Fall 2012 Schedule

I haven't realized that I've never posted this fall's schedule. One thing I love about college is that it is so structured, but at the same time, so versatile.
It changes every semester.  I want to remember my schedules from each semester. This semester has been pretty laid back-I did not feel as though I was constantly on the go-or maybe I got used to it.
So this fall my schedule went like this:

Monday
Diverse Learner Math Class 8-10:45
Retention Office (work) 10:45-4ish
Babysitting 5:30-9:30

Tuesday
Get homework done, etc. 8-9:00
Field Experience 10-3:00
Historical Fiction Capstone Class 3:30-4:45
Tutoring 5:10-7:10
I always come home feelings so exhausted but almost always have homework to do

Wednesday
Language Learner Class 8-10:45
Retention Office (work) 10:45-3:30
Piano 4-4:30
Cell Group 5:30-7:00
Choir 7-9:00

Thursday
Pre-school 9:30-11:30
Retention Office (work) 12-3:15
Historical Fiction Capstone Class 3:30-4:45
Assessments of Special Education Class 5:00-7:45
Youth Prayer 8:00-9:30

Friday
Diverse Learner Science Class 8-10:45
Retention Office (work) 10:45-4ish
Evening prayer service 7-9:00

Weekends: Homework, trips, parties, church conferences, teaching conferences. etc.
This is the first semester since I started the program that I actually had weekends where I did not touch my school work at all. It wasn't that I did not have as much work-I just became very good at time management I guess.

Blessings,

November 15th

Hi all. 

November 15th-a day I've been wanted to be over with since the beginning of the semester. 
You see back when I started the English major I was told there is these huge 15-18 page research paper you have to do for your last English course. At that point, it was scary. I was used to writing 4-5 pages max! In taking at least 10 English classes, I grew comfortable with writing lengthier papers. 
This semester I am taking my last English class ever. It's definitely bittersweet. I came in knowing there was going to be this paper I had to write. Well, guess what? Today I submitted it and I am D.O.N.E.. I am so relieved. 
It was such a long process because I had to write a proposal, make an argument, find sources (so difficult!) to use in the research paper, and have a topic that I can easily fill 15-18 pages with. This past month all that was on the back of my mind as I gathered everything I needed to write it. It was only God who gave me wisdom to create an argument and write this paper. 

My well-rounded cousin edited my paper when I just had no strength left to keep reading it over and over again. It seemed like I could make changes every single time I read it. That's how it always is with papers though. Thank you again Ira for spending an hour of your life reading a paper that won't affect me in life-although it does mark this major milestone of completing the English major.

Today I also got an iPhone. My patience was really tested since I had to wait 40 minutes to be served.

Blessings,
Lesya
 

Friday Fun

Hi all.

Friday mornings are most difficult for me to get up for school. I very much feel like I should have the day off ;) I take a class about teaching science to elementary school students (not content, but teaching strategies) and everyone has to demonstrate a science experiment to the class. Today we put m&ms in water and this is what we got. Yes, the letter m comes off the candy. This works with skittles too.

While I was in school, my mom went on a field trip to the farm with Andrew's kindergarten class. Leah went too. They had so much fun! They brought home three pumpkins which I'll be using for pumpkin pie of course. 

I didn't go to church today because I was just so tired. I had to go to the mall today, and felt so burned out afterwards. So, I stayed with the kids. Leah took out her guitar and said, "we are going to sing songs about Jesus Christ" Andrew said, "yes let's sing about Jesus" "No Andrew, we are going to sing a song about Jesus crying on the cross." Then they start singing the song "On the Cross" which is family favorite. Leah sings so well for a 3 year old-on key and has the melody down. She's starting to sing more and more!

Blessings,

Lesya

Mid-Semester

Hi all. 

It's almost mid-semester break around here, and time is flying quicker than ever with school. I'm at a point right now, where I really do not know where I will end up next fall at this time, or what I will be doing. Only the Lord knows. My grandmother did a good job of reminded me the other day saying that no matter what I plan, it will be the Lord's plan that prevails (the beauty of being a Christian). 

This past Monday I had no desire to get up and start the day. I prayed that God would give me the strength and wisdom to do all that I had to do-and He dad! He is so faithful and good. Many times in school I feel like I'm in the middle of a storm, unsure of how to get out or when it will pass, but in the end, without realizing, the rains pass and the sun comes! I find myself in awe of how everything came together. I could feel like I did not do well, but the results show the opposite. It's like I have to go through a few days of storm-my worries, anxieties, etc. in order to reach the sunny days when all I could think is to say, "thank you Lord." 

I'd like to share this Bible verse that sums up all I've been talking about. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

May all the glory be given to Jesus for all he has done for me and for you, in our weaknesses.

Blessings,

Lesya

Time for an Update

Hi everyone. 

I hate that I do not blog much these days. It's not that there is nothing to blog about, it's just that by the time I come to my room at night, I'm so tired that it's either read the Bible or blog. I get too tired for both.

