Hodgepodge

Linking up with Joyce for the Hodgepodge

1. When someone finds out what you do or where you're from, what's a question they always ask? 

When people find out that I'm a substitute teacher and ask what grades I typically sub in and I tell them middle school- 6-8 grades, many people express negative feelings towards what I've just revealed. For instance they'll say things like, "I don't think I could do that!" or "That's a rough age for kids- I don't see how you do that." They typically don't have a lot questions except to ask if I've tried other grades/ages. I tell them that I definitely prefer these grades to elementary (they're so needy in the younger grades!) and I've never subbed high school (and don't plan to) so middle school it is :).

2. Did you participate in 'Greek Life' when you were in college, or have children who did? If so what was your experience like? Taking another tack...have you ever been to Greece? If not, is that a destination on your bucket list? 

I didn't participate in Greek life in college. The school that I went to was pretty preppy (especially considering it was in a small town in Indiana!) and Greek life was popular but it held zero appeal to me. My college fund remained a constant $0 from beginning to end and whatever scholarships and Pell Grants didn't cover, I was on the hook for. I was all about cutting costs not adding additional fees including but not limited to sorority fees. It didn't sound appealing to me anyway. The "try out" aspect of it, particularly.  I felt a decent bit different from other students going into college. I was not from the middle class for instance and knowing that I didn't have nice things and labeled clothes were indicators to me that I was just a tad too much outside the norm of others in my cohort and because of that, trying out to to be "chosen" to fit in with a group of girls a) likely wasn't going to happen and b) didn't sound appealing to me.

Donnie was in a fraternity and liked it a lot. Jacob participated in rush, got a bid to a place that he thought he wanted to join but at the last minute decided to not join. Alyssa went through rush last year and got a bid at one of the sororities that she was hoping to get a bid from so she's in a sorority.  So far her experience has been quite positive. She's just moved into the house and so this year is the first year that she'll really get a taste for how she likes it. 

I have never been to Greece. I'd like to go to it in the generic way that going to beautiful places sounds nice; however, I will not go to great lengths to get there nor will I be super upset or surprised if I don't make it there...

3. Do you like Greek food? If so what's your favorite dish?  

Greek food is fine. It's not a favorite. I do like gyros and baklava quite a bit...

4. What incredibly common thing have you never done? 

I've never been drunk or tipsy. (I realize that a state of being is not the same thing as actually doing something- maybe I should change it to, I've never consumed enough alcohol to be tipsy or drunk.)

I'm sure there are additional common things that I've not done- perhaps others'  answers will remind me :).

5. What is a telltale sign that you're upset? 

I don't have a poker face so I'm pretty sure my facial expression indicates when I'm upset. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Donnie had a nice birthday yesterday! Thanks for the birthday wishes for him :). When people have a birthday in his office, others bring in food for lunch. So he had lunch provided and he said it all tasted very good. We got pizza for dinner- kinda odd to not be eating it on a Friday but also kinda nice to do something different!

A late August birthday means that it wasn't uncommon for Donnie's birthday to coincide with the first day of school for him. A bit of a bummer to have your birthday fall on the first day of school!! His birthday fell on the first day of law school. Poor guy!

Alyssa's first day of classes coincided with Donnie's birthday- her classes began yesterday. So far so good for her. The temperature was great- very fall like and pleasant for her trek on the big campus.

She sent me these photos of her first day:

With a friend, er sister, in sorority nomenclature :).

I hope she continues having great days on campus!