The Last Assigned Blog (say it isn't so!!)

So this last blog is supposed to be dedicated to my service site... again... really? Not a reflection on the semester and my plans for the future? Well, I think I will be writing those too, even if it is not required, because I like having lengthy blogs.

I was a mentor to a sixth grader at Hand Middle School this semester, and, no matter how much I complained, it was actually a fun experience. The thing I most enjoyed about it was the last day, and not because it was the last day (well, partly because of that), but because of what my mentee asked. She wanted to know if I was coming back next semester, and, if so, if I would have her again. Then she went on to say how much he had enjoyed it! (awww) I wasn't sure if she had enjoyed the experience, so it made me very happy to hear she had. Additionally, when I gave her a parting gift (a USC tshirt... I got her Bananagrams for next semester, since we would play it all the time) she gave me a hug. Basically, I felt warm and fuzzy inside. This also answers that question: yes, I plan to continue mentoring her next semester in order to fulfill my Capstone service requirements.

I feel like there is not much more to day, considering every single service-related blog has had the same exact prompt. Therefore, I am going to write about what I want to write! (You can stop now, if you so choose. =])

Anyway: This semester has been all right, all things considered. My grades remain in the A-range, and I am not feeling too stressed as the semester comes to a close. I hope to finish up my English and U101 exams by this weekend since they both just are to be handed in, and then I can spend time studying for Arabic and Philosophy. German I will do a little review, but that exam is on Friday and my last exam before that is Tuesday, so I have time. I figure by Thursday I should have a good idea of what all is expected of my next week. Awesome thought: this time next week I will be done with Arabic and Philosophy. YES!

Next semester I plan to get more involved with another club or two, but I also think a few of my courses will be harder, so I don't plan to overload myself with extracurricular activities. Really I just hope to expand my group of friends, which is currently quite small. However, for now I am not worrying about next semester--I only care about the upcoming break!

Also, I have a question: why does the rain always seem to start as soon I walk outside, get stronger when I am half way to my destination, and then dissipate soon after I arrive indoors? I swear it just plans for when my classes start and end and only rains then. It is annoying, but also just an observation. But I digress...

Anyway, to reflect specifically on U101:

Jimmie and Brent - Thank you for being such kind and approachable individuals; it definitely made the class better and the one-on-ones not entirely awkward. Even if I admit that I feel like 90% of what goes on in U101 seemed useless and I often complained to others (Monica) about the coursework, it truly was just me being over dramatic. It was a course that was the 'easy A' as it was advertised by my orientation leaders so long as you did what was required of you, which, all things considered, was not that much. I never dreaded your class because I knew it wasn't supposed to be a class to stress us out, and it was for our benefit. Ever since the beginning we were in an environment where we were free to voice our concerns and opinions and to become understanding of others. I liked getting to know my classmates, and I wish I knew some of them better. Anyway... Thanks again for the fun semester, and I am sure I will see you around campus throughout my time here as an undergrad (well, maybe not Brent, since you graduate this spring, yes? This is what I recall from yesterday).

Farewell!!

Holland

PS: I have not decided whether or not to continue this blog next semester... We'll see, but I really don't know why I would other than to document it for myself since I only have four followers. Plus, believe it or not, I like writing blogs. I don't feel judged when I write, so I say what I want to, and that is really nice. =]