Of snow and white slips and exams and pirates and elephants and peanut butter and Christmas and guinea pigs and Spanish and pixie stix

Ok, half of that stuff will not be addressed in this post. Those were things that popped into my mind while writing it. Fascinating, isn't it?

First order of the day: White slips. I have never gotten a white slip in my entire PBU existence -- a feat of which I am greatly proud. However, lo and behold, soap scum does not come off the shower floor while the shower is still wet. I, however, was not blessed with this knowledge. I was worried about the shower, so I tried to be in the room when the distinguished White Glove Inspectors came through brandishing swords and gloves of um...whiteness. Alright, they didn't but it sounded cooler that way. Anyway, they were supposed to start at 10, so I had no idea when they were coming through and I had to continue my stalking of faculty and staff (more on that later) so I left. Lo and behold, they came when I left and left that little piece of paper that every student dreads (except for the dumb ones that don't care). It doesn't have my name on it, though, because the RD didn't know that I had cleaned the shower. It had Elena and Colleen's name on it and because I am such a nice person, I told Christina rather than let them have a white slip to their name. Poor little sophomores. I just went to Christina and explained about the name mistake and I did tell her that I tried to scrub it, but it doesn't come up when wet. Oh well -- there's a $10 fine but I'm actually more disappointed by my no longer white slip free record. Haha.

Second order of the day: The stalking. It all started with Deborah in Student Life. I have these posters things to put up for people to write questions about missions and the spread of the gospel because there will be missionaries to answer those questions during World Reach (the fancy name for "Missions Conference"). Anyway, I took them to get stamped so I could put them up, but Deborah sent me to Student Ministries and Mrs McAlack sent me to Mr. O'Brien because he's in charge of missions conference. The first time, he was not in his office. I came back when classes were supposed to let out (10:45) but he was still not there. So, I found his teaching schedule and the classroom he was in and went and hung around outside his classroom until he came out. He then had to call Mrs. McAlack to ask her something. I then had to go to Mrs. Hui who was in charge of the posters in the first place and then Mr. O'Brien called and approved of the posters which meant I had to go back to Deborah and get them stamped. However, Deborah was not there so I had to go twice. I finally got them stamped and now they are all over campus. Some people wrote stupid questions, so we'll see how well it works.

Next thing: It's snowing. It's kinda dying down know which is sad. There's pretty white stuff barely covering the grass, though. I was having fun sliding on one of the sidewalks before my 2pm class.

Ok, fourth: Christmas. The RA's came banging on doors waking us all up at 7am. I was actually already up and dressed. Elena then came to me and told me that my presence was wanted in the lounge and that Santa had come and brought presents. I thought she was kidding so I wasn't going to go down. She insisted so I walked down and most of the dorm was there. Apparently the RD's had contacted all of our parents to send a gift for their child. We then had cinnamon buns and whatever else there was. It was very creative. And now my feet are warm because I got socks. Mom, I like the socks, except they're very mature looking. Hahaha. They're warm though and I guess that's more important than my delight in crazy, hideous socks.

Finals: One word: disgusting. I got my grad class final and it's INSANE. We have to make up case studies and write lessons with accommodations and modifications that meet the needs we specify in the case studies. SCARY. It's due Tuesday and I have a big astronomy exam on Monday which requires much work. I'm going to ask if there's any possible way for the Astronomy exam to be moved some so I don't go insane. Finals week has always been beautiful for me. Not this year! Grad classes... ewwwww!!! I actually need to be cramming for stuff right now!!!

Pirates: YES! Pirates of the Caribbean music. Love it!

Ok, here's insanity:
Saturday night: Benaiah's despedida
Monday: Astronomy and Spanish exams
Tuesday: Two grad finals
Wednesday and Thursday: crazy juggling of studying and 3 jobs
Friday: General Epistles final and more juggling of work
Saturday: Banquet and then done!

It is time to accomplish work now!!!! I do have pictures to post of cabinet dinner, cousins, Jenna's birthday, and other random stuff but I can't right now. I got a B- on my teaching approaches paper for TESOL. Sad day. :( Oh well -- every other paper and assignment has been A or A- so I guess it's not the end of the world.

Oh, PS I'm reading a really good book in my devotions. Ok, it's good so far. I don't know about the rest. Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes. Here's a closing thought from John Wesley:

O God, fill my soul with so entire a love of Thee that I may love nothing but for Thy sake and in subordination to Thy love. Give me grace to study Thy knowledge daily that the more I know Thee, the more I may love Thee. Create in me a zealous obedience to all Thy commands, a cheerful patience under all Thy chastisements, and a thankful resignation to all Thy disposals. Let it be the one business of my life to glorify Thee by every word of my tongue, by every work of my hand, by professing Thy truth, and by engaging all men, so far as in me lies, to glorify and love Thee.