Well, we have officially hit that halfway point - Spring Break. This week off was a refreshing and energizing break from the same old routine. While I ended up working a full 40 hours at my other job (my alter ego is Laura Houser-Bank Teller), not worrying about deadlines for homework was nice. Ideally I would have gotten a head start on the things I have due this week, but all that "smart thinking" kind of slipped my mind a few hours after my last class! What can I say?!

Other than working, I spent a lot of time relaxing. I did a little of spring clothes shopping and clearing up some space on the good ole DVR. I also got a chance to see some post-season basketball action. My boyfriend attends Kansas State University and bought us both tickets to their first-round NIT game against Illinois State. That was quite the exciting event! Also, now that the weather seems to be warming up, I am definitely in the mood for some baseball! I am looking forward to watching a few Jets spring sports events. Good luck, Jets!

All I can ask is that you keep in mind the words of Robin Williams, "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'" Go out and enjoy the day... Just don't blow away!

Labels: "Spring Break", baseball, Basketball, relaxing, shopping, weather, working

While the saying for March weather is known to be "In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb," I find it to be applicable to March events as well. However, I am beginning to notice a new trend: the lamb is no more; once the lion arrives, the lion likes to stay and lounge a bit! My schedule is so full that I just seem to hop from place to place to place. I say this especially because so many projects and assignments are due not too long after spring break. Amazingly enough, this is when things really start to get exciting (and that's not just because it's always a miracle to see just how much you can get done during those all-nighters).

The first list of events the lion brings is registering for fall classes. Holy cow, right?! I just got into the spring groove, and you are already throwing fall at me?! Whoa there, hoss. On the other hand, it is nice to have a heads up for what to expect. My Fall 2009 semester is referred to as "Block B" of the Education Program. During this block, I will take classes that are much more specific to the Secondary Education degree. This also means that I will only have one (at best) other classmate. Should be quite interesting. Once I have registered, I am awarded a nice break known as "Spring Break". A "break" that will be filled with putting in extra hours at my job! I am thinking about taking advantage of Newman night at the Thunder hockey game... For some reason, I always did enjoy hockey. I suspect it has something to do with the fights. Who knows.

Another important event to keep in mind is the Career Fair on March 26. I predict a big turnout considering the demand for jobs right now. Also, try to make it to one of the many sporting events this spring. It's always nice to have to hunt for a place to sit! Overall, that's March in a nutshell... April can wait!

Labels: "Spring Break", Career Fair, education, Secondary Education, Thunder hockey, weather

Okay so I will admit that the "title" is a bit cliché and makes most Kansans cringe, but I feel that it best represents the overall "theme" of this entry... Not to mention the fact that I LOVE the Wizard of Oz. What can I say?! Anyway, time to move on.

The past couple of weeks have represented typical Kansas (if there is such a thing). The typical that I am defining is the weather. We have had several consecutive days of 60+ degree weather and then some snow flurries and a high of 22. Wow. Way to go, Kansas. Despite the fact that these frequent changes have sent my allergies into a confused frenzy, I still love Kansas. For the most part, I have noticed this could generally be said for anyone's "home." A lot of Kansans tend to complain about the wind and the weather, but a lot of them tend to miss it once they're gone. You know what they always say, absence makes the heart grow fonder! But seriously, I encourage you to click your heels together and really think about what makes home "home."

For me, it's the people and the general demeanor of the state. Kansas is pretty laid-back; people still smile and hold doors. The flint hills really disprove the whole "Kansas is flat as a pancake" theory. (I really encourage you to make a drive through there some spring when a thunderstorm is rolling in... Gorgeous.) High school and college sports are a pretty big thing for most people. I enjoy harvest-time and seeing the combines or balers out late into the summer night. Overall, Kansas is just a great place that can offer a variety that never gets old... Including the ever-changing weather forecast! Think about that the next time you feel like railing against America's heartland.

Labels: home, Kansas, weather, Wizard of Oz