Emmapratt09's Blog

December 2011

emmapratt09 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:10:12 +0000

Sorry for the late blog ended up working a crazy amount of hours this past week and since today is my first day off I remembered to blog. I hope everyone’s holidays were great, mine sure was. It was so nice to see all of my family as well as have no school/homework to worry about.

Well last month was a little stressful; Finals week was long but so very short at the same time. I had a final in every class but not a test. In my art class I had a paper, class and community class I had two projects with a paper, my government class we had a PowerPoint and a project and my last class was my macroeconomic class and that was a test. Before going into this semester I would have said I’d take a project over a test any day, but now I’m not so sure just because they are both so time-consuming, not a one is easier than the other.

After school was over I started working about 30-40 hours at one job and 10 at my grandpa’s bar, needless to say it’s not much of a break. But my parents and I think it’s time I find a new job because the Library hasn’t been consistent enough for how much I work there, I’m also applying to some internship for spring semester of 2013. For now I’m applying to the FBI internship, CIA, a Minnesota internship with their crime lab in St Paul, secret service and the investigative side of a sheriff’s department. The last time I sat down with an academic advisor I was told that if I take three summer classes ill be on track to graduate in 4 years. So depending on how well soccer goes this upcoming season I might be done on track. This was a very pleasant surprise!

This upcoming semester starts January 18^th, I believe I am signed up for 18 credits all but two are credits going towards my major rather than generals. I’ll be taking English, intro to criminal justice, intro to psychology, Minnesota criminal codes and statutes and biblical Heritage of Christianity. I’m excited but nervous for all of my classes !!

I hope all is well with everyone; it was so good to see some of you at the office the other day!

Thank you,

Emma

November 2011

emmapratt09 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:24:16 +0000

Another month down, it is craazzyy with how fast this semester has gone!! I’ve been extremely busy the past week or so. Only two more weeks and then it’s another semester under my belt. This past week and upcoming two weeks are full of papers, projects and studying for tests. I think I am going to only have one true final, as far as having a test, and that is in my Macroeconomics class. As for the others I either have a paper, project or both. It’s just a lot of planning and a lot of busy work.

This past month has been great!! Not too much homework had a major term paper on the “American Dream” for my Class and Community class. This was the first paper that I have had to write at Concordia and man did I struggle. I’m not quite sure if it was the topic or if I completely over thought the question but either way I did not enjoy writing that paper it was way to frustrating.

The teacher asked us if the American dream is alive and well, and if it’s maintainable in one’s lifetime as well as is everyone able to have the American dream. I just didn’t like the question to be honest for several reasons; 1. We had to use a book that we read in class to support our answer but majority of the book was on social class and how it limits people to their dreams. It talked much about how you can’t move up the social ladder (i.e. Lower class to middle, middle to upper class). How there is only horizontal mobility (i.e. better benefits, better hours..etc.) It said that social class is everywhere from how you act, to how you dress and even sports the more contact the lower the class. To me I don’t agree with any of that. The second reason why was because the American dream can’t be defined because it varies the person to person, and your social class doesn’t decipher if it’s obtainable or not. Although it took quite a while, I did finish the paper. I haven’t heard how I did but I took a risk on it by disagreeing with everything we learned in class.

Other than school soccer is still over with. I haven’t worked out and its bitter-sweet, I can tell it’s going to be a struggle to get back in shape but its nice having more time to hang out and work. This month I was able to see my brother for the first time since August when he went to Missouri for school! My dad and I drove out to Chicago to see him swim at a meet! It was a long 24 hour trip but it was great to get away and see him!

This winter break I plan on applying for internships for spring of 2013. I’m not sure if I told you all but the main reason I went to Concordia is because to graduate I need to have a 12 credit internship. My goal is to apply to the FBI her in Minneapolis. The chances are very slim that it will work out but I’m keeping my fingers crossed, if indeed I can’t work there I’m going to apply for a few positions at some jails here in Minnesota. Unfortunately I know I have no desire to become a cop or a social worker so the issue I will run into is that majority of the people in my major go into those two fields and most of the internships/ connections that the school has to offer won’t be of my interest. So I have to find a place where I would like to intern at. I have my work cut out for me!

