The Catherine McAuley Center

On Thursday nights I volunteer at the Catherine McAuley Center.  The Catherine McAuley center is a community resource that tutors individuals who want to improve their English or mathematics skills.  I tutor an individual who wants to improve his English skills.  It’s a great opportunity for me to get involved with the community and make a difference.  It’s also a great opportunity for me to practice teaching English to individuals who don’t speak English as their first language.  After graduating from Coe, I hope to teach ESL classes.  

Visit the Catherine McAuley Center sometime!

A Class Scavenger Hunt in the Library

For one of my history classes we completed a library scavenger hunt.  For the hunt, we had to find things like an article in Life magazine that dealt with gender before 1960 and an original poster from the 1925 Flunk Day.  Our class raced to see who could complete the project first. My partner and I came in close second.  We learned a lot about the library and a surprising amount about the history of Flunk Day.  It was really nice to take a break from a normal class period and I’m sure our professor enjoyed watching us frantically run around the library.  

Proof that we completed the project: 

     Until next time,

Millie 

Wilson's Apple Orchard

Hello! 

It is a tradition in my sorority to visit Wilson’s Apple Orchard each year.  Last year I wasn’t able to go, so this year was my first time there.  I really enjoyed the trip!  While we were there, we picked some apples, took A LOT of photos, and drank some apple cider.  We visited the orchard’s store, which had a lot of delicious apple treats, like apple fritters.  Before leaving, I bought a pumpkin to decorate for the room and I enjoyed a frozen apple cider drink.  Next year, I plan on taking my parents there.  I would definitely suggest stopping by the orchard for a visit! 

Until next time,

Millie

Research in Hannibal, Missouri

Hello Everyone!

I’m writing a paper on the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum and it’s portrayal of Twain for my Historian’s Craft class.  For the past few weeks, I’ve just been getting some basic information on Mark Twain from the library. Last weekend I was able to go to Hannibal, MO and actually visit the museum to complete some more research.  While I was there, I took pictures of the different sections of the museum, I interviewed Henry Sweets, the museum’s curator, and I picked up some more sources that I could use in my paper.  My history professor let me borrow a recorder for the interview, so I’ll be able to listen to sections of the interview while I’m writing my paper.  Overall, it was a very productive visit!

 

Have a great week! 

Millie

Parent's Visit!

Hello again!

This weekend my parents came to Coe for a quick visit.  When my parents visit, they like to check out all of the great places to eat in Cedar Rapids.  During this visit, we ate at the Irish Democrat Pub and Grille on 1^st Ave and we had some delicious hamburgers at Granite City.  Before they left we also had brunch in the Amana Colonies in a restaurant called The Ox Yoke Inn.  If you’re visiting Cedar Rapids sometime, I’d definitely suggest driving an extra twenty minutes to visit the Amana Colonies.  After you’ve finished eating, it’s fun to walk around and look at all of the different shops.  When we weren’t eating, we were driving around Cedar Rapids, checking out all of the local hotspots.  We also relaxed a little and went to see a movie called Debt.  If you’re in the mood for a serious spy movie, I’d suggest going to see it.      

Until next time,

Millie

Study Breaks (AKA Study Parties)

This past week my roommates and I had A LOT of homework.  To stay sane while preparing for all of our tests and papers, we took frequent breaks and cheered each other up.  On Thursday night, the night before my paper was due and the night before two of my roommates had their tests, we ordered a pizza and had a ten minute pizza/dance party break.  The day before our pizza party we walked over to the P.U.B. for a quick snack break.  If we need a really quick break, we’ll watch a couple of movie trailers or a funny You Tube video (I suggest watching anything with fainting goats in it) Thanks to the regular study breaks, my roommates and I survived the craziness of this week.  Hopefully we’ll be able to say the same thing for this coming week!

Another great site to visit if you need a study break: Awkward Family Photos

Wish us luck :)

Millie   

Formal Recruitment

Hello everyone!

This past week was formal recruitment for the three sororities on campus: Alpha Omicron Pie, Delta Delta Delta and Alpha Sigma Alpha (the sorority I’m in).  Recruitment went really well—we now have 20 new members! My favorite part of recruitment is a Coe tradition called Running of the Stairs.  During Running of the Stairs, the girls who joined a sorority find out which sorority they’re in.  The girls meet in Voorhees’s lobby and, when their name is called, they receive a t-shirt of the sorority they are now a member of and run down the stairs, outside into their sister’s arms.  The older members of the sorority stand outside of Voorhees, cheering for their sorority and for the new girls.  It’s great a great way to bond with your sisters and to welcome new members.   

Until next week,

Millie

The First Week of School

This past week was the first week of school and it was a little rough…Cedar Rapids choose this week to increase the amount of Ragweed and pollen floating around in the air.  Lucky for me, there are plenty of other people on campus who have the same problem I do and have been sharing cough drops and decongestants with me.  Nothing says “welcome back” like a bag of lozenges! 

Other than my allergies, the first week of school went well! I’ve been catching up with friends and helping my sorority prepare for rush.  I haven’t even been here a week and I’m already back in the groove of things.  This semester I’m taking U.S. History (to 1865), American War in Vietnam, Historians Craft, and Literary Analysis.  I’ve already done A LOT of reading, but the reading has been really interesting and I’m excited to dig into the topics a little further.  Although I’m excited for my courses, I’m not excited to start the research papers I’ll be writing this semester.  These papers have a longer length requirement and I have a little problem with procrastination... Hopefully I’ll be able to be a little more organized this semester!

Until next week,

            Millie