...that it seems every time you turn around, something is inspiring or just makes you feel plain good deep inside? I think that old saying about getting up on the right side of the bed or starting off with the right foot makes a difference too. I started my paleontology class today and was captivated from the moment I walked in the door until the final sweeping moment when it was suddenly over. Even after leaving T-Hall and starting to walk down the wet brick paths to my next class, I felt I was completely in a daze... my head still reeling with all the thoughts that were packed into that hour and a half. It was one of those "this is going to be a good semester" feelings.

Art studio was no different. While certain aspects were more traditional in the introduction to the class, the same characteristics of my professor that by now I know well (who I had just last semester) were there like always. The room, the feel of the stool under me, the texture of old, dried paint on the drawers and sink, and the quiet, non-intrusive light from the skylights were familiar and comforting. In fact, that's been a common theme throughout my day, I think. The worldview has certainly changed and evolved over my three years here--from the wide-eyed wonder of freshman year, where everything seems incredible, to the unique bond and relationship that I have developed with this campus. I knew today that this was the same College I had left a month before for the holidays, humming with activity in a way that you can only sense, not usually see in an obvious way. Certainly, there have been some routine things today... as mundane as the process of driving through the rain this afternoon to take a nap at home... and as simple as taking time to catch up on the week's happenings in the latest edition of the W&M News.

Yet, there will always and everyday be at least one thing that amazes me, in small and big ways. I caught up with one of my best friends at dinner tonight, to listen to all the stories about the future plans for grad school and worried needs to figure out the year to come. All along, I thought about how incredible to have a friend so experienced in her field and have potential opportunities that may create a fantastic career one day. Then, to have a phone conversation from the halls of the University Center with a new friend about the unique experiences that we have both enjoyed because of the College... everything from field trips in geology and outreach in the community to the very decisions that made (and continue to make) this our school of choice. In full circle, I ended up getting the details from this phone call so I can introduce my professor of paleontology to a group of high school students at a conference this weekend.

The possibilities continue to be endless, the outlook is bright, and the experiences never cease to astound me!