Catherine Rawn

What a start to the term! It’s so easy to forget how much energy and stamina is needed to teach with enthusiasm. One month away from the classroom and after 2 days I’m exhausted! But I’ll find a new rhythm soon enough.

All my classes have now been started. It’s been fun getting to meet new students and to welcome back familiar faces… and only, um, a tad hectic behind the scenes.

Both my new courses started off with some activities that seemed to engage and intrigue… and maybe even relieve! (Comment below with your thoughts if you were there!) For example, yesterday in 218 (stats), I brought a bunch of Psychological Science journals and asked people to flip through results sections and find statistical concepts that were familiar at least a little. There were concepts from the whole course! Really helped to show that we’ll just be building off familiar ideas, which (I hope) made it not so scary. Thanks for participating, everyone! Looking forward to another adventure tomorrow.

I had begun to think that 2011 had been a bit dull, so I came up with 11 adventures I experienced last year. I tweeted about them all day yesterday. Here’s the full list, as tweeted, in case you’re interested:

#11 I’m now a runner (not the illegal kind). I learned to run. Outside. This was a big deal for me.

#10 Joining a book club. Never been a big reader, but this symbolized new commitment to valuing leisure in my life.

#9 Climbing a mountain! The Chief in Squamish. It was amazing. Stunning view, picnic @ the top. Great friends.

#8 Joined friends in a motorboat ride around Vancity from False Creek to Deep Cove. Glorious once I got used to it!

#7 I took a 10th Ed US research methods textbook and created its 1st Canadian Ed: Cozby and Rawn (2012).

#6 Stayed out at a house party until 4am… something I hadn’t done in many many years (thanks@Wine2Three!)

#5 I was the designated driver for a whole weekend in the Okanagan. More driving than in the past 3yrs combined!

#4 Treated like Rockstars on Okanagan trip. Thanks @Road13Vineyards @PaintedRockJohn@SandraOldfield @RussellBall

#3 VanSantaClausParade with Wes the Westjet balloon, peppmocha, sun, & great friends who support my parade love!

#2 Achieved winegeek status: had a 2010 ehrenfelser & wished it was 2009. Then looked @lesleyduncan & laughed!

#1 I met someone the day she was born & watched her grow for 9 wks. Pretty awesome. So are my friends who made her.

Here’s to an even more adventurous 2012! Happy New Year everyone!