Back at Hillsdale....

As I alluded to in my "Thanksgiving" post, I've been crazy busy. I think everything just piled up on top of itself but I'm caught up and now in 'study for finals' mode. I have one more major paper due tomorrow, a test friday, and four finals next week until I head home! I can't wait. I miss home!

In Hillsdale news, my roommate was featured in the state's oldest college newspaper (Hillsdale's 'Collegian') where she is quoted saying:

I am so proud of her!!

Also, our new Athletic Complex is supposed to open in February and it looks so great already! It is going to feature a new cafe, indoor tennis courts, a track field?, and other athletic equipment. I can't wait to have indoor courts so I can go play and get more exercise! 

Finally, I was visiting Central Hall (The pretty blue clock tower) and snatched this photo off the top floor:

Thanksgiving

As I'm sure you assumed, I've been SO busy at school. I literally haven't had a minute to blog. I am finally catching up on everything school-wise and preparing for next weeks finals and then HOME! Here's a snapshot of Thanksgiving at Aunt and Uncle's house:

Dinner Table

Molly, Aunt Loretta, Me

Per usual, we celebrated Aunt Rita's birthday!

First Snow in Michigan!! For the record, the weather here has been in the 40s-60s and has not snowed since this day.

I had such a memorable time staying at Grandma's house. (She made her pasta and homeade meatballs and cheesecake.. so good. I didn't how deprived of FOOD I was at Hillsdale!)

We also went over to Uncle Bob and Aunt Loretta's house for Thanksgiving and had a big dinner and visited with family and friends. Another great meal!

I can't forget my favorite - shopping with my cousin Molly and my 90 year old Grandma for black friday! We got some great deals and shared some special time together :)

Homecoming

Hillsdale traditionally holds something called "Mock Rock" on Homecoming weekend where all the sororities, fraternities, and residence houses put together a choreographed mixup and perform it at the Saturday night Homecoming Dance. Last night my dorm Olds performed it and we looked great and had a ton of fun! Here we are:

It's Official!

Ashley, Me, and Sarah "studying"

Folks, it's official. I have pulled my first week of almost all-nighters working on essay rewrites and bibliographies and studying. I'm obviously starting to feel the load of homework that we're given and it makes me feel like I am learning so much! Although I maybe shouldn't have stayed up so late, it was a great test of my endurance and it has given me SUCH a boost of confidence that says I can take on pretty much any assignment and get it done! So, I never thought I'd say I would be thankful for this experience, but I am. I definitely will not be waiting around until the last few days before an assignment is due... ever again.

Henry Payne Comics

Last weekend, I went to a college art exhibit featuring Henry Payne's political comics - Ashley was with me and we had quite a laugh at some of these!

Hillsdale Arboretum

I spent one afternoon last week reading in the college's arboretum and I forgot how absolutely beautiful and peaceful it is there! Fall is really incredible here.

 

     

                        

Fall Break

I apologize for the lack of posts recently - I got back from Fall break and had more tests and started a new class (now I'm in Physics because Chemistry just ended). I'll be back to posting regularly now!

I got to see my whole family over break which was so nice and celebrate everyone's birthdays. I can't believe how much older Benedict is looking!

I also got to spend time with Amy and her mom made us the classic "sausage rolls" which I adore :)

It was good to be home! 

Brief Tour of Olds - My Dorm

This has been a long time coming, but here is a virtual tour of my dorm - Olds Residence

Outside of Building

Main entrance as you walk in the door

Better View of our Courtyard (Center of last picture)

My Hall - Upper Right (Mama Cobb's Door is 1st)

My Doorway and My Chalkboard (Personalized by my RA's)

Fall at Hillsdale

One thing I LOVE about Hillsdale besides all the people and academics... is the autumn scenery :)

Just take a look at all the beauty of God's creation here!

My Favorite

 

"Autumn begins with a subtle change in the light, with skies a deeper blue, and nights that become suddenly clear and chilled. The season comes full with the first frost, the disappearance of migrant birds, and the harvesting of the season's last crops."

Horseback Riding

Last Sunday, I got to go on a trail ride with Hillsdale's Equestrian Club! It was so relaxing and a lot of fun!

 

 

Ray's Tavern

Last Saturday I joined my friends Amanda and Ashley and we went to "Ray's Tavern" - It's this little restaurant located in Reading, MI and it was rated #1 Burger Place in America back in the 1980's so we decided to check it out (Amanda is also writing an article on it for the college newspaper, the Collegian). It turned out to be a typical small town bar, but the burgers were delicious!!

Amanda (driving) and Ashley (right)

Beautiful Sunflowers in Reading, MI

Amanda's goofy side :)

Inside of the bar area

Back of the restaurant

USA Today "Top Burger" Joint Article

Don't worry - those weren't our beers :)

So Blessed

This past weekend reminded me how immensely blessed I am to be at Hillsdale (not just academically, but in terms of friends)

I had a horribly long and busy week and was looking forward to Friday - lo and behold Friday came and it began with an essay that refused to print (making me ten minutes late for class), an equation on my chemistry test that was worth lots of points that I just couldn't figure out, and finally added stress as my Constitution class teacher mentioned we were having midterms this coming week. I went back to my dorm around noon and ran into my friend Allyn who lives in my dorm. She really wanted to hang out with me and so we decided that the two of us would go to the Hillsdale County Fair (I had gone two nights before for the concert but not for the 'fair' part). It ended up being such a day brightener and I even went on a ferris wheel!!

Then, one of my good friends named Ashley asked if we could go for a walk together to Walgreens and just chat - It was so nice to get to spend time with her and she's always inspiring me to be wise and think of others. So it added so much to my afternoon!

Finally, I spent the evening with another girl in my hall named Sarah and we just relaxed in her room and listened to a book on tape, which was soooo nice :) It was like storytime!

Rodney Atkins' Concert!

My friends Anna and Marie coaxed me into going to my very first country concert - and I loved it! Rodney Atkins was performing at the Hillsdale County Fair last Wednesday evening and we ate deep friend oreos, deep fried cookie dough, and corn dogs :)

The group: Anna, Marie, Anna, Linsey, Me

 Anna and I (She has the world's best hugs and brightens my days!)

 Rodney Atkins!!

 The stage - not quite the Grandstand, but still awesome!