Goals for The New Year

Well, I shouldn't say "goals", rather areas of improvement I could focus for myself, for my friends and for my family. Nobody's perfect, as we all have flaws and weaknesses, though being aware of how we can be better people and better learners, I'm all for it. I need to make one of these for my classrooms!

My class about happiness did have the most influential and worthwhile impact on me. I'm pretty bummed that I took this so late in my undergrad, but better late than never right? Looking at the pictures and responses by my peers, their words remind me of what really does matter in life.

via GIPHY

When I see words like honesty - gratitude - optimism - kindness - and selflessness, I always reflect if I am just that. I feel like I am, I know that I am, but sometimes we all could be better in ways we struggle with.

I believe instead of working on individual and monthly goals, it's more realistic to work on one goal as a whole. I don't know if that makes sense with anyone, but it did for me in some capacity.

My main focus for 2016 is to be a better person. I'm more than just a person, I am Christian, I am a student, I am an educator, volunteer, colleague, cousin, brother, son, etc, that a person just sums up who we each individually are. Now, what's the best way to work on this "becoming better person" image?

I see this as a manageable and realistic goal to work on throughout the new year! From class we talked about being grateful for what we have and do, maintaining and creating new social relationships and smiling & laughing more often. I usually think New Year's Resolutions are a fad as everyone hits the gym for the January 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th; but if you interpret this as an opportunity to improve yourself in some fashion, no one should bring you down because of that. I found this last picture on facebook, which I thought was pretty deep. I'll leave it here for you guys and all the best in 2016!

Ho ho ho!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! This time of year should be relaxing and enjoyable for everyone, so I hope you are all having a calm time off from school, work, or whatever your 9-5 day consists of. While at mass this morning, the priest very emphasized the meaning of Christmas and how it centers around unconditional love, not things and possessions. Yes, even though we give each other presents, we should not forget what the real meaning of Christmas is:

Love. Family. Friends. Joy. Etc.

Since today is such a joyous and memorable holiday, I think this is the perfect time to show you the pictures from my happiness class. We each took markers and wrote down words that either relate or associate with the idea of being happy. Take a look and see, and guess which one's are mine if you can spot 'em ;). What words come to mind for you?

I absolutely adored this activity because as a class, we unified together to bring forward happy thoughts and feelings for our professor and for one another. We all deserve to be happy and I am very blessed to have taken this class to justify those reasons why. It's one of those special moments where it's tough for me to put into words. 

Recap: CHRTC 100

My other Christian theology course I took this term was CHRTC 100 where it focused on introducing us to the Bible. So fitting right since today is CHRISTMAS EVE. The day before Jesus Christ was born. This course was a basic lecture and straightforward with three tests and a discussion question component.

All my professors have been so amazing this term and for this class the professor is no exception! As a whole, they all have been super helpful, accommodating to overall great mentors which I learned from them all and me. *cue the applause* *I swear I'm not a suck-up* 

via GIPHY

If I'm perfectly honest, my attendance for this class was not the greatest. Once you're in your later years in your degree, i.e.,. third-fourth-fifth-sixth years, you tend to gauge which lectures are most important actually to show up. Don't get me wrong, I strongly advocate in going to class EVERY SINGLE TIME, but there are those where it's just like "check eClass the powerpoint slide will be up anyways." Seriously kids, go to class, EVERY TIME. Strive for that perfect attendance! 

Although I don't revolve my life around quotes and sayings and passages, they do influence that way I see my life and how I interpret various situations. I'm pretty sure my classroom will just be pinned with posters of inspirational quotes, just you wait. I bring this up because some of the ones I always turn to, came from the Bible! Learning in class the contextual meaning behind them, especially ones from the Psalms and Proverbs and the Gospels was pretty great to understand. No, I won't pummel you with quotes, BUT BUT BUT here's one of my all-time favorites.

Fall Term Finito

That awkward feeling where you're officially done for the term and realize that Christmas is in 4 days and have not started studying shopping at all...

So, what am I doing over break? Well, racking in the money basically. Yeah, I work almost every day except Christmas and New Years Day. It's alright though, as they're not full on 8 hour shifts. I don't go back not until the 4th of January school wise, which is exactly 2 weeks from today. Other than work, here are my plans:

- Sleep (because I have no classes to attend) 

- Hang out with friends and family as much as I can (because I have no classes to attend)

- BLOG! (because I have no classes to attend!!) 

You can expect me to do recaps about my other classes, what I'll be taking in Winter term and any additional school-related blogs! 

One Down, One Left

Of course I'm talking about finals! I shouldn't be as stressed as my peers, just because I have only 2 finals to write (one done this morning thank you thank you) and another one next week. One of my other classes substituted a final with a take home exam aka "final paper" which I'm very much happy about. It just sucks that I'm not officially done until the 21st of December. Guess who'll be doing Christmas shopping on December 22-23-24! THIS GUY. 

Crazy to think that I last blogged over two months ago! I think it's a challenge for me to blog constantly, almost every day as opposed to in the end (summative vs. formative!). I think the excuse "I was too busy" is getting a little old. Not to worry, as you WILL see many many more within the next couple weeks. This term I had a great term with outstanding professors and I learned very much so from my peers. Something, I don't say so lightly. I'll go more in depth later on.

Here I am sipping tea and reminiscing about my classes, it's weird to think that I'm already done fall term.  

What to expect soon:

- a recap of my classes

- how my classes are applicable to teaching

- how my classes are applicable to real life

Seriously, I can not wait to share with you how my term went!