As the first semester wraps up, I look back on all my class and think to myself that I am really glad I went to Wartburg. Everyone is so nice and very willing to help anyone in need. I really feel welcome here and I don't think anywhere else would be better. I love how small the class sizes are because you can actually have one on one with the teachers and connect with the other students. I thought the debate that we had in IS class was really fun and the fact that we are able to do that is amazing.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been very stressed. I have just found out that I have to work ten hours a week in order to meet my financial aid requirements. It doesn't seem like all of hours, but because I have so much going on in my classes and in track, it's really hard for me to grasp the idea of working ten hours. I finally decided that I would have to work over Christmas break. Now, I am working at the local Hy-Vee in order to meet my requirements.

Today I had an experience that I will never forget. As a team, we all went to the track coaches house for a brunch. Coach and his wife made wonderful egg dishes and bought a lot of different kinds of bagels from Pannara. After we ate and all of the coaches got to say a few words, coach Newsome started handing out Christmas presents. We all got new hats and a lanyard we could keep. I really feel like this is my second family. I love the family aspect I get in any kind of team. Wartburg track is so inviting.  

Over Thanksgiving break I went to Florida. Because I am always cold I still thought 60 degrees was chilly. There was only one day that we were able to go out in the sun and spend the day on the beach. I still had a lot of fun with my family and was glad  I had that experience. On Thanksgiving day, instead of making a turkey, we made a dish called bubble pizza. We thought because we weren't doing a regular Thanksgiving, that we wouldn't do a regular meal. Even though it was a long trip to Florida, I had a great time!