New School Year! I'm a sophomore.

I haven't wrote a blog all summer or at the end of the semester. So in case you weren't sure, I'm going to be a sophomore this year.

I made the Dean's List last semester and plan to make the President's list this year. The President's list is for students with a 4.0 or above. I am currently majoring in Writing and Secondary Education. I am receiving endorsements in English, ESL/ELL, and Reading. Which means when I graduate I will be able to teach English to students who don't speak it or speak it poorly or teach English to students who have grown up with it and help them find the true joy in literature. I will be able to teach from 5th grade to 12th grade, I'm not sure what grade I want to teach yet. This semester I am taking a full class load of 18 credits. I am taking Introductory Psychology and lab, Reading and Writing of Sexuality, Educational Technology, Language and Culture, Language and Literacy, and Perspectives on Gender/Race/ and Ethnicity. I have two night classes one on Mondays and one on Tuesdays. My Fridays, however, are free. Drake introduced the J-term last semester which means there is "technically" a third semester where I could take a class for a month and get three credit hours for it during the month of January. I am not participating in the J-term this year because there was a lot of confusions about housing. Next year I will take one and if I am allowed to take one Senior year I will then also (depends on student teaching for Senior year).

I'm very excited to come back to school because I have BIG plans and lots of fun to have. I am the philanthropy chair for Alpha Delta Pi which means over the summer I planned, organized and created an event to earn money for the Ronald McDonald House and the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation. We are going to be holding a raffle on Sept. 17th-21st where we will give a prize out every day to a winner. Our big prize is a Kindle Fire. Our second biggest prize is the hand-made glass sushi set my mom made. We also have prizes for a Date Night, Girl's Night Out, and Late Night Study Break. I worked really hard organizing time, date, prizes, and so much that I hope our event will be a success.I can't wait to see if we make our goal of $2,000 for the Ronald McDonald House!

I get to go back to school a week early so my sorority can practice for formal recruitment. Formal Recruitment is where women who are interested in joining a sorority can meet all the women in the houses. it is a four day event where on the first two night a woman meets all of the houses. Then through a mutual selection process a woman will choose which houses she is most interested in and the houses will choose what women they are most interested in. The third night women will visit about three houses (at least on my campus). The fourth night a woman will usually visit one to three houses again. And the next morning is bid day where the women receive bids from all the houses and get to choose a sorority they think they want to join. It is super fun and our house really needs new girls so we are hoping to recruit many women. But we need to practice because it is a very hectic, fast, and organized event.

This school year I plan to be involved with ADPi, Drake Theatre People, possibly Collegiate DECA (Business Role Play), Rainbow Union (College GSA) , SAGE (Student Allies for Gender Equality), Kappa Delta Pi (Education Fraternity), and maybe Ross Executive Council. I want to be very involved and meet lots of new people. And I like being involved with all different types of activities it makes me feel like a Renaissance Woman. I am going to get 8 hours for my job at school possibly 9 because last year I took a three hour long shift that boosted me up!

I think I covered a lot about next school year so I guess should talk about my summer! One last thing about next year I think I am going to do a Teach in Chile study abroad for the summer of 2013!

Okay, this summer. Over the summer I worked 45+ hours a week to help pay about a third of my tuition. My two jobs were at a Daycare and Qdoba, I've been invited back to work in the winter. I planned a philanthropy event and got things set up for next fall for my position. I lost a little over 20 lbs from May 1st to August 17th. I saw my friends from high school and we all talked and learned about each others' school year. I had a great time hanging out with my mom! and my baby brother Sam is taller than me now and when I first got home and watched him play lacrosse I was amazed at how talented he is. I am going to be in a wedding in October over fall break and I found out that I will be coming home for Thanksgiving. I also saw my fairy godmother Kat! And it was just a great experience. I loved being home, but I am terribly excited to go back to school.

I plan to do a picture a day for next semester because my mom wants me to, we will see how that goes!

I won $400.00 from the radio

Mom did over the edge!

New hair!

Millie!

Qdoba outfit!

The boys on July 4th!

Poptab collection jars for ADPi

Hanging out with Ashley July 4th

Hanging out with Shelbye at Ren Fest

Bridesmaids at Red Rocks, weird dance done by barber shop

Kharma!

Sushi Set for my philanthropy event!

February, Second Semester, First Year at Drake

I know I haven't blogged in awhile. I've been super busy!

