Thirteen Things in My School Bookbag

1.  The Religions of the World. This text is for the class I'm taking to satisfy my philosophy credit. While I'm thoroughly enjoying the class discussions and the, um, very...colorful characters in the class around me, this text is B-O-R-I-N-G. That's right, with all CAPS!

2.  A hot pink 3-subject notebook, with built-in manilla folders. This notebook is making my life very simple. I have three classes. There are three compartments. One notebook. How handy is that?

3.  An assortment of pens, pencils, and highlighters. Basically I just need A pen. But I tend to plan for the unexpected. You just never know when you're going to need a neon orange highlighter or be called upon to whip out a handy, dandy mechanical pencil.

4.  America: A Narrative History. This 758 page text is my U.S. History book. I thought I knew a lot about the history of this great country, you know, being raised by a history teacher-turned-principal and all. But evidently I must have nodded off a time or two during my high school U.S. History classes because I've learned lots of really neat facts...in just TWO days!

5.  A bookmark from the Writing Center in the library. My Composition & Rhetoric class has a required lab attached to it: three hours in the writing lab. (Oh, come on, twist my arm - make me write!)

6.  A maroon-covered academic dayplanner. I keep it tucked in the bag so I can jot down class assignments and be able to see at a glance what my week looks like.

7. My wallet. It holds my license, my school ID, library card, and - of course - a little cash. You never know when you might need a Diet Coke bottle of water or a granola bar. (Water, I meant water. Really.)

8.  Making Literature Matter, An Anthology for Readers and Writers. Okay, I simply cannot say enough great things about my Composition & Rhetoric textbook. I love, love, LOVE it! Now granted, I'm a writer, a voracious reader, and a Literature major - but, folks, this book is like water to my soul. I flip through the pages, drinking in each delicious word, relishing the feel of the pages between my fingers. (I know, you're wondering what my nerd quotient is, aren't you?)

9.  My keys. They somehow manage to find the darkest corner in the furthest reach of the bottom of the bag. The biggest challenge I have each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon is hunting for the ever-elusive car keys.

10. The Syllabi for each class. So I can double-check any 'ol time I want to see just exactly how many papers I GET to write this semester for all three classes. Call me lucky, or call me crazy, but between these classes I will be writing a grand total of 16 papers this semester. I'M LOVIN' THAT! (If I was skating around the edges of nerdiness before, I just now fell face-first into nerd-dom, didn't I?)

11. My cell phone. This is the first time in I-don't-know-how-many-years that I have to remind myself to check for messages between classes. This is my connection to my husband, children, and my real estate agent.

12. A bottle of water. Just to stay hydrated. I really AM being faithful to my Diet Coke ban and a bottle of water has become my constant companion. I am literally never without one these days. Except maybe at church. Then I leave it in the car.

13. Last but certainly not least...{drum roll, please}...my blogging notebook. Yes, you heard me right. I have a small 4x6 notebook whose sole purpose is to hold recorded notes on all the "characters" (just wait!) in my classes, funny things I overhear, class activities, and my personal take on all that this wonderful journey of going back to college is so lovingly granting to me.

To quote the now famous McDonald's slogan: I'm Lovin' It!

Comments

[Rochelle]

Guilt swam through me as the diligence poured out of and off of this blog! I am not sure if I want to hunt you down and taunt you with a DC or stick my nose in my books and study! Who knew it was possible to be that excited about writing papers for school, of course you'll get all A's I am sure! Seriously, I am so proud of you! You are an inspiration!

[crygibb]

Good for you for going back to school. It makes us moms feel so much better about ourselves. Good luck.

[Denise Bales]

Did I tell you my nerd quotient was 2%???? Yeah, that part about "getting to write 16 papers this semester" literally made my stomach hurt.
You scare me girl.
but hey for what its worth, I'M PROUD OF YOU!
oh and I had a DC in honor of you on Wed... really ask Rochelle

[Denise Bales]

oh and your bag is THE COOLEST!
now, what does the M stand for?

[Mom]

That's our Princess. And your Daddy came home tonight beside himself with excitement because you are so excited about your classes. We are so proud of you. You will do great.

[Staci]

I have a feeling a LOT of my "friends" (and I DO use that term loosely LOL) are enjoying large DCs behind my back!

Denise, Mike said that, due to your comment about Sonic closing at midnight, that he would consent to ending our challenge at 11:58 on the nineteenth. Party, anyone?

(and the M is for Michelle)

[Carolyn]

How exciting! It sounds like we have a lot in common (hope you don't mind, I "linked" you .... want to follow along, as you go on this amazing journey) -- except for going back to school. I just can. not. imagine going back to school at my age.

You go girl!

[Carolyn]

To answer your question about my site -- the layout itself is a WordPress layout that I downloaded. But then I went to work, and changed the background color.... add the big picture, and started adding add the little graphics in the side bar. So, I would say the site design was done by ... me:) I love "tweaking" my site, and am always changing something, here and there.

Who is doing your new design? I'll be you are excited -- and I'll be it will look wonderful! There are some beautiful and awesome sites out there. I'm totally amazed. I'm just play with my designs...but sometimes, the "look and feel" of the blog superceeds the content. But I try not to let that happen toooo often:)

Thanks for stopping by. I'm really glad you did!!!

[Denise]

did I mention that I want to read your textbook America: A Narrative History I love American history!