SO, there is this boy...

And his name is Colton.
Colton and I sing in the praise band together, and we do a lot together in the Navigators [on campus religious group]. We attend the same church, and his parents and big sister are in my small group with the church.

Thats all the excited news that I have for right now...

I will not be traveling to Africa in the spring like I had hoped, so Spring Break is looking like many other options right now! I am crossing my fingers for a Nav road trip to Glenn Erie, the Nav Headquarters in COLORADO! [but thats only a thought right now!]


I am voting this week during early voting, and I am SUPER excited about getting to exercise that right.

a winter breeze

I left to grab some coffee this morning in the Student Center, unaware of how necessary a hot drink would be. Its in the 40's!! The projected high for tomorrow is 47. bbuuurrrrrrr.
*But I'm not going to lie, I am enjoying it :)
It's fun to look around and see all the freshman freezing and schivering becasue they don't have winter clothes yet. And on the flip side, all of us upper classman are super excited to be bringing out the scarves and jackets we have had in our closets.

We have the GAME OF THE NATION this weekend [well, game of the nation in all of division 2 football]. We are playing ACU who is ranked 4th and the WT Buffs who are ranked 6th in the nation. Its going to be an awesome game!

We are currently 7-0!... and we have won most of our games by a landslide. FEAR WT! haha!


I am about to go an take an Art History Test. Check out the Art we are learning about... its a link on the left side of my blog. I have really been enjoying this class!

My amazing roommate, Sarah, is going to be in the Opera, Pirates of Pinzance, this weekend and she is really excited! (and SO am I! Good luck sarah!)

Mom and Mishy are coming down this weekend as well, and thats going to be SO much fun! We are going to go on a downtown adventure and see all the great things Amarillo has to offer. What all is that? Well...

The giant feet statue... the pointe/secret place... all the stanley marsh things like the randon street signs and such... the catalac ranch... the CANYON! and all its glory...The Big Texan (home of the 72oz. steak!)...Roasters [which is like starbucks, but better]... Route 66... and of course, WEST TEXAS A&M!

More updates and photos to come!
Upcoming blog series: A day in the life... [work, Nav stuff, classes, dorm life, my friends, etc.]

a busy start slows.

things are finially winding down here, and we are getting into the "normal" days around here. but in all honesty- there is really nothing "normal" in college. every day is each its own adventure.

I have been running around campus doing all sorts of things. A last minute New Student Orientation for the last 88 freshman and transfer students... freshman cook out last night, leadership retreat for the NAVS, various campus volleyball games to start off the new year.
[I am sad to admit that I missed COW TOUNGE FOOTBALL last night, but thats alright... the cook out was pretty awesome!]

classes seem to be going pretty good. the college prep class [IDS1071] I am peer leading in seems to be pretty awesome. We are going to organize a game of cops and robbers on night in canyon! WHOO!

For training at work we got to divide into teams and have some Olympics! Our team won!! It was crazy exciting!




THE DAY is quickly approching... you know; the day that I am no longer a teenager! and its already a very busy day... I have a meeting, 2 classes to attend, and then freshman convocation to work. and after convocation....
I get to work/host the event that Valentino Deng [one of the lost boys of Sudan] will be speaking at that is going to pay for this upcoming Readership Trip to Africa.

All of "the Polands" have been invited to work this event, and I am super excited for this reuniting!

As a peer leader, I have the chance to write another essay, for the chance to get to be a peer leader on the Africa trip, and I have been working on it! whoohoo!
We'll have to see how that one goes!

I have to get ready for class.
more updates to follow.

starting back up.

Things around the university are starting to pick up!

I am pretty excited about the upcoming semester. It's going to be lost of fun.

I have bought/gathered/borrowed all my textbooks [all EIGHT of them. eww]
I have things list pens and pensils and markers.
I even bought a dry erase board for outside my door!

Once we get to move in [Aug 20th]; i will be posting pictures of our awesome room!
F UNit. it all starts with FUN. haha.




