The Week of Espresso!

This week has been a blessed blur.  My time has been dominated by studying, reading, working and other random requirements and meetings.  Espresso has been essential.  Ever since my grandmother loaned me her two-cup coffee maker, I've been an addict.

When I was studying in Italy, I adopted a taste for Italian espresso.  Back in the states, I find myself taking my coffee stronger than I used to (espresso, some creamer, and a little Sweet n' Low).  It's funny.  I've never brewed coffee on my own until this year...I've always relied on Starbucks or Common Grounds for that.  Making my own cup of espresso somehow makes me feel all grown up.  I get a sense of achievement when I start my coffee maker at 8:30 most mornings.  I know it's silly, confirmed by my Dad's laughter, "Yeah, it's real complicated to make coffee isn't it?"  Well, I feel like a big girl with my coffee.

To get through this week, I've relied on my espresso to keep me energized and focused.  Thank goodness it's Friday.  After a Journalism law test and a Jazz quiz on choreographers and contributions, I can finally breathe.

Blessings of this caffeinated week have included some awesome photo sessions.  I had my first newborn session yesterday, and today I get to go to a three-month session.  I am absolutely loving all the things I'm learning in my internship and all of the experiences I get to have.  I also had my first Gamma Chi meeting this week, and I'm still so excited to serve as a Gamma Chi!  Sic 'em greek life!

Birthday Bash, Baylor football and Sunday Studying

One of my dear friends, Miss. Lauren, turned 21 this week, so we had to celebrate.  Her sweet momma treated us to dinner at Showgun on Friday night.  We laughed and had fun, while we enjoyed some yummy Japanese food and the chef's humor.

Saturday was game day.  Kaitlyn, Lauren, Ellie, Breanna and a few other friends tailgated pre-game and then cheered the bears on.  We stayed the entire game (even though it was slow), but I'm glad we did because they won!  Final score:  48-23. Sic 'em bears!  It also hit me hard, while I was singing "That Good Ol' Baylor Line," that I only have four more home games left to experience my senior year.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to bawl when I'm singing that same song at the end of the last game in December.

Sunday has been a great, relaxing day.  It's been raining all day, which made getting up for church hard, taking a nap easy and getting Starbucks wonderful.  The only down side is studying.  I have my first two tests this Friday. At least my soy latte is helping a little with the studying.

Overall, a great, rainy, football-filled weekend.

Oh Hey, Senior Year

Catch up time!

After three weeks, I'm finally getting a hold of my schedule and adapting to a new routine.  It's apparent that this year is going to fly.  Like, I just finished my third week....what?

First day of school!

So how can we categorize the beginnings of senior year so far?  

Let's start with my classes.  I don't know how I got so lucky, but I'm only taking 13 hours, which is super nice.  Despite the low number, I've managed to find something to do with every single minute.  In other words, I'm incredibly busy.  This semester I'm taking Law and Ethics, Intermediate Jazz, Advanced Expository Writing, Modern American Novel, and Photo Internship.

Let's back up...Law and Ethics is great.  It brings out my inner lawyer. Intermediate Jazz makes me feel like an old lady.  Somewhere between last spring and the present, I lost my dancer coordination and have yet to relocate it.  Aka...no, I cannot throw my legs in the air, kick my face, do a jazz split, or roll around on the floor and get back up very easily.

Then there's Advanced Expository Writing (whatever that means) and Modern American Novel.  The only reason I'm taking these classes is because at Baylor, if you are a Journalism major, you have to have a minor outside of your field.  That's the catch that is absolutely killing me...outside of your field.  I chose an English minor thinking it was probably the best choice and the closest thing to my major.

Here's the deal and please don't tell.  Confession:  I do not like to read.  I know, I know. It's a complete outrage, and I'm an awful journalist person.  Yes, I've heard it many times:  To be a good writer, you must be a good reader.  I absolutely love writing; I really kind of sort of hate reading.  Let's just say it has to be a really good book.

Me....trying to read.

You can imagine.  These English classes are not my favorite.  There's too much reading (even in the writing class.)  We're talking 200 pages every other night--that's really hard.  Not only that...I've always enjoyed my English writing classes, but this type of writing is so different than what I've been practicing the past three years as a Journalism major.  I like concise.  I also hate page number requirements....can't we just go with the good ol' "mini skirt theory" (long enough to cover the subject; short enough to keep it interesting)?  

And don't even get me started on that reading class....the teacher is great, but he loves to call on everyone multiple times to contribute.  That's good and all, but half of the time I don't know what's he's talking about.  I thought I was analytical, but I guess I don't know myself well enough.  I'm pretty literal compared to this teacher and the rest of the class (who are all English majors.)  Why is bull fighting sacred? What is Faulkner trying to achieve by making no sense and writing in a passive voice? 

Beats me.

Okay, let's move on to my favorite:  Photo Internship!  Oh my gosh I'm in love with this internship.  I am working for Ashley Munn Photography to fulfill a three hour course requirement.  This internship has been the biggest blessing of senior year so far.  My duties include writing blogs, maintaining social media, conducting research, and of course, taking pictures!

Today, I had my first photo session.  The shoot was with a precious one-year-old girl.  Tomorrow, I shoot my first wedding! I am so excited to shadow and see how it's done by the pros.  I'm also working the Photo Booth at the reception, which will be so much fun.

I'm looking forward to the things coming up in the internship as well.  I'll get to work on my portfolio, learn editing techniques, improve my photography skills and see how a business is run.  I could not be more excited or thankful for this awesome opportunity.

There it is.  The major components of my senior year so far--work and school.  Other happenings include being a Gamma Chi (nonaffiliated Panhellenic mentor for girls going through rush), sorority obligations like Float and P.R. chair, and a little social time with friends.

Fun fact: I learned how to brew coffee this week! You're looking at my first pot of coffee ever. Exciting stuff.

Cheers to Fall 2012!