I Be on My Junior Level.....

In the tune of "Suit and Tie" by Justin Timberlake, "I be on my junior level ****."  I've been a junior for a full semester now, but I can officially claim that I am a junior my illustrious university! I am so proud of myself and happy to have gotten through perhaps one of my toughest academic years.  Many nights I prayed that God would deliver me through this tough spring semester. Indeed, God does answer prayer.  Some night I looked at my workload and wondered if I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I had some enjoyable classes this semester.  I had to read a ton and write a ton, but hey, what do you expect an English major to do.  I especially enjoyed my American Literature class, Advanced Composition class, and Advanced Grammar class.  I rekindled my love for writing in Advanced Composition so I should probably forewarn you that I may be writing more often on the blog.... or Tumblr.  In American Literature, I discovered some writers that I may just have to read for fun... lol.  Only an English major would say such a thing.  I read an excerpt from Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, and I am interested in reading the entire novel/autobiography, especially since I saw it at Barnes and Noble for $6 the other day.  Not to mention, she is a home-girl from the beautiful state of North Carolina, making me even more interested in reading her story.

Between all of my classes, a whole whopping 18 credit hours worth of 'em,  and remaining active in the few organizations I am involved in on campus, I had little time to read.  So I look forward to spending my entire summer reading the books that I picked up before and during the school year.  These books include but are not limited to (I had to throw that in because I will probably buy some more before this whole shabang is said and done): Matched by Ally Condie, Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Is Everyone Hanging Out without Me: [And Other Concerns] by Mindy Kaling.  I must justify the reasons why I am reading the last two books.  I have never read The Great Gatsby before.  Go ahead, sue me.  I am an English major who has not read one of the classics, so what?  I have always wanted to read this novel but have not found the time to read it or the money to buy it.  Finally, I had both. Plus, the movie with Leonardo di Caprio is coming out so.....  The last book by Mindy Kaling was a must read for me.  I have become obsessed with her show on Fox The Mindy Project (because I see my life going down the same road as the main character's [in some aspects]), so I found it extremely necessary to purchase the book when I saw it at Barnes and Noble while shopping for books for school.

Moving from the topic of books, I am super-duper excited to teach in the coming years.  I recently volunteered/observed at a middle school in the county my school is in and fell in love again with the idea of one day teaching the little kiddies.  I am inspired to go out and teach everyone and everything, much like I did when I was younger.  There's something about the school environment that I am drawn too.  School makes me feel better, and it's the place where I am most comfortable, besides my home of course.  Volunteering/observing at the middle school reminded me of the joy and excitement I receive when I walk into the school doors.  However, I must clarify that I would prefer to teach high school rather than middle school, but I might be seeking licensure for middle grades English/Language Arts.

Well, this update has been plenty long enough.  Hopefully I will update you sooner rather than later...