What classes and activites am I looking forward to this next semester:

ARTS 1304 [Art history- modern]
ENGL 1302 [English 2, writing rhetoricals]
HIST 1301 [American History 1492-1877]
MATH 1350 [Fundamentals of Math= for elementary teachers]
SOCW 3301 [Reluctant Welfare State]

Activities:
RHA [Resident Hall Association]
Stafford Hall Counsel [dorm hall meetings]
PLI [Peer Leader Intern, working in a college prep class [IDS 1071]]
AC Secretery [helping out in the Activity Center once a week and some weekends]
Nav Leadership [planning for activities for the Navigators]
Nav Praise team [leading praise and worship at Nav Night each week]
SOS? [Sisters of our savior; girls bible study]

...and whatever else gets thrown at me.

and I am SO excited for all my friends to get back up here, and to make new ones as the year gets started!


whoohoo

peace, love, and bookstores.

the park ministry

So- for lack of a better phrase- we are going to refer to the time in the park with the homeless on sundays... "the park ministry" but we decided that we are not going to actually name it or make it an "organization" b/c that kind of takes away from out purpose....

so- i have a big day coming up!... my first PAYDAY [for BOTH of my jobs!!]. So along with joy of blessings of hard work- i have been praying about where the lord wants me to tithe [sp?]... the navs, the church i worship at, a foundation,... and through prayer the lord kind of slapped me upside my head. basically this is what i heard in my head while jamming out in the car this evening... "Hey friend... were you not just at a meeting about feeding the homeless and spending time with them in the park in the name of me? Are you not trying to show my love to others on the Earth?" and then i realized that my sunday afternoon "park ministry" was the right place for my money to be going. the 20th is pay day, and i plan on taking out 10% right away to go and get things so that i can make food for my sundays. and i'm pretty excited.

just thought i would share in that fun adventure i had in my car. it was kind of cool.

peace, love, and park benches.

funnn adventures

one thing that i have learned about college: if its free, its more fun... even if it might be a little bit illegal or taboo.

ok, now before one freaks out- let me explain the "might be illegal" part.

(1)there are a bunch of massive dirt piles near construction sites [but not gated off or have signs that say "hey kiddos- dont play on me"].
what do the guys like to do? run to the top of said hugh sand/dirt pile... hop on a sled [a round seat much like the lid to a trash can] and slide down. its harmless, really. but it might be frowned upon if the cops were to show up.

(2) there is a little game we like to call two liter tortion. basically, its exploding 2 liter bottles. its alot of fun. we do it in the name of art. and the name of science. this one is only a little risky, because you have to find an empty parking lot [with trash cans near by- because we ALWAYS clean up after ourselves. and the best parking lots are school parking lots. but if anyone even sees you near a school after 7pm, the cops get called in simple fear of vandalizing. so thats a little rough.
but its SO much funnn!

Life is really busy.
working two jobs and takin my summer class online.
*bonus note: maybe it's that i am only in one class, or that my text book is really that good- i have actually been reading my text book [like- the entire chapter] which doesnt always happen. we'll see how the semester pans out. yay for nat'l government.

My secretary job in the ativity center is alot of fun. I was a little skeptical at first, but once I got the hang of things, it seems to be alot of fun. I get to meet lots of people, and study a little bit while I am working.

Our first new student orientation went really well. 1 down, 4 to go. and actually, we might have 5 to go. We are having such large numbers apply that we are possibly going to have to create a 6th summer NSO to accomodate all the freshman applying to the [best] university [in the world].

what else...
OH! potluck on sundays!!

we have been going to a park in amarillo on sundays to eat with the hungry. the shelters are not open on sundays, so thats why we go then. We had a few more girls show up with food this past week, b/c of facebook and a flyer in Roasters [starbucks- but better and only in amarillo].
Its been really neat to get to meet with some of the homeless. They have some really awesome stories to share. one couple that we spoke with a few weeks ago said that they hitch hiked from amarillo to vegas to get married, and that they were on their way to the east coast, to meet the rest of his family. [disclaimer: no, i do not and will not hitch hike. no, i am not adopting this idea] i do think it would be cool to travel the united states for a while, but by means of my own vehicle.


thats all i have for now.

peace
love
and dirt sledding.




the dirt sledding gang.
and the scary bust of weirdness.
it was tylers sled [but not a very good one]

A new status

So- I'm now a SOPHMORE! woohoo!