A few weeks ago for our education classes we went to a park and had class there. Basically, the teachers wanted to demonstrate what you could do with a class at a park. Olga and I are in every class together, but one, and we have so much fun! She had been such a blessing in my life, and such an encouragement to go on with the whole college thing when I had doubts. In the back of my mind I always think maybe, just maybe there is a chance we teach together one day. We would make a great team-I think.

Saturday, September 29th we went to The Hunter Conference on young children. I loved it! We presented a poster there, about a math game that we created. Ashley, who is pictured, we met through the education program, and now the three of us hang out all the time. Totally random-but look at those cheeks of mine. Oh boy. I really need to start some kind of fitness program. 

I feel like I am literally always on the run. One morning I was running behind, and I casually asked Nick to get me some food/snacks since I was going to come home after 9 that night. I didn't expect him to, but he gathered all these snacks and things for me. I thought that was so sweet. Nick is the brother who is most "aware" in the kitchen, from all the brothers.  He is not confused when you tell him to lower the heat on the stove, or go get me some garlic. The rest, they would of told me, "I don't know what you want...I don't know where everything is..."(The other bros make up for it in other areas though :)) I had to blog this sweet brotherly kindness.

 

I have more pictures and things to share, but I'll do that another day.

Blessings,

Lesya

New Week. New Schedule.

Hi everyone.

Well the semester has begun and so a new schedule comes hand in hand with that.

I love my Education classes. It's the "real deal" now. No more, "I can get away with not reading that article, etc." if I want to come out fully equipped for teaching. Not that I would want to not read something but I'm afraid I just don't have enough time. I'm trying to maREnage my time as much as possible but this is what I have for this weekend (have to have all this stuff done by Monday night)

• Read the first 100 pages of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. It's a very good book everyone. I do recommend you read it. (This is done)
• Read intro and chapter 1 (30 pages) of the book Literacy Development in the Early Years. (You can get a sense of the classes I'm taking. I'm soo excited to be able to learn methods of teaching various subjects.)
• Two other articles regarding children and reading (about 10 pages each I'd say) and answer 3 reader response questions. I don't remember the last time I had to do reader response!
• Read the first 217 pages of the book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. (This is actually due Thurs but I know I have to get the majority done this weekend.) It's for my Teaching Elementary Social Studies class. Good thing I don't have any assignment along with the reading.
• Read intro and chapter 1 of Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Problems. 
• Write my first practice IEP. 
• Read Shakespeare's play Titus Andronicus (110 pages) and do like 8 study questions I believe.
• Read an article (20 pages) of how African American Women are misrepresented in literature. (Almost done)

I'm not writing this for anyone to pity me or think that I am "overrating" the amount of work I have to do. Thing is all these things take a while for me. I don't know, either I'm slow, or that's just how it is. I'm writing this because I want to remember how my semester started off. I feel quite overwhelmed right now. I don't remember last semester starting off like this...although it ended like this which is typical. Anyway, in the end I know I will (well not me, but God who is in me) pull through and do well with God's help.

Now onto some cuter things:

She looks like such a big girl in this picture. I could totally picture what she's going to look like when she is going to be a "big girl."  Today I asked her why she doesn't like me. She said, "you're going to have to wait till I''m older." I asked why. She didn't say anything until I repeated myself several times and said, "because Mom said that." My mom did tell me that one time, and this little girl hears everything! She could be playing with her "dollies" and a few hours later use a line you said that she overheard. She put the band aid there for no reason.

These days she says she is not going to go to school. "I'm gonna stay home with Mommy" is her response when we ask why.

After she broke a plate the other day (in my sight) I started cleaning and said "Leah be careful next time." She said, "Andrew did it." I said, "but I saw you." "No Andrew did it," she says.

Today I was talking to her and she covered her ears and said, "I can't hear you. I can't hear you." That was something new!

I finally, after three years told Nick to give me my iPod back and Andrew has discovered games and likes to play them sooo much! Ugghhh...

Tomorrow is Sunday school. I hope it goes well. I am going to have them listen to the Bible story as an audio skit. I hope it goes well. The lesson is about peacemakers..."blessed are the peacemakers..."

Blessings,
Lesya

Overdue

I meant to post this for myself a few weeks ago but I didn't so I'm recording all this now!

This past (Fall 2011) semester was a busy one!

Looking back at the amount I read and wrote just makes me say "wow" of course college kids are going to be sleep deprived and have "no life." 

So here go the numbers (all classes put together):

Papers/essays: 12 

Additionally, we had plenty of "mini" papers

(College is "only" 15 weeks) Basically a paper every weekend. No wonder I was sooo sick of them by the end!

Novels I've read: 14

There were plenty of short stories too. Sometimes I could not keep up with the readings because of so little time...so technically I read about 12 of them fully, and skimmed like 3.

I did, however, only take 5 exams through out the semester so that was very different and nice I guess; but sometimes I wished we'd have an exam instead of writing papers. 

I hope one day I'll look at this and remember how "hard" I worked in college. It's not as hard as it is time consuming.

