The end is in sight.

Well, the semester has now come to an end. I can't believe it's over already. It's sort of mind boggling to think how fast these last few months have flown by. However, I'm so happy this semester is done!! I have gone through hell and back with how much work I've had to do and I can't wait for the lighter work load next semester. I still have two presentations, two papers, and three exams before Saturday, but the end is in sight. I am living for Saturday 10am, haha. Once I'm there I will not have to worry anymore... I will be free of the hundreds of pages that I've had to read and write and all the exams and massive amounts of information I've had to cram into my little skull. I still can't believe how much I've had to do and complete in the last few months. It really is ridiculous. Completely ridiculous.

My friends have repeatedly said to me, "Where have you been?" "I feel like I haven't seen you in a long time!" Yeah, tell me about it. I've been stuck in my room, constantly doing freaking work. I'm so excited for spring semester when my classes will be less focused on busy work that takes hours to complete. I feel like I've lost my desire to learn this year. I became unexcited about gaining knowledge because I was so worried about getting the assignments in on time. I really hated that too. I hate having the feeling that I'm just pushing papers which have no meaning or significance to me anymore. Why does education have to be like that? Why does it force students to hate learning?

I don't know. I just hope my upcoming semester will revive my desire to be educated. Here's to wishful thinking!

Tired of the Work

I find it somewhat ridiculous the amount of school work that has accumulated at the end of this semester. I literally have 40 pages to write in three weeks. I'm not exactly sure how this happened, and I am not happy about it. I see the majority of my friends having time to hang out, have fun, watch TV while I'm inside on the computer researching, writing, and editing.

How is it the my life has become my schoolwork? I realized I had a problem when my friends all confronted me at dinner today and asked me where I've been for the last week. I thought about it and came to the conclusion that I have done absolutely nothing other than sleep, eat, gone to class, and done homework. I've become more and more depressed over the past month which I feel is directly connected to the fact that my professors are assigning way too much busy work and useless papers. I end up writing a two page paper full of fluff and b.s. and think to myself, "What was the point in writing that? All I end up doing is reiterate the professor's words."

I've explained to my room mate that I've accepted the fact that I've developed what I call "academic bulemia." I binge on facts and figures and vomit it back up on a page and hand it in. Sadly, this type of work has been sufficient. I'm doing well in all my classes, but I don't feel like I've learn ANYTHING! I've learned how to survive with the overwhelming workload by skimming over the material to get the point across. However, by the next day I couldn't tell you what I said or the argument I defended in any of the papers I've written this semester.

When did learning lose its meaning?

Halloween is sadly over

Well, Halloween activities have come and gone this past weekend. And with that so has my happiness. It's crazy to think that October is quickly coming to an end. I've been so busy with school work, frisbee, and my job that the weeks just fly by. I'm definitely not looking forward to this week by any means. I've got 5 papers, 1 quiz, and 1 exam. That's pretty ridiculous if you ask me. It might just be me, but I feel like I've certainly lost the desire to really try my hardest with assignments. Instead, I'm really just trying to get the work done and handed in. Learning isn't fun right now, whatsoever.

The only thing I'm looking forward to is a mini-scrimmage with the F&M Women's Frisbee team and the frisbee tournament being held at Wilkes on Saturday. I'm finally getting to play and I can't wait to see how it goes! Here's to so hoping I don't suck!

Men's Frisbee Once Again Takes 2nd Place

Well, there was yet another frisbee tournament this weekend. Like I mentioned before, this tournament was held here at Millersville. "Thrill At The Ville" brought in 8 teams from all over including Drexel, Towson, Adelphi, Susquehanna, Ursinus, and Montclaire State. The Millersville A team went undefeated the first day (Oct 20) winning the first 4 games. The second day was a little more nerve-racking with their third winning being 13-12. The guys ended up losing their final game against Towson who also had gone undefeated the entire tournament. The guys showed great energy, however, tensions always seem to run high when they are behind in the game. I think what they will have to try and work on is staying calm when the game becomes stressful, instead of getting jittery and making bad decisions.

Next weekend, there's going to be a co-ed tournament at Wilkes. Hopefully, myself and three other girls will be able to get out there and play!

Men's Frisbee Team Takes 2nd at TCNJ Tournament

My past weekend was spent at The College of New Jersey supporting the guy's frisbee team at another tournament. They all played really well, but unfortunately lost to Hofstra in the championships. I was so impressed by the skill our team has developed over the past two years. Everyone has been coming together as a team and really giving it their all. The guys are hosting a tournament here at Millersville next weekend (20-21st) with colleges from all over (even Canada) coming to play. Come out and support if you can!

Two weekends from now the girls will be traveling to play at their second tournament of the semester. It'll be my first this year, though. So I'm pretty nervous to get out there and attempt to play haha. All the girls have been really supportive, saying that I will do fine. However, I just don't think my throws and technique are up to par yet to play competitively. I guess I'll just have to suck it up and try my hardest at practice to get myself together over the next two weeks.

Another week flying by...

Well it seems as if my entire life is so jam packed with school, work, and frisbee that I don't have a second to breathe. My week basically is finished in the blink of an eye because it is so busy. I guess it could be considered a blessing working so hard you don't realize that the weekend has finally arrived. But, I honestly feel that I'm missing out on simply relaxing and having the luxury of doing nothing. I do enjoy most days during the week, don't get me wrong. I see a lot of my friends at frisbee practice and in classes, but it's just not the same as being able to sit around and watch a movie with your friends without having the worry about a looming test/paper/worksheet.

I think by the time this semester is over I will not only be mentally drained but physically as well. It's better to be busy than bored, that's for sure, but if you never budget for some down time you can easily get overloaded and overwhelmed. I know my immune system has taken a huge hit since coming to school. I haven't had a day where I wasn't sick with a fever or a horrendous cough. I'm waiting for the moment when I feel completely fine, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen any time soon.

Looking at my schedule, I know there's no way I'm going to be able to change it now to allow for more down time. I guess I'm just going to have to grin and bear it and keep going at the same pace I've been.

Brett Rhoads

Last spring, Millersville University senior, Brett Rhoads, accomplished a feat most MLB pitchers can only dream of: throwing a no hitter.

Rhoads is only the second pitcher in Millersville history to attain such a remarkable achievement. Not only that, the game, which was played against Mansfield University, was the first no hitter to ever be pitched on Mansfield soil.

Brett recalls the experience, “It was pretty crazy. Definitely my greatest college achievement so far.” Hopefully, for Millersville baseball fans it won’t be the last of Rhoads’ incredible accomplishments on the field.

Rhoads spent the past summer as a player in the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League (ABCCL). Rhoads’ all-star team, the Protocall Starz, was based in Medford, New Jersey. He assisted the Protocall Starz to a winning season of 22-15.

Brett along with the rest of the Millersville baseball team is anxiously waiting to take on such rivals as Kutztown University in their upcoming season. Although Rhoads says, “It’s too early to tell about next season.” One major improvement Rhoads openly acknowledges is the recently erected baseball stadium (yet to be named) that will hopefully be the home of many Millersville victories in the future.

The baseball team recently held try-outs for 07-08 season. However, Rhoads, who can throw at speeds up to 90mph, probably won’t come up against too much competition for his starting spot on the roster.

As Brett is finishing up his last year on Millersville’s team, he hopes to make baseball apart of his future career. If nothing else, Rhoads wants to work in sales or public relations for a major baseball team. Brett’s obvious dream, however, is to continue playing baseball after college. For inspiration, Rhoads looks up to hard nose players like Philadelphia Phillies 2^nd baseman, Chase Utley. As Brett describes, “He plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played…no short cuts.”