Let the Fall Take You by Surprise

Every year, the fall takes me by surprise, however, it’s never hit me like it does at UW-Parkside. As soon as you drive in, trees surround you! I have even seen some people who will park in PETS, which is the state park right across Outer Loop Road, and walk to campus. I’m not that athletic … but I try to enjoy the scenery every chance I get.

I’m sure you’ve heard that our Student Union is being expanded, right? Well, before that started, UW-Parkside’s shuttle bus would drive around Inner Loop Road, bringing students to their desired locations. Now that the construction has partially closed Inner Loop, the shuttle, (sometimes referred to as the Pickle Bus because it used to be ALL Ranger Green), makes its course around Outer Loop Road. I love parking in Tallent and riding in a window seat of the shuttle, just so I can really enjoy the UW-Parkside view.

Though the woods are great, they can be rather distracting to drivers. I’m from Kenosha County, (Wilmot, what’s up?), so the occasional deer is no thing. Except, the deer here are pretty brave. If you’re leaving late at night, you might get the rare opportunity to stop you car dead in the road and watch a deer feeding in the parking lot for a good ten minutes!

But you have to stop! So many people at UW-P will go to and from their classes, barely stepping a foot outdoors. Now, I can understand when it’s winter, but during the fall is the best time to do it! The leaves are all turning, the deer and the chipmunks are rushing around in a search for those last meals before it frosts. The infamous UW-Parkside geese are here, making their last preparations for the long flight to Florida.

I try to walk outside every chance I get. Its almost November, can you believe it? Soon, there will be snow days and folks sledding and throwing snowballs by Ranger Hall, but not yet. There is still time to stop and take a minute to appreciate the world around us. At least before it gets too cold to enjoy anything!

Helping me Achieve my Dreams

Hey, I’m Back!

I’m glad to see that the beautiful student bloggers are finally linked up! Now I’ll be checking in weekly for sure! Have you seen Ranger Bear’s blog? It looks really neat, and there are soooo many pictures! I know there’s a lot of competition out there, but I just want to let ya’ll know that I am totally Ranger Bear’s number one fan! (I think he’s just adorable!)

Anyway, did you guys know UW-Parkside was on channel four news last night? I was lucky enough to have attended last night’s speak out by Judy Shepard, mother of Mathew Shepard who was slain tragically in a Gay Hate Crime almost 10 years ago. All of the beautiful Rainbow kids were there, including myself, and it was truly one of the most inspirational and emotional experiences.

During my time with Rainbow we have been trying to get Judy Shepard at UW-Parkside for years, and it was not easy to forget the amount of people who have been so instrumental in bringing this event to campus. This is really the year that everyone has come together in UNITY, united as one UW-Parkside family. There were so many people there!

I missed Heroes, but it was worth it to see a real life Hero who has been such a driving force in the movement for LGBTQISA equality and acceptance. But I did get home in time to see it on the 10:00 news!

(Here is a link to that news story):

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/10731096.html

Last week we celebrated National Coming Out Day, and I thought that was a moving experience! For both events, the room was packed! So many new faces have taken that brave step into coming out, and being true to themselves. That was a big part of Judy’s message: BE YOURSELF!

It’s part of the reason I love UW-Parkside and all of the amazing organizations we have on campus. There are so many ways to express who you are, to work on issues that you are passionate about!

But hey, I didn’t see Ranger Bear on the news last night.
Funny, he LOVES the camera! (Can’t get enough of it!)