At the State Fair

Tim and I went to the State Fair today: "The Great Minnesota Get-Together." We took this picture with his camera phone while he enjoyed some pie and coffee at the Hamline Church restaurant (I had a Diet Coke and a pretzel from a vendor that I smuggled in).



We made lots of purchases--so many that we weren't sure they would fit in Tim's scooter for the ride home (it only cost $4 to park with a motorcycle/scooter--car parking was $9). But we had bought some bungie type cords and so we bungied the three round extension cord holders (seen in the picture between us) to the back of my seat rest, stuffed the king-sized hammock and other purchases and gifts (a bunch of stuff from the Northern Tools shop for $25, free Bethel water bottles and bracelets from the Bethel University in the education building, and a cool sprinkler called "Noodlehead."

It's funny--Tim never seems interested in going to the Fair, but once we get there it's tough to get him to leave! It was a little strange to be there with no kids, but we adapted pretty easily. We had a pancake breakfast at a little restaurant called Epiphany Diner run by Epiphany Catholic Church--it was very filling and delicious. We also had a malt, pronto pups and the pie and pretzel mentioned above. I just missed seeing an old friend at the Bethel University booth--she had signed the alumni book above me, but we never caught up with her. She and her husband live in Washington state now, but their daughter attends Bethel and they have family here in the Twin Cities.

Tim and I got our arms stamped and kept our parking pass in case we decide to go back later (it's only 5 pm now). Off to church in a bit and then we'll either crash or go back to the fair!

Happy Labor Day!

Till next time,


Suzi

I taught my first class!

I am now a college instructor! I am noted as full-time staff with faculty status (at least I think that's how I'm noted...). I can teach, give assignments, grade and have a TA (teaching assistant).

The first class was really fun for me. I think the students are still a bit overwhelmed by everything, but I hope they enjoyed class too. The hour time slot went by very quickly. I'll have to be careful not to go over, because my Tuesday sessions are only 40 minutes and my Thursday sessions are 50 minutes.

I'm hoping to have a BBQ at my house. There are 15 students signed up for my course, but I think I had a couple extra, and one student who was there and left emailed me to say she was planning to come back. So, I don't know if I'll end up with more students or if they'll be assigned to a new section.

Meanwhile, I'm working on registering new students for seminary, entering grades for Doctor of Ministry students at the seminary, helping my professors in Anthro/Soc get ready for the new year.

My overtime job is finished (whew!) and I received a very nice thank you gift. Tim helped me consume the trail mix packet, which had lots of yummy sunflower seeds (his favorite). And he didn't even have to remove any shells (I hate when we travel and sunflower shells get all over the place, but he eats them to stay awake).

The two professors in my department who are also teaching the Introduction to Liberal Arts class want to combine our classes for a BBQ at a park, since there will be so many of us (about 60!). That will be fun too!

My TA, Maren, is really terrific. She connects well with the students and is very energetic and supportive. After class she collected the assignments and asked how I would like her to grade them! What a blessing she is!

For now, though, I plan to kick back this weekend. I may help Tim a bit at Mark's house, and we might go to the State Fair in the morning (church at night). I'm planning to take Monday off work, and perhaps do some cleaning and catching up around the house. Reading and naps are also luxuries I hope to endulge in.

Till next time,


Suzi

Happy 50th Birthday Tim!!

Happy birthday (one day late) to my wonderful husband Tim!

We both worked yesterday, but I had a roast in the crockpot and bread in the breadmaker. Mark was the only one who could join us for dinner (at first), but it was nice--corn on the cob too. Then Tim's Moldovan friends came over with their two children and brought us a salad, lots of home-grown veggies, breads and candies. By the time they left at 8:30 we were pretty wiped out.

Our family celebration on Sunday for brunch was very nice. We had quiche, fruit, sausage, bacon, toast, etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Things are slowing down a bit at work, but I teach my first class of Introduction to Liberal Arts on Friday. Tonight I'm going to work on my syllabus. I'm very excited to see the students!

Never a dull moment!

Till next time,

Suzi

Quick blog

Just a quick note to say that work responsibilities continue, but should lessen considerable in the next couple of days. I'm having Tim's family over for brunch today at 1 pm, so that is a nice change of pace, and forcing me to get the house in some kind of order.