I have a 40 hour practicum, I have a 70 hour lab, and I'm working 9 hours every week. I am taking 16 credit hours, and I'm philanthropy chair for ADPi. But I'll do a quick break down of my life :)

I switched majors last semester at the end of the semester. I went from Technical Theatre and Writing to Secondary Education and Writing. My practicum is for my Educ. 103 class. My practicum is basically me going to a school where I observe a teacher and I also get to help with students and I get to do a lesson plan. I am doing my practicum at Harding Middle School, my mentor teacher teaches honors 8th grade English and he teaches remedial 8th grade English where he co-teaches with a special education teacher. The co-teacher basically helps with the students that are special ed. They have IEP's which are individual education plans. My first practicum was a great start. I started helping students immediately, I'm excited about my lesson plan, and I'm seeing two totally different classrooms which doesn't usually happen.
-------Funny story: As I was watching the students, one of them flipped me off to impress another student in the class. I caught him doing it and just shook my head. They use seven steps to discipline kids the first was a non-verbal, that's what I did.

My 70 hour lab is for my stagecraft class, where I'm learning to use power tools and build. It is pretty cool. Except that it takes a TON of time out of my already busy week. And I am in a group for our class projects where there are four men and myself. 3 out of 4 men are super possessive! And the other is like, "I'll just let them tell me what to do." Super frustrating! Like I measured out an inch on the board, and the one guy says, "I'm sorry I'm a little anal retentive, just let me check this." (I know how to measure an inch. My group is obnoxious.)

I might be losing my second job because I don't have enough time for it. But I'm working 9 hours and that's pretty cool. I recently got nominated for a scholarship to go to the New York State Institute Writer's Workshop. I am applying to go this summer, I hopefully I make it! Great opportunity! But if I do make it I'll probably be heading back to Taco Bell this summer. *insert grimace here*

Now. Time for the big stuff!!!! I'm in Alpha Delta Pi the sorority. My chapter is Theta Eta. I am Philanthropy Chair. Because I am philanthropy chair I got to go to our District Leadership Conference in Merylville, Indiana! How cool? But also! Most importantly! I found out I got a diamond sister!
--------A diamond sister is a older or younger sister who either helps you with stuff in the sorority or you help with getting initiated. Then you keep in contact and help them with stuff be there for them, it is like an extra best friend. My diamond sister is my friend from my hall. I would post who it is on here, but I can't till we have diamond sister reveal.

Life is great, hectic but great. I'm doing good. I made the Dean's list last semester and I plan to make it again!

I got a free hat!!

Friday nights working at the Tennis Center from 6pm- 9pm. I get a little bored, and I love mustaches!

Christmas Break: 2011 in review



My first trip around Chicago with my sorority sister Sarah

My 19th birthday with my sorority sister adn close fring Amy.

This summer our family photo.

Me, Grandma Virginia, and my mom at Honors Convocation

Me, Grandma Virginia, and my mom at Tony's after graduation for brunch

My sorority sister Rory and me at a pre-halloween party, before we went to TKE

Those are some pictures from 2011. Within this last year I graduated high school, I turned 19, I'm going to my dream college, I am in sorority meeting my friends and sisters for life, and I've grown as a person.

When I first got to Drake University I thrived. We had our door open all the time, I was constantly meeting new people, and I was so excited for everything. Then a few weeks in I got homesick, I missed being home with my mom, my cats, and I missed my ex-boyfriend Tony. Then I rushed for sorority. I was so upset when Alpha Delta Pi was the only soroity interested in me, but my mom told me to finish recruitment. I'm so glad that my mom is smart and told me to stick with it. I loved ADPi on the last night of recruitment, and I joined. I'm going to be philanthropy chair for the year 2012. I've met a lot of great girls, and I'm sure I'm going to be friends with them for life. (Emily, Sarah, Amy, Nichole, Rory, Bre, Megan.)

So I got friends. I wasn't homesick anymore. I just needed to really choose my major. I was PR and English, but that didn't feel right. So I tried Technical Theatre Design and Writing. Didn't fit. So now I'm a double major Secondary education endorsement in english and possibly theatre and reading and my second major is writing. I think this is a great mix: I enjoy kids, I love to write, and I want to change the world.

Speaking of majors, I have one more class that needs to post and then I will offically know my final grades for my first semester at college. For my scholarhsip I needed to keep a 2.5, I currently have based off 5 out of 6 classes a 3.45 GPA. (Pretty good for first semester, and I got a B in Ethics the hardest class I've ever taken.)

