Attending the MWCA Conference

NOTE: This is a previously written post just published a little later. 

It's that wonderful time of year again: the weather is starting to get colder, college students are being driven insane by midterms, and the first writing center conferences are taking place! Just this past week, our own writing center had the privilege of attending the Midwest Writing Centers Association, or MWCA, conference in Skokie, Illinois. The actual event took place from October 17 to the 19, and the topic was all about "writing the L." The "L," which stands for elevated, is the rapid transit system providing transportation to Chicago and some of the surrounding suburbs. Here's my abridged run down of my experiences at the conference.

Being a freshman, I really didn't have any idea what to expect. All I knew was that I had to attend some presentations and give one myself. I was pretty nervous, but once the conference started into full swing, I felt more at home. The first presentation I attended was a three part session focusing on ESL learners and the struggles that both they and writing centers face. The first presentation, which was called "ESL Writers: Listen to Us!" was about a focus group that did research on the struggles, expectations, and emotions of ESL learners. One of the most interesting things I learned from that presentation was that most ESL learners wish to be graded on the same scale that native speakers are. I would have thought the opposite to be true. The second presentation dealt with the rapid expansion of foreign exchange students and the best efforts of a writing center to keep up. It was interesting to hear about how they were adapting to deal with the situation. The last presentation was about a grammar log experiment that identified the grammar issues ESL students struggle with the most.

I also attended an interesting round table session about high school writing centers, hosted by a teacher and students from the University of Illinois Laboratory High School. It was really neat to here how some high schools are already implementing writing centers into their curriculum. Their center has been open for two years, and they are only open for about 40 minutes on Fridays. While they obviously have a different set of parameters to work with, being a high school, the way they go about conferencing is similar to the CWC. Just like us, they have a strict "no writing on the paper" policy, and they sounded more idea based than simply grammar focused. This session was probably one of my favorites.

Attending a conference also means presenting one ourselves! 10 consultants, including myself, and Doctor Bob held a round table session focusing on the hiring process here at the CWC. We spent the first 20 minutes or so explaining the three main ways you can get hired: the first year competition, the phone interviews, and the "everyone who's not a freshman" method. I focused mostly on the competition, being a first year. Specifically, I talked about the writing exercise and mock conference we participated in. I was actually sitting next to the person I conferenced, none other than Anton Jones! After we finished with our section, we opened the floor up for other writing centers to comment on their hiring processes. Instead, we got asked a lot of question about anything and everything CWC. While it didn't go exactly as planned, I feel like it was still a successful presentation, especially for my first one!

Initially, I wasn't sure what to expect from this conference, but I am super glad that I went! I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot about other writing centers. Before this, I had this naive belief that all writing centers worked like ours. Obviously, that's not the case! I also feel that I have a better sense of my job here in the writing center. This was definitely a good decision on my part. Can't wait for the next conference!

Stay classy,

Brittney

Winter Break Update

So maybe the blog writers here were taking "winter hibernation" kind of literally in terms of updating the blog.

Whoops!

But, in our defense, with the end of the semester, finals, and figuring out the always inconsistent Iowa weather, we seemed to have quite a lot on our plates. So much on those figurative plates, I might add, we resorted to everyone wearing flannel to stay warm...

Okay, you've got me, it was intentional (blame, thank the Phi Taus for their annual Lumberjack Fest). Still made for a neat photo! 

So now we're all on break, enjoying a life without readings, Moodle postings, Orchid forms, and Sunday Meals (wait, I'm definitely missing those Sunday Meals!). Now that our adrenaline from taking finals has settled down, we've decompressed, we are ready to look back on 2013 and prepare for 2014. In that spirit, the blog team has revamped the blog a little. 

If you look across the top of the page, you'll see some tabs. Click on them! Many have been updated. Yeah! They are still in the works, but it's a start. And all you need is a start. 

In terms of posts before classes start up again in January, expect a few older posts recapping first semester events along with a special series starting the beginning of January. Brittney, one of our blog writers, is headed to Tybee Island. I won't give away the trip (she has an excellent post coming up soon), but I will let you in on her providing some live updates. 

Once school is back in session, the blog team hopes to begin posting with some regularity. We will have some weekly features, hoping to bring you readers back to our site at least once a week. We're also in the process of some serious brainstorming to create some neat series about aspects of the Writing Center and us as consultants. 

So stay tuned, you won't want to miss this blog in 2014! 

P.S. For some fun, check out the 12 Weirdest Stories of Christmas over at the Huffington Post. Our own WC consultant, Laura Farmer, is featured (she's number 10). 

