#339: Michigan State University

I'm not gonna lie...I WAS motivated to post about MSU because of their win last night over Iowa in the Big 10 Championship.

Being a Michigan State student is so much more than I ever thought it would be when I started my Master's degree [which I found by Googling "Educational Technology Masters degree overseas]. I've organized the perks below, in no particular order:

• A very cool tagline: Spartans Will.
• A very cool app you can download to make your own pictures like this:



• BIG TIME college football! My first Alma Mater, Trinity University, is a fantastic school, but the football stadium, at least when I was there, held less people than my high school stadium. 
• MSU's football team just made it to the playoffs!
• MSU's football team will be playing in the Cotton Bowl (aka JerryWorld) in Dallas, where there is a slight chance I can go to the game
• I heard rumors that the School of Education is the #1 or #2 in the country. I believe it.
• Fantastic, professional professors.
• Rigorous—I meanRIGOROUS—curriculum.
• An education that is above and beyond any I have received to date.
• The MAET program.
• The MAET program in IRELAND.
• 3 summers in IRELAND.
• Fantastic fellow students.
• A worldwide alumni network.
• Being a part of. The first year of my Master's program, the dean of the college of education came to Ireland to speak at the recognition ceremony for the 3rd years. Last year, the Alumni Association made a video that featured MSU students congratulating all of the Year 3's by name at various places on campus in East Lansing.
• A very cool mascot that can be found everywhere, like when I was in Austin, TX for Thanksgiving:

#338: Music & Merriment

Then sometimes, you get to spend the evening with friends, having fabulous conversation, eating delicious food, listening to beautiful music...

Dinner at the Boise Co-op

Waiting for the Boise Philharmonic and Master Chorale to being at St. John's Cathedral

#337: Collaborating!!!

Training and collaborating today! I am loving my job this week!

Coffee and computers, what more do you need?

#336: Change

I just got home from the Bogus Basin school advisor's meeting. This is a new post for me, as in the past I have been a Mountain Host, which is much more closely related to Ski Patrol than anything else on the mountain.

There were all new people and a little voice in the back of my head kept comparing this to ski patrol. I started making plans to rejoin the Mountain Hosts even though I know it's the best thing for me to skip this year.

Suddenly I realized there's no problem here—I'm just uncomfortable! What relief!

No longer is change threatening and anxiety producing and excruciatingly painful! For the most part, discomfort is a good sign that I'm doing something different that will lead to something new and good!

#335: Do-overs

Before Thanksgiving break I asked my supervisor to come observe my teach a class that has been a struggle to teach. He did, and a few days later he came in and confirmed what I knew: it wasn't so great. His feedback was super helpful, though: "You're doing the work, Joy. The kids need to do the work." I knew he was totally right.

Over the holiday I reworked my attitude and approach to not only that class, but all of them, and today my supervisor observed the same class again. We haven't talked about the results, but I know it was way, way better. Even if he disagrees, I felt so much better--I was more prepared and I had deliberate tasks that required the students to do the work. 

I feel so good about the changes I made! Not only did the students do more work, because they were busy working I was able to wander around and help students that needed it. I also (and perhaps more important to me for long-term well being) had way more energy by the end of the day, because 1) I wasn't worn out from trying to make students pay attention to me, and 2) my attitude was still positive by the end of the day, and 3) I am looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

As so often happens, I just needed someone else to say out loud to me what I was thinking. It works the same way with my trainer, in fact, just this week. I almost cancelled my Monday appointment with him because I felt so bad about not eating super well or exercising much over the holiday. However, I knew that if I cancelled, it'd be another week of making excuses and allowing myself to continue behavior that makes me feel icky. 

And so I showed up, bad mood and all. At one point he asked me how my long run went over the weekend. I didn't do it, I said. Why not? he asked. I mumbled something about not feeling like doing much living on Sunday and I just about burst into tears. I think he noticed because he said, "Well, you're here now."  

That's what it's about: the do-overs. At least I'm here now. At least I'm still teaching. At least I keep trying again. A few years ago I was watching an Eagles football game I where Nick Foles threw at least 2 interceptions (possibly 3?) but his team came back to either win or almost win the game. The part I remember was what the announcer said [paraphrased by me]: What makes a quarterback great is how he responds to throwing those interceptions. I think of this all the time: I don't want to be a quarterback that gives up after a bad first half; I want to come back in the second half ready to start over and win!

#334: Sunshine!

The sun came out today!!!!!!!

#333: Perfect Timing

Imagine my surprise when I checked my box late in the day and found an envelope with my name on it stuffed full with something!

Here's what was inside, with a note that absolutely made my day--a day that began with much anxiety and fear. 

What is the cherry on top is that I burn through socks super fast--they all get holes in them the first or second time I wear them. 

God doesn't miss a beat.