My Life at State

Working & Studying

This week was the start of working at the MSU Writing Center. I love working here. I had my first client on Tuesday which I thought went really well. I was super happy and she was really nice. Unfortunately, I found out today I wasn’t supposed to help her. She came in looking to get help for a friend who lives in China and was not able to use Twiddla. I didn’t know that we were not supposed to do that. I figured that we weren’t supposed to do things like that usually but since he was in China I didn’t thing it was wrong but I was wrong. So, that made me feel bad but there isn’t anything I can do. You don’t know what you don’t know. I still love being here. I love Bessey Hall and I enjoy the people I work with which make it all worth it in the end.

Today, I’m working as a receptionist and I’m scheduled as an online consultant but I don’t have a client. I will be getting more familiar with Twiddla and how the system works that way I can be more help and know how to make comments and so on when I do have an online client. The system isn’t hard or anything, in fact it’s really convenient but because in the situation I would need to know how to do things more than the client, I just want to make sure I have a good understanding of it. I love working as a receptionist though. I have always wanted to be a secretary type person so it’s similar to that. This is all just exciting for me.

The classes that I’m taking are going well. I absolutely adore the English class I’m in. I really love the professor and the class subject matter. It’s probably my favorite English class that I’ve taken so far. My IAH is giving me a little trouble. I’m having problems keeping up with everything and staying structured and making sure I get all my work done, mainly the reading. I really have to discipline myself even more to get it done. It’s hard for me to just stare at the computer and read so I’ve been printing stuff off. Even with that I still have to get myself to read it. I’m sure I’ll like the information I read I just have to do it.

I’ve actually been reading for my entertainment lately which I love. I have read one book this summer so far and I have two more that I’m reading right now. I’m almost done with one of them already. I love the summer when I can actually read for entertainment and not “required reading.”

Week Two

This is the end of the second week of “summer,” but for me, it’s my last week of “sleeping in” so to speak. Next week I start working at the Writing Center. I’m really excited but it will definitely be an adjustment. I work four days a week and, although I won’t be “opening” at the Writing Center, I will be up and moving nice and early; especially between class and working at the Writing Center. I already have four appointments that are scheduled so I’m really excited for it.

The only thing that has me somewhat worried is trying to balance everything. Sometimes I get irritated always looking at the computer and it makes me wish I was living in the time period where students were given information on paper instead of having to read things online. However, I am really grateful for online classes. Still, forcing myself to stare at the computer to do homework takes a lot discipline. Time management is definitely going to be key this summer, at least until the first summer session is over. I really like the classes that I’m taking, the professors are extremely cool and care about the information that they’re teaching which always makes things better. I have a lot of readings and things that I have to stay “up to date with” but I’m definitely organized for it and everything. I’ve never taken two classes during the summer so I’m nervous but definitely prepared for it.

On Wednesday, Carol Burnett was in East Lansing to “perform” at the Wharton Center. I had never been to the Wharton Center before and it’s so gorgeous. It’s also HUGE and, for me anyway, nerve-wracking. My mom adores Carol Burnett and grew up watching her on TV. For her birthday, I bought her two tickets to go see Carol Burnett and I said she could take whoever she wanted and that was me. So Wednesday was the day of the event. It was essentially a conversation with the audience that was filled with clips from her TV show. If you’ve seen her show, you know the part where she answers questions from the audience? That’s what the entire show was like. I wasn’t able to get great tickets because I don’t have a lot of money but I really wanted to make sure my mom could go. It was basically a once in a lifetime thing. We were on the third floor in the balcony section but it was still a beautiful view and nice seats. We were directly in the middle of the stage just on the third floor. The upper levers are at an incline which made it terrifying for me walking to our seats because of it. Regardless, it was amazing and a great night. My mom seemed to be really happy and that’s all I really want.

Class started yesterday. The first day of the Summer Session and of my two classes. I’m taking one online class (IAH 241) and an in class class (ENG 362). I really like both of them and the professors seem to be extremely cool. My professor for my English class is a Creative Writing & Film Studies professor. He’s very laid back and he looks like my dad a little bit, mainly if you look at him from the back.

While I was walking around after class, the sun was gorgeous and shining so brightly that I could see the bottom of the Red Cedar river. I saw three bikes rusting away in there too. It was a great opportunity for a photo shoot of the trees and the river. It looks like I’m not even in East Lansing or at school. Sitting by the river and watching the water is so relaxing and fills you with a great feeling. I just love how gorgeous the river is.

I took all of these pictures.

Some gorgeous pictures of campus from Grand River. Campus is really eerily quiet right now but is so pretty. The trees are getting their leaves and flowers. I really just want to walk around and take pictures with my lovely camera. I am really looking forward to being on campus this summer but not the heat so much. I hate the heat, I’m definitely a Spring season baby. I really don’t feel like Spring came at all though. I am looking forward to vacationing somewhere though. I also start working at the Writing Center in two weeks!! I’m so excited for that. Unfortunately, there is a lot of construction going on around campus right now so that sucks. Aside from that though, campus looks beautiful.

The End of the Semester

Well ladies and gents, the Spring Semester has come to an end. Convocation began today and the various college commencements will be taking place the entire weekend. My finals ended Wednesday but I will be in EL all summer for classes and working at the Writing Center. The end of this semester also marks the start of my Senior Year at MSU. WOW! I will be here with you guys all summer long. If anyone has any AOP questions or sees me, don’t be afraid to say hello!

To all those graduating, Spartan status lasts forever. Go out into the world and do amazing things.