Writing Center Sunshine: NCPTW 2013

PSA: Coe College received its first snowfall of the year. That's right -- that powdery white stuff we haven't seen in months. Rather than embracing the chilly air, I think I will cuddle up with my cup o' joe and daydream about warmer places... like...

TAMPA, FLORIDA.

Really, this post is motivated by much more than my dissatisfaction with the weather. The WC actually just got back from the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, held on November 1-3, 2013. While soaking up the sunshine, we attended conference sessions filled with information about other writing centers and presented sessions of our own. In typical Coe Writing Center fashion, we also managed to have some degree of fun, both within and outside of the conference itself.

Most consultants took a 22-hour van ride from Cedar Rapids to Tampa... but due to scheduling issues, I was unfortunately forced to take an air-conditioned, non-smelly, 3 hour plane ride. My airplane buddies and I arrived in Tampa around 4 PM on Thursday. We hung around the hotel (AKA on the hotel's private beach...) until our van buddies arrived around 8 PM.

Because the CWC thrives on anything-and-everything food related, we dined as a staff at Bahama Breeze. Our little midwestern hearts were pleased with the fresh fish, but our director Dr. Bob took the tropical food admiration a step further. He told us about his tradition of buying key lime pie whenever he is in Florida. It started when he and his wife, Margie, were in the Sunshine State for a few weeks. They bought a pie but then realized they had nowhere to store it... so they ate the entire pie in one sitting. The next time Dr. Bob was in Florida, he was eating dinner with some friends when it dawned on him that it was his birthday. His friends promptly asked what he wanted for the occasion, and he asked for key lime pie. It's been a tradition ever since. The CWC got in on the tradition when our server brought enough forks for our entire table -- and Dr. Bob split his precious key lime pie into bite-sized pieces for all of us.

The next day, we had free time until 4 PM when the conference commenced. What better way to spend a few free hours than plunging down 90 degree drops with a safety belt pushing into your abdomen and strangers screaming all around you? Kristen, Leeann, Candace and I thought that sounded idyllic, so we spent the day at Busch Gardens amusement park. After being terrified on the 90-degree Sheikra, I comforted myself by touching a wallaby... which is my new favorite animal. Next CWC trip to Australia, perhaps?

We rushed back to the hotel in time to catch the shuttle to the conference and arrived just in time for the first session. I attended a session called "Crayons with Purpose: Visual Dialogic Reflection in the Writing Center." It was all about using drawing as a way to reflect about our lives, whether as a writer or as a consultant. With all the papers that come through the CWC, it was nice to have a little visual expression.

The opening speaker, Kristin Gilliss, spoke poignantly about the skills gained from conferencing in a writing center. She works for the Mulago Foundation, an organization that acts as a liaison between donors and charities. The charities are required to submit mission statements precisely stating their goals - in six words or less. Ms. Gilliss assists the donors in discovering what they are actually doing, not just what they think they are doing. That is considerably similar to what a consultant does... examine what a writer is actually doing, not just what they think they are doing. Ms. Gilliss reminded us that our job is needed and that it extends beyond college. I felt fortunate to listen to such a poised speaker who is the quintessential example of "making a difference."

Early Saturday morning, I rushed out of the pouring rain onto a shuttle bus. As if my trip wasn't great enough already, I met some new friends from the Auburn University Writing Center. We chatted about the differences and similarities between our writing centers (notably the fact that Coe has 70-some consultants...).  We went to a session together about connecting writing center identity to our other identities - and the coolest part was that we got to make a kaleidoscope! I connected my identity as a consultant to my identity as a resident assistant because they both require empathy and understanding. I gained a much more holistic understanding of myself.

The sessions continued all day Saturday, including a session I helped present. My presentation group held a roundtable discussion relating our hiring practices to our writing center culture. Coe is unique in its non-traditional hiring practices, which often consist of scavenger hunts, pseudo-speed-dating, and other generally fun activities. Coe College has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere as a whole, so it seems fitting that our writing center is also pretty chill. We hope our hiring practices assist in finding consultants that best fit our culture. Our awesome audience had a lot of questions and comments about our practices, and they brought their ideas to the table (literally) as well.

The snow outside is dreary, but the memory of this phenomenal trip warms me right up (and the writing center coffee in my hands probably helps too). I was proud of our writing center and humbled by the other impacting writing consultants all around me. To our beloved blog readers, perhaps we'll run into you on our next trip... we sure hope so.

