Tuesday, December 29, 2009

It's almost time to go back to Steubenville

As you can see from the title, it's almost time to go back to Steubenville for the spring semester. I'm planning to head back on Monday. The break has gone by so fast. It seems like just yesterday that I left for NJ for the break. Now it's almost time to go back. But it's been a good break.

Books: I ordered textbooks for my classes last week. It wasn't as expensive as it was last semester. But I made sure I ordered my books early so I could get used books. I will pick them up once I get back to Steubenville.

Orientation: I will be helping with spring orientation this time around. That is one reason why I'm going back so early. I'm looking forward to helping the new students, especially since people helped me when I was a new student last semester.

There's not much to update on right now. I spent Christmas with my family and my cats. It's nice to be back in Carteret. It's especially nice that I don't have to pump gas. Come Monday, I'll have to go back to pumping my own gas again. But it'll be good to see everyone at Franciscan again.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Grades are in, and I'm home for Christmas

As you can see from the title, I am back in NJ for break and I got my grades from the fall semester.

As for grades:
Intro to Catechetics, C+ (not bad considering the power outage the night before)
Intermediate French I, C+
Philosophy of the Human Person, B-
Foundations of Catholicism, D+ (failing the midterm really did me in)
PBS I, B-
So overall, I passed all of my classes, got at least a C+ in Intro to Catechetics, and don't have to retake PBS I. I'm hoping that next semester will be much better. The only D's I want to see are in my name.

Back in NJ: As you can see, I am back in NJ for the break. I left Ohio on Friday morning. It was 13 degrees that morning. I had breakfast in Bob Evans, since the caf was closed for break. And I saw a lot of Franciscan students there (some of whom are my friends and classmates). So it was nice not being surrounded by strangers. I made sure I brought home a couple of orders of biscuits since my mom loves their biscuits. But anyway, it took me about eight hours to get back to Carteret. The weather was pretty good going out, though it was cold. My hands froze while I was pumping the gas (Ohio and Pennsylvania need full serve gas). There wasn't much traffic on the road, even on the NJ Turnpike (which surprised me). But I will be in NJ until January 4th, when I will head back to Steubenville for orientation for Spring 2010. I will be an orientation leader, probably with the Grad/Non Trad group (since I'm a Non Trad).

So I am enjoying the time off. I am so glad I will not be taking 15 credits again next semester. I think that next semester will not be as busy as this semester was. So if I don't write another entry until after Christmas, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you all next semester!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Fall semester is now done

As you can read from the title, the fall semester has come to an end. I have been really busy the last few weeks. Here is an update as to what has been happening.

Thanksgiving: I got to go home for Thanksgiving break. It was good to go home and see everyone. And it was nice not having to pump my own gas. But anyway, it was a good holiday. I spent the majority of the time doing homework, especially for PBS. I went back to Ohio the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It was a short break, but a good one.

Finals: Just a lot of studying. But at least they were more spread out, unlike my midterms. So I was able to devote more time towards studying for finals. And I think I did much better than I did during midterms. I took my last final today...I don't know how I did. I'll find out soon.

Power outage in Steubenville: Yesterday there was a massive power outage in Steubenville. No one had power, or heat. At my apartment, the lights had come on just long enough for me to get ready to type a paper for my intro to catechetics class. The lights went out at around 7pm and stayed out all night. Plus there was no heat. And it was freezing cold outside, in the teens or twenties. It was also extremely windy. I pretty much spent the night freezing in my apartment. I even wore two sets of PJ's. At around 5:30am, I said enough is enough. I got dressed, and drove over to Christ the King for the 6:30am mass. I figured that they would at least have heat, and they did. I was at the point that if the power did not come back on in my apartment by the time I got back home, then I would spend the night in the Holiday Inn on University Blvd. But the power did come back on, so I didn't have to check into a hotel. I just hope it does not happen again.

So tomorrow I head back to NJ for winter break. It's supposed to be in the twenties tomorrow in Steubenville. Too cold for me! I'll see you all in NJ.