won't be able to go to the last SARC (Spirituality Association of Ripon College) speaker tonight, professor Paul Jeffries, who will be talking about the role of spiritual practices in the Christian tradition. Other than the SMAC meeting I will be working on a case report for psychopathology and studying some new vocab for Spanish.

--Christy

What a WICKED weekend! :-)

Happy Easter to all!

Most students on campus went home to spend the weekend with their families, but my family came to me! My parents and my sister drove over on Friday night and my sister stayed with me in the dorm. On Saturday I helped with a volleyball camp at the Boys and Girls Club in Berlin and after that we drove down to Chicago for the night to go to the musical Wicked.
Wicked was amazing! We bought the soundtrack, so I have been jamming to it in my room! :)

These next few days will be busy though, I have a Spanish test tomorrow and have to finish my workbook and write a "mi diario" and then I have a case report due by Wednesday, so I will be running on little sleep and a lot of Dr. Pepper!

--Christy

Intramural Tuesday!

Today is Tuesday, which means one thing: intramural volleyball tonight! I absolutely love playing intramurals, and so do a lot of other people on campus, as more than 60% of students participate in IM's. Right now I'm just playing volleyball, but softball is coming up soon, so I'm pretty excited for that too!

This past weekend three ftaternities on campus had their formals and I went to the Theta Chi one, it was a blast! It was at Wedgewood in Algoma, about 25 minutes from Ripon.

Here are a few photos from formal:

My friend Jess and me with our flowers from our dates!

My date, John, and me on the bus to Wedgewood

The Theta Chi boys!

--Christy

Tired Thursday

One more day until Spring Break, but it will definitely be a tiring one! My one class that I usually have today was cancelled because my professor's dad is very sick, so I have a few more hours to study for my exams tomorrow and to finish up my paper!
Then tonight I have my first meeting for Orientation Committee. OC is responsible for helping to make the transition from high school to college a smooth one. I am so excited to be on OC! It is the best group of people on campus and we are sure to have a ton of fun!
We also need to finish up our application for our living group next year, "Think PINK." Me and five of my girl friends are creating this living group to stay together next year and also to increase awareness about health issues facing women today, such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, and many others. Hopefully it all works out!

--Christy

Spring Fever

With only two more days until spring break, many of us are catching spring fever! This last weekend many of my friends went home to pack for their vacations. A couple of my friends are going to North Carolina on a service trip through the college and I know a lot of people who are going to Florida, some who are staying with family, and a few who are going down to support the baseball team! I am going to Mexico with some friends from home, so I am pretty excited!

I am excited for Spring Break, but I'm not on vacation yet--I have three exams this week and a paper due, so I have been pretty busy studying. Monday and Tuesday were elections for next year's Student Senate executive positions, so there are flyers everywhere from the doors to the showers. Last night in the Commons was a candlelight ceremony in honor of a woman who had worked in the commons and was killed in an automobile accident on Saturday. It was a very moving dinner. Also last night, President Joyce spoke at the SARC (Spirituality Association of Ripon) meeting about his personal journey through Christianity. I wish I could have been able to attend, however I had a SMAC meeting at that time.

--Christy

A turbulent Thursday!

It is VERY windy out today, and with the mix of snow, sleet, and rain, I am very glad I don't have any classes today. My English class was cancelled because the professor is attending a writing conference in Atlanta. So all I am doing today is working, doing some homework, and then tonight I am going to see "A Plague of Angels" which is being produced by the Theatre Department. It was written by Mark St. Germain, and is “Typhoid Mary” Mallon’s story of detainment and the public’s health. A drama that deals with the legal system, responsible medicine, scientific advances, personal struggles for identity, the power of life and death over others, and religion. So it should be very interesting!

Yesterday was a pretty busy day as well, I am in charge of designing the Student Planner for next year, so we took the photograph for the cover yesterday, it turned out well! We had open gym for volleyball, worked out in the Fitness Center, and watched a video for my Half-Marathon class in the Collaborative Learning Center.

--Christy