-Angela, class of 2016

Motivation: "A Freaky Science"

Motivation is an important thing once you get to college and Dr. Bob has stressed its importance by showing the following video for the third year in a row. Despite how repetitive that sounds, I can reassure you that I feel better informed and motivated each time I watch the video. Here are some ideas to throw at you that you may not believe until you watch for yourself the reasoning behind motivation: it may not be what you think...

• Is it possible for a reward to lead to worse performance?
• Would having a large enough salary make you less motivated by money?
• What if your boss told you, "You probably want to do something interesting. Let me get out of the way?"
• What if people just did stuff for....free!

Do you know how you are motivated? You might be surprised with what might motivate you. You should check out this video...we all have!

-Margaret

WC Centaurs Represent on the 2013 Homecoming Court

Hello hello! Hailley is back for another exciting blog post.

This past weekend, Coe celebrated its 100th Homecoming. Campus was a buzz with alums, all coming back to see old friends, professors, and the campus that they love. It was good to see familiar faces and also good to meet some alums who had their own version of Coe to share with us.

A staple of Coe's Homecoming is the traditional Homecoming Court. All Coe students were emailed a list of all eligible seniors and had to vote on five males and five females. Those winners made up the 2013 Homecoming Court.

The Writing Center had a hearty representation on this year's court. First up, Anna Barton, from St. Paul, Minnesota. Then, William "Kobe" Spencer from Racine, Wisconsin and finally, me, from good old Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin.

Our Homecoming obligations were mainly during the second half of the week. We performed a short act for our Homecoming variety show on Thursday night, called Kohawk Rock. Kobe did his best impersonation of Beyonce's "Love on Top," while Anna ran through her time on campus, and I did a top ten list of Coe College Rebellions. What I loved about my skit was that I was able to incorporate many WC consultants who helped to act out these rebellions.

Friday night we had our coronation and the Writing Center once again has a king in our midst. Kobe was crowed king and according to Dr. Bob, this is our second king. Must be something about being a consultant that corresponds to winning the crown.

The Coronation. Hailley is five from left, Kobe has the crown, and Anna is the one on the far right. From Coe's Facebook page.

 The week ended with the parade, football game, and dance on Saturday. I would say fun was had by all. With midterms behind us, the papers are creeping up so I expect the WC to be hopping from now until at least Thanksgiving Break. Of course, we might also see increased traffic as students come to honor our king, but we'll just have to wait and see!

At the football game. From Coe's Facebook page.

- Hailley

The researchers are coming! The researchers are coming!

It's official, folks... the Coe Writing Center is an ethnographic research study.

Ok, so this has actually been true for quite a while. Chris Ervin, Director of Composition at Western Kentucky University, came to study Coe Writing Center centaurs in our natural habitat two years ago. We were in the process of moving from Peterson Hall to our current location in Gage Union. We Centaurs participated in interviews and acted as subjects in his observations.

Surprise! He liked us so much that he came back for additional research. (I mean, wouldn't you want to come back? We have free coffee...) He is examining how we utilize our new space now that we are all settled in.

Here's how part of the study went down at our staff meeting: Chris provided each of us maps of the writing center, noting where every sofa, chair, table, desk, computer, projector, etc. is located. We were instructed to annotate what we like to do in particular spots. For example, I noted on a sofa, "I like to watch TEDtalks here" and on a table, "I like to write blog posts here." (You can guess where I am sitting.) I am sure Chris will do fascinating, scientific magic with all this research... and maybe teach us a thing or two about ourselves and our new space.

Chris is also coming with us to Chicago for the Midwest Writing Centers Association conference. You can read about the CWC's role in this conference here. 

We were so glad to welcome Chris and help with his research. And no big deal, we're kind of famous now. Kind of.

All the writing to you and yours,
Angela

Looking Forward: Tampa

Two years ago, I went to a writing center conference in Miami. It involved late night swimming in the ocean, collecting seashells, and finding out the beach chair I had been using for two hours was supposedly for rent, at $10 an hour. Oops. And of course, it involved actually learning about different writing centers across the U.S. Writing Centers came in all shapes and sizes; they were large, small, appointment-based or accommodating to drop-ins, but most of all they were full of interesting people. This year’s conference, the National Council of Peer Tutors in Writing Conference (NCPTW) will be held in Tampa Bay, Florida from October 31^st to November 2^nd. The theme is “Year of the Writer” which encourages us to think about our role as tutees, and we have five research groups presenting on subjects related to that theme, such as the balance of work and play and the dynamics of friendships as coworkers. I won’t be heading to Florida this year, but I hope everyone has a great time- remember to bring back stellar ideas for our writing center, to meet new people, and to bring back souvenirs for those of us hanging out back in Cedar Rapids.