I hope all is going great at the office happy Holidays to everyone!!!

Emma

September 2011

emmapratt09 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:21:29 +0000

Sorry for the late post I have been extremely busy with work,
school and soccer. This year I am at Concordia University in St Paul, yes another
change but the last at that. I’m currently studying criminal justice here and I
love the school! This year I made the decision to give soccer another try and I
am very happy that I did. Because I have to sit a year due to the NCAA rules of
an in conference transfer I decided to take more credits and more challenging
classes. I think I am at 17 credits the courses that I am taking are biology,
government, macroeconomics, art and class and community. I would have to say
biology and my macro class are by far the most challenging.

I have yet to decide what my favorite class is but I would have to
say it’s between my macroeconomics class and my class and community. I say this
because macroeconomics doesn’t exactly interest me but my professor does. I didn’t
know that someone could be so educated in the economy and know how to work the
system. My class and community class reminds me of the ethics class I took last
year. But instead of morals its more
about social class and the mobility you have as well as what we can control. I
use to think that with hard work and determination you could become as rich as
you could be but this textbook claim otherwise. Stating that the elite consist
of old money, and the mobility you have is horizontal within your “class”. I
still think it’s possible to do what you want but it has defiantly questioned
some things that I thought was true.

Soccer is going really good!! I’m enjoying the team and coaches, I
am very happy with my decision to play this season. Like my freshman year of
school all I do is practice, I don’t travel or anything. This hasn’t been a
problem with me because it has allowed me to work more. It does get hard
watching the home games but I’ve dealt with worse J

I applied for a work study job with the conference and event
center- the first position was just a worker so I would sign up for events on
campus to help out with, to set up or help manage through the event. The second
job was an assistant to all the event workers in the office ( a little higher position
requiring 15-20 hrs. a week) here I would manage the people of the first
position as well as be at all the events and do projects for the coordinators. I’m
hoping to get the internship but I don’t think it’s realistic given my availability.
It’s between myself and another girl- I should know in a week with what job I get.

I hope all is well at the office!!!

Thank you for everything!!

Emma

October 2011

emmapratt09 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:01:18 +0000

HEY!! Happy Late Halloween!!
This month has gone by so fast!! So far my classes are going just fine; I would have to say that my favorite class would be my Class and Community class for my major. This class actually is an online class but we meet once a week online to discuss the reading. At first this was really hard for me to contribute in the online chat discussion as well as remembering the homework. But now I do enjoy it- the class talks about social class and what defines us, if it’s possible to move from class to class and much more.
Last week I had my scheduling for next semester- I found out that I am able to graduate next spring! This was shocking to me just because of the transfers I have made. But because more credits transferred to Concordia then SMSU I’m in good academic standing!! Next fall will be the decision maker for if I play that upcoming 5th season. But to be able to graduate next spring I am going to be taking 3 classes this summer at Normandale- speech, biology and a writing class. To graduate I need a 12 credit internship, when talking about the possible internship opportunities I asked if people have ever worked with the F.B.I. she said they have tried. My plan is to try as well but to apply now so that it would have more of a possibility to be accepted.
This past weekend soccer came to an end, we ended up seating 9th in the conference this was 1 spot away from continuing the season for the conference championship (top 8 make it). It was a good season! No complaints from me I enjoyed the girls and learned to just enjoy my last few years at soccer. Although we do have a spring season but it is nothing serious and doesn’t start until January. Yesterday all the athletes had to put up the dome for the indoor stadium it was a task and a half. So time consuming and quite boring but our help was needed.
I’m still working a lot Adrian’s in the mornings, Library at night and occasional sifts for my on campus work-study job. It’s keeping me busy and quite tired but it does require me to work on my time management, which I am still improving on. Haha. Now that soccer is over I might be looking for another job. Because soccer practice was every day I was limited to shifts that I could work also being that it is a set schedule it’s hard to pick up shifts unless people ask for it off.
I hope all is well at the office!!! Thank you!
Emma