An update on the PLI job:
each NSO [New Student Orientation] leader will get a group of about 10 freshman/transfer students.
they will work with this group all day thursday and friday
*new this year: 4 PLI's will have small groups of parents that have come to NSO, to help answer their questions in the different groups/meetings they will also be attending throughout the weekend. [[this is what I will be doing]]

Freshman convocation- where the speaker comes and talk to the freshman class [manditory] is on my birthday this fall! And I will get to speak with the Lost boy that our book is about! His name is Valentino Achak Deng, and he asked Dave Eddgers to help him write the book What is the What, about his story. Its pretty good. I am working on reading it right now!


We made more presentations yesterday! it was alot of fun! They we really good to us there- they fed us lunch, had coffee and donuts, gave us the coffee mugs, and a journal- told us to never quit tellin our story. It was pretty sweet. It made for a long day- to make the same presentation 7 times, I dont know how teachers do it. But then we went to sonic. and relaxed! it was a nice end to a hectic morning.

The weather in Canyon....
I still can't get over the fact that is 45 when I leave the house in the morning and then its 75 that afternoon... its MAY! I am looking forward to hot summer days in south padre! yepp yepp.

life

first of all-
for those of you who are mothers, happy mothers day!

second of all-
i'm sorry for the lack of blog! things have been SUPER busy ever since I got back from Poland.

Whats new:
*finals! I only have one left!!!
A/B,A/B,B,A,C,A

I know- the C is a real downer. I did rather poorly on my government final. but its not the end of the world. I will still have above a 3.2, which is okay!


My Peer Leader job is about to start! We have training during the intersession class time [which starts Monday!]
and right at the beginning of june, I begin my national government class online.
I am super excited about a summer in the panhandle. No, I wont be at home with family and friends [which is a bit lame] but I will get to be apart of all the freshman's first taste of college! and the weather up here is AMAZING right now!

speaking of the weather...
a new activity I have picked up on-
Rain Dancing.
when it cloudy in the afternoon's, Tabby, Brant and I get the bongos and various instruments [we have used egg shakers, clapping, a u-ka-lay-lee] and we dance and act goofy.
and then we dance in the rain!! its loads of fun!


one conclusion that I have come to is: that when one enters college. they resort back to their inner child! Really; we watch cartoons, we try to get away with wearing our pj's in public, we eat cereal, we play in the rain, we take naps, and we thinks its cool to stay up entirely too late with our friends. hahaha! [especially during finals week!!]

I am looking for another part time job around here. I have a friend that works at American Eagle, and LOVES it- so I might apply there. A discount on clothes? SURE!
I am also thinking about applying at Movie Gallary since its right by the house.

Speaking of the house... I am moving back on campus in the fall. I'll be moving into Stafford Hall, where tons of my friends live. And i'll be rooming with my friend Sarah. Want to see it? check it out here.

Time difference:

Canyon

Krakow

needed a laugh

Its been [and will cont. to be] a loooong week.

need a good laugh?

tell you kids about cooties!!

one down, 5 million more to go

I had an interview on friday!
and it was the funnnnnnnnest [Most fun?] interview I will probally ever have!

It was to be a Peer Leader at WT for this summer/next school year.
What do Peer Leaders do? Great question:
*NSO
*Buff Branding
*IDS
*Convocation/Common Reader

Now, you might be wondering what all of those are....
...I thought so.