-Deidre

We're going to Chicago!

The Midwest Writing Centers Association, or as we call it the MWCA, is "a regional nonprofit organization that encourages communication and collaboration among writing centers in the Midwestern region of the United States."-MWCA website

Every fall the association holds a regional conference where the writing centers of the Midwest can come together for a chance to mingle, make connections, and learn something useful. This year the theme of the conference is "Writing the L". For those of you not familiar with Chicago, that is rapid transit system of Chicago making it a clever title for this year's conference.

Between now and October 17th when some of our writing center's finest will brace for their journey to the "windy city" I will keep you updated on some of the ways they will be representing Coe upon their arrival. Our Writing Center will have presentations from who has the power in the Writing Center operation to how we balance our comfy space with work and play. These presentations are going to be stellar. Coming soon: interviews with those heading up to project front.

-Margaret Gruhler

Peter Godwin Makes A Visit

On Monday, September 9th, the journalist and author Peter Godwin visited campus. His main purpose was to speak to Coe's first-year students. They read one of his memoirs, When a Crocodile Eats the Sun, as their summer common reading book. Godwin was born in Zimbabwe and grew up there before going to England to continue his schooling. When a Crocodile Eats the Sun focuses on Godwin when he's a bit older, the years 1998-2006 are covered. The story focuses on the unrest in Zimbabwe at the time, but also, more importantly, Godwin's father and how their relationship changes. (I won't tell you everything because I don't want to spoil the book!)

The Writing Center was also lucky enough for Godwin to make a visit for a special edition of Monday Tea. We had a good chunk of students (both centaurs and good old Coe students) to hear Godwin talk about his life, and more specifically, his writing process. Godwin was definitely a talker and always elaborated and expanded his answers. He was also funny, his British accent catching you a little off guard at first before you got use to it. Godwin stressed the importance of storytelling, and having grew up in a culture so insistent on storytelling, it becomes a part of you.

For us Writing Center consultants, oral tradition is a big deal here. A lot of what we pass down and learn is from stories we hear from upperclassmen centaurs. Dr. Bob will mention past consultants fondly and then to meet them, it's sort of crazy (but awesome). Even when I mention a consultant from a few years back, other consultants are quick to chime in with past stories of said consultant. Maybe we should start a memoir of the Writing Center, not entirely sure what it would entail, but hey, we can work on it.

So Godwin was good. Really good. Not only was it neat for him to talk to the first-years, it was also great for him to be able to spend some quality time with Writing Center consultants.

- Hailley

Terrific Times at Tuesday Tea

Being brand new to Coe College and the Writing Center, there’s been a lot of events to attend. One of my favorite and most frequently attended social gathering of the WC is Tuesday Tea. Everyone is welcome, whether it’s your first shindig or you’re a seasoned veteran.

Tuesday Tea is, as the name implies, held on almost every Tuesday starting at 3:30 and going to around 4. I would advise getting there a little before that time if possible, since the event seems to be gaining in popularity.

The event usually goes down as follows: the Tea Triangle (I’m coining that right now) is rung and the few stragglers scamper to the back of the WC to grab remaining seats. Once everyone is settled, the tea and other assorted foodstuffs are passed around. There are usually two different types of teas, in case someone is vehemently opposed to one of the selections. The past two events have seen the appearance of the ever popular peach and Tetley.  Peach is pretty self explanatory, but for those who are unaware, Tetley is similar to English breakfast tea. In the words of a fellow consultant, “it tastes like trees.” Besides the tea, there are many other types of sustenance that include but are not limited to: cheese, crackers, sausage, danishes, fruit, cookies, and the ever popular cucumber sandwiches. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of gluten; we’ve got you covered with a choice of gluten-free or gluten-filled crackers.

Doctor Bob usually has some topic of discussion he throws out for the table to mull over, but there are always plenty of other interesting conversations going on. Most recently he brought to the table the idea of more faculty members joining in on Tuesday Tea. So if you’re part of the Coe College faculty and you’re reading this post right now, feel free to come on in!

Remember, everyone is welcome to this event! If you haven’t gotten the chance to stop by the WC yet, it is located in lower gage, at the far end of the hall opposite of the Caf. If you see a long hallway with ceramics at the end, you’re in the right place. And if you manage to get horribly lost, there are signs around to guide you. Feel free to stop on by for a few minutes during the next Tuesday Tea and get a feel for things. I hope to see a few new faces next time!

