This afternoon ended up not being the productive goals that I was hoping it would be. Sure I got some things done: minor things (like writing a letter to my representative for the General Assembly), inspiring things (like meeting good friends for lunch and catching up with folks), and generally uninteresting things (that end up not being worth mentioning, hence uninteresting). But then there were several things I should have gotten done and been more responsible. I didn't make it to a special lecture or meeting with a potential candidate to be in our geology department. And far worse, I completely forgot to go teach first graders this afternoon with a geology lesson on volcanoes... I even had things planned for this afternoon without even remembering that we had set this up two weeks ago. So much for scheduling far in advance... much better for me to plan the day before! It's definitely a moment of feeling like a complete heel and disappointing twenty kids, their teacher, my professor, and myself all at once.

My head's been swirling with a million things that I have to do... call this person, remember this meeting, delegate to have something fixed with our online student community... which is all good and well with my personal info manager. And then there's the twelve million things that I never remember to put on my never-ending to-do list. Such as the stack of emails that I'm supposed to deal with in regard to my work on the geology website. Yeah, yeah I'm whining here... but when I account for the classwork that I'm attempting to focus on this semester and the sleep I'm not getting, then I feel somewhat validated. Sometimes my campus life seems to take over my geology major.

Today, I'm either spinning out of control with so much to do, or I barely have my head above water... breathing is practically not an option. Tomorrow? I'm hoping to have a better head on my shoulders... I know that I usually do when this happens. That's my sensibility and perspective kicking in, thank goodness. Stay tuned.

Rest is necessary for daily energy. Sleep is necessary for life itself. Enough sleep is necessary just to function through a day. Even more sleep is necessary for the clear mind and pure heart. Dreams are necessary to maintain an active and creative imagination. Deep sleep is necessary to feel fully refreshed and alive. I am lacking in all of these right now. Finding the balance for the day to day college experience is such a joy... but the process leading up to that sure can be painful. I look forward to the day I reach my semester balance...

Perhaps four of the best pages of a textbook that I've read in a long time happened to be the preface to my exciting new Paleontology book, Bringing Fossils to Life. It focused (as most prefaces do) on the purposes of writing this book and the way it was written in a certain manner. Yet this book seems to be set apart from most. For once, I feel like this is directly addressing the question that I have longed for and searched far and wide in my geology classes for: "What's the point?... why am I learning this?... and where will this help me in the future?" Class is not only looking to be inspiring... but exciting and with really cool reading, too!

"Throughout the book, I have tried to capture a sense of the excitement of paleobiology and have tried to convey why we try to do what we do. Students today are very results-oriented, so in the back of my mind their persistent question "What's the point?" guided my writing. As I wrote, I kept in mind what 20 years of experience with some of the best undergraduates in the country... has taught me about what students retain and what ideas excite them and keep their interest."

--Donald R. Prothero (1997)

...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!

It was a bit tiring and exhausting at the end of the day. I'm sure most everyone felt that way all across campus. One big collective sigh of sleepiness tonight at William & Mary. At the same time, it's a happy sigh to be back and seeing everyone again, catching up after winter break (which always seems to be the case each year)... and it's a sigh of awe to see everything that this semester has in store for all of us (it's that feeling that you know vaguely about everything facing you for the next few months... and it's almost too overwhelming to think about). I'm trying not to think about it... too much.

Overall an amazing day, I suppose. If I had to pick out one particular thing that was the best part of the day (an idea that I think of often when I reflect on a day... something my mom instilled in me) was hearing the Wren Building chime out at noon for the first time! Amazing, the tradition of ringing the bell every hour during the day has returned to our College... something that hasn't happened since Sam Sadler was in school here (or so he informed me today). Wow.

Yeah, that basically sums it up. Wow.

Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied. Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. Happy are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God. Happy are those who strive for peace -- they shall be called the sons of God. Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Matthew 5:6-10