Friday
I got so fired up for the driver's test that I have been retaking since December - didn't even sleep well the night before. So, as much as I have expected, I passed! So there goes an awesome morning. Had a few front desk hours at the residence hall, then headed to conduct my final class survey with an introductory Psychology class. It went well, nothing much about that except to praise God for helping me throughout the entire data collection process (I have a sense that I will do exceptionally well for this research, ahem, we'll see).
I got so fired up for the driver's test that I have been retaking since December - didn't even sleep well the night before. So, as much as I have expected, I passed! So there goes an awesome morning. Had a few front desk hours at the residence hall, then headed to conduct my final class survey with an introductory Psychology class. It went well, nothing much about that except to praise God for helping me throughout the entire data collection process (I have a sense that I will do exceptionally well for this research, ahem, we'll see).
After Cultural Cafe at two o' clock, the International Students Association met for regular business, then I headed back to my dorm to do some of the homework, it was almost 6 by then. At half past 8, Oliver, better known as the German, came to pick me up for the stadium cleanup. FYI, ISA volunteer for stadium cleanup in order to earn some funds.
So the fun part was the almost 2-hour cleaning session at our school's giant hockey stadium. Plus it was North Dakota vs. Men Hockey, the stadium was filled with people, and popcorn. It took 14 of us all the energy we had to swept away popcorns, chips, pop cans, bottles, ice-creams, and other junks. After the hard-labor, a few of us decided to just give ourselves a good treat and drove to the just-opened White Castle at downtown. Look at the photo and see how fun we've gotten. The night was worth all the hard work.
30 burger shots finished by three guys. Burrrrg! Thanks Bereket for the treat.
Saturday
There wasn't a lot of woo-haas for the day since I woke up only at 11 (it was considered very early for a Sat). So I completed most of my assignments in the afternoon, got a call from Saudi Arabian Magied and promptly decided to head up to Little Falls to meet Lois and Dick for their Winter Fun Day activities. Since our attendance weren't expected, we stopped only at the church for the Wild Game Feed. It was the first time I experienced such a man-only festive. The entire congregation was gentlemen, and some boys. And we ate man-food: turkey, beef, geese, elk, fish, and squirrels. I can't believe what I saw, it was so delicious and poor Anil, who is a vegetarian, had only mashed potatoes. I gained at least 5 pounds from the night feast, I guess!
There wasn't a lot of woo-haas for the day since I woke up only at 11 (it was considered very early for a Sat). So I completed most of my assignments in the afternoon, got a call from Saudi Arabian Magied and promptly decided to head up to Little Falls to meet Lois and Dick for their Winter Fun Day activities. Since our attendance weren't expected, we stopped only at the church for the Wild Game Feed. It was the first time I experienced such a man-only festive. The entire congregation was gentlemen, and some boys. And we ate man-food: turkey, beef, geese, elk, fish, and squirrels. I can't believe what I saw, it was so delicious and poor Anil, who is a vegetarian, had only mashed potatoes. I gained at least 5 pounds from the night feast, I guess!
Here are the men from St. Cloud, except Sue, the woman that all men need.
Sunday
Got up early for church as regular. The Minnesota Teen Challenge team presented themselves at the church service, and I was so touched by most of their experiences. Just as everyone was wiping their tears, nodding their heads in compassion, poof, the lights and sound went off. Then we realized, the entire Central MN are got a blackout. So we had the rest of the service in peach darkness, which was quite cool. After getting home from church, the elec. was still out and I've decided to sleep through it. I finally hear the noise from the heater again at 4:10 p.m. and that was my first blackout experience in the states. No lights, no heat, no internet, no flush in the bathroom. The residents were having some bonding time at the main lounge happily returned to their rooms when the electricity restored.
Got up early for church as regular. The Minnesota Teen Challenge team presented themselves at the church service, and I was so touched by most of their experiences. Just as everyone was wiping their tears, nodding their heads in compassion, poof, the lights and sound went off. Then we realized, the entire Central MN are got a blackout. So we had the rest of the service in peach darkness, which was quite cool. After getting home from church, the elec. was still out and I've decided to sleep through it. I finally hear the noise from the heater again at 4:10 p.m. and that was my first blackout experience in the states. No lights, no heat, no internet, no flush in the bathroom. The residents were having some bonding time at the main lounge happily returned to their rooms when the electricity restored.
In sum, I love how much has taken place in three days. Sorry for the rant but I think it was worth the typing. Now all that I'm worried is that many facilities in the school were closed down at 3, and that I need to use a Mac and Adobe to layout ISA newsletter. Dang! There goes my plan to watch a class assigned film in the library tonight, too. Oh wait, the Student Union just re-opened! God sees our needs, Amen.
I love surprises. It is these kinds of little unexpected things that have made life beautiful. Cheerios!
