It's Almost Fall at Catawba
by Brittany Parker '09

Here it is mid-October the leaves are changing to their famous golden-brown, yellow, and orange colors and floating to the ground creating a vibrant scenery all around campus. The smell of acorns and just the cool breeze tells us that fall is most certainly here. So, naturally what is on the mind of the entire community here at Catawba College? FALL BREAK!

But what must we get through before we are "foot loose and fancy free" for a couple of days? MIDTERMS!!! Whew ... they are here my friends, they are here. They always catch up to me, too.

It seems I just started my classes approximately two weeks ago, and already I have had two exams in almost each of my classes and this week, I will top off my third in some of my classes. Others have graciously left the test until after fall break, so we can use some of our precious time to cram in some more studying. It's crazy to think about how fast this semester has gone. I really am dumbfounded that already, we have reached the middle of the semester and what we have to look for now is compiling more info for the cumulative exam at the end of the year.

At first thought, this sounds very, very depressing, but in another light, it's quite exciting to think about all of the information my mind has learned in the last two months. And ... when thinking of some of the activities I have been involved in lately, I must say — WOW, this semester has been the best so far! Probably one of the busiest ... but still it takes the cake.

So guess what?! Guess what small little school's Division II football game was broadcasted on national television a couple of weeks ago? That's right, Catawba College!! So how does that have anything to do with me since I don't play football? It has everything to do with me, you and anyone else involved. We all were proudly recognized by broadcasters on television as a high class school with of high class with students and faculty that possess amazing school spirit. It was a fun and exciting time, and an experience I will never forget. There were so many people that came to this game: current students, alumni, professors, faculty members, and people of the community. It was a full house and a total blast! What a great way to end the first half of our semester this year with a victory on national TV.

And to top off something this big, I really had a good week when I learned that we were going to be learning about tree identification in my Environmental Education Resources 1 class. I love the environment, I just don't know much more right now than identifying agricultural crops — mainly because I've lived on a farm all of my life. I remember my dad taking me out a long long time ago and showing me the difference in the leaves and how to remember which was which. Unfortunately I didn't note them very well, must be a little ADD in me kicking in. He'd show me a leaf and I would look for insects and holes and all of a sudden, I'm thinking about caterpillars and butterflies ... and yup, the info flew in one ear and right out the other. But today, I will finally learn the difference between a maple, and a sweet gum, and between a white pine, and Virginia pine.

I'm still not perfect by any means, but now that we've used an entire class discovering the differences in the leaves and noting color, I feel a lot more comfortable teaching little kids — which if you remember from my last blog, I will need to do very soon. Obviously, feeling comfortable in my subject and as a teacher is a MUST for wanting to teach ... so, this class is seriously paying off! I can't wait to see what we get to learn about next! Until then, have a great fall break and good luck on your midterms!!

Brittany welcomes e-mail correspondence from current and prospective members of Catawba's community and can be reached at blparker@catawba.edu.