I've grown up a lot I'm more mature and I've been through a little bit more. My friend Scott from high school passed away and my Grandma Virginia passed away.

Even with the sadness, I have to say it has been a great year. Thank you to all my family and friends for your support and help while I attend college. I love you all, Merry Christmas, Happy New Years, and God bless every one of you.

Thanksgiving Break

I came home for Thanksgiving break this weekend, and before I continue my blog I just wanted to go through a few things I'm thankful for...

My mom: She is my biggest fan, my coach, my best friend, and so much more. I'm so glad I got to spend time with her, because even though I don't call her and tell her or oovoo her I really do miss her. I miss her so much, and I'm really sad to leave tomorrow.

My cats: I was worried that my cats weren't going to love me, but I come home and Millie meowed at me and we all cuddled for an hour or two.

My dad and Angie: They bought me my ticket home, and I'm so grateful because I was totally ready to come home. I love them so much. I'm so glad they support me and Drake, because I love my school!

My sorority sisters: They have really made Drake a home away from home, and I love them for everything!

My Aunt Karyn, Uncle Tom, and Grandma Virginia: Thanks for coming to my first show! I can't wait to see you at Christmas!

I'm thankful for lots more, but that's a good start!

So the semester is coming to a close, I am three weeks away from finals and from my birthday. I only have three finals and have to turn in one portfolio for my poetry class. It is looking like I'm going to pass this semester with A's and B's, but my Ethics grade is walking on a fine line. (Aiming for an A!)

I have my show this week! I did the sound design for "The Flu Season" and it will be playing on December 1st- 4th. I'm very excited about my design, but a little nervous.

I am really loving Drake, and I'm very excited for next semester!

One Dana Kat. One Dream. One Destiny.

http://a-gif-collector.tumblr.com/post/3212000714

I really am just posting this blog, because I want everyone to see that cat. But I guess I can post a short blog about life too. It is going pretty good. I've had a cold for the last week, but it is finally starting to go away. Dog Sees God is this weekend, then I will get to start designing for Flue Season! I bought my pin and gaurd for ADPi, and found out my diamond sister. Her name is Megan, she is also from Colorado.

I did switch majors, because I decided I want to pursue what I'm passionate about. I am currently a double major in Writing (BA) and Technical Theatre Design (BFA). I think before class registration for next semester I am going to add a minor in Marketing, just in case the world doesn't pan out.

Short blog, I know, but like I said I really just wanted you all to see that cat.

Sometimes the Big life pushes you down, but you just got to choose to pick yourself up.

I have had a crazy week! Luckily it ended on a good note!

The Purple People Eater (that's the name of my Ipod.)

 The biggest bad thing that happened, was my Ipod broke. I had to send it into Apple where they will either fix it or give me a new one. It was an extremely unexpected expense.

However, in the big life there is really no need to think negatively and only remember the bad things. I had to learn that this week, because I got super disappointed about all the happenings in life and I was homesick. With this new life lesson under my belt I would like to list all the wonderful things that happened this week, and I am choosing to ignore the negatives. (Except my Ipod, because music=love.)

Good.Things.List:
1. I learned two songs on Ukulele this week.
2. I am the Board Operator for Dog Sees God (Charlie Brown Spoof, super funny)
3. I am the Sound Designer for Flu Season (Straight play about finding love in an insane asylum)
4. This weekend was recruitment, and I wasn't sure at first if I would love the sorority life.
5. But I do love the sorority life. I am officially an ADPi (Alpha Delta Pi) The first sorority ever in America.

I think five is a good number to stop my list at.(In Christian Numerology the number five means law. Just to increase your literary knowledge.)

So to explain my list and why they are positives I will go one by one. I got a ukulele for my Birthday in December, and took lessons to learn to play before coming to Drake. I don't play chords very well, but I learned "Amazing Grace" and "Shortnin' Bread". I have "Shortnin' Bread" memorized. "Shortnin' Bread" is a Southern Folk Song, and is a short but sweet song.

I'm going to combine two and three, so I am currently a English and PR double major. However, I found this quote by Howard Thurman:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

I have always come alive when I write, so I want to switch my primary major to writing. After I do sound for these two shows, I'm considering switching my Secondary major to a BFA in Technical Theatre Design. I know it doesn't seem like a good choice, but the sound here is so amazing and I love listening to a song and placing it to a scene. I love finding the perfect sound to create an atmosphere, writing and sound make me come alive. However, I am going to finish the semester off and be open minded. If I do switch I'm going to talk to my advisers, and ask if they think I could do a double major with a minor in Public Relations. As long as I plan my schedule right I will be able to do everything and then some. Plus most college students change their majors like four times.(We are all so indecisive.)

