A Quick Hello!

Well, I have never been much of a "blogger", but I have been inspired by other pages. So, thank you Daina and Jeff and April and Lane. I think this is a fun way to stay in touch with everyone.

Ali and I are really enjoying our time in Nebraska and in graduate school, so we want to share with everyone what we are up to, things that we are feeling, and what we are learning as we continue on in our journey. So, hello and welcome! :)

We started the page this morning while we had the morning off. We were able to take off because we worked events on Friday evening, The 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off and the Campus Night Life Rock the Vote event. We had so much fun and met some new friends along the way. In case you didn't know, Ali and I both work as Graduate Assistants in the Student Involvement Office. We are under the same supervisor; however, we work on different campuses. The University of Nebraska has two campuses (yes, it is THAT big and THAT confusing). So, I work on East Campus (Ag, Education and Science colleges and buildings) and Ali works on City Campus (Main campus - most majors). Anyway, our first big events were last Friday and they were both very successful!

As Ali stated earlier, we are slowly but surely finding our way around Lincoln. I know that we have only lived here for about a month and a half (can you believe it is October??), but some days it feels like we have lived here forever. Especially now, because (as Ali stated)we are well aware of places such as Wal-Mart, Target, Hobby Lobby and YESSSSS, Eileen's Cookies!:) We are still on the look out for yummy restaurants and fun places to shop, but I am sure that will come with time and once we slow down a little bit with school and work (IF, that ever happens).

Although Oklahoma is my first and only love, I have been trying to become somewhat of a local. I have gone to a couple Husker games (SO AMAZING - it is addicting) and have traveled down to the Farmer's Market (SUPER fun). The weather is so nice here right now and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the winter delays its arrival as long as possible - we all know how much I highly dislike the cold weather! Other than that, Nebraska is much like Oklahoma. The people here are so genuine and kind, this city is huge but has a small town feel, and of course, the love of football is outrageous, but fun! :) So, although I am six and a half hours away, I sometimes feel as if I am right at home.

I figured I would also give you all a little update on SCHOOL... you know, the reason we are here! Ali and I are both working on our Master's degrees, but we are pursuing different programs. Everyone finds it so interesting that we ended up in the same place, unplanned. Even we sometimes can't believe this all happened, but we are very thankful. Ali is in the Education Administration program with an emphasis in Student Affairs. She is also apart of their internship program where she is gauranteed an assistantship within Student Affairs her first year, summer, and second year as a Student Affairs student. She is very blessed. I am in the AgLEC (Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication - nothing to do with Ag) program where I am purusing my Master's degree in Leadership Education with an emphasis in Development. I was blessed with my assistantship by the grace of God. I have plans to stick with my assistantship until I complete my program while searching for opportunities to teach. I am currently enrolled in three courses which is nine hours and considered full time. Seems light, huh? Not so much. I am reading more now than I ever did, even as a Political Science major. However, I am learning so many new things and revisiting a lot of old ideas, thanks to my Leadership minor. My favorite class is Advanced Teaching Methods. My professor is absolutely amazing and inspires me to become a great educator no matter what setting it may be in. He really emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships and helping individuals learn, rather than telling them what I know. I appreciate all of that. Every Thursday, I walk out of that classroom reenergized and ready to take on my mission to teach leadership to young girls. I just can't wait! Today, I completed my first and only midterm of the semester. Let's keep our fingers crossed that I did okay. I was nervous because it covered a lot of material and the writing that was expected was different than what I am used to. But, I know that all will turn out well... I hope! :)

I would like to share just a couple other exciting things that have happened before I head out. I have been given an exciting opportunitiy to volunteer for Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Council. I will be teaching an afterschool leadership program at Lefler Middle School, a local middle school, every Friday afternoon to about 15 girls in grades 6 through 8. As many of you know, this is similar to what I did last semester for the Western Oklahoma Council in Oklahoma City with elementary and high school girls. I am excited to work with middle school students because this will increase my experience working with young people. I am excited! Please pray for me. Please pray that I be a light to these young girls as they struggle with battles that we all faced as young students and that I can be a mentor, someone they can look up to as they try to find answers to everyday questions. Also, please pray that I can create a healthy relationship with them that will last longer than the academic year. This type of work has been my dream and I am so blessed to be given the opportunity. And, secondly, Ali and I purchased a Nintendo wii and Rock Band wii. Yes, we know, a bit ridiculous, but we couldn't resist. There are some days when we just want something to do, like play a game. So, we agreed to purchase this crazy game system. But, it has been so much fun and I am already addicted (I was actually addicted way before I even owned one)!

Well, I think that was longer than "A Quick Hello", but once I started typing, I felt like I had so much more to share. I know I have even more to share, but I will save it for later.

I miss you all dearly! I love you all even more! I will see you all soon! And, as always...


GO BIG RED!
Cyndi