Stay classy,

Brittney

First Year Orientation

     It began in late August. The vans loaded with everything from desk lamps, to gaming systems to futons were making their way to little old Coe College. Perhaps the most important cargo, the new first year students, were feeling everything from anxiety to jubilation. Some had traveled from far away states and even other countries while others simply had to drive down the road for a couple of minutes. They and their parents took copious amounts of time moving into their new homes and it seemed like the parents would not leave until everything was perfect. Tears were shed, hugs passed around, and after Mom and Dad left, naps were taken. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting first years, the hard part was still to come.
     Over the course of the next week the first years' schedules would be brimming with CAP meetings, social gatherings, academic advising, and guest speakers. Amongst the CAP groups, first years formed their first new bonds of the year becoming close with those they would be taking class and participating in activities with. The guest speakers were outstanding with presenters like the wonderful Maura Cullen and the humorous Shot of Reality duo. Everyone bunched together in front of Stewart Memorial Library for the first year photo and through some miracle, we overcame the stifling heat and shouted obscenities to take the photo. Maybe the highlight of Orientation Week was the ringing of the Victory Bell. I know that for me, that was the first time that I truly felt a part of the Kohawk Community. It was a wonderful moment stuffed with school pride and spirit.
 Soon Friday came and it was time for the gladiatorial throw-down for fall classes. We all stood in line waiting and praying that we would get into the classes that we needed. Those with the lower ID numbers basked in their luck as they got to choose their classes before the masses had a chance, while those of us with lower numbers cursed our terrible luck. We all got in eventually though and on Saturday we had the chance to test our mettle against the other CAP groups in the legendary DRAGONBOAT RACES!!!!! While trash-talk was abound only one team could come out on top and all others were forced to walk away in shame.
     After the races, it was a downhill slide through the weekend as we anxiously awaited the beginning of classes on Monday. The Writing Center (whoop whoop!) had their retreat which was a treat. Sports teams continued practice and groups began meeting and planning. The fall semester has begun.
                                                                                                                              


                                                                                                                     Your faithful correspondent,
                                                                                                                                    Austin Springsteen

The Bloggers Are Back!

Hello readers!

We're back. The school year has begun, the coffee beans are being roasted, and those writers are finally coming in for some conferences for their first papers of the semester. The WC has welcomed back familiar centaurs and many newbies have joined the crew. It's Dr. Bob's last year (woah!) and so we're helping him go out with a BAM.

So we're the blog team. Our goal this semester is at least weekly posts and a new major changes to the layout of the blog. Check back for pages going across the top of the blog, directing you to even more information. We'll update the links and make sure you're informed with all the exciting things happening in the WC. Finally, you'll have a chance to get to meet us, our bloggers, and other fellow consultants.

Get ready for an awesome year!

- The Blogsters

The Writing Center Retreat

Hey all!

My name is Kelan, and I will be one of the writing consultants that will be taking care of this blog.  Just a little bit about me before I start talking about a recap of the Writing Center Retreat. I'm from Afton, Minnesota, a lovely little town on the scenic St Croix River.  I spend my summers as an attendant at Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul. This is my sophomore year at Coe and I’m majoring in Business Administration and Public Relations with a minor in Studio Art.  My involvement on campus includes the track and field team, where I throw the javelin, and membership in the fraternity Phi Kappa Tau, where I act as chapter historian.  One of my favorite things that happened this summer was I got the opportunity go back up north to the Coe College Field Station in the Boundary Waters and relieve my experience on the Wilderness Orientation as a counselor to the incoming freshman.  Thankfully no one starved, drowned or became bear food.

As far as the retreat goes, you'll have to excuse the delay in posting this recap. The Writing Center Retreat was about two weeks ago, but better late than never right?  Anyway, from a first time Writing Center consultant’s perspective; the idea alone was rather intimidating.  I imagined it to be a solid two day hell of intense writing focused on grammar and whipping off five page papers in mere hours. But low and behold, this was not what the retreat was about.  In reality, it was the exact opposite of what my imagination had conjured up.

The retreat started off the first day with an awesome get to know you activity in which the new consultants sat in an inner circle and the returning consultants sat in an outer circle around them. Every five minutes the new consultants moved one chair over allowing them to meet all of the senior members.  Think of it as speed dating Writing Center style.  I thought it was a great way to start off the retreat and I learned some names in the process!