NSO [New Student Orientation]
-a weekend program that brings in all entering Freshman to the WT campus for a weekend[ish] to register for classes and get familiar with the campus and various activities. Its full of games and information to inform future students about all that this wonderful campus has to offer. As a peer leader, I would be leading a small group of students each weekend the NSO's are offered. [I think there are 6? maybe...]
Buff Branding
-The weekend before class starts- where upper classman lead the freshman; teaching traditions and the fight song. Its held at Ceta Canyon.
-IDS1071 [Interdisciplinary Studies]
This is an Intro to College Life class. Many of them are linked with other core classes, such as PHilosophy, Biology, Ag, Theater- it further teaches about all of the resources that the University offers, while bridging the gap between high school and college. as a Peer leader, I would be like an Assistant Teacher in this classroom.
-Convocation- Common Reader.
each year, a novel is picked and incorperated into many classes. This year was Night [hince the trip to POLAND]. They always choose a book where they can get the Author to come and speak at a manditory cermony to all freshman [thats what convocation is]. It is held in the First United Band Centat [where Grad. is held- and all of the teachers dress up in the cap/gown- to signify that all the freshman will be sitting there again in 4 [or maybe 4.5 to 5] years as a WT graduate!] As a Peer leader, I will get to have a meet and greet with the selected Author, and help usher the freshman to the seating on the floor of the Event center.

Exciting stuff? you bet.
We should know by Friday if we made it or not.
If I make it- WHOOHOO!
If I don't- (A) it was a great experience (B) there is always next year... or the year after that... (C)I have houston stuff to do!
So either way, this Summer is going to ROCK!



this is cute:

WOW MOM

If you look closly, the letters in our hands mixed with the "O" shape of the mouth, creates funnn 3 letter words.... still confused?... it says.... "WOW MOM it was so funny [LOL] i saw a COW and it went MOO!!"

-Yes, we were lacking sleep and thought this was intertaining!!

The renewal conference went very well. Even though I got sick the first night [maybe carsickness?], I had a great time!

What did we do, you ask?

well....

Friday:
wakey, wakey! Mucho early for me!!
I went and got Tabs and we picked up some McDonalds for breakfast, and then headed to the Nav Center. After everyone got there, we hit the road!
Driving, more driving, and yes- more driving.
YAY WE'RE IN DALLAS [actually- we were in Richardson, but its all the same!]
We checked in, and put our stuff in the rooms... and played on the SLEEP NUMBER BEDS! haha. Yea, the Raddison is nice!
We had a large group session [i.e. worship music, serman, info, fun stuff]
when that was over, i went to bed since I hadn't been feeling too well. But they had the Jazz band from UNT there, and they had coffee and drinks on sale. mucho fun for those who were there.

Saturday:
breakfast.
Large group #2.
Workshop #1
Lunch
Workshop #2
BREAKKKKK [we walked to starbucks and then worked on homework. wooo]
Dinner.
Large group #3
FREE TIME and BED

Sunday:
Breakfast
Large group #4
On the Road again!
Back to canyon!

I hear that it is tradition for a group of people to go out to dinner after Renewal, so 2 staff and 5 students [myself included] went to the grand TACO BELL. The best part- we were there fo 2+ hours!! We talked about the different workshops we went to, and the things we had learned. It was lots of fun, and a great time to relax after the weekend!

So, even though I was kind of sickly, it was a great weekend, and I can't wait until next year!

FREE HUGS!

This afternoon I was sitting in the JBK with some friends, when 2 guys walked in holding signs that said "Free Hugs!" This made me laugh. People around the WT campus have stopped called today V-day, and it is now Single-Awareness day! I think its really funny... because its SO true! People who have 'that special someone' all have plans for tonight or this weekend, while everyone else makes group plans to not feel left out [not that I am saying that I personally feel as though I am being left out].

Talking with a friend this week, it was brought to my attention how much singleness is really a gift to me right now. I will be leaving EARLY tomorrow morning for the Renewal Conference with the Navigators. In my singleness, I am able to leave this weekend [the weekend right after v-day] and not feel like I am leaving someone out, or that I am obligated to spend 'special time' with someone. So, my gift of singleness has left this weekend for me to attend and hear all that God as to offer, with no strings attached. SWEEET.

