"It's okay, we're geologists!"

As I stare out my window into the grey sky, watching as some strange mix between rain and snow falls to the ground, I wonder where exactly FALL went. The beginnings of October found me still outside at least a few times a week, with the only thing to worry about being rain but never very cold weather...and now, it's practically snowing, and it is only mid-October. Let me be the first to say that I am far from ready for snow this early in the year (and would personally be happier if it never came) but...at least I have snow boots! And I am excited to wear them, I will admit that.

Other than the weather, compared to last week this one was an absolute dream. I did indeed get to relax a bit after midterms, satisfied that that particular hurdle was behind me, and happy to have some free time again. I also had my second week of working in the university's writing centre, which is a great service that is free for any student to use for any paper in any subject. One just has to bring one's paper down to the centrally located writing centre to have it read by a peer tutor (like myself) and to get some extra insight and help with his or her writing. My personal hours spent in the centre have been slow ones, but they have been very good all the same. The room itself is actually very comfortable and homey, so I do not mind spending my time there at all - plus, we are all allowed to help decorate it, and believe me when I say I am a crazy decorator at heart. I think its my imagination...

After my shift at the writing centre, I definitely had my best evening of the week. I went with a couple of friends to see the theatre team do their improv show, aptly named 'WU's Line is it Anyway?' I went to see the spring production as well, and though it was definitely a great show then, things have only gotten better this year. Four of my really good friends were also involved this year, which made it a lot more fun, considering I knew the people preforming on stage. It only cost $1 to get a show that was a little more than an hour, and it was more than worth every penny. I was laughing the entire time, and reminded just how talented some people can be. Improvisation takes a completely different set of skills than acting from a script, and I always love to watch.

Saturday was my trip to Ohiopyle, PA with my geology group, and it was definitely a successful trip. We did a lot of hiking on trails that, although Melissa claimed the guide listed as easy, were definitely pretty tough walks, climbed a few rocks, and went behind a waterfall (talk about an intense and completely amazing experience, nothing compares to the power of a waterfall). We are in the process of making a short video about our trip, and also working on a PowerPoint for our project about the history of Ohiopyle itself, as well as about how waterfalls are formed. Although sometimes it is admittedly very hard to understand how geology will actually be a part of my life someday, considering I am taking it as a general education course and it is not specified by my major, it has at least caused me to step out of my box and do a lot of things I would have never done otherwise. I do not regret going behind that waterfall, and its an experience I will remember forever.



This coming week I already have a lot of plans, as seems to be the usual, starting with Sunday. After a trip to one last church for Religion in America (the choice of church is still up in the air at the moment), I am going on a trip with the WORLD club to a Greek restaurant in Pittsburgh. With only $5 to include the meal AND the ride, its definitely a great value - WORLD trips always are, so I try to take advantage of them any time they pop up. This coming week is also the week that WU is doing photo shoots for their new brochures, and my time is on Thursday - I'm really excited, actually. I've never been in a real photo shoot before, but I do love being in pictures, so I think it will be a lot of fun. My best friend and I are also going to see an update on Invisible Children held on campus Tuesday night. Invisible Children is an organization that is trying to free child soldiers in Uganda, and when they came to WU last spring, the entire campus seemed to get involved. I figure that the turn-out for this update is going to be widely attended, and I am looking forward to seeing what is going on in Uganda now.

The biggest part of this coming week is probably our next World Religions trip to a mosque in Morgantown. Islam was completely foreign to me before we started learning about it in class, and I am incredibly excited to overcome the dark stereotypes that seem to have developed about them recently, and experience a day worshipping with them first hand. I should be writing this right after I get back from the trip, actually, so I am certain I'll have at least a few things to say with it fresh in my mind.

Anyway, until next week!