Afterwards, we split up into groups and were given the assignment of responding to the fragment of a poem by the Greek poet Sapphos in 50-100 words with no more than 6 words per line. The reason that we split up into groups and didn't just respond to the poem by ourselves was because we were supposed to brainstorm our response to the assignment to the poem by having conferences with each other. I thought this was a very smart way to work on the assignment, even though hours of discussing the meaning of individual words gave me something of a stress headache.  It actually made me appreciate the writing conference a lot more. Sadly, I was not able to attend the infamous Writing Center skits event which followed, because of fraternity commitments, however I believe this year was just as great as previous years. 

The second day of the retreat started off similar to the first, with a get to know you game.  Dr. Bob had all the consultants stand in a circle, and he went through a series of survey questions such as are you the middle child or do you own a dog?   If the questions applied to you then you would stand in the middle of the circle. I thought it was really interesting to see which things the consultants had in common, and which consultants really stood out. I'll have you know I was one of only a few people that read the Harry Potter series three or more times! Good fun.

Getting down to business, we returned to the assignment we were given the previous day, to write a response about the Sapphos poem.  This day was more of a revision day, where we read each others’ responses and comment about the things that could be improved and the things that were well done. We had some great discussions in my group, and I enjoyed getting feedback on my response.  Being new to the Writing Center, this exercise felt like really good practice for what is to come in giving and receiving conferences.  After the groups had finished discussing, we all split up into our assigned committees to discuss meeting times. Sadly for me, I'm the only member of the  Writing Center Website Committee, but that doesn't mean that I’m not excited to see what I can do with the website to make it more up to date and cleaner.

My favorite moment of the retreat had to have been the ending of it, which on the surface sounds like a rather negative comment. However, it’s really the opposite.  After all the groups had finished meeting and Dr. Bob had met with the new consultants to cover expectations for the coming year, the returning consultants did something very special. The returning consultants formed a small circle and started pulling new consultants into it, while Sam Orvis read us some of the great things the new consultants should do in the coming year as a new member of the writing center family. The circle grew until all the consultants had made it in.  We were all left with the feeling that we are a community of students who can depend on each other.  Hopefully this finale will be a tradition we maintain in future years.

That wraps up the Coe College Writing Center Retreat Recap and my first blog post of all time! Hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.  More posts from other great writing center consultants are in the works, so please check back in the coming weeks.

Thanks for reading,

Kelan

On Home, Travel, and Writing

Lots of things to talk about today, yes?
This past week, my mother and I were out shopping for school supplies. She's a teacher, and so we are constantly making pilgrimages to the dollar section of Target in search of goodies for her students. Whilst we were there, I picked up a planner for the coming year, and my mother mentioned to me that Coe had become my new "norm".
Yes, I thought. Yes, it rather has. I am more used to being in Iowa, throwing myself into my studies, than I am to being at home now. My concept of "home" has shifted. Now, I have two homes, 800 miles apart.
One of my friends, on a similar note, has decided to emigrate to England. She's been wandering around for some time, in search of something nameless, and thinks she has found it in England. I will miss her dearly, but she is doing what she wants.
“I know I am planning to visit a 'land' that is not entirely foreign, only foreign to me. As an adventurer, I am on a journey that I believe will last me my whole life. A new relationship, discovery, or awareness excites me" writes Marilyn Barnicke, and in a way she is write. A new place is only "foreign" to the traveler, because they've never been there before. The more we travel, the more we are able to learn and grow and make the world as a whole our home. I cannot say that I won't miss my family; I will miss them a lot. But this time next week, I will be in Iowa and surrounded by friends, books, and the promise of a new year. And I must admit, I'm looking forward to it. 

As Always, Yours,
Julia

On Packing

So given that in two weeks Coe students will be heading back to campus, I have begun the process of packing. Needless to say, I do not enjoy packing. I don't mind putting things in boxes; its more the inevitable understanding that, once they are in the boxes and in the car, I will have to take them out again eventually. So, this year, I've tried to streamline the process a little bit. Without further ado, then, here are my Packing Do's and Don't's:

DO pack some lounge-wear. When you're hanging out in your dorm, you will want to be comfortable
DON'T pack all of your clothes. This makes moving difficult, and somehow you always end up with more clothes at the end of the year.

DO pack one or two nice outfits.
DON'T pack more than one evening gown. Trust me on this one.

DO bring some decorations
DON'T bring your entire room.

DO buy a planner before you come, so you'll be prepared on the first day.
DON'T buy all your notebooks/binders/pencils/and so on beforehand. Each class is different and will require a different set of materials.

DO buy rain boots. Also buy snow boots. Iowa is very damp.

