Getting settled in the Academy and reacquainted with Bowling Green

Today I slept in until 12:30 and it felt amazing. I don't think I've done that for over a month. I have Tuesday and Wednesday off each week, so right now, I get to enjoy my "weekend" while almost everyone else in the world is still at the beginning of their work week. Having these days off works out pretty nicely because on Tuesday I can go to Bible study at the Burts and stay past 10:30, the time when I usually would have to do curfew checks on my wing, and on Wednesday I can go to church at Westminster. The downside is that almost everyone else is free on weekends, so I have to miss out on a lot of social events that happen then, like church activities, concerts, and parties.

I really like my job so far and especially the people I work with. They are all, without exception, quality people, with a genuine passion for working with this group of students. I have finally settled into my position as Weekend Activities Coordinator and understand the expectations and responsibilities that surround it. Basically, my work week (which I'll say begins on Thursday) goes something like this:

Thursday I work the front desk from 7 am to 1 pm. What that job entails is signing students in and out if they are leaving campus, signing visitors in and out, overseeing the lobby area, answering phone calls, distributing mail, and getting things done while I do all that and more. After that I spend a couple hours preparing for the activities of the weekend which were probably planned a week or more in advance. That night and every night that I work, I check to make sure the girls on my wing are in on time for curfew. Friday I spend a few hours in the main office downstairs sending emails, making phone calls, and planning future activities. Then I go shopping for supplies and food that will be needed at the events of that weekend. I spend the weekend supervising the activities planned and maybe taking kids places they need to go. Sunday evening I finish up the weekend activities schedule and fliers for the following week, which I need to post Monday. And Monday I evaluate activities and plan futures ones, then work the front desk 2-5. In between all of these set hours of work there are plenty of other things I have to take care of, like addressing individual student needs, meetings we staff and committees (Prom Committee, Student Activities Committee, etc.), doing cleanliness checks on my wing, and just hanging out with students. These things all fit into my broad job description.

This weekend I took some kids to see Across the Universe at the mall movie theater on Friday, and we had a ping pong tournament, board games, and snacks on Saturday. My kickball game on Sunday didn't work out, though, because not enough students showed up to play. Too bad, because the weather was really nice. Now it's cold. boohoo.

I do believe Bowling Green is the place I am supposed to be right now. It's great seeing a lot of the people from church that I haven't been able to spend much time with over the past year. And the job is a perfect fit for me at this point in my life. It is challenging enough that I am gaining skills in the the areas of leadership and working with people, and because I am looking at working in education in some way, this is good work experience. Also, it only lasts until May, so I can change directions after that and start doing something that relates more specifically to languages. I'm looking into a few schools in Ecuador and Argentina that a professor suggested as possible job opportunities for next year. Of course, it all depends on what God's will is for me.


I'm heading out in a little while to bike over to the Burts' house. If I can't locate my scarf soon, it might be a chilly ride! Tschuessi!