Post #9 Where's My Home?

Last weekend my mom came to visit for my cheerleading banquet. While she was getting ready to leave she teared up (of course) and said "I can't wait for you to be home in 2 weeks." With out a pause I replied "I am home." She laughed and told me that no this is not my home, this is my school and my home is with my family. Not wanting to start anything, I replied that I was just joking of course.



Why I said that I don't really know...

I didn't even mean to call Penn State my home, but it was just a natural reaction, like I almost wanted to defend Penn State and make sure my mom knew that this is a home to me. You will constantly hear people say that home is where the heart is. As much as my heart is at my home in Maryland, Penn State has become just as much of a home. My friends, my team, and I consider each other family, because when your actual family is so far away you need someone else to depend on.




Penn State is where my heart is. I know it is corny and when I decided to come to Penn State I thought that the amount of love people had for this school was silly, but after just 9 months I completely understand. When you come to Penn State you become a part of something magical and you can't help but be overwhelmed with pride. Not pride because this is such a great place, but pride because you found a place to somehow love you as much as you love it. Penn State would be nothing without its students, faculty, and alumni.

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This was a rocky year for Penn State with out a doubt. From scandals to riots to our beloved Pa passing on, we stood strong. Together we have created a huge 40,000 person family and a true home away from home.

Post #8 Lion Tutors to the Rescue!

I am currently taking a break from studying for Econ 102 with Dirk Mateer to write this blog post about the lovely lion tutors. I was excited when I heard that Dirk Mateer was the best Economics professor at Penn State and that he made class fun and interactive. Over time I learned that this is definitely true. Dirk took more time than I have yet to see any college professor take to prepare an engaging and exciting lesson plan for each and every class. He plays pump up music with lyrics having to do with Econ at the start of each class, refers to our points in class as dollars that we must earn, provides a note packet that we simply need to fill out in a few places, plays tons of games and has polls to reiterate lesson, and overall seems to be very happy to teach us twice a week.

With all that said, how come I still struggled to stay awake and pay attention in class? My class started at 9:45, which in high school would have been a blessing, but now seems difficult and early. I feel bad that the day before the exam I had to go to a lion tutor study session because I didn't appreciate Dirk's teaching to the fullest. Nonetheless, that was the case and lion tutors did not disappoint. Although I had never used them before and the $40 fee seemed a bit high, I think that it was well worth the money.

I received a 40 page notes and review packet that the tutor spent 4 hours going over, with examples of course. In addition to that I got a packet of practice questions with answers and detailed explanations. I'm happy that I decided to use lion tutors because they just may be the difference between me receiving and A or B in the class. 

Post #7 Here Comes The Sun

Now I think that it was pretty obvious today that the heat (around 80 degrees) was like something we have seemingly never experienced, now that we live in the lovely -but chilly- Happy Valley. I never thought that I would be living in a place where I knew about the predicted temperature 3 days prior, or that everyone would be talking about it. Sunday night around 11:30 pm, I checked the weather forecast for one last time. It was still predicting Monday to be sunny and 80. THIS WAS A MIRACLE. For once I was actually excited to get up for class this morning because I knew that my first step outside would bring warmth and joy. I don't know about the rest of you, but for my first summer-like day I planned to fully commit. Here is my list of things to do when you haven't felt true warmth (other than Penn State's blasting radiators) in more than 6 months.

Step 1: Wake up about 30 minutes earlier than usual, for the pure bliss of being alive and healthy... Because for some reason I am more thankful to be alive when I am warm.
Step 2: Shower and apply make up as if I will be seen by someone I actually want to impress... Don't act like you look your best for a day that you have one class with a professor and people that you do not in any way strive to impress.
Step 3: Wear a sun-dress. (sorry guys but this one is for the ladies) If you didn't wear some sort of dress or summery skirt today, you know you wanted to.
Step 4: Use earthy canvas bag instead of black jansport backpack... because the beautiful sun does not  deserve to be blinded by my dark depressing backpack.
Step 5: While walking to your one and only class of the day, text your best friend hoping they aren't busy and opt to skip class to have lunch with them. Sorry but it had to be done. I mean really IT WAS 80 DEGREES OUT.

Step 6: After eating a salad and iced tea (because warmth makes me want to be healthy) spend next 3 hours laying in the grass somewhere doing homework... fine I read magazines, but I did try at first.
Step 7: Go back to dorm and sleep for 2 hours to regain strength since body forgot what touch of sunlight felt like and is now having dehydrational breakdown.
Step 8: Check the forecast for tomorrow and cringe at the drop in temperature.
Step 9: Stumbleupon/ Pinterest pictures of warm places, bikinis, and summer foods.
Step 10: Write blog to reiterate how badly I need another day like today, and soon!

Hope you enjoyed my post.

What did everyone else do on this beautiful day?