So there you have it. I pass the wisdom I have gleaned on to you, first-year students, as you prepare for college.

As Always, Your,
Julia

On Enjoyment

I've been reading a book recently called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The book is essentially one woman's journey to become happier over the course of a year. She doesn't start off the book unhappy or depressed; she just believes that she could, given the opportunity, be happier. Its an interesting read, and one of my favorite chapters discusses her journey to enjoy the things she enjoys more fully and without shame.
This struck a particular chord with me, as I have gone through my life feeling a bit inadequate in my hobbies and activities. Truth be told, I like a lot of very boring things. I like reading. I like watching movies. I enjoy knitting and making tea.
Comparatively, the things I think I would like are very exciting; ice skating, rock climbing, horseback riding. However, after having tried many of these things, I can firmly say that I don't derive much pleasure from them at all. The problem is that I feel like I should. I have friends who do all of these things and enjoy them immensely. Yet, when I try them, I just feel disappointed and annoyed that I talked myself into doing them.
What the book suggests is to enjoy things, partake of hobbies, and not feel bad about liking the things you like. I appreciated that message; it was okay, finally, to not enjoy ice skating, horseback riding, or rock climbing . It was acceptable to enjoy the little, boring things, and not feel ashamed about it.
Now, at the beginning of August, I encourage you, dear reader, to enjoy what you enjoy and not feel bad about it.

As Always, Yours,
Julia

On Taking Bike Rides

I am sad to say that my beloved car, after a decade or so of effectively driving me and my family to many, many places, is on the verge of giving up the ghost. It was never a very good car; it was in constant need of repairs, both large and small, and the check engine light frequently came on for no reason at all. But it was my car, and I will be sorry to see it go, particularly because I needed it to get to work.

Which is not to say that I don’t have other ways of getting places; mostly, I’m just horribly lazy.

With that said, this post will address the bike ride I took this past Saturday.

I haven’t ridden my bike in a long time. Truth be told, I feel a little slighted with regard to my bike. When I got this bike, about 5 or 6 years ago, I was unimpressed with the quality. It squeaks a bit, one of the caps for the gear changers on the handlebars is missing, and the seat is very uncomfortable. That same year, my sister received a very nice, newer road bike. Needless to say, I was and continue to be jealous.

However, my bike does have a lovely pair of baskets on the back, into which I placed my bag and jacket on Saturday morning at 7 and, with dew in the grass and the morning mist dispersing, set off for the Poudre River trailhead, which is a little ways from where I live and goes right past the bustling downtown area of my little city.

I’d forgotten how much I enjoy bike rides. The feeling of wind whistling past your ears, the slight burn that builds up in your legs as you propel yourself forward, the great, deep breaths of air that you pull into your lungs as you ride, all of these things are sensations found in very few places. In addition, unlike driving a car, you are not separated from nature. Indeed, it’s close enough to touch, to run your hands through.

As I reached the trailhead, I marveled at the number of people I saw. Joggers jogged, bikers biked, dog-walkers held tightly onto leashes as their dogs hurried forward, eager to taste all of the things they smelled.

I biked along at a leisurely pace, and soon found myself pedaling alongside the Poudre River. Our little river is nothing compared to the grand expanse of the Mississippi or Missouri, but it is straight from the snow in the mountains, and the water is clearer than any other I’ve ever seen.

I recently finished the book for the FYS class I’ll be a fellow for this fall at Coe. The book was called Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis by Cynthia Barnet. It is a great read for anyone, but particularly if you’re interested in conservation and the green movement. As I rode along the river, I thought about one of the messages of the book; getting closer to natural water makes people more aware of their water usage.

I pulled off to one side of the path and dismounted. Untying my shoes, I skipped over to the icy cold water and dipped my feet in, feeling the grains of the sand and the stones beneath my feet. The water was so chilly my feet felt like they were on fire, but at the same time I felt more at peace than I have for some time. It may sound silly, and even a little bit clichéd, but there is something about spending time in nature that serves to calm me, causing me to become more reflective. As I stood in that frigid water, I thoughts about how incredible water is; life clusters around it, trees, bushes, and animals. The ecological systems of water are just as important as those of land, even if they are harder to see. It’s these ecosystems that provide our planet its life-support system, and it is also these ecosystems which we find easiest to ignore because they are not immediately apparent. I thought about the fact that rainwater collection in Colorado is still illegal for many people, and how silly that law seems to me. I thought about the fact that most people can’t imagine the world 1000 years from now, and that, without that imagination, we may very well not make it 1000 years.

