a day in the life

Today I woke up and thought, "Today is a day that should be blogged about". Not that it was anything that anyone else will find particularly interesting, but just because it isn't my average, everyday kind of day.

First I woke up a little late and got ready for school, making Jeff a little bit late for his class. Sorry about that babe. Then I went to my Women's Studies class. Terrific class, by the way. I am a fan. Then, it was on to work. I work as a teaching assistant for a Multicultural America sociology class. We get to learn about all of the fun topics that you don't usually talk about, like--racism, sexism, sexual orientation, discrimination history of African Americans, Native Americans, Chinese Americans...and immigration. It is a pretty cool class, if I do say so myself. Anyway, being a TA, I usually attend all of the classes and just listen to the discussions led by the professor as they unfold. But the other day, my boss called and asked if I could teach the class, since he had a presentation to do on Friday. "Sure," I replied. As I was getting ready I thought about the fact that I was going to be teaching a university class, at BYU, full of 60+ college students. Kind of intimidating, although I didn't feel scared at all! I credit this to a semester my junior year, when I taught a statistics lab every week--after teaching statistics, leading a discussion about class and healthcare doesn't seem like too big of a deal.

Anyway, the class went well--I think. I really liked doing it, I wasn't scared or nervous at all, and I think that the material and our discussion really got people thinking. At least I hope it did. But, it just confirmed to me that teaching is something that I would really like to do as a profession--in a college setting of course. I don't know that I could deal with high school students. So, I am definitely thinking about the Clinical Psychology Ph D program so that I could do therapy, but also see if I could get a lecture position on some university faculty. BUT that is matieral for a whole different post.

AFTER I taught the lesson, it was on to my next class of the day: Animal Restraint. What is this class, you ask? Well, it is a class where we learn how to "restrain" various types of animals for laboratory and veterinary proceedures. Why the heck are you taking this class, you ask? Well, because I am taking my very last semester of school here at BYU, and I wanted to take a class that would be fun, and completely different from anything I have ever taken. Plus I love animals, and I get the chance to be up close and personal with so many different kinds of cool animals! Do you like this class, you ask? Why yes I do, thank you for asking!

Class today was held in the Bean Museum--the life sciences museum here on campus. Probably one of my very favorite places here in Provo. We got to go downstairs in the auditorium and learn all about reptiles. Totally awesome. Then we got to HOLD them! Even more awesome! Here are some of the amazing creatures that I was able to say hi to today (obviously, not pictures from my class today). Meet:

the horny toad
the monitor lizard
the big tortoise (forgot what the species name was)
the small tortoise
the ball python
and my personal favorite, the rosy boa

Next week we are doing a laboratory animals day--meaning mice, rats and finches. Can't wait!