I might as well write a quick update.  Yes, I offer my deep and sincere apology for the near death of this blog... I shall attempt to write at least once every two weeks.  Remember when I promised myself not to post every day?  Hahaha!

Anyways, Christmas break has been great.  Since "great" isn't such a great (hehe) description, I shall elaborate.  I've been working part-time over the last three weeks for BEC Environmental, Inc., an environmental consulting firm.  It's a lot of hard mental work, but it's been worth it. 

I got to see Kelly three whole times over the break!!!  We even got our walk/talk/dessert drink time in!  Yay!  We went to Zion like last year, which was a blast.  Aaron dressed for an expedition (we walked on paved trails most of the time), Kelly took silly photos (one of which I so deceptively deleted), James cracked jokes and held onto Kelly for dear life.  It was so nice to be all relaxed with friends from home again.

Classes start on Monday.  I'm taking Philosophy 101, Spanish 103, Wellness, Music 101 and Geology 221.  Yeah!  I'm excited for this course schedule because it's all normal freshman classes for once.  :)  Hurrah for mediocrity!  *sigh*

I'm sad for two reasons... I didn't get to see the Lutschkins and I didn't get up to Mount Charleston this year.  I leave for Wheaton on Saturday, January 12.  I've got lots to look forward to other than snow, so I'm ready to go back.

Ta ta for now!

- Miss MacGyver

I've been dreadfully neglecting this blog.  Tempus volat.  (Right, Mr. C?)  I'm losing my Latin faster than I would like.  However, my mind has not been idle, believe me.  My classes this fall have been challenging and interesting, and I think I don't even realize how much I'm absorbing.  To give you a quick view into my academic life here:

Bible and Theology "Gospel, Church and Culture":  The quarter-long class required for all freshmen to take.  Honestly, the only boring class I have experienced so far.  We learned that evangelicals are anti-intellectual and losing our moral ground.

Biology "Introduction to Biology":  The semester-long class that involves three hours of lecture per week plus three hours in lab.  We've learned about prokaryotes, protists, plant physiology and other fun stuff.  It's the "weeder" course for biology majors.... meaning it's rather difficult.  Dr. Rorem is inspirational and so much fun though! 

"Intro to Environmental Studies":  The class that has become my life.  We might as well call it "Scientific Writing with an Emphasis in Environmental Concerns and Stewardship."  I am amazed by Dr. Van Dyke.  He's managing an elk survey in Colorado, finishing a book on conservation biology and teaching classes at Wheaton.  He also requires a lot from his students- a fact which I cry over when I'm working on an environmental paper at 3AM but will love when I finish the course. 

Applied Health Science "Equestrian Skills":  I took this class at HoneyRock over Fall Break (last weekend).  For those of you who don't know, Honey Rock is the northwoods campus of Wheaton College in Wisconsin.  It's sweet.  So for this class, I rode horses for four days, took an exam, passed a riding exam, wrote a paper and passed.  Yay.

Christian Education "Intro to Christian Formation": Also at HoneyRock.  Part of the wilderness experience.

I think this is the first time I am really missing Las Vegas, as awful as that sounds.  My cell phone is out of commission right now so I can't even call.   I have great friends here at Wheaton- don't get me wrong- but I'm really missing y'all who I grew up with and shared with and trusted.  Here we (at least the girls) are constantly hearing about who is dating who and who is newly in a relationship and it's really quite tiring.  Don't say it- I know it: Welcome to drama, Miss Homeschooled.  Haha.  But seriously, I've challenged myself to remain Miss Independent for a while yet.   I'm coming home for Christmas!  Only... two more months now.  Ouch.  It will have been nearly 5 months since I've been home.

Next weekend Kevin and Dad are coming for a visit. 

The following weekend I am going to Cincinatti with my friend Amy to visit her family.  I'm very excited to get off campus and meet her family and stay in a *real* home environment for once.  Y'know, like two parents and a kid or too, maybe some friends come over and hang out kind of place.  Wow.  I'm really looking forward to this.  :)

Over and out and forever and always,

MISS MACGYVER