Back-to-School

Loyola is buzzing with fresh faces, summer gossip, frantic schedules, and of course, the never ending cloud of cigarette smoke that encompasses the campus.

I had two embarrassing moments on my first day back.

1. I mistook Dumbach for Damen on my schedule, and went to the wrong classroom. Duh! I felt like a lost freshman.

2. My cell phone went off in my Ethics class. (After I was already late to class because I WENT TO THE WRONG BUILDING!)

So I am hoping today goes better. Or at least with fewer mishaps.

Loyola is both a blessing and a curse for me.

I am very fortunate to attend a Jesuit university. I am not Catholic, but I fully recognize the value of a Jesuit education. I won't go into great detail (you can google Jesuit to get a better understanding for yourself) but I will tell you that having philosophy, religion (not necessarily Catholicism, either) and ethics as requirements, along with 4 requirements in values-based courses really does make a well-rounded individual. I truly believe the Loyola slogan, "Preparing people to lead extraordinary lives".

But... - and there is always a but - Loyola offers too many extracurricular activities and fairs, and shows, and picnics, and retreats... aren't we supposed to be disciplined, and spend our free time studying and exploring our knowledge? How does watching "Baby's Daddy" prepare us for an extraordinary life? And I'm sorry, but having root-beer pong in the student center, totally teaches the underage students how to play the game so they can go to a kegger and know how to play a drinking game - that they leaned from a priest - at our highly esteemed institution. I wonder if the #1 ranked university in America (Harvard) teaches their students how to play beer pong? And I bet their selection of film for "movie night" was something a little more sophisticated.

Haiku Frenzy, written by my kids

Rain, rain go away.
We want to go to the park.
Worms on the sidewalk. - Simon

The third floor window
is blocked by a big elm tree.
We can see nothing. - Sarah

Summer is ending.
Leaves will turn in one more month.
Savor the sunshine. - Andrew

"Clean you room!" said mom.
But I want to play outside.
Catch me if you can. - Simon

Spring babies have grown.
Gardens are in full harvest.
Farmers are busy. - Sarah

I hear the jingle.
The ice cream truck is nearby.
Please, may I have one? - Andrew

Sharing your popcorn
at the movie theater
can lead to hunger. - Sarah

Watch the Olympics.
They are in Beijing, China.
Gold, silver, and bronze. - Andrew

I hate eating fish.
It smells and tastes like garbage.
Tuna is the worst. - Simon

Sing in the shower.
It will help to wake you up.
Try not to forget. - Sarah