Anyway that's that.

A few other things on my mind:

I lost a library book! (Well I didn't actually take great measures to look for it) but it's overdue and ughh I already have to pay the library more than $10 I think for stupid reasons-like not renewing the books. Does anyone else have these kinds of library experiences?!

I think that is the only thing "on my mind" besides I can't seem to stop eating these days! I don't know if that's what being home does to you but I basically "eat for fun."

Blessings,

Lesya

Monday Thoughts

Hi all!

Just some random "Monday Thoughts" I'm going to record here.

 I do not like driving on rainy roads at night...actually I find it easier when there are less cars and lights around. Can't wait for dark and snowy driving...

Speaking of cars and driving...I love our family car situation. It had forced our family to communicate often; not that we don't communicate enough but these car conversations are always taking place such as: oh well I was going to go then, but if you need the car I'll go later. No it's okay, you can drive me, No, I'll stay home. I'll ask someone to get me. Go, go it's okay if I'm late. When will you be home? I need the car and so forth. My car is basically fixed except that my father disapproves of the paint job so that will slow the process down. Again. Hopefully end of next week I'll have my car...right when exams end and I don't truly "need" it. Fine with me though!

I am loving the Christmas season. Love the songs being played on the radio; the upcoming Christmas church services and just the idea of a white Christmas free of school work,  and relaxing at home with the family during cold December nights. I am excited for New Years planning and cell group meetings. Basically, can you tell I am anxious for school to be over with? Unlike last year, I will actually have a winter break.

Yes everyone, God bless you on your finals! I am soo worn out from school. This semester I did not have a weekend where I did not do at least 8 hours of homework, however this is my last week of class and next week after finals I'm done! Lord give me strength! I'm in a position right now where I have to maintain my grades where they are at, so I don't want to get a B on anything or else I will be greatly disappointed. Also I am feeling sick. I don't know, maybe it is all this schooling, but I always feel tired ; like I need sleep during the day even when I had a good nights sleep. My head always feels, I don't know, heavy? I'm also back with my sleeping problems...can't fall asleep for at least an hour every night. Anyway I am just going to complain from here on so I'll stop there..next post I'll be positive ;)

Blessings,

Lesya

Back to School...

Hi friends!
I've officially went to all my 3-credit courses. I'm taking a 1-credit course that starts tomorrow night, but they have all been great so far! I feel like this is going to be a great semester. It won't be easy, but it won't be difficult, just time consuming.

I stopped by Barnes and Noble and bought this planner after classes, and after tutoring. I can't wait to get organized. Reminded me of Hilton with the black and red. I also bought a white board for tutoring at Target.

Afterwards, I stopped by my aunt's house and had tea with her, my uncle and their little Lina. She's such a funny girl, and says the cutest thing! My aunt gave me like this white paper they had and as I was leaving Lina was like, "Lesya, you have to say thank you for that!" Too cute. This is Lina and my aunt at family camp :) Love this mommy-daughter picture.

This past week, again, I've had problems falling asleep. Last night it took me more than an hour. The next day you wake up so tired :( and my eyes were red, etc. Does anyone have any falling asleep tips? No, I wasn't nervous about school, or worried. I just can't fall asleep. It might be that I get overly tired?

Blessings,
Lesya

Finally...

From my embarrassing red car...

To my not so embarrassing silver car. 

I drove to MCC Wednesday for my last day of class, and took this car. Alesya was the first person to put gas in. While I went in and paid, she started the pumping. What a good friend ;)She was also the first to drive in it with me. LOL.

SPEAKING OF MCC....

Alesya and I would meet up at Starbucks before our class, catch up on how our day went. Laugh out loud. Something funny always happened. Then we would rush to get to class and I would make it exactly on time.  

 Later I'd sit and wait for Alesya to be done with class. My class starts earlier, so it ends first. This is my view from the 3rd floor science building. Beautiful MCC;)

 

Then we'd take the long walk to our car. One of us parked at Starbucks and we drove together because smart Alesya proposed getting one parking ticket.
Farewell MCC, I will miss you. We will always be in my thoughts.

Blessings, 

Lesya

Class

Hi Friends,
One week left until my summer class is over!
Anyway I wanted to blog about the everyday things I hear in my American Gothic class. Oh and I have to participate in discussion.
So class what kind of spooky images do we see in this text? What is supernatural and out of the ordinary?

Who is the damsel in distress? In this case does she die being that way, or find a way out?

What do you think about the home? Does it look ordinary? Are there any spirits within? 

We will be watching the movie Beloved. Don't watch it. It's freaky, although it was one of the better movies we saw.

What do you think of the character killing his wife, instead of the cat? What about him hiding her in the basement? 

Do you think this could be real? 

So yes, I've had enough of this class! One presentation, and final and I'll be all done =)

Basically I've been in school for an extra 8 weeks this year because of winter/summer courses, so thankfully its almost over. Now onto working on my presentation :( which I don't want to do.