Drove to Chicago

So, one would assume that the lack of posts on here means that I have been engaged in some serious business to keep me away. No such luck, though things continue to get more entertaining here every week.

Last weekend MNSU hosted the first annual Progressive Educators Networking Conference. So a bunch of us the the program worked as volunteers for the weekend so we could attend the conference sessions for free. It really was a cool conference. It consisted of schools like Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound (ELOB), Wisconsin River Academy (WRA), EdVisions Schools, and a whole bunch of other Charter schools that are all working on how to best impliment project based learning into their classrooms and school systems. It's really cool to sit and see so many people coming together that are all passionate about students, though we teach in different settings. We share ideas, we troubleshoot, we brainstorm, we work together to reform public education so that we can better meet the needs of students. (soap box)

Also last weekend was Jeff's birthday party. Jeff isn't in the ExEd program, he just used to date a girl who is in the program, and as a result is friends with people in the program. I have never actually met Jeff, but was invited, so after the conference Tasha and I walked over to his house to see what the deal was. I kid you not it was your typical college keg party, except everyone is sitting around talking about ropes courses and educational theory. (Or at least they were when the keg was still mostly full). Andy and Sam weren't satisifed with the fact that I was drinking wine and Sam offered to hold my feet if I'd do keg stands. I politely refused, but thanked him for the offer. I think around midnight some guys dressed as cowboys showed up, so a bunch of the ExEd crew left to go to the Sugar Room to listen to some folk music. I think we got home around 3.... I think.

All in all being here has gotten better every day. The community of students in this program, for the most part, is really great. The second year students have been really supportive in wanting to spend time with first year students and show us around. And I think all of us newbies have gotten to the point where we are putting our guards down and opening ourselves up to new relationships. It's funny, Tasha and Andy and I were talking the other day about the first night that we all went out to drinks at BW3's. I said that I went out that night just because I couldn't take being alone in my apartment anymore. Andy said that was the same reason he went out that night too. I guess when you are in the midst of it you think you are the only one that is tired of being alone all the time and just wants to be around people. When really, everyone else is going through the same thing. We are all new in town, we all have no idea where to go out for dinner if we want to, and we all still wonder if the way we drive to campus is really the most efficent way to get there. It's a part of the transition, but Mankato is starting to feel like home, at least for now.

Logistically, Gina and I decided to drive to Chicago today so she could go to her college reunion and I could visit with my dad. Yay for travelling weekends. So if you're in the Chicago Metro area give me a hollar, I'm here until Sunday morning.