We have come to the end of the semester. I have enjoyed sharing some of my thoughts with you, and I hope you have enjoyed reading them. I plan to blog next year because I have found that I love this job. Enjoy your summer — maybe we can get some feedback next semester. All my wishes -Free Hill

I am on a journey to finding myself and creating a new environment around me, mentally, spiritually, and physically. I have been doing very well in my academics and plan to continue to keep my grades up for the rest of the year, since I will be at Fontbonne this summer and fall semesters. I have started to work toward the goals that I have written down and seem to lack the motivation or knowledge in completing them. I cannot express enough the importance of having goals and having them written down to refer back to, especially when you’re all over the map like me. Yes, FBU community, I think that my positive mentality is giving me an optimistic attitude for positive things ahead for my future for the rest of this year.

Many people can look at the life of a Fontbonne student in different ways. I for one think that my life as a Fontbonne student means family — on and off campus. In many of my classes, there have been special bonds formed, even if it’s just for a semester. The bonds between the class help us to encourage one another with instruction and support. Take, for instance, my Public  Speaking class. It is a small class, but being able to present and share a part of ourselves each week gives insight about each of us. There is some unique vibe that we all collaboratively share. When my class ends, I go home to my own family, which reminds me of why I am a Fontbonne student anyway. It is my family that I desire to share my successes and failures with because they are the most important people in my life. I am a Fontbonne student because I know that my education is worth the hard work, and I am my children’s first example in life. They watch me take care of them, maintain a household, do homework, be responsible and teach responsibility. Fontbonne is not just a part of my life, but part of my family’s life.

Hello FBU! One thing that is great about Fontbonne is its extreme value for diversity. In honor of Diversity Week, I enjoyed going to the interfaith panel held in the AMC hall. I can truly appreciate and respect that we all have different beliefs, cultures, and faiths. It is so important to have an open mind about other  religions. I may not agree with their dogmas, beliefs, or rituals but I can understand the passion of having a connection with a higher power. I also learned of a religion that I had never heard of before; Baha’i. I can’t really explain it but it started about a century and half ago. I will be looking it up just to get a better understanding of it. Of course, this panel was facilitated by the religions instructor, Mr. Steve Stopke. I have said it before in another post, but he is definitely a great teacher in his field, and he is part of the reason why I have a fascination about other religions besides my own (Christianity). I hope you all get a chance to experience something different or out of your comfort zone this week, because you will be glad that you did. Check out the weekly e-mails about the events and activities that FBU has going on each week, and find a way to partake in them. Have great, diverse week FBU community!

Hi FBU community! We are getting closer to the end of another semester, and some are about to graduate and some of us are still a work in progress. For those of you who will be remaining students for a few more semesters, I encourage you to take advantage of activities and organizations while you are here. Not only are these activities fun and informative, they can be added to your resume. There are many clubs based on majors such as Human Services, Business, Human Environmental Services, etc. just to name a few. These clubs allow you to put your major to work, creating a tangible experience. Many of us do not take advantage of the college life, but we pay for these clubs and organizations that provide us options and the opportunity to be more than just students. Many of the clubs have scholarships that are exclusive to the members. You can meet new people and network and even make a difference out in the community. Enjoy your college life; it is just as important as that junior and senior year in high school: priceless.

Welcome back, FBU community! I hope you enjoyed your spring break. I sure did. I had a slumber party with my daughters and my neighbors and their daughters. I think I lost two pounds playing Just Dance 3 and the Black Eyed Peas Experience alone. We enjoyed the zoo and some real girl talk. I did not leave my sons out; we had some fun at the James J. Eagan Center in Florissant. We went swimming and played table games. It is really nice to have fun with those you love and not have to break the bank doing it.  That was my spring break in a nutshell. Well back to class, 7 more weeks to go.

I am so so happy that spring is here. The weather is beautiful, and I can go outside and really enjoy it. I noticed that Fontbonne has a walking club, but I am not able to get out and walk with them on Monday and Wednesday at  7a.m., but my brother and I have started a Mon-Fri. 10 a.m walk. Although we do not meet up because he goes out to Forest Park and I stay within my own neighborhood (gas is too high), we check in with each other when we start and finish because we are still holding each other accountable. If I know one way to lose weight and get healthy it is definitely by walking. So be sure to get out and walk as much as possible, FBU community — it will put a spring in your step, and by the summer, you will have some dissolved pounds that will help that bathing suit look even more superb.

Some may be wondering what’s up with my post title. Well, let me tell you, I am a very busy mom, and I am unable to g0 up to Fontbonne as much as I would like. I read the e-mails about the school activities, and I would love to participate in majority of them. I would like to yell at a game with a Fontbonne banner and hang out with the Griffin in purple, but I find that having a two year old and a four month old at home during the day takes out any spirit I have left to cheer. I do represent when I am out by rocking a Fontbonne shirt or basketball shorts that I purchased from the bookstore. I am very proud of my school, and I let those that are outside know it; therefore, my school spirit is distant.

Have you ever awoken with the question, “What am I going to do today?”  Of course you have! I have on numerous occasions wondered what is there to do in St. Louis. Several spots have kept my attention for a longtime; U-City and the Central West End. I am not the clubbing type so I cannot vouch for the hottest clubs in the Lou. I love scenery and food; U-City and the C.W.E take care of both.  The best season to cruise on the strips are well on the way. Going in and out of the locally owned businesses allow you to have a taste of unique clothing, gear and food. I enjoy  Blueberry Hill and Fitz’s in the U-city loop and relaxing at Coffee Cartel in the C.W.E. The great thing about these locations are the easy accessibility from the Metrolink station and the other nearby amenities like Forest Park and everything that comes with it, such as the art museum, zoo and science center. I hope that you have a chance to visit these locations this weekend or when the weather is feeling great. Have a wonderful week FBU community!

Hello FBU community,

I have been taking a World Religions course for  six weeks now. I chose to take the first eight week courses with Mr. Stopke. I admit I may have not chosen to take this course on my own, since it is required; oh well.  1. I am trying to get out of school and 2. I would have taken some drama course. Nevertheless, this has been one of the most insightful classes that I have taken, and Mr. Stopke make this class even more enjoyable.  I have been enlightened on different religions, traditions, and customs that were contrary to my own beliefs and what I had been taught while growing up in church. I have come to the conclusion that I love my own spiritual journey and my own personal relationship with God outside of what I have learned in church. During my assignment of finding a spiritual center to write about, I found one that I really liked and plan on returning to. If you have not taking this class for whatever reason, I truly recommend Mr. Stopke.