I am now leading(helping) singing at NavNite [worship/hanging out time monday's at the NavCenter]!! And I really like it. This past week it was Kari and I on voice, and Trevor on voice and guitar. We made some pretty sweet harmony. And we had lots of fun doing it! I learned a new hymn, of which I don't remember... and we sang More Love, More Power and... ummmm.... another contemp. christian song that is slipping my mind at the moment!

Not too much else is going on.
Poland is approaching... I am very excited.
27 days.

until later,
xoxo
mandi.leigh

a lack of personal history...

I love how it ranges in the 50's all afternoon and then snows 5 inces at midnight... the weather just needs to make up its mind. goodness.

I have come to realize, through studying the Polish culture in my class, that American's have little pride for our history. Its kind of sad, really. Yes, we all know about the satue of liberty. but without having watched national treasuer recently, I would not have remembered that there were two, or that it was built in france, or anythink else about it. But we heard of story of when one teacher was in Poland [back in the day] she was walking around with someone [who was a math major] and he knew all the history to all the statues and historical markers everywhere they went. the Poles learn all of Polish history at their mothers knees. Americans just dont have it. and its saddd.


I signed up to help with a program at the church I have recently begun to attend. the church is Freedom Fellowship Church. I like it alot.
twice a year, they run a program called More Than Conquerors. It is a program they have set up for single mom's. they provide them with free child care, a "life lesson" and a "god lesson" each week. They also provide each of the ladies small papmering treats and at the end of each class, they give them a sack of groceries. I am needing 15 hours of community service for my Intro to Social Work class, and I thought that this would be a perfect chance. I get to work with the nursery. Patty [the lady incharge of setting everything up] told me that they were going to pay me... now this creates a problem. Community service doesnt = cash. haha. So after i work my 15 hours [which will take 6 weeks] I will then be able to get paid. [for 6 weeks!]

funnn stuff!

I am also trying out a new church on Sunday. Its called Generation Next. A few friends of mine from the Nav go there, and they all really like it.

Renewal conference is comming up! [Renewal is the Navigators Conference- much like a midwinter- for the southwest conference. We will be staying at the Raddison in Dallas-ish. We will have large group times and workshops on Saturday. ROADTRIP! The Nav has 2 fifteen passenger vans. We have named the blue one the hoopdee, and the gold one (even though the guys dont aprove) the golden goddess. its going to be lots of fun, and I am really excited.]

Hope all is well with everyone else.
Hope y'all are keeping warm!

a rough start...

My second semester is on its way!

Lets see how its going:



[Mon/Wed] 11:30-12:45
*Intro to Social Work

Professor: A+
Class: B
Goal: Find out more about the field of Social Work, and see which fields I would like to look into.





[Mon/Wed]
*Lifetime Wellness



Professor: A
Class: C
Goal: Learn to have a healthier lifestyle [i.e. health diets, working out and whatnot]



[Mon]
*Individual Studies [Poland Class]

Professor: A+
Class: A+
Goal: POLAND! and making a rockawesome presentation for April!



[Tues/Thurs]
*Interpersonal communication



Professor: A+
Class: B
Goal: Learn more about communications on the interpersonal level!



[Online]
*Human Behavior

Professor: A
Class: B
Goal: Learn more about myself so that I can then beable to learn more about others.



[Online]
*Local and State Gov't

Professor: A
Class: B
Goal: Learn more about how the local and state gov't work, and how to be more involved in these processes.

___________________________________________________________



And on a sadder note...

Ingrid...
One of the girls that I worked with twice a week in PALS my Senior year of high school was taken to the hospital some time ago. I don't know the extent of the medical conditions... but it ended in her surviving strictly on lifesupport. Sunday morning, she was taken off of her life support, and is now dancing with The Father....
There are no doubts in my mind that she is up in heaven... chasing Jesus... Tapping him on the shoulder... and not letting people sing to her... she has probally played a few games and completed a million puzzles of the sunset. maybe she'll piece together the sunrise for Saturday morning [which is when her funeral is to be held] and the stars for that night...
____________________________________________________________