Freshmen arrive on campus later this week--should be fun to see them! So far football players and other fall sports participants are back on campus, as well as RAs (Resident Assistants). Fun, fun fun!

Till next time,


Suzi

Busier and busier

Well, last Wednesday evening I got an email asking if I could lend some administrative assistance for the class I'll be teaching in a couple of weeks. Turns out Academic Affairs is short-handed right now, and they offered me overtime. So, I accepted! I worked quite a bit over the weekend and this week I'm working long hours as well. The bulk of it should be done by Monday, when we have our all-day faculty/Teaching Assistant orientation. So far I have yet to purchase gifts for those who've taught 10 and 15 years, organize a team to collate printed materials, and seek assistance to mail merge over 500 documents.

I've read reports, created spread sheets, made phone calls, submitted requests online and via fax. I did enjoy a bit of a break. Today Bethel had an ice cream social sponsored by the president's office. And we received a 2.5 percent raise.

Also, I helped Tim find keys to a house he's working on--apparently the only set!

It's been a productive, good day.

I'm beat.

Till next time,

Suzi

Back in Minnesota

Well, my flight was delayed in Chicago for over two hours, because the plane we were to take from Chicago to Minneapolis had weather issues in Newark or somewhere out there on the east coast. So even though things were clear from Nashville to Mpls, I didn't get in till about midnight last night, and to bed after 1 (there was no milk in the house so we had to make a run on the way home, and found lots of places weren't open after midnight)!

Needless to say, I'm moving a bit slow this morning, but I'll be back at work. It was a wonderful weekend with Mom and Dad, Cheri & Roger and their families. More later.

Till next time,

Suzi

Time goes too fast!

Well, it's Sunday evening and I've had a great time with my Tennessee family. I can' believe I'm going back to Minnesota tomorrow already!

This morning Cheri & I went to Sunday school and church with Mom and Dad, then out to lunch at the Patio (where leftovers conveniently serve as the next meal). Then while Mom and Dad took a little nap, Cheri and I drove to some beautiful falls nearby and hiked up the mountain a bit. That was fun. We drove by some motorcyclists, so it made me homesick for a ride with my sweetie on his Honda Silverwing (I saw a couple of Gold Wing bikers here). The mountain roads are pretty narrow, so it seemed easier to maneuver a motorcycle than a car there.

We had a nice late afternoon of front porch sitting, supper of leftovers, watched some Olympics, and then enjoyed some evening back porch sitting. My nephew Nathan is in town and has his dog Kudo with him (and his friend Michelle). Kudo and KimmeeSue (my parents' dog) entertained us with several minutes of chasing and wrestling. All too soon the sun was setting and we went inside to get ready for bed.

The weather here has been lovely for my visit--highs in the lower 80s, a nice breeze, and lots of sunshine. I'm so grateful I got to spend this time here. I'm planning to return with my family at Christmas time. I'm already counting the weeks!

Till next time,


Suzi

I'm in Tennessee!

Here I am at my dad's laptop using dial-up internet in Madisonville, TN. But I couldn't be happier! Mom and Dad had their 55th anniversary today, and we celebrated it with my brother and his daughter, my sister and her husband, their oldest son and his girlfriend. I surprised Mom (Dad had figured things out), and it was great to see her face when I walked in the door.

I'll be here till Monday when I fly back, via O'Hare (only a short stop or I'd ask to meet up with my Chicago sister.)

More about the trip later! Have a good weekend!

Till next time,


Suzi

Two jobs!

Well, after a summer of searching, Christina has now landed two part-time jobs--one as an office assistant at Brunswick Bowling, the other at Caribou Coffee!

Hopefully she can juggle her hours without too much trouble.

Meanwhile, I'm preparing for my 8-week teaching job--I've received class materials and books. I've taken the StrengthsFinders test. My highest ranking category was Positivity.

I'm hoping for time this weekend to read some of the materials. But, I'm also reading The Friday Night Knitting Club for bookclub--so we'll see what takes priority. I'm thinking I'll get the novel read quickly and then go on to the academic stuff.

Have a great weekend--happy 08-08-08! Enjoy the Olympics!

Till next time,

Suzi