Now about the shows. For "Dog Sees God" I am sound board operator. Rehearsal for me starts on September 24th. The show dates are September 29, 30 and October 1, 2. Then for Flu Season, I am the sound designer. The show dates are December 1, 2, 3, 4. There is a difference between being sound board operator and being a sound designer. A designer will design the show they will select songs and sound effects for the show, they will choose where to put it, the designer will choose where the speakers should be placed in the theatre, and they will set up the qlab. A board operator operates the board during the show, they will hit go to run a cue. I'm working my way up, my tech theatre friend even thought it was unfair that tech isn't my major and I get to design. I am so excited to design for this show, and to learn all about the new things in the sound world. Below is the link to when shows are, and a little bit of more information.

http://www.drake.edu/artsci/theatre/SeasonPoster1112.pdf

http://www.drake.edu/artsci/theatre/DrakeTheatreHomePage.html

I am also going to combine four and five together. Labor day weekend was sorority recruitment. I had a very interesting experience. The first night I visited all five of the sororities, I loved Alpha Theta Kappa, Alpha Phi, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. I didn't like Delta Gamma and my experience at Alpha Delta Pi was not the best. I originally didn't like Alpha Delta Pi, because when I went through recruitment they didn't have enough girls so that each person rushing could talk to one sister. So it was like going on a date with Flavor Flav from Flavor of Love, there was the one girl who could sing and take all the attention and then there was me the awkward quiet girl. Both nights I got stuck on the terrible double date, but ADPi was the only house that kept calling me back. On the last night of recruitment, called preference night, they explained why we had been chosen. There was this beautiful metaphor about flowers and how they are unique and then how when all the flowers are together in bouquet they make something beautiful. The metaphor hooked me. ADPi, bid on me the next day, and tonight I'm going to the Alpha ceremony. I love my sisterhood they are all super nice, and I'm going to work super hard to be a part of my sorority. We are required to do two hours a week in the library, 10 hours of community service a semester, a GPA of at least 2.6, and there will be dues. ADPi has the cheapest dues on campus. It is still expensive, but I want to have sisters so I'm going to find a way to make it happen.

Me and Bre, My bid day buddy

Thank you to Dad and Angie and Mom for helping me with my unexpected expenses this week including sorority and Ipod help.

I have had a great week when I only look at the positives. I'm super excited for everything happening. I have sorority retreat on Friday night, Executive Council Lock-In on Saturday (I'm Publicity Chair for Carpenter Hall), and Parents Weekend is next week :) I can't wait to post again, maybe I'll put a video up next time!

Preference Night Outfit

For Bid Day Activities we went to Incredible Pizza, a dave and buster like place. We all got mustaches.

2 weeks down

The last two weeks have been crazy! After we moved in from Thursday morning to Saturday night there were scheduled events to do. It was called Welcome Weekend, It wasn't awful but it was just so tiring. I met a lot of new people such as the theatre department and my floor mates. I live in the basement, or as I  call it The Dungeon of Dance.

The first week of classes has gone by now, and it seemed pretty easy. I'm sure they will get harder since I'm taking 16 credit hours of class, but I'm not too worried. I met all my teachers, and like all them except my math teacher who acts like she is teaching third graders and can't remember how to do the math herself. I took a bit of too easy of a math class. (Oops!) Other than her, I like all my professors. I haven't had too much homework yet, but I'm taking tonight off (Saturday) to get all my homework done with, so I can have Sunday free.

I've gotten to explore Des Moines a little bit too. My friend took me to the Statue Garden. That's a picture of me in one of the statues. It is a really cool statue, because the alphabet makes it up.


I also attended the theatre department party last night, I met a lot of new people and some I already knew. We all got dressed up, it was shall I say awesome.

With all this fun I hadn't been missing anything from home, except for the food because I have felt sick from the food in Hubbel all week. However, I realized today as the fun toned down that I really miss my baby brothers all three of you, and I really miss my mom. Hopefully the homesickness doesn't get worse, because I'm super busy this week.

I may or may not post next week depending on my schedule.

Girls from my hall.

My roommate Lauren and I

Evy and I