At that point, my feet began to grow quite cold, so I stepped out of the water. But I didn’t forget, as I pedaled off, the feeling of being surrounded by water, of returning to the place where life had begun. Everyone should, I think, take some time to stand in a river, to feel the water rushing around them, and to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Just some food for thought.

As Always, Yours,

Julia

On the Importance of Doing Things

Summer time always allows a sort of atrophy to come over me. Rather than getting up at the hour of seven, I find myself wanting to stay in bed until ten. I don't usually want to get up and go to work; I'd much rather curl up in bed with a book all day and not move. Similarly, I don't want to put any effort towards any of my other pursuits. I have to force myself to write, to knit, to practice my instruments.
I sometimes wonder why it is that I don't experience something similar during the year. Why is it that during the school year, I am able to get out of bed at 7 and function for 15+ hours a day with no naps (yes, I do take naps. Don't judge me to harshly)? Why am I so excited for things during the school year, an excitement which is leeched out of me by the summer heat?
I think its a combination of things. In part, I think it comes from my extreme passion for learning. If I could spend the rest of my life in classes, learning everything I could, I would happily do so. I love the act of sitting in a classroom and making new connections with old material. I also love the people. I have friends in college who I've bonded with over our mutual love of intellectual pursuits.
I suppose what I am attempting to say (very clumsily) is that doing things makes me happy. I love school, and I love all the things I've had the opportunity to pursue there. So, if you are like me and the summertime blues sometimes overwhelms you, just remember that in a little more than a month, you will be doing more than you ever wanted to once again.

As Always, Yours,
Julia

On the Importance of Change

This summer, my mother has started moving a lot of furniture around. Of course, this is nothing particularly new; in fact, I would say it happens almost every summer that dissatisfaction occurs with the arrangement of our furniture and chairs begin to move, almost magically, from one room to another. End tables follow, and discussion of new furniture is always had, though rarely acted upon.
However, this summer is different. This summer, we are contemplating painting.
Now, before I go any further, I must tell you that my parents have always had one color they painted any room in any house we lived in; white. Not cream, tan, beige, no. White. It frustrated me to no end that they denied me the joy of painting my room garish colors that I would of course regret a few years later.
But this summer, there is talk of peach. Of blue. Of green. Of colors that catch the eye.
This summer, there is also, for my part, the recognition that my life is starting to change. I will be a junior next year. I am (hopefully) going to study abroad. I am thinking about grad school and jobs and what I want to do with my life. Frankly, its very scary.
And yet, change is necessary. Change is how we grow and, though we may first fear it, I think that often change should be welcomed, in the same way we welcome new seasons. A lack of such shifts leads to stagnation rather than growth, and even when growing is painful, it is usually necessary.
So, as my mother thinks about how to best match the walls to that painting that she really likes, I will occupy my time preparing for this coming fall, and thinking about the importance of change.

As Always, Yours,
Julia

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

On Recieving the Staff Summer Newsletter

Writing Centaurs! I hope you’ve been checking your mail because the staff summer newsletter has gone out and it is full of exciting news and information. If you haven’t received it or dislike reading anything on paper, here are some highlights:

·         Ryan Rey, the illustrious author, divulges that he is from Plainfield and associates it with Harry Potter.

·         Important deadlines!

o   New Staff Orientation begins on August 19^th. If you are a new staff member, you should be there, and if you are a returning staff member who would like to help, contact Ariana Uding to let her know!

o   The MWCA conference is happening in Chicago in October!

o   The NCPTW conference is happening in Tampa, Florida in November!

o   There is a Writing Center open house on Thursday, August 22^nd from 4 to 6:30

o   The first staff meeting of the year (yes, aren’t you excited?) is on Sunday, August 25^th at 7:30

o   And the Full Staff Retreat, beginning on Sunday, September 1^st, is occurring on campus this year at the Clark Alumni House.

·         The Chicago Conference will have six presentations. If you want to participate in the conference, contact Ariana Uding no later than Friday, August 2^nd

·         The Tampa conference is happening November 1-3. If you want to participate in the conference, contact Ariana Uding no later than Friday August 2^nd!

·         There is a selection of stuff regarding Dr. Bob’s life that is pretty fun to read!

·         And also, lots of awesome bios about all the awesome people who are doing awesome things over the summer before returning to Coe for an awesome fall semester! Good job, Ryan, for tracking most everyone down!

Again, all of this is in the summer newsletter, so hopefully you have received it by now. And thanks to everyone who responded to my email pleas for correct addresses.

